MDW · Chicago, IL · Large Hub

Chicago Midway International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Chicago: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

Chicago Midway International Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. Compact airport; all gates reachable on foot without re-screening.

Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C)

4 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Porter Airlines, Volaris

Single terminal with three concourses, airside-connected. Southwest Airlines focus city with the majority of operations.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
45 min
International to domestic
1 hr
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking only (all concourses airside-connected)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave MDW.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at MDW is 20 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

MDW tends to be faster than ORD for Chicago-area flights.

Amenities

3 of 7 core amenities available at MDW: free WiFi, nursing rooms, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Not available

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Free WiFi airport-wide.

Nursing rooms

Available

All concourses

Chapel

Not available

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Concourse B: Potbelly Sandwich Works, Harry Caray's

Ground transport to Chicago

MDW is about 25 min from downtown Chicago by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
CTA Orange Line
Subway
Direct CTA rapid transit to Chicago Loop.
 $3 25-30 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
MDW is slightly closer to downtown than ORD.
 $25-$45 20-50 min

Parking

MDW parking ranges from $15/day economy to $45/day short-term.

Short-term
$45/day
Long-term
$22/day
Economy
$15/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave MDW during a layover?

Yes, MDW is close enough to Chicago that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Chicago. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 min plus re-screening on return.

MDW is the best Chicago airport for short layovers; CTA Orange Line reaches the Loop in 25 minutes for $3. 3+ hour layovers can easily grab deep dish and be back in time.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn
    10-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at MDW?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from MDW, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at MDW?

MDW requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 60 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at MDW?

Budget 5 min for same-terminal transfers and 10 min for different-terminal transfers at MDW via Walking only (all concourses airside-connected). Compact airport; all gates reachable on foot without re-screening.

Can I leave MDW during a 3-hour layover?

Yes, MDW is close enough to Chicago that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 minutes plus re-screening. MDW is the best Chicago airport for short layovers; CTA Orange Line reaches the Loop in 25 minutes for $3. 3+ hour layovers can easily grab deep dish and be back in time.

Does MDW have showers?

MDW does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.

Does MDW have sleep pods?

MDW does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at MDW?

Yes. MDW offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi airport-wide.

What is the cheapest way to get from MDW to Chicago?

The cheapest option is typically CTA Orange Line at $3, taking 25-30 minutes. Direct CTA rapid transit to Chicago Loop.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MDW?

MDW supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 20 minutes. MDW tends to be faster than ORD for Chicago-area flights.

Where should I eat at MDW during a layover?

Notable dining at MDW includes Potbelly Sandwich Works (Concourse B), Harry Caray's (Concourse B).

How much does parking cost at MDW?

MDW parking rates: $45/day short-term, $22/day long-term, $15/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at MDW for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn (10-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Are there pet relief areas at MDW?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Compare MDW to other airports

See how MDW ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers MDW ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT MDW dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr

Airlines operating at MDW

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MDW.

Pack for your Chicago trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by MDW.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Chicago Midway International Airport before flying.