Rideshare & Ground Transport
Uber & Lyft Pickup at Chicago Midway International Airport
Rideshare pickup at MDW is not always at the arrivals curb — most airports now route Uber and Lyft to a dedicated lot or garage. Here is exactly where to go, how to get there, and how to keep the fare reasonable.
Where to get picked up at MDW
UUber Pickup Zone
Parking Garage Level 2 — accessible via the pedestrian bridge from the terminal; follow 'TNC/Rideshare' signs.
LLyft Pickup Zone
Same Parking Garage Level 2 zone as Uber.
In the app
Enter 'MDW Midway' in the app; select the Parking Garage Level 2 pickup point when prompted.
How to find the rideshare zone
From baggage claim, exit the terminal and cross the pedestrian bridge to the Midway Parking Garage; take the elevator or stairs to Level 2 and follow 'TNC/Rideshare' signs to the designated pickup area.
Cell Phone Lot
The MDW Cell Phone Lot is near 63rd St / Cicero Ave (follow airport approach signs) — 3–4 min drive to the Parking Garage pickup zone. Cell phone lot details →
Avoiding surge pricing at MDW
When surge peaks: Surge spikes after Southwest flight banks (typically 6–9am, 12–3pm, 5–9pm); Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are worst; winter snowstorms cause severe spikes.
Wait tip
Midway is busy with Southwest flights arriving in bunches; wait in the terminal until your driver is 3–5 min away before crossing to the garage to avoid timeout.
Compare your options
Rideshare is usually the fastest door-to-door option, but it is not always the cheapest — especially during surge.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rideshare Uber / Lyft | Door-to-door convenience, groups with bags, no cash needed | Surge pricing on busy evenings & events; long walk to pickup lot |
| Taxi Metered cab | Predictable metered fare during surge, no app required | Often more expensive off-peak; cash sometimes required |
| Transit Train / bus | Lowest cost option, immune to surge pricing and traffic | Not available at every airport; less practical with luggage |
For full ground-transport options at MDW including rental cars and public transit, see the MDW Getting Around guide.
Know exactly when to leave for MDW
Add your rideshare pickup time to the Leave-By calculator — it factors in current TSA wait times, so you hit the zone with time to spare.
Calculate leave-by time →