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Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
International Airport
Midway Airport, Chicago
"I always get something from gold coast dogs before my flight :)"(75 Tips)
"Potbelly deli is fast ( even with a line) and has awesome coffee!"(79 Tips)
"Best salad on the B concourse from the create your own salad shoppe."(49 Tips)
"The moving walkways make you feel awesome!!"(31 Tips)
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Eat at Gold Coast Dogs. BEST hot dogs in Chicago!I love the Chicago Style hot dog 》Char Grilled Gold Coast Dog (Mustard, Relish, Onions, Tomato, Pickles, Sports Pepper & Celery Salt) MMM!!! :D
Upvoted Oct 19
If you're flying in or out of here in the morning or at night; get a window seat for a perfect view of the Chicago lakefront at sunrise or sunset.
Upvoted 2 weeks ago
Always, always go to the security line furthest to your left. People naturally go right, which makes it crowded; plus, they put extra staff (or open new lanes!) on the left.Upvoted 3 weeks ago
PreciselyVeiled TattooSeptember 26, 2017Pokestops Potbelly's nuts on Clark by gate b2 Clean airport good people. Usually a place we layover. Newly added Dunkin donut kiosks for limited items.Upvoted 2 weeks ago
DoubleTree by Hilton ManagerSeptember 22, 2011When the check-in line is as long as the airport itself, don't hesitate to use the curbside baggage check service offered by most airlines. A tip is polite, but it is worth the saved time.
Alison TanzerMay 20, 2012I hate O'Hare! I always choose Midway. Much cleaner, more than 2 outlets, less delyas and cancellations! Love it
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)June 2, 2014It's summer in Chicago! Don't leave your water bottle behind, empty it and refill it at one of our filtered water refill stations after you pass security!
Jill HartleyFebruary 18, 2012Staying in downtown Chicago? Take the El (orange train). It's only $2 and takes just 30 minutes to get to midway airport.
Gate A4A and A4B are out of the way and don't have much seating BUT they have a bar with drinks to go! Get a drink and walk or take a seat near your gate.
If flying Southwest for business, park in the daily lot and sashay through check-in about 500 yards from the parking lot—awesome! TSA Pre area is a bit squishy here (under construction).
Closer to the city than OHare. Smaller, easier to manage. Still have plenty of places to shop and eat.
Beginning summer 2017 all of the food options have changed. Potbelly's and other great places were forced out and replaced by very poor quality overpriced crap. Bring your own food.
Southwest Airlines is reliable and two bags travel free. Arrive early to allow time to get through security. There is construction on Cicero Avenue.
Michaela BradleyAugust 11, 2013Get here early just to browse the many (somewhat overpriced) interesting shops. Take a look at Spirit if Red Horse for unique jewelry and the bookstore right across from it is pretty good! :)
Service at the food court can be hit or miss. Service at other restaurants like Let Them Eat Cake or Taylor Street Market can be extremely slow. Lots to choose from but nothing exceptional, food wise
If you booked car services with meet and greet with sign proceed down the escalator to baggage claim. To schedule a pick-up contact LimoBank 1-888-546-6988 info@limobank.com
Quicker security lines than O’hare. If flying early, the Italian deli in the back corner of the food court has tasty breakfast sandwiches, much better than Dunkin.- Ryan AlafrizMarch 28, 2015"Caution: The moving walkway is ending. Caution: The moving walkway is ending. Caution: The moving walkway is ending." Try not to wait near gate A1.
SWA MDW hub has greatly improved their ticket desk check-in process with increased staffing resulting in shorter wait times! TSA now opens express lanes when security lines get lengthy! 👍
Shelly MaddoxAugust 22, 2023TSA Pre-check is in a different area than the normal security gates. Make sure you go all the way to the right to access precheck gates!
Whichever security line you choose, the others are sure to move faster. Just chill and you'll be through soon. No matter how long it takes, flying is faster than driving!
Stephanie DeDeckerMay 9, 2018Easy to navigate with central food court and break out concourses, but results in longer security lines. Definitely a much older airport. Not many power outlets available either
Jared CampbellMarch 24, 2023Head over to gate A4A for a good view of planes landing. It's done a sort of hidden hallway.
Sean MillerJuly 24, 2017Love flying through MDW. If you flight leave in the early morning, arrive early. Security and check in lines can get insane!
Welcome to Chicago! Best airport! Try Harold’s Chicken (ask for mild sauce), Portillos for Italian beef, Giordano’s deep dish pizza & Garrett’s popcorn!
Louise Settino-SobieskiMarch 9, 2020Easy access to pick passengers up. You can Park in the structure and meet at Baggage claim without worrying about the weather conditions. Being dropped off is a breeze with curbside checkin!
