Chicago Midway Airport Parking Options: Full 2026 Guide

Back to ORD Airport Parking: The Complete O'Hare Guide 2026

Chicago Midway Airport parking is a set of on-site and off-site options managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), ranging from a free cell phone lot to covered terminal garages — with daily rates starting as low as around $8.75/day at nearby private lots. Midway (MDW) is a separate airport from O'Hare (ORD), located on Chicago's Southwest Side near S. Cicero Avenue. Whether you're flying Southwest or another carrier, you'll find a parking option that fits your budget and trip length.

• On-site garage parking at Midway runs roughly $14–$43/day depending on the lot level and duration.
• Economy and daily lot options are available for budget-conscious longer stays.
• Off-airport lots near Midway typically start around $8.75/day and include free shuttle service.
• The CTA Orange Line stops directly at Midway — a $2.50 ride from the Loop with no parking needed.
• Hotel park-and-fly packages bundle overnight stays with parking and airport shuttle access.
• Booking in advance online typically saves money vs. walk-up rates at the garage.

Before booking, compare all Midway parking options in one place. Search ORD and MDW parking rates on Triply — off-site lots near Midway start from around $8.75/day with free shuttles included.

What Are All the Parking Options at Chicago Midway Airport?

Midway Airport offers four main parking categories managed on-site by the CDA, plus a growing number of private off-airport lots along S. Cicero Avenue and nearby streets. Each option has a different price point, distance from the terminal, and ideal use case.

• Terminal Garage (Hourly/Daily) — The closest option to the terminal. Covered, multi-level structure. Best for short trips and pickups.
• Economy Garage — Slightly farther than the Terminal Garage but still on-site. Covered parking at a lower daily max. Connected by a free shuttle bus.
• Economy Lot — Open-air surface lot. The cheapest on-site option. Free shuttle runs to/from the terminal.
• Midway SpeedPark North and South — Valet-style parking services operated near the terminal entrance. A premium option for travelers who want the fastest drop-off.
• Off-Airport Private Lots — Third-party lots along S. Cicero Avenue and surrounding streets. Rates typically start around $8.75/day. All include free 24/7 shuttle service to the terminal.
• Cell Phone Lot — Free waiting area for drivers picking up arriving passengers. Time-limited and for waiting only.

Accessible parking is available in all garages and the economy lot. Spaces are clearly marked near elevators and terminal entrances, per CDA guidelines.

How Much Does Parking at Midway Airport Cost? (Full Rate Breakdown by Lot)

Midway's on-site parking rates are set by the Chicago Department of Aviation. Off-site lot pricing varies by provider. Based on current available data (verified May 2026), here's how the options compare side by side.

The biggest savings come from off-airport lots. Travelers who book a private lot in advance can save up to 80% compared to the Terminal Garage daily max. For a 7-day trip, that gap can easily add up to $240 or more. If you want to explore long-term strategy, our guide to ORD long-term parking, Economy Lots, and weekly rates covers the same budget-planning logic that applies to extended MDW trips too.

Note: Exact hourly breakdowns and valet rates for Midway SpeedPark are not publicly listed in a standard format. Check flychicago.com directly for the most current published rate schedules before you go.

Economy Parking vs. Terminal Garage: Which Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on two things: how long you're parking and how much you value convenience over cost.

Terminal Garage

• Direct, covered access to the Midway terminal — no shuttle needed
• Best for stays of 1–2 days when convenience outweighs cost
• Level 1 is hourly-only — ideal for pickups and quick errands
• Levels 2–6 are daily parking — expect up to ~$43/day maximum
• Accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay

Economy Garage or Economy Lot

• Cheaper daily rates — roughly $14–22/day depending on the facility
• Connected by a free shuttle bus to the terminal
• Economy Garage is covered; Economy Lot is open-air surface parking
• Best for trips of 3+ days when savings add up quickly
• Shuttle frequency is typically every 10–15 minutes

For most travelers staying more than two nights, the economy options are clearly the smarter pick. A 5-day stay in the Terminal Garage costs roughly $215, while the Economy Lot runs closer to $70–85 for the same period — a meaningful difference. If you want to dig into how MDW's economy setup compares philosophically to O'Hare's, our O'Hare Airport economy parking rates guide provides a useful benchmark for comparison.

How Does the Midway Airport Shuttle Work — and How Long Will You Wait?

Midway's on-site shuttle connects the Economy Garage and Economy Lot to the terminal. The shuttle is free and runs continuously during airport operating hours. Typical wait times are around 10–15 minutes.

Here's what to know before you park:

• Shuttles pick up at marked bus stop areas in both the Economy Garage and the Economy Lot
• The ride to the terminal takes roughly 5–10 minutes depending on traffic on airport roads
• Accessible shuttle vehicles are available — flag down the driver or ask at the lot booth
• During peak travel periods (holidays, summer weekends), waits can stretch to 20 minutes — build in extra time
• Return trips: after landing, follow signs to the ground transportation area and look for the Economy Parking shuttle stop

Off-airport private lots near Midway also run free 24/7 shuttles. Most operate every 10–15 minutes and offer a 5–10 minute ride to the terminal. Unlike on-site shuttles, these lots have staff available around the clock — a real comfort for early-morning or red-eye flights.

Where Can You Find Cheap Off-Airport Parking Near Midway?

