Okinawa car hire information
| Pick-up location | Okinawa |
|---|---|
| Car types | Compact, Economy, Passenger van |
| Hire locations | 19 |
| Airport locations | 10 |
| Popular agencies | Budget |
Cheap car hire in Okinawa
| Economy | £37/day |
| Compact | £37/day |
| Passenger van | £93/day |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Okinawa
- Cheap car hire in Okinawa offers great flexibility for touring the area. There are some roads you will likely encounter, as they are primary to the city. One such road is Route 58. This is a major north-south road that runs the length of the island. It is the main route for getting around Naha and the southern part of the island. It can be busy, especially during rush hour, so it is important to allow extra time for travel. Another main road is Route 331, which runs along the east coast of the island. It is a scenic route that offers beautiful views of the ocean. It can be narrow and winding in some areas, so it is important to drive cautiously.
- There are two toll roads that you will likely come across when driving your hire car in Okinawa. The Okinawa Expressway is a major toll road from Naha to the island's northern area. The other toll road in Okinawa is the Naha Airport Expressway. This toll road connects Naha Airport (OKA) to the Okinawa Expressway. It is a convenient way to get to the expressway if you're arriving or departing from the airport. If you plan on using these roads, make sure to have cash or an ETC card to pay the tolls. If you're hiring a car, most car hire companies have ETC cards available to lend to you.
- The drunk driving laws in Okinawa, Japan, are very strict and carry severe penalties. Drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.03% or higher are considered to be driving under the influence. If caught driving under the influence, penalties can include imprisonment and fines. It is recommended to not drink and drive and instead use alternative transport means or designated drivers when consuming alcohol.
- Car hire in Okinawa offers travellers considerably more freedom of movement for travelling around this fascinating island than would otherwise be possible. Although Japan is justifiably famous for its excellent public transportation, it cannot cover everywhere you might like to go, and it is here that you will find hiring a car presents some major advantages. Attractions on Okinawa can be very spread out and hard to reach without a vehicle.
- There are 13 airports on Okinawa, but only Naha Airport (OKA) serves international routes. Car hire in Okinawa is very straightforward, and several major international and Japanese car hire companies can be found at Naha Airport, including Budget, ABC, Europcar, Nissan, Nippon Car Hire, Orix and Alamo. Okinawa Rent-A-Car, located on the arrivals level of the airport, is immediately available to travellers on arrival. Other agencies also serve the airport but are located nearby rather than inside the airport building itself. If you contact your preferred agency on arrival, they will pick you up and take you to their offices.
- Naha is a relatively small city and getting around should not present too many problems. You should be sure to keep your International Driving Permit, local driving licence and passport on you at all times while driving in Japan. Traffic in the city is generally orderly, and drivers tend to be respectful of road rules. The same is usually true of pedestrians, and you will not need to worry much about jaywalkers or other such minor traffic hazards.
- Naha city is quite small, and the biggest difficulty you are likely to face is rush-hour congestion. As the city is not large and is well served by public transport, many residents prefer not to drive inside the city, which is well set up for both pedestrians and patrons of the buses and monorail. The drivers of the city, however, tend to conglomerate at rush hour, which is from 06:00-07:00 in the morning and 19:00-20:00 in the evening, and, perhaps surprisingly, it registers as the slowest rush-hour traffic in the country. Outside the city, driving is very straightforward and you are unlikely to face any significant difficulties. Something to bear in mind when driving outside the city, however, is that many roads on the island are subject to tolls, which you need to pay to pass.
- 25% of our users found a car hire in Okinawa for £54 or less
- Book your car hire in Okinawa at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Compact car hire in Okinawa are around 36% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about car hire in Okinawa
What type of car is recommended for driving in Okinawa?
When considering car hire in Okinawa, smaller cars are preferable over larger ones for maneuverability and ease of parking. Fuel economy may also be a consideration, as cutting down on petrol expenses makes pretty obvious sense, especially if you intend to do a lot of driving during your stay.
What’s the speed limit in Okinawa?
