Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Chicago Midway Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Concourse B is very big and cozy. I slept in a chair and time flew by. – nt
MDW Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Chicago Midway International Airport.
What to Expect
Chicago Midway Airport (code: MDW) comprises one main terminal with three interconnected concourses (A, B and C). Passengers on arriving flights can access all three concourses without re-clearing security. The airport offers travellers plenty of dining, retail and service options, with most being airside. Amenities and things to do are limited; however, the free WiFi should help pass the time.
Sleeping in Midway Airport
Travellers report that landside sleeping is uncomfortable due to lack of comfortable seating, noise and bright lights. This can be a problem for those planning to stay overnight for an early flight out because passengers are not allowed to cross between landside and the airside once security closes for the night. Overall, travellers generally report that airport staff and security tolerate overnight sleepers. One reviewer mentioned that couches are suitable for sleeping in Concourse A, near the food court (August 2023). Concourse C is considered the quietest and cleanest of the three concourses, but without benches, the floor may be the only sleep option. Explore our guide to sleeping in Chicago Midway Airport or read traveller reviews for more tips. For uninterrupted sleep, there are nearby hotels that provide free shuttle service. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Midway Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The terminal is open 24 hours; however, only ticketed passengers are permitted inside between 12:00AM and 4:00AM.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Midway Airport that offer free airport shuttles:
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Chicago Midway Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn Chicago Midway Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Midway Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
There are no pay-per-use lounges.
Military Lounges
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Concourse C, Airside. Hours: 8:00AM – 8:00PM.
Related Pages: Chicago Midway Airport Lounges
Cots
In the event of bad weather or massive flight cancellations, this airport has a limited supply of cots for stranded travellers. If you are stranded during a weather delay, contact an airport employee to find out where the cots can be found.
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Water bottle refill stations are available free of charge. Locations: Concourses A, B and C.
Food & Drinks
While no 24-hour food concessions exist, most operate from 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Vending machines offering light snacks are available.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is not accurate, click here to update this airport guide.
Mobile Charging
Charge your electronics at various workstations with counters equipped with power outlets and seating. Additionally, all of the gated areas now offer power-equipped seating.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is not accurate, click here to update this airport guide.
Airport WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available at Chicago Midway Airport. Connect to the “Boingo Hotspot” or “_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi” network and watch an ad for internet access.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts are available. Rate: unknown.
Chapel – Mezzanine Level, Concourse C.
Currency Exchange – 7:00 AM – 4:15 PM (Mon – Fri) • 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Sat) • 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Sun).
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free shopping is not available. The airport offers a variety of shops to pass the time. Shops are generally open from 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Entertainment – Regular performers are showcasing their talents at the airport. Location: Arrivals, Baggage claim.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – A baby care room offers a private place for breastfeeding, a sink and a washing area. Location: Concourse C, next to the yoga room. Mamava, a breastfeeding pod, is available as well. Hours: 24 hours. Location: Concourse A, Gate A5
- Baby Change Facilities – available in most washrooms throughout the airport.
- Kids Meals – Most restaurants offer kids menus and high chairs.
- Security Family Lane – Look for the specially designated security lane to allow for quicker processing.
Information Desk – If you have any questions, visit an information desk for more assistance. Travellers who require translation services should visit the Information desk in the Baggage claim area. I-speak Language cards and a Limited English Proficiency phone are available. Location: Main entrance and baggage claim. Hours: unknown.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s mailboxes within the terminal.
Shoe Shine – Head to the Shoe Hospital for a shine. Location: Airside, Concourse A. Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Smoking is prohibited within the airport. If you need to smoke, designated areas are outside the airport.
Yoga Room – Relax or stretch between flights at the airport’s yoga room. The room has a wall-mounted TV that displays yoga poses to follow. Location: Airside, Concourse C. Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Bus
Nine CTA public bus routes serve Midway Airport from points all over Chicago. For more information on routes and fares, visit the Transit Chicago website. PACE’s suburban public bus system serves the Chicago area suburbs. Six PACE bus routes serve the airport via the Midway Transportation Center: Routes 379, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386 and 390. For fares and information, visit the PACE website. Midway Airport is served by several regional bus companies, transporting passengers between Midway Airport and destinations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana. Contact your service provider of choice for further information.
Car Rentals
The Midway Airport Rental Car Facility houses the following car rental agencies: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Corporate Rent a Cart • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National. Free shuttle service runs between the Rental Car Facility and the airport at the Arrivals Lower Level front curb near Door 2. Shuttles operate 24/7 and run every 15 minutes. Visit our travel partner at Tripadvisor to search for car rental deals.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels offer free airport shuttle service: DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Midway Airport • Fairfield Inn Chicago Midway Airport • Hampton Inn Chicago-Midway Airport • Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn • Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway Airport • Holiday Inn Chicago – Midway Airport S • Holiday Inn Chicago Mall Area MDW Airport • Holiday Inn Express Chicago-Midway Airport • Hyatt Place Chicago Midway Airport • Marriott Chicago Midway • Residence Inn Chicago Midway.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shared Ride Shuttle
Go Airport Express provides door-to-door shared ride or exclusive ride service between the airport, the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Chicago O’Hare Airport. Service runs and starts at 3:30 AM. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from Arrivals, Lower Level outside Door 4. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles are available, but advanced reservation is strongly suggested.
Taxi
Taxi stands are located curb front on the lower level of the terminals. Wheelchair-accessible taxis can be requested by calling United Dispatch. For safety reasons, please do not accept rides from the airport from a taxi that is not operating from the designated taxi stands.
Rates are calculated via meter, but on average, a ride from MDW to downtown Chicago is USD 35-40.
Train
The CTA Orange Line train runs between Midway Airport Orange Line station (connected to the east side of the terminal via a covered walkway) and downtown Chicago for a total trip time of 20 – 25 minutes in one direction. For information on schedules and fares, visit the Chicago Midway Airport website.
Airport Photo Gallery 
Last updated: 2024-02-20
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.