Car Rentals at Chicago OHare International Airport

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is found approximately 17 miles, or 27 kilometres northwest of the Chicago Loop, and a little further from the city than the Chicago Midway International Airport. It is the third busiest airport in the world, handling over 60 million passengers per annum, and is one of the most important international gateways to the United States. The airport is in the state of Illinois, mainly in Cook County, and partly in DuPage County. Arriving passengers have access to buses, trains and taxis, but many prefer to rent a car, from one of the Chicago O’Hare International Airport car hire companies. Competitive car rental rates are offered by all the companies available, and each have a wide selection of quality vehicles as well.

The airport of Chicago O’Hare, with the official IATA code of ORD, is large, with four terminal buildings and nine concourses. The terminals are numbered, i.e. Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, while the concourses are recognised by letters. Terminal 5 is where the majority of international flights arrive, apart from those from airports with US border preclearance facilities, while Terminal 1 is from where United Airline flights mainly operate. Terminal 2 is the hub for US Airways and Delta Air Lines, and Terminal 3 is the main building of American Airlines’ flights. Arriving passengers will find signs which point the way to the airport car hire companies, but in general, their rental counters can be found on the lower level nearby the baggage reclaim areas of Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

Since that the airport complex is so large, the terminals are linked by a people mover train, known as the ATS, or Airport Transit System. The train also takes passengers to the remote car parking areas of the airport. Passengers arriving in Terminal 5 can therefore take the ATS to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport car rental companies, or they may use the courtesy telephones provided on the lower level of the building, to contact their chosen car hire company. Certain car rental companies at Chicago Airport also offer free shuttle services for transport of their customers between terminals, and for transport to their rental cars, should they be parked further than a comfortable walking distance.

The car hire companies of Chicago O’Hare Airport include Hertz, Budget, Avis, Europcar, National, Auto Europa, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar and Enterprise, and these are all internationally recognised companies famous around the world for providing only the best car hire services and competitive car rental rates. At this rental location, they are mostly open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and therefore are available to meet passengers on all the airport’s arrival flights. Although cars may be hired over the rental counters, vehicles from Chicago O’Hare are best reserved in advance, in order to ensure their availability and to secure lower car rental rates.

Vehicles hired from the above mentioned companies are divided into car categories, for example, Economy, Compact, Midsize/Intermediate, Standard, Fullsize, Luxury, Minivan, SUV, Crossover, Pickup and Passenger Van. Passengers will hire a car by its category from the majority of car hire companies, however, several have options whereby the customer can choose a vehicle by its specific make and model. Hertz and Budget are car rental companies offering this service. Smaller cars available for hire in the United States, and from Chicago O’Hare Airport, include the Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa and Toyota Corolla, while larger sedans include the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Altima.

A large variety of SUVs are available as well, similar to the Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator, which is a Luxury SUV with leather upholstery, power locks and mirrors and a telescopic/tilt wheel. The Lincoln Navigator, as well as some of the other SUVs, are large enough for seven passengers. Seven passengers are ideal for the Dodge Grand Caravan as well, eight can be seated in the Toyota Sienna and up to fifteen passengers can hire the Chevrolet Express. Additional cars for hire from Chicago O’Hare Airport include the Hummer H3, Chevrolet Colorado, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Journey, GMC Acadia and the Cadillac DTS, a Luxury vehicle.

From Chicago O’Hare International Airport, one way hire services are available from the car rental companies, additional items of equipment can be hired and hand controls for disabled drivers may be requested. A one way hire allows the customer to return their vehicle to a rental location other than Chicago Airport, and is most convenient for certain travel itineraries, although it may be more expensive. Child seats and satellite navigation systems are some of the equipment available for hire cars. A car seat or booster seat is essential for the safety of babies, toddlers and children, as it is required by law in the United States for all persons in a vehicle to be wearing seatbelts. From Chicago O’Hare International Airport, hand control equipment is free of charge, but will require an advanced reservation. The device is useful to persons with a lower limb disability, as it operates the brake and accelerator pedals of an automatic vehicle.

A rented car from one of the Chicago O’Hare Airport car hire companies is a very viable means of transport, and one that is preferred by many business and leisure travellers. The city of Chicago can mostly be quite easily navigated in a car, however, driving in downtown Chicago is not really recommended. Rather leave your vehicle in one of the city car parks, and take the elevated train to your destination. A rented car is great, however, for driving to all other areas, and for journeys of a longer distance. From the airport, a number of highways are easily accessible, and lead in all directions. When driving in Chicago, ensure that you follow the speed limits (30mph or 48kph in urban areas, 65mph or 105kph on open roads and 70mph or 113kph on highways and motorways), and that all other road rules are followed.

Contact the Chicago O’Hare International Airport car rental company of your choice for the ideal holiday or business vehicle, or book online to secure the lowest car hire rates.