Roberta Aguirre
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is open 24 hours a day, and travellers can sleep overnight if they wish. However, the airport has uncomfortable seating, bright lights, and constant noise, so it may not be the most restful place to spend the night. If you do decide to sleep at the airport, it is recommended that you bring an eye mask, earplugs, and a sweater or hoodie to stay warm. There are also hotels near the airport that offer free shuttle services, which could be a more comfortable alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) |
| Airport Location | 19 km from the Loop Business District |
| Sleeping Facilities | Uncomfortable seating with armrests; sleeping on the floor is possible in Concourse C, which is the quietest area |
| Noise and Lighting | Bright lights and constant noise; earplugs or headphones recommended |
| Temperature | Cold at night; a sweater or hoodie is recommended |
| Cots | Available for stranded passengers affected by bad weather or flight cancellations; includes blankets and pillows |
| Lounges | One lounge (USO Lounge) for active US military members and their families; no sleeping facilities |
| Hotels | No hotels inside the airport; hotels nearby offer free airport shuttles |
| WiFi | Free and unlimited; connect to "Boingo Hotspot" or "_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi" |
| Charging | Available under seating in all areas |
| Dining and Retail | Limited options; most are airside |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping conditions: Uncomfortable seating, bright lights, and constant noise
- Safety: Generally safe, but take precautions and locate security and cameras
- Facilities: Free WiFi, charging points, and vending machines
- Lounges: USO Lounge for military members and their families
- Hotels: Options with free shuttles nearby, with parking and sleep packages
Sleeping conditions: Uncomfortable seating, bright lights, and constant noise
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is open 24 hours a day, but it is a small airport with limited facilities. The biggest challenges for those planning to sleep in the airport are uncomfortable seating, bright lights, and constant noise. The airport also gets cold at night.
Seats inside the terminal are uncomfortable and have armrests. If you have a sleeping bag or blankets, you may prefer to lie down on the floor of Concourse C, which is the quietest area of the airport. It's a good idea to bring an eye mask and earplugs or headphones to block out the bright lights and constant noise. You may also want to bring extra layers, such as a sweater or hoodie, to stay warm.
While the airport staff and security generally tolerate overnight sleepers, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It is recommended to take precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Knowing where the security office is located and looking for video cameras near your chosen sleeping spot can help enhance your safety.
If you are affected by bad weather or flight cancellations, you may be able to access special cots provided by the airport. These cots are typically located in a semi-dark room with a security guard available and come with blankets and pillows. Contact an airport employee for more information.
Alternatively, if you prefer more comfortable sleeping arrangements or want to avoid the challenges of sleeping in the airport, there are hotels near Midway Airport that offer free airport shuttles. These hotels can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating, and popularity on websites like Tripadvisor.
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Safety: Generally safe, but take precautions and locate security and cameras
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) has a reputation for being no-frills and cheap. While it is generally safe to sleep in, it is important to take certain precautions, especially when travelling alone. Here are some tips to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables:
Know where the security office is located and look for video cameras in the area where you plan to sleep. The airport staff are reportedly tolerant of overnight sleepers, and there have been no reports of travellers commenting on safety issues. However, it is always a good idea to be vigilant and take necessary measures to protect yourself and your belongings.
MDW comprises one main terminal with three interconnected concourses (A, B, and C). Passengers on arriving flights can access all three concourses without re-clearing security, which is convenient for those who need to access different parts of the airport. The airport offers plenty of dining, retail, and service options, most of which are airside. However, amenities and things to do are limited, and travellers report that landside sleeping is uncomfortable due to a lack of comfortable seating, noise, and bright lights.
To ensure a more comfortable sleeping environment, consider locating power-equipped seating, which is available in all gated areas and at various workstations with counters equipped with power outlets and seating. Free unlimited WiFi is also available at the airport, providing a means to pass the time or stay connected.
