O’Hare VS Midway: The Ultimate Guide to Chicago Airports – Booking.com

When deciding which Chicago airport is the best for you, consider the airline you prefer, whether you’re flying internationally, transportation options, location, and, of course, the amenities at each one.

Home to incredible architecture, a rich culinary experience, museums galore, and scenic backdrops along Lake Michigan, Chicago really does have it all. If you’ve never been to the Windy City, now is the time to book your flight and hotel to experience the allure of Chicago, which includes a theater district, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, deep-dish pizza, architecture boat cruises, and jaw-dropping views from the top of the Willis Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings.

Before you book your Chicago getaway, we’ve compiled some key info about Chicago’s two major airports - O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). Each airport offers plenty of perks. However, they are very different in size and operation, so we’ll break it down so you can book your flight accordingly. We'll help you decide between O’Hare and Midway, navigate transportation options, and tackle some frequently asked questions about the size, airlines, and location. Your stress-free Chicago airport experience starts right here!

How Many Airports Does Chicago Have?

Chicago, one of the busiest air travel hubs in the United States, is served by two major commercial airports: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). These two airports handle the vast majority of passenger traffic in and out of the Chicago area. The city also has a few regional airports, but they typically don’t handle commercial flights. Another international airport is Gary/Chicago International Airport, located about 25 miles from downtown Chicago.

When deciding which Chicago airport is the best for you, consider the airline you prefer, whether you’re flying internationally, transportation options, location, and, of course, the amenities at each one.

Chicago Airports Overview

Both O’Hare and Midway have played pivotal roles in shaping the city's air travel landscape. Steeped in history, Chicago’s first airport, originally named Chicago Municipal Airport, opened its runways in 1927. It quickly became the world's busiest airport by the 1930s. The name changed to Midway International after the Battle of Midway in 1949. It has been a cornerstone of Chicago's air travel ever since.

O'Hare International Airport opened in 1942 as an aircraft assembly plant during World War II and was renamed after naval aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, in 1949. By the 1960s, O'Hare had taken over as one of the world's busiest airports, a title it has held for decades.

The main difference between O’Hare and Midway airports is their size, which trickles down to the amenities and destinations offered. O’Hare is Chicago’s busiest airport, with four terminals and eight runways sprawling across 7,200 acres. O’Hare offers about five times as many domestic and international flights as Midway, which has only one terminal with five runways over 840 acres. O’Hare also has significantly more amenities and handles about 60 million more passengers annually.

About Chicago O’Hare

Known as O'H or ORD, O’Hare is one of the best US airports due to its immense scale, exceptional service, and prime Midwest location in Chicago, Illinois. It offers about 1,000 non-stop flights daily to nearly 230 destinations worldwide and features modern touches and new-age amenities that travelers will love.

About Chicago Midway

Chicago Midway is a perfect choice when flying domestic, as it has about 220 flights daily to destinations around the US, Canada, Jamaica, and Mexico. It’s also a great choice when flying on budget airlines, as it’s the hub for Southwest Airlines. Although much smaller in size, Midway offers dining options and shopping, just no airport lounges.

Chicago O’Hare & Midway Airports Locations and Accessibility

Both airports offer excellent accessibility around Chicago, so your choice between the two may depend on your destination and your preferred mode of transportation. Chicago’s “L“transit system provides travelers with public transportation via subway or elevated train lines by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Using colors as their route names makes navigating where you want to go easy.

Chicago O’Hare Location & Accessibility

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Chicago O'Hare excels in transportation connectivity, providing passengers with several public transportation options. Take the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line, which provides 24/7 access to Downtown Chicago, the Metra commuter train service, or regional and airport shuttle buses directly to O’Hare. You’ll find plenty of taxis and shuttles that offer direct and convenient rides to various Chicago destinations. A designated ride-share area is located outside of Departures in Terminal 2, making pick-ups a breeze.

O'Hare offers short-term, long-term, and valet parking conveniently located near the terminals for those who prefer to drive. If you’re renting a car in Chicago, O’Hare has over ten rental car companies accessible via the Airport Transit System. O’Hare’s prime location makes it easily accessible from various landmarks, great hotels, and fun things to do in Chicago.

