O'Hare vs Midway: Which Airport is Best?
Chicago's two airports sit on opposite sides of the city, roughly 25 miles and a 45-minute drive apart. O'Hare (ORD) is 17 miles northwest of the Loop; Midway (MDW) is 8 miles southwest and closer to downtown. Royal Carriage serves both flat-rate, $130 from ORD and $130 from MDW, with flight tracking and no peak pricing.
Book Your TransferO'Hare (ORD) sits 17 miles northwest of downtown Chicago with 30–40 minute off-peak drive times and $130 flat-fare limo transfers. Midway (MDW) is 8 miles southwest with 20–30 minute drives and $130 transfers. Midway is closer for Loop, western, and southwest suburban trips; O'Hare is faster from the North Shore. Book a dedicated O'Hare airport limo or Midway airport limo, or call (224) 801-3090 to book.
| Feature | O'Hare (ORD) | Midway (MDW) |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Downtown Chicago | 17 miles north | 8 miles southwest |
| Typical Drive Time (off-peak) | 30-40 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Typical Drive Time (rush hour) | 45-75 minutes | 30-50 minutes |
| Limo Transfer from Downtown | $130 flat fare | $130 flat fare |
| Limo Transfer from North Shore | $130 flat fare | $130 flat fare |
| Total Passenger Volume | 84+ million annually | 37+ million annually |
| Parking Cost (daily) | $25-32 | $20-24 |
| Best For | International flights, major airlines | Budget airlines, Southwest hub |
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Overview:
Chicago's larger, busier international hub. North of the city with extensive flight options worldwide. The Blue Line el connects downtown in ~45 min, but a limo is faster and more comfortable.
Major Airlines:
- • American, United, Delta, Southwest
- • Lufthansa, British Airways, Air Canada
- • All major international carriers
Best If You're Traveling To:
- • International destinations
- • Cross-country flights
- • Most major US cities
Parking:
Expensive. $130/day in short-term lots.
Midway International Airport (MDW)
Overview:
Chicago's secondary, closer airport southwest of downtown. Southwest's main hub. Smaller, easier to navigate, and limo transfers are 20% faster and cheaper than O'Hare.
Major Airlines:
- • Southwest (primary hub)
- • American, United, Delta
- • Limited international carriers
Best If You're Traveling To:
- • West Coast destinations
- • Southwest flights
- • Budget airline routes
Parking:
Cheaper. $130/day in short-term lots.
Which Airport is Closer to You?
Downtown Chicago / Loop
Closer Airport:
Midway
Drive Time:
20-30 min vs 30-40 min
💰 Save 10 min & $20
North Shore (Evanston, Highland Park)
Closer Airport:
O'Hare
Drive Time:
20-30 min vs 40-50 min
💰 Save 20 min & $26
Western Suburbs (Naperville, Oak Brook)
Closer Airport:
Midway
Drive Time:
15-20 min vs 35-45 min
💰 Save 20 min & $40
Southwest Suburbs (Tinley Park, Joliet)
Closer Airport:
Midway
Drive Time:
25-35 min vs 45-60 min
💰 Save 20 min & $30
Pro Tips for Chicago Airport Transfers
Book in Advance
Reserve the day before and your car is locked in — no last-minute scramble for a ride.
Avoid Peak Pricing
Our flat fares never surge. Book online or call (224) 801-3090 for instant pricing.
Real-Time Flight Tracking
We monitor your flight and adjust pickup time if you land early or late. No extra charge.
Skip the Parking & Traffic
Limo costs less than parking + gas + Uber. Your time is worth more than driving.
Group Rates Available
Flying with a group? We offer discounts for 3+ passengers or corporate accounts.
24/7 Booking
Last-minute flight? We confirm limos in under 15 minutes, day or night.
The Drive: Which Roads, Which Delays
Distance on a map is not the whole story — the corridor you take and the time of day decide how long the run actually takes.
To O'Hare (ORD) — via the Kennedy
From the Loop, the route runs the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) northwest about 17-18 miles. Off-peak that is 30-40 minutes. The catch is that the Kennedy is one of the most congested corridors in the country — eastbound mornings (7-9 AM) and westbound evenings (4-7 PM) can add 20-40 minutes. For a weekday afternoon flight, padding the schedule is not optional.
To Midway (MDW) — via I-55 or Cicero
Midway is 8-11 miles southwest of the Loop, reached on the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) or surface streets like Cicero Avenue. Off-peak the drive is 20-30 minutes. The Stevenson has rush windows too, but they are shorter and less severe than the Kennedy, so Midway is the steadier bet during peak hours.
From the North Shore, the math flips
Evanston, Wilmette, and Highland Park sit near O'Hare's side of town. From there ORD is 20-30 minutes while Midway means crossing the whole metro — 40-50 minutes. North Shore travelers usually save time and money flying out of O'Hare even when Midway serves their destination.
Which Airport for Where You're Going
The airport is often decided by your ticket, not your preference. Use this to confirm before you book the car.