If you prefer a more traditional sleeping arrangement, there are hotels near Midway Airport that offer free airport shuttles. These hotels can be found on Tripadvisor and can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating, and popularity. Additionally, The Club MDW, located airside near Gate B1, offers lounge access with options to pay at the door, prepaid lounge passes, or lounge membership programs. The USO also offers a free lounge for active US military members and their families, located in Concourse C airside.
For transportation, taxi stands are located curb front on the lower level of the terminals, providing easy access to taxis, including wheelchair-accessible options. However, for safety reasons, it is important to only use taxis operating from the designated taxi stands. The CTA Orange Line train also provides a convenient connection between Midway Airport and downtown Chicago, with a total trip time of 20-25 minutes.
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Facilities: Free WiFi, charging points, and vending machines
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) offers free unlimited WiFi. To connect, select either the “Boingo Hotspot” or “_Free_MDW_Wi-Fi” network and watch an ad for internet access.
There are charging points at various workstations with counters equipped with power outlets and seating. All the gated areas also offer power-equipped seating.
MDW has vending machines offering light snacks, salads, and other cold foods.
The airport also provides other facilities, including free resting zones, lactation pods, and kid-friendly restaurants. The USO Lounge in Concourse C is reserved for active military members and their families, offering complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, TVs, and a quiet area. The Club MDW lounge in Concourse B is open to all travellers, providing complimentary food, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a quiet zone.
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Lounges: USO Lounge for military members and their families
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is made up of one main terminal and three interconnected concourses (A, B, and C). The airport is open 24 hours a day, but it is quite small, and facilities are limited. Landside sleeping is uncomfortable due to a lack of comfortable seating, bright lights, and noise. However, airport staff and security are reportedly tolerant of overnight sleepers. If you are looking for a more comfortable place to rest, there are a few lounges at MDW, including one specifically for military members and their families.
The USO Lounge at MDW is located airside in Concourse C and is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. It offers a comfortable place to wait for your flight if you are an active member of the US military or a family member. The USO Lounge is free to use and offers travel and ground transportation assistance.
As with sleeping anywhere in an airport, it is important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. It is a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras near where you plan to sleep.
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Hotels: Options with free shuttles nearby, with parking and sleep packages
Sleeping in any airport can be less than ideal, and while Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is open 24 hours, travellers report that landside sleeping is uncomfortable due to a lack of comfortable seating, noise, and bright lights. If you have a sleeping bag or blankets, you can lie down on the floor of Concourse C, which is the quietest area. However, passengers cannot cross between landside and airside once security closes for the night, so it's worth having a backup plan.
If you'd prefer a more comfortable sleep, there are several hotels near MDW Airport that offer free airport shuttles and parking. Here are some options:
Residence Inn Chicago Midway Airport
The Residence Inn Chicago Midway Airport is the closest hotel to Chicago Midway Airport and offers a free shuttle service to and from the airport. The hotel also provides complimentary parking for up to 14 nights, making it a convenient option if you're looking to avoid airport parking fees. The hotel features luxurious bedding, spacious work desks, high-speed internet access, and complimentary breakfast.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown South Loop
The Hilton Garden Inn is a highly-rated hotel located near MDW Airport, offering a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. It provides free WiFi, a 24-hour business centre, a gym, and a 24-hour front desk.
Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago - Downtown by IHG
This hotel is also located near MDW Airport and provides a free airport shuttle service. It offers free WiFi, a business centre, express check-out, and a train station pick-up service.
Cezars Inn
Cezars Inn is a moderately priced hotel located close to Midway Airport, offering clean rooms, prompt service, and good food. They also provide a shuttle service to and from the airport.
Sleep Inn
Sleep Inn is another hotel located near MDW Airport, offering a free 24-hour airport shuttle service.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, passengers are allowed to sleep in Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) as it remains open 24 hours a day. However, travellers report that landside sleeping is uncomfortable due to a lack of comfortable seating, bright lights, and noise.
Yes, there are hotels near Midway Airport that offer free airport shuttles. Most hotels also offer parking deals and shuttle transfers to and from the airport.
It is recommended that you bring eye masks, earplugs, headphones, a sleeping bag or mat, blankets, and warm clothing to combat the cold, bright lights, and noise.
