What car hire company is typically the cheapest in Chicago?

According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in Chicago from the following companies over the past two weeks: Fox ($86/day), Europcar ($105/day), and Dollar ($110/day).

Which car hire company is considered to be the best in Chicago?

Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Alamo (8.0 rating), National (7.4 rating) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.4 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in Chicago.

What are petrol prices like in Chicago?

The average price of petrol in Chicago is $1.83/litre over the past month, costing you anywhere between $82 and $118 to fill up a car’s fuel tank.

How much does it cost to hire a car in Chicago for a week from Thrifty?

Thrifty is a popular option for travellers looking for car hire in Chicago. You can expect the average cost of car hire to be about $717 per week.

How far in advance should I hire a car in Chicago for the best price?

Booking early almost always ensures you have more options of car models to choose from, as well as prices reduced by up to 28% to make it a great deal in Chicago. Try to book at least 7 days prior to when you need the car hire to close on a rate below the average.

Can I rent a car for a month in Chicago?

Yes, renting a vehicle in Chicago for a month is certainly possible.

How much is a car hire in Chicago for a weekend?

$0 is, on average, how much a car hire costs for the weekend in Chicago. To save money, consider booking a Compact SUV car hire, which is the cheapest car during the weekend. If you are looking for a car hire in January, we’ve seen prices on Cheapflights for as low as $0 per day.

What car do most people hire in Chicago?

The majority of Cheapflights travellers prefer to hire a Standard (Ford Mustang Convertible) in Chicago, making it the most popular option.

Cheap Car Hire in Chicago | Deals From $86/Day

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What is the cheapest time to rent a car in Chicago?

January

$65

February

$69

March

$81

April

$90

May

$102

June

$112

July

$126

August

$109

September

$98

October

$95

November

$93

December

$86

Currently, the cheapest month to rent a car in Chicago is January. The most expensive time to rent a car is July. The cheapest prices for each month are shown above, but prices will vary based on availability, how far out you book your rental car, and of course, car type.

Popular car types in Chicago

All deals

At $86/day, SUV is the cheapest car type available for hire in Chicago in the past week. Out of 31 car hire agencies operating in Chicago, there are, in total, 128 hire locations. View below for 5 offered car types:

Economy

$118+

View Deal

Compact

$119+

View Deal

Intermediate

$106+

View Deal

Full-size

$105+

View Deal

People mover

$170+

View Deal

Full-size SUV

$173+

View Deal

Premium

$152+

View Deal

Luxury

$163+

View Deal

Compare available car types for rental in Chicago

	Small cars	$70 - $192
	All Car Types	$101 - $162

To hire a small car in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $113/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a small car in Chicago, the United States (~$70/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is October (~$192/day). In fact, January is about 39% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a small car hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a small car saves you 13% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Chicago small car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a medium car in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $121/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a medium car in Chicago, the United States (~$81/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is September (~$167/day). In fact, January is about 34% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a medium car hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a medium car saves you 8% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Chicago medium car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a large car in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $147/day. April is the cheapest month to hire a large car in Chicago, the United States (~$64/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is December (~$289/day). In fact, April is about 57% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a large car hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a large car is 11% more expensive. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Chicago large car hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a SUV in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $119/day. April is the cheapest month to hire a SUV in Chicago, the United States (~$76/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$198/day). In fact, April is about 37% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a SUV hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a SUV saves you 10% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity. Here are the best Chicago SUV hire prices found by Cheapflights users in the past 7 days:

To hire a van in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $99/day. January is the cheapest month to hire a van in Chicago, the United States (~$80/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is July (~$211/day). In fact, January is about 20% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a van hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a van saves you 25% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

To hire a convertible in Chicago, the United States, you would pay an average price of $111/day. February is the cheapest month to hire a convertible in Chicago, the United States (~$168/day), while the most expensive month to hire that same car type is May (~$301/day). In fact, February is about 51% cheaper than prices during the rest of the year to book a convertible hire for Chicago. When comparing with other car types available for hire in Chicago, hiring a convertible saves you 16% in costs. Please note that average prices are based on historical data and can vary depending on how early you book, availability for your travel dates, and vehicle popularity.

Kia Picanto$118/day

A/C

Top rental agencies in Chicago

Choose from the top rental car agencies available in Chicago, including Budget, Hertz and Dollar. Read through reviews, double check the pickup location, and other important information before making your selection.

Budget

5.9

Fair

206 reviews•10 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Aug 2023

Poor pick up experience. They seemed to let the line grow to an unacceptable length deliberately before attending to customers. But the gentleman was friendly when I eventually got there and we got a brand new car

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

Canceled the reservation: when I showed up there was a line of more than 50 people and only two agents working the counter. Took an uber instead.

