Chicago Midway Airport Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

Budget Rent a Car offers car rental services at Chicago Midway Airport. The company provides a range of vehicles, including small, medium, large, van, SUV, and luxury cars, with prices starting at $50 per day. Budget also offers additional services such as the Fastbreak Program and e-Toll Unlimited to enhance the rental experience. Reviews for the location are mixed, with an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 and 1.5 stars on Yelp.

Budget car rental prices at Chicago Midway Airport

Budget offers car rental services at Chicago Midway Airport. The rental services are available onsite at the airport, and the rental counter operates daily from 7 am to 2 am.

To access the rental services, follow the signs to the luggage claim area and exit through the glass doors near carousel number 3. From there, walk to the designated rental car shuttle bus stop and board the common bus for a four-minute ride to the car rental centre. The shuttle buses operate 24 hours a day and depart regularly.

The rental cars come in various categories, including small, medium, large, van, SUV, and luxury. The average rental cost is $66 per day, and the most frequently booked type is the Mini (Kia Sedona or similar).

Budget also offers long-term car rentals for travellers staying in Chicago for a month or longer. Additionally, there is an option to add extra drivers to the rental agreement, provided they are over 25 years old and fill out the necessary paperwork.

Pros and cons of renting a car from Budget at Chicago Midway Airport

Pros of Renting a Car from Budget at Chicago Midway Airport

• Budget has a wide variety of cars to choose from, including SUVs, vans, luxury cars, and convertibles.
• They offer free shuttle services to and from the airport.
• They provide 24/7 car return services.
• They have onsite car rental services at the airport.
• They offer long-term car rentals for up to 11 months.
• They have a daily rate of $66 on average.

Cons of Renting a Car from Budget at Chicago Midway Airport

• Long waiting times of up to an hour and a half to pick up the rental car.
• The car might not be clean.
• There might be unexpected charges, such as a young driver's surcharge fee or extra fees for dropping off the car at a different location.
• The after-hour services hold renters responsible for any damage done to the vehicle between 2 am and 7 am.

Requirements for renting a car from Budget

To rent a car from Budget at Chicago Midway Airport, you must meet the following requirements:

Age

• You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car from Budget.
• Renters under 25 years old will have to pay a daily young driver's surcharge fee.
• There is no surcharge for drivers 25 and older.
• At corporate-operated locations, there is no maximum age limit in the US, but there may be upper-age restrictions in other countries.

Driver's License

• You must have a valid driver's license from your home country and a minimum of six months of driving experience.
• If your driver's license is not in Roman symbols, you must present an International Driving License (IDL) for translation.
• You must have a clean driving record.
• If you have a DUI or similar infraction on your record, you may still be eligible to rent a car, depending on when the event occurred.

Credit/Debit Card

• You must present a valid credit or debit card to cover the cost of the rental.
• Some Budget locations do not accept debit cards, so it is best to check with the Chicago Midway Airport location before assuming that a debit card will be accepted.
• If you use a debit card, Budget will place a hold on your account as a security deposit, which will make some of your funds unavailable during the rental period and potentially a few days longer.

Additional Drivers

• You can add up to two additional drivers to your rental agreement.
• Additional drivers must be at least 25 years old and fill out and sign an additional driver form.
• They must also present valid credit information.
• There is a daily fee for each additional driver.
• Exemptions from the fee include the renter's spouse, a companion of a driver with reduced mobility, or the renter's employee or employer on a corporate account.

Rental Terms

• Rental terms vary by location, so it is important to read the specific terms and conditions provided on your online reservation confirmation.
• These terms outline most of what you need to know to qualify for a rental at a specific location.
• At some airport locations, the quoted rental rates may only apply to airline passengers flying within 72 hours before the rental.
• In some states bordering Mexico and Canada, travel across US borders may be restricted or prohibited.
• In some particularly rugged parts of the country and on specific gravel and dirt roads, Budget prohibits the use of its vehicles.

Other Requirements

• You must make an advance reservation.
• You must present your profile number associated with any coupons or discounts.
• You must meet Budget's age, driver, and credit requirements.

Picking up and dropping off a rental car at Chicago Midway Airport

Picking up your rental car

To pick up your rental car from Chicago Midway Airport, follow these steps:

• After landing, follow the signs to the luggage claim area.
• Exit through the glass doors near carousel number 3.
• Walk to the designated rental car shuttle bus stop and board the common rent-a-car bus.
• The shuttle operates 24 hours a day and the ride to the rental car facility takes about four minutes.
• Once you arrive at the rental car facility, proceed to the Budget rental counter.
• If you are a Fastbreak Service member, take the elevator to Level 3 for the Budget Fastbreak counter.
• If you are a walk-up renter, enter the rental car return entrance from Laramie Street and proceed to the Budget rental counter on the first floor.

Dropping off your rental car

To drop off your rental car at Chicago Midway Airport, follow these steps:

• Enter the rental car return entrance from 55th Street.
• Follow the signs to the Budget vehicle return located on Level 4.
• Park the vehicle and lock it.
• Record your mileage and submit the keys and rental agreement at the counter.
• If you are returning the car after hours, you can park the car and lock it, then place the completed contract and keys in the dropbox.

Additional Information

• The Budget rental counter at Chicago Midway Airport is open daily from 6:00 am to 1:30 am.
• It is recommended to book your rental car at least one day in advance to get a below-average price.
• Remember to fill up your gas tank before returning the rental car, as the gas stations close to the airport are costly.
• To avoid delays, it is best to pick up and drop off your rental car between mid and late morning, as the airport is busiest between 5:00 am and 8:30 am, and 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm on weekdays.

Budget Rental Car Options at Chicago Midway Airport

Budget offers a variety of rental car options at Chicago Midway Airport, including:

• Passenger van: Accommodates 12 or 15 passengers, ideal for large groups.
• Minivan: Convenient for travelling with small children.
• SUV: Great for outdoor adventures and boating on Lake Michigan.
• Luxury car: Cruise through downtown Chicago in style.

Other Car Rental Companies at Chicago Midway Airport

In addition to Budget, there are several other car rental companies available at Chicago Midway Airport, such as Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Popular rental car types from Budget in Chicago

Budget has many different types of rental cars to fit every need. If you're visiting Chicago in the winter, consider renting an SUV. When the storms blow in off Lake Michigan, you'll be glad you have a warm and reliable rental car.

Likewise, Lake Michigan in the summer is something that shouldn't be missed. Why not cruise in style in a convertible or other luxury vehicle? There is nothing like enjoying the lakeside from the comfort of a convertible.

If you're travelling with a large group, a passenger van rental can offer the space you need. Each van accommodates 12 or 15 passengers.

When travelling with small children, enjoy the convenience of a minivan rental. Reserve one of our vans and enjoy a day at the Field Museum or the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre.

The most frequently booked rental car type from Budget in Chicago is a compact car, such as a Nissan Rogue or Kia Rio.

Frequently asked questions