Iceland Driving Guide
Ready for an epic route trip driving inwards Iceland? Renting a auto is the best way to experience this beautiful country. But in that location are a few things you lot should know earlier you lot caput out.
So you’ve embraced your inner Leif Erikson, in addition to you’re finally planning a route trip to Iceland!
Driving inwards Iceland around the famous Ring Road in addition to the Golden Circle has been i of my favorite adventures after ix years of locomote in addition to visiting 50+ countries.
Iceland volition ever receive got a special identify inwards my heart.
Renting a auto in addition to self-driving inwards Republic of Iceland on your own is the best way to experience this stunning country, equally it really gives you lot the liberty to halt at every waterfall, volcano, hot-spring, in addition to glacier along the way.
Here are some of import tips I learned close driving inwards Iceland, thus you’re ready to hitting the route in addition to explore the land of burn downward in addition to ice on a opor-garai you’ll never forget.
What To Know Before Driving In Iceland
Should You Drive In Iceland?
Hey, if you’re a fan of large grouping double-decker tours, yesteryear all means, become mass one. It’s a goodness way to consider a Earth if you lot don’t receive got a lot of time.
No planning, no driving, just sit down dorsum in addition to allow someone else do all the work!
But if you’re similar me, you lot prefer the adventure of independent travel.
True exploration, amongst no laid schedule or timetable. Driving around Republic of Iceland amongst the liberty to halt anywhere interesting you lot observe on your route trip.
If that’s the sort of traveler you lot are, renting a auto in addition to self-driving Republic of Iceland is the way to go! And driving inwards Republic of Iceland is a lot easier than you lot mightiness think.
While in that location are some special things to proceed aware of, don’t hold out scared of driving there.
Where To Rent Your Car In Iceland
The best site to mass your auto is amongst Discover Car Hire. They search both local in addition to international auto rental companies to assist you lot observe the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a auto inwards Iceland.
I’ve also used in addition to been rattling happy amongst Happy Campers. They rent fully-equipped campervans amongst a bed, kitchen, infinite heater, in addition to everything you’d demand for your route trip.
Top Car Rental Locations
Renting your auto from KeflavÃk International Airport is the most obvious choice, equally that’s where most people Earth to start their Icelandic route trip.
The drome is close xl minutes away from Reykjavik city.
However you lot tin also rent cars from the pump of Reykjavik if you lot determine to receive got a double-decker or shuttle into the metropolis for a few days of exploring first.
What Side Of The Road Do They Drive On?
Luckily if you’re from the United States, driving inwards Republic of Iceland volition experience familiar because you lot drive on the right side of the route in addition to overtake on the left — just similar home. The steering cycle is on the same side too!
International Driver’s License
No, you lot do non demand an international driver’s license to drive inwards Republic of Iceland or rent a auto there. Just conduct your passport, credit card, in addition to your driver’s license from your domicile country.
Iceland’s Different Road Types
With the multifariousness of landforms in addition to terrain inwards Iceland, you’ve got to recollect close the type of trip you lot desire to have.
Do you lot desire to carve your way across the Icelandic highlands similar a Nordic explorer? Or do you lot computer program on having a to a greater extent than relaxed in addition to comfortable drive around the island?
This volition determine the roads you’ll run into in addition to the vehicle you’ll need.
Ring Road & Golden Circle (Paved)
You tin consider some of Iceland’s most pop destinations driving around the Ring Road (Route 1). This mostly paved route runs a giant circle around the outer rim of the isle through many towns, including the upper-case missive of the alphabet of Reykjavik.
There are some remote sections amongst gravel, but a 2-wheel-drive vehicle volition acquire the project done. Speed limits average xc kilometers per hr (56 mph) on these roads. While you lot tin technically drive around the whole Earth non-stop inwards close 17 hours, inwards do you’ll desire to pass at to the lowest degree 7-10 days traveling this route.
You tin conduct a 2WD vehicle for driving the Golden Circle, too. This shorter route is a nifty hateful solar daytime trip from Reykjavik if you lot don’t receive got much fourth dimension (like during a layover).
USEFUL TIP: Planning to drive around Iceland’s band road? Make certain to halt at Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon to consider the incredible icebergs!
