One thing to consider when sightseeing in Okinawa is whether or not to rent a car.
“It’s my first time traveling to Okinawa—how should I get around?”
“There are buses and the monorail, maybe I don’t need a rental car?”
Many people may have these kinds of concerns.
To get straight to the point: if you have a driver’s license, we strongly recommend renting a car without hesitation!
↓↓ Click here for our recommended affordable rental car stores! ↓↓
This article explains the reasons why renting a car is highly recommended when traveling in Okinawa.
3 Major Benefits of Renting a Car in Okinawa!
There are many advantages to renting a car, but here we’ll focus on the top three we especially want to highlight.
Access your destinations conveniently
Using a rental car often makes it easier and quicker to reach your destination compared to using buses or the monorail.
Okinawa is very much a car-centric society.
For example, a place that might take 20 minutes to reach by bus or monorail could take only 10 minutes by rental car.
Easier Access to Hidden Spots
Rental cars are not only useful for getting to popular destinations, but also great for exploring off-the-beaten-path locations.
Especially if you want to go somewhere not covered by public transportation like buses or the monorail, your options are limited to taxis or rental cars.
If you’re the type of traveler who doesn’t worry about expenses, a taxi might work, but visiting multiple hidden spots by taxi can add up quickly. That’s why renting a car is definitely worth considering.
The Flexibility to Create Your Own Schedule
It’s common for travel plans to change—you might want to stay longer than expected or leave earlier.
With a rental car, you can adjust your schedule on the fly without being restricted by bus times or waiting, giving you more freedom to enjoy your trip. That’s one of the biggest advantages.
Features of Each Transportation Method
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Rental Car | ・Move freely at any time & Flexibility in schedule and location | ・Can be expensive depending on the season*Early booking can help reduce costs! |
| Bus | ・Lower price | ・Limited operating hours・May require long walks from bus stops depending on the location |
| Taxi | ・Move freely at any time & Flexibility in schedule and location | ・Can be costly・Easy to catch in urban areas, but may take time in remote areas |
| Monorail | ・Lower price | ・Limited destinations and coverage |
Save on Your Trip with GO!GO! Tour Car Rental!
What is GO!GO! Tour Car Rental?
This is a budget rental car website that can save you over 10,000 yen compared to average prices.
By using credit card prepayment at GO!GO! Tour Car Rental, you can enjoy lower rates.
It offers a wide range of vehicles—from compact cars for 4–5 people to larger cars for 7–8 people—all of which are eligible for prepayment discounts.
Since the end of the pandemic, car rental prices in Okinawa have been on the rise each year.
Why not rent a car at a lower price and use the money you save to create more unforgettable memories?
Save on Marine Sports with GO!GO! Tour Car Rental
By using GO!GO! Tour Car Rental, you can also get a 500 yen discount on marine sports activities!
Many people include marine sports as one of the top things to do during their trip to Okinawa.
This plan, which offers great value for those who use rental cars in Okinawa, is definitely worth checking out!
Summary
Buses, monorails, and taxis can all be convenient at times, but to fully enjoy your trip to Okinawa, renting a car is essential.
Make the most of the unique advantages that only a rental car can offer—convenience when visiting tourist spots, easy access to hidden gems, and complete flexibility in scheduling. Enjoy your trip to the fullest!
