ORD Rental Car Guide: O'Hare International Airport
Renting a car at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at ORD that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at ORD
Consolidated rental facility reached by free CTA-style ATS people-mover (8-10 minutes).
ATS people-mover stops at every terminal. Rental car center is the second stop.
ORD pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $60-$85 economy, $110-$170 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5.50/day, IL state tax 6.25% + Cook County 1.75%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at ORD actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at ORD
ORD hosts 10 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Payless
Best for premium service: Hertz (largest premium fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Sixt and Fox often have promotional rates
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
ORD-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Chicago L train into downtown is faster and cheaper than renting for a city-only trip. Only rent at ORD if you plan to drive outside the city.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Rosemont (5 min) and Park Ridge (10 min) for cheaper rates.
How to save the most at ORD
- Compare across all 10 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at ORD.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at ORD?
Consolidated rental facility reached by free CTA-style ATS people-mover (8-10 minutes). ATS people-mover stops at every terminal. Rental car center is the second stop.
What is the average rental car price at ORD?
$60-$85 economy, $110-$170 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at ORD?
Concession recovery 10%, customer facility charge $5.50/day, IL state tax 6.25% + Cook County 1.75%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at ORD?
For premium fleet and reliability: Hertz (largest premium fleet). For cheapest base rates: Sixt and Fox often have promotional rates. Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from ORD?
Chicago L train into downtown is faster and cheaper than renting for a city-only trip. Only rent at ORD if you plan to drive outside the city. Specifically: Rosemont (5 min) and Park Ridge (10 min) for cheaper rates.
Are there any quirks to renting at ORD?
Chicago winter rentals: snow tires are NOT included in standard rentals. Some brands offer them as add-ons for $5-$10/day. Worth it from December to February.