CTA Transportation Options
The CTA offers "L" (train) and bus service in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The CTA Orange Line train is the most convenient and affordable way to go from Midway International Airport to downtown Chicago (the Loop) via public transit. With regularly scheduled arriving and departing trains, you will experience minimal wait times.
CTA Orange Line 'L'
Orange Line train service operates from Midway (on the southwest side of Chicago) to downtown via elevated tracks. (Once reaching downtown, trains travel clockwise around the Loop and then make all stops back to Midway.) The normal travel time to downtown from Midway is 20-25 minutes.
The Orange Line operates from approximately 4-4:30 a.m. to approximately 1 a.m. every day with more frequent service during weekday morning and evening rush hours. Alternate overnight ("owl") service is available via the N62 Archer bus.
For a complete Midway International Airport Station timetable please check out the CTA's website below. Specific fare information is available at the link below. The CTA's website has a variety of trip planning information.
A free transfer is available to connecting CTA train lines at designated stations. See the Orange Line Route Guide or Maps for connection information.
To make a paid transfer, such as to a bus route, you'll need an unlimited ride pass or a Transit Card. If you're using a stored-value Transit Card, you can make up to two transfers within two hours for just 25 cents (deducted automatically at the time you make your first transfer).
Midway Station Timetable »
CTA Fare Information »
Getting to the Orange Line from the Midway Airport Terminal Building
The fully-accessible Midway station is situated just east of the airport terminal building and is connected to the airport via an enclosed walkway. Follow the signs to "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City" from the airport. An orange line painted on the ground will guide you there.
CTA Buses
The CTA offers nine bus routes that serve Miday. Buses are a great public transportation option for those that are not coming or going along the CTA Orage Line. Several Pace buses also operate to and from Midway. Use the infomraiton below and the Pace bus infomraiton to determine which routes works best for you.
CTA buses drop off and pick up a brief walk from the terminal at the Midway Transportation Center. The center is a combined rail and bus station that serves the CTA Orange Line, CTA buses, and Pace buses. Access to or from the airport terminal is via a covered walkway; just follow signs.
Detailed CTA bus route infomraiton can be found at CTA's website.
Plan your trip to Midway using CTA »
Routes Serving Midway Airport
| Route Name |
Route |
Route Length |
| Route 47 |
47th |
(Between Cicero/Archer and 47th/Lake Park) |
| Route 54B |
South Cicero |
(Between Ford City Mall and Cermak/Kenton) |
| Route 55 |
Garfield |
(Between the Museum of Science & Industry and Midway) |
| Route 55A |
South Cicero |
(Between Austin/65th and Midway) |
| Route 55N |
55th/Austin |
(Between Austin/65th and Midway) |
| Route 62N |
Archer |
(Between State/Washington and Midway via State, Roosevelt, Halsted, Archer and Cicero) |
| Route 62H |
Archer/Harlem |
(Between 63rd/Archer and Midway) |
| Route 63 |
63rd |
(Between 63rd Street/Stony Island and Midway) |
| Route 63W |
West 63rd |
(Between Archer and Midway) |