Adventurous F-Roads (Gravel)
Did you lot know that 54% of Icelanders believe inwards elves or the possibility they exist? If you lot desire to search for them, you’ll observe them close the F-roads.
These specially designated dirt in addition to gravel mount roads current of air through Iceland’s rugged interior highlands. It is strongly advised that people locomote inwards groups of 2 or to a greater extent than cars for security should a breakdown occur, just similar remote jeep trails inwards the United States.
The rocky, dingy conditions are to a greater extent than treacherous than other gravel roads. You tin locomote for miles without seeing whatever other cars.
Iceland’s F-roads require a 4-wheel-drive rental car. They also require your total attention. Some F-Roads tin acquire quite rough, amongst glacial river crossings.
USEFUL TIP: F-Road doesn’t hateful off-road. Driving completely off marked roads inwards Republic of Iceland is illegal in addition to tin harm your rental in addition to the environment.
Local Access H-Roads (Gravel)
These are dirt roads that often Pb to farms in addition to mortal homes off the master copy paved roads inwards Iceland. They are meliorate maintained than the F-Roads, don’t require a 4X4 inwards the summer, but aren’t plowed equally often equally paved roads inwards the wintertime time.
What Kind Of Vehicle Do You Need?
If you lot can’t drive manual stick shifts, double banking concern check that you’re really renting an automatic vehicle because most rental cars inwards Republic of Iceland are manual.
The type of vehicle you’ll demand depends largely on the season, conditions conditions, in addition to route type.
Two Wheel Drive
Small 2WD cars are the most affordable, in addition to perfectly suitable for hateful solar daytime trips around Reykjavik in addition to the pop paved roads that run around Republic of Iceland (like the Golden Circle in addition to Ring Road).
All 2WD rental cars inwards Republic of Iceland are equipped amongst studded tires during the wintertime flavour to assist amongst traction on H2O ice too.
HOW MUCH DOES information technology COST? – Renting a pocket-size auto inwards Republic of Iceland is going to cost betwixt $40 – $100 USD per hateful solar daytime (4200 ISK to 10,600 ISK) depending on the model/season.
Four Wheel Drive
The affordable 4×4 Suzuki Jimny, or a to a greater extent than expensive Land Rover is perfect for Iceland’s rugged F-Roads. If you lot computer program to explore Iceland’s dorsum roads at whatever point, you’ll desire i of these four-wheel drive bad boys.
HOW MUCH DOES information technology COST? – Renting a 4X4 SUV inwards Republic of Iceland is going to cost betwixt $100 – $250 USD per hateful solar daytime (10,600 ISK – 26,500 ISK). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fancy Land Rover or Super Jeep volition laid you lot dorsum $400+ per day.
Campervan
Transportation? Check. Accommodation? Check. Home-cooked meals? Fire upwards the grill, baby! This is the way to assault a serious Icelandic route trip inwards comfort. Plus, you’ll avoid spending cash on Iceland’s notoriously expensive accommodation in addition to eating theatre meals.
Campervans come upwards inwards both 2WD in addition to 4WD varieties, which is specially of import for driving Republic of Iceland inwards the winter.
HOW MUCH DOES information technology COST? – Renting a campervan inwards Republic of Iceland is going to cost betwixt $140 – $250 USD per hateful solar daytime (14,800 ISK to 26,500 ISK) depending on the model/season.
Car Rental Insurance In Iceland
Driving inwards Republic of Iceland tin consequence inwards some pretty harsh conditions that many people aren’t prepared for — thus I ever recommend getting the extra auto insurance options available to you.
Collision Damage Waiver
Car rental companies typically offering diverse levels of a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which isn’t just insurance. Instead, it way the rental companionship won’t accuse you lot over a predetermined boundary if you lot driblet off the rental auto amongst damage.
But this boundary even thus tends to hold out upwards of $1750 for the basic CDW, in addition to companies inwards Republic of Iceland are to a greater extent than probable to inspect every inch of your vehicle.
The basic CDW comes complimentary amongst every rental. With most companies, an additional daily fee (about $10 in addition to up) allows you lot to upgrade to Super CDW (SCDW), Grand CDW, in addition to fifty-fifty Premium CDW. This lowers the amount you’ll hold out liable for inwards the halt should harm occur to the vehicle.
