O'Hare vs Midway: Which Chicago Airport Should You Use?

Two Great Airports, Different Advantages

Chicago travelers often wonder which airport to use: O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in the northwest or Midway International Airport (MDW) on the southwest side. The answer isn’t simple—it depends on your location, preferred airlines, destination, and travel priorities.

Both airports are excellent, but they serve different purposes and markets. This guide breaks down the differences to help you choose the right airport for your next trip.

Quick Comparison Table

Location and Distance: A Major Factor

O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Located in northwest Chicago, approximately:

• 18 miles from downtown Chicago (Loop)
• 22 miles from Chicago’s financial district
• 12 miles from northwest suburbs (Evanston, Skokie, Des Plaines)

Drive times from popular locations:

• Downtown Loop: 25-40 minutes (typical), 45+ minutes (rush hour)
• Millennium Park: 30-45 minutes
• Navy Pier: 35-45 minutes
• Northbrook/Evanston: 15-20 minutes
• O’Hare/Rosemont: 5-10 minutes

Midway International Airport (MDW)

Located on Chicago’s southwest side, approximately:

• 10 miles from downtown Chicago (Loop)
• 12 miles from Chicago’s financial district
• Very accessible to southwest suburbs and airport corridor

Drive times from popular locations:

• Downtown Loop: 15-25 minutes (typical), 30-40 minutes (rush hour)
• Millennium Park: 20-30 minutes
• Navy Pier: 25-35 minutes
• Near West Side: 10-15 minutes
• Midway area: 2-5 minutes

The Location Winner

For downtown Chicago visits: Midway is noticeably closer—roughly half the distance and drive time.

For northwestern suburbs and airport meetings: O’Hare is closer.

For direct transportation comparison:

• Rideshare from Downtown to O’Hare: typically $32-45
• Rideshare from Downtown to Midway: typically $22-35
• Professional service O’Hare: $65-80
• Professional service Midway: $50-65

The proximity advantage saves both time and money if you’re traveling to/from downtown Chicago.

Airline Selection and Flight Options

O’Hare’s Strengths

O’Hare is a major hub for two carriers and a significant airport for most others:

United Hub: O’Hare is United’s primary Chicago hub. Expect excellent service on United flights with connections to virtually anywhere.

American Airlines Focus: American maintains significant presence with multiple gates and frequent service.

All Major Carriers: United, American, Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit, Alaska, and international carriers like Lufthansa, Air Canada, and others.

International Service: Direct flights to Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt), South America, Asia, and Mexico make O’Hare the preferred choice for international travel.

Flight Options: 250+ daily flights to domestic destinations, with near-hourly service to major hubs (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco).

Midway’s Strengths

Midway is heavily dominated by Southwest Airlines, which operates about 60% of flights.

Southwest Hub: Midway is one of Southwest’s operational centers. If flying Southwest, Midway offers many advantages—frequent flights, smooth operations, dedicated facilities.

Budget Carriers: Frontier and Spirit offer cheaper fares from Midway for price-conscious travelers.

Rapid Service Model: Southwestern Airlines’ rapid turnaround model means fewer operational delays at Midway overall.

Shorter Security Lines: With fewer terminals and less passenger volume, security can be faster.

Growth: Midway has expanded service recently to 80+ daily domestic flights, including new routes to Denver, Las Vegas, and the Caribbean.

Airlines at Each Airport

O’Hare:

• United (primary hub - most frequent)
• American (significant presence)
• Southwest (significant presence)
• JetBlue, Alaska, Frontier, Spirit
• International carriers: Lufthansa, Air Canada, British Airways, Iceland Air, and others

Midway:

• Southwest (dominant - ~60% of operations)
• Frontier (discount carrier)
• Spirit (discount carrier)
• Limited international service (seasonal to Cancun, some Caribbean)

The Airline Winner

If flying Southwest: Midway is superior. More frequent flights, dedicated gates, better customer experience.

If flying international: O’Hare is essentially required. Midway has very limited international service.

If flying most other carriers: O’Hare offers more options and frequency.

