Champaign car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Champaign

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
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Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
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Full-size car
Full-size
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Luxury car
Luxury
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People carrier car
People carrier
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Passenger van car
Passenger van
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Commercial car
Commercial
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Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
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KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Champaign

  • A great way to get around Champaign and its sister city, Urbana, is in your Champaign car rental. The airport isn’t serviced by public transportation, and it is a 5-mile ride to the University of Illinois campus, and a 6-mile ride to the city center. Once you have your rental, you’re free to explore the city’s museums (such as the Krannert Art Museum), sample the libations at the local vineyards and breweries, and enjoy the city’s parks. You may also want to spend some time in one of the nearby cities: Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis are all less than 3h from Champaign by car.
  • When flying into the Willard Airport (CMI), arranging car rentals in Champaign is convenient and easy. The rental car counters are located in the lower level of the airport’s only terminal, near the baggage claim. The cars are parked in the lot closest to the rental car counters. All of the airport and car rental services are within a short walking distance in and around the terminal.
  • Champaign is a college town and as you’d expect, there are a lot of college students walking and biking along the roads, especially when classes are in session in the fall, winter and spring. Drivers should use caution and keep an eye open for pedestrians and cyclists, especially around the University of Illinois campus. Also, a large number of streets throughout Champaign have designated bike routes, with or without special bicycle lane markings, so drivers should be especially vigilant on these streets.
  • As in most cities, motorists should expect traffic to slow a bit in the morning and evening rush hours, but the traffic is not as heavy in Champaign as it is in other major cities of the region. The North Prospect and Neil Shopping District straddling I-74 can be congested in the busy shopping hours after work and on holidays. Although snow is efficiently removed after winter storms, drivers should be prepared for driving in snowy and icy conditions when traveling in the city from December to April.
  • Book your car hire in Champaign at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Economy hire cars in Champaign are around 12% cheaper than other car types, on average

FAQs about hiring a car in Champaign

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Champaign?

    Choices for car rentals in Champaign depend on the season and the type of driving you’ll be doing while traveling in and around the city. If you’re planning to spend time driving to one of the nearby cities of Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis, you may opt for a comfortable and fuel-efficient sedan to accommodate the longer distances. On the other hand, an SUV or other all-wheel-drive vehicle may be an ideal choice if you’re traveling in the winter months.

  • What’s the speed limit in Champaign?

    The speed limits for I-57 and I-74, the two major interstates crossing through Champaign, are 70mph and 60mph, respectively. Speed limits for roads in the most-congested areas are typically 30mph or 35mph. Most other main roads in the city have speed limits of 45mph, including wide, four-lane roads. Drivers should use caution when driving on these wide-open roads where it often feels like the speed limit should be 55mph, leaving drivers open to getting speeding tickets from awaiting police officers. Another tricky area for drivers is where I-72 enters Champaign and becomes University Ave; here, the speed limit drops quickly from 55mph to 30mph.

  • Where are the best places to park in Champaign?

    There is ample parking available in municipal parking lots and on the streets in the busiest areas of Champaign, but most of the parking is metered. Meters cost between $0.25 and $1.50 per hour during the workweek, starting as early as 7am and enforced as late as 6pm. In the hospital district, you should also expect to feed the meter on Saturdays. The most expensive meters are located in the busiest downtown area, and parking gradually gets less expensive as you move farther away from the downtown area.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Champaign?

    The average price of fuel in Champaign is R61,41 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R737 and R983, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Champaign?

    Economy (Ford Fiesta or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Champaign.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Champaign?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Champaign?

    An Economy car hire in Champaign costs R1 243 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in Champaign?

    A Mini car hire in Champaign costs R1 821 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Champaign?

    An Intermediate car hire in Champaign costs R1 381 per day, on average.

Champaign car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Best rated

Cleanliness

7.5

Comfort

7.5

Pick-up/Drop-off

7.3

Value for money

7.0

3 locations in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

11 Airport Rd

+1 833 516 2248

Monday14:00 - 21:00
Tuesday14:00 - 21:00
Wednesday14:00 - 21:00
Thursday14:00 - 21:00
Friday14:00 - 21:00
Saturday14:00 - 21:00
Sunday14:00 - 21:00

1212 N Prospect Ave

+1 217 355 1300

Monday07:30 - 18:00
Tuesday07:30 - 18:00
Wednesday07:30 - 18:00
Thursday07:30 - 18:00
Friday07:30 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday11:00 - 14:00

1804 South Neil Street

+1 217 351 1400

Monday00:00 - 00:00
Tuesday00:00 - 00:00
Wednesday00:00 - 00:00
Thursday00:00 - 00:00
Friday00:00 - 00:00
Saturday00:00 - 00:00
Sunday00:00 - 00:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Lisa, May 2024

Compact SUV

KAYAK
Even though this site "checked to make sure a car was available " when I arrived at the time I chose to rent... no cars were available. I did not get to rent a car that day

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Feb 2024

People carrier

KAYAK
My experience using Enterprise was great. The staff was friendly and helpful. They also noticed a screw in the tire during the vehicle pre-inspection. This saved me many troubles on the trip had I experienced the flat during the trip, and it also led to a free upgrade to a nicer vehicle since they didn't have another comparable vehicle on the lot.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Full-size

KAYAK
They did not have the car we reserved available. We had reserved it for $81. They wanted to rent us an SUV for $450. Said they could not negotiate the price, we canceled the reservation. Did not rent the car, had to find one somewhere else because we could not pay $450.

