Chicago Airports: O’Hare vs. Midway and How to Get Downtown

Chicago has two major airports: O’Hare International (ORD), about 17 miles northwest of the Loop, and Midway International (MDW), about 12 miles southwest. The CTA Blue Line runs 24 hours from O’Hare to downtown in about 45 minutes for $5, and the Orange Line reaches downtown from Midway in about 25 minutes for $2.50. O’Hare is a hub for United and American, while Southwest carries more than 90% of Midway’s passengers.

	O’Hare (ORD)	Midway (MDW)
Distance from the Loop	About 17 miles northwest	About 12 miles southwest
Train to downtown	CTA Blue Line, about 45 minutes	CTA Orange Line, about 25 minutes
Train fare	$5 from O’Hare	$2.50
Train hours	24 hours a day	All day except overnight (N62 Archer owl bus)
Main airlines	United and American hubs; Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Alaska, many international carriers	Southwest (over 90% of passengers)
Terminals	Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 (international)	One terminal, 43 gates
Passengers	84.9 million in 2025	22.1 million in 2023

O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

O’Hare sits on the city’s Northwest Side, about 17 miles from the Loop. It handled about 84.9 million passengers in 2025, sixth in the world.

United and American both run major hubs at O’Hare, and Frontier has an operating base there.

O’Hare terminals

Terminal	Concourses	Main airlines
Terminal 1	B, C	United, Lufthansa, ANA
Terminal 2	E, F	United Express, Air Canada, JetBlue, some United
Terminal 3	G, H, K, L	American, Alaska, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, JAL
Terminal 5	M	Delta, Frontier and the customs facility for international arrivals

Airline terminal assignments change, so check your ticket before you go.

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 connect to each other and to the Blue Line station on foot. Terminal 5 connects by the free Airport Transit System train, which runs around the clock and also serves the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility.

The O’Hare 21 program will replace Terminal 2 with the new O’Hare Global Terminal. Construction on the new Concourse D satellite began in August 2025, with completion expected in late 2028.

Midway International Airport (MDW)

Midway is about 12 miles southwest of the Loop, between the Garfield Ridge and Clearing community areas. It has 43 gates in one compact terminal.

Southwest Airlines is the main carrier and accounts for more than 90% of the airport’s passengers. Concourse A has the international arrivals facility.

Midway opened in 1927 and was Chicago’s main airport until O’Hare took over. It was renamed in 1949 for the Battle of Midway.

Getting downtown: options compared

Option	From O’Hare	From Midway	Notes
CTA train	Blue Line, about 45 min, $5	Orange Line, about 25 min, $2.50	Cheapest; free transfers to other CTA lines within 2 hours
Shared-ride taxi (flat, per person)	$24 to downtown or McCormick Place	$18 to downtown or McCormick Place	Groups of 2–4 independent travelers, at designated cab stands when staff are on duty
Metered taxi or rideshare	Varies with traffic and demand	Varies with traffic and demand	No official typical range published; check the app quote
Metra	North Central Service from O’Hare Transfer, weekday peak trips only	None	Rarely practical for visitors

The flat shared-ride rates define downtown as the area bounded by Fullerton Avenue, 22nd Street, Ashland Avenue and the lake. O’Hare to Midway by shared ride costs $37 per person.

Taking the Blue Line from O’Hare

From Terminals 1, 2 or 3, follow signs for “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City.” The CTA says the walk from baggage claim takes under 10 minutes.

From Terminal 5, ride the Airport Transit System to Terminal 2 and follow the same signs. The O’Hare station is on the lower level and is accessible.

The $5 fare is charged only when you enter at O’Hare. If you already have an unlimited pass, you board at no extra charge. Vending machines sell Ventra cards and passes, including a 3-Day ticket for $15.

Taking the Orange Line from Midway

The Midway station sits just east of the terminal and connects through an enclosed walkway. Follow the “CTA Trains” signs or the orange line painted on the floor.

The Orange Line runs into the Loop in about 25 minutes. It does not run overnight, when the N62 Archer bus provides service.

Which airport should you choose?

Choose O’Hare if you want the widest choice of airlines, including many international carriers. It is also the only Chicago airport with 24-hour train service.

Choose Midway if you are flying Southwest or want a shorter trip to downtown or the South Side. It has one compact terminal with 43 gates.

Neighborhood matters too. North Side and northwest suburban travelers often find O’Hare closer, while South Side and southwest suburban travelers are closer to Midway.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from O’Hare to downtown Chicago by train?

About 40 to 45 minutes on the CTA Blue Line. The train runs 24 hours a day and costs $5 from O’Hare.

How much is the train from Midway to downtown?

The Orange Line fare is $2.50, and the ride takes about 20 to 25 minutes to the Loop.

Which airport is closer to downtown Chicago?

Midway, at about 12 miles from the Loop. O’Hare is about 17 miles away.

Which airlines fly from Midway?

Southwest is Midway’s main airline and carries more than 90% of its passengers.

Is there a flat taxi fare from the airports?

Shared rides from designated cab stands cost $24 per person from O’Hare and $18 per person from Midway to downtown. Regular metered fares vary.

How do I get to O’Hare Terminal 5?

Take the free Airport Transit System train, which links Terminals 1, 2 and 3 with Terminal 5 around the clock.

Related guides

Sources

Last updated: October 31, 2026