Chicago Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Chicago is a major global aviation hub, served by two primary international airports that handle distinct roles and airline alliances. Unlike many cities with a single main airport, Chicago’s air traffic is strategically split between O’Hare and Midway, each with its own character, advantages, and location. Choosing the correct airport is a critical first step in planning your trip.

This guide explains every major airport serving Chicago, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear, plain-English explanations of how to get to and from each one.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Overview: O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, located approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop. It is a mega-hub for both United Airlines (Terminal 1) and American Airlines (Terminal 3), and a major gateway for international travel with flights to over 200 destinations worldwide.

Terminals:

• Terminal 1: Home to United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners (e.g., Lufthansa, Air Canada, ANA).
• Terminal 2: Houses some United Express flights, as well as Delta Air Lines, WestJet, and other select carriers.
• Terminal 3: Home to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners (e.g., British Airways, Japan Airlines). Also houses Alaska Airlines.
• Terminal 5: The International Terminal. Handles all other international airlines not based in Terminals 1-3 (e.g., Emirates, Air France, KLM, All Nippon Airways) and is the arrival point for all international flights requiring customs clearance.

Note: Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are connected post-security via walkways and the Airport Transit System (ATS) people mover. Terminal 5 is separate; a free ATS train connects it to all other terminals. You must re-clear security when transferring from Terminal 5 to a domestic terminal.

Getting to and from O’Hare (ORD):

• ‘L’ Train – Blue Line (CTA): The most affordable and reliable public transit option. The Blue Line runs 24/7 directly from O’Hare (station in Terminal 2) to downtown Chicago (The Loop) in about 45-50 minutes. Ideal for travelers with light luggage. Fare is ~$5.00.
• Metra Commuter Rail (North Central Service): Offers a more comfortable, less frequent train service from a station near the airport’s rental car facility to downtown’s Ogilvie Transportation Center. Less convenient due to required shuttle and limited schedule.
• Ride-hailing (Uber & Lyft): Designated pickup zones are in the parking garages adjacent to each terminal. Follow signs for “Ride App Pickup.” Typical travel time to the Loop is 40-60+ minutes, highly dependent on traffic. Cost: $40-$70.
• Taxi: Taxi stands are located on the lower level (arrivals) outside each terminal. Flat-rate fares to the Loop are approximately $55-$65 (plus tolls and tip). Metered fares apply to other destinations.
• Shared Ride Shuttle (e.g., GO Airport Express): Door-to-door shared van service to downtown and major hotels. Can be cost-effective for solo travelers but adds time for multiple stops. Pre-booking recommended.
• Rental Car: All major companies are located at the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), a separate building connected to all terminals by the free ATS train.

Best for: International travel, long-haul flights, premium cabins, United/AA loyalists, and travelers connecting to a vast global network.

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

Overview: Chicago Midway Airport is a large, efficient airport located about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of the Loop. It functions primarily as a major hub for Southwest Airlines and focuses heavily on domestic and point-to-point travel, offering a generally faster, less overwhelming alternative to O’Hare for many U.S. routes.

Terminals:

• Single, Integrated Terminal: Midway has one main terminal building with three concourses (A, B, C) arranged in a U-shape, all easily walkable post-security. It is compact and easy to navigate.

Getting to and from Midway (MDW):

• ‘L’ Train – Orange Line (CTA): The most recommended public transit option. The Orange Line runs directly from the airport (station connected to the terminal) to downtown Chicago (The Loop) in about 25-30 minutes. Frequent, reliable, and affordable (~$3.00).
• Ride-hailing (Uber & Lyft): Designated pickup is on the upper level (departures) in the “Ride App Pickup” zone. Travel time to the Loop is 25-45 minutes. Cost: $30-$50.
• Taxi: Taxi stands are on the lower level (arrivals). Flat-rate fare to the Loop is approximately $35-$45 (plus tip). Often a good value for small groups.
• Rental Car: Rental counters are in the terminal. The rental car lot is a short shuttle ride away.

Best for: Domestic travel (especially on Southwest), budget-conscious travelers, those seeking a quicker airport experience, and travelers headed to the South Side or West Loop.

Which Chicago Airport Should You Choose?

Your choice depends on your airline, destination, and priorities:

• Fly O’Hare (ORD) if: You are on an international flight, flying United/American, need the widest range of non-stop destinations, or are connecting to another long-haul flight. It’s better for access to the North Side (e.g., Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville).
• Fly Midway (MDW) if: You are flying Southwest, prioritizing a simpler/faster airport experience, traveling point-to-point within the U.S., or staying on the South Side or Near West Side. It’s often closer and cheaper for ride-shares from many neighborhoods.

Critical: Always double-check your airport code—ORD and MDW are 30+ miles apart by road. A mix-up could cause you to miss your flight.

Transfers Between Chicago Airports (ORD ↔ MDW)

Important: O’Hare and Midway are separate airports with no direct airside connection. Transferring between them is a major cross-city journey.

Is it safe to book connecting flights between ORD and MDW?
No, not on separate tickets. Even on a single ticket, it is high-risk. You must collect baggage, exit one airport, travel across the city (1.5-2.5 hours), re-enter the other airport, and re-check. This is not considered a valid connection by airlines.

Transfer Options (If Absolutely Necessary):

• CTA ‘L’ Train (Blue Line to Orange Line): The cheapest (~$5.50) but longest option (90-120 minutes). Take the Blue Line from ORD to Clark/Lake station, transfer to the Orange Line to MDW.
• Ride-hailing (Uber/Lyft) or Taxi: The most direct but expensive option (60-90 minutes, $80-$120+). Highly susceptible to traffic delays.
• GO Airport Express Shuttle: Offers a direct inter-airport shuttle service. Requires booking in advance.

Bottom Line: Avoid airport changes in Chicago. If forced, allow a minimum of 5-6 hours between scheduled flight times.

Key Tips for Both Airports

Security & Customs at ORD:

• Terminal 5 is for international arrivals. After clearing Customs, you exit into the public arrivals hall. To connect to a domestic flight, you must take the ATS train to your domestic terminal (1, 2, or 3) and clear TSA security again.
• ORD security wait times can be very long, especially in Terminal 1 and Terminal 5 during peak hours (5-9 AM, 3-7 PM). TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are available.

Weather & Delays:

• Chicago weather (especially winter snow/ice and summer thunderstorms) can cause significant delays and cancellations, more so at the high-volume O’Hare. Build in buffer time during winter months (Dec-Feb).

Parking:

• Both airports offer a range of parking (Hourly, Daily, Economy). ORD’s economy lots require a shuttle. MDW’s lots are closer. Consider off-airport private parking companies for longer trips, which offer competitive rates and shuttles.

Ground Transport Summary to The Loop

From O’Hare (ORD):

• Speed & Predictability: Blue Line ‘L’ Train (45-50 min, ~$5). Best for avoiding traffic.
• Door-to-Door Convenience: Uber/Lyft/Taxi (40-60+ min, $40-$70). Cost and time vary greatly with traffic.

From Midway (MDW):

• Speed & Predictability: Orange Line ‘L’ Train (25-30 min, ~$3). Often faster than a car during rush hour.
• Door-to-Door Convenience: Uber/Lyft/Taxi (25-45 min, $30-$50). Taxi flat rate can be a good deal for 2+ people.

Bottom Line: If you’re headed to downtown Chicago, the CTA train is almost always the best choice from either airport—it’s cheap, reliable, and immune to road congestion. For other neighborhoods or with heavy luggage, ride-hailing or taxis are the better option. Always confirm your airport code before you travel.