2,0 Poor

Sara, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Cons:

EVERYTHING! Rented car through Kayak/Priceline, but the location rented from in Savoy had ZERO cars available - at all - and could NOT honor reservation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8,4 Very Good

Anonymous, Jun 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

A great value for the money!

3,6 Poor

Anonymous, Jan 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was friendly

Cons:

Had the vehicle that we reserved. Didn’t have the minivan so had to settle for a SUV that didn’t have the room we needed. The vehicle also was filthy and smelled

1 out of 3

Hertz

Cleanliness

7.2

Comfort

7.4

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.8

Value for money

6.2

2 locations in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

11 Airport Road

+1 217 359 5413

Monday09:00 - 12:00
Tuesday09:00 - 12:00
Wednesday09:00 - 12:00
Thursday09:00 - 12:00
Friday09:00 - 12:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00
Sunday09:00 - 12:00

707 North Mattis

+1 217 359 3746

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

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Reviews

4,0 Mediocre

Anonymous, Dec 2021

KAYAK
Tried to rip me off on gas And insurance add ons

8,0 Very Good

RJ, Dec 2021

KAYAK
Everything was fine. It was quite inconvenient that both spouses had to be present for both to be able to drive the vehicle; I’m sure there’s a good reason, but not everywhere has this requirement, so we’ll probably go back to rental services at CMI airport next time. Had to rearrange our whole afternoon last minute and bring our too-young-to-mask-or-vaccinate child in to the building. Drop off would have been better with a prior heads up or better signage regarding leaving the mileage report in the car; I put the keys in the box, then read that I was supposed to put the paperwork in the (locked) car. The car worked out great. Thanks.

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Feb 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

They allowed me to book and didn’t have any cars available. They called me 20 minutes before I was supposed to go pick it up asking me to wait until the next day to MAYBE get a car . I just flown into Champaign and I was left stranded

Cons:

The organization and the staff . It was a terrible experience never again

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

Staff was friendly and helpful!

Cons:

Hours are somewhat restrictive ... closing at 5p seems early!

8,0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

The car was about 1/8 below a full tank. And then the car showed that one of the rear tires was very low which I didn’t notice until I was off the lot but it made me a bit nervous while on the highway.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2019

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff was very friendly and helpful.

1 out of 4

National

Cleanliness

2.0

Comfort

2.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

2.0

Value for money

2.0

One location in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

11 Airport Rd

+1 833 516 2246

Monday14:00 - 21:00
Tuesday14:00 - 21:00
Wednesday14:00 - 21:00
Thursday14:00 - 21:00
Friday14:00 - 21:00
Saturday14:00 - 21:00
Sunday14:00 - 21:00

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Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Jul 2020

KAYAK

Pros:

The staff didn't do anything bad.

Cons:

The staff didn't do anything bad because no one was there. So no staff, no car, no rental.

2,0 Poor

Roy, Feb 2022

KAYAK
There wasn't any experience.

1 out of 1

Dollar

5,3

Fair

One location in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

707 North Mattis

+1 217 359 3746

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

5,3

Fair

One location in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

707 North Mattis

+1 217 359 3746

Monday08:00 - 18:00
Tuesday08:00 - 18:00
Wednesday08:00 - 18:00
Thursday08:00 - 18:00
Friday08:00 - 18:00
Saturday09:00 - 12:00

Filters

No reviews available

Easirent

4,6

Mediocre

One location in Champaign

Show locations

Locations in Champaign

University of Illinois Willard Airport

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Alamo

No score available yet

One location in Champaign

Locations in Champaign

11 Airport Rd

+1 833 516 2247

Monday14:00 - 21:00
Tuesday14:00 - 21:00
Wednesday14:00 - 21:00
Thursday14:00 - 21:00
Friday14:00 - 21:00
Saturday14:00 - 21:00
Sunday14:00 - 21:00

Filters

Show reviews that mention

Reviews

2,0 Poor

Anonymous, Apr 2021

KAYAK

Pros:

Our confirmed reservations were not honored. After driving for over an hour to location to pickup car we were told there were not available. Confirmed reservation were worthless.

Cons:

If we had gotten a car per our reservations.

10,0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2020

KAYAK

Cons:

It was great, there wasn't a line i was in and out. The gentleman upgraded me at no extra cost, some the best customer service I've had in a while
2409 travellers who hired a car in Champaign gave the car agency they used an average rating of 4.7

Car hire locations in or near Champaign

Good to know

Most popular car type

Economy

When to book a car hire in Champaign

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Champaign car hire information

Pick-up locationChampaign
Car types
Hire locations5
Airport locations0

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