? for Chicago Midway experts

[Cheesehead66]

Hello -

We're thinking of flying Southwest for the first time, since their fares would save us a total $300 over the fares we've been watching. We'd be flying out of Chicago Midway, coming from southern Wisconsin through Rockford. We're a little nervous about flying from there - any tips on directions/avoiding traffic congestion/parking info, etc. would be appreciated. Is it a smaller airport and easy to find your way around?

Thanks!

 

[pdolan]

We are flying Southwest out of Midway in October to Orlando - just got an awesome fare for the 4 of us! We haven't even booked a resort yet! We travel up from northwest IN and find Midway to be very easy to locate and very easy to navigate through once inside. We fly Southwest a lot and while it is a no-frills airline, we have always found them accommodating and safe.

 

[inkkognito]

I recommend parking at Midway Park Savers, across from the Orange Line train entrance. No shuttle buses (which are a total cattle call of aggressive people). You just walk right across the street. Be careful, though, as some of the spots are tight if you have an SUV.
As for Southwest, print your boarding pass the night before at midnight so you get an A. Then you can sit in the A line, which is located against the wall at most Midway gates.
There is a great food court (but stay away from the carmel corn place because it is ADDICTIVE!) and it's small enough to be painless to get around.
Barb

 

[Cheesehead66]

pdolan & Barb - thanks for your help

We're flying for the $115 RT fare, we were really excited to get that and we're not going until the end of November. We don't have a resort yet either.

Thanks for the tips also - it will be great not having to take a shuttle - and we will definitely get some carmel corn!

 

[Figment2]

When traveling with friends (and parking at Park Savers), I usually drop them off at the terminal first. Then go park so I don't have a bunch of luggage to contend with. WHen you cross the street walk towards the Orange line, go past the entrance to the EL; go up the elevator or stairs, down the hallway; cross over the parking garage and then turn to the right. There will be some elevators there which tell you which floor ticketing is on. When you get off the elevators you'll be by the ATA agents. SW is all the way on the other side. This almost sounds like over the hill and through the woods but it's not that far.

If you're taking 88 out of Rockford, get on the 294 South then onto Rte 55 (Stevenson Expressway) North (sign will say Chicago). Get off at Central Ave. Take Central to 55th St. 55th St is first light after you go over the railroad tracks. Turn left onto 55th. Stay in right lane since you will be turning right onto Cicero (South). If you'll be dropping off everyone beforehand stay in right lane since the ramp to the terminals will be on your right hand side. If you miss it, no problem. Just turn left into one of the side streets and make your way back.

If you do drop everyone off, you'll want Cicero South (left lane) and you'll be turning left. I believe 59th St. is first light after you get on Cicero. You'll be turning left onto 59th and Park Saver will be on your right just before some more railroad tracks.

Cyn

 

[manning]

If you don't know the area it may be best to get off at the Cicero ave exit and make a right turn onto Cicero ave. Cicero ave is the east boundary of the airport, Central ave is the west boundary and 55th st is the north boundary. You are coming from the north.

 

[Cheesehead66]

manning & cyn -

Thanks for the advice - we were wondering if we should come in on 88 to avoid some traffic rather than going 90/290, so now we know how to do that. Not sure yet if we'll be dropping off or just going right to Park Savers, but we appreciate getting the specific directions.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Cheesehead -

Midway is a great airport, much more maneuverable than O'Hare. It's usually my airport of choice flying into Chitown! Piece of cake for you!