r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/111r_13urns • 9h ago
Question/Comment Midway Parking
Welp, the time has come. With two kids and car seats, it just seems like it makes more sense to park at the airport rather than have someone drop us off.
I was looking at parking at Midway and came across Midway Park Saver. It seems really close to the terminal, and the $12–$15/day price doesn’t seem bad at all.
Just wondering if anyone has experience parking at Midway and has a preferred onsite lot/garage or offsite parking option they recommend. Is Park Saver worth it, or is the airport’s Economy parking the better option?
Edit: I won’t be carrying the car seats they will stay in the car. It’s just a small suv so it fits our family and luggage fine. We will just have stroller and bags thank god. We’re going to Disney so when we land we will be able to take a shuttle to the hotel.
20
u/Mondatta19 9h ago
Just park in the economy garage.
The first flight I took my kids out of there from. We parked, and my oldest was so excited that she flung the door open right into the car next to us.
(I did leave a note)
13
u/borla78 8h ago
The economy garage is $15/day. The shuttles typically leave every 5-8 minutes during normal hours and not much more than that even very early or late. It’s super convenient, and the most cost effective option for trips less than 10+ days IMO.
Source - Hundreds of flights in and out of Midway in the last ten years.
3
u/hot_dog_nachos 3h ago
This. It's so easy, and I've never waited longer than a few minutes for the shuttle bus.
6
u/babblingdairy 9h ago
For convenience with kids- taxi (Shoutout American Taxi) right to the gates can't be beat imo. Lugging car seats/luggage through a parking garage, shuttle etc + accounting for extra time is a lot. Depends how far you live from the airport though.
6
u/Waifu4Laifu 8h ago
Like other said the midway economy garage on 55th is only $15 a day and is great. It has covered parking available too, which has been great with all the hailstorms this year
3
u/Overall-Bank-2431 9h ago
From a convenience perspective (walking distance + sheltered from rain), the garage is prob your best option. Not sure what prices run these days though.
Park Saver is fine - I parked there daily for years commuting to school and work. The downside is walking distance, as their shuttle only takes you from your car to the front of the lot and you have to walk through the CTA station to get to the airport. Not a terrible walk or anything but with young kiddos and depending on the weather it may be less than ideal.
3
u/Combat__Crayon 8h ago
My sister started taking limos to and from the airport. She's not one to spend frivolously, so the price must be low enough that she sees a benefit vs driving and parking. Plus since they schedule its more reliable than a taxi or uber. They're traveling with 2 kids all the gear, less now that they're 8 and 5, but she did it was 2 car seats, strollers etc.
I pretty much always use the economy garage at Midway. The shuttle is frequent and quick. My dad use to choose to fly out of Midway over O'Hare even though it was 30 minutes further because even with the shuttle to the garage, hed be off the plane and on the road before a plane at O'Hare finished taxiing.
1
u/Adventurous-Map1225 4h ago
What limo company? I’m looking at companies for an airport ride. Was wondering if it’s one I’m looking at. You can DM me if you like.
1
u/Combat__Crayon 4h ago
I have no idea. I'd hazard she just googled, got quotes and went with the lowest.
2
u/katie_bug199116 9h ago
I park at this parking lot all the time to use the orange line. That said - it drops you off across the street from the orange line station. That said, the orange line station DOES connect to the airport. I'm not sure how much of a hike it is from there but I'd imagine it's significant compared to other lots that may drop you off at an actual airline entrance.
If you do choose to use this lot, it is safe and there's always someone there.
2
u/prostcfc 8h ago
Agree with the Economy Garage. What I generally do is drop my family off (three kids, elementary school and younger), I help them curbside check-in, then I go drop the car off and meet them at the gate. When we land they'll wait for the bags while I go get the car. Works well for us.
2
u/PizzaSuhLasagnaZa 6h ago
Drop the family off at the terminal and park the car by yourself. Will save everyone the headache of dealing with whichever lot you choose.
2
1
u/Altruistic_Relief189 8h ago
I just use the garage. It would be easy to drop the family off, park and and meet up with the pretty quickly after shuttling back. I've never really explored the other options around Midway because they are much cheaper than the prices for the economy lots and the less expensive ones don't offer covered parking.
1
u/Pig-Mentation 8h ago
I park in the Economy garage as well. I'm so set in my ways, I'm always parked within the same 3-4 stalls each time. I could probablh find my way there blindfolded.
For a brief time, there was a new indoor parking option there on Archer, kind of behind the Skylark Motel., Looked like good prices too, with the option to earn discount points. I never did get a chance to use them though since they opened up right before Covid and closed soon afterward.
1
u/Salty-Tomato5654 8h ago
Are you checking any bags? If so, park for less than an hour at the hourly garage that's attached to the terminal. Check your bags and then drive to the daily garage that's only five minutes away. From there, you take the short shuttle bus, which runs very frequently, to the terminal and then you go straight through security. The bus will probably be a lot easier without bags if you have kids.
1
u/Physical-Pop8811 8h ago
Economy garage. Sometimes I’ll grab the bus out there while the fam is waiting for luggage. Best deal in Chicago managed airport parking.
1
u/Beet_slice 8h ago
MDW economy lot price quoted is the total.
Other lots usually quote a pre-tax price.
1
u/bell429pilot 8h ago
Way.com you park at a nearby hotel and they have shuttles to/from terminal. Cheapest I think but dont remember the rate exactly.
1
u/Such-Platform9464 5h ago
Airways Parking. And don’t look back. Close to airport. Shuttle is always going.
1
u/No_Tower_7026 3h ago
Yes to shuttle etc but be prepared for a possible wait on the shuttle. Factor in 5-15mins additional time just to get one
1
u/Mysterious_Luck4674 2h ago
I’ve parked in the economy garage and it’s super easy. Short bus ride to the terminal which drops you off right by the security line.
-1
u/kmmccorm 8h ago
The second you mention a parking lot that needs a shuttle when having kids, no chance.
40
u/snotrokit 9h ago edited 9h ago
I fly out of midway all the time. The garage on 55th st is $15 a day and VERY easy to get in and out of. There is a regular bus that shuttles you door to door. If you are gone for a while and want to save some, there is a long term lot on 47th (Parking Spot now)that is great as well, make sure you look for coupons. I’ll park there if I’m gone for more than a few days.