Best Car Hire Chicago O'hare Airport

Renting a Car in Chicago O'hare Airport? Read our guide before Hiring a Car

Located on the far northwest side of the Illinois city of Chicago, O'Hare International Airport is one of two overseen by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). Currently it ranks as the sixth busiest airport in the world and third busiest in the USA, although it has frequently surpassed that. Up until 1998, in fact, it was the busiest airport in the world. This is partly because of the airport's prodigious number of runways (eight); no other major international airport can boast so many.

The airport consists of four terminals (1, 2, 3, and 5). Nine concourses are divided between the terminals, and there are 182 gates in total. The airport serves nearly 78 million passengers each year.

If you need to rent a car at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, you're in luck. There are nine different car hire services to choose from. They include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. Please note that currently, the airport website lists Ace and Firefly as providers as well, but the O'Hare locations for these companies have closed.

Here's everything you need to know about renting a car at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

What are the age restrictions when hiring a car at Chicago O'Hare International Airport?

In most states in the USA, car rental companies can set their own minimum age for rentals. They may also require a surcharge for drivers depending on the age range they fit into. Here are the minimum age requirements for the services at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, along with the additional charges.

Hertz

• Minimum age: 20 years old

• Surcharge (20-24 years old): approximately $30/day

• 25+ years old: no surcharge

Enterprise

• Minimum age: 21 years old

• Surcharge (21-24 years old): $15/day

• 25+ years old: no surcharge

• Other restrictions: Only certain car classes (no luxury vehicles) are available to drivers 21-24 years old.

Advantage, Payless, and National

• Minimum age: 21 years old

• Surcharge (21-24 years old): $25/day

• 25+ years old: no surcharge

Avis, Budget, and Dollar

• Minimum age: 21 years old

• Surcharge (21-24 years old): approximately $30/day

• 25+ years old: no surcharge

Thrifty

• Minimum age: 21 years old

• Surcharge (21-24 years old): unspecified

• 25+ years old: no surcharge

Alamo

• Minimum age: 25 years old

Please note that not all age-related restrictions may be specified online, and car rental companies can limit or refuse rentals at their own discretion. If you are under the age of 25 be aware that the classes of cars available for you to rent may be limited. If you require a luxury car for your reservation you are encouraged to contact the company directly prior to arrival to confirm that one will be available.

Most car companies in the USA do not impose a maximum age on car rentals. This is also true for the services operating out of Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Nonetheless, a rental service may deny a rental at their discretion. If you are concerned that advanced age may result in such a refusal, contact the company prior to arrival to inquire about their policies.

How much does it cost to add a second driver at Chicago O'Hare Airport?

There are varying rules and policies in place for additional drivers at Chicago O'Hare car rental locations:

• Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty: Must meet all other driver requirements; the daily fee is approximately $12-$14/day/driver

• Dollar: Varies by location. Contact the company for specifics: (800) 800-4000

• Chicago O'Hare International Airport is located in Illinois and is therefore subject to its state laws. As a result, rental companies will allow spouses as authorized additional drivers, assuming they meet all other driver requirements.

• However, car hire services at Chicago O'Hare have the right to refuse additional drivers at their discretion. Additionally, they may also impose more stringent age limitations on on optional additional drivers. This is especially true if the driver is below the age of 25; contact the agency ahead of time if you have concerns about the driver's ability to qualify.

What documents are required to hire a car at Chicago O'Hare Airport?

USA Drivers

• All drivers must have a current, valid driver's license.

• A valid credit card in the lead drivers name with an appreciable balance that can be held (usually $200+).

• Some car rental companies at Chicago O'Hare International Airport may require additional drivers to have a valid credit card as well.

• Debit cards can be used to pay for the rental after returning the car. In some cases, a debit card can be used to reserve and rent a vehicle instead of a credit card. However:

  • Please note that there will be either a flat amount ($200+) or a percentage of the total estimated rental fee put on hold. During the rental, those funds will not be available to the driver.

  • If renting without a credit card, you may be required to provide additional travel documentation (flight itineraries, for example), or additional proof of your identity, including additional ID, proof of address, etc.

  • Insurance can be purchased at the counter if you do not have car insurance yourself. If you do have your own insurance, be aware that insurance at the counter is fully optional.

  International Drivers:

  There is no federal requirement for foreign visitors to have an International Driver's Permit (IDP) in the United States. Nonetheless, car hire services operating in the state of Illinois may require an IDP, especially if the driver is not from Canada. If you are not from the United States or Canada, contact the car services you plan to use at Chicago O'Hare International Airport to find out what their policy regarding IDPs is.

  • A valid driver's license from the United States or Canada

  • A valid credit card in the lead drivers name with an appreciable available balance to hold ($200+).

  • Debit cards can be used to pay for the rental after returning the car. In some cases, a debit card can be used to reserve and rent a vehicle instead of a credit card. However:

  • Please note that there will be either a flat amount ($200+) or a percentage of the total estimated rental fee put on hold. During the rental, those funds will not be available to the driver.

  • If renting without a credit card, you may be required to provide additional travel documentation (flight itineraries, for example), or additional proof of your identity, including additional ID, proof of address, etc.

  • Car hire services may be less likely to accept a rental on a debit card if the driver is international.

