O’Hare parking costs $3 for the first hour, $16–$63 per day on airport lots, and $43 near most terminals.
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Driving to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) only looks simple until the parking math starts. The useful answer to how much is parking at O’Hare comes down to the lot: the cheapest official airport parking is $16 per day in Economy Lots G and H, while terminal-adjacent daily parking is $43 per day and the closest covered terminal tier is $63 per day.
For most overnight trips, the money decision is simple: use Economy Lot G or H when price matters, use Economy Lot F when covered long-term parking is worth $30 per day, and use the garage or Lots B and C when walking time matters more than cost. Hourly Level 1 parking is meant for short stops, not full-day storage.
How Much Does Each O’Hare Parking Lot Cost?
O’Hare parking costs range from $3 for the first hour to $63 for a full day in the closest terminal tier. Economy Lots G and H are the lowest official airport rate for overnight parking at $16 per day.
Rates below use the airport’s posted drive-up prices and include taxes. If a lot is full, airport signs and the real-time parking module can redirect drivers before they reach the terminals.
| O’Hare Parking Option | Current Posted Rate | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| Main Garage Hourly, Level 1 | $3 first hour; $79 for 8–24 hours | Pickup, drop-off, or stops under 3 hours |
| Main Garage Daily, Levels 2–6 | $43 for 8–24 hours | Domestic terminals when walking time matters |
| Daily Lots B and C | $43 for 8–24 hours | Outdoor terminal-adjacent parking |
| Terminal 5 Garage and Lot D | $43 for 8–24 hours | International Terminal 5 departures |
| Economy Lot F | $30 for 4–24 hours | Covered long-term parking at the Multi-Modal Facility |
| Economy Lot G | $16 for 1–24 hours | Lowest official on-airport rate |
| Economy Lot H | $16 for 1–24 hours | Low-cost long-term parking with shuttle access |
| Closest Covered Terminal Tier | $63 daily | Shortest walk to Terminals 1 and 3 |
Short-Term Parking: Use Hourly Only Under Three Hours
O’Hare hourly parking makes sense only for short terminal visits. Level 1 of the Main Garage costs $3 for up to 1 hour, $6 for 1–2 hours, $10 for 2–3 hours, and $14 for 3–4 hours.
The price jumps hard after that: 4–8 hours costs $36, and 8–24 hours costs $79. A driver leaving a car all day on Level 1 pays far more than the $43 daily garage rate on Levels 2–6.
- Use hourly parking for pickups when the traveler needs help with bags.
- Use the cell phone waiting area instead if you can stay with the car and wait for an arrival call.
- Move to daily or economy parking if the stop may stretch past 4 hours.
Long-Term Parking: Economy Lots Save The Most
O’Hare Economy Lots G and H are the lowest-cost official airport lots for overnight travel. Each costs $16 per day after the first hour, so a four-day trip costs about $64 before any added off-airport services.
Economy Lot F costs $30 per day and sits on floors 4 and 5 of the Multi-Modal Facility, which is useful if covered parking matters. Travelers from Economy Lots F, G, and H use the Airport Transit System and parking shuttles to reach the terminals, so build in extra time before security.
The official airport pages say Economy Lot G and H shuttles run to the Multi-Modal Facility, where travelers connect to the Airport Transit System. The same official parking section points travelers to real-time lot status on the official O’Hare parking information page.
Terminal Parking: Pay For The Walk, Not The Space
O’Hare terminal parking costs $43 per day in the Main Garage daily levels, outdoor Lots B and C, and Terminal 5 Garage or Lot D. The price buys location: these options sit closer to check-in than the economy lots.
Main Garage daily parking is on Levels 2–6, while Hourly parking is on Level 1. Terminal 5 has its own six-story garage plus adjacent Lot D, connected to the terminal by an enclosed pedestrian bridge.
Simple rule: choose $43 terminal parking for a one-night business trip or a late-night return; choose $16 economy parking for a longer trip when saving $27 per day is worth the shuttle and train connection.
What About Real-Time Availability And Payment?
O’Hare parking availability can change by lot, so checking the airport’s live status before leaving home prevents a terminal loop. Airport roadway signs also guide drivers toward open lots as they approach ORD.
Payments are made when exiting the lots. The official airport parking pages list cash and major cards as accepted payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and Carte Blanche.
Accessible parking is available in all parking areas, and the Parking Garage Office handles vehicle assistance, booted vehicles, and parking beyond 30 days. Call the Parking Garage Office before leaving a car for more than 30 days, because unarranged extended parking can be treated as abandoned.
Cost Examples For Common Trips
O’Hare parking totals rise fast on trips longer than a weekend. A week in Economy Lot G or H costs about $112, while a week in a $43 terminal lot costs about $301.
| Trip Length | Economy Lot G Or H | Terminal Daily Parking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $16 | $43 |
| 3 days | $48 | $129 |
| 5 days | $80 | $215 |
| 7 days | $112 | $301 |
The longer the trip, the more the shuttle trade-off pays. A family gone for 7 days can save about $189 by using Economy Lot G or H instead of terminal daily parking.
Parking Near O’Hare Overnight
An airport hotel near O’Hare can beat parking stress when you have a very early departure, a winter flight, or a long drive into Chicago. Compare the room cost against the parking total, then factor in sleep, shuttle timing, and whether the hotel offers its own parking terms.
For an early ORD departure or a late return, compare nearby airport stays before paying for the closest terminal lot:
When Parking At O’Hare Is Not Worth It
O’Hare parking may not be the right move when the parking bill is close to the price of a ride-share, taxi, CTA Blue Line trip, or off-airport parking lot. Solo travelers with light bags often spend less by using transit, while groups and families may still save by driving.
Off-airport lots near ORD can cost less than official airport lots, but they add shuttle time and vary by operator. Read the cancellation terms, shuttle hours, and return pickup instructions before choosing one for a late arrival.
If the trip is still flexible, flight timing can change the parking decision as much as the lot choice. A cheaper fare that requires 7 days of parking may not beat a slightly higher fare with a shorter trip length, so compare the full trip cost before locking it in:
Pick The Lot That Matches The Trip
O’Hare parking is easiest to choose by trip length: hourly parking for under 3 hours, Economy Lots G or H for the lowest overnight cost, and terminal daily parking when closeness matters. The closest covered terminal tier is for travelers who are paying to save steps, not to save money.
- Under 3 hours: Main Garage Hourly on Level 1 keeps pickup and drop-off simple.
- One overnight: Main Garage Daily or Lots B and C cost more, but reduce transfer time.
- Several days: Economy Lots G and H are the clear value at $16 per day.
- Covered long-term parking: Economy Lot F costs $30 per day and sits in the Multi-Modal Facility.
- Terminal 5 trip: Terminal 5 Garage or Lot D costs $43 per day and keeps you closest to that terminal.
For most leisure trips, the smartest official choice is Economy Lot G or H. For short work trips, late returns, or travelers carrying heavy bags, the $43 terminal options can be worth the higher daily cost.
References & Sources
- Chicago Department of Aviation.“Official O’Hare Parking Information.”Provides official O’Hare parking options, lot locations, payment details, parking office guidance, and real-time status direction.