Several private parking facilities operate near Midway along S. Cicero Avenue and surrounding streets. These lots partner with booking platforms like SpotHero, The Parking Spot MDW, and comparison tools so you can reserve in advance. Rates typically start around $8.75/day, which is significantly cheaper than any on-site option.

Key features to look for when comparing off-airport lots near Midway:

• Shuttle frequency — Look for lots that run every 10–15 minutes or better, 24/7
• Covered vs. uncovered — Covered spots protect your car during Chicago winters; expect slightly higher rates
• Security — Fenced lots with cameras and 24/7 attendants are the most reliable
• EV charging — A small number of lots offer Level 2 charging; confirm availability before booking
• Cancellation policy — Book only at lots offering free cancellation in case plans change
• Distance — Most reputable off-airport lots are within 1–2 miles of the terminal, a 5–10 minute shuttle ride

Always book in advance. Walk-up rates at private lots are often higher than pre-reserved prices. Booking 48–72 hours ahead typically locks in the best rates and guarantees your space.

Before you leave home, check real-time traffic on Waze to avoid getting caught in Chicago's notorious Southwest Side congestion, especially on weekday mornings. S. Cicero Avenue can back up quickly near rush hour.

What Are the Best Park-and-Fly Hotel Options Near Midway Airport?

A park-and-fly package is a hotel deal that bundles one night's accommodation with extended airport parking — often 7–14 days. You stay the night before your flight, park your car in the hotel lot, take the hotel shuttle to Midway in the morning, and pick your car up when you return. It works especially well for early-morning departures.

Several hotels near Midway offer these packages, typically along S. Cicero Avenue and the I-55 corridor. Here's what a typical Midway park-and-fly package includes:

• One night's hotel stay (room only or with breakfast, depending on the property)
• Free airport shuttle to and from Midway terminal
• Extended parking in the hotel lot — typically 7 to 14 days included at no extra charge
• Free cancellation when booked through platforms like ParkSleepFly

For early flights, a park-and-fly stay near Midway removes two stressors at once: finding a parking spot and making it to the airport on time. You pay roughly what you'd spend on a few days of on-site parking — but you get a hotel night included. Our full breakdown of ORD airport hotels with parking and park-and-fly packages covers how to evaluate and book these deals — the same approach applies to MDW-area hotels.

How Do You Reserve Midway Airport Parking in Advance?

Reserving parking online before your trip is the single best way to save money and guarantee a spot. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Choose your parking type — Decide between on-site economy parking, a private off-airport lot, or a park-and-fly hotel package based on your budget and trip length.
2. Enter your dates — Use a comparison tool like Triply's ORD/MDW parking search to enter your arrival and departure dates.
3. Compare available options — Review rates, shuttle frequency, covered vs. uncovered, and cancellation policies side by side.
4. Book and pay online — Most lots accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You'll receive a confirmation email with entry instructions.
5. Save your confirmation — Screenshot or print the confirmation. Some lots use license plate recognition; others require a QR code at the gate.
6. On departure day — Arrive at the lot, follow signage for reserved parking, and catch your shuttle. Build in extra time for holiday periods.

If you have TSA PreCheck, you can often arrive at Midway a bit later than standard — but that's no excuse to rush the parking step. Budget at least 30 minutes from lot check-in to gate, especially during peak summer travel months.

Looking for the best pre-book deals? Our guide to O'Hare airport parking deals, coupons, and discount codes includes strategies that work just as well for Midway — booking early, using promo codes, and avoiding holiday surcharges.

Is Driving and Parking at Midway Worth It — or Should You Take the CTA Orange Line?

The CTA Orange Line runs directly to Midway Airport, 24 hours a day. A single ride costs $2.50 from anywhere on the Orange Line, including downtown Chicago. The trip from the Loop takes roughly 25–30 minutes. That's hard to beat on price — and you skip parking entirely.

Here's a quick cost comparison to help you decide:

• CTA Orange Line (round trip): $5.00 total — unbeatable for solo travelers who live near a station
• Off-airport lot (7 days): ~$61–87 total — best option if you're driving from the suburbs or traveling with a group
• Economy Lot (7 days): ~$98–119 total — on-site convenience at a moderate price
• Terminal Garage (7 days): ~$301 total — only makes sense for very short stays under 2 days
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft round trip from near suburbs): $40–80+ depending on distance and surge pricing

If you live within walking distance of an Orange Line stop, public transit wins by a wide margin. If you're driving from the suburbs, car travel with a cheap off-airport lot beats rideshare for any trip longer than a couple of days. Group travel tips the math further toward driving — parking costs don't multiply per person, but Uber fares do.

One note: Midway is a significantly smaller, simpler airport than O'Hare. There's no Airport Transit System (ATS) people mover — the terminal is compact enough that most parking areas are within a short shuttle or walk. You won't face the same inter-terminal complexity you'd encounter at ORD. For a full comparison of what ORD parking looks like by contrast, the Complete O'Hare Airport Parking Guide 2026 covers the full ORD ecosystem in detail.

Ready to Book Your Midway Airport Parking?

Midway's parking options span a wide range — from the free cell phone lot to valet SpeedPark services and budget-friendly off-airport lots from around $8.75/day. Most travelers parking for 3 or more days will save significantly by choosing a private off-airport lot over the on-site Terminal Garage. Book in advance, confirm your shuttle schedule, and always check for cancellation flexibility.

Compare all Chicago Midway and ORD parking options on Triply — find off-airport lots from $8.75/day with free shuttles and free cancellation.