Nanaimo car hire
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Cheap car hire in Nanaimo
KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Nanaimo
- Since it’s an island-bound city, booking your car hire in Nanaimo is the best way to ensure you have a hassle-free trip. This way, you can travel via a passenger plane, helicopter, or even a seaplane. Once you’ve picked up your rental car in Nanaimo, you’ll have the freedom to explore the city fully without having to fit your schedule around public transport times. You can also venture out to Victoria, the Pacific Marine Circle Route, and all the beautiful beaches, fishing villages, and mountains that surround Nanaimo.
- Nanaimo Airport (YCD) is a single-terminal facility, and you will find the Nanaimo car hire kiosks conveniently located in the arrivals hall, just outside of customs. Since YCD is a small but busy airport, it’s advisable to book your rental vehicle in advance. You can pre-book your car hire in Nanaimo through KAYAK, and this is the best way to ensure you get the vehicle type and transmission you need for your trip.
- You’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road in Nanaimo, so you’ll need to travel counterclockwise around roundabouts. This means you’ll also need to yield to any traffic to your left that’s already in the roundabout. At traffic lights in Nanaimo and all throughout British Columbia, pedestrians often get a green light at the same time as turning vehicles, so always check and give way to any pedestrians before proceeding.
- Though Nanaimo is nestled on Vancouver Island, which locals jokingly refer to as “the tropics of Canada,” you can still expect some snow and ice on the roads in winter, particularly in December and January. This can make driving more difficult, particularly if you brake suddenly or while turning your vehicle. So, it’s crucial to drive with caution, be gentle with the brakes, and slow down for turns well in advance.
- Book your car hire in Nanaimo at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
- Standard hire cars in Nanaimo are around 33% more expensive than other car types, on average
Nanaimo car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users
FAQs about hiring a car in Nanaimo
How much is the price of fuel in Nanaimo?
The average price of fuel in Nanaimo is R94,67 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between R1 136 and R1 515, depending on the car size.
What is the most popular car hire in Nanaimo?
Standard (Toyota RAV4 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Nanaimo.
How can I find car hires near me in Nanaimo?
Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.
How much does a Standard car hire cost in Nanaimo?
A Standard car hire in Nanaimo costs R1 948 per day, on average.
How much does an Intermediate car hire cost in Nanaimo?
An Intermediate car hire in Nanaimo costs R1 411 per day, on average.
How much does a Compact car hire cost in Nanaimo?
A Compact car hire in Nanaimo costs R1 674 per day, on average.
What type of car is recommended for driving in Nanaimo?
Nanaimo is nestled on Vancouver Island, which takes around 6 hours to drive across length-wise. Since it’s a relatively small island with safe, easy-to-traverse roads, it’s best to opt for compact car hire in Nanaimo. This will make it easy to park when you’re exploring Nanaimo’s beautiful downtown area. It’ll also give you optimal fuel efficiency if you decide to take a road trip to Port Hardy, Campbell River, or any of the island’s other natural treasures. The only reason to upgrade to a mid-size vehicle, SUV, or minivan would be if you’re travelling in a large group or bringing a lot of gear.
What’s the speed limit in Nanaimo?
In Nanaimo and other Vancouver Island cities like Victoria, you’ll find the speed limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise signed. However, over the last few years, Nanaimo has dropped the speed limit in many residential and commercial streets to 40 km/h and 30 km/h. So, it is crucial to keep an eye out for speed signs and err on the side of caution. Take note that Front Street, Museum Way, the Esplanade, and other downtown streets all have a 30 km/h speed limit.
Where are the best places to park in Nanaimo?
The city of Nanaimo features metered, unmetered, and disabled parking spots. If you park in a metered spot Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm, you can expect to pay around 1.25 CAD an hour (approx 1.40 AUD). Outside of these hours and on weekends, parking is free. Take note, however, that if you park in a 2 hr parking space, that time limit is enforced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you’re looking for cheaper parking options, consider one of the City of Nanaimo Downtown Parkades. In these parking structures, you’ll pay around 0.75 CAD for the first 2 hrs (approx 0.85 AUD).
Nanaimo car rental reviews and directory
Budget
8,7
Very Good
19 reviewsCleanliness
9.0
Comfort
8.8
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.7
Value for money
8.5
4 locations in Nanaimo
Locations in Nanaimo
2393 Hayes Road
+1 250 760 7368
33 Terminal Avenue
+1 250 760 7368
6450 North Island Highway
+1 250 760 7368
90 Front Street
+1 250 760 7368
Filters
Reviews
2,0 Poor
Jul 2024
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Oct 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Sep 2019
Pros:
fast and easyCons:
I didn't know that there was a shuttle service from the airport, Kayak should have included this information in the booking confirmation10,0 Wonderful
Jul 2023
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
8,4
Very Good
13 reviewsCleanliness
8.3
Comfort
8.3
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.6
Value for money
7.9
One location in Nanaimo
Locations in Nanaimo
3440 Shenton Rd
+1 250 751 1200
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
8,0 Very Good
Feb 2024
2,0 Poor
Oct 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Sep 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Aug 2020
Pros:
It was first time when rental staff explained everything in such detail way. There was no rush with car inspection. We walked around the car discussing what kind of scratches are under warranty and what to be aware of.Cons:
I have no complaints.2,0 Poor
Jul 2023
10,0 Wonderful
Dec 2022
National
8,0
Very Good
16 reviewsCleanliness
8.1
Comfort
8.2
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.0
Value for money
7.6
One location in Nanaimo
Locations in Nanaimo
1602 Northfield Rd
+1 250 758 3509
Filters
Show reviews that mention
Reviews
8,4 Very Good
Sep 2020
Cons:
The Kia really is a horrible car to drive10,0 Wonderful
Aug 2023
6,0 Okay
Aug 2022
8,0 Very Good
May 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Feb 2022
10,0 Wonderful
Nov 2021
Sunnycars
No score available yet
2 locations in Nanaimo
Locations in Nanaimo
Filters
No reviews available
Discount Car & Truck Rentals
No score available yet
One location in Nanaimo
Locations in Nanaimo
Filters
No reviews available
Car hire locations in or near Nanaimo
Good to know
Most popular car type | Standard |
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