  • Insurance can be purchased at the counter if you do not have car insurance yourself. If you do have your own insurance, be aware that insurance at the counter is fully optional.

  Car Hire Companies at Chicago O'Hare Airport

  Chicago O'Hare International Airport has four terminals, numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5. Car hire services are located offsite. Most of the car hire services are located in one of two central locations: 560 Bessie Coleman Dr. and 10000 Bessie Coleman Dr., with Advantage and Payless located slightly further away on Mannheim Rd and Enterprise on N Schilling Rd. All services offer shuttles (free of charge) during their hours of operation. The shuttles pick up at the arrivals area, which you can find on the lower level, outside, adjacent to Baggage Claim, at each terminal. Pick up areas will be visibly designated. In some cases, you may need to call the company to send the shuttle.

  The car hire companies available at Chicago O'Hare International Airport include:

  • Advantage (800) 777-5500

  2170 Mannheim Rd

  • Alamo (800) 327-9633

  560 Bessie Coleman Dr

  • Avis (800) 331-1212

  10000 Bessie Coleman Dr

  • Budget (800) 527-7000

  10000 Bessie Coleman Dr

  • Dollar (800) 800-4000

  10000 Bessie Coleman Dr

  • Enterprise (800) 566-9249

  6400 N Schilling Rd

  • Hertz (800) 654-3131

  10000 Bessie Coleman Dr

  • National (800) 227-7368

  560. Bessie Coleman Dr

  • Payless (800) 729-5377

  4000 N Mannheim Rd

  Franklin Park, IL, 60131

  • Thrifty (800) 527-7075

  10000 Bessie Coleman Dr

  Opening Times Car Rentals Desks at Chicago O'Hare Airport

  Please be aware that you should schedule your pick up and drop off times when making your vehicle reservation; some companies will have after-hours drop off policies, while others will not. Hours of operation below. Hours will be subject to change based on holidays. Please contact companies individually for holiday schedules, especially if you are unfamiliar with American holidays.

  • Advantage Sun-Fri, 6AM-10PM; Sat, 6AM-8PM

  • Alamo Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Avis Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Budget Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Dollar Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Enterprise Sun-Sat, 5AM-12AM

  • Hertz Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • National Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Payless Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  • Thrifty Sun-Sat, 24 hours

  Best car hire Companies at Chicago O'Hare Airport?

  TravelMag.com ranks Alamo as the top choice for value, although their O'Hare location seems to have lower customer services ratings than other Alamo locations. Hertz is the top pick for those on business, although if convenience is your #1 priority, check out National's Emerald Aisle program. It's popular because it allows renters to bypass the service counter entirely. Pre-enroll in the program, and make a reservation for a midsize vehicle. Once you arrive, just go to the Emerald Aisle area and choose the car that best suits your needs.

  Worst car hire companies at Chicago O'Hare Airport?

  Dollar has appreciably more negative reviews online, in multiple locations, than their O'Hare counterparts. However, Thrifty also scores low on satisfaction, as does Payless. In all three cases, the main complaints stem from poor customer service, long waits for shuttles and pick ups, and general disorganization.

  Leaving Chicago O'Hare International Airport

  You should expect traffic when leaving Chicago O'Hare International Airport, as Chicago is one of America's largest and busiest major cities. Construction is likely to be present in and around the airport, and Chicago is also known for its severe weather (especially during colder months). Use a GPS navigation system for the smoothest journey away from the airport; applications like Waze that use crowd-sourcing to document temporary congestion and other impediments are a plus.

  And as with most major cities in the United States, there will be toll costs on certain roads. While toll roads streamline your trip (in most cases), they can be expensive to use. Also, while some tolls will accept credit or debit cards, many may accept only cash or payment via an automatic I Pass devices. Some rental services will allow you to rent a temporary I Pass device. You can also obtain one here.

  Chicago, like other US cities, does not have congestion charges. However, you should be aware that there may be HOV/carpool lanes that are off limits for certain vehicles during certain hours. Watch for signs posting their availability.

  Speed Limits at and Around Chicago O'Hare International Airport

  If you're traveling from Chicago O'Hare International Airport by car, you should be familiar with the state of Illinois' speed limit laws. Maximum speeds (unless otherwise noted by signage) are as follows:

  • Rural interstates: 65 mph

  • Highways in or around major cities: 55 mph

  • Urban areas: 30 mph

  • You should generally follow posted speed limits. However, drivers are also expected to take note of traffic and weather conditions and lower their speed accordingly, if necessary, to maintain safety.

  Petrol Stations Near Chicago O'Hare International Airport

  Most car rental services at Chicago O'Hare International Airport require vehicles to be returned with the same amount of fuel they contained when picked up. And of course, if you're expecting a long journey after picking up your car, you'll want to fuel up near the airport.

  • O'Hare BP

  4111 N Mannheim

  Schiller Park, IL 60176

  Phone number (847) 678-5480

  • 7-Eleven

  9501 Higgins Rd

  Rosemont, IL 60018

  Phone number (847) 825-4231

  • Speedway

  885 E Touhy Ave

  Des Plaines, IL 60018

  Phone number (847) 827-5891

  • Shell

  10051 W Irving Park Rd

  Schiller Park, IL 60176

  • 7-Eleven

  9611 Lawrence

  Schiller Park, IL 60176

  Phone number (847) 671-1995