O'Hare to Midway: Chicago's Two Airports
Part of the full Chicago Layover: Millennium Park From ORD
Chicago’s two airports, O’Hare on the city’s northwest edge and Midway on the southwest side, are about 25 miles apart, and the city’s trains link them in about an hour and a half with one change downtown, for $5; a shared van or a taxi takes 45 to 60 minutes.
The Blue Line from O’Hare to downtown
The train starts at O’Hare’s own station, beneath the parking garage across from Terminals 1, 2 and 3; from Terminal 5, the international terminal, a free airport shuttle train comes first. The Blue Line runs around the clock to downtown, and the change is at Clark/Lake, the downtown station where the underground Blue Line meets the elevated lines above the street, about 45 minutes in. The fare from O’Hare is $5, which covers the change, paid by tapping a contactless card at the gates; the O’Hare guide covers the stops along the line.
The Orange Line from downtown to Midway
At Clark/Lake, go up to the elevated platforms for the Orange Line, which runs round the loop of tracks above downtown’s streets and then southwest to Midway, about 25 minutes. Its station stands beside Midway’s terminal, joined to it by a walkway, and trains run from about 3:30am to 1:25am, not all night.
The airport authority advises allowing up to two hours for the whole trip by train, with the changes, the stairs at Clark/Lake and a suitcase; the Midway guide covers what is near the airport.
A shared van or taxi across the city
By road, the airports are about 25 miles apart across the city. A shared van runs between them for $37 a person, and a taxi or rideshare takes 45 minutes to an hour, longer at rush hour, when the expressways slow down.
A long gap between flights in Chicago
With six hours or more between flights, the change at Clark/Lake is in the middle of the Loop, downtown Chicago, and the main Chicago guide covers a few hours there. A luggage storage point downtown keeps the bags out of the way.
How much time to leave between the two flights
Allow at least three to four hours from landing at O’Hare to departure from Midway, or the other way round: an hour to leave the plane and collect bags, up to two hours between the airports, and time to check in and clear security again. On separate tickets, a late train or a jam on the expressway is your own risk.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from O'Hare to Midway airport?
By train, take the Blue Line from O'Hare's station, beneath the parking garage across from Terminals 1, 2 and 3, to Clark/Lake, the downtown station where it meets the elevated lines, about 45 minutes, then change to the Orange Line for Midway, about 25 minutes more. The fare from O'Hare is $5, including the change, and the airport authority advises allowing up to two hours. A shared van costs $37 a person between the airports, and a taxi or rideshare takes 45 to 60 minutes, more at rush hour.
How far is O'Hare from Midway?
About 25 miles by road, across the city from O'Hare on the northwest edge to Midway on the southwest side. A car takes 45 minutes to an hour, longer in rush-hour traffic on the expressways, and the train takes about an hour and a half with the change downtown.
How much time do I need between flights at O'Hare and Midway?
At least three to four hours from landing to departure. Leaving the plane and collecting bags at O'Hare can take an hour, the transfer up to two, and Midway needs bags checked and passengers through security again before the flight. On separate tickets, a missed flight is your own cost.
Do the trains between O'Hare and Midway run all night?
The Blue Line runs around the clock, but the Orange Line to Midway runs only from early morning to after 1am, roughly 3:30am to 1:25am, so a very late connection means a taxi or rideshare.