Transfers to and from Chicago Midway Airport

When you arrive at Chicago’s Midway International Airport there are several options of transferring to your destination. Before proceeding to exiting the Baggage Claim area, please make sure to collect your entire luggage.

Rental Cars

All rental car companies at Chicago Midway Airport are housed in the rental car facility located close by. Free shuttles transfer customers between the airport terminal and the facility every 15 minutes at all times.

Buses

There are two companies providing bus services between Midway airport and central Chicago or suburban Chicago, The Chicago Transit Authority, CTA, and Pace.

The buses depart and arrive at CTA Midway Transportation Center just east of the airport terminal, connected with the terminal through an enclosed walkway, with signs throughout the airport to “CTA Trains” or “Trains to City” as the bus station and the train station are in the same place.

CTA – serves the airport and central Chicago with nine routes from and to the airport.

Pace – serves the airport and Chicago suburbs through seven routes to and from the airport.

Fares can be paid in exact change in the fare box on the buses, or through the Ventra account system, and Pace also accepts payment with contactless credit cards on their buses. Paying on the bus is slightly more expensive than the Ventra option, although the Ventra card has to be purchased for $5 so it only makes sense if you are planning to do several trips with public transportation. The card also works on the “L” trains.

Shuttles and Private Transfers

There are different types of shuttles and private transfers at Midway airport. These shuttles depart and arrive at different locations depending on their service. Hotel Shuttles are arranged by hotels in the Chicago area to transfer their guests to and from the airport. Airport Parking Shuttles run between the Economy Parking options, the Daily Lot and the airport terminal. Off-Site Parking Shuttles transfer travelers between the off-site parking lots and the airport terminal.

Regional Buses

There are regional buses, charter buses and River Valley Metro departing from different locations outside the airport to different parts of the surrounding area, including some other states.

Taxis

The licensed taxis can be found in the taxi ranks on the curb front on the lower level of the terminal or in the departure area. Taxis found outside of these places are not licensed and should not be accepted.

Taxis are metered based on time and mileage and are available on a first come, first serve basis.

The average fare from the airport to downtown Chicago is $35-40 and takes around 30 minutes, all depending on the traffic conditions at the time of the journey.

Flat rate shared taxi rides are available to fixed destinations if there are multiple parties available for the trip.

There are multiple taxi companies offering the service to transfer travelers to Midway International Airport. In some areas taxis are easy to come by and in others they have to be ordered.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles are available at pre-order through Curb Mobility at +1 888 928-2277.

If a limousine has been pre-ordered there are certain instructions to follow for pick-up depending on what has been pre-arranged. The limousine company will inform you further.

Rideshare companies offer their services for pre-arrangement through their separate applications or digital platforms with the loading zone outside Door 4, outside the Baggage Claim on the Lower Level.

Train

The CTA “L” Orange Line services Midway International Airport and downtown Chicago from early morning until after midnight.

They run on elevated tracks from the airport to downtown, clockwise around the Loop and back to the airport. The travel time between downtown Chicago and the airport is 20-25 minutes.

Fares are purchased with cash or credit through vending machines at the train stations, or using the Ventra account/card.