Chicago O’Hare International Airport (airport code: ORD) is a very popular destination for international air travel. There are plenty of parking areas around the airport, along with lots of locations for motorhome and campervan hire, although many more are just outside of the city. Upon your arrival, you can now have an option to pick up an RV rental in O’Hare Airport. By comparing camper deals at VroomVroomVroom, you can easily find the best vehicle for your next road trip.
The airport was developed around 1949 as a factory where Douglas C-54 planes were built during World War II. After the war, this jet plant became an airport and was known as Orchard Field Airport. At that time, Chicago had an airport known as Midway International Airport, but it was becoming too crowded. The city came up with a plan for developing the Orchard Field Airport into the main Chicago airport. Today, O’Hare is one of the busiest international airport destinations in the United States.
Chicago O’Hare Airport is not your ordinary, average airport. This airport stands out with features such as dining restaurants with local and international cuisine, plenty of gift stores, several newsstands, boutiques, a hydroponic garden, a play area for your kids, and much more. Curbside waiting is prohibited at Chicago O’Hare Airport. Therefore, a cell phone lot is provided while waiting for arriving passengers. This eliminates circling the airport, as well as preventing traffic congestion. Taxi stands are provided at each terminal, which can make it more convenient for you to get to one of the destinations.
Chicago Northwest KOA is the closest motorhome campground to Chicago and to Chicago O’Hare Airport. The KOA is around 50 miles away on South Union Road in Union, Illinois. This RV park provides electrical hookups, free Wi-Fi, propane service, a gated entrance, a laundry facility, firewood service, and much more. Aside from that, this RV park features a swimming pool, a pavilion, miniature golf, basketball court, volleyball court, horseshoes, a large playground, and more.
Kankakee South KOA is probably the second closest campervan rental park to Chicago O’Hare Airport, being only one hour away on South Road in Chebanse. The park provides electrical hookups, propane service, free Wi-Fi, firewood services, free garbage pick-up, cement pads, select cement patios, and much more. Aside from that, this motorhome park features a swimming pool, a game room, a pavilion, basketball & volleyball courts, and more.
Seven Eagles RV Resort and Campground is a little over 2 1/2 hours from the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and is located on Route 84 in Savanna. The park provides electrical hookups, cement patios, water, sewer, and much more. Aside from that, this campervan rental park features a swimming pool, a theater room, a fishing pond, a large clubhouse, and much more.
Shedd Aquarium, located on South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, features plenty of galleries, exhibits, aquatic shows, and animals to fill your family’s afternoon with fun. Drive your rented motorhome and explore whales, penguins, octopuses, lizards, sharks, and many other creatures. Take time to enjoy one of several live dolphin shows or perhaps hang out at the Polar Play Zone. Visit Waters of the World for an immense display of wildlife in oceans, islands, and lakes.
The Field Museum, located on S. Lake Shore Dr. in Chicago, features an exploration in science with 3-D films, towering dinosaur bones, 24 million specimens and objects from around the world, and much more. Drive your RV rental over to this cool museum and explore zoology, geology, and anthropology like you never have before! Have fun learning about conservation and cultural diversity. The fun in this museum never ends.
On hiring an RV at Chicago O’Hare Airport
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book an RV a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring an RV, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right RV for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the RV you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with RVs, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent an RV, start researching today, and when you find the right RV for you, book it!
One more point, another way RV rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make an RV booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your RV rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to RVs and not sure where to start, please give our RV rental information page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring an RV at Chicago O’Hare Airport tends to look at RVs with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of RV you should hire at Chicago O’Hare Airport depends very much on the type of RV you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the RV you hire at Chicago O’Hare Airport is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact RV to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic RVs often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Chicago O’Hare Airport and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard RV. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Denver — or Los Angeles — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as RVs vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking an RV for pickup from Chicago O’Hare Airport, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect RV for you.
For most rental RV providers, the minimum age to rent an RV is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the RV rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the RV rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent an RV — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for RV hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective RV provider prior to booking.
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