O'Hare vs Midway parking — which airport to fly from?
The right airport depends on your airline and neighborhood. United flyers should use O'Hare (T1); Southwest flyers will almost always use Midway. On parking cost alone, both airports are competitive — off-airport lots near each start within a dollar of each other.
| Feature | O'Hare (ORD) | Midway (MDW) |
|---|---|---|
| On-airport economy | $22/day | $20/day |
| Off-airport starting rate | $7/day | $8/day |
| CTA rail access | Blue Line ($5) | Orange Line ($5) |
| Off-airport shuttle | Free, 24/7 | Free, 24/7 |
| Terminal count | 4 (1, 2, 3, 5) | 1 |
| Major airlines | United hub, American, Delta | Southwest hub |
Cheapest parking near O'Hare Airport (ORD)
Off-airport lots on the northwest side near ORD consistently undercut on-airport economy parking by 60–70%. All major lots include free 24/7 shuttle service to all four O'Hare terminals.
| Lot | Daily Rate | Covered | Shuttle | EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park ’N Fly O’Hare | $7–12/day | No | Free 24/7 | No |
| FastTrack Airport Parking | $7–11/day | No | Free 24/7 | No |
| Avistar O’Hare | $8–13/day | No | Free 24/7 | No |
| The Parking Spot O’Hare | $9–15/day | Yes | Free 24/7 | Yes |
| O’Hare Economy Lot (on-airport) | $22/day | No | CTA Blue Line | Limited |
Cheapest parking near Midway Airport (MDW)
Midway's off-airport lots are concentrated on the southwest side, within 1–4 miles of the terminal. All major operators run free 24/7 shuttle service. The on-airport Midway Economy Lot at $20/day requires walking to the terminal — no shuttle provided.
| Lot | Daily Rate | Covered | Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Parking Spot Midway | $8–14/day | Yes | Free 24/7 |
| Park ’N Fly Midway | $8–12/day | No | Free 24/7 |
| Avistar Midway | $9–13/day | No | Free 24/7 |
| Midway Economy Lot (on-airport) | $20/day | No | None (walk) |
Long-term parking at Chicago airports
For trips of 3+ days, off-airport lots near both ORD and MDW offer 60–70% savings over on-airport rates. A 7-day trip at the on-airport O'Hare economy lot costs $154. The same trip at an off-airport lot runs $49–105 — saving $49–105 per week. All off-airport lots include free unlimited shuttle rides, so the only trade-off is a 10–20 minute shuttle ride each way.
| Lot | Airport | 7 Days | 14 Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park ’N Fly O’Hare | ORD | $49–84 | $98–168 |
| FastTrack Airport Parking | ORD | $49–77 | $98–154 |
| The Parking Spot Midway | MDW | $56–98 | $112–196 |
| Park ’N Fly Midway | MDW | $56–84 | $112–168 |
| O’Hare Economy Lot (on-airport) | ORD | $154 | $308 |
| Midway Economy Lot (on-airport) | MDW | $140 | $280 |
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Park and fly Chicago — combining hotel + parking
Several hotels near O'Hare and Midway offer park-and-fly packages — stay one night and park free (or discounted) for the duration of your trip. Popular options near ORD include the Hilton O'Hare and Marriott O'Hare. Near MDW, the Midway Hotel and Ashburn-area hotels offer similar deals. For trips over 5 days, a park-and-fly hotel deal can beat pure parking rates — especially if you have an early flight and need to stay near the airport anyway.
When comparing park-and-fly packages, calculate the total cost: hotel room + parking rate versus off-airport lot rate for all days. Park-and-fly deals work best for travelers with early morning departures (avoids traffic), those flying during winter weather, or anyone who would benefit from an airport-adjacent overnight stay regardless of cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to park at O'Hare?
O'Hare Airport (ORD) parking ranges from $7/day at off-airport lots to $22/day at the on-airport economy remote lot and $50+/day for valet. Off-airport lots near ORD include free 24/7 shuttle service to all four terminals.
What is the cheapest parking near Midway Airport?
Off-airport lots near Midway (MDW) start at $8/day with free 24/7 shuttle service, compared to $20/day at the on-airport Midway Economy Lot. The Parking Spot Midway and Park 'N Fly Midway are consistently among the lowest-priced options.
Can I take the CTA train from O'Hare parking?
Yes. The CTA Blue Line stops directly at O'Hare Terminal 2 and runs to downtown Chicago. A single fare is $5 each way ($10 round trip). The on-airport economy remote lot connects to the terminal via the Blue Line. Off-airport lots use free private shuttle service instead of CTA.
Is off-airport parking safe at Chicago airports?
Yes. All major off-airport lots near both O'Hare and Midway are fenced, well-lit, and staffed 24/7. Top operators including The Parking Spot, Park 'N Fly, and Avistar operate secure facilities with surveillance cameras and attendants on duty around the clock.
How far in advance should I book Chicago airport parking?
Book 1–2 weeks in advance for most trips. During peak travel periods — summer (June–August), Thanksgiving week, and Christmas/New Year's — book 3 or more weeks ahead. Off-airport lots near both ORD and MDW fill quickly during these windows, and pre-booking typically saves 10–25% over walk-up rates.