Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) — The Basics
Midway is Chicago's second airport, located on the Southwest Side at 5700 S. Cicero Ave. Served by Southwest Airlines almost exclusively (plus a few others), it handles roughly 22 million passengers per year.
Getting to Midway is simpler than O'Hare in terms of terminal layout — there's only one terminal building — but traffic on the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) and Cicero Avenue can be brutal during rush hour.
How Our Midway Pickup Works
For Arrivals (We Pick You Up)
- We track your flight — if you're delayed, we adjust automatically
- Text us when you land — we'll confirm your chauffeur's position
- Claim your bags — we're in the cell phone lot, 2 minutes out
- Walk to Door 3 or 4 on the lower level — ground transportation area
- Your driver meets you curbside — look for the Royal Carriage sign
We do not do a meet-and-greet inside Midway (the layout doesn't support it well), but your driver will be outside the correct door within 5 minutes of your call.
For Departures (We Drop You Off)
For departures, we drop at the upper level curbside — departures lane directly in front of the main entrance. Southwest check-in is straight through the main doors. Security lines at Midway are typically faster than O'Hare; plan for 45 minutes before boarding.
Timing Recommendations
Rush hour (7–9 AM, 4–7 PM): Add 25–35 minutes to your estimated drive time from most Chicago neighborhoods. From the Loop, plan 50–60 minutes instead of the usual 25.
Off-peak: 25–35 minutes from the Loop, 40–55 from North Shore suburbs.
Southwest late departures: Southwest frequently has late evening departures. We've seen 10 PM flights run until midnight. We track the actual departure time and adjust your pickup accordingly.
Where We Pick Up From
We service all of Chicagoland for Midway runs:
- Downtown/Loop: 25–30 min drive
- North Shore (Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka): 50–65 min
- South Suburbs (Oak Lawn, Orland Park): 20–30 min
- West Suburbs (Oak Park, Naperville): 35–50 min
For North Shore or far suburb pickups, book early — driver positioning takes time.
Vehicle Options for Midway Runs
Sedan (1–3 passengers, standard luggage): Most common for solo or couple business travel. Lincoln Continental or similar.
SUV (1–5 passengers, more luggage): Cadillac Escalade or Chevy Suburban. Great for families or anyone with oversized bags.
Van/Shuttle (6–10 passengers): Perfect for corporate groups or family trips where everyone's going to the same address.
Pricing (Flat Rate, No Surge)
We don't publish live rates here because they vary by pickup location, but here's a ballpark:
- From the Loop: $65–$85 one way (sedan), $85–$105 (SUV)
- From Evanston/North Shore: $95–$120 one way (sedan)
- From Oak Park/Berwyn: $55–$75 one way (sedan)
Round-trip discounts available. Get your exact flat rate — takes 60 seconds.
Why Not Rideshare to Midway?
Rideshare at Midway has its own designated lot, but wait times during peak hours run 15–25 minutes. With a private car:
- No waiting: vehicle is staged before you land
- Flat rate: no surge pricing
- Flight tracking: we adjust if your flight is delayed
- Professional driver: CDL-licensed, in uniform
See our full airport car service page for more details on what's included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you pick me up at Midway at 5 AM? Yes. We run 24/7, including the very early morning Southwest departures that seem to always leave at 6 AM.
What if my bag takes forever? That's fine — the driver waits. Waiting time is included for a standard grace period after your flight lands.
I'm flying out of both Midway and O'Hare this trip — can you handle both? Absolutely. Separate bookings, same operator. Call (224) 801-3090 and we'll set both up.
Do you do Midway to O'Hare transfers? Yes. We run inter-airport transfers regularly, especially for missed connections. Flat rate, no surprises.
Book Your Midway Ride
Call (224) 801-3090 or request a quote online. We'll confirm vehicle type, exact pickup time, and flat-rate pricing before you hang up.
Also see: O'Hare Airport Limo Guide | All Airport Services
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Royal Carriage Editorial Team
Covering Chicago luxury transportation since 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Midway from O'Hare?+
Midway and O'Hare are about 25 miles apart by road, roughly a 35-50 minute drive depending on traffic. They sit on opposite sides of downtown Chicago — O'Hare 17 miles northwest, Midway 8 miles southwest. Our flat-rate sedan transfer between the two airports is $89.
Which airport is closer to downtown Chicago?+
Midway (MDW) is closer to downtown Chicago at 8 miles southwest, with a 20-30 minute drive off-peak. O'Hare (ORD) is 17 miles northwest, 30-40 minutes off-peak. From the Loop, Midway saves about 10 minutes and $20 on a typical limo transfer.
Midway vs O'Hare: which is better for which destinations?+
Choose Midway for the Loop, McCormick Place, Hyde Park, Western and Southwest suburbs (Naperville, Oak Brook, Tinley Park). Choose O'Hare for the North Shore (Evanston, Winnetka, Highland Park), Northwest suburbs (Schaumburg, Arlington Heights), and any international flight.
How much does a limo from Midway to O'Hare cost?+
Our flat-rate sedan transfer between Midway and O'Hare is $89, or $129 for a Cadillac Escalade SUV. The trip takes 35-50 minutes depending on time of day. Rate includes gratuity, tolls, and flight tracking — no surge pricing.
How far ahead should I book an airport limo?+
Book at least 24 hours ahead for guaranteed vehicle assignment. Same-day bookings are usually available depending on fleet availability. Call (224) 801-3090 for last-minute requests, or book online at any hour.
Does my driver track my flight?+
Yes. We monitor every inbound flight in real time. If your plane is delayed by 30 minutes or 3 hours, your driver adjusts automatically — no extra charge, no surge, no penalty wait fees like rideshare.
Ready to Book Your Ride?
Chicago luxury transportation — flat-rate, available 24/7. Flat-rate pricing, no surge.