Getting to Midway Airport, Help!

[Soben]

Hi, we're going to WDW in 18 days. I'm trying to plan everything out. According to Google, it takes 1.5 hours to get from our house to Midway airport in Chicago. We don't travel that way much, and I am wondering how much time to allow. I'd like to leave the kids in school as late as possible, but not miss the plane! Would this work, or am I making it too tight?

Leave home at 12:00pm
Drive to airport 1:30pm
Park, shuttle, etc
Plane departs at 2:35pm

Thanks for any input!!!!

 

[tink76]

I personally would leave more time. Your timing would work if nothing went wrong but you aren't accounting for traffic, lines, etc.

 

[3BoysRDisneyFreaks]

Hi, we're going to WDW in 18 days. I'm trying to plan everything out. According to Google, it takes 1.5 hours to get from our house to Midway airport in Chicago. We don't travel that way much, and I am wondering how much time to allow. I'd like to leave the kids in school as late as possible, but not miss the plane! Would this work, or am I making it too tight?

Leave home at 12:00pm
Drive to airport 1:30pm
Park, shuttle, etc
Plane departs at 2:35pm

Thanks for any input!!!!

Where are you coming from? Within IL? WI? Indiana? I would allow way more than 1.5 hours for travel time to Midway. There is construction. Lots of construction. It is always rush hour in Chicago. I would rather be there early than being in a panic stuck in traffic.

Sarah

 

[PrncessA]

Where are you coming from? Within IL? WI? Indiana? I would allow way more than 1.5 hours for travel time to Midway. There is construction. Lots of construction. It is always rush hour in Chicago. I would rather be there early than being in a panic stuck in traffic.

Sarah

I agree. I would leave more time to get there, better safe than sorry. Plus it seems as rush hour is every hour esp. during construction areas.

 

[tamis]

I agree. I would leave more time to get there, better safe than sorry. Plus it seems as rush hour is every hour esp. during construction areas.

Plus Midway is not directly off of the freeway. Depending on which way you come, you have to travel through some cities and towns. It can be pretty slow if you hit many red lights and traffic gets heavy.

 

[stichlover87]

I would leave more time...sometimes Midway can be tricky to get to because of traffic and parking. Also depending on the airline the check in counter might be crowded as well as security. You would probably feel better if you had more time to play with.

 

[alexb]

You will need more than an hour to park, check in, get through security and walk to the gate, especially if you will be using long term parking. I'd suggest at least 90 minutes. I'm not sure how old your kids are and what kind of carryons you'll have but that could take a little more time getting through security. You will probably want the extra time for a bathroom stop(s) before getting on the plane. And like the other posters have said traffic on the interstates and even surface streets are a mess right now with construction so you may want more than 1.5 hours for driving, we build in extra time for driving everywhere right now around Chicago.

 

[Sandy321]

You should plan on being at the airport 2 hours before the plane departs. As pp stated - getting thru security, getting thru the ticket line - you just never know how long those lines are going to take - and do you have a pre park long term lot? Then you have to plan on time to get from the lot to the airport... 30 minutes - ITA that it depends on where you are starting from 1 1/2 seems reasonable - until you drive down the road to Midway!

Not sure what is planned at your children's school, but you probably should rethink even taking them that day - they wont have their minds on work - let them sleep in - - if that is even possible! Getting them up, dressed, fed take that time to get ready, get the last packing done - instead of rushing around - - or that's our experience...

 

[Shagley]

Would this work, or am I making it too tight?

Leave home at 12:00pm
Drive to airport 1:30pm
Park, shuttle, etc
Plane departs at 2:35pm

Thanks for any input!!!!