TSA Pre-Check could mean extra checks for you, but if you're lucky, it's way easier: leave everything in your bags, leave shoes on. Woo!
Aaron RobinsonApril 6, 2014Check out the Art of Science images near A4. Amazing work from the Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois.
Brace yourself! The runways are short, so the landings are abrupt! Way more convenient airport than O’Hare though.
Ted CoppockJune 22, 2014Two hour layover changing flight turned to four due to extreme thunder an lightning storm causing a "ground stop". Home at 11 PM vs 9 PM. Personnel fantastic! Extreme weight persons should pay more
Bathroom lines got you down? Try the ones hiding in the C1,2,3 gates area. They're smaller but usually empty.
Jake ByczkowskiSeptember 23, 2013If this is your first time traveling... You'll wanna hit up the expert travelers line. It's where all the veteran travelers stand around helping all the newbies. They're real nice people
karlyn williamsMay 9, 2014I got randomly selected for the "screening" they swiped my hands and I hopped the entire security line! No removing of my shoes, liquids or laptop. Easy peasy. Pleasant surprise!
They do a decent job of getting jets in & out of this neighborhood. Reminds me of an airport.
FlightCenter.comJanuary 5, 2012TSA TIP #3 Remove your laptop(s) and shoes/belts while waiting in line for the x-ray machines and carry them in your hands to be ready for the bins, remember laptops are placed in a bin by itself.
Some of the restaurants have an app. Download it before you arrive and order your food to pick or have it delivered to your gate; especially if you’re running late.
Use curbside check in. Or, bring a carry on and head straight to the center departures doors to go right to the escalators to security.
The CTA (public transit) is about 15 minutes, inside, to the station. You’ve been warned. The orange line is probably one of the least accommodating for suitcases, but it runs.- FlightCenter.comJanuary 5, 2012TSA TIP #4 When loading your belongings onto the x-ray belts load them in an order to help expedite at the other end. THINK, (a) suit case first, (b) laptop bags/purse, & (c) your shoe & belts tray.
- FlightCenter.comJanuary 5, 2012TSA TIP #5 Once through the x-ray machines take your belongings (trays) off the belts & get re-packed & dressed in the areas designated for this rather than holding up the lines at the x-ray machines.
HVAC pub in the Southwest terminal has good food to go or sit down. I had their fish and chips. Stick with beer or wine. Cocktails are pricey. Good service.- FlightCenter.comJanuary 5, 2012TSA TIP #1: Before getting to the screening check points clean out your clothing pockets as well as any metals/jewelry etcetera and put them into your carryon bags (or jacket pockets) ahead of time.
JimJam NorrisAugust 9, 2013Bring your food bought elsewhere into the menu-less Reilly's Daughter Pub for a nice meal and a drink out of the bustling food court. It's a win win!
Ouida Ricardo'sdaughterDecember 20, 2013If you get there a lil early to pick someone up go straight to the cell Phone lot on 61st & Cicero to wait those few minutes, instead of getting harassed by the Traffic Attendants.. #Patience
Clean and nice airport. When you’re in transit, moving between gates and concourse, then better hurry. each concourse takes some time to reach by walk
If you have time and not too much baggage, walk from the parking garage to the terminal. Awesome view of takeoffs and landings.- Flying Southwest? Forget to print your ticket? They have super secret computers next to the security checkpoint. No more standing in line for your ticket!
Dean HanlonMarch 1, 2013Named for its location mid-way between IL's two busiest commerce hubs of the 19th c., Kankakee and Dekalb. Formerly a grandiose bus station, Midway International is Chicago's only functioning airport.
I had never heard real Chicago accents before ... Only SNL spoofs ... Totally accurate. All of the announcements are in this thick Dick Butkus voice. Adorbs!!
Instead of the cell phone lot, use the short-term parking which leaves you just steps from the arrivals and meet your party in person as they get in. It's only $2 for a half hour of $4 for one hour.
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Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
5700 S Cicero Ave
Chicago, IL 60638
United States
Chicago, IL 60638
United States
Open (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 24 Hours
(773) 838-0600
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Places inside Chicago Midway International Airport
"Amazing photos on the way to the station. Astonishing photos of the vast universe and nebulae. Science does a wonderful job of showing how amazing the universe is"
Ira Serkes
"McDonald's has the best coffee! Also I just had a steak egg and cheese burrito. Very tasty and not heavy on the calories or carbs"
Robert Kim
"Gold Coast Dogs in the food court. Order a jumbo char dog Chicago style. These are the real thing!"
Michael Terpin
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