Chicago car rentals
Same drop-off
Driver's age: 26-65
Thu 8/6
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Thu 15/6
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Chicago car rental information
| Pick-up location | Chicago |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Compact SUV, Economy, Full-size, Full-size SUV, Intermediate, Intermediate SUV, Luxury, Minivan, Standard, Standard SUV, Supplier choice |
| Rental locations | 114 |
| Airport locations | 42 |
| Popular agencies | Dollar, Turo, Thrifty, Sixt, Hertz |
Cheap car rentals in Chicago
| Economy | C$ 50/day |
| Compact | C$ 58/day |
| Intermediate | C$ 51/day |
| Standard | C$ 49/day |
| Full-size | C$ 50/day |
| Minivan | C$ 78/day |
| Full-size SUV | C$ 76/day |
| Luxury | C$ 79/day |
| Compact SUV | C$ 38/day |
| Intermediate SUV | C$ 49/day |
| Supplier choice | C$ 56/day |
| Standard SUV | C$ 67/day |
Top tips for renting a car in Chicago
- For those visiting Illinois and getting ready to get behind the wheel of Chicago car rentals, it is important to know about the seatbelt laws in Illinois before you start driving. The law states that anyone eight years and older must wear a seatbelt in the car, regardless of whether they are in the front or rear seat of the vehicle. A child that is under the age of eight must be in an appropriate child restraint system.
- Texting or using your cellphone and other electronic devices while operating cheap car rentals in Chicago is against the law in Illinois. While you can use a hands-free enabled device, you can still be charged with distracted driving and risk getting your driving license revoked if it results in an accident. You’re required by law to slow down, stop and give way to all cars on your right, especially emergency service vehicles including pedestrians and cyclists entering a visibly marked crosswalk. According to the Illinois right-of-way laws, failure to yield to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians is punishable by mandatory fines and court assessments.
- While it makes for a seamless transfer to the city center, you’re not limited to hiring cheap car rentals in Chicago at the O’Hare, Midway, or Greater Rockford airport. Most, if not all, of the major car rental companies represented at the arrival terminals, have various off-site locations in and around downtown Chicago. When filling out your car hire contract, you can use the 214 N Clark St as your pick-up and drop-off place with Budget or 10 E Grand, Hilton, Garage FL 2 if renting from Enterprise Rent-A-Car. To be sure, use the KAYAK search aggregator when looking up car rental off-site addresses.
- 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 Rental Facility, where major rental 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 rental cars in Chicago for C$ 73 or less
- Book your rental car in Chicago at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Off-airport rental car locations in Chicago are around 13% cheaper than airport locations on average
- Compact rental cars in Chicago are around 50% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Chicago
Chicago car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
6.2
Okay
1003 reviewsCleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.9
Value for money
6.1
17 locations in Chicago
from C$ 72/day
Locations in Chicago
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Reviews
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
2.0 Poor
Jan. 2022
Alamo
8.3
Very good
843 reviewsBest rated
Cleanliness
8.5
Comfort
8.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.3
Value for money
8.0
3 locations in Chicago
from C$ 175/day
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Reviews
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 $10.99 a day. Was a rip off.2.0 Poor
Apr. 2021
Pros:
Staff sucks, car sucks, service sucks, if you like being shown one number and then charged double that number after the rental is completed, and then charged randomly for tolls months later rent here.Cons:
Basically take the reservation quote that you et and multiply it by 3 because they nickel and dime you2.0 Poor
Mar. 2021
Cons:
I have been over charged10.0 Wonderful
Mar. 2021
Pros:
Alamo staffs were very friendly and helpful. My flight arrived a little earlier. Not sure if that's the reason, but their system shows the total price more than doubled comparing to my reservation receipt. The airport Alamo staff were able to get it fixed.Cons:
Because of the price difference, it took quite some time for the airport Alamo staff to get it resolved. Wish the system, especially for the reservation through 3rd parties, can be more seamless and fewer issues.2.0 Poor
Mar. 2021
Pros:
I was allowed to pick up my car earlierCons:
Price, I agree for one price and you would like to charge me more with reason.Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.8
Good
650 reviewsCleanliness
8.0
Comfort
8.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.8
Value for money
7.5
28 locations in Chicago
from C$ 156/day
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???Payless
6.8
Okay
575 reviewsCleanliness
7.7
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.7
Value for money
6.9
2 locations in Chicago
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Reviews
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.9.2 Wonderful
Nov. 2020
Pros:
Almost everything was fantastic. Customer service was timely and pleasant...there were only two of us in line, but there was no effort to put me off. Drop-off was easy and also quick. No receipt provided at drop-off, told I would receive via email. I filled the car with gas before turn-in...haven’t seen the receipt yet, but do hope I wasn’t charged for gas as that appears to be a problem for some.Cons:
