Budget Hotels for Chicago Auto Show 2026 — Real Prices
Chicago Auto Show 2026
February 14-23, 2026
Price spike: 50-100%
Hotels near McCormick Place see moderate spikes. South Loop fills up first, then downtown overflow. Book at least 2 months ahead.
💡 Tip: Stay in Wrigleyville and take the Red Line to McCormick Place. You'll save $40-80/night versus South Loop hotels during the show.
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, held annually at McCormick Place. Over a million visitors attend across 10 days, making it one of the biggest hotel demand drivers in Chicago. Hotels in the South Loop and downtown see moderate price spikes of 50-100%, but budget options further out on the L train stay reasonable.
HI Chicago Hostel
0.5 mi from Magnificent Mile
Cheapest clean option downtown. Shared rooms. Kitchen access saves on meals. Great location.
Travelodge by Wyndham Chicago
2.5 mi from Magnificent Mile
Budget option further from downtown. CTA accessible. Clean enough for a night or two.
Freehand Chicago
0.2 mi from Magnificent Mile
Boutique hostel-hotel hybrid. Private rooms available. Excellent bar. Steps from Michigan Ave.
Congress Plaza Hotel
1.0 mi from Magnificent Mile
Historic landmark hotel. Grand lobby, dated rooms. $30 in hidden fees feels excessive for the condition.
Best Western River North
0.3 mi from Magnificent Mile
Premium location in River North. Rooms are standard chain quality. $24 in fees for the location tax.
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This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Prices shown were last verified on 2026-02-13 and may have changed. Event pricing reflects our best estimates and may vary.