Chicago car hire information
| Pick-up location | Chicago |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, People carrier, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Hire locations | 114 |
| Airport locations | 42 |
| Popular agencies | Dollar, Sixt, Budget, Thrifty |
Cheap car hire in Chicago
| Economy | R592/day |
| Compact | R598/day |
| Intermediate | R612/day |
| Standard | R730/day |
| Full-size | R735/day |
| People carrier | R1 426/day |
| Full-size SUV | R913/day |
| Supplier choice | R607/day |
| Intermediate SUV | R677/day |
| Compact SUV | R702/day |
| Standard SUV | R852/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Chicago
- Are you looking to make the most of your time in Chicago? Renting a car from the airport will allow you to be efficient and drive directly to the doorstep of your destination. With a car you will also have access to the glorious Lake Michigan, the fifth largest lake in the world, with its expanse of beaches and great fishing opportunities. If you are planning to visit the famous Brookfield Zoo, having a car will save you plenty of time and hassle as it is located 13 miles from downtown Chicago.
- A shuttle bus takes you directly from any of O’Hare International Airport’s 3 terminals to the Car hire Facility, where major hire companies such as Avis, Enterprise, Thrifty, and Budget have counters. O’Hare International Airport is located 18 miles from downtown Chicago and the drive will take approximately 30 minutes.
- When driving around Chicago keep in mind that it is a sport loving town and you will notice the effect this has on road traffic when the White Sox, Cubs, or Bulls play a game. Wrigley Field, Guaranteed Rate Field, and United Center are all located in close proximity to downtown Chicago, so be vigilant and check whether these teams are playing -- and plan an alternative route if necessary to avoid these stadiums during big events.
- Much like other major cities throughout America, rush hour means there will be a lot of congestion on the roads between 7 am and 9 am and 4 pm and 6 pm on weekdays. Being mindful of the increased amount of cars and cyclists on the road is crucial. Keep in mind that it is legal to turn right on a red light unless otherwise indicated.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in Chicago for R1 733 or less
- Book your car hire in Chicago at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport car hire locations in Chicago are around 4% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Intermediate car hire in Chicago are around 14% cheaper than other car types, on average
Chicago car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about hiring a car in Chicago
What type of car is recommended for driving in Chicago?
A small compact car such as a Mitsubishi Mirage is ideal for Chicago to help navigate rush hour traffic as well as the narrow streets and street side parking downtown. Choose a car in which you feel comfortable checking the blind spots, as there are plenty of bike lanes and cyclists on Chicago roads. If you are traveling with others and plan to have a mix of inner city life and coastal exploration, try the comfort and security of a Nissan Rogue SUV.
What’s the speed limit in Chicago?
Standard residential areas have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, while non-urban areas have a speed limit of 55 miles per hour. If you venture outside of Chicago and use an Illinois highway to access Lake Michigan or a nearby town, the speed limit will be either 65 or 70 miles per hour.
Where are the best places to park in Chicago?
Street parking in downtown Chicago can be tricky and expensive, so, to save money and hassle, look into the option of using a parking garage. Alternatively, the Metra train system is expansive and an easy way to travel across the city. Find more accessible parking near a Metra station and leave your hire car there while you explore downtown via public transport.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Chicago?
On average a car hire in Chicago costs R1 733 per day.
What is the best car hire company in Chicago?
Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Chicago are Alamo (8,2, 246 reviews), Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7,6, 196 reviews), and Sixt (6,8, 112 reviews).
How much is the price of fuel in Chicago?
The average price of fuel in Chicago is R80,15 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R962 and R1 282, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Chicago?
Intermediate (Nissan Rogue or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Chicago.
Which car hire agencies are at O'Hare Intl airport (ORD)?
The only car hire company onsite at O'Hare Intl airport is Avis.
Which car hire agencies are at Midway airport (MDW)?
The only car hire company onsite at Midway airport is Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at O'Hare Intl airport (ORD)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from O'Hare Intl airport to off-airport locations is Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Midway airport (MDW)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Midway airport to off-airport locations is Avis.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Greater Rockford airport (RFD)?
The only car hire company that offers shuttle or pick-up services from Greater Rockford airport to off-airport locations is Avis.
How can I find car hires near me in Chicago?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Chicago?
An Intermediate car hire in Chicago costs R1 230 per day, on average.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Chicago?
A Standard car hire in Chicago costs R1 110 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Chicago?
An Economy car hire in Chicago costs R971 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Chicago?
In Chicago, cars are most frequently hired at Dollar 5150 W 55th Street (14 km from city centre ).
How much does it cost to hire a car for a week in Chicago?
On average a car hire in Chicago costs R12 131 per week (R1 733 per day).
