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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), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Amenities
  6. Ground transport
  7. Parking
  8. Can I leave?
  9. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • To Chicago: about 25 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Chicago Midway International Airport has 1 terminal. Transfer system: Walking only. Compact airport; all gates reachable on foot.

Main Terminal (Concourses A, B, C)

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

Single terminal with three concourses. Southwest Airlines focus city with the majority of operations.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Walking only
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at MDW

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at MDW: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at MDW

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about MDW? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at MDW vary by time of day and checkpoint. Chicago Midway International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

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.

OptionCostTime
CTA Orange Line
Subway
Direct CTA rapid transit to Chicago Loop.
$2.5020-25 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
MDW is slightly closer to downtown than ORD.
VariesVaries

Parking

MDW parking ranges from $15/day economy to $43/day short-term. Official daily maximums from flychicago.com: Daily Garage $43/day (8-24h max), Daily Lot $30/day, Econ Park $15/day. Hourly garage $4 first hour.

Short-term
$43/day
Long-term
$30/day
Economy
$15/day
Valet
Not published

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; the CTA Orange Line reaches the Loop in 20-25 minutes for $2.50. 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?

Chicago Midway International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at MDW?

MDW requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Walking only.

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; the CTA Orange Line reaches the Loop in 20-25 minutes for $2.50. 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 $2.50, taking 20-25 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. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint.

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: $43/day short-term, $30/day long-term, $15/day economy. Official daily maximums from flychicago.com: Daily Garage $43/day (8-24h max), Daily Lot $30/day, Econ Park $15/day. Hourly garage $4 first hour.

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 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversMDW ranks well for quick layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTMDW dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on Chicago and MDW

Go deeper on connecting through MDW and on visiting Chicago.

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

Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Chicago Midway International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.