I think your schedule is WAY too tight. Plan on everything taking longer than you expect it to. The drive will probably take closer to 2 hours. It could take you an hour or more to park, get through security, have a potty break, etc. Also, you should be at your departure gate at least an hour or 45 minutes early because they usually start boarding about 30 minutes before departure time. If it were me, I would leave my house no later than 10:00. I would rather have extra time to kill at the airport before my flight than to be in a panic that I will miss my flight. The kids won't really be paying attention in school that morning anyway

 

[smiles&grins]

I think you need more time. It takes more time for everything on the day you're leaving. When we went last year we got to the airport 2 hours and 15 minutes before our flight and only sat waiting to board for 10 minutes. You have to find a parking spot, then do you need to take a shuttle from the lot? You'll have to wait for them and load everything on it. You'll take erveryone to the bathroom but 15 minutes later someone will then decide they have to go. You should be there by 12:30 for a 2:35 flight I'm thinking. It's way too stressful running to the gate if you're late. Oh and don't forget those directions from the websites always seem to be wrong in some way.
If you're early you can eat a snack while you watch the planes!! Enjoy your trip!

 

[TinkfromTX]

When I lived in the Midwest we would take the Coach USA bus from designated stops (just check their website) and you could park for FREE at the hotel pick ups etc and they would take you to the terminal. Adults cost varies (no more than $48 rt) and kids 15 and under are FREE...hope that helps.

Alison

 

[Traveliz]

Hi, we're going to WDW in 18 days. I'm trying to plan everything out. According to Google, it takes 1.5 hours to get from our house to Midway airport in Chicago. We don't travel that way much, and I am wondering how much time to allow. I'd like to leave the kids in school as late as possible, but not miss the plane! Would this work, or am I making it too tight?

Leave home at 12:00pm
Drive to airport 1:30pm
Park, shuttle, etc
Plane departs at 2:35pm

Thanks for any input!!!!

Oh my gosh I feel my blood pressue rising just reading this - you need to be AT THE AIRPORT two hours in advance - especially when you are talking about a Chicago airport and not just a small regional airport. I realize Midway isn't O'Hare but it is still a major airport. And traffic in Chicago can be so iffy - I would honestly leave early that morning, plan on lunch right near the airport early (if you find you have alot of time) and get to the airport in plenty of time. I have found they are closing the gates earlier and earlier - if your plane departs at 2:35 they will probably close the gate by 2:20 ish -- please let us know you are rethinking cutting things this close.

Liz

 

[DisneyFirefly]

I'm glad other people pointed out what I was going to say. You want to get to security at Midway AT LEAST two hours ahead of time. With TSA regulations, the lines at the airline check-in's, and the fact that you have kids you're traveling with, it's just going to be so much easier if you leave earlier in the morning. I live in Chicago and I only fly out of Midway (I can't stand O'Hare), so I always get there two to three hours before my flight. Sometimes this means getting there at 4am for a 6:30am flight, but I'd rather be early than late (I missed my flight at O'Hare once because of my father).

But yeah, you're going to need time to find a parking spot, to get to the departure terminal, to get to your gate, to go to the bathroom, etc etc etc. It's just easier to plan more time in. Like another poster said, your kids aren't going to be paying attention anyway. My parents pulled my siblings and I out of school once for a trip to the Dells and we hadn't focused on school all day.

Also, depending on where you guys are coming from, you may be able to skip the drive and utilize public transportation. It takes a little longer, but you don't have to worry about paying for long-term parking at Midway. There's a bus system owned and operated by Coach USA called MegaBus where fares start at a buck (seriously, I've taken this up to Milwaukee). The 'terminal' is downtown at Union Station, but it's only a couple blocks to the Orange Line, which will take you right to Midway. Also, another option for depending on where you are is Metra. I take Metra out to Dekalb to visit my best friend pretty regularly (although, technically, it stops in Elburn and she picks me up from there). They have low fares, kids under a certain age ride free, and most of their parking lots have decent rates. It's just an idea, but it might work for you depending on how much luggage you have. If you need any information on MegaBus, Metra, or the CTA (public transit in Chicago), please feel free to PM me, as that's usually how I get around, thanks to being too poor for a car.

 

[progs2]

A few more things to consider. Unless you live within 20 miles of Midway, you cannot get to the airport in one hour in the middle of the day. Google assumes you are going the posted speed limits. Not a chance of this. If you are coming from the west, you have a slight chance of making it in 2 hours. Coming from the south (Indiana) you will hit construction no matter which route you take. Coming from the north (Wisconsin) plan on 3 hours.
Plan to park in remote lots. Main garage will be full at that time, plus it's $28/day. Shuttle from red lot or remote garage runs every 10 minutes or so and parking is $14.
Are you checking bags? Add 30-40 minutes.
Security? You may get lucky here, going through around noon (yes noon) should not be bad, figure 30 minutes.

