Airport Parking vs Limo Service
O'Hare parking runs $17-$60 per day. Midway runs $13-$32. But the sticker price is not the full cost. Here is what you actually pay when you factor in gas, tolls, time, and risk.
All-inclusive · gratuity, fees & tax included · no peak
Choose a vehicle to lock the all-in total
By paying you agree to the Cancellation & Service Agreement (v2026-08-20). Check the box at Pay.
Cancellation policy · Download agreement PDF · Terms · v2026-08-20
O'Hare Parking Rates
Current 2026 rates for all O'Hare parking options.
| Lot | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
Economy Lot E/F Cheapest. Remote lot, ATS shuttle required. | $17 | $119 |
Economy Lot G (O'Hare Express) Off-site, Mannheim Rd. Free shuttle. | $14 | $98 |
Main Garage (Hourly) Connected to terminals. Fills by 8am. | $60 | $420 |
Main Garage (Daily) Same garage, daily rate level 5+. | $35 | $245 |
International Terminal 5 Only for international flights. | $35 | $245 |
Midway Parking Rates
| Lot | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
Economy Lot (Cicero Ave) Remote. Free shuttle, runs every 10 min. | $13 | $91 |
Garage A (Hourly) Connected to terminal. Often full. | $32 | $224 |
Garage A (Daily) Same garage, daily rate on upper levels. | $22 | $154 |
Trip-by-Trip Cost Breakdown
Five real scenarios comparing total parking cost vs flat-fare limo service.
3-Day Business Trip
Downtown Chicago → O'Hare
Self-Drive + Parking
Economy $17/day x 3 = $51 | Garage $35-$60/day x 3 = $105-$180
+ Gas & Tolls: $15-$25
Royal Carriage Limo
Sedan both ways. Meet & greet, flight tracking, luggage handled. Door to door.
Bottom line: Under 3 days with economy parking, driving is cheaper. But you spend 40+ min on shuttles and schlepping luggage.
5-Day Vacation
NW Suburbs (Palatine/Schaumburg) → O'Hare
Self-Drive + Parking
Economy $17/day x 5 = $85 | Garage $35-$60/day x 5 = $175-$300
+ Gas & Tolls: $8-$15
Royal Carriage Limo
Sedan from your door, both ways. No parking hunt. Car stays safe at home.
Bottom line: Limo is competitive with garage parking ($175-$300 for 5 days): and you skip the shuttle, luggage haul, and car exposure. Economy parking wins on pure dollars, but there's no meet-and-greet and no flight tracking.
7-Day International Trip
Downtown Chicago → O'Hare
Self-Drive + Parking
Economy $17/day x 7 = $119 | Garage $35-$60/day x 7 = $245-$420
+ Gas & Tolls: $15-$25
Royal Carriage Limo
Sedan both ways. International terminal meet inside baggage claim. 60-min free wait for customs.
Bottom line: Limo is cheaper than every option except economy. And you skip the 20-min shuttle ride with 3 suitcases after a 10-hour flight.
Weekend Getaway (2 Days)
South Suburbs → Midway
Self-Drive + Parking
Economy $13/day x 2 = $26 | Garage $22-$32/day x 2 = $44-$64
+ Gas & Tolls: $10-$18
Royal Carriage Limo
Sedan both ways from your door. No lot shuttle. No car break-in risk.
Bottom line: Short trips from the south side favor self-parking on pure cost. The limo advantage is reliability and security, door-to-terminal, no shuttle, no lot exposure. Factor in 800+ car break-ins at Midway in 2024 and that changes the calculation.
10-Day European Trip
North Shore (Highland Park/Lake Forest) → O'Hare
Self-Drive + Parking
Economy $17/day x 10 = $170 | Garage $35-$60/day x 10 = $350-$600
+ Gas & Tolls: $20-$30
Royal Carriage Limo
SUV both ways (extra luggage space for international travel). Door-to-door from North Shore.
Bottom line: Limo is cheaper than garage parking ($350-$600 for 10 days) and comparable to economy: plus you return to a car safely at home, no shuttle after a 10-hour flight, and 60-min free wait for customs.
Hidden Costs of Airport Parking
Gas & Tolls
I-90/94 tolls alone are $3.80-$7.60 depending on I-PASS status. Gas for a round trip to O'Hare from the suburbs averages $8-$15.
Shuttle Wait Time
Economy lot shuttles run every 10-15 min. Add 5-10 min for the ride. That is 30-60 min of your trip spent waiting for buses.
Vehicle Wear
IRS standard mileage rate is $0.70/mile (2026). Even at 50% of that, a 40-mile round trip costs $14+ in vehicle depreciation.
Car Break-In Risk
Midway economy lot and O'Hare remote lots are frequent targets. Broken windows, stolen valuables, and insurance deductibles add up.
Weather Exposure
Dragging luggage through a Chicago economy lot in January wind chill of -15F is a real experience. A sedan at the terminal door is not.
Stress & Time
Parking search, shuttle, walking, elevator. On return: find car, warm up, scrape ice, pay, exit. A limo drops you at the door.
Parking vs Limo FAQ
Is it cheaper to park at O'Hare or take a limo?
For trips of 5+ days, a flat-fare limo ($149 each way = $260 total) is competitive with O'Hare garage parking ($175-$300 for 5 days): and you skip the shuttle, luggage haul, and car exposure. For 2-3 day trips, economy parking ($34-$51) plus gas/tolls ($20) is cheaper on pure dollars, but you lose 45+ min on shuttles each way.
How much does parking at Midway airport cost?
Midway economy lot is $13/day ($91/week). Garage A daily rate is $22/day. Hourly garage parking is $32/day. All lots accept credit cards and I-PASS for exit.
What are the hidden costs of airport parking?
Gas and tolls ($8-$30), vehicle wear ($14+ per round trip), shuttle time (30-60 min total), car break-in risk, and weather exposure. These add $30-$75 to the sticker price of parking.
When does a limo become cheaper than parking?
For O'Hare: at 5+ days with economy parking, or 3+ days with garage parking. For Midway: at 7+ days with economy, or 4+ days with garage. From the suburbs, limo often wins at 4+ days because there is no gas or toll cost.
Can I split a limo to the airport with other travelers?
Yes. A Sprinter van at $340 split among 6 travelers is about $57 per person, cheaper than any parking option and far more comfortable. Call (224) 801-3090 to arrange group airport transfers.
Door-to-Terminal. No Parking Required.
Airport transfers from $149. Includes meet and greet, flight tracking, and 60 min free wait time for international arrivals.
Lock Your Chicago Airport Parking Vs Transfer
Flat-fare ORD + MDW + Loop · Same chauffeur all trip · 4.9★ · No peak pricing