How Much Does Daily Chicago O’Hare Parking Really Cost?

Alright, let’s just be real—parking at O’Hare is highway robbery, and everyone knows it. You wanna keep some cash for your trip instead of dumping it all into a slab of concrete? You gotta know where to look. ZAL PARKING? Total game-changer, honestly. They’re out here undercutting airport prices and actually giving you some options, which is a miracle in itself. But, yeah, parking prices at O’Hare jump around more than a squirrel on Red Bull—depends on where you land your car, how long you’re gone, and, of course, if the entire city of Chicago had the same idea that day.

So here’s the scoop

O’Hare’s parking is like a buffet, but with regret instead of food. Flying out for a quick work thing, or vanishing for a two-week bender in Cabo? Doesn’t matter, they’ve got a spot for you. Some are right up front, practically inside the terminal (translation: prepare your wallet for pain), others are out in the middle of nowhere, so bring comfy shoes or pray the shuttle isn’t on a lunch break. ZAL? Kinda hits the sweet spot—decent prices, not sketchy, and you won’t have to fight off raccoons to get to your car.

So, what are your options? Here’s the no-nonsense list:

- Daily Parking

- Economy Parking

- Valet (for when you’re feeling fancy or just lazy)

- Terminal Parking

- Off-Site with Shuttles (ZAL’s bread and butter)

And, yeah, brace yourself for the price tags:

- Daily — $35

- Economy — $15 (pretty solid, honestly)

- Valet — $50 (look, your car gets pampered, but your bank account suffers)

- Terminal — $40

 But if it’s a week or more? That number multiplies fast. ZAL PARKING throws in some deals if you’re parking for a while, which helps. Watch out for extra fees if your plans change or you want the VIP treatment.

Here’s the rundown:

Daily Parking is for people who hate money or really value their time, Economy is the planner’s move, and ZAL? That’s the Goldilocks pick—safe, not a ripoff, shuttle’s always running, and you can actually relax about your car not getting towed by the airport police for existing.

Now, the ZAL PARKING lowdown:

They’re all about making things suck less. Short-term, long-term, whatever you need. They’re close enough to O’Hare that you’re not embarking on some epic journey just to get to your flight. Shuttle service is actually decent—no horror stories about waiting an hour in the cold. Your car’s locked up tight, not chilling out in the open like bait.

Why bother with ZAL?

Number one, they’re cheaper—like, noticeably. O’Hare’s parking could set you back a hundred bucks a week (maybe more if there’s, I dunno, a convention or the Bears are in town). ZAL’s usually around $70 for the week, and you won’t need a sherpa to get to your terminal. The shuttle actually appears, which is more than I can say for some places. Booking online is brain-dead easy, and the staff are actual humans (for now).

• If you love a good chart, here ya go:

  
  

• Parking Type | Cost (Weekly)

  
  

• O’Hare Official | $100–$200

  
  

• ZAL PARKING | $70

Those savings? They add up. Especially if you’re always flying out or, like me, just allergic to wasting money on anything that isn’t food or fun.

Want to save even more?

Off-site like ZAL is usually your best bet, but booking ahead is clutch—walk-ups get gouged. Scour the internet for promo codes (they’re out there, trust me), and if you’re feeling social, carpool or just rideshare and skip all the parking drama.

Bottom line—don’t just roll up to O’Hare and trust the universe. A tiny bit of planning saves you a ton of cash and stress. Book early, shop around, maybe give ZAL PARKING a shot. Your wallet will be less angry. You’ll probably even have money left for airport snacks, and that’s saying something.