Chicago Midway Airport Terminal Map and Navigation

Chicago Midway Terminal Guide: Why Smaller Is Sometimes Better

Choosing between Chicago airports has gotten complicated with all the opinions flying around. As someone who has flown through both O’Hare and Midway more times than my boarding pass collection can prove, I learned everything there is to know about why Midway deserves way more love. Today, I will share it all with you.

Midway’s the airport you fly through when O’Hare feels like too much. And honestly? For domestic travel, I actively prefer it. Smaller, way less chaotic, and you can figure out where you’re going without consulting three different maps or asking four different people for directions.

The Layout Is Simple

One terminal. Three concourses: A, B, and C. That’s the whole enchilada. Southwest pretty much runs this place, which means the gates stay busy but everyone knows what they’re doing — there’s a certain efficiency that comes from one airline dominating a space.

• Concourse A: Gates A1 through A19
• Concourse B: Gates B1 to B26
• Concourse C: Gates C1 to C29

Even if your gate changes from one end to the other mid-trip (and let’s be real, that happens), you’re talking maybe a 10-minute walk. Compare that to the marathon sprints at O’Hare and you’ll understand why some of us actively choose Midway every chance we get. Probably should have led with this section, honestly, because the compact layout is Midway’s single biggest advantage.

Getting There

CTA Orange Line runs directly to Midway from downtown Chicago. About 25-30 minutes from the Loop, costs a few bucks, and the walk from the platform through the enclosed walkway takes maybe 10 minutes. That walkway is heated in winter, which matters more than you’d think in a Chicago January when the wind chill is trying to end you.

I take the train every single time unless I’m lugging serious luggage. No traffic stress, no parking stress, no Uber surge pricing during rush hour. It’s genuinely the way to go.

If you’re driving, parking breaks down like this: economy lots are cheapest but you’ll need a shuttle to the terminal, daily parking is closer, and the garage right next to the terminal costs more but gets you in and out fastest. Pick what matters most to you and your schedule.

Security Reality

One centralized checkpoint keeps things simple and predictable. TSA PreCheck lanes are available and worth their weight in gold here. During off-peak times, I’ve walked through security in under 10 minutes — like, barely enough time to take my belt off and put it back on. Peak mornings can back up, but nothing like the chaos at bigger airports where the line wraps around itself.

My personal rule: 90 minutes before domestic flights and you’re golden. Two hours if you’re the paranoid type or traveling during holidays. I’ve never missed a flight at Midway following this approach.

Food Situation

For a smaller airport, Midway’s got genuinely decent options. That’s what makes Midway endearing to us Chicago-based travelers — it punches above its weight class on food. Potbelly’s my go-to when I want something fast and satisfying — their sandwiches hold up well on planes too, which is a real consideration. Harry Caray’s Seventh Inning Stretch is worth it if you’ve got time for something more substantial with a cold beer.

Fast food’s everywhere if that’s more your speed. Starbucks and coffee options scattered throughout all three concourses. Nothing groundbreaking, but you absolutely won’t go hungry.

What’s Actually Useful

• Free WiFi that actually works reasonably well (I’ve gotten real work done here during layovers)
• Charging stations at gates and scattered around concourses — not always easy to find, but they exist
• Family restrooms and accessible facilities where you need them
• Pet relief areas if you’re traveling with animals

Making Connections

The short distances between gates make tight layovers actually feasible here. I’ve made connections at Midway that would have been absolutely impossible at bigger airports. Just check your gate the moment you land and don’t linger too long at Potbelly’s if time’s tight.

Hotels If You Need One

Several hotels run airport shuttles if you need to crash before or after a flight. Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Express are the usual suspects nearby. Nothing fancy, but clean and functional for an overnight stop — which is really all you need when your 6 AM flight is the goal.

Bottom Line

Midway works. It’s not glamorous, it’s not going to win architecture awards, but it’s efficient and way less stressful than most airports handling this kind of traffic. Southwest’s dominance means reliable service and consistent operations, and the compact layout means less walking and shorter security lines. For Chicago travel, don’t automatically default to O’Hare out of habit — always check what Midway offers first. You might be pleasantly surprised.