Airport transfer · MDW → downtown Chicago

Midway (MDW) to downtown Chicago

In short

The cheapest way from Midway (MDW) to downtown Chicago is CTA Orange Line ('L' train): $2.50, about 20–25 min.

Fares and times are from the operators’ own pages, checked 23 October 2026.

Data updated October 23, 2026

Every way from Midway (MDW) to downtown Chicago

Journey times are to Downtown Chicago (the Loop). Fares are standard adult fares as each operator publishes them.

Cheapest

CTA Orange Line ('L' train)

$2.50 · 20–25 min

Fastest

CTA Orange Line ('L' train)

20–25 min · $2.50

Late at night

No option here states night service. Check the last departure in the table.

Midway (MDW) to downtown Chicago: every option compared
Option	Journey time	Fare (USD)	Hours
CTA Orange Line ('L' train)Metro / subway	20–25 min	$2.50	03:30–01:05; owl bus overnight
Metered taxi (Chicago-licensed)Taxi	Not stated	Varies	Not stated
Airport shared-ride taxi (flat fare per person)Taxi	Not stated	$22	When staffed (hours not published)
Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)Rideshare	Not stated	Varies	Not stated

Which Chicago airport is easiest for downtown Chicago?

The same comparison from each airport, so you can weigh the ground trip when you pick flights.

Into downtown Chicago from each Chicago airport
Airport	Cheapest	Fastest
Midway (MDW) (this page)	$2.50 · 20–25 minCTA Orange Line ('L' train)	20–25 min · $2.50CTA Orange Line ('L' train)
O’Hare (ORD)	$5 · 40–45 minCTA Blue Line ('L' train)	40–45 min · $5CTA Blue Line ('L' train)

The options in detail

Metro / subway · Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

CTA Orange Line ('L' train)

Route: Midway station at the Midway Transportation Center, just east of the terminal, via an enclosed walkway (follow 'CTA Trains' / 'Trains to City') -> Orange Line on elevated tracks to the downtown Loop (Harold Washington Library, LaSalle/Van Buren, Quincy, Washington/Wells, Clark/Lake, Washington/Wabash, Adams/Wabash), then back to Midway. State/Lake is closed for reconstruction until 2029.
Journey time: 20–25 min
How the time is measured: CTA and Chicago Department of Aviation: 'The normal travel time to downtown from Midway is 20-25 minutes.'
Fare: $2.50
Fare details: Regular full 'L' fare $2.50 (CTA airports page: '$2.50 or less' Midway to downtown). Includes up to 2 additional rides within 2 hours. Reduced $1.25, student $0.75. 1-Day CTA/Pace Pass $5, 3-Day $15 (3-Day Ventra Ticket sold at vending machines at Midway). Pay with Ventra or by tapping a contactless card; vending machines take cash or credit. CTA fares effective February 20, 2023, no newer change listed.
Hours: From Midway: first train 3:30am weekdays, 4:00am Saturday, 4:30am Sunday/holiday; last train 1:05am daily. Overnight, CTA owl service runs via the N62 Archer bus.
Frequency: From Midway (station timetable eff. 05/26): weekdays - morning every 10-15 min, AM rush (about 6-9am) every 3-9 min, midday every 8-9 min, PM rush (about 4-6:30pm) every 7-9 min, evening every 10-15 min; Saturday - morning every 12-15, midday every 10, evening every 10-15 min; Sunday/holiday - morning every 12-15, midday every 10-12, evening every 12-15 min.
Accessibility: CTA and the airport describe the Midway station as fully accessible.
Good to know: Some rush-period trips continue via the Brown Line to Kimball - check train signs. Temporary: Loop 'L' service scheduled to be suspended from Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:00am to Mon Oct 26, 2026 2:00am - check CTA alerts.

Verified on: Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Transit Authority · Chicago Department of Aviation (flychicago.com)

Taxi · City of Chicago-licensed taxicabs

Metered taxi (Chicago-licensed)

Route: Taxi stands on the lower level curbfront of the terminal -> downtown Chicago
How the time is measured: No taxi travel time stated on official pages.
Fare details: Metered. City of Chicago rates effective July 1, 2026: $3.25 flag pull (first 1/9 mile), $0.31 each additional 1/9 mile, $0.31 per 45 seconds elapsed time. Surcharges: first additional passenger (aged 12-64) $1.00, each further one $0.50; electronic payment convenience fee $0.50; rush hour fee $2.50 (3:30-7:00pm); overnight fee $1.00 (8pm-6am); Illinois airport departure tax $4.00 on fares leaving the airports; fuel surcharge in effect from Oct 21, 2026: $1 (meter fare $20 or less), $2 ($20.01-$40), $3 ($40.01+). Tolls extra; tips not included. The airport website says 'an average fare from Midway to downtown Chicago is $35-40' - not used because that page also shows the pre-July-2026 shared-ride fare, so the estimate likely predates the rate increase.
Luggage: No extra charge for baggage or baggage handling (City of Chicago fare placard).
Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible taxi: call 1-888-WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227) or use the CURB app.
Good to know: Drivers must accept credit and debit cards.

Verified on: Chicago Department of Aviation (flychicago.com) · City of Chicago, Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection · City of Chicago, Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

Taxi · City of Chicago-licensed taxicabs (City airport shared-ride program)

Airport shared-ride taxi (flat fare per person)

Route: Designated airport taxi stand -> Downtown service area (22nd St to Fullerton Ave, Ashland Ave to Lake Michigan, incl. McCormick Place)
How the time is measured: No travel time stated on official pages.
Fare: $22
Fare details: City of Chicago flat fare effective July 1, 2026: Midway Airport to Downtown or McCormick Place $22.00 per person. Minimum two, maximum four passengers sharing; each pays the flat fare. (The Midway airport website still shows the older $18 per person.)
Hours: Only when authorized airport personnel are on duty at the designated taxi stand (hours not published).
Good to know: For independent travelers willing to share a cab with others going downtown.

Verified on: City of Chicago, Dept. of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection · Chicago Department of Aviation (flychicago.com)

Rideshare · App-based ride services (Transportation Network Providers)

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

Route: Rideshare loading zone on the Lower Level outside Baggage Claim, Doors 2-4 -> downtown Chicago
How the time is measured: No travel time stated on official pages.
Fare details: No official price published; fare is set in the app.

Verified on: Chicago Department of Aviation (flychicago.com)

Search flights to MDW

Not verified yet

Metered taxi fare Midway -> Loop under the July 2026 rates (airport says average $35-40, likely set before the rate increase; not used). · Taxi and rideshare travel times; rideshare prices and any City airport surcharge on rideshare trips. · CTA N62 Archer owl bus hours, frequency and travel time (route page not reachable); mentioned only as the overnight alternative. · CTA bus 62 Archer (daytime) and other Midway bus routes: not included as primary options.. We only publish a figure once an official source states it.