Layover guideChicago · ORD · MDW

Staying connected in Chicago

Wi-Fi is free and unlimited throughout O'Hare and Midway, before and after security, once you watch an ad.

Tony Webster / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Both Chicago airports have unlimited free Wi-Fi throughout their terminals, before and after security.

Choose Boingo Hotspot, or _Free_ORD_Wi-Fi at O'Hare and _Free_MDW_Wi-Fi at Midway, open a browser and pick 'Watch Ad to Connect'. If the login page does not appear, load a new web address that does not begin with https.

O'Hare's power stations are seated workstations with counter space and AC outlets, free to use and found throughout the terminals. Midway has power-equipped seats in every gate waiting area, plus charging points in baggage claim and the food halls.

Chicago Department of Aviation: O'Hare technology services · checked 2026-09-28
Chicago Department of Aviation: Midway technology services · checked 2026-09-28

The rest of Chicago

The whole guide

Getting out of the airportThe Blue Line runs 24 hours to downtown in about 40 minutes, and a day pass costs the same as one fare out of the airport.Ride-hailingCards work in every taxi, so you do not need cash before leaving the terminal.Local laws that catch crew outCannabis is legal to buy in Illinois and will still end your career if you carry it back to the airport.WeatherJanuary averages a high of 31.6F and a low of 18.8F with 11.3 inches of snow, and a uniform coat is not enough kit.Eating near the crew hotelsAlcohol sales stop at 2am, or 3am on Saturday night, unless a bar has a late-hour licence, and food and drink in three zones, both airports included, carry an extra 1% tax.What to buyThe shelf price is never the price you pay, and there is no visitor refund scheme to claim the tax back.TippingA tip here is wage, not a bonus, and a service charge on the bill is not a tip.