One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
MDW8.2+1.4
ORD6.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
MDW7.0
ORD7.0
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
MDW7.4
ORD7.5+0.1
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
MDW8.8+1.0
ORD7.8
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
MDW5.4
ORD7.0+1.6
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
MDW6.8
ORD7.3+0.5
Best for
MDW
Southwest flyers who want Chicago without O’Hare sprawlDowntown trips via the CTA Orange LinePriority Pass holders using The Club MDWShort domestic connections inside one security zone
ORD
United and American domestic connectionsCTA Blue Line valueLounge variety for premium flyers24/7 operations
Watch out for
MDW
Southwest departure banks crowding security and holdroomsAbout 71% on-time departures (BTS, 12 months to July 2026) and Runway 22L closed until about mid-November 2026Orange Line is not overnight; owl bus or rideshare for red-eyesNo airline clubs; Gameway is entertainment, not a quiet lounge
ORD
T5 has no airside walk to T1–T3 — use the 11:30–21:30 transfer bus or re-clear TSAPriority Pass is T5-only; Air France blocks cardholders 12:00–17:00No Maple Leaf, BA, or Emirates lounge — those rows are closedPeak-hour security and curb congestionFrequent gate changes across terminals
Amenities and tips
MDW
CTA Orange Line hookupThe Club MDWCentral Market diningWalkable single terminalGameway Priority PassFree Wi-Fi + refill stations
Beat Southwest banks or pay in stress
Arrive 90–120 minutes early for morning and late-afternoon Southwest banks; off-peak security is often quick in this single-checkpoint layout.
One building, three short concourses
After security, Central Market feeds A (south), B (west), and tiny C (north)—no trains, no people-movers, just walking.
Eat at Central Market, not the gate stub
Hit Central Market / Concourse A food hall for Chicago-flavored spots instead of settling for the nearest gate snack case.
ORD
United Polaris LoungeCTA Blue LineAirport Transit SystemGiordano's / Lou Malnati'sFamily Lounge
Build 2 hours domestic / 3 hours international — T5 customs is the wildcard
Domestic ~2 hours; international ~3 hours; T5 connections need the bus clock or a second TSA screening.
Confirm T1 / T2 / T3 / T5 before you book a curb
T1 United, T3 American / BA departures, T5 international arrivals + Delta / foreign-flag — ATS links them all.
Eat in T1 or T3 airside; T5 is thinner and pricier
T1/T3 win on everyday food; T5 is a lounge-or-markup problem.
MDW · Compact Southwest-dominated city airport with excellent CTA Orange Line access and a real Priority Pass lounge, traded against bank crowds and weak on-time reliability.
ORD · Solid major hub (84.9 million passengers in 2025) with a free 24/7 people mover, CTA Blue Line, and three Terminal 5 Priority Pass rooms — still punished by T5 isolation, gate sprawl, and an Air France midday PP lockout.
