Chicago Midway Airport uses 1 terminal. It is divided into A, B, C after security, but the terminal is compact and relatively small.
View hotels near Chicago MDW Airport
From the security checkpoint to the furthest departure gate, it's about a 7-10 minute walk.
Security and Immigration
Queues for security screening before departure can reach well over 20 minutes, especially during the morning rush hour.
On the other hand, queues for immigration after arriving from an international flight tend to be short, averaging between 30 and 60 minutes due to the very small number of international flights.
Terminal map
An interactive map of Midway Airport and each terminal can be found on the airport's official website: flychicago.com/midway/map.
Transfer between flights
Midway Airport is an important transfer point, especially between domestic flights.
However, it is also a hub for international flights, especially from Mexico.
Domestic transfers
If you're transferring between two flights within the US, the transfer is extremely easy.
You get off the plane straight into the departure gate area, where you simply search for your connecting flight and move on to the next gate.
Your luggage will be transferred automatically if you have both flights on the same booking.
The average transfer time is 5 to 25 minutes.
Transferring from an international flight
If you are arriving at Midway Airport on an international flight, you will always need to go through immigration if you would be connecting to another international flight.
You must then collect your baggage in each case (even if you have both flights on the same booking), re-check it in and go through security to the departure area.
The average transfer time is 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the time spent at immigration.
Overnight in the terminal - opening hours
Although Midway Airport is open 24/7, only the public section is open.
The transit area is only open from approximately 4:00 am until the last departure. It is not possible to walk into the transit area in the evening and stay there until the morning.
Comfortable seats in the public area are at a bare minimum, so overnight stays at Midway Airport are not recommended.
Hotels near the airport
The hotel town is located south of the airport, meaning away from downtown and off the Metro line.
However, most hotels offer their own free hotel transfer to the terminal. We list the hotels with the best value for money.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Chicago Midway Airport ***
- Holiday Inn Express Chicago-Midway Airport **
- Courtyard Chicago Midway Airport ***
What to do on a long layover?
Midway Airport is just 30 minutes by subway from downtown, so it's definitely worth visiting downtown for a day trip.
Downtown Chicago isn't too big and even within 2 hours you can see the most famous sights.
