Chicago is one of America’s most fascinating cities – famous for its architecture, shopping, museums and diverse neighborhoods. It’s also conveniently situated in the center of the country and easy to get to by car, rail or air. And the locals are quick to tell you that Chicago pizza really does taste the best!

Chicago O’Hare airport (ORD) is one of the largest and busiest in the world and is a hub for two major domestic airlines – American and United. From here, you can fly non stop to many places throughout the world; and the airport’s statistics are impressive – O’Hare sees around 2,400 flight arrivals and departures in a typical day, and every year around 75 million passengers use the airport.

O’Hare is located about seventeen miles northwest of downtown Chicago and it’s fairly easy to get into the city or anywhere else in the surrounding area. Limo and car services, as well as other ground transportation options, are available in the lower level near the main entrance of each of the airport’s four terminals. You can also find several information desks located at various places throughout the airport. A car service to Chicago downtown should cost from around $50 or so.

Because O’Hare is so huge and partly due to security regulations, there are some rules you should know if being picked up by limo. Cars are not allowed to park in front of terminals and can only pull over when passengers have retrieved any luggage and are ready to be picked up. While waiting, locate the door number that you are waiting at, and give this to the car service company – however due to local regulations, limos cannot pick you up outside the G and H doors at any terminal.

The other major airport serving Chicago is Midway, (MDW) which is closer to the city – about a twenty minute limo journey. If you are checking fares, be sure to compare Midway and O’Hare – Midway is often cheaper. Several other smaller airports also serve Chicago and the surrounding area – Gary, Chicago Executive airport and Million-Air Midway. Some limo companies offer service to and from these airports which primarily cater to charter service, corporate jets and private aircraft.

Hourly limo service rates in Chicago begin at around $40 for a luxury sedan car, and around $75 for a stretch limo, accommodating from six to eight passengers. A stretch limo for ten people may run about $90 an hour and if you need a vehicle to accommodate your group of twenty, plan on spending around $200 per hour for the service. Some limo companies may impose a minimum rental period – typically two or three hours – but there is usually no maximum rental time.

Keep in mind that there may be various extra fees added on – it isn’t unusual for the limo company to add on a gratuity of twenty percent. If a gratuity isn’t included – your driver will appreciate one! Airport trips are typically charged an additional $2 in tax and there may be extra charges for waiting time, additional stops on your route or extra luggage.

You aren’t usually charged for waiting time at the airport if your flight is delayed - which is often the case at O’Hare, especially during the winter. And unfortunately, Chicago O’Hare also suffers from a chronically overcrowded flight schedule, which also causes delays - always check flight status with your airline.

If you are thinking of renting a limo to sightsee in Chicago, there is plenty to see in the Windy City. The city is famous for being the birthplace of the skyscraper and still boasts what was at one time the world’s tallest building – the Sears Tower. Michigan Avenue is the place to go for excellent shopping and if you want to sample some authentic jazz or blues music, your limo driver can take you somewhere off the beaten track.

And several world class museums can be found in the city, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium. Families with children enjoy the Navy Pier with its shops, rides and restaurants – in fact, Chicago’s Navy Pier is the biggest tourist attraction in the Midwest.

Limo companies offer various escorted tours of Chicago – you can take a basic two hour city tour for around $15 per person. Popular tours include architecture based tours, night time tours taking in dinner and an authentic blues club, and tours of the city’s ethnic neighborhoods. There is even a whale-watching tour on Lake Michigan – despite the fact that no whales have ever been sighted there! It’s a great excuse to have a wonderful view of the city’s famous skyline.

America’s third largest city has a lot to offer visitors – whether you are in the city for business or sightseeing. The services of an experienced and professional limo driver will make your trip even more enjoyable.