Getting the email receipt for the car rental facility is far from timely. When traveling for business in particular this receipt is critical for expense reports and a delay in the receipt costs money in disbursement lag, AND is frustrating. For this reason alone, I would generally rate lower, but the rest of the service and the car itself was really very good.7.2 Good
Sep. 2020
Pros:
Swiftly processsCons:
The Smoke smell of the car was intense - has no tiene to go back and ask for another vehicle. The price was exorbitant. Two hundred dollar for three days.10.0 Wonderful
Sep. 2020
Pros:
Great experience3.6 Poor
Aug. 2020
Pros:
Car was cleanCons:
Car was leaning to left all the time. Brakes were so bad that it shaked like crazy everytime press on the brake pedals. I have not felt safe for a moment in that car. When I called them they were not helpfulSixt
6.7
Okay
103 reviewsCleanliness
7.4
Comfort
7.4
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.8
Value for money
6.7
2 locations in Chicago
from C$ 103/day
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Reviews
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
2.0 Poor
Jul. 2022
Avis
6.5
Okay
257 reviewsCleanliness
6.9
Comfort
7.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.2
Value for money
6.1
11 locations in Chicago
Locations in Chicago
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Reviews
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.4.0 Mediocre
Feb. 2021
Pros:
Pickup was confusing as avis had no one at the desks, ghost town. Drop off was simple.Cons:
Vehicle had broken glass under the seats and on floor mats at pickup, must've had broken windows previously?? 6 hour drive sounded like driving with the windows open, very loud and interior was not clean even though avis put a sticker on the dash starting vehicle was. Clean/sanitize from top to bottom....2.0 Poor
Feb. 2021
Pros:
No the staff was rude the lady tried to get me to down grade for the same price and when I told her I chose one of the most expensive categories she got upset and said we’ll wait 45 mins till a car is readyCons:
They charged hidden fees that weren’t really put out there.6.0 Okay
Dec. 2021
Pros:
Staff was helpful. Pickup/drop off was easyCons:
Car was dirty and smelled like cigarettes10.0 Wonderful
Dec. 2020
Pros:
I’m probably never going to use another service except for you guys because of how smooth everything was!Cons:
N/A, I’m thoroughly impressedBudget
6.2
Okay
682 reviewsCleanliness
7.1
Comfort
7.1
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.3
Value for money
6.1
10 locations in Chicago
from C$ 107/day
Locations in Chicago
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Oct. 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct. 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct. 2022
2.0 Poor
Oct. 2022
8.0 Very good
Oct. 2022
4.0 Mediocre
Oct. 2022
Fox
6.0
Okay
219 reviewsCleanliness
6.0
Comfort
6.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
6.0
Value for money
6.2
One location in Chicago
from C$ 63/day
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Reviews
10.0 Wonderful
Jun. 2021
Pros:
The staff was excellent, super friendly and accommodating. I was thoroughly impressed.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Cons:
There was a large dead mosquito on the dash-front of the car and the entire car reeked of smoke.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
The only positive things I can say about Fox car rental is one, the person who checked me in was friendly and courteous, number two, the person who checked me in upon my return was friendly and courteous. Their customer service took 45 minutes to answer the phone and the representative was discourteous and condescending. They did a bait and switch with the type of vehicle that I had requested. The vehicle smelled of cigarette smoke, the windshield on the interior was not cleaned. I had to buy a bottle of for breeze and Windex and paper towels to make the car suitable for my trip. I would never ever rent from this company.Cons:
They could be honest with their customer, they could train their customer service representatives to be more customer service oriented. And they should give the customer the type of vehicle that they had requested. It goes back I guess to the old saying, You get what you pay for.4.0 Mediocre
May 2021
Pros:
Only girl at window was sullen, uninterested in her job, and abrupt. I was the only customer at that late hour. She charged me $150.00 deposit on top of the rental charge. I have not yet been reimbursed and don’t know to whom I should demand my deposit back.Cons:
Seems the whole organization procedures and staff need complete change.10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Pros:
I found the staff to be very helpful and professional.Cons:
I think the sign-in process could be streamlined and made a bit less complex2.0 Poor
May 2021
Cons:
It would have been better if they had a car actually there ready to go at the time I reserved it.Thrifty
5.9
Fair
363 reviewsMost popular
Cleanliness
6.7
Comfort
6.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
5.6
Value for money
6.0
5 locations in Chicago
from C$ 72/day
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1.9 Poor
Jul. 2021
10.0 Wonderful
May 2021
Cons:
Had to wait at the car rental counter, the line was long.2.0 Poor
May 2021
Pros:
Nothing, customer service representatives were rude and completely unhelpful. Stand in line for over 30 minutes only to learn there are no cars available for pick-up.Cons:
Do not accept reservations, if you do not have cars available to pick-up.