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Car hire in Nairobi, Kenya

Use the same magic that powers our flight search to find cheap car rental in Nairobi

Compare car hire on price, ease of pick-up, a fair fuel policy and more

Find Nairobi car rental deals you can amend or cancel if your plans change

Select your Nairobi pick-up location

There are 18 car hire locations in Nairobi. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Nairobi

Hiring a car in Nairobi: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyUnicorn rent a car
Most popular carEconomy, 4-5 doors
Average daily price₹ 8,840
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Nairobi

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 Nairobi car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Nairobi

Finding cheap car hire deals in Nairobi is made easy with Skyscanner. With over 10 pick-up locations, there are plenty of choices to suit your itinerary. Car hire options with free cancellation are highlighted, giving you the flexibility you need if plans change. Look for 'full to full' deals on our platform to save money on fuel costs, ensuring you return the car with the same amount of petrol as when you picked it up. For a smoother experience, keyless pick-up options are also highlighted, allowing you to avoid the hassle of queues and get on the road faster. Use our search to explore the best car hire deals available in Nairobi.

The best time to book a car in Nairobi

Booking car hire in Nairobi one week in advance strikes the perfect balance between availability and cost-effectiveness. The cheapest month for car hire in Nairobi is November, so planning your trip during this time can help you secure the best deals. Events like Safari Sevens can affect the availability of car hire, so it's wise to book earlier if you plan to visit during such occasions.

What you'll need when hiring a car in Nairobi

Hiring a car in Nairobi is simple with Skyscanner. Different providers may have unique rules, but you typically need to be at least 23 years old to rent a car. Kenya's minimum driving age is 18, but rental companies often set their own age policies. Check if a young driver surcharge applies under a certain age. You will need a valid driving licence and, in some cases, an international driving permit to drive in Kenya. Skyscanner helps you compare options to find the best deal, making your car hire experience in Nairobi smooth and straightforward.

Car hire in Nairobi: top tips for driving in Kenya

When in Nairobi, remember to drive on the left side of the road. The speed limit is 50 km/h in the city and can go up to 110 km/h on highways. Google Maps coverage is reliable here, making navigation straightforward. For those looking to explore further, a drive to Mombasa will take around 8-9 hours, covering approximately 485 km. Alternatively, Nakuru is about 160 km away, roughly a 2-3 hour drive. For a shorter trip, Naivasha is 90 km from Nairobi and should take 1.5-2 hours.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Nairobi will set you back around ₹ 8,840 per day or ₹ 25,662 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Nairobi is a mini estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Economy, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Nairobi are currently Green Motion and U-Save.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Nairobi is currently December.
On average, around ₹ 25,662. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Nairobi is ₹ 19,925.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Nairobi for a whole month is ₹ 134,958. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Nairobi, 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 Nairobi 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 Nairobi.
Most places – Nairobi 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 ₹ 3,630 per day. The average price per day is around ₹ 8,840.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Unicorn rent a car, Green Motion and Right Cars offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Auto-Union 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 Nairobi.

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