Where to rent and what to expect at O'Hare and Midway

Chicago has two major airports — O'Hare International (ORD) and Midway International (MDW) — and rental prices differ between them. O'Hare is larger and has more rental companies on-site, which creates more competition and sometimes lower base rates. Midway is smaller and farther south, which can mean fewer options but occasionally cheaper daily rates because demand is lighter.

Both airports charge facility fees on top of the rental rate itself. These fees go to the airport authority and are added to your final bill. O'Hare's fees run higher than Midway's, so a car that costs $35 per day at Midway might cost $40 per day at O'Hare once fees are included. If you're renting for a week or longer, this difference compounds.

The rental companies operating at both airports include Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National, and Alamo. Some locations also have Thrifty or Fox. Prices vary by company and by the specific location (on-airport versus off-airport), so comparing across all of them is necessary to find the actual cheapest option.

Key Takeaways

  • Midway airport typically has lower facility fees than O'Hare, which can save $5 to $10 per day even if the base rental rate is identical.
  • Off-airport rental locations in Chicago are often 20 to 40 percent cheaper than on-airport counters because they don't pay airport facility fees.
  • Rental prices fluctuate daily based on demand, so checking multiple days in advance and comparing across all six major companies is necessary to find the lowest rate.
  • Weekend and weekday rates differ significantly; renting on a Tuesday or Wednesday is usually cheaper than Friday through Sunday.
  • Your credit card, employer, or membership organization may offer discounts that don't show up in the base price until you enter a code at checkout.

Off-airport rentals save money if you have ground transportation

The single biggest way to cut rental costs in Chicago is to rent from a location away from the airports. Off-airport branches of the same companies charge 20 to 40 percent less per day because they don't pay the airport's facility fees and rent. Common off-airport locations include downtown Chicago, near Union Station, and in neighborhoods like Pilsen or Bucktown.

The trade-off is ground transportation. You'll need to take a taxi, rideshare, or public transit from the airport to the rental location. A taxi from O'Hare to downtown costs roughly $40 to $50 depending on traffic. A rideshare (Uber or Lyft) runs $20 to $35. The CTA Blue Line train costs $5 and takes 40 minutes to downtown. If you're renting for three days or longer, the savings on the rental rate usually exceed the cost of getting to the off-airport location.

For a one-day rental, the math often doesn't work — the ground transportation cost eats the savings. For a week-long rental, an off-airport location can save you $100 to $200 total.

How to compare prices across companies and dates

Rental prices change daily and sometimes hourly based on demand. A car that costs $30 per day on Tuesday might cost $50 per day on Friday. The only way to find the cheapest option is to check the price on the exact dates you need, across all companies, at both airports.

Use a price comparison site like Kayak, Autoslash, or Priceline to see rates from multiple companies at once. Enter your pickup and return dates, your airport, and your car type (economy, midsize, SUV). The site will show you prices from Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National, and Alamo side by side. Note the total price including fees, not just the daily rate.

After you find the lowest price on a comparison site, visit that company's website directly to book. Sometimes the company's own site has an additional discount code or promotion that doesn't appear on the third-party site. Check your credit card issuer's website too — many cards offer rental discounts through partnerships with specific companies.

If you're flexible on your return date by a day or two, check prices for each option. Returning on a Wednesday instead of Thursday, or picking up on a Tuesday instead of Monday, can sometimes cut the rate by 30 percent or more.

Membership discounts and corporate codes

Your employer, union, alumni association, or membership organization may have negotiated rates with rental companies. These discounts don't appear in the base price — you have to enter a code at checkout to unlock them. Common sources include AAA (which offers discounts at most major companies), AARP, military veteran organizations, and corporate travel programs.

Before you book, check your employer's travel benefits page or call your HR department. Ask whether they have a rental car discount code. If you're a member of AAA, AARP, or a similar organization, log into your account and look for the "travel" or "discounts" section. These codes typically save 10 to 25 percent off the base rate.

Some companies also run seasonal promotions — for example, a "rent for 5 days, pay for 4" deal in slower months. These appear on the company's homepage and in email if you've signed up for their newsletter. Checking a week before your trip can reveal a promotion that saves more than any other method.

Economy and compact cars cost less than larger vehicles

The cheapest rental category is economy (usually a Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, or similar). Compact cars (Honda Civic, Mazda3) cost slightly more. Midsize sedans, SUVs, and trucks increase in price as the vehicle gets larger or less fuel-efficient.

If you don't need the extra space or capability, booking an economy car will always be cheaper than a midsize or larger vehicle. The difference is often $10 to $20 per day. Over a week, that's $70 to $140 in savings. Economy cars also have better fuel economy, so your gas costs will be lower too.

One exception: sometimes a midsize car is priced the same as or cheaper than an economy car on a given date. This happens when demand for economy vehicles is high and midsize inventory is plentiful. Always compare the total price for the specific car type you want, rather than assuming the smallest category is always cheapest.

Fuel and insurance options that affect your final cost

When you pick up the car, the rental company will ask about fuel and insurance. These choices significantly affect your total cost.

For fuel, you have two options: prepay for a full tank at the rental company's price (usually $4 to $5 per gallon), or return the car on empty and pay the company's per-gallon rate (usually $6 to $8 per gallon). If you prepay, you keep any unused fuel — you don't get a refund. If you return it empty, you pay only for what you used. The cheaper option depends on how much driving you'll do. For a short trip in the city, returning it empty is usually cheaper. For a long road trip, prepaying is often better.

For insurance, check your personal auto insurance policy and your credit card benefits before you rent. Many personal policies cover rental cars, and many credit cards offer rental car damage coverage. If you're already covered, you don't need the rental company's insurance and can decline it. If you're not covered, the rental company's damage waiver (called a Loss Damage Waiver or LDW) costs $15 to $30 per day. This is a major cost for a week-long rental.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Midway always cheaper than O'Hare?

Midway usually has lower facility fees, so the total price is often cheaper. However, the base rental rate varies by company and demand, so it's possible for O'Hare to be cheaper on a specific date. Always compare the total price at both airports for your exact dates before deciding.

Can I book a rental car online and pick it up at the airport?

Yes. Book online through the company's website or a comparison site, and select the airport location as your pickup point. You'll receive a confirmation email with your reservation number. Bring your driver's license, credit card, and confirmation to the rental counter when you arrive.

What if I want to return the car to a different location than where I picked it up?

Most companies allow one-way rentals, but they charge a drop-off fee (usually $50 to $150) if you return to a different location. Returning to the same airport is always free. If you're planning a one-way trip, factor the drop-off fee into your total cost comparison.

Do I need to book in advance, or can I rent a car when I arrive at the airport?

You can rent on arrival, but prices are usually higher because you have no time to shop around. Booking at least a few days in advance gives you time to compare prices across companies and dates, which typically saves money. If you're flexible on dates, booking a week ahead often reveals cheaper rates.

What documents do I need to rent a car at Chicago's airports?

You'll need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your personal policy or the rental company's coverage). Some companies ask for a second form of ID. Bring all documents with you to the rental counter.