Be prepared to pay more to park this holiday season at Chicago’s two commercial airports. The Chicago Airport System has raised rates at both O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW). While per-day rates in the hourly garages won’t change — remaining at $50 — others will, and in at least one instance will rise quite dramatically.
The new per day rate for daily parking at ORD is $30. It used to be $26. The Main Valet charge is now $45. It was $32. The price for parking your car for a day at ORD’s International facility saw the most precipitous leap. It’s now $50 per day. The previous charge was a significantly more modest $30.
The Economy lot is, by far, still the best deal. Although the new rate of $16 per day is more than it used to be ($13), it’s still good in comparison to the other on-airport options.
At close-in Chicago Midway (MDW) the new rate for daily parking is $28. It was $25. The economy lot remains a good buy: $14 now, as compared to $12 before.
The Chicago Airport System says the “new rates are intended to steer cost-conscious travelers to economy lots at both Midway and O’Hare Airports, and help keep the close-in main terminal garages open and available”.
Currently, those latter garages close on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week because of capacity constraints.
Cheapflights’ suggestion to avoid parking problems altogether? Ride the train to either O’Hare or Midway. It’s cheap, and convenient.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler
