Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) — Terminals, Lounges & Travel Tips
Chicago, IL, United States · MDW
Terminal Guide
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Concourses A, B, C (single terminal) | Southwest (dominant), Delta, Spirit, Frontier, Sun Country |
Getting There — Ground Transportation
- CTA Orange Line: Midway station is connected to the terminal building. Trains to downtown Chicago (Loop) in ~30 min for $2.50. Runs 4 am–1 am (no overnight service).
- Rideshare: Uber/Lyft from designated pickup areas on the lower level.
- Taxi: Available curbside. Expect $35–45 to downtown Chicago.
- Hotel Shuttles: Multiple hotels near Midway offer complimentary shuttles.
- Car Rental: On-site facility connected by walkway from the terminal.
Airport Lounge Directory
| Lounge | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|
| The Club Midway | Concourse B | Priority Pass, LoungeBuddy, $45 walk-in |
Pro Tips for MDW Travelers
- Southwest dominates MDW — if you're on Southwest, this is a smoother experience than O'Hare for Chicago connections.
- The CTA Orange Line is the best way downtown; significantly cheaper and usually faster than a taxi.
- MDW's compact single-terminal layout means security and gates are easy to navigate — a refreshing change from O'Hare.
- Southwest doesn't assign seats — check in exactly 24 hours before departure for the best boarding position.
- Midway is in a dense residential neighborhood; it's actually walkable to some restaurants if you need to kill time before heading in.
- Winter weather affects MDW similarly to O'Hare — monitor delays closely December through February.
- Parking at the MDW Cell Lot and remote economy is much cheaper than the main garage; use the shuttle.
Know Before You Land — MDW Checklist
Review these before your flight so you hit the ground running at Chicago.
- Chicago Midway International Airport operates from a single terminal — no terminal confusion, but check your concourse letter for gate location.
- Rail is available: Midway station is connected to the terminal building. Trains to downtown Chicago (Loop) in ~30 min for $2.50. Runs 4 am–1 am (no overnight service).
- Renting a car? On-site facility connected by walkway from the terminal.
- Priority Pass accepted at The Club Midway — verify your card's visit policy before traveling.
- Southwest Airlines hub: expect higher flight frequency and stronger upgrade/standby availability for Southwest Airlines elite members.
- MDW's compact single-terminal layout means security and gates are easy to navigate — a refreshing change from O'Hare.