If seeking lowest fares: Midway’s Southwest focus means competitive pricing on these routes.

Amenities and Passenger Experience

O’Hare Amenities

O’Hare has undergone significant renovation with modern facilities:

• Dining: 150+ restaurants and shops including premium options (Alinea satellites, local chefs), chains, and quick service
• Lounges: United Club, American Admiral’s Club, Delta Sky Club, plus dozens of airline-specific options
• Shopping: High-end retail, bookstores, tech stores, travel essentials
• Services: Full-service spas, massage chairs, children’s play areas, interfaith chapel, yoga room
• WiFi: Complimentary throughout (United WiFi or general)
• Seating: Modern seating areas throughout, charging stations abundant
• Healthcare: Medical clinic for travelers feeling unwell
• Business facilities: Business centers with private offices available
• Art program: 100+ artworks throughout terminals for cultural experience

Terminal-Specific Notes:

• Terminal 1 (United): Most modern, extensive amenities
• Terminal 3 (International): Excellent for global travelers
• Terminal 5 (American): Recently renovated, high quality

Midway Amenities

Midway, being smaller, has more limited but still respectable amenities:

• Dining: 40+ restaurants and shops including Garrett Popcorn, local vendors, chains
• Lounges: Fewer options but available through airline programs
• Shopping: Adequate but smaller selection than O’Hare
• Services: Basic amenities; no spa but has massage chairs
• WiFi: Complimentary, reasonably fast
• Seating: Adequate but tighter due to smaller facility
• Convenience: Single terminal means no terminal transfers, very walkable
• Efficiency: Can get from curb to gate in 15-20 minutes vs. 20-30 at O’Hare

Midway Advantages:

• Single terminal means no moving between terminals
• Less crowded during peak times
• Faster to navigate overall
• More personal, less overwhelming
• Often less expensive parking

The Amenities Winner

For comfortable long layovers: O’Hare. The 150 dining options, premium lounges, and services provide better ways to spend time between flights.

For quick, efficient travel: Midway. Single terminal, easier navigation, faster security in many cases.

For international travelers: O’Hare. Better lounges, dining, services for longer flights.

Operational Efficiency and Reliability

O’Hare Performance

Strengths:

• Newest facilities with modern baggage handling
• Four independent runways reduce weather delays
• Experienced handling of large volumes
• United operations are excellent

Challenges:

• High volume increases congestion risk
• Weather delays more common due to schedule density
• Construction and renovation projects can impact operations

On-Time Performance:

• Approximately 76% of flights on-time (within 15 minutes)
• Summer afternoon thunderstorms are primary delay cause
• Winter weather impacts morning flights

Midway Performance

Strengths:

• Southwest’s efficient operations reduce delays
• Single runway less impacted by weather
• Fewer flights means less congestion
• Excellent baggage handling

Challenges:

• Weather runway closures more impactful (only one runway)
• Limited flexibility when issues occur
• Growing capacity strains

On-Time Performance:

• Approximately 81% of flights on-time (within 15 minutes)
• Generally better than O’Hare
• Southwest’s quick turnaround helps

The Reliability Winner

For consistent on-time performance: Midway, by about 5 points, due to Southwest’s operations and lower congestion.

For weather resilience: O’Hare. Multiple runways provide options during weather events.

Ground Transportation and Getting to Downtown Chicago

From O’Hare (ORD)

Options and Times to Downtown:

1. Blue Line Train

   • Cost: $5
   • Time: 40-45 minutes to downtown
   • Frequency: Every 3-10 minutes
   • Pros: Cheap, reliable, direct
   • Cons: Stops everywhere, slow, crowded during peak times

2. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

   • Cost: $32-45 (off-peak), $50-100+ (surge)
   • Time: 25-40 minutes depending on traffic
   • Frequency: Immediate (wait times during peak)
   • Pros: Door-to-door, flexible
   • Cons: Variable pricing, surge charges, traffic dependent

