Which Chicago Airport for a Business Trip?
O’Hare (ORD) vs Midway (MDW) for business travel — which one to fly into, by where you’re actually headed and how you’ll get there.
Chicago has more than one airport, and for a business trip the right one depends on where in the metro your meeting is and how you’ll get from the gate to the room — not just which airline is cheapest. Here is the honest breakdown.
| Airport | When to fly into it |
|---|---|
| O’Hare (ORD) | Best for international, the most flights, and downtown via the Blue Line. Blue Line to the Loop, 24/7 (~45 min). the big hub; on the L. |
| Midway (MDW) | Best for a Southwest itinerary and the southwest side. Orange Line to the Loop (~30 min). smaller, often quicker downtown. |
So which should I fly into?
O’Hare (ORD) for international and the most flights, with the 24/7 Blue Line to the Loop; Midway (MDW) for Southwest and a quicker Orange Line downtown. Both put you on the L, so a downtown trip needs no car. If you know the company you’re visiting, our getting-there guides name the closest airport and the fastest route for each headquarters.
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