How to find a cheap car hire deal in Nairobi
Cruise into adventure with a cheap rental car in Nairobi. With prices averaging $139 a day, it's a wallet-friendly way to explore on your terms. From zippy compacts to power-packed SUVs, we'll help you find your kind of ride at your kind of price.
$60 is the cheapest daily price offered for a home in Nairobi.
Staying a while and want to explore beyond the tourist trail? $420 is the lowest rate for a weekly home.
Here's your clue on when to book. Around three weeks in advance is your sweet spot for driving off with the best price on a Nairobi car hire.
Check out the offers available with Green Motion, Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car. They're some of the most popular providers in the city.
The coverage Green Motion or another company includes with your Nairobi car hire can vary, so always read the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will provide it for an extra fee.
Booking one-way could land you a cheaper deal on your home. Providers sometimes offer lower prices when vehicles need to be moved between sites. Simply choose 'Return car to a different location' when searching the range of cars for rent in Nairobi.
Avoid any surprise charges by choosing a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Explore without limits by booking a home with 'Unlimited mileage.' Located under the 'Policies' filter, it means you can drive as far as you like without paying more.
Best value car hire options right now
Coming in first for value is this company, with prices averaging $171 a day.
Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around $181.
The third option also stacks up well on price. Drive off in one of their homes for roughly $151 a day.
After a car that's a safe bet for most journeys? The Economy home category ranks as the top pick for travellers visiting Nairobi.
Flying to Nairobi? Think about an airport pick-up
Keep arrival day hassle-free by picking up a car hire at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport. If you're flying to Nairobi through this airport, simply pick up your wheels after landing and roll out. The drive to the city centre is about 18 kilometres and takes around 30 minutes.
Or start the engine and make a speedy getaway with a car hire from Nairobi Wilson Airport. It'll take roughly 20 minutes to drive the 10 kilometres or so to the centre.
Compare car hire types in Nairobi
Small: These cheap rental cars in Nairobi may be small in size, but they're big on practicality. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're nimble, great on mileage, and just the thing for city driving.
Medium: A solid choice when you want something that's easy to drive but doesn't skimp on features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that offer a little extra leg space compared to smaller options.
Large: Long drives fly by in this Nairobi car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them an excellent choice for groups of friends and families.
SUV: When wanderlust strikes, an SUV is ready to roll. It's your perfect road trip companion, ready for highways, country roads, and anything in between. These sports utility vehicles also come with extra space and advanced safety features.
Van: Select this vehicle category when you want a car for rent in Nairobi that makes light work of heavy loads. With options like commercial vans and trucks, they're designed to transport more, whether that's equipment, suitcases or a bunch of your favourite people.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Nairobi car hire lets you drive with confidence. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or a collision. Insurance policies can vary between home providers, so compare before you book.
Level up your ride with nifty extras like a GPS unit and reverse camera. These add-ons can turn your drive into a smoother experience when you rent a car in Nairobi.
Good to know
Home age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could pay extra and face some limits. Check the terms set by each supplier before booking your home in Kenya.
If you're bringing the kids along, check if you need to add a child car seat to your Nairobi car hire reservation. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to ride.
You'll need some documents when you get to the home counter. As a rule, bring a valid driver's license, a credit card with enough balance for the excess (most companies don't accept debit cards), and additional photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.
If you haven't driven before in Kenya, remember that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.
Local speed limits are usually about 45kph in built-up areas and around 95kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.
In Kenya, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08%. If you think you'll be drinking, leave the driving to someone else or take another form of transport.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination. Try to avoid peak travel times generally for a more relaxed drive.
You'll be using the Kenyan shilling (KES) here. In addition to your debit and credit cards, have some cash handy for minor purchases.
Best hotels in Nairobi for drivers
Pull in and get ready to relax at Impala Hotel Parklands. Offering parking as well as express check-out and a beauty salon, this hotel is about 5 kilometres from central Nairobi.
Alternatively, make use of the valet parking at Karolinas Homestay Near Jkia. The city centre is roughly 10 kilometres from this stay, which also features luggage storage and shuttle services.
Browse the full range of hotels in Nairobi for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the right fit. You can even use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to zero in on EV-friendly stays.
It's time to start exploring now you've locked in a car hire deal in Nairobi and your hotel. From Masai Mara National Reserve to The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Giraffe manor, you'll never run out of things to do here.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Nairobi
Around 40 kilometres northeast of central Nairobi, Thika easily earns a place on your itinerary. Make your way to can't-miss sights like Fourteen Falls and Shree Hindu Sanatan Dharma Mandir.
Paleo Hotel & Spa and Hotel Centurion Kenya are recommended accommodation options with parking in Thika.
Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Nairobi and drive about 80 kilometres northwest to Naivasha. Featuring Lakes NAIVASHA - Crescent Island and Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, it's every bit as good as advertised.
Naivasha has some comfortable accommodation options such as Panorama Park Hotel and Villa Grazia Luxury Hotel. Both are convenient choices for guests with cars.
Ready to go the extra mile? Kisumu is a top road trip destination that's about 274 kilometres northwest of Nairobi. Make a few pit stops at Hippo Point and Freedom Park.
Time to think about catching some z's. Imperial Hotel Express and Selella Resort have room for both you and your wheels while visiting Kisumu.
