Chicago Midway Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Chicago Midway Airport Map

The Chicago Midway Airport map below shows the full layout of Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW/KMDW). MDW handled over 22 million passengers in 2024, making it the second-busiest airport in both the Chicago metro area and Illinois. It is the largest base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of passengers at the airport. Six airlines — Southwest, Delta, Frontier, Allegiant, Porter and Volaris — serve roughly 80 domestic and 11 international destinations.

As you can see on the Chicago Midway Airport map, the layout is unusually compact: one terminal building connected to three concourses (A, B and C) via a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue. After clearing the single security checkpoint on the bridge, all concourses are walkable through the Central Market hub. Study the MDW airport map before you travel so you know which concourse your airline uses.

Chicago Midway Airport Location Map

Chicago Midway International Airport is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) southwest of downtown Chicago’s Loop business district. The Chicago Midway Airport location map below shows MDW’s position relative to the city. The airport sits within a single square mile bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets and Central and Cicero Avenues, surrounded by the Clearing and Garfield Ridge neighbourhoods. Primary road access is via Cicero Avenue, connecting to I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) and I-294 (Tri-State Tollway).

Chicago Midway Airport Terminal

Chicago Midway Airport has a single terminal building located on the east side of Cicero Avenue. The terminal handles all check-in, baggage claim and ground transportation across two levels. A pedestrian bridge spans Cicero Avenue, connecting the terminal to the concourse building on the west side. The security checkpoint sits on this bridge. Once through security, passengers enter the Central Market — a food court and retail hub at the intersection of all three concourses.

Terminal Levels

Chicago Midway Airport Security Checkpoint

Chicago Midway Airport has one main security checkpoint, located on the expanded pedestrian bridge that spans Cicero Avenue between the terminal building and the concourses. The $400 million Midway Modernization Program widened this bridge from 50 feet to nearly 400 feet, creating an 80,000 square foot security pavilion that doubled throughput capacity to 5,000 passengers per hour.

Central Market — Post-Security Hub

Chicago Midway Concourse A

Concourse A at Chicago Midway Airport has 17 gates and serves a mix of Southwest Airlines flights along with international service from Frontier and Volaris. As shown on the Chicago Midway Airport map, Concourse A extends south from the Central Market.

Chicago Midway Concourse B — Southwest Airlines Hub

Concourse B is the largest at Chicago Midway Airport with 23 gates and handles the bulk of Southwest Airlines’ operations along with Delta, Allegiant and Avelo. It extends west from the Central Market with moving walkways along its length.

Chicago Midway Concourse C

Concourse C is the smallest at Chicago Midway Airport with just 3 gates. It extends north from the Central Market and handles a small number of flights from Delta and Porter Airlines.

Walking Between Concourses on the Chicago Midway Airport Map

Unlike larger airports, you can walk freely between all concourses at Chicago Midway Airport. There is no train, shuttle or tram — the three concourses are all connected through the Central Market area after security. This is one of MDW’s biggest advantages: once past the security checkpoint, every gate is reachable on foot without re-clearing security.

Walking Times Between Concourses

From the Central Market, Concourse A gates are roughly a 3–8 minute walk (gates A4A/A4B are the furthest). Concourse B is the longest, with far-end gates taking up to 10–12 minutes from the Central Market — moving walkways help cover the distance. Concourse C is the shortest walk at 2–3 minutes. If connecting between far-end gates on Concourses A and B, allow 15–20 minutes. No re-screening is required for domestic connections.

Getting to Chicago Midway Airport

All ground transportation departs from the lower level of the terminal building. The CTA Orange Line station is behind the Terminal Garage, connected by a covered walkway.

Chicago Midway Airport Parking

Pre-book Chicago Midway Airport parking at flychicago.com for guaranteed availability, especially during holidays when economy lots reach capacity.

Chicago Midway Airport Map — Arrivals

If you are arriving at Chicago Midway Airport or meeting a passenger, the arrivals area is on the lower level of the terminal building. After landing, passengers walk from their concourse gate through the Central Market, across the pedestrian bridge and down to the lower level for baggage claim. International arrivals clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Concourse A before proceeding to baggage claim.

Ground Transportation from Arrivals

Baggage claim carousels are on both the east and west sides of the lower level. Taxis queue at the lower-level curbside. Ride-share pick-up (Uber/Lyft) is outside Door 4 on the lower level. The CTA Orange Line station is reached via a covered walkway from the terminal — follow “Trains to City” signs (approximately 10–12 minute walk). Rental car shuttle buses depart from the lower level. If picking someone up by car, use the free Cell Phone Lot on Cicero Avenue.

Chicago Midway Airport Map — Departures

Departing passengers should enter the terminal building on the upper level via curbside drop-off or the Terminal Garage walkway. Check in at your airline’s ticket counter, then walk across the pedestrian bridge to the security checkpoint. After clearing security, you enter the Central Market and walk directly to your concourse (A, B or C). All concourses are accessible on foot — no train required.

Recommended Arrival Times

Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and two hours before international flights. During peak periods (holiday weekends, weekday mornings 4–8 a.m.), allow an extra 30 minutes for security. Gate assignments are displayed on screens throughout the terminal and on your airline’s app. Remember the walk from the terminal to far-end gates on Concourse B can take 10–12 minutes.

Insider Tips

MDW is compact — that’s its biggest advantage over O’Hare. All concourses connect post-security, so you can explore any restaurant or shop regardless of your gate. The Battle of Midway exhibit near Concourse A is worth a visit (the airport is named after the WWII battle, not the neighbourhood). For downtown, the CTA Orange Line beats a taxi in rush hour — no traffic and no airport surcharge on the fare. Peak security lines hit hardest weekday mornings and holiday travel days. If you have CLEAR, use the mezzanine-level lanes. Refer to the Chicago Midway Airport map above to plan your route before arriving.