Flying Southwest
Almost certainly Midway. MDW is Southwest's largest hub. If your confirmation says Southwest, plan the transfer to MDW.
Connecting internationally
O'Hare. ORD carries nearly all international service plus the oneworld carriers (American, British Airways, Iberia) and is United's largest hub.
Cross-country on a legacy carrier
Usually O'Hare for American, United, and most Delta routes — but Delta, Frontier, and Spirit run some Midway flights, so check the ticket.
Budget or regional hops
Lean Midway. The smaller terminal is faster to move through, and many low-cost routes operate there.
A 5 AM departure
Either works 24/7, but at Midway, security opens on tighter overnight hours — arrive 90 minutes ahead. ORD opens earlier and is the safer bet for very early international red-eyes.
Either way, the transfer is flat-fare and flight-tracked — $130 from ORD, $130 from MDW for a downtown sedan. Call (224) 801-3090 to confirm your route.
Ready to Book Your Airport Transfer?
From either airport to downtown or your destination. Flat-fare pricing, professional chauffeurs, real-time flight tracking.
Airport Questions
O'Hare vs Midway for Chicago travelers
Book at least 24 hours in advance for guaranteed availability. Same-day bookings are accepted when vehicles are available. For holidays and peak travel periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, summer), book 3-5 days ahead.
O'Hare vs Midway — Common Questions
Which Chicago airport is closer to downtown — O'Hare or Midway?+
Midway. MDW sits 11 miles southwest of the Loop and the typical drive is 20-30 minutes. ORD is 18 miles northwest with a typical 30-50 minute drive depending on the Kennedy Expressway. For downtown hotels, Midway saves 10-15 minutes off-peak and up to 30 minutes during rush hour.
What's the price difference between a limo to O'Hare vs Midway?+
$130 per ride. Royal Carriage charges a flat $130 to O'Hare and $130 to Midway for a sedan from downtown Chicago; $165 to either airport for an Escalade SUV. Both rates include flight tracking, 30 minutes free wait, gratuity, fuel, and tolls. Suburb pickups follow the same delta pattern.
Does either airport have heavier traffic during rush hour?+
O'Hare. The Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) feeding ORD is one of the most congested corridors in the US — peak slowdowns 7-9 AM eastbound and 4-7 PM westbound add 20-40 minutes. MDW via I-55 or Cicero Ave is steadier; the Stevenson Expressway has rush windows but they're shorter. For a Tuesday 5 PM flight, MDW saves stress.
Which airport is cheaper to park at?+
Midway's economy lots generally undercut O'Hare's main garage, but both add up fast on multi-day trips. For trips of 3+ days the parking-vs-limo math usually favors a limo — a $260 round trip ($130 each way, sedan) beats several days of parking plus your own time, fuel, and tolls.
Which airline flies out of which airport?+
ORD is United's largest hub plus all 3 oneworld carriers (American, British Airways, Iberia) and most international carriers. MDW is Southwest's largest hub plus limited Delta, Frontier, and Spirit service. If your ticket is on Southwest, you're at MDW. If you're connecting internationally, you're at ORD.
Can a limo drop me off at the terminal door at both airports?+
Yes at both, but the access rules differ. ORD has dedicated upper-level departures lanes per terminal and a lower-level arrivals curb at each — your chauffeur will route to the door matching your airline. MDW has a single combined arrivals/departures roadway on the upper level with concourse-specific drop zones (A/B/C). Either way you're walking 30 seconds to check-in.
Which airport is better for late-night or red-eye flights?+
Either works — Royal Carriage runs 24/7 to both. Slight edge to ORD for international red-eyes since security at ORD opens earlier and TSA Pre-Check lanes stay open longer. MDW's security has tighter overnight hours; arrive 90 minutes before a 5 AM Southwest departure to be safe.
How far is Midway from O'Hare?+
About 27 miles. The drive between Midway (MDW) and O'Hare (ORD) takes 35-45 minutes via I-294 off-peak and 60-75 minutes in rush hour. Royal Carriage runs direct airport-to-airport transfers with flight tracking on both legs — call (224) 801-3090 to book a split-itinerary connection.
Can I get a limo between O'Hare and Midway?+
Yes. Airport-to-airport transfers between ORD and MDW are a flat-fare sedan or SUV run — common for split itineraries where an inbound international flight lands at O'Hare and a Southwest connection departs Midway. Your chauffeur tracks the inbound flight and waits at baggage claim.
Popular Chicago Airport Services
Either airport, same flat-fare fleet — sedans, Escalades, and 14-passenger Sprinters with flight tracking and meet-and-greet.
Our Network — Royal Carriage Properties
- Chicago Airport Black Car
Flat-rate ORD from $130, MDW from $130
- Chicago Executive Car Service
Corporate accounts & roadshows
- Chicago Wedding Transportation
Bridal cars + guest shuttles
- Chicago Party Bus
Group transportation 14–40 passengers