6.0

Okay|Jul 2023

Staff friendly and helpful but needed more staff to moved things along quicker

4.0

Mediocre|Jul 2023

Staff were extremely polite and accommodating and this is the one redeeming factor. It took about an hour waiting in line to reach the budget counter. Seemed like everything went fine until we reached the garage and found out we were given a Ford Runner with terrible mileage for hundreds of miles of turnpike driving. Representative in the garage tried to help us out and moved us into a Chevy Malibu. Unfortunately the car was dirty (obvious trash left in car), but we were willing to deal since we were already severely delayed. But then we reached the garage gate to checkout and found out from the attendant that one extra feature we asked for; an Ezpass on the rental, was MIA. It was just one issue after another and overall a very bad experience, but again shout out to the staff who were very kind and helpful throughout.

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

It takes about three hours to pick up the vehicle, and people at pickup location were so rude to customers.

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

Everything was great

1 out of 69

Budget Locations in Chicago

Hertz

5.8

Fair

268 reviews•20 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Sept 2023

Helpful on phone and in personn

8.0

Very Good|Sept 2023

I had a good experience over all. Smooth pick up and drop off. Friendly staff

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

They did not have the car and never notified me. Late the night before i called and discovered this. Calling hertz was a nightmare. Kept getting shuttled to sales.

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

The car had been reserved in downtown Chicago, even though I specified O’Hare. The person at the desk at the airport said she couldn’t get the reservation switched over to O’Hare and was not very helpful. I called Hertz customer service and they were outstanding. Got the reservation switched and a better price, even! She was so helpful and kind which was so appreciated after a 5 hour flight with and infant and a three hour drive ahead of us. The check out/check in process was totally fast and efficient! Will definitely use Hertz again! Thanks!!

10.0

Wonderful|May 2023

Great customer service the lady was very patient and polite. Thanks again for your service.

2.0

Poor|May 2023

Cancelled the reservation 2 hours before I was supposed to pick the car up. Gave no other alternatives causing me to miss my trip

1 out of 90

Hertz Locations in Chicago

Dollar

5.2

Fair

134 reviews•7 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

4.0

Mediocre|Aug 2023

Desk person asked if I wanted the Fuel deal to return it empty. I said no, I'll fill it up. She charged me for the fuel deal anyway and I didn't realize it until I turned the car in. Trying to figure out how to get my $66 back that I should not have been charged. Also, the line was 40 minutes long just to get to the counter. The actual car was fine, but the Dollar service is not good.

2.0

Poor|Jan 2023

My flight was delayed, and I arrived at the dollar counter, just after they had closed. There was a lady still behind the counter, who informed me that because I had not arrived within two hours of the predetermined time they had rented my vehicle to someone else. How is this practice even legal being that I had already paid for it? I was forced to take rideshare to my destination and then back again the next day at an expense of more than $120. I am quite sure that I had pre-purchased insurance but dollar could not confirm this so I paid for insurance that I didn’t need , my total charge at the counter was an additional $124.22. The type of vehicle I had requested was not available so I had to settle for what they had. There were four shirts laying on the back seat, so I find it difficult to believe the vehicle had been cleaned , I think that the previous customer had just left it clean. Please let me know how to get a refund.

1 out of 45

Alamo

8.0

Very Good

89 reviews•3 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

very convenient

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Fast and easy. Knowledgeable staff.

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Great service at every point. Loved the upgrade!

10.0

Wonderful|Mar 2023

The rental was very nice and very clean. Pick-up was a little tricky (not knowing the tram ride), but dropping off the rental couldn't have been any easier. I will use Alamo again when visiting Chicago in the future. Thanks...........Joe

1 out of 30

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

7.5

Good

96 reviews•28 locations

Check prices

Overview

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Locations in Chicago

Sixt

6.8

Okay

59 reviews•4 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

8.0

Very Good|Aug 2023

I believe that the car was nearing the end of its rental life, but the service offered, and the employees were fantastic.

6.0

Okay|Aug 2023

Not enough car selection choices. I had done the payment online, bit an additional insurance charge was added to at the last minute.

2.0

Poor|Apr 2023

Poor customer service at this location

2.0

Poor|Mar 2023

I specifically rented a luxury vehicle. When I arrived at the location, they had none available and offered no apology or explanation.

4.0

Mediocre|May 2022

I had to trade my first car for another one because I was getting tickets due to the fact that the license plate had expired a month earlier. Both times the pick-up process took forever. The only place to sit in the dingy office is a ledge along the windows. The staff (only two people) was very nice and helpful but clearly overwhelmed. Even though this office is only four blocks from where I live I'm not sure I want to rent from them again.

1 out of 20

Avis

6.4

Okay

68 reviews•12 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2024

We arrived early, so check in was very quick. Easy to pick up the car, easy to return at O’hare. Friendly staff.

