WHICH AIRPORT SHOULD I FLY TO?
Chicago is the hub and heart of the United States. It is a city of famous landmarks and unique culture. It is also famous for its Airports. MDW and ORD are mainly used Airports in Chicago. Midway and O’Hare Airports both have special features and appeal.
In this blog, we’ll explore the features and differences between MDW and ORD.
Midway International Airport:
Midway International Airport is the best option if you want your Airport experience to be smooth and organized. Here are some information and critical points about MDW:
- Midway is closer to downtown, and reaching the city’s heart easily and quickly is ideal. It is about 10 miles away from downtown in the southwest of Chicago.
- It is a short distance, and you do not need to make much effort to reach the gate. If you have a tight schedule, it will be more beneficial for you.
- It is budget-friendly and an excellent place to start if you want a cost-effective option.
- It is the hub of Southwest Airlines. If you fly with Southwest Airlines, it is more convenient and easy.
- It is less crowded than O’Hare, and You can quickly go through security and check-in lines.
- Its economical parking options and accessible transportation make it more beneficial for the people.
O’Hare International Airport:
ORD has features as the busiest airport in the world and gives many advantages to travelers. Its basic advantages are as follows:
- It is best for international flights if you are traveling on international flights. It is suitable for you because of its global connections.
- O’Hare has many terminals (1,2,3 and 5) offering amenities and services. If you have time to explore these services, it is a big plus point of this Airport.
- It boasts of ground transportation services. It has a good neighborhood and good connections with the surrounding suburbs.
- If you are a shopping lover or food lover, it will give you more options to enjoy food and shopping. From gourmet restaurants to boutique shops, you will find all the things here.
- It is best for business travelers and those who are looking for a comfortable waiting area.
It is up to you and, at your convenience, which one you choose. Before booking your Airline, make sure your trip is comfortable and easy. Timing and pricing are essential before choosing an Airport. Keep your personal preference on priority.
Distance From Downtown And Transportation Options:
O’Hare is located Northwest of Chicago, and Midway is near the city’s Southwest. It may take around 20 minutes to reach downtown chicago from the O’Hare. The distance between ORD and downtown is roughly about 18 miles.
If you drive alone, remember that O’Hare may be very busy, and you may face more traffic there. Because of the multiple terminals, getting in and out of the ORD area may take five to ten minutes.
If your flight lands during rush hours, you may face a lot of traffic in and out of the city. If you encounter no rush of traffic, you may have around 35 minutes to reach downtown. You might save approximately 45 minutes from an hour.
If you want to get a ride from uberX, it will cost you around $35 typically, but if you do not enjoy a ride, you can use the Blue Line rail service between O’Hare and Downtown. Travel time is about 50 minutes to an hour or more, depending on the day.
Midway, on the other hand, is about 18 minutes away from downtown. The distance is about 10 miles from downtown Chicago. You may have faced less traffic than O’Hare
Midway also has its station with the orange line headed to Downtown. Midway does not have a good neighborhood, so you may have yet to learn where you are landing and where you are going.
What is your plan to head to the city from the Airport? It is not a big issue. Midway comes first because it takes less time to spend on the rides and train. If you are going to the center of chicago and the suburbs and other neighborhoods, O’Hare is a good option if you don’t face the headache of traffic getting to or from the airport.
Arline and Flight Options By The Number:
Midway and O, Hare are totally different from each other. O’Hare is a large airport; on the other hand, Midway is smaller and serves Southwest, some specific airlines, and less busy airports. ORD is the hub of both airlines, United and American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines operations are performed there. The number of passengers at O’Hare in 2020 is expected to be 30.8 million, and the number at Midway will be 8.8 million.
Why Big Numbers are Matter
ORD is a hub of international flights and the busiest airport, so many passengers travel through this airport. Around seven million passengers pass through 189 aircraft gates at ORD Chicago monthly.
MDW Chicago has about 2 million passengers monthly through 43 aircraft gates. In this feature, O’Hare is the winner. The renovations at O’Hare are part of an $8 billion project that will cost $1.2 billion. Since 2017, Midway has also been modernized to the tune of $400 million.
But You should choose the airport according to your preference and budget. If you want an economical and easy option, MDW is best for you, but if you are a business traveler with a shorter schedule or looking for many activities to spend your waiting time, O’Hare is best for you.
A Guide to Chicago Airports
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
O’Hare International Airport provides service on both national and international flights. It is the leading Airport in the windy city of Chicago, where United and American Airlines’s operations are performed. There are millions of people traveling through this airport. It is a central of Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
Here, we will discuss all the services of O’Hare International Airport and give you a complete guide about ORD.
Terminals at Chicago:
O’Hare Airport has four terminals, and their information is as follows:
Terminal 1 consists of gates and two concourses, B and C. United Airlines handles all its flights going from the U.S. to other countries. Concourse B is a place where you check in, get your luggage, and go through security. Concourse C is a separate, underground tunnel connected to Consoueces B with gates on all sides.
Terminal 2: From Terminal 2, the ground transportation operations are performed, including Airport Express, Buses, taxis, Trains, And rental cars. There is a bus center with CTA trains, parking lot A, and a Hilton hotel. Passengers can check-in and access their gates in the ticket area. Several airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, are at this level. Delta (Sky Club) has a lounge at Gate E6 and United (United Club).
Terminal 3: This has 76 gates and provides service to handle domestic flights for American and American Eagle and Iberia and Japan Airlines. It has baggage level, ticket level, departure gates, and a tunnel with easy access to other transportation options. It serves American Airlines Cape, Boutique Air, Denver Air Connection, and Iberia Airlines.
