Parking never comes easy at the world’s busiest airports. This probably worries passengers as they plan to fly out of O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Most of us prefer to drive rather than using public transport or taxi service to the airport while traveling with a lot of luggage or with our family. However, you’re never guaranteed an O’Hare parking spot on reaching the airport. Driving around the onsite lots to find a parking spot at the last minute is sure to add to your travel stress! There are chances that you may even miss your flight, considering the heavy rush at O’Hare airport. Though onsite lots give you secure parking in the airport, it never comes at a low price. So, what are the options to get O’Hare parking? How can you find affordable parking at O’Hare Airport? Here’s what you should know!
About O’Hare International Airport
Lying to the northwest side of Chicago, the airport is about 14 miles northwest of Downtown Chicago. O’Hare Airport has non-stop flights to more than 200 destinations and was the world’s busiest airport from 1963-1998. In 2020, the airport had annual passenger traffic of around 30 million, making it the world’s 13th busiest airport. The airport features four terminals (numbered 1, 2, 3, and 5) with nine concourses and 191 gates.
Info: The airport is named Edward “Butch” O’Hare, the U.S. Navy’s first Medal of Honor recipient during World War II.
About O’Hare parking
Driving from Downtown Chicago to the airport usually takes around 30 minutes. However, the driving time can go up during peak hours. So, make sure to drive early to the airport if you want to ensure a parking spot. Which are the lots that provide onsite parking in O’Hare?
- Economy (F and G)
- Main Garage – Hourly
- Main Garage – Daily
- Daily Lot
- International Lot D
All these lots offer short-term and long-term ORD parking. But it is never easy to get a parking spot if you don’t plan well. The only way to ensure an onsite parking spot is to know properly about the lots and book them in advance! And be aware that the parking at O’Hare is expensive.
Which is the ideal lot for long-term O’Hare parking?
Do you have to park your car in O’Hare for a few days? Then head to the Economy Lots, which provides the most economical rates for long-term parking at O’Hare.
How much do you have to pay to get a long-term parking spot? While using the Economy lots, the long-term parking rate costs you between $15 and $22 per day. Economy Lot G is the most affordable option with a daily parking rate of $15 per day. Parking at this lot for the first hour charges you $3.
Economy Lot F charges you $22 for a day’s parking. The first hour of parking costs you $3, increases to $6 for two hours and $10 for three hours. The rate surges to $14 if you park at the lot for four hours.
Where to locate Economy Lots?
You can locate Economy Lot G along Bessie Coleman Drive at the southwest corner of Mannheim and Zemke Road. The lot is on the northern side of the International Terminal 5 and northeast of the domestic terminals.
You can locate Economy Lot F on the fourth and fifth floor of the Multi-Modal Facility (MMF), situated on the southeast corner of Mannheim and Zemke Road.
Tip: Shuttle buses run to all the terminals from these lots every 5-15 minutes. The service is available 24/7.
Main Garage (Hourly & Daily)
These lots are ideal for those who want to have short-term parking near the domestic terminals. The Hourly lot is at Level 1, and the Daily Parking is available at Levels 2-6 of the Main Garage. Parking in the Hourly lot costs you $3 for the first hour. The rate increases to $6 in the next hour, $10 for the third hour, $14 for four hours, and $36 for 4-8 hours.
Using parking in the Daily Lot costs you $3 for the first hour. The rate rises to $6 in the next hour, $10 for the third hour, $14 for four hours, and $24 for 4-8 hours. After that, you will have to pay the maximum daily rate of $42 per day.
Tip: Never use the Hourly lot for daily parking as it will cost a whopping $77 for 8-24 hours!
Daily Lot
Do you want to know about more daily O’Hare parking spots? There are long-term parking spots available in Lots B and C near the Main Garage. What about the daily parking rate in this lot? Like the Main Garage – Daily lot, parking for a day in this lot costs you $42. Parking in this lot for the first hour costs you $3. The rate surges to $6 in two hours, $10 for three hours, and $14 for 3-4 hours. Parking in the lot for 4-8 hours charges you $24 for 4-8 hours.
Tip: Payments can be made via major credit cards while you exit the lot. It saves a lot of time.
International Lot D
This parking lot is convenient for international passengers as it is near International Terminal 5. It is an outdoor parking lot and is suitable for short-term parking like the Main Garage. Avoid using this lot if you want to have daily parking, as it will cost you $77.
So, what are the short-term parking rates? Using the lot for the first 60 minutes costs you $3. The rate rises to $6 in the second hour, $10 for 2-3 hours, and $14 for 3-4 hours. The rate surges to $36 when you park your car for 4-8 hours.
Valet Parking service at O’Hare
Do you wish to have hassle-free O’Hare parking? Then use the Valet Parking service so that you can save time for parking. The parking spots are available in the Main Garage for Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Drive up to the garage and follow the signs to reach the parking spots. You can see designated parking spots for your terminal or airline on reaching there. Currently, this service is suspended.
How much does this service cost you? When open, using the Valet Parking service costs you $26 for the first eight hours. However, the rate goes as high as $64 while you use the lot after eight hours and up to 24 hours. The rates are expensive, but be aware that this is the cost that you pay for getting a hassle-free O’Hare parking experience.
How to ensure a guaranteed O’Hare parking spot
It always gives you a headache to drive around the onsite parking lots searching for a secure parking spot. And it never guarantees you a parking spot either. So, what should you do to ensure a parking spot on arriving at the airport? Use the ‘Reserved Parking’ service to get a guaranteed parking spot near the terminal. The parking spots are available at Level 4of Main Garage. You can book the parking spot via the airport’s website or app, which provides you a covered parking space. The reserved parking spots also give convenient access to all the terminals.
- Reserved Parking ensures a parking spot on arrival.
- You will have a guaranteed parking space even if the garage is full.
- It saves a lot of your time and car fuel searching for an onsite parking spot.
Hacks to avoid paying parking fees
- The ideal option is to drop off and pick up a passenger and leave immediately. All departing passengers can be dropped off at the curb in front of all terminals. All arriving passengers can be picked up at the outermost curb on the lower level.
- Kiss ‘n’ Fly: Dropping off the passengers at the Kiss ‘n’ Fly point can decongest the terminal roadways. Free shuttle services are available from this point to the airport.
- Cell Phone Lot: You can locate the Cell Phone Lot at 560 North Bessie Coleman Drive. This lot provides the best option for free O’Hare parking when you’re at the airport to pick up someone. Parking in this lot frees up some parking spots in the other onsite lots and reduces the road traffic near the airport.
Offsite parking options near the airport
Are you tired of looking for onsite parking spaces? Do you find O’Hare parking very expensive? Then you need to check out the offsite garages and hotel parking lots near the airport. These lots offer cheap parking rates with added amenities. There are offsite garages near the airport that offers long-term parking starting as low as $4 per day. And most of the garages offer free round-trip shuttle services. So, check out the offsite parking options if you’re looking for a secure parking spot at a cheaper rate. Always use the Way.com website or app to book an affordable offsite O’Hare International Airport parking spot!
Tips for O’Hare Parking
- Use ‘Reserved Parking’ to ensure an onsite parking spot on arrival. Parking can be reserved online via the airport’s website or app.
- Economy Lot is the best option for long-term parking.
- International Lot D and Daily Lots are not recommended for overnight parking. Use the Economy Lot if you want overnight O’Hare parking.
- Valet Parking service is currently suspended.
- Use Cell Phone Lot if you want free parking at the airport while picking up a passenger.
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