Which airport should I fly into for Chicago?

For long-haul and international flights, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the main gateway near Chicago. The closest airport, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Chicago?

The nearest is about 7 mi (11 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Chicago?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Chicago

The closest airports to Chicago, Illinois: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Chicago, Illinois is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), about 7 mi (11 km) away — roughly 23 min by road. It also serves as the area's main international gateway.

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
MDW	Chicago Midway International AirportChicago, United States	7 mi / 11 km	23 min	International
ORD	Chicago O'Hare International AirportChicago, United States	16 mi / 25 km	30 min	International
GYY	Gary Chicago International AirportGary, United States	21 mi / 33 km	40 min	International
PWK	Chicago Executive AirportChicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling, United States	22 mi / 36 km	43 min	Regional
LOT	Lewis University AirportChicago/Romeoville, United States	29 mi / 46 km	55 min	Regional
DPA	Dupage AirportChicago/West Chicago, United States	31 mi / 50 km	56 min	Regional
JOT	Joliet Regional AirportJoliet, United States	35 mi / 57 km	1 hr 4 min	Regional
UGN	Waukegan Regional AirportChicago/Waukegan, United States	41 mi / 66 km	1 hr 14 min	Regional

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the most convenient at about 7 mi out. Larger airports a little farther out can offer more connections, so it's worth comparing fares before booking.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Chicago. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with MDW.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near MDW saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near MDW All hotels near Chicago

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Chicago is Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), about 7 mi (11 km) away — roughly 23 min by road.