Kyoto car hire
Search hundreds of hire car sites at once for hire car deals in Kyoto
Save up to 35%Compare multiple travel sites with one search.
Free to useThere are no hidden charges or fees.
Filter your dealsFilter by car type, brand and more. Instantly customise your results.
Book with flexibilityUse our "free cancellation" filter for maximum flexibility at no extra cost.
Cheap car rentals in Kyoto
| Mini |
| Economy |
| Compact |
| Intermediate |
| Standard |
| Full-size |
| Luxury |
| People mover |
| Passenger van |
| SUV |
| Commercial |
| Pick-up truck |
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Kyoto
- One of the key things about car hire in Kyoto is it gives you the opportunity to travel further out and explore nearby cities and sights without trying to figure out how to do it using public transport. You can take time out to drive to the formidable Kitayama Mountains or head down to Wakayama, Kii Peninsula. Osaka, Nara and Kobe are also located close by, and a trip in a Kyoto car hire is a good way to save on taxi fares and time.
- Airport car hire in Kyoto isn't possible, but there is car hire available at the nearest international airport, Osaka International (ITM), which is around 1h 20min away from the city by car. You'll find the international car hire desks at Kansai at the Aeroplaza, which is about a 3-minute walk from Terminal 1. Head along the 2F connection passage. Nippon Rent-A-Car is one of the most widely used companies and provides a wide range of choices for you.
- A couple of things to be aware of when driving inside Kyoto, traffic can be very busy and driving short distances end up taking longer than expected. The streets can be narrow with plenty of pedestrians, so you'll need to keep your eyes peeled. Honking is popular in Kyoto to signal cars passing and to tell pedestrians not to walk. If you're trying to travel during peak hours or on weekends, it's recommended that you rather walk around or use public transport in the city centre.
- One of the hardest things about driving in Kyoto is finding parking, especially during peak hours or over the weekend. If you're driving in the city during peak hours, be aware of pedestrians and expect to be stuck in traffic jams. If you're in the city centre, it's definitely easier to move around using public transport. Another thing to be aware of while driving in the city is bicycles and scooters. Locals use the road like they're driving a car and you'll be expected to give way to them.
- Book your rental car in Kyoto at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Mini rental cars in Kyoto are around 22% cheaper than other car types, on average
FAQs about renting a car in Kyoto
How much is the price of fuel in Kyoto?
The average price of fuel in Kyoto is $7.26 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of uel costs between $87 and $116, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Kyoto?
Mini (Suzuki Wagon R or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Kyoto.
How can I find car hires near me in Kyoto?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Mini car hire cost in Kyoto?
A Mini car hire in Kyoto costs $64 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Kyoto?
A Compact car hire in Kyoto costs $70 per day, on average.
How much does an Economy car hire cost in Kyoto?
An Economy car hire in Kyoto costs $84 per day, on average.
What is the most popular rental car location in Kyoto?
In Kyoto, cars are most frequently hired at Times 3-4-8 Hotarugaike Higashimachi, Toyonaka (38 km from city centre ).
What type of car is recommended for driving in Kyoto?
Because of the narrow streets in some places and the heavy traffic during peak times, it's recommended that your car hire in Kyoto is a small compact or mini model rather than anything larger. These are usually more fuel efficient and much easier to navigate, which will make driving easier in the city. If you need more space, stick to sedans that aren't very wide. Some of the popular choices in Kyoto include the Ford Focus, Nissan Fuga and Fiat Panda.
What’s the speed limit in Kyoto?
Kyoto road rules are the same as those across Japan, which you'll need to be aware of for longer journeys. Inside the city limits of Kyoto, the speed limit ranges between 30 km/h and 50 km/h and you'll need to look out for signposts letting you know what it is. Outside of the city and in more rural areas, the limit is 80 km/h, while the main highways in Japan are capped at 100 km/h. Bear in mind, that many of the locals don't pay attention to these rules and tend to drive a little faster.
Where are the best places to park in Kyoto?
Parking in Kyoto is notoriously difficult to find, especially close to the city centre. You'll need to keep your eyes open for parking garages. These usually have signs outside stating how much space is available and what the costs are. Unfortunately, there is very little chance of finding free parking in the city. If you're able to, consider finding a hotel near the city centre with free parking and keep your vehicle there for minor trips in Kyoto. Reserve your car for longer trips exploring the rest of the country.
Kyoto car rental reviews and directory
Hertz
7.5
Good
4 reviewsCleanliness
7.5
Comfort
7.5
Pick-up/Drop-off
7.5
Value for money
7.0
6 locations in Kyoto
Filters
Reviews
2.0 Poor
Apr 2021
Pros:
Nothing!Cons:
I reserved a minivan (Toyota Verso) through the Kayak website, and when I arrived at the pick-up location (Osaka Kansai Airport) they only had small cars available that weren’t suitable for my 6 person family. That would have forced us to rent two cars, which would have doubled the price. They blamed it on Kayak for false advertisement, because that location doesn’t even have minivans in their inventory. We chose to cancel both reservations (28 March and 02 April), and take a bus instead which was way cheaper than renting two small cars. Not sure I will ever make travel arrangements through Kayak again due to this fiasco.10.0 Wonderful
May 2023
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 Kyoto
Nissan Rent-A-Car
2.0
Poor
No reviews available
Cleanliness
2.0
Comfort
2.0
Pick-up/Drop-off
2.0
Value for money
2.0
4 locations in Kyoto
ORIX Rent a Car
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
5 locations in Kyoto
National
10.0
Wonderful
No reviews available
One location in Kyoto
Europcar
9.9
Wonderful
No reviews available
6 locations in Kyoto
Filters
No reviews available
Toyota Rent a Car
8.0
Very Good
No reviews available
21 locations in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
Filters
No reviews available
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
7.7
Good
No reviews available
One location in Kyoto
Nippon Rent-A-Car
7.3
Good
No reviews available
9 locations in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
Filters
No reviews available
Times
7.3
Good
No reviews available
7 locations in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
Filters
No reviews available
Sixt
7.3
Good
No reviews available
3 locations in Kyoto
keddy by Europcar
6.4
Okay
No reviews available
6 locations in Kyoto
2 locations in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
Go To Times Car Rental Counter 23-3 Kamitonoda-cho
+81 75 681 7779
Go To Times Car Rental Counter 811 Hongakuji Mae-cho
+81 75 361 0201
Filters
No reviews available
2 locations in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
Filters
No reviews available
One location in Kyoto
Locations in Kyoto
940 Higashishiokōjichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
+81 75 371 3020
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Kyoto
Good to know
Most popular car type | Mini |
|---|