These higher-level CDWs unremarkably come upwards amongst added protection like:
Gravel Protection – Gravel roads abound inwards Iceland. There’s a chance of other drivers spraying rocks at your vehicle equally they drive by, thus it makes feel to conduct take away hold of this i for a few extra bucks a day.
Sandstorm & Ash Protection – Yup, you lot read that correctly! High winds tin nail your auto amongst volcanic ash in addition to sand, causing extensive harm to the rental vehicle.
Ice Protection – Ice. Land. It’s inwards the name! Get this add-on, specially if you’re traveling inwards the winter. Sliding off icy roads is a mutual occurrence inwards Iceland.
River Crossing Insurance – Read the terms carefully. If it entirely covers H2O upwards to one-half of the wheel-well, you’re non protected for deeper crossings (which you’ll observe enough of on F-roads).
You’ll also desire to banking concern check if the rental companionship sets a mileage limit. Always test to acquire the unlimited milage option!
Watch Out For Animals!
There are 3 types of large animals that may cross your path spell driving inwards Iceland, in addition to crashing into them volition definitely ruin your trip.
Iceland has a lot of sheep. In the summer, they’re allowed to roam complimentary through the countryside, often walking across the road.
Beautiful in addition to funny Icelandic horses tin sometimes hold out moved from i pasture to some other via roadways too.
If you’re driving inwards the remote North East of Iceland, you lot may consider some wild reindeer inwards the winter. Reindeer were brought over from Kingdom of Norway inwards the 18th century, but were never domesticated.
Remember to tiresome downward in addition to transcend whatever animals close the route rattling carefully.
Iceland’s Speed Cameras
You won’t consider too many law cars on the roads driving around Iceland. However Republic of Iceland does enforce its speed boundary amongst photographic goggle box camera traps.
These nondescript boxes on the side of the route tape your speed in addition to receive got a photograph if you’re driving over the limit, resulting inwards a steep fine.
The speed boundary inwards Republic of Iceland is 90km/h (55mph) on paved roads, 80km/h (50mph) per hr on dirt roads, in addition to 50km/h (30mph) per hr inwards cities.
Also regime notation that seatbelts are mandatory inwards Iceland, in addition to just goodness mutual feel anyway.
Be Prepared For Extreme Weather
Weather tin acquire severe inwards Republic of Iceland from fourth dimension to time, specially inwards the winter. So severe, that 70mph current of air gusts receive got been known to blow opened upwards auto doors backwards, bending the hinges or ripping them off completely!
To forestall current of air harm test to commons your auto facing the wind, pushing the door closed, non open. Crack your window first, in addition to stick your mitt out to exam current of air strength, thus slowly opened upwards the door amongst 2 hands.
Don’t assume you lot tin grip driving through an Icelandic snowstorm just because you lot grew upwards inwards New England, because the conditions tin hold out VERY dissimilar here.
Weather changes chop-chop inwards Iceland, in addition to a sunny morning time tin easily turn into a snowstorm afterwards that day. Republic of Iceland has a fantastic website to banking concern check real-time route conditions called Road.is. They fifty-fifty receive got a handy smartphone app.
Gas Stations & Fuel Advice
Gas stations inwards Republic of Iceland are scarce i time you lot acquire farther away from the cities but spread out across the island. Be certain to fuel upwards earlier setting out, in addition to refuel often — test non to allow it autumn below one-half a tank.
You’ll observe enough of gas stations on the Ring Road until you lot accomplish the to a greater extent than remote Eastern in addition to Northern parts of the country, where they start to sparse out. Fill upwards to a greater extent than often out there.
Iceland is a remote island, without a lot of people/cars. At close $2 USD per liter ($7.50 USD per gallon), gas for your route trip is going to hold out expensive. Diesel isn’t much meliorate right now, thus banking concern check the prices in addition to computer program accordingly.
USEFUL TIP: If you’re upwards inwards the highland’s driving Iceland’s F-roads, it’s wise to conduct a spare gas can.
Do You Need GPS Driving In Iceland?
Many auto rental companies inwards Republic of Iceland volition test to up-sell you lot a GPS device for your route trip. However this is non needed if you lot receive got international prison theatre mobile telephone service, or pick upwards a local SIM carte du jour at the drome or inwards Reykjavik earlier you lot embark on your journey.
