Car hire in Nara, Japan

Compare car hire from trusted providers

Book car hire with confidence

Save big on car hire in Nara

Find a cheap car hire deal

Search for Nara car hire near you

Choose from 13 pick-up spots

Select your Nara pick-up location

There are 13 car hire providers in Nara. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Nara

Hiring a car in Nara: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyHertz
Most popular carCompact, Crossover
Average daily priceRs21,470
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Nara

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Nara car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Nara

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Nara for an average of Rs21,470 a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, helping you find and book the best deal fast.

  • The cheapest daily rental price in Nara is Rs12,666.

  • Taking a longer break? Grab a weekly rental from Rs88,661 and explore more than just the top attractions.

  • Pick up the best price on a Nara car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get a better deal and more choice.

  • Nissan Rent a Car, Orix and Rakuten are among the top-rated providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Nara car hire policy, whether you book with Nissan Rent a Car or a different supplier. Some may leave it out of the standard package and offer it as an extra.

  • Booking a one-way car hire is often a great hack for finding a deal. Click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can lock in some fantastic one-way prices on a car for rent in Nara.

  • Skip the hidden fees by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, and only pay for what you actually use.

  • Want to explore freely without worrying about how many miles you clock up? Find rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra costs.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll get the best value with this company. Prices average Rs27,552 a day.

  • Coming in second, [this provider]([this provider) offers daily rates of around Rs20,486.

  • The third option won't cost a fortune either. You'll pay roughly Rs23,616 a day with this supplier.

  • After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Compact rental category comes in as the leading choice for travellers visiting Nara.

Compare car hire types in Nara

  • Small: Whether you're zipping around busy cities or simply planning a quick trip, this car category offers big value in a small package. Including mini and economy classes, you can look forward to easy handling and excellent mileage.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine comfort, space and fuel efficiency. Easy to handle in traffic and roomy enough for longer drives, they work well for most plans.

  • Large: You've got the kids, the bags, the snacks, the works. Large vehicles have got the space to pack it all in without breaking a sweat. Great for longer journeys, this Nara car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or cruising along wide-open highways, many come with all-wheel drive to keep you steady on any road.

  • Van: Usually featuring commercial vans and trucks, this category of car for rent in Nara makes short work of heavy loads and large groups. They're tough, versatile, and ready to take on any task.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but is something to think about. If your vehicle is damaged, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a hefty excess fee. Different Nara car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Nara by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a GPS unit to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras to park like you're pulling off a choreographed routine.

Good to know

  • Age requirements often vary by company and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some suppliers in Japan may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, just uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Kids coming with you? Car seat requirements vary from one place to another, and the best setup may depend on their weight, age and height. Check if you need to add one to your Nara car hire reservation.

  • You'll need to hand over a few things when collecting your rental car: a valid driver's licence, extra photo ID, and a credit card that can cover the security deposit. Debit cards are generally not accepted. Any other requirements will be listed in your booking.

  • If you've never driven in Japan, remember that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.

  • Follow the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 55kph in urban areas and 85kph or so on highways, unless road signs indicate differently.

  • In Japan, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.03%. If you're planning to have a drink or two, pass the keys to someone else or find an alternative way to get around.

  • Aim to travel outside heavy traffic periods for a faster run in general. 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination.

  • The Japanese yen (JPY) is the currency you'll be using for day-to-day expenses and activities. Pay with a card when it's convenient, but have some cash handy when electronic payments aren't available.

Best hotels in Nara for drivers

  • Offering parking, VILLA COMMUNICO,Nara makes it easy to come and go as you please. This hotel is about 5 kilometres from central Nara and also comes with a restaurant and internet access.

  • Iroha Grand Hotel Kintetsu Nara Ekimae also works well for a trip built around driving. It features parking, along with express check-in and express check-out. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 6 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Explore the full lineup of hotels in Nara and pick the stay that suits your trip. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with on-site charging.

  • After you've found a car hire deal in Nara and the right hotel, it's time to plan where to go first. Daibutsu-den, Todaiji Temple Cultural Centre and Nara Park are classics for any first-time visitor.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Nara

  • Shift gears and take off to Osaka. Around 32 kilometres west of central Nara, it's home to must-do sights like Dotonbori and Osaka Castle.

  • Popular accommodation options with parking in Osaka include Hotel Plaza Osaka and RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection by IHG.

  • Add Wakayama to your journey too. Grab your cheap car hire in Nara and drive roughly 80 kilometres southwest to take in top spots such as Jogasaki Coast and Mt. Tengu.

  • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Wakayama and Wakayama Daiichi Fuji Hotel are comfy places to stay in Wakayama if you're sticking around for a bit. Choose one of these and take the hassle out of finding a spot for your ride.

  • Book a room at Le.Blanche or Sunset View Hotel Keinoumi. Use one of them as your base and enjoy everything Minato has to offer. They also come with parking.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Nara will set you back around Rs21,470 per day or Rs150,287 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Nara is an intermediate estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Compact, Crossover.
The cheapest car hire companies in Nara are currently Nissan Rent a Car and NIPPON Rent A Car.
On average, around Rs150,287. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Nara is Rs88,661.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Nara, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Nara that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Nara.
Most places – Nara included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is Rs14,201 per day. The average price per day is around Rs15,326.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Hertz, Toyota Rent A Car and Orix offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Hertz as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Nara.