How much does it cost to hire a car long term for a month in Chicago?
On average a car hire in Chicago costs R51 991 per month (R1 733 per day).
Chicago car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6,0
Okay
1026 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.7
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
6.0
17 locations in Chicago
Locations in Chicago
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6,0 Okay
Sep 2023
2,0 Poor
Nov 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
2,0 Poor
Oct 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Jun 2022
Alamo
8,3
Very Good
857 reviewsCleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.2
Value for money
8.0
3 locations in Chicago
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
4,0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
They did not have any cars. Was not able to rent anything8,0 Very Good
Apr 2021
Cons:
Was talked into buying a toll pass for $10.99 a day. Was a rip off.2,0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
Staff sucks, car sucks, service sucks, if you like being shown one number and then charged double that number after the rental is completed, and then charged randomly for tolls months later rent here.Cons:
Basically take the reservation quote that you et and multiply it by 3 because they nickel and dime youEnterprise Rent-A-Car
7,7
Good
655 reviewsCleanliness
7.9
Comfort
8.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.6
Value for money
7.4
28 locations in Chicago
Locations in Chicago
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Reviews
2,0 Poor
Jun 2021
Cons:
Charger 40% more on top of quote due to an additional “surcharge/tax” which I wasn’t told about until the very last minute of getting the car. Lame.2,0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Drop off was the only positive to this experience. Park the car and go.Cons:
Pricing was terrible. The time it took to be able to talk to staff after an 11 hour flight was terrible. Car selection was terrible.10,0 Wonderful
Apr 2021
Pros:
Pick up was easy and the person that helped me was considerate. Drop off was easy and the person who received the drop off was fantastic!8,0 Very Good
Feb 2021
Pros:
The guy at midway airport was really nice. They were very quick and efficient too.Cons:
I did notice that there was a bunch sticky stuff in the back seat when I got to Kentucky. It didn’t come from me as the only thing I put in the backseat was my suitcase, so I’m a little disappointed with the cleanliness of the vehicle. Also the vehicle itself shakes a lot when you get up to 70mph, and overall I wasn’t impressed with the Ford Ecosport.10,0 Wonderful
Jan 2021
Pros:
good service and new clean roomy car2,0 Poor
Dec 2020
Pros:
They treated me very bad they made me wait for 2 hours they were late then changed the book car then wanted to charge me 360 dollars not the amount that was on your application. It was bad I had a child with me and travel bags and the employee refused to use any other type of payment except my credit card which didn’t have that much money I want a compensation for my lost time lost money my agony long wait and missed work day. Unprofessional unacceptable.Cons:
Hated all aspects and how they treated me really bad and made me wait two hours although I booked a day before didn’t pick us up and still told us to go get coffee while we wait. It was 45 min and extended to two hours then it was a different car and extraaaaaaaa money not the amount on ur app or even close. 360 dollars for whaaaaat???Sixt
6,8
Okay
110 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.9
Value for money
6.8
2 locations in Chicago
Filters
Reviews
10,0 Wonderful
Nov 2023
2,0 Poor
Nov 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Nov 2022
2,0 Poor
Oct 2022
2,0 Poor
Sep 2022
2,0 Poor
Aug 2022
Payless
6,6
Okay
587 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.6
Value for money
6.7
2 locations in Chicago
Filters
Reviews
4,0 Mediocre
Nov 2023
8,0 Very Good
Oct 2023
6,0 Okay
Oct 2023
4,0 Mediocre
Sep 2023
10,0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Sherry at Ohare facility was most accommodating.10,0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
Staff very friendly and helpful. Whole process was very easy.Cons:
I don’t have any recommendations for improvement.Avis
6,5
Okay
278 reviewsCleanliness
7.0
Comfort
7.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.2
11 locations in Chicago
Locations in Chicago
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2,0 Poor
Oct 2023
8,0 Very Good
Oct 2023
2,0 Poor
Sep 2023
2,0 Poor
Sep 2023
5,9 Fair
Jun 2021
6,0 Okay
May 2021
Pros:
Nice car and very clean. Drop off was easyCons:
Price with add ons is ridiculous Pick up was horrible at Midway desk with only two agents working neither of whom was trying very hard to move the line. I was only 4 people back and had to wait 45 minutes to get to the counter.Budget
6,1
Okay
704 reviewsCleanliness
7.0
Comfort
7.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.0
10 locations in Chicago
Locations in Chicago
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Reviews
4,0 Mediocre
Nov 2023
6,0 Okay
Oct 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
4,0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
4,0 Mediocre
Oct 2022
2,0 Poor
Oct 2022
Fox
6,0
Okay
219 reviewsCleanliness
6.1
Comfort
6.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.1
One location in Chicago