Will be arriving at Midway Airport about 4 p.m. on a weekday. We should have only carry-on luggage, and will be staying in a hotel a couple blocks from the Orange Line Washington-Wells station - La Quinta Inn and Suites at One S. Franklin . I am thinking that taking the train into the city is almost a no-brainer, especially at that time of day, but is there any reason we should reconsider? Also - if anyone knows which exit we should take from the train platform to walk to the hotel, that would be great. Thanks.

I cannot think of any reason not to since we will be doing the same thing next month. But it is a long hike from the terminal to the station. It is easy just follow the line. When you exit you just exit. It is elevated at that station for walk downstairs. Follow the mob. The worst situation is that you might be on the wrong side of the street. So you just cross the street at the light and walk towards the lake.

Your assumption about taking the CTA Orange line downtown is correct, easy, inexpensive and efficient to do. The station at Washingron-Wells has a handicapped symbol on the map so there should be escalators or an elevator.
Enjoy your time in Chicago.

My last cab ride to the airport was about 20 years ago when I did not know better. CTA really is the best way to get to or from the airport. The Orange line starts at the airport so it is easy to find a seat with enough room for your luggage. If your stop does not have an escalator or elevator, get off the train and just stand to the side for a moment. Others getting off the train will rush by and in a few moments the stairs will be clear and safe for you to go down with your luggage. Enjoy your stay.

The La Quinta is one block west of the Washington station. The closest exit would be the stairs toward the rear of the train marked "Exit to Madison Street", however it has a roto-gate which may be difficult to manage with luggage. When you reach the bottom of the stairs, cross Wells, (toward Walgreens), and continue to Franklin Street. If you must use the main exit, turn left after you exit the turnstiles and head down the stairs. Make a U turn to Madison and you'll see LQ to your right across the street.

The September before last we did the CTA for a long weekend. The employees were very helpful not only with buying our tickets from the vending machines but suggesting we roll our bags thru the handicap turnstile. The regular ones were too narrow for us. For our return, there was some kind of problem and cars were going thru the station already full. Time was running out so we used Uber to get to Midway for our return flight. I don't remember the cost (three of us) but glad we weren't going to miss our flight. Except for that last day, we loved using Chicago's public transportation.

Thank you to everyone who responded - great information, and I am confident we will be fine. I especially appreciate the direction for exiting the station - have taken the Metro in most big cities around the world (even in Kolkata, India, which was quite adventure ) and exiting to the right street is where I always get turned around.

For a cheap lunch, Pierogi Heaven is at 169 N. Wells sort of underneath the El.