Airports in Chicago: A Comprehensive Look at O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW)

Chicago hosts two primary airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). While O'Hare serves as the city’s primary airport, the smaller Midway offers a more relaxed travel experience. Each airport has its advantages and disadvantages; this guide will assist you in deciding which one best suits your needs.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

As Chicago's main airport, O'Hare International Airport serves over 43.7 million passengers each year, earning it the title of the ninth busiest airport globally in 2023, according to OAG. It is a favored layover airport for travelers connecting from smaller U.S. cities.

Getting to downtown Chicago: Location and transportation options

O'Hare Airport is situated 15 miles away from downtown Chicago.

By car

Taxi or rideshare services

By train

Public Bus Services

Multiple bus companies provide shuttle services to and from O'Hare, linking travelers to both downtown Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Fares and travel durations may differ.

Airlines, routes, and terminals

O'Hare is served by an impressive 47 airlines, offering nonstop flights to over 150 U.S. cities and more than 60 international destinations. Both United and American Airlines operate hubs here. The airport has four terminals, with Terminal 5 designated as the international terminal, although international flights can also depart from the other terminals.

• Terminal 1: All Nippon, Lufthansa, United Airlines
• Terminal 2: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Southern Airways Express
• Terminal 3: Aer Lingus, Cape Air, Contour Airlines, Denver Air Connection (Key Lime Air), Iberia, Japan Airlines (JAL), Spirit Airlines
• Terminal 5: Aeromexico, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EVA Air, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Finnair, Frontier, Iberia, Icelandair, Japan Airlines (JAL), KLM, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, SWISS, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Southwest, Sun Country, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, VivaAerobus, Volaris, Westjet.

Dining and shopping options

O'Hare boasts a wide array of restaurants but offers limited shopping, with a Duty Free option available. Business hours vary, generally operating between 5:00 am and 11:00 pm.

Notable dining spots include:

• Tortas Fronteras by Rick Bayless (Terminals 1, 3, and 5)
• Berghoff Cafe (Terminal 1)
• Wicker Park Sushi & Seafood Bar (Terminals 1 and 2).

For one-of-a-kind shopping, check out the Field Museum store (Terminal 1) or Hoypoloi An Uncommon Gallery (Terminals 1 and 2).

Lounges

• Terminal 1: In Terminal 1, United features three United Clubs and one United Polaris Lounge.
• Terminal 2: Terminal 2 includes a United Club and a USO Lounge.
• Terminal 3: American Airlines operates three Admirals Clubs and one Flagship Lounge in Terminal 3, along with a USO Lounge.
• Terminal 5: Terminal 5 hosts the British Airways First Lounge, British Airways Terraces Lounge, Delta Sky Club, SAS Lounge, and Swissport Lounge. A LOT Polish Business Class Lounge is set to open in 2024.

Activities at O'Hare

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Chicago Midway International Airport is the second-largest airport in Chicago, accommodating around 19 million travelers each year. While it is officially an international airport, it mainly serves domestic flights, especially with Southwest Airlines.

Getting to downtown Chicago: location and transportation options

Midway is situated 11 miles away from downtown Chicago.

Drive

Taxi or rideshare services

Train services

Bus options

Airlines, routes, and terminals

Midway has a single terminal featuring three concourses. Seven airlines operate nonstop flights to over 70 U.S. cities and more than 10 international locations, including Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Southwest Airlines is the primary hub here.

• Concourse A: Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines, Porter Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Volaris
• Concourse B: Southwest Airlines
• Concourse C: Avelo Airlines, Frontier

Dining and shopping options

Midway offers a variety of dining options and a few shops to keep you entertained during your stay. While operating hours differ by establishment, many open as early as 5:00 am and close around 10:00 pm. Recommended eateries include burgers from Billy Goat Tavern (Concourse A), sushi at Arami (Concourse A), and tacos at BIG & little's (Concourse B). For shopping, check out the iconic FAO Schwarz toy store (Concourse A), a MAC Cosmetics store (Central Market), and the Build-a-Bear Workshop vending machine (Central Market).

Airport Lounges

In Concourse C at Midway, you'll find a USO Lounge. Additionally, the first public-access lounge, Club MDW, is set to open in late 2024.

Activities at Midway

• The airport is named after the Battle of Midway from World War II and features a small exhibit honoring the event, along with a suspended SBD Dauntless bomber in Concourse A.
• If you’re looking to unwind, check out the yoga room in Concourse C.
• Throughout the airport, you’ll find various artworks as part of the Chicago Public Art program, including the notable Tuskegee Airmen Commemorative, which honors the legendary group of Black military aviators from World War II.

The Best Chicago Airport for Your Flight

O'Hare and Midway offer distinctly different experiences, making the choice between them dependent on your individual needs. Generally, many Chicago locals favor Midway for its more compact atmosphere and reduced crowds. However, Midway has fewer options compared to O'Hare regarding airlines, destinations, lounges, and flight frequency.

If Midway provides the flights you need at the right price, you're likely to enjoy a smoother airport experience. However, many travelers, especially those flying internationally, may find themselves opting for O'Hare as their only choice.

For additional airport details, explore the complete range of Dinogo's airport guides.

The Creation of This Guide

As a travel writer for nearly a decade, I usually cover around 200,000 miles annually. This guide combines my personal experiences at ORD and MDW, along with insights and recommendations from fellow frequent travelers.