How much does it cost to rent a car for a day? Rental car fees naturally differ between temporary use for a few hours and full-day use.

This time, we'll introduce the average cost of renting a car for a full day, from morning to night, and how to rent it at a great value.

Additionally, we'll provide safe driving tips specifically for Hokkaido.

*Find other price-related articles here!

・Average for 1 week: here

・Average for 1 month: here

What's the average daily rental car price?

When renting a car for a full day, the maximum usage time is typically around 12 hours, from the rental company's opening to closing.

If you exceed this, the car must be returned the next day. Here, we'll explain the average rental fees for 12-hour use. Rental car prices vary by vehicle type. Let's introduce the average costs for three typical rental car types. It's also useful to know more about average prices.

Rental Car vs. Car Sharing: Price Differences

Many consider car sharing and rental cars for transportation, but are you aware of their significant pricing differences?

Service	Pricing System	Long-Distance Use Feature	Cost for Hokkaido Travel
Rental Car	Fixed rate regardless of distance	No extra charge for long distances	Advantageous in terms of cost
Car Sharing	Basic fee + distance-based surcharge	May incur 16-22 yen per km surcharge	More expensive for long distances

In short, car sharing is "cost-effective for short periods and short distances." On the other hand, when traveling in a vast area like Hokkaido, a rental car's fixed rate is often more advantageous in terms of cost.

Average Price for the Most Affordable Kei Car

If you want to keep rental costs down, consider a Kei car first, as they are the most affordable. Many modern Kei cars are spacious, so you won't feel cramped, and they offer high convenience. However, long drives or trips with four passengers may not always be comfortable. They are recommended for local use or small groups. Comparing 12-hour rental car prices (average) by vehicle type, Kei cars are clearly very affordable.

Vehicle Type	12-Hour Price Average
Kei car	4,000 yen 〜 6,500 yen
Compact car	5,000 yen 〜 7,000 yen
Minivan	8,000 yen 〜 10,000 yen

Average Price for Compact Cars, Popular with All Ages

For those who think, "Kei cars are cheap, but they can be tiring...", compact cars are recommended. Their ease of driving and moderate size make them a popular choice for many. Even with four passengers, it doesn't feel cramped, and long drives are comfortable if you don't have excessive luggage. Many models are fuel-efficient hybrids, offering the advantage of saving on gas for longer trips. The average 12-hour rental fee is around 5,000 to 7,000 yen, which is not significantly different from Kei cars. It's understandable why many choose compact cars for a bit more comfort at a small price difference.

Average Price for Minivans, Popular with Families

Minivans are large and can carry a lot of luggage, making them ideal for family trips or events like snowboarding and camping where luggage tends to increase. Minivans are often used for special events rather than daily commutes, but they are always a top recommendation for family cars and remain popular year-round. The average 12-hour rental fee for minivans is around 8,000 to 10,000 yen. While more expensive than Kei or compact cars, they offer many benefits, such as accommodating more people and carrying more luggage. They also provide a more relaxed and less tiring driving experience.

Tips for Rental Car Driving in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is vast compared to Honshu, with long distances between cities, so renting a car here comes with specific considerations.

Especially during winter or periods of changeable weather, keeping the following points in mind will ensure peace of mind.

Weather and Driving Time

In Hokkaido, especially in winter, driving conditions can change rapidly due to snow and ice. Travel times may be significantly longer than usual estimates, depending on weather and snow conditions. It's important to plan a flexible schedule and prepare for delays. For example, the journey from Wakkanai to Tomakomai usually takes about 6 hours, but in bad weather, it can take 7-8 hours or more. Spending a whole day just on travel is a waste, so it's a good idea to include stops at tourist spots along the way.

Guideline for Safe Driving Distance

For drivers unfamiliar with snow, especially foreign tourists or those with little experience driving on snowy roads, it is safer to limit daily driving distance to 80-120km and driving time to 2-3 hours. This ensures careful driving and adequate breaks, preventing fatigue buildup.

Specific Tips for a Comfortable Drive

For a comfortable drive in Hokkaido, the following specific measures are effective: ・Take a break every 30 minutes: Long hours of driving increase fatigue, so regular breaks are important. ・Check the weather forecast daily: Hokkaido's weather often changes suddenly, so preparation is essential. ・Rest at roadside stations (Michi-no-Eki) or convenience stores: Hokkaido involves a lot of driving on local roads, and these facilities are convenient for breaks and gathering information.

Sapporo Rent-a-Car also provides safe driving advice and tourist information for customers unfamiliar with Hokkaido tourism.

We provide timely information on sudden weather changes and road conditions, so if you're feeling uneasy, thinking "This is my first time in Hokkaido...", please feel free to contact us.

How to Rent a Car for a Day at a Great Price

The cheaper the rental car fee, the happier we are. Finally, here are two ways to get a great deal when renting a car for a day.

Even if you rent the same car, the Price may be lower depending on the conditions. It's a good idea to check for special offers so you don't miss out when using the service.

Check for early bird discounts and book early!

Rental car reservations are often made online. Each rental car company has its own official website, and there are also portal sites that list information from many rental car companies. To use a rental car at a low Price, thorough research is essential. When browsing plans online, you'll likely notice "early bird plans" and other plans that significantly reduce the fee by booking early.

If the cost is simply discounted based on the timing of your reservation, there's no reason not to book early, right? So, from online deals, choose the cheapest option and book early.

Regularly check rental car portal sites for deals

When looking at "portal sites" that compile information from external sources, rather than official rental car websites, you might find unexpected deals. For example, there might be discounts like "3,000 OFF for purchases over ¥10,000" or "1,000 OFF for purchases over ¥5,000," where the discount amount is set based on the usage fee. In other words, even for the same vehicle type, it can sometimes be cheaper to rent through a portal site than to search on the official rental car website, or portal sites might have more extensive inventory information. However, these offers are irregular and not always the cheapest; sometimes the opposite can be true depending on the timing, so caution is advised.

Please note that Sapporo Rent-a-Car offers such deals only on its "own website" and not on portal sites, so keeping this in mind can save you money. In other words, for Sapporo Rent-a-Car, "Our Website = Best Price".

Summary

If you choose the right vehicle type and take advantage of appropriate discounts, rental cars don't have to be as expensive as you might think. By using them effectively, you can improve your travel efficiency and use the saved money to enjoy delicious food or visit many tourist spots. Especially in vast areas like Hokkaido, rental cars offer more stable costs for long-distance travel than car-sharing, as there are no mileage limits. For long-term rentals, Sapporo Rent-a-Car offers compact cars at about ¥10,000-¥30,000 cheaper than competitors. We also accept "Lightning-Fast Reservations" for customers who want to rent immediately! OK even within 24 hours of departure! Please contact us at the number below.

If you have time before your reservation, we also accept web reservations. Please apply from here.