Chicago - Questions about Midway airport

My daughter is a freshman at UChicago and I'm trying to get her home for Thanksgiving, departing on that Tuesday afternoon. I'd love to get her on a Delta flight at 4:45 out of Midway airport, assuming this will work with her class schedule. She could depart campus at 3:15 pm.

I know Midway is much smaller than O'Hare. How much in advance would she need to arrive at the airport before her flight? Would one hour be enough time? (She would have her boarding pass and would do carryon only.)

I wanted to try to book a car service to get her from campus to Midway. Any recommendations? Would this be do-able in 30 minutes?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Kathy

I've flown out of Midway a few times. It is smaller than ORD but it's also a lot more dated. I'd say that timing is too tight, especially during a heavy travel week like Thanksgiving.

...but it's also a lot more dated.
Have you been there in the last decade? The entire terminal is new since 2001-2004. Haven't flown out of there recently, so can't help the OP...

Please continue to follow this thread in the Chicago Forum.
Thanks...
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I know Midway is much smaller than O'Hare.

Smaller is relative. Average distance from curb is probably the same as ORD if not a little bit longer. Plus there's only one security area for all three concourses at Midway, so I routinely find that the security lines take as long if not longer than O'Hare.

Honestly, she's cutting it tight. I've never driven from the U of C to MDW, but assume you shoot straight down 55th St. Mapquest says 24 minutes. I can tell you that driving from downtown to Midway even in early afternoon can be slow going on 55 (the highway, not the street) because of heavy truck traffic. Not sure how often people use surface streets as alternative routes, but it wouldn't surprise me if 55th St. is slow going, too.

I've driven this route thousands of times. On a Tuesday before rush hour you're looking at 20 to 30 minutes. Assuming a preprinted BP and no checked bags it's close, but doable.

MDW is someways worse than ORD when it comes to moving passengers through the security checkpoint.

To address your question, IF traffic flows well from UC and she gets to MDW by 3:45, that would probably be enough time.

I have flown out of midway probably 50 times. I never show more than 70 minutes before flight, aim for 60 and have done as little as 35.

The most time I have spent in security is 20 minutes and 90% of the time it takes less than 5. Checking bags can take some time with WN, not sure about DL. I find MDW to be the most efficient airport that I regularily use.

With that being said you are talking about the busiest day of the year so I would aim to be there 75 minutes ahead though 60 is probably OK. Leaving campus at 2:45 would be much more ideal if that is possible. Even if it means bringing her luggage to her last class I would still do that. Also I don't think a car will be faster than a taxi.

Thanks everyone for the input about Midway airport. I'll talk to my daughter about taking her bag with her to that last class, or asking the professor if she could leave 10 minutes early.

As far as car service vs. taxi, I thought I could feel more confident about booking the car service and the car being there to pick her up on time. But maybe I'm wrong about that?

Kathy

I've done this drive in less than 30 minutes - the surface streets move pretty well (I use 63rd).

If you can make it there in 30 minutes, 60 minutes feels like plenty of time to me for getting through security and on the plane. Given that it's a holiday weekend timing might change; however on a normal week 60 minutes at Midway is ample time.

Thanks everyone for the input about Midway airport. I'll talk to my daughter about taking her bag with her to that last class, or asking the professor if she could leave 10 minutes early.

As far as car service vs. taxi, I thought I could feel more confident about booking the car service and the car being there to pick her up on time. But maybe I'm wrong about that?

Kathy

I use Flash Cab for work every Monday morning and they've always been reliable when I call to book pick-ups. Others may have their own preferences but for a car service I've always found O'Hare-Midway Limo to have well-maintained cars and be on time.

Whichever route you go, do pre-book something. Taxis in Hyde Park are very hit or miss - sometimes you see millions of them, and at times there are none, even at the generally reliable cab stand at the hospital.

+1 to Flash Cab. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. They are almost always there five minutes early.

And I think she'll have plenty of time to make it. I'd say the best bet for security is to stay as far right as possible when going through the TSA check point. There are some auxiliary screening stations on that side.

Whichever route you go, do pre-book something. Taxis in Hyde Park are very hit or miss - sometimes you see millions of them, and at times there are none, even at the generally reliable cab stand at the hospital.

Whenever my wife (U of C professor) needs a cab, she gets it in front of the "DCAM." Very rarely has to wait long.

Odd positioning not on the main street, but basically about 58th and just E of Cottage Grove.

Whenever my wife (U of C professor) needs a cab, she gets it in front of the "DCAM." Very rarely has to wait long.

Odd positioning not on the main street, but basically about 58th and just E of Cottage Grove.


That's the stand I'm talking about, but last time I was there the road was all torn up and the cab stand was nowhere to be found. They directed me across the street to the Hospital, where we waited at least 20 minutes before a cab pulled up.

That's the stand I'm talking about, but last time I was there the road was all torn up and the cab stand was nowhere to be found. They directed me across the street to the Hospital, where we waited at least 20 minutes before a cab pulled up.

It's OK now (or was a couple weeks ago when I had a doctor's appt. in the DCAM).

Considering that time is already tight, I would suggest reserving a cab in advance. Under different circumstance she could even take a bus.

Considering that time is already tight, I would suggest reserving a cab in advance. Under different circumstance she could even take a bus.

55 bus is nasty. And slow.

55 bus is nasty. And slow.

Well, it is Chicago. :) However, if someone had a lot of time (about an hour), had a daytime flight, and lived close to 55th street, it is an option for about $2. Not recommending it to OP obviously.