Chicago has two commercial airports, and choosing between them is not just about which is closer. Here is how O'Hare and Midway compare on distance, terminals, airlines and ground transportation in 2026, and how to pick the right one for your trip.
The Basics
O'Hare International (ORD) sits about eighteen miles northwest of downtown and moves more than eighty million passengers a year across four active terminals. Midway International (MDW) is about twelve miles southwest of the Loop, with a single terminal and roughly twenty-two million passengers a year.
From downtown, a chauffeured transfer to either starts at $95 flat, so the cost is the same and the decision comes down to your flight, your luggage and where in the region you are.
Distance and Your Suburb
Where you are starting matters more than the airports' absolute positions. The north and northwest suburbs, Evanston, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, are closer to O'Hare. The south and southwest suburbs, Orland Park, Oak Lawn, Tinley Park, are markedly closer to Midway. Hinsdale is closer to Midway; Oak Brook is roughly equidistant.
For downtown, Midway is closer at twelve miles versus eighteen, and its single compact terminal usually makes it faster end to end for a domestic trip.
Terminals and the Airport Experience
O'Hare has four terminals connected by an Airport Transit System people mover, with Terminal 5 handling international arrivals and customs. It is in the middle of the multi-year O'Hare 21 expansion, with a new Concourse D under construction and curbs and signage shifting accordingly.
Midway is a single terminal with three concourses and no inter-terminal train. Baggage claim empties quickly and the curb is a short walk away. For sheer simplicity, Midway wins; for scale and international service, O'Hare is unmatched.
Airlines and Destinations
O'Hare is a major hub for United and American, with extensive domestic and international service; nearly all of Chicago's international flights use it. Midway is dominated by Southwest Airlines, which runs its largest base there, with Frontier, Delta and Porter also present.
If you are flying internationally, or on an airline that only serves O'Hare, the decision is made for you. If you are flying Southwest or a domestic route available at both, Midway is often the quicker, simpler choice.
Ground Transportation Compared
This is where the airports differ most for a chauffeured pickup. At O'Hare, rideshare passengers are routed to the Multi-Modal Facility, a walk plus an Airport Transit System ride from baggage claim; a private chauffeur meets you at the terminal curb or inside baggage claim instead. At Terminal 5, customs timing makes meet and greet especially valuable.
At Midway, the compact single terminal means the curb is close and the pickup is fast. Both airports get live flight tracking and complimentary wait time on our transfers, so a delayed flight simply moves the pickup.
So Which Should You Use?
Use O'Hare for international travel, for the widest choice of airlines and destinations, and if you are in the north or northwest suburbs. Use Midway for domestic trips, especially on Southwest, for a faster and simpler airport experience, and if you are downtown or in the south and southwest suburbs.
Whichever you choose, the chauffeured transfer is flat-rate and flight-tracked, and we are happy to advise on the better airport for a specific itinerary when you book.
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