Terminal 5: Terminal 5 has 21 gates, and this Terminal is for international flights. There is a long walking distance between check-in and the gates. The Baggage claim area from 3A to 3 is connected to ground transportation and Terminal 5. You can check in and get a ticket; departure is at the ticket level.
Airlines: include Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Alitalia, All Nippon, American Airlines (international arrivals), and more.
Airlines at this terminal are Aer Lingus, American Airlines or more, and International Airlines. Lounges are at Gate M7, Gate M12, and Gate M15.
Services and Amenities:
ORD provides Banking services, Wifi, Device charging stations, meeting rooms, working space, Passenger Paging, Animal relief Areas, a Medical center, yoga rooms, and a Spa in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Fitness and pool center at Hilton Hotel.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Shopping:
You can get duty-free items and 24-hour service of food, books, and Newspapers from convenience stores.
Hotels:
Hilton Hotel is near all the terminals of ORD, and other hotels have Shuttle services.
Public Transportation:
Public transportation options include the CTA Blue Line, METRA commuter train, and Pace Bus.
Regional Buses:
From bus shuttles, regional buses are available in service areas, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Taxi and Private Cars:
There is another transportation option. If you don’t want to use Buses and Train services, you can use a taxi, Uber, or Private car service. And pre-arranged and famous Limousin service.
Parking:
There were multiple options for ORD passengers, including close to terminals and at the Multimodal Facility.
Chicago Midway International Airport
It is located near downtown Chicago, 8 miles from Chicago Midway International Airport. The hub is a hive of activity; 34 of its 43 gates are occupied by Southwest Airlines. Dominating and serving over 22 million passengers each year, Midway provides various amenities and services that we are discussed below:
Services and Amenities:
The Midway Airport provides many services, such as ORD, a Public Art program, Yoga rooms, Mother rooms, Hospitals, and a chapel. Also, Animal relief services are included; if the animal is lost, they found them, and you can provide them with your contact information. There are three concourses: A, B, and C.
Transportation:
You may have many transportation services, like buses, trains, and taxi options. You can also use the service to travel between MDW to ORD using these services. There is an Orange Line train service, which you can use as an easy and economical commute. If you want another option, buses are also economical and available there.
Dining and Shopping:
Many dining options give you the best food services, and you will love it. There are Thirty-three food point names. Some of them are Arami, True Burger, and Billy Goat Tavern. Some hotels near MDW are Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Hampton Inn.
Taxi and Private Cars:
If you are looking for other convenient options, taxi and private car services are best for you and give you more privacy and comfort. But they are pretty expensive than buses and trains.
Parking:
You may have the parking by timing like Hourly, daily, and Long term with shuttle service.
Frequently asked questions about Midway vs O’Hare:
1- What to Do While Waiting?
Explore public art, visit the Yoga Room, or enjoy dining and shopping at various concessions. While waiting, you can explore its Service areas, visit Publick Art Yoga rooms, and enjoy dining and other Layour activities.
2- How long does it take to get through security at Chicago Midway?
The Average wait time is 20 to 25 minutes, but sometimes it is expanded according to the situation.
3- How much does it cost to Uber from Midway to downtown Chicago?
It is about $40, but it can be changed, depending on the means of transportation you choose. It is based on the day’s timings and demand or service. If you book a taxi, it will be an economical option, or if you book a private car or limo service, it will be a pretty costly option.
4- What is closer to downtown Chicago, O’Hare or Midway?
Midway is closer to downtown Chicago than O’Hare.
5- Is Southwest a good Airline to fly on?
Southwest is well known to be a top performer, especially at Midway.
6- Is Chicago Airport Easy to Navigate?
Navigation is straightforward, with three concourses (A, B, C) and amenities.
7- Is it safe to take the Orange Line to Midway?
Traveling on the Orange Line is generally safe, but it is advisable to take standard precautions.
8- How far is Chicago Midway Airport from the city?
MDW is not so far from the city, roughly 8 miles.
In the above discussion about MDW and ORD, choosing between these two Airports may depend on the factors discussed in this blog. Having a wide range of airlines and destinations, O’Hare is the busier and more extensive of the two airports. A global travel experience will be provided by its vast amenities, ongoing modern projects, and international connectivity.
On the other hand, MDW is close to downtown Chicago, less busy, offers more convenience, and have more option for domestic travelers. The passengers’ main advantage is quick and easy access to the city center. In addition to its frequent flights and low ticket prices, Southwest Airlines has a reputation for its dominance at Midway.
It is the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy the hustle and bustle, different activities during their waiting time, and travelers on business or traveling internationally. O’Hare is the best choice for them. It is a hub of international Airlines and has a broader range of amenities than MDW.
Navigating Chicago’s bustling airport scene can be a hectic experience, with Midway International Airport standing as one of the busiest hubs for both domestic and international travel. While O’Hare Airport takes the crown for being one of the busiest airports in the world, Midway Airport offers a much smaller, yet efficient, alternative with five terminals catering to a mix of domestic and international carriers.
Situated closer to downtown Chicago than its counterpart, Midway Airport provides easy access to the city via shuttle buses, Chicago Transit Authority trains, or limo services. Despite its smaller size, Midway still serves as a major hub for Southwest Airlines flights and offers a range of airport amenities to accommodate travelers during rush hour or long layovers.
Whether you’re heading to Union Station on the north side or exploring Navy Pier on the south side, Midway Airport provides a convenient gateway to Chicago’s vibrant attractions and serves as a vital link for travelers embarking on their next trip, whether for domestic travel or international options.
In simple and easy terms, if you are a domestic traveler and want quick and easy domestic flights, MDW is best for you and closer to the city than O’Hare. We have given you complete information; now it depends on what matters to you most, like where you are going, how close you want to be to the city center and whether you prefer domestic or international travel.
