Hire Car

Exploring Chicago by Hire Car

Chicago, with this name connects infinitely many things. Made famous by numerous films, this megacity is far more than just the cliché of Al Capone .

With a population of around 2.5 million, Chicago can confidently be called the 4th largest city in the US and the capital of the state of Illinois.

“The windy city”, shines with a variety of interesting museums, an impressive skyline, a lively music scene and excellent restaurants.

And the surrounding countryside also has plenty to offer and is best explored by hire car. We have put together a few tips for renting and travelling by hire car.

Taking over the hire car

At the Chicago airport, many hire car companies offer a shuttle service to their respective hire car stations. The shuttles can be found outside the lower level of the arrivals terminal. Before you book your hire car, just make sure that your rental company also operates an airport shuttle. If it doesn’t, you may have to take a costly taxi to get to your hire car.

Booking the right hire car

If you want to travel primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area, it is advisable to go for a smaller vehicle so that you can take advantage of tight parking spaces. If, on the other hand, you want to go to the surrounding countryside, a large and comfortable car is advisable, with which you can enjoy the trips on the well-developed highways without any worries.

Hire car prices

You’ll usually have to dig a little deeper into your pocket to hire car in Chicago. If you book the car well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison, you stand a good chance of snagging a great deal.

hire car price comparison Chicago

Insuring the car properly

In Chicago’s turbulent city traffic, it’s easy to get into an accident with an unfamiliar hire car. Protect yourself and go for a hire car with comprehensive insurance without deductible. With liability insurance, it is important to pay attention to the amount of coverage. It should be at least one million euros.

Because if people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, the costs often explode. With a traveller policy, you have the option of providing further protection if your rental company’s cover is too low. Talk to your insurance company and don’t forget to mention that the trip is to the US.

age limit

You’ll be hard pressed to find a rental company in Chicago that rents cars to drivers younger than 21. And drivers under 25 often pay an additional fee. If you’re one of those “young drivers,” be sure to check your rental company’s terms before you travel.

Accessories

Also in Chicago, you must always order accessories such as navigation equipment separately from your rental company. Be sure to make a reservation in good time. Only then can you be sure that the desired items are also available on the day of the rental.

Free kilometers

There’s so much to explore around Chicago that you should definitely reach for a hire car with all the miles free.

Tank control

With most rental companies in Chicago, you pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank of gas. Since this is a fair and transparent solution, make sure your rental company does the same.

Bail

If you have booked with a rental company that only blocks the deposit for the hire car on your credit card, the money will be available to you immediately after you return the car.

Lenders who actually debit the amount, on the other hand, like to take longer with the repayment. Before you travel, remember to make sure your card’s credit line is sufficient to cover the deposit and other travel expenses.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most customers are very satisfied with the hire car companies in Chicago. However, some complain about longer waiting times. Especially when returning the car, you should allow enough time not to miss the plane home.

Even though most hire cars in Chicago are in good condition, you should still inspect your car carefully when you pick it up and have any damage such as dents or scratches noted in writing in a defect report. This is the only way to ensure you won’t be held liable for damage caused by one of your previous renters when you return the car.

Safety Hire Car

Actually, you can expect to get a roadworthy hire car in Chicago. But since there can always be exceptions, you should check all of your car’s lights before your first trip. And maybe do a little brake test in your rental company’s parking lot before the trip just to be safe.

Sights in Chicago

Willis Tower: Fantastic view
At the Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, the city stroll could begin. The gigantic skyscraper is still (August 2013) the second tallest building in the United States with a height of 442 meters. It was built from 1970 to 1974, when the structure could even claim the superlative of being the tallest building in the world.

An elevator catapults you to the 412-meter-high “Skydeck” visitor platform in 45 seconds. From here you have a fantastic view of the city and surrounding countryside. On a clear day, you can look up to 80 kilometres away and see four different states at once.