6.0

Okay|Sept 2023

The pick-up line was nearly 2 hours long. Counter agent was very friendly, but he could have used help that day. We will not return to Avis unless staffing is addressed

2.0

Poor|Sept 2023

Original reservation was canceled with out notification. Called 4 times the morning of and reservations was trying to charge me double what I was originally quoted after mentioning the lot was empty… never Avis, ever again. lady at the counter, “ I had to fight for this car” -gets in and realizes it’s HEAVILY smoked in…

2.0

Poor|Jul 2023

It was two hrs from the time I stood in line to the time I actually started a vehicle!

10.0

Wonderful|Jul 2023

The staff helping us with pick-up in Chicago at O’Hare was friendly, experienced, and professional. She explained everything thoroughly while making the pick up quick and easy.

10.0

Wonderful|Apr 2023

Drop off someone had to explain process- minimal staff - holiday and like most business just lack of staff. Taken care of and staff was pleasent

1 out of 23

Avis Locations in Chicago

Payless

5.7

Fair

55 reviews•2 locations

Check prices

Overview

Recent reviews

2.0

Poor|Nov 2022

Being charged for full tank of gas when we brought tank back full.

4.0

Mediocre|Oct 2022

The price was double what was advertised on Kayak and I used the car for less than a day (over $500 charge). I knew fees could differ but not to this degree

2.0

Poor|Oct 2022

From check in to drop off the experience with Payless rental was horrible! Car was not full of gas all though the paperwork stated it was. Car was dirty (literally trash left in the car), waited in line for pick up for almost 40 minutes…there were only 3 customers in front of us. Had issues with the car immediately as back passenger tire was not keeping air. At drop off they told us there was nothing they could do and that we’d need to call the customer service line. Customer service told us they could not refund our money because we booked through a 3rd party. I would NEVER use this service again or Payless car rental! It was HORRIBLE!

4.0

Mediocre|Aug 2022

The pick up experience at Payless in Chicago was horrible. Our car reservation was for 6am right when they opened because we had had a nightmare travel experience and needed to get home as soon as possible. There was nobody at this time. We waited around for a while as we saw employees arrive for all the other car rental companies. After about 15 minutes and still no one there to help us, I ended up finding a Budget employee that was able to assist as best she good. She reiterated several times throughout the process that Payless does things a little differently than them and she was unfamiliar with their process. Long story short, she ended up miscommunicating something to me (not her fault - she wasn't a Payless employee), leading to an expected nearly $100 charge on my card. The silver lining was that Payless Customer services was very nice after the fact via online inquiry. Quick responses, understanding of my situation, and accommodating to my requests. Although I had a good experience with customer service on the back end, the negative experience I had on the front end is enough to make me not use Payless again in the future.

2.0

Poor|Jan 2022

no one answered the phone at the airport so i cancelled. never again

8.0

Very Good|Jan 2022

Car we requested was ready when scheduled.

1 out of 19

Best Chicago car rental deals found

Check out some of the very best car rental deals we've found in Chicago. Make sure to check back soon if you're not finding what you're looking for, as deals are updated frequently.

Mitsubishi ASX$86/day

A/C

Holden Commodore$105/day

A/C

Hyundai Avante$106/day

A/C

Car rental FAQs

What car hire company is typically the cheapest in Chicago?
According to our data, users have found the cheapest deals when booking a rental car in Chicago from the following companies over the past two weeks: Fox ($86/day), Europcar ($105/day), and Dollar ($110/day).
Which car hire company is considered to be the best in Chicago?
Taking our users’ ratings and reviews into consideration, Alamo (8.0 rating), National (7.4 rating) and Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.4 rating) seem to be the best car hire companies in Chicago.
What are petrol prices like in Chicago?
The average price of petrol in Chicago is $1.83/litre over the past month, costing you anywhere between $82 and $118 to fill up a car’s fuel tank.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Chicago for a week from Thrifty?
Thrifty is a popular option for travellers looking for car hire in Chicago. You can expect the average cost of car hire to be about $717 per week.
How far in advance should I hire a car in Chicago for the best price?
Booking early almost always ensures you have more options of car models to choose from, as well as prices reduced by up to 28% to make it a great deal in Chicago. Try to book at least 7 days prior to when you need the car hire to close on a rate below the average.
Can I rent a car for a month in Chicago?
Yes, renting a vehicle in Chicago for a month is certainly possible.
How much is a car hire in Chicago for a weekend?
$0 is, on average, how much a car hire costs for the weekend in Chicago. To save money, consider booking a Compact SUV car hire, which is the cheapest car during the weekend. If you are looking for a car hire in January, we’ve seen prices on Cheapflights for as low as $0 per day.
What car do most people hire in Chicago?
The majority of Cheapflights travellers prefer to hire a Standard (Ford Mustang Convertible) in Chicago, making it the most popular option.

Car rentals by fuel type in Chicago

All deals

Browse through car rental deals by fuel type in Chicago. There are currently 3 fuel types to choose from with Petrol/Diesel being the cheapest ($52+).

Electric

$62+

View Deal

Hybrid

$78+

View Deal

Petrol/Diesel

$52+

View Deal