ORD offers extensive parking options:

• Short-term parking: $3/first hour up to $77/day
• Long-term economy lots: Between $15-$22/day
• Valet parking: $26/8 hours or $64/day

Chicago Midway Location & Accessibility

Located on Chicago’s South Side, Chicago Midway is a perfect choice for domestic flights, as it’s only 10 miles from the city center, the closest to downtown. You can get to and from downtown via the CTA Orange Line train, CTA buses, and regional airport shuttle buses. You can also travel to the airport via taxi or rideshare or drive your car and park there. If you plan to rent a car, Midway hosts all its rental companies in one convenient location with 24/7 shuttles to and from.

Midway provides multiple parking choices:

• Daily parking garage: $40/day
• Economy parking lots: $15/day
• Hourly garage: $4/first hour up to $64/day

Navigating Chicago’s Airports: Size and Crowds

With two major airports near the city center, there’s plenty of tourism bustling through both O’Hare and Midtown. Although O’Hare is larger and offers more amenities, it also sees much more foot traffic, whereas Midtown may offer fewer crowds and shorter wait times.

Chicago O’Hare Size

With an impressive 7,200 acres, O’Hare is considered the sixth-busiest airport in the world. It handles about 200,000 travelers daily and over 80 million people annually. ORD has four active passenger terminals, about 200 gates, and eight runways. It’s also the largest hub for United Airlines.

Despite its size, O'Hare is surprisingly manageable, thanks to clear signage, interactive kiosks, free inter-terminal shuttle buses, and an automated People Mover (ATS) system. However, be prepared for crowds, especially during peak hours. Arrive early in case of traffic, long security lines, busy food courts and restaurants, and crowded gate areas.

Getting around O’Hare is easy when flying domestic. However, ORD has four terminals; terminals 1, 2, and 3 are primarily domestic and are all attached. You can walk through them without exiting security, which is very convenient if you need to catch a connecting flight. Terminal 5 is typically for international flights. It’s not physically connected to the other three terminals. Passengers must take the ATS (Airport Transit System) to get to the other terminals.

Chicago Midway Size

Midway International Airport spans approximately 800 acres and serves around 20 million passengers each year. Although smaller, Midway offers a smooth flying experience, with shorter wait times for security and easier navigation. With just one terminal and three concourses connected by a central food court, you can get to your gate in 10 minutes, making connecting flights a breeze. Midway serves around 60,000 travelers per day, significantly less than O'Hare, but has a more relaxed atmosphere overall.

Airlines and Destinations at ORD and MDW

One of the most significant differences between the two Chicago airports is their airline and destinations offered. Chicago O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the world, offering almost 50 airlines for domestic and international travel, and serves as a major hub airport for two global airlines. Midway is a hub for one major domestic carrier and has significantly fewer options. Choosing between the two generally comes down to your destination.

Chicago O’Hare Destinations

With nearly 1,000 flights daily, Chicago O’Hare shuffles thousands of passengers to far-off destinations and all around the US. O’Hare is a hub airport for American Airlines and United Airlines and offers flights to approximately 230 global destinations. O’Hare caters to almost 50 airlines, including US-based carriers like JetBlue, Delta, American, United, Alaska Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier, plus major international airlines, including Air France, ANA, British Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines. O’Hare is often the perfect airport for layovers and connecting flights for international travel.

Chicago Midway Destinations

While it may be called an international airport, Chicago Midway primarily offers flights to domestic destinations around the US and eleven international cities in Mexico, Canada, and Jamaica. With only about 200 flights daily, Midway has significantly less foot traffic than its counterpart. You’ll find major lines like Delta, Frontier, Allegiant Air, Volaris, Aeromexico, WestJet, Virgin Atlantic, and, of course, Southwest Airlines, in which Midway serves as their hub.