Hit the road at 10:00, bring some snacks and relax if you actually get to the gate by 1:30.

 

[BreezysMom]

Once upon a time Midway used to be the greatest place to fly out of. You could literally park in a lot acrosss the street and then walk on over to the terminal and start you check in, but now it is a parking mess. Couple that with TSA security and airline checkin...I live 1/2 either way from both airports here and I leave myself an hour to get to airport so I can be there two hours prior to departure.

I would highly suggest you give yourself a much larger cushion of time to get to Midway. There is tons of road construction here and as I stated, parking is not too easy. Even if you are at the airport early, you can enjoy lunch and relax before getting on your plane! Have fun

 

[dis75ney]

As much as I admire your determination to make sure the kids get as much schooling as possible, I would highly suggest just taking them out of school for that day and heading to Midway early. Traffic is horrible anywhere around Chicago nowadays with all the construction (and if you're further north like me, it's even worse with construction ALL THE WAY DOWN), and if your kids are anything like mine, they won't be paying much attention at school that day anyway...

We flew out of Midway for our June trip, and we decided, rather than driving to Midway the morning that we left, we spent the night previous to our flight in a local hotel that had long term parking available for those flying out of Midway. We would have paid the same amount at Midway's garage, so it was a wash for us, and it was SO much nicer to be able to drive down and not stress about making our flight. Although (and this will give you some indication of how bad traffic and construction are around Midway) our 15 minute shuttle ride to the airport ended up taking 45 minutes because of construction and detours. So the OCD part of me stressed a little, but we still made it to the airport with 2 1/2 hours to spare...

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

As a former homeland security employee at midway airport, I would do what all airlines and midways own website states: for proper time for arrival, check in and security please arrive at the airport 2 hours before your plane is set to depart. Some days are busier than other but the airport is on a busy street and parking is about 2 blocks away at the closest and you will have to wait for a shuttle, than into line to check bags than down thru security and depending what airline it can take 10 plus minutes down the concourse. I have seen plenty of people late or have to be "that guy", asking people who arrived on time to let them in the front of line because they didnt. Enjoy your trip and good luck with your commute.

 

[JDietz40]

I agree with what many other posters have stated. You will need to allow more time to park and get through security. We always fly out of Midway and use the park and ride where you park in the transit lot and take the Orange Line EL to downtown Chicago. We live just under 11 miles from Midway on Cicero Avenue (The Main street that Midway is on) It typically takes us atleast 35 - 45 minutes to arrive at the Midway parking Lot.

Something that you may want to consider to save time although it will cost extra $$$ is parking in the garage area where the daily rate parking spots are available. I think it may cost about $ 25.00 or so each day that you are parked there but you can walk directly in to the airport.

If you are flying SWA I would be prepared for a minimum of 30 minutes to check in your luggage.

Good Luck with your trip,




John

 

[Manda]

..I live 1/2 either way from both airports here and I leave myself an hour to get to airport so I can be there two hours prior to departure.

Hey, neighbor! You must live near me... I'm about 20-30 minutes from either airport, too.

As far as the original question, if it were me... I'd plan to arrive at 1 for a 2:35 flight. But I'd plan for a 2 hour drive if Google says 1.5 hours. In your situation, I'd leave at 11. But, also, I feel okay arriving 1.5 hours prior to the flight because I know Midway pretty well and can navigate it easily. If you aren't familiar with navigating the parking lot, shuttles, airport, etc., give yourself more time. It's a somewhat confusing airport since the expansion.

 

[jen2207]

When I lived in the Midwest we would take the Coach USA bus from designated stops (just check their website) and you could park for FREE at the hotel pick ups etc and they would take you to the terminal. Adults cost varies (no more than $48 rt) and kids 15 and under are FREE...hope that helps.

Alison

We live about 2hrs away from Midway too and have found the bus to be great! (Van Galder) I pick it up in Rockford - it drops you off right in front of the terminal. It's cheap and have many times available to catch it. I've also parked at Midway and then you have to park and catch a shuttle to the terminal anyways.