View on JalanWe often get asked, “Are there any recommended car rental companies in Okinawa?” Depending on your travel style, I’ll explain which company is best for you.
[toc]The Importance of Rental Cars as a Means of Transportation During a Trip to Okinawa
Okinawa is home to numerous beautiful beaches and historic tourist attractions, making it difficult to fully enjoy sightseeing using public transportation alone. For this reason, rental cars play a vital role as a means of transportation during a trip to Okinawa. Renting a car offers many benefits, including greater flexibility and time savings.
4 Things to Check When Choosing a Rental Car
・Car Rental Rates
・Travel time from the airport to the store
・Coverage and Options
・Whether the company is a member of the Car Rental Association
When choosing a car rental company in Okinawa, there are four things you should pay special attention to—the ones listed above! Let me explain them in more detail.
Car Rental Rates
Many people place a high priority on price. Even when it comes to car rental rates, prices vary widely from company to company depending on the size of the business, its operating policies, and the time of year.
To put it simply,For used cars or older models, this falls within the price range known as "budget car rentals"This is common in small and medium-sized businesses.
On the other hand,The price goes up for new cars and vehicles that are relatively new.. This is common among major nationwide car rental companies.
Whether you choose a slightly older car for the lower price, prioritize comfort and safety with a reliable, state-of-the-art vehicle, or opt for a combination of both—this is a decision you should make based on your travel plans and budget.
Travel time from the airport to the store
Check how far away the car rental company's office is from the airport and how long it takes to get there.
One thing I often hear from my followers is,"Since the store is called '◯◯ Rent-A-Car Naha Airport Branch,' I thought it would be close to the airport, but the location I reserved turned out to be farther away than I expected..."That can happen, too. Sometimes they’ll pick you up at the airport, and you’ll arrive at the store in just a few minutes; other times, if you have to get there on your own without a ride, it can take 30 minutes by bus or monorail.
During peak season,It can sometimes take about an hour to get there and complete the necessary proceduresYes, there are. Many major car rental companies offer smart check-in via their apps to streamline cumbersome procedures, and some locations allow you to check out immediately upon arrival by simply checking a consent box during the online reservation process.
Coverage and Options
In Okinawa, we recommend purchasing liability insurance just in case. While the coverage details are largely the same, the daily rates vary by rental car company: the Standard Plan ranges from about 1,100 to 1,650 yen per day, while the “Morimori” Plan costs about 2,200 yen per day. It’s important to note that for a one-night, two-day rental, you’ll almost always be charged for two days’ worth of coverage.
In addition, optional services are a key way for rental car companies to set themselves apart from the competition. Child seats—which are currently required for children under 6 years of age—cost between 550 and 1,100 yen per day. However, some rental car companies offer them for free.
If you want to keep your rental car costs down, you should compare prices based on the total amount—which includes the base rate plus insurance and optional extras. Some tourists seem to focus so much on saving money that they choose a plan without airport pickup; if the rental office is far away, they end up wasting time and money on taxis or buses, and the stress they experience can outweigh the financial savings.
Be sure to check the store's location in advance.
Check if the company is a member of the Okinawa Prefecture Car Rental Association
People sometimes ask us, “Which car rental company is safe and reliable?” We’re just Okinawa enthusiasts—we don’t know the ins and outs of the car rental industry. When that happens, there’s one thing we always make sure to tell them.
"I think companies that are members of the Okinawa Prefecture Car Rental Association are generally reliable!"
There is an association with the above name in Okinawa Prefecture. It appears that the association facilitates information sharing among its member groups and conducts thorough maintenance and inspections to ensure that tourists can enjoy their trips with peace of mind.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with companies that aren’t members of the association. However, I feel more at ease with rental car companies that have been approved by the Rental Car Association. The association’s official website also provides specific details about the initiatives undertaken by its member companies.
Recommended Car Rental Companies in Okinawa
To ensure that everyone has a safe, accident-free, and enjoyable trip to Okinawa, please take care when choosing a rental car company.
For those of you thinking, “This is my first trip to Okinawa, so I don’t know anything!”I've put together a guide website for car rentals in Okinawa.I’ve gotten a pretty good sense of the rates for about 30 car rental companies, and I’ve tried to put together a clear summary of which companies are close to the airport and offer the best value for the money (lol).