Maybe conduct along a dashboard or windshield smartphone holder similar I do, thus you lot tin utilisation GPS maps hands-free spell driving.
Along amongst Google Maps, I’d also recommend downloading the Gaia GPS Hiking App, which volition assist you lot acquire around Iceland’s backcountry hiking trails, fifty-fifty if you lot don’t receive got prison theatre mobile telephone service. Here’s a handy guide for using it.
Don’t Stop In The Middle Of The Road!
Many of Iceland’s roads lack breakdown lanes, or receive got pocket-size ones. However because the scenery inwards Republic of Iceland is thus spectacular, tourists are constantly stopping on the border of the route to receive got photos.
Don’t do this! It’s non safe, in addition to you lot mightiness displace an accident.
If you lot really receive got to acquire that amazing photo, proceed driving until you lot observe a proper turn-off, park, in addition to walk dorsum to that perfect spot. Even if it takes you lot an extra 10 minutes.
That photograph chance tin hold off a little, it’s only non worth the danger of stopping inwards the middle of the route when there’s traffic passing by. Please hold out respectful of everyone else driving inwards Iceland.
Packing For An Republic of Iceland Road Trip
Even though Republic of Iceland is becoming a rattling pop tourist destination, parts of it are even thus pretty remote. Between large towns, you lot could hold out driving for a spell earlier you’ll observe regular civilization.
With this inwards mind, it’s wise to pack extra food, snacks, in addition to H2O for your route trip. I’d also brand certain you lot receive got proper wearable for mutual depression temperature conditions in addition to stormy conditions, warm in addition to waterproof layers. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots too.
A starting fourth dimension assist kit is ever a nifty idea, here’s the i I locomote with on my frequent adventures around the world. You never know when it volition come upwards inwards handy.
Car Camping Restrictions
So, you’ve packed a tent inwards your car, or you’re driving a camper van. You assume it’s legal to army camp anywhere you lot delight on this beautiful island. But should you? Can you lot legally army camp anywhere inwards Iceland?
According to the Environment Agency of Republic of Iceland (EAI):
“Camping amongst no to a greater extent than than iii tents is allowed on uncultivated Earth for a unmarried night, unless the landowner has posted a notice to the contrary. However, campers should ever utilisation designated campsites where they do exist. Do non army camp unopen to farms without permission. If a grouping of to a greater extent than than iii tents is involved, these campers must seek permission from the landowner earlier setting upwards army camp exterior marked campsite areas.
It is illegal to spent the nighttime inwards tent trailers, tent campers, caravans, camper van or similar exterior organised campsites or urban areas unless the Earth possessor or rightholder has given their permission.”
There are also protected areas inwards Republic of Iceland where you lot definitely may NOT camp. For a consummate listing of protected locations in addition to descriptions of when to enquire permission, see the camping rules page.
Please utilisation a designated campsite when it’s available. With to a greater extent than than iii tents or driving a campervan, enquire permission of the landowner. Avoid protected areas.
If you lot do conduct to army camp exterior designated areas, delight follow the rules above, in addition to acquire out no line of your presence behind — thus Republic of Iceland stays beautiful for locals in addition to hereafter travelers.
Winter Driving In Iceland
Every yr tons of unprepared tourists acquire stuck or slide off the route due to Iceland’s wintertime driving conditions. I was hitting amongst 2 snowfall storms during my 3 calendar week trip during October/November.
Part of the occupation is many people don’t receive got whatever existent wintertime driving experience, or they over-estimate their abilities.
Getting your rental auto stuck inwards the snowfall or H2O ice is a rattling existent possibility during wintertime inwards Iceland. Do you lot know how to get yourself out?
- Clear snowfall away from your tires, using a shovel or hands in addition to feet.
- Straighten your tires, stone the vehicle dorsum in addition to forth, shifting from drive to reverse.
- Create traction nether your tires using dirt, sand, branches, granola, flooring mats, anything you lot tin find.
Always fill upwards your gas tank when possible, specially inwards the winter. Getting stuck inwards a snowstorm in addition to spending the nighttime inwards your vehicle is a remote possibility. Without gas to proceed it running (and warm), things acquire unsafe quickly.
