ORD · Chicago, IL
Car rental at O'Hare Airport
O'Hare keeps its rental cars in a Multi-Modal Facility reached by the airport train. Illinois tolls are entirely cashless, which is the single most common surprise on a Chicago rental bill.
- Desk open 24/7
- Deposit and balance shown upfront
- Free cancellation for 24 hours
ORD at a glance
| Rental facility | Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), all brands in one building |
|---|---|
| Getting there | Airport Transit System train from every terminal — free, runs continuously |
| Terminals served | 1, 2, 3 and 5, all on the ATS line |
| Toll system | I-PASS. Illinois tollways have been entirely cashless since 2020 |
| Drive into town | The Loop 30–50 minutes on I-90, considerably more at peak |
| Minimum driver age | Usually 21, with a young-driver surcharge under 25 |
Facility arrangements and shuttle frequencies change. Check the signage on the day and confirm anything critical with the rental company before you travel.
Why visitors rent here
- Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan road trips all start here — Milwaukee, Madison, the lakeshore
- The CTA Blue Line runs from the airport into the Loop, so a car is for leaving the city
- Winter driving is a genuine consideration from December to March; ask what the vehicle has on it
Step by step
Collecting your car at ORD
- 1
Clear baggage claim
Rental counters work from the name on the booking and the licence, not the flight. If you gave us a flight number, the branch can see a delayed arrival.
- 2
Reach the rental desks
Airport Transit System train from every terminal — free, runs continuously.
- 3
At the counter
Licence, the card used to book and photo ID. This is where protection and extras are offered — you are free to decline anything you already hold cover for.
- 4
Photograph the car
All four corners, the windscreen, the wheels and the roof, plus the odometer and fuel gauge. Two minutes here is what settles a damage dispute later.
Tolls and the thing that catches people
I-PASS. Illinois tollways have been entirely cashless since 2020.
Illinois removed cash from its tollways entirely. There are no coin baskets left. Drive the Jane Addams or the Tri-State without a transponder and you have a limited window to pay online before it becomes a violation — and the rental company will add its own fee on top.
Before you drive off
- Ask what the toll device costsper dayand whether it is charged on days you do not use a toll road.
- Check the fuel policy on the agreement. Full-to-full is the cheapest arrangement for almost everyone.
- Confirm the return time written on the agreement matches your booking — that is the figure that governs late fees.
Choose the ride
Which class suits the trip
Economy
One or two people with normal luggage, and the cheapest option to run on a long highway leg.
Explore economySUV
Four or five people with real luggage, and a higher seating position for long interstate stretches.
Explore SUVsVans & people carriers
Five or more travelling together, with sliding doors that earn their keep in a packed airport garage.
Explore vansWant us to check ORD for your dates?
Tell the desk your dates and the class you want and we will check what our rental partners have at O'Hare Airport, with the deposit and the counter balance quoted separately.
Call (855) 761-9153What we will not claim
We do not know what ORD will cost on your dates until we check, and neither does any page that shows you a headline number. Airport rates move with local supply, the day of the week, events in Chicago and how much inventory the rental companies are holding. What we will do is quote the deposit, the service fee and the balance due at the counter before you pay anything. If a site promises you a fixed lowest price at every airport, treat that as marketing rather than a fact.
Questions
Renting at ORD
At this airport
Where are the rental cars at O’Hare?
In the Multi-Modal Facility, reached by the free Airport Transit System train from any terminal. All the brands are in the one building, alongside the regional bus and train connections.
How do Illinois tolls work now that cash has gone?
Entirely electronically. Illinois tollways removed cash collection in 2020 and there are no booths to pay at. Either take the rental toll programme, or pay online within the stated window after each trip, or expect violation notices with fees attached.
Is a car useful in Chicago itself?
Rarely. The Blue Line runs from O’Hare into the Loop, the city has dense transit and downtown parking is expensive. Rent for the trips out — Milwaukee, Madison, Michigan’s lakeshore, Starved Rock.
What about winter driving from O’Hare?
Take it seriously between December and March. Ask the counter what the vehicle is equipped with, allow far more time than the map suggests, and remember that a cancelled flight and a closed interstate often happen on the same day.
Booking with RentalForCar
What does RentalForCar charge, and when?
A deposit against the rental plus our service fee is taken when you book, both itemised before you pay. The remaining balance, local taxes, airport fees and any extras are settled at the counter with the rental company.
Do you own the cars?
No. RentalForCar is an independent reservation service. Vehicles are supplied and operated by licensed third-party rental companies, and the rental agreement you sign at the counter is between you and that company.
Can I cancel?
Free within 24 hours of booking. After that a flat $50 fee applies and the rest of the deposit is refunded to the original payment method.
Will I get the exact model shown?
You are guaranteed a vehicle in the class you booked. It may be the model listed or a comparable alternative, which is why every listing says "or similar".
Chicago, IL
Book a car at O'Hare Airport
New booking, a change or a cancellation — talk to the desk, or search your dates and finish it online.
RentalForCar is an independent car rental reservation service. Vehicles are supplied and operated by licensed third-party rental companies. We are not affiliated with Chicago O'Hare International Airport.