3. Professional Limo Service (Royal Carriage)

   • Cost: $65-85 (flat rate, no surge)
   • Time: 30-40 minutes typical
   • Frequency: By appointment
   • Pros: Guaranteed service, no surge pricing, professional driver, comfort
   • Cons: Requires advance booking, more expensive than off-peak rideshare

4. Rental Car

   • Cost: $50-80+ daily rental
   • Time: 30-40 minutes
   • Pros: Complete flexibility
   • Cons: Parking downtown expensive ($20-40 per day), driving unfamiliar city

From Midway (MDW)

Options and Times to Downtown:

1. Orange Line Train

   • Cost: $3-5
   • Time: 25-30 minutes to downtown
   • Frequency: Every 5-15 minutes
   • Pros: Cheapest option, direct downtown connection
   • Cons: Stops everywhere, crowded during peaks

2. Rideshare

   • Cost: $22-35 (off-peak), $35-65 (surge)
   • Time: 15-25 minutes depending on traffic
   • Frequency: Immediate
   • Pros: Convenient, door-to-door
   • Cons: Surge pricing possible, traffic dependent

3. Professional Limo Service

   • Cost: $50-65 (flat rate, no surge)
   • Time: 18-30 minutes typical
   • Frequency: By appointment
   • Pros: Flat rate, professional, no surge
   • Cons: Requires advance booking

4. Rental Car

   • Cost: $50+ daily
   • Time: 15-25 minutes
   • Pros: Maximum flexibility
   • Cons: Downtown parking expensive

Ground Transportation Winner

Overall value for downtown travel: Midway. The proximity saves 20-30 minutes and $15-20 per trip. The Orange Line is faster than Blue Line for downtown travel.

For guaranteed service: Professional limo from either airport, but especially valuable from O’Hare due to distance.

For budget travelers: Orange Line from Midway, then Blue Line or rideshare from either.

Parking and Rental Car Considerations

O’Hare Parking

Short-term: $3-5 for up to 1 hour; $21-27 per additional 24 hours Long-term: $12-18 per day Economy: $9-15 per day Valet: $30-40 per day Off-site: $7-15 per day

Parking is abundant but distances from terminals can be significant, requiring shuttles.

Midway Parking

Short-term: $3-5 for up to 1 hour; $24-30 per additional 24 hours Long-term: $15-22 per day Economy: $12-18 per day Valet: $35-45 per day Off-site: $8-16 per day

Parking is tighter; economy lot fills during peak times. However, everything is walkable or short shuttle.

Which Airport Should You Choose?

Choose O’Hare If:

1. Flying internationally - Only O’Hare has adequate international service
2. Flying United - Massive hub with best options and reliability
3. Flexible destination - More airline options mean better schedules
4. Comfort priority - Superior amenities during layovers
5. Traveling from northwest Chicago - It’s closer to northern suburbs
6. Need business lounge access - More premium lounges available

Choose Midway If:

1. Flying Southwest - Faster service, better on-time performance
2. Traveling downtown - Significantly closer and cheaper to downtown Chicago
3. Want budget carriers - Frontier and Spirit have more Midway presence
4. Prefer efficiency - Single terminal, less hassle
5. Want better on-time performance - Generally more reliable
6. From southwest Chicago - Much closer for residents

Hybrid Strategy:

Outbound: If departing during peak times going international on United → Use O’Hare Return: If returning domestic from non-hub → Use Midway (often cheaper, less congestion)

Final Recommendation

For most Chicago travelers heading downtown or to the south/west: Midway is superior. The 8-mile proximity advantage saves time and money, and Southwest’s operations provide reliability.

For international travel or if flying United: O’Hare is required or preferred.

For ground transportation: Book with Royal Carriage (224-801-3090) from either airport. We provide:

• Flat-rate pricing (no surge charges)
• Professional drivers
• Guaranteed service
• Flight monitoring
• Both airports equally reliable with our service

When you arrive at either Chicago airport, reliable ground transportation is waiting. Let us handle the drive while you relax after your flight.

Planning a Chicago trip? Whether you choose O’Hare or Midway, professional ground transportation ensures a smooth start to your visit. Book now at (224) 801-3090.