Amenities and Services at Chicago Airports

Expect to be thoroughly entertained, amused, and comfortable during your time at Chicago O’Hare and Midway airports. Both airports are filled with eateries, shops, workstations, and lounges, and each features a few unique services to help passengers pass the time. Both airports are also undergoing major renovations to meet passenger demand and new technology.

Chicago O’Hare Amenities

Every terminal at Chicago O'Hare is designed to maximize passenger comfort and convenience. Bigger is better when it comes to essential amenities like comfortable seating, charging stations, business centers, and restrooms. There are also rotating art installations and a Brachiosaurus skeleton replica in Terminal 1, but one thing that O’Hare particularly excels at is providing ways for passengers to destress. Head to Terminal 3 and find your inner namaste in the airport’s yoga room, which features mats and instructional videos. Visit the Aeroponic Garden for a tranquil environment, or head to The Hilton Health Club and Gym across from the domestic terminals for those looking to break a sweat between flights.

Traveling moms love the nursing features of the Mother’s Room and lactation pods, which are available in each terminal and open 24/7. Diaper vending machines are also available, stocked with everything you may need, including pacifiers, wipes, formula, and toys. Families can also head to Terminal 2’s Family Lounge, which has a designated play area for small children, plenty of charging stations, and seating for parents to unwind.

The dining scene at O'Hare is equally diverse, featuring a mix of restaurants, cafes, and quick-serve options that cater to a wide range of tastes. You’ll find celebrity chef restaurants like Rick Bayless' Tortas Frontera, Garrett Popcorn, Chicago-style hotdogs, and pizza, as well as plenty of more unique dining concessions.

O'Hare boasts an array of shopping outlets, including luxury boutiques, electronics stores, duty-free shops, and specialty stores offering a vast selection of Chicago-themed souvenirs, clothing, toys, and more.

If you were wondering if Chicago O’Hare has any airline lounges, the answer is many! Boasting eight airline lounges spread between its terminals, travelers can find a relaxing environment to eat, work, rest, or enjoy a cocktail before boarding. Most of the clubs offer day passes for travelers who do not have club membership. Clubs available are United Club, United Polaris Lounge, American/JAL/Iberia Admiral’s Club, American Flagship Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Swissport Lounge, SAS Lounge, and British Airways Lounge.

Looking for a hotel near O’Hare? You can’t get any closer than the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel, which is within walking distance to all domestic terminals by underground walkways and from the international terminal (5) via the Airport Transit System. Travelers can use the showers and facilities at their health club for a small fee, and the hotel itself has meeting space, a sports bar, café, dining, and comfortable accommodations near Chicago O’Hare.

ORD is embarking on an 8.5-billion-dollar renovation, including a state-of-the-art Global Terminal, which will be double in size and host international and domestic arrival gates, state-of-the-art baggage systems, and brand new immigration and customs facilities, among other features. Slated to be completed by 2032, O’Hare is touting that it will be one of the largest and most cutting-edge airports due to these renovations. There will also be updates to the current terminals that will greatly improve the customer experience, including new concessions, a new baggage claim area, restroom renovations, and a new roof installation.

Chicago Midway Amenities

Although it’s the smaller of the two airports, Chicago Midway offers a number of services and amenities for an easy travel experience. Passengers will love the airport art throughout its terminals and the yoga room to relax, meditate, and pass the time before their flight. MDW is full of ATMs, charging stations, free Wi-Fi connections, and various business centers to take care of business. If you’re traveling with children, you will find added convenience with lactation pods that provide a safe, private space for mothers to nurse or pump while traveling and the Mothers Room, a tranquil space to breastfeed or change diapers. There’s also a kid’s play area where little ones can burn energy before a flight, and it happens to be next to an FAO Schwarz toy store near Gate A5. Midway also offers a USO center for military travelers and their families to relax, eat, and unwind before being deployed or traveling overseas.

Suppose you have some time to kill before a flight or during a layover. In that case, Midway offers over 30 concessions and dining options to tempt your tastebuds, including BIG & little’s, Big Shoulders Coffee, Arami, Billy Goat Tavern, Cielo Cantina​, Nuts on Clark, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Dunkin Donuts, and Gold Coast Dogs. You’ll also find an array of shops, newsstands, candy stores, and even an iconic toy store.

