Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is among the world’s largest aviation hubs with millions of passengers passing through its gates annually. Regardless of whether your travels are related to work or leisure, renting a car at O’Hare will help make them more comfortable and easier to manage. This article tells all about the car rental options available, from pick-up locations and rental services to tips and advice on how to rent a car more cheaply.
Where to Collect Your Rental Car at Chicago O’Hare Airport
The rental car center at Chicago O’Hare Airport is situated at the consolidated Rental Car Facility (RCF). To reach the facility, you need to locate the signs for “Rental Cars” inside the terminal and take the Airport Transit System (ATS), which will get you to the rental car center in a matter of minutes. The ATS is an automated people mover available round-the-clock.
After entering the RCF, you will see that all major rental counters stand one next to another, making the process of choice much simpler. To return a rented vehicle, go straight to the facility, give your keys back, and then proceed to get the ATS and head back to the terminal.
Car Rental Agencies in O’Hare Airport
All major national and international car rental agencies serve the ORD airport. They include:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Sixt
- Thrifty
Each of the above-listed car rental providers provides clients with different car classes – from economy and compact-class cars intended for individuals traveling alone to SUVs, minivans, and luxury cars for large groups or business travelers. Booking ahead of time via each rental car provider’s official website or a reliable travel website is highly advised.
The Key to Getting the Best Car Rental Deal from O’Hare
It is possible to obtain the best deal when renting a car from the ORD airport by planning and utilizing a few simple tips:
Book in Advance: Rental costs for a vehicle in O’Hare depend on its demand; vehicles rented several weeks ahead are normally charged 20–40% less than walk-in customers. This tip applies mostly during summer travel (June–August) and holidays.
Comparison Is Everything: Websites such as Kayak, Expedia, or AutoSlash allow comparing the rates offered by many agencies at the same time. As little as one dollar a day can mean a lot if you rent a car for several days.
Don’t Overlook Extra Costs: Chicago car rental agencies are famous for imposing some of the highest airport fees in the U.S., namely the Concession Recovery Fee, the Chicago Vehicle Tax, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Tax, etc. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to the total price quoted, rather than the base rate alone.
Consider Out-of-Airport Locations When Possible: Pick-up points that are 10-15 minutes away from ORD, where one may travel either via ride-sharing services or public transportation, are known to have considerably lower prices as they do not charge airport surcharges.
Refuse Unneeded Upgrades: It is important to consider the need for coverage for CDW. If your own car or credit card has its rental coverage, it is not necessary to opt for the agency’s insurance, which costs anywhere between $15-$30.
Driving in Chicago: Important Things to Remember
Chicago is an extensive metropolitan city featuring both expressways and grid streets. Some important points about driving around Chicago:
- I-90/94 (The Kennedy Expressway): This is the main highway to get from ORD to downtown Chicago. Travel time may range from 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on rush-hour conditions.
- Toll Information: In Illinois, there are I-PASS tollways, such as I-294 (the Tri-State Tollway) and I-90 (the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway). Car rental services provide this option, but extra toll costs might be rather expensive. Confirm the per-day cost.
- Downtown Parking in Chicago: It is quite costly to park downtown in Chicago. Count on spending between $ 40 and $ 70 a day for parking garage space. If planning to park downtown, think about whether renting a car for all the days is a good choice for your budget.
- Rideshare Drop-off/Pickup Areas: In case you are thinking of using both a car rental service and a rideshare service in Chicago, be sure to find out that ORD Airport has separate pickup/drop-off areas for ridesharing.
Conclusion
Picking up a rental car from Chicago O’Hare International Airport is easy thanks to the Rental Car Facility as well as the ATS shuttle service. With all major car rental agencies located at one facility, along with competitive rates that can be compared online and a choice of vehicles, ORD ranks among the best-served airports in North America when it comes to car rentals. Just plan, take a careful look at the rental agreement, and drive safely.
FAQs
Rental companies at ORD have the age of 21 years as their requirement for drivers. Underage driver surcharges are typically applied by renters aged 21-24, and can range from $25-$35 per day with a rental agency. Under the law, drivers under 21 may not be allowed to rent at the airport without special permission under some program offered by a corporation.
Yes. The Airport Transit System (ATS) at O’Hare offers ATS services between all terminals and the Consolidated Rental Car Facility free and without interruptions in service. The ATS is available around the clock and provides one-on-one access to the rental counters (no bus and separate transport is required). Follow the overhead messages in the terminal to “Rental Cars / ATS.
Yes, most ORD agencies have one-way rentals. Car pickup and drop-off are available at O’Hare and at other city and airport locations. One way car rentals usually have a drop fee that will depend on the agency, distance, and destination of the trip. If you intend to travel to another city (Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Louis, etc.), check the one-way charge when booking.
Each company has different policies. Most major agencies have a few hours of time on hold after the pickup time, especially when booking ahead of time. But it’s always best to give the rental company’s customer service a call and confirm that you are still on the list for the day of your stay. If you do not pick up before the scheduled time, walk-in availability may not be available.
Yes. O’Hare now has a number of agencies offering EVs and hybrid vehicles as part of their green and/or premium fleets. Some of the most common car rentals with EV options include Tesla’s Model 3 and other hybrid SUVs by Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis. These vehicles are in demand and book up fast, so it is important to reserve an EV as soon as possible. If traveling outside of the Chicago metro area, please plan your charging stops.