Getting around Chicago from the Midway area is straightforward to plan around the CTA Orange Line, which runs from Midway Airport to the Loop in downtown Chicago. Midway station is about a 22-minute walk from Skylark Motel, so you can start by weighing the walk against a short car trip to the station.
- Nearest rail starting point: Midway station, about a 22-minute walk from the motel.
- Orange Line ride: Usually 20–25 minutes from Midway to downtown.
- Connections: CTA buses and Pace routes serve Midway station.
- Payment: Pay with a Ventra option or contactless bankcard; CTA offers passes for several durations.
Starting from the Midway area
Midway station is the practical starting point for rail trips from the southwest side of Chicago. It is at 4612 W. 59th St. and has an enclosed walking connection to the airport terminal.
Before setting out, decide whether to walk to the station or drive. If you are coming from the airport instead, the route from Midway Airport to the motel takes about 29 minutes on foot or about 9 minutes by car.
The Midway station is accessible and has indoor and sheltered bike parking. Park & Ride parking costs $10.00 for 12 hours. These options can help you choose how to reach the train before continuing into the city.
How do you get from Midway to downtown Chicago?
Take the Orange Line from Midway toward the Loop; all trains departing Midway go to the Loop. The usual trip from Midway to downtown takes 20–25 minutes, and the line runs on elevated tracks as it approaches the centre.
On the way, the Orange Line connects Midway with Pulaski, Kedzie, Western, 35th/Archer, Ashland, Halsted, Cermak-Chinatown and Roosevelt before reaching the Loop. Use the line for a downtown trip, then check the CTA system map to plan transfers to other rail lines, buses or regional services.
CTA trains run daily except during overnight hours. The N62 Archer bus provides alternate overnight service. Schedules and service can change, so check the official site before you go: CTA provides route maps, schedules, service hours and station timetables, as well as train, bus and elevator alerts.
For a day structured around central Chicago, the one-day Chicago route from the Midway area follows the same useful starting point: take the Orange Line toward the Loop, then plan the day from downtown.
CTA trains and buses for city trips
CTA trains and buses connect Midway station with neighbourhood routes and city destinations. For the station-to-station journey, the Orange Line is the main rail option; CTA bus connections at Midway include routes 54B, 55, 55A, 55N, 59, 62H, 63 and 165, along with some N62 buses overnight.
Pace buses also connect at Midway station on routes 379, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386 and 390 (UPS). Check the route map and timetable before choosing a bus, since the best connection depends on where you are heading.
If your plans extend beyond Chicago, how to plan an Oak Park day trip from the Midway area is another route to consider.
Fares, passes and payment
You can pay for Chicago public transportation with a Ventra Card or Ticket, a personal contactless bankcard, or a mobile wallet. The same payment method can qualify for up to two free transfers within two hours.
Unlimited-ride passes cover 1, 3, 7 or 30 days on CTA buses and trains. A pass activates on first use and runs for its full duration from that time. Disposable 1-Day Ventra Tickets are sold at Ventra Vending Machines; machines at Midway and O’Hare also sell a 3-Day (72-hour) version.
You can load a pass onto a Ventra Card or personal contactless bankcard at a Ventra Vending Machine. Ventra Cards can also be loaded online, by phone or at Ventra retailers. A new Ventra Card costs $5; if registered within 90 days, that value is refunded to the Transit Account.
When driving or ride-hailing may help
Driving or ride-hailing may suit trips where the train route does not match your destination or schedule. Chicago city centre is about 17 minutes by car from the motel, while Midway station takes about 6 minutes by car; compare that station access with the Orange Line’s usual 20–25-minute trip to downtown before choosing how to travel.
For a trip from Midway Airport, CTA’s comparison gives common-condition estimates of 25 minutes by train, 15–40 minutes by taxi, 15–40 minutes by shuttle van and 15–40 minutes by rideshare.
Estimated costs are $2.50 or less by train, around $25 by taxi, over $15 by shuttle and around $25–40 by rideshare, with possible rideshare surges to $100 or more. These are estimates, so check current fares and conditions before you travel.
FAQs
Which train goes from Midway to downtown Chicago?
The CTA Orange Line runs from Midway Airport to the Loop. Its usual travel time from Midway to downtown is 20–25 minutes.
Does the Orange Line run overnight?
No. CTA Orange Line service operates daily except during overnight hours; the N62 Archer bus provides alternate overnight service.
Can you connect to a bus at Midway station?
Yes. CTA and Pace routes connect at Midway station. Check the relevant route map and timetable to choose a connection for your destination.
What payment options work on CTA?
CTA accepts Ventra Cards and Tickets, personal contactless bankcards and mobile wallets. Unlimited-ride passes are available for 1, 3, 7 or 30 days on CTA buses and trains.