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Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) has its own station on the CTA Orange Line, right next to the terminal. The CTA says the trip to downtown normally takes 20 to 25 minutes, and you pay the regular $2.50 'L' fare. There is no airport surcharge.
| Option | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CTA Orange Line | $2.50 | 20-25 minutes to downtown. No service overnight. |
| N62 Archer night bus | $2.25 | Overnight alternative to the Orange Line ($2.50 in cash). |
| Taxi | $35-40 | Average fare to downtown according to the airport, depending on traffic. |
| Shared-ride taxi | $18 | Per person to downtown, when other travelers share the ride. |
Fares for one adult paying full fare with a Ventra Card or contactless. Reduced and student fares are on our fares page.
$2.50 full fare, $1.25 reduced, 75 cents student. Up to two transfers within two hours are free. Station machines also sell the 3-Day pass ($15).
Tap a contactless bank card, a phone wallet or a Ventra Card at the turnstile. Vending machines at the station sell Ventra Cards and load value or passes.
20 to 25 minutes to downtown, according to the CTA. Every train from Midway goes to the Loop.
Finding the station. The accessible Midway station (4612 W. 59th St.) is just east of the terminal building, linked to it by an enclosed walkway. The Orange Line runs on elevated tracks through the Southwest Side. Downtown, trains go clockwise around the Loop, stopping at every Loop station, before heading back to Midway. At Roosevelt you can change to the Red and Green lines.
| Direction | Weekdays | Saturday | Sunday and holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midway to the Loop | 3:30 AM to 1:05 AM | 4:00 AM to 1:05 AM | 4:30 AM to 1:05 AM |
| The Loop to Midway | 3:55 AM to 1:30 AM | 4:25 AM to 1:30 AM | 4:55 AM to 1:30 AM |
Times are first and last trains as published by the CTA. The timetable shows trains about every 7 to 15 minutes for most of the day, with more trains during weekday rush hours. When the Orange Line is closed overnight, the CTA runs the N62 Archer owl bus, and some N62 buses stop at the Midway station.
Station closure downtown: the State/Lake 'L' station has been closed for reconstruction since Jan 5, 2026. The CTA says to use Clark/Lake or Washington/Wabash instead. Check service status before you travel.
CTA buses pick up and drop off at the Midway station. The CTA lists these connections:
CTA buses cost $2.25 with Ventra or contactless, and Pace buses $2.00. If you pay cash, the CTA fare is $2.50 and you get no transfer. Use our trip planner to find the right route for your address.
Taxi stands are on the lower level curb in front of the terminal (city taxis: inner lane, Door 2), first come, first served. The airport asks travelers to use only the official stands. It lists an average fare to downtown of $35 to $40, depending on traffic, and a shared-ride option at a flat $18 per person to downtown or McCormick Place when other travelers share the cab. Rideshare pickups (Uber, Lyft) are on the lower level, outside baggage claim, Doors 2 to 4.
Flying out of the other airport? See O'Hare by Blue Line or our airports overview.
The regular 'L' fare: $2.50 full fare, $1.25 reduced and 75 cents for students, paid with a Ventra Card, a contactless bank card or a phone wallet. Unlike O'Hare, Midway has no extra charge. Up to two transfers within two hours are free.
The CTA says the normal travel time from Midway to downtown is 20 to 25 minutes.
No. On weekdays, the first train leaves Midway for the Loop at 3:30 AM and the last at 1:05 AM. Overnight, the CTA runs the N62 Archer bus instead.
Just east of the terminal building, linked to it by an enclosed walkway. The station is accessible and is also where CTA buses pick up and drop off.