Are you traveling to Chicago and not sure which airport to fly to? With primary airports serving the city, it can take a lot of research to make a decision. Do you prioritize comfort or affordability for airport transfer? Are you searching out facilities or shorter safety lines? Making the right choice will define your travel experience.
Chicago is domestic to two most important airports, Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport. Both provide unique benefits and drawbacks, making weighing your options before booking your flight critical. Each airport has its personal specific traits that cater to one-of-a-kind types of vacationers.
When choosing between Midway and O’Hare, numerous elements must be considered. From region and transportation alternatives to airline picks and amenities, every airport offers its own set of pros and cons.
To help you make an informed choice, we can evaluate Midway and O’Hare in terms of convenience, cost, and general travel. By reading this newsletter, you’ll better comprehend which Chicago airport is first-rate desirable in your desires.
Comparison of Chicago Midway vs O’hare
Before discussing the details of each airport, look at the table given here. Each section unfolds individually to make things easy to understand.
| Feature | Midway (MDW) | O’Hare (ORD) |
| Distance to Downtown | 10 miles | 17 miles |
| Primary Airlines | Southwest | American, United |
| Flight Options | Mainly domestic | Extensive domestic & international |
| Size | 840 acres | 7,600+ acres |
| Passenger Traffic (2019) | ~22 million | ~84 million |
| Transportation | CTA Orange Line, taxis, rideshares | CTA Blue Line, Metra, taxis, rideshares |
| Dining | Harry Caray’s, Potbelly | Tortas Frontera, Publican Tavern |
Distance to Downtown
Midway International Airport is 10 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. This proximity makes it convenient for tourists seeking to reach the town center quickly. A traditional trip downtown from Midway takes around 25 minutes, depending on the visitors’ conditions.
O’Hare International Airport, on the other hand, is situated about 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The drive from O’Hare to the town middle can take 30 to 60 mins or more, encouraged via site visitors. The Blue Line of the CTA offers an instantaneous education carrier from O’Hare to downtown, supplying a reliable and regularly faster opportunity for driving.
For a limousine service in Chicago Illinois, you need to be sure of how much time you have on your hands so there is no tension or worry about catering to you and spoiling the fun of the ride. Plus, you will be able to choose he ride with the airport as per your suitable timings on the flight as well.
Airlines and Flight Options
O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and serves as a central hub for home and international flights. Major airways like American Airlines and United Airlines have massive operations at O’Hare, providing many flight alternatives to locations internationally.
Midway International Airport typically serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines, known for its low-price fares and sizable domestic network. Southwest’s point-to-factor provider may be convenient for travelers looking for direct flights to smaller cities and regions.
Is Midway or O’hare Bigger?
O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago is typically considered larger than Midway International Airport (MDW), both in phrases of the range of passengers served and the size of the airport grounds. O’Hare is one of the busiest airports around the globe, while Midway is smaller and often serves home flights, though it is also a central hub for some airlines.
Dining Options
Midway International Airport and O’Hare International Airport boast an array of dining alternatives, ensuring that tourists can satisfy their culinary cravings irrespective of their tastes or dietary preferences.
At Midway airport Chicago, passengers can enjoy the entirety, from hearty sandwiches at Potbelly Sandwich Shop to classic Chicago fare at Billy Goat Tavern.
Whether you want a gourmet meal or a quick bite on the move, both airports cater to every palate, with various eating places, cafes, and eateries scattered throughout their terminals.
Midway Airport Chicago Amenities
Midway Airport offers quite a number of dining options, which include sit-down restaurants, rapid-food outlets, coffee shops, and bars. Some popular eating picks at Midway include:
- Potbelly Sandwich Shop
- Billy Goat Tavern & Grill
- Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch
- Nuts on Clark
- Home Run Inn Pizza
- Starbucks
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
- Manny’s Express
These are just a few examples, and many more options are available throughout the airport. The best airport in Chicago might be accessible for many to choose because they might only care about reaching their destination. However, people who enjoy the travel time too, will base this judgment on all aspects like the amenities, etc.
O’hare Airport Amenities
Similarly, O’Hare Airport offers diverse dining establishments to suit various tastes and dietary requirements. Some dining options at O’Hare include:
- Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless
- Wolfgang Puck Express
- Garrett Popcorn Shops
- Publican Tavern
- Big Bowl
- Goose Island Brewery
- The Berghoff Café
- Arami
- Macaroni Grill
O’Hare Airport’s dining options are spread across its terminals, ensuring that passengers can access food and beverages regardless of where they are.
Which Chicago Airport is Better?
Determining which Chicago airport is good relies upon various factors, including your destination, travel alternatives, and airline loyalty. Here’s a short evaluation of each airport:
O’Hare International Airport (ORD):
- Busiest airport with domestic and international flights.
- Located 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago.
- Multiple terminals with dining, shopping, and services.
- A central hub for airlines with global connectivity.
- Preferred for international travel, it can be crowded.
Midway International Airport (MDW):
- Smaller, 10 miles southwest of downtown.
- Focuses on domestic flights, some international.
- Fewer terminals, but they offer amenities.
- More straightforward navigation and shorter lines.
- Convenient for downtown and suburbs.
These aspects have nothing to do with aspects like “Is Midway or O’hare bigger, is any of these offering more perks to the passengers, etc.” Instead, it is all about the spacing, the terminals, the rush, the accommodation, etc.
Travel Tips for the Best Airport in Chicago
- Compare schedules and locations at each airport for comfort.
- Ensure adequate time for looking at-in, security, and navigation, particularly during peak times.
- Enjoy dining, purchasing, and offerings like Wi-Fi and lounges at both airports.
- Choose from public transit, taxis, rideshares, or apartment motors primarily based on convenience and budget.
- Regularly review the airport’s website or app for updates on delays, gate adjustments, and bulletins.
Which Chicago airport is better, depends totally on what your preferences are from it.
Hotel Search and Reservations
Finding the right hotel for your stay in Chicago involves considering various factors. Here are some tips:
- Location: Determine whether you must live close to the airport for comfort or in downtown Chicago for smooth admission to factors of interest, eating, and nightlife.
- Amenities: Consider what amenities are critical to you, such as complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, health facilities, or a pool.
- Budget: Set a hotel rate range and use reserving websites or apps to evaluate fees and discover splendid offers.
- Reviews: Read critiques from other vacationers to get an idea of the resort’s pleasantness, cleanliness, and customer service.
- Transportation: Check if the resort offers experience offerings to and from the airport or is, without problems, positioned near public transportation alternatives.
Wrap-Up
Choosing between Midway and O’Hare airports in Chicago? It’s a tricky choice. Do you prioritize convenience or affordability? Are facilities or shorter protection strains more vital? Each airport has advantages and downsides, so weighing your options is important.
Midway is toward downtown, with less complicated navigation, while O’Hare offers extra flight options and international connectivity. Consider factors of Chicago Midway vs O’hare, like region, transportation, and services, to decide which airport fits you remarkably.
However, no matter your preference, each airport provides numerous eating alternatives and amenities to ensure a satisfying tour.
When planning your trip to Chicago, consider factors like flight alternatives, transportation comfort, and airport centers to make the best choice for your tour desires. Whether you prioritize affordability, consolation, or precise airline possibilities, every Midway and O’Hare try to offer a seamless adventure for passengers.
