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.
Table of Contents
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, free WiFi should help people 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 cannot cross between landside and airside once security closes for the night. Overall, travellers generally report that airport staff and security tolerate overnight sleepers. Airside areas are generally more comfortable than the landside/public zones. here are a few suggestions:
- 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.
- Travellers have specifically reported a few metal benches just behind the TSA Security checkpoint where the three concourses meet. You could lie down here for the night once security closes.
For uninterrupted sleep, there are nearby hotels that provide free shuttle service. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips.
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.
Airport Hours
The terminal is open 24 hours; however, only ticketed passengers are permitted inside between 12:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
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.
Cots
Chicago Midway Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, with snowstorms and freezing ice situations in winter and even tornadoes in the summer. The upside is that this means they are more prepared than other airports.
When mass cancellations happen at Chicago Midway Airport, cots are available for stranded passengers who opt against getting a hotel room. To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information. (Note that cots are not available for travellers who simply choose to spend the night here, and they cannot be reserved in advance.)
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Midway Airport that offer free airport shuttles:
- Carlton Inn Midway » Check Rates
- Chicago Marriott Midway » Check Rates
- Doubletree by Hilton » Check Rates
- Fairfield Inn & Suites » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place 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 US military members and their families. Location: Concourse C, Airside. Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Related Pages: Chicago Midway Airport Lounges
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.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is not accurate, click here to update this airport guide.
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.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem quite tolerant of overnight sleepers.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Chicago Midway Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
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 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 that transport 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.
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.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
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.