Hello guys, I will travel to Okinawa in one and a half weeks and I have some questions. The first one is, is t really that bad without a car? I don't have a drivers license and I read that the infrastructure in Okinawa would be pretty limited. My other question is, where should I stay, if I'm into nature and beaches considering the fact that u don't have a drivers license. I heard Ishigaji would be the best island for it, but I booked my flight to Naha because I didn't inform my self enough… I hope I can get some help, thank you very much guys.
by ichbinalcapone
8 comments
Accessing the coast is not hard by bus but the forest is a different story. [Here](http://www.kotsu-okinawa.org/index.html) is the complete route map for the bus to check if there’s a bus stop where you want to go.
I have been here for a few months without a car and get around by bus and taxi just fine.
The car thing is really a question of what you’re wanting to do. Stay in naha the whole time? Bus, monorail, and taxi will serve you fine.
But if you’re actually wanting to do anything up north or explore at all, it’s going to be hell.
Theres no public transport infrastructure like on Honshu, just the singular monorail in Naha and very infrequent buses, with even more infrequent shuttle buses going to very specific places up north.
I haven’t looked into any of this in a while, so I’m kinda just gonna throw it back at you. You want to go to a beach? Find a hotel on the beach that has shuttle from Naha Airport. A lot of the major hotels have private beaches. Just expect to kinda be stuck in that hotel the whole time if it’s not in Naha and there isn’t really anything around it.
I’m from Okinawa and to me a car is a must. You can go to AAA and get an international driver’s license for less than $20. Taking a taxi will get expensive and staying in Naha will get old. To me the beauty of the island is mid to north of the island. I’ve met a few travelers that say they regret not getting a rental.
You can take a ferry from Naha to one of the surrounding islands. There are a few with beautiful nature and beaches. Many of the smaller islands are easy to get around either on foot or renting a bicycle.
We just stayed in Naha without a car. It was fine. The traffic kind of sucks depending on where you are going. We went to Naminoue Beach, Sunset Beach/American Village, and then the area and places to see in and around Kokusai Dori.
It was totally fine without a car. You have to budget a bit for taxis, but not more than you would pay to rent a car for what we did.
Taxis will become your friend.
Ishigaki island is a seperate plane ticket away. Less then an hour flight away.
car is recommended as some of the nice beaches and hiking/trekking area are in the northern area.
if you don’t drive, getting a private driver can be an option, but it’ll be pricey.