Many travelers flying out of the Chicago area opt to fly from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport; however, there are many benefits to utilizing Chicago's smaller airport, Midway International.
Located in the southwest portion of the Chicago city limits, Midway International Airport is less than 20 minutes from downtown, 45 minutes from both Naperville and Schaumburg, and an hour from Elgin. It is also a little over an hour or less from most of northern Indiana's communities including Gary, Portage, Merrillville and Valparaiso. Airlines servicing Midway include Northwest, Delta, AirTran, Frontier and Southwest Airlines. The airport can be easily accessed from interstates 55, 294 and 88. Chicagoans are also able to take the "L" system (public transit service) to Midway Airport.
Benefits of Flying Chicago's Midway International Airport
Besides it's close proximity to many of Chicago's popular communities, Chicago's Midway is a much smaller airport than O'Hare making for less hustle and bustle and a much more relaxing travel experience. It is especially a good choice for seniors, families traveling with children or individuals with disabilities. Due to the small size of the airport, one does not need to walk as much as one would in a larger facility. Additionally, one can typically expect shorter lines and less waiting at security check points.
Amenities at Chicago's Midway International Airport
Although much smaller than O'Hare, Midway Airport offers many of the same amenities. Some of these amenities include:
- Numerous short (about $4/hour) and long term (about $14/day) parking lots with free bus shuttle service.
- Cell phone waiting area.
- A choice of restaurants/eateries including a McDonald's, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Gold Coast Dogs (offering the infamous Chicago style hot dog), Illinois Bar and Grill and Potbelly's Sandwich Works.
- A number of retail establishments including a newstand/bookstore, the Discover Chicago Souvenir Shop and the House of Blues Gift Shop.
- Various car rental companies including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty and many more.
- Several ATM machines.
- Skycap service, elevators and other assistance for disabled and elderly travelers.
- Taxi and limousine services.
- Business center.
- An interfaith airport chapel.
Chicago's Midway Airport is also a convenient option for travelers from West Michigan (i.e. Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo and Holland) as well as residents of Eastern Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin. For those really late or very early flights, there are many hotels within the airports vicinity. Located within just minutes of the airport are a Hilton Garden Inn, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hampton and Sleep Inn. In addition to lodging, there are many restaurants and shopping centers within minutes of the airport.
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