Cheap car hire in Nanaimo, Canada

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

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

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

Select your Nanaimo pick-up location

There are 6 car hire locations in Nanaimo. Choose the cheapest or easiest now.

The most popular car rental companies in Nanaimo

Hiring a car in Nanaimo: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyNational
Most popular carIntermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors
Average daily price80 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Nanaimo

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 Nanaimo car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Nanaimo

  • Pick up a cheap rental car in Nanaimo for an average of 80 € a day and drive off happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, so you can easily compare prices and book.

  • February is the cheapest month to rent a car in Nanaimo. With average daily rates of 32 €, you're on the fast-track to saving.

  • If you want to time it just right, book about three weeks ahead to score yourself a cheap rental car in Nanaimo.

  • Grab your wheels from National, Budget or Enterprise. These are some of the most popular providers offering car hire deals in Nanaimo.

  • The coverage National or another supplier includes with your Nanaimo car hire can differ, so be sure to read the fine print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.

  • Choosing a one-way car hire is often a great hack for cheaper deals. Select 'Return car to a different location' when looking for a car for rent in Nanaimo. Providers sometimes need to move vehicles from one location to another, which means you can lock in some great one-way prices.

  • Avoid those steep refueling fees by choosing a car hire in Nanaimo with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Start your journey with a full tank and return it the same, and only pay for what you actually use.

  • Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up extra charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you travel without limits.

  • If you're jetting into Nanaimo, think about grabbing one of the car rentals in Nanaimo Harbour Seaplane Base Airport and start your trip sooner. Landing at a different hub? You'll find car rentals in Nanaimo Airport too.

Compare car hire types in Nanaimo

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Nanaimo is all about getting you on the road for less. These nimble, fuel-efficient rides are excellent for short trips and city driving.

  • Medium: Not too small, not too big, this is the Goldilocks of rentals! Typically including compact and intermediate cars, they strike a balance of fuel efficiency and interior space and are good for small families and couples.

  • Large: Long drives are effortless in this Nanaimo 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: SUVs are your four-wheel fix for wanderlust. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for city streets and winding backroads alike.

  • Van: If you're after a car for rent in Nanaimo that can handle a small crowd (and all their gear), a van has room where it matters. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group excursions, business use or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Adding excess insurance to your Nanaimo car hire gives you peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of damage or theft. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so compare before you commit.

  • From GPS units to reverse cameras, the right extras can make all the difference. Consider which features will help you make the most of your trip when you rent a car in Nanaimo.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals often vary by provider and even car type, so know the rules before you book. Some suppliers in Canada may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you're outside the typical age bracket, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Add a car seat to your Nanaimo car hire reservation if you're bringing the kids. Regulations change from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their age, size and weight is always the safest option.

Hit the road: Where to drive from Nanaimo

  • Snap up an epic car hire deal in Nanaimo and then get ready to discover the city's best attractions, such as Scenery tours Vancouver Island and Museum of Natural History. Whether you drive or get there another way, you'll want to tick off these highlights before you head out of town.

  • When it's time to check in, Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo and Best Western Northgate Inn are stays that'll make you feel at home in Nanaimo.

  • Around 64 kilometres east of central Nanaimo, Vancouver belongs on your itinerary. Make a beeline for must-see sights like Stanley Park Seawall and Stanley Park.

  • Comfortable accommodation options in Vancouver include Quality Inn & Suites and Hyatt Regency Vancouver.

  • Or pick up your cheap car hire in Nanaimo and then take off to Surrey. About 88 kilometres east of Nanaimo, Vinoscenti Vineyards and Green Timbers Urban Forest are standout attractions that make the drive worthwhile.

  • Unwind after a packed day exploring Surrey at Ramada by Wyndham Surrey/Langley. Or hit the brakes and recharge at Holiday Inn & Suites Surrey East - Cloverdale.

  • Want to stretch this drive a little longer? Maple Ridge is a popular road trip destination that's around 105 kilometres east of Nanaimo. Make a few pit stops at Golden Ears Provincial Park and Maple Ridge Trail.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Nanaimo will set you back around 80 € per day or 347 € per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Nanaimo is an intermediate van or truck. The most popular is Intermediate/Standard, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire companies in Nanaimo are currently National and Budget.
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 Nanaimo is currently February.
On average, around 347 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Nanaimo is 165 €.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Nanaimo for a whole month is 2.514 €. 

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 Nanaimo, 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 Nanaimo 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 Nanaimo.
Most places – Nanaimo 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 55 € per day. The average price per day is around 78 €.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like National, Budget and Turo offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated National as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Nanaimo.