Chicago · MDW
35 minutes to city center. 3–36 hours of layover time.
LayoverScore™
TIME
62
THINGS TO DO
92
VALUE
83
STRESS
10
Orange Line to the Loop in 25 minutes — Cloud Gate, deep dish pizza, and Chicago-style everything.
Chicago (MDW) is a genuine transit hub with a city worth exploring. 35 minutes gets you to the center. 3–36 hours of layover time.
Getting around
Plan your 6h
Logistics
Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.
Vertoe - Loop Location
Downtown Chicago (multiple spots)
$6/bag
0 min walk
LuggageHero Chicago
Various downtown hotels and shops
$6/bag
0 min walk
Chicago Union Station
Union Station (Canal & Adams)
$10/day
5 min walk
From the terminal to the good part.
CTA Orange Line
to downtown
Runs every 8-12 min, direct to Loop stations
28 min
$2.50
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
to downtown
Can be 40+ min during rush hour
25 min
$28.00
Taxi
to downtown
Flat rate not available; metered
25 min
$40.00
Chicago CityPASS
Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, Field Museum + 2 more
Valid 9 consecutive days; best for 10+ hour layovers
$114
per day
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