Chicago Cultural Center: Journey to Venice
You can experience a completely different form of impressive architecture if you now visit the Chicago Cultural Center. Here, some of the rooms were modeled after the Doge’s Palace in Venice and the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. At the Chicago Cultural Center you can experience changing exhibitions but also concerts with free admission.

Field Museum of Natural History: impressive natural history museum
Next stop on your city stroll could be the Field Museum of Natural History. This huge natural history museum was founded back in 1893. It covers an area of about 85,000 square meters and is one of the largest museums in the world. The exhibition is correspondingly extensive.

More than 22 million objects can be viewed. The spectrum ranges from biological topics such as the development of life or the world of mammals to geology, such as “Meteorites and the Cosmos” or paleontology to ethnology with topics such as Africa or “The First Americans”. Tickets are available for $30. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shedd Aquarium: Into Neptune’s Realm
Follow that up with a chance to take an underwater journey when you visit the Shedd Aquarium. Beluga whales, white-striped dolphins and sharks swim in huge tanks. The aquarium is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. During the summer months and on weekends, the opening time is extended by one hour. Tickets are available starting at eight dollars. But if you want to experience all the attractions, such as the dolphin show or the 4D cinema, you’ll have to pay $37.95.

Chinatown: pure Asia
A visit to Chinatown is a nice end to a first city tour. Here you can stock up on Asian knick-knacks in numerous small shops and then enjoy dim sum in a Chinese restaurant, for example.

Find a good restaurant

Countless excellent restaurants make it hard to choose. We recommend the Capital Grille. Here you get the best steaks and fine seafood served in a classy setting.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Chicago either. A perfect choice is the Trump Hotel Chicago. You will stay in a gigantic skyscraper. The rooms are at least 55 square meters and offer every comfort. And also otherwise the hotel does not miss any luxury. From a luxurious spa to a gourmet restaurant, everything is on offer.

A worthwhile destination in the area

Milwaukee: Diverse city
Direct the hire car to Milwaukee. The 148 kilometres will take you just under two hours. In Milwaukee, you can take a brewery tour at Miller Brewery, learn how the engines for the cult motorcycles are built at the Harley-Davidson Factory and admire an extensive art collection at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Afterwards, dine on fried cod at the venerable American Serb Hall restaurant. And while you’re waiting for your meal, you can plan which destination to head to next in your hire car.

Suggestion of a trip by hire car

Galena: Enchanting Town
A trip by hire car could begin in Galena. From Chicago, you can reach the place in about 3 hours. A charming old town awaits you in Galena whose streets are lined with 19th century homes. At the Old Market House, built in 1845, you can learn a lot about the history of the town. If you want to take trips into the gorgeous nature around the town, you can then direct your steps to Fever River Outfitters to rent a canoe, a bike or even snowshoes.

Springfield: In Lincoln’s Footsteps
Continue your tour to Springfield, which you’ll reach in four hours. In the capital of the state of Illinois. Since the former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer here from 1837 to 1861, there are numerous sights in Springfield that commemorate the politician.

Perhaps start your stroll at the Lincoln Home and Visitor Center and see the house where Lincoln lived before the White House in Washington became his residence, Presidential memorabilia can be admired when you visit the Lincoln Presidentials Library & Museum afterwards. Exhibits range from Lincoln’s briefcase to his shaving mirror. A visit to Lincoln’s grave is a fitting end to your sightseeing tour.

You’ll find it at Oak Rdge Cementry, which is just north of the city center. After strolling through Springfield, you’ll save yourself the long drive to Chicago, which would cost you another three-plus hours. Spend the night at the Inn at 835, a historic home with stylish rooms and warm service. And before you retire, you’ll have time to consider where to go next with your hire car.

conclusion

Chicago is a wonderful location for a trip by hire car. The city has endless things to offer and there are numerous places worth visiting in the wider area that can be easily reached by car. Use our handy price comparison tool to find a comfortable car at great rates.

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