Picking the right airport can make or break your Chicago trip. Two major airports serve the Windy City, and your choice can affect the cost of your trip and ease of travel. This breakdown of O’Hare Airport vs. Midway Airport will help you figure out which one will serve you best for your visit.
Location and Transportation Comparison
Midway Airport sits just over 10 miles from downtown Chicago. O’Hare is a little further out — 17 to 21 miles, depending on your route. The drive from Midway will typically save you 15 minutes compared to the journey from O’Hare. After a long flight, you likely want to get to your hotel room as quickly as possible, so those extra minutes are a welcome bonus.
The journey from Midway Airport to downtown Chicago is friendlier on your wallet too. The Orange Line train from Midway costs a mere $2.50 and gets you downtown in under 30 minutes. O’Hare’s Blue Line costs double at $5 for about the same travel time. The difference between rideshare prices is even greater: Midway to downtown runs $25-$30, while O’Hare trips cost $50-$70.
Airport Size and Navigation Experience
O’Hare is a huge airport, spanning nearly 12 square miles. It has four terminals, nine concourses, and 215 gates (the most in the world).
Midway is much smaller — just 650 acres (about 1 square mile) with a single terminal housing three concourses and 43 gates. This makes everything simple since there are no shuttle trains needed between concourses. First-time visitors or anxious travelers often find Midway’s smaller size much less stressful.
Airlines and Flight Options
These two airports take different approaches when it comes to flight options. O’Hare offers roughly 1,020 daily direct flights to 181 U.S. cities, plus another 126 daily flights to 67 international locations. That’s 269 total destinations across 47 countries. About 49 different airlines fly out of O’Hare, including United, American, and Frontier.
Most flights to and from Midway are with Southwest Airlines. Southwest runs 229 daily flights and handles over 90% of Midway’s traffic. If you’re a Southwest fan or hate change fees, Midway’s your spot.
Airport Amenities and Services
O’Hare offers more amenities, with 16 lounges throughout its terminals. The biggest standout is United’s Polaris Lounge — a massive 25,000 square foot space with 350 seats, private dining for 50, six bathrooms, and a full bar with speakeasy vibes.
Don’t count Midway out though. The airport has spent over $75 million on upgrades since 2017, adding more than 70 new food and shopping options and expanding by 30,000 square feet. You’ll find 33 dining options throughout the concourses, plus stores such as Hudson and Chicago’s famous Fannie May chocolates. Lounge-wise, there’s The Club MDW next to gate B1 (open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and accessible with a $50 day pass) and the USO center in Concourse C for military members and their families. Although Midway offers fewer choices than O’Hare, everything is a quick walk away.
Traveler Experience and Convenience Factors
Security waits can ruin your day. O’Hare lines typically stay under 15 minutes but can hit 45 minutes or longer during morning rushes. Check the MyTSA App for real-time waits. The TSA says to arrive two hours early for domestic flights or three hours early for international. Midway’s security runs from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with PreCheck open from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The average wait time is 34 minutes.
Business travelers often pick O’Hare for its lounges, international flights, and downtown train. Families like Midway’s dedicated Family Lanes at security and the simple layout. Both airports offer wheelchair help for those with mobility issues, and Midway supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme.
Which Chicago Airport Should You Choose?
Your best choice comes down to what you need. For overseas flights, go with O’Hare. It offers more airline choices and better amenities, though travel to and from the airport costs a little extra.
Pick Midway if you’re flying domestic (especially Southwest), want cheaper transportation, hate complicated airports, or just want to get in and out fast.
Discover Chicago’s Best Deep-Dish Pizza During Your Visit
Your real adventure starts after you leave the airport. No matter which one you pick, both drop you right into Chicago’s amazing food scene, and nothing beats the city’s famous deep-dish pizza.
After you’ve settled in, head straight to Pequod’s Pizza in Lincoln Park. With a caramelized crust and mouthwatering toppings, it’s the perfect reward after surviving a long flight. Treat yourself to what makes this city truly special.
Image by David Syphers is licensed with Usplash License