Chicago Midway’s newest addition, The Club MDW, offers passengers an elevated experience with local cuisine and a vibrant atmosphere. The multi-functional space includes a lounge, lively bar, dining, and workstations. It is open daily from 4 am to 10 pm and is located at MDW’s Central Market, across from Gene's Bistro.

Midway has already begun its $75 million renovations that will transform the travel experience for its passengers as they are adding about 70,000 sq. ft. for almost 70 new dining and retail stores to the airport, showcasing Chicago’s culture and style. Updates will also be made to the parking garages and modernizations throughout the existing terminals.

Overall Traveler Experience at O’Hare & Midway

When it comes to your travel experience through Chicago's airports, both O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) offer unique advantages and challenges.

Here's what you can expect:

Chicago O’Hare Experience

Chicago O'Hare International takes the top spot for the best airport in the US, scoring 7.1 out of 10. Due to its massive size, O’Hare offers travelers extensive services, amenities, and elevated common areas. Customers love the Airport Transit System (ATS). This automated people mover efficiently connects all terminals, remote parking lots, and the rental car center, ensuring seamless transit within the airport complex. O'Hare is also home to the innovative O'Hare Urban Garden that employs cutting-edge agricultural techniques to grow fresh produce, emphasizing the airport's commitment to sustainability. The pet relief area is praised by those traveling with animals, as well as the airport’s enhanced traveler assistance services.

With that said, larger airports bring bigger crowds and more waiting. Passengers can typically expect to wait in longer security and check-in lines and longer walking distances between the gates than at Midway. Peak times can bring lines up to a 40-minute wait. TSA Precheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry are recommended for faster service. For those flying internationally, O'Hare is your best bet, offering a wide range of international flights and better facilities for long-haul travel.

Chicago Midway Experience

Chicago Midway is the smaller of the two main Chicago airports and, therefore, offers fewer amenities but also shorter wait times and faster navigation. Average security wait times at MDW can vary depending on the day and season, but passengers can expect to wait anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. TSA Precheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR lines are available at security checkpoints. Many passengers prefer the smaller airport due to convenience and more relaxed atmosphere, but airlines and destinations are limited. Budget-conscious travelers may prefer Midway due to potentially lower fares (Southwest hub) and cheaper parking options. Midway is a stone's throw away for those staying near Chicago’s Southwest side.

FAQs about Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway airports

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate your journey through Chicago's airports:

Which Chicago airport is closer to downtown?

Chicago Midway (MDW) is closer to downtown, located about 8 miles southwest of the city center. O'Hare (ORD) is approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.

How many airports are in Chicago?

Chicago has two major international airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW). There are also three regional airports, including Gary/Chicago International Airport, about 25 minutes from downtown Chicago.

Which Chicago airport is better?

The "better" airport depends on your specific needs. O'Hare (ORD) is larger, offers more flight options, is better for international travel, and has more amenities and dining options. Midway (MDW) is closer to downtown, easier to navigate quickly, and typically less crowded.

Where is Chicago Midway Airport located?

Midway is situated on the southwest side of Chicago, about 8 miles from the city center. It’s a 15- to 20-minute drive.

What food options are available at Chicago airports?

Both airports offer a variety of dining options. O'Hare features local favorites like Garrett Popcorn and Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless. Midway offers options like Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Arami Sushi Bar. Check the airport websites for the most up-to-date information on amenities and services as they constantly evolve.

As you plan your trip to the Windy City, understanding the unique characteristics of each airport can help you make the best choice for your travel needs. Whether you fly into the expansive O'Hare or the more compact Midway, you can be sure that you’ll experience the efficiency and Midwestern hospitality that Chicago is known for.

When deciding between Chicago O'Hare and Chicago Midway, consider your specific travel needs and preferences. When booking, consider factors like your final destination, airline options, and budget. With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready to tackle both Chicago airports with confidence and ease.