Unless specifically signposted otherwise, the official speed limit on Okinawa is 100 km/h on expressways and 60 km/h on other roads. There are few police officers enforcing these limits, but speed cameras are in operation on many routes.
Where are the best places to park in Okinawa?
An advantage of Okinawa car hire is that many hire companies can secure free parking in certain locations in Naha city for drivers of their vehicles. Normally, parking in the city costs and prices can vary. There are a number of car parks and some metered on-street parking. It is illegal to park outside of designated areas in the city and you should be sure not to park anywhere illegally, as there are quite stiff penalties for doing so and these are strictly enforced.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Okinawa?
On average a car hire in Okinawa costs £57 per day.
How much is the price of fuel in Okinawa?
The average price of fuel in Okinawa is £3.49 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between £42 and £56, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Okinawa?
Compact (Class Compact Car or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Okinawa.
Which car hire agencies are at Naha airport (OKA)?
Car hire companies onsite at Naha airport include Budget and Nippon Rent-A-Car.
Which car hire companies will pick you up at Naha airport (OKA)?
Car hire companies that offer shuttle or pick-up services from Naha airport to off-airport locations include Budget, Nippon Rent-A-Car and Times.
How can I find car hires near me in Okinawa?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Okinawa?
A Compact car hire in Okinawa costs £41 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Okinawa?
An Economy car hire in Okinawa costs £42 per day, on average.
What is the most popular car hire location in Okinawa?
In Okinawa, cars are most frequently hired at Flight Rent A Car 1-chome-12-2 Kanagusuku,Naha,Okinawa（The staff picks up the airport with a sign, the meeting point: the arrival hall of the international flight） (15 miles from city centre).
How much does a car hire in Okinawa cost for a week?
On average a car hire in Okinawa costs £397 per week (£57 per day).
How much does a car hire in Okinawa cost for a month?
On average a car hire in Okinawa costs £1,701 per month (£57 per day).
Should I get insurance when hiring a car in Okinawa?
Most car hire providers in Okinawa offer insurance but the level of protection can differ substantially. If you're unsure whether to get extra protection for your car hire in Okinawa, check out KAYAK's car hire insurance guide.
What are the child car safety seat laws in Okinawa?
Child car safety seat laws in Okinawa mandate that children under six years of age and weighing less than 18 kg must be secured in a proper child car seat while in a vehicle. Children who are too large for a car seat should be secured with a seat belt. For cheap car hire in Okinawa, make sure to book any required seats in advance.
How old should I be to hire a car in Okinawa?
To book a hire car, you need to be at least 18 years old, as that is the required age for driving in Japan. Some Okinawa car hire companies may have additional requirements, such as a minimum age of 21 or 25 or a minimum number of years of driving experience.
Okinawa car hire reviews and directory
Budget
10.0
Wonderful
1 reviewCleanliness
10.0
Comfort
9.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
9.3
One location in Okinawa
Alamo
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Okinawa
Avis
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
Cleanliness
10.0
Comfort
10.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
10.0
Value for money
10.0
One location in Okinawa
Nippon Rent-A-Car
7.0
Good
No reviews available
One location in Okinawa
Nissan Rent-A-Car
6.0
Okay
No reviews available
3 locations in Okinawa
Times
4.4
Mediocre
No reviews available
3 locations in Okinawa
ORIX Rent a Car
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
One location in Okinawa
Hertz
8.5
Very Good
No reviews available
2 locations in Okinawa
Toyota Rent a Car
8.0
Very Good
No reviews available
One location in Okinawa
keddy by Europcar
6.4
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Okinawa
Thrifty
6.0
Okay
No reviews available
One location in Okinawa
You I Rent A Car
No score available yet
2 locations in Okinawa
One location in Okinawa
Locations in Okinawa
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Okinawa
When to book a car hire in Okinawa
Car hire insurance in Okinawa
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver
Some Okinawa car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend being aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Okinawa.
Deductible
Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a non-deductible option to your Okinawa car hire.