Chicago airports compared: which one is cheaper to fly

Which Chicago Airport is Cheapest?

Planning a trip from Chicago on a budget? When you have just two free days, choosing the right airport can make a big difference. Chicago is served by two major airports: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). We've compared one-way fares to popular destinations to help you decide which airport offers the best value for your next getaway.

O'Hare (ORD) vs. Midway (MDW): Price and Direct Flights

Generally, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) tends to offer lower one-way fares for many popular destinations compared to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). ORD also has a greater number of direct flights, with 24 nonstop routes compared to MDW's 17. Both airports serve 48 destinations.

New York: ORD offers a one-way fare of $89 (Frontier Airlines), while MDW is $96 (Frontier Airlines).
Los Angeles: Fly from ORD for $87 (Frontier Airlines) or MDW for $97 (Frontier Airlines).
Miami: Both airports offer a one-way fare of $69 (Frontier Airlines).
Las Vegas: ORD has a direct flight for $63 (Frontier Airlines), significantly cheaper than MDW's $100 (Frontier Airlines).
Denver: A direct flight from ORD is $38 (Frontier Airlines). From MDW, a direct flight costs $78 (Southwest Airlines).
Fort Lauderdale: ORD offers a direct flight for $27 (Frontier Airlines), while MDW's fare is $55 (Frontier Airlines).
Philadelphia: ORD has a direct flight for $28 (Frontier Airlines), compared to MDW's direct flight for $77 (Southwest Airlines).
Baltimore: Fly direct from ORD for $32 (Frontier Airlines). From MDW, the fare is $71 (Frontier Airlines).
St. Louis: MDW is slightly cheaper at $55 (Southwest Airlines, direct) compared to ORD's $58 (American Airlines, direct).
Orlando: MDW offers a slightly lower fare at $57 (Frontier Airlines) compared to ORD's $59 (Frontier Airlines).
Washington: ORD is $65 (Frontier Airlines) and MDW is $68 (Frontier Airlines).
Tampa: ORD is $63 (Frontier Airlines) and MDW is $70 (Frontier Airlines).

When to Choose the Farther Airport

For most destinations, O'Hare (ORD) provides more competitive one-way fares and a wider selection of direct flights. If your priority is the lowest price, especially for destinations like Las Vegas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, ORD is often the better choice. The savings on these routes can be substantial, making it worthwhile to consider the slightly longer travel time to ORD.

However, if you're heading to St. Louis or Orlando, Midway (MDW) might offer a slightly better one-way fare. For Miami, the price is the same from both airports. Always compare the specific one-way fare for your destination, as prices can vary. If the price difference is minimal, the convenience of the closer airport might outweigh the small savings.

Which Chicago airport is cheapest?

	NYC New York	LAX Los Angeles	MIA Miami	LAS Las Vegas	DEN Denver	MCO Orlando International Airport
ORD O'Hare International Airport · from $27	$89	$87	$69	$63	$38	—
MDW Chicago Midway International Airport · from $55	$96	$97	$69	$100	$78	—

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FAQ

Which Chicago airport is cheaper for a trip to Las Vegas?

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is cheaper for a trip to Las Vegas, with a direct flight costing $63 on Frontier Airlines.

Which Chicago airport is cheaper for a trip to Fort Lauderdale?

O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is cheaper for a trip to Fort Lauderdale, with a direct flight costing $27 on Frontier Airlines.

Which Chicago airport is cheaper for a trip to St. Louis?

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is slightly cheaper for a trip to St. Louis, with a direct flight costing $55 on Southwest Airlines.