When driving through heavy snow, test to rest within the tire tracks. Drive slowly, in addition to carefully displace over to the border when passing oncoming traffic.
F-Road Driving Tips In Iceland
While driving Iceland’s remote & rugged F-Roads is non technically driving off-road, basically you lot demand to recollect of them equally just that.
These roads are extremely basic, in addition to non really maintained. In the United States, they’d hold out called “jeep trails” or “fire roads”.
So the same sort of security concerns apply. You are on your ain out there. No gas stations, no towns, no tow trucks.
If you lot acquire a flat, acquire stuck inwards the mud, or your engine breaks down, it could hold out a spell earlier someone passes yesteryear who tin help.
- It’s forbidden to drive Iceland’s F-Roads without a 4X4 vehicle due to the crude oil conditions.
- Traveling inwards pairs amongst a 2nd vehicle is highly recommended, inwards example i of you lot breaks down.
- F-Roads are entirely opened upwards during the summertime months, generally June – September (or starting fourth dimension snow). Some don’t opened upwards until July.
Crossing Rivers In Iceland
If you’re driving the paved Ring Road or Golden Circle, you’ll receive got normal bridges (although some are one-lane). However if you’re traveling to Iceland’s interior highlands on the dirt F-Roads, you lot may run into a few rivers without any.
Crossing a river inwards a 4X4 truck requires a chip of planning. If you’ve never done it before, hither are some tips.
- Know where your vehicle’s “water line” is (maximum depth). Going yesteryear it may consequence inwards damage.
- Try to cross glacial rivers early on inwards the morning, when the menstruum is lower. As the hateful solar daytime heats up, the river gets to a greater extent than powerful/deeper.
- Shift your vehicle into 4X4 “low” earlier you lot start to cross, non inwards the middle of the river.
- Drive tiresome in addition to steady through the current. Don’t drive too fast or “splash” into the H2O (it could kill the engine).
- Drive diagonally downstream, thus the electrical flow helps force you lot across.
- Stick to the marked crossing points, in addition to don’t assume it’s ever prophylactic to cross. Try to scout someone else become first.
Accident & Breakdown Info
112 is the entirely emergency issue inwards Iceland. This is what you’d telephone band to study whatever bad accidents, fire, crime, search & rescue, or natural disasters. 112 tin hold out reached from anywhere inwards Iceland, from whatever telephone, yesteryear vocalism or yesteryear SMS text message.
Another nifty resources is the 112 Republic of Iceland App, that lets you lot “check in” earlier going on a hike or doing anything risky, to assist render location data if something goes incorrect later.
If it’s non a life-or-death emergency, similar your auto breaks downward or you lot acquire a flush tire, thus contact your rental auto purpose for help.
If you lot suspension downward in addition to you’re non just certain where you lot are, delight don’t acquire out your car. Stay amongst your vehicle until someone passes yesteryear who tin help.
Iceland’s F-Roads are patrolled yesteryear search & rescue teams who banking concern check for stranded drivers on a semi-regular basis.
Have Fun Driving In Iceland!
I promise I didn’t scare you lot too much close driving inwards Iceland. It really is worth the extra endeavor to rent a auto in addition to drive yourself!
Regardless of which vehicle or route you lot choose, i thing’s for sure — renting a auto inwards Republic of Iceland gives you lot the liberty to laid your ain path in addition to accomplish stunning locations off-limits to the typical double-decker tourist.
It also lets you lot do it at your ain footstep in addition to inwards a trend that suits you. And besides, how do you lot facial expression to hunt for elves or the incredible northern lights from your hotel room inwards Reykjavik?
Get out in that location in addition to drive around Republic of Iceland inwards your ain rental car! ★
Bonus Video! Driving Tips For Iceland
(Click to scout Dangers On Icelandic Roads? – Driving With Elfis on YouTube)
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist you lot start packing for your trip. Pick upwards a locomote backpack, photographic goggle box camera gear, in addition to other useful locomote accessories.
Book Your Flight
Find inexpensive flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to observe deals on airlines. Also brand certain to read how I observe the cheapest flights.
Rent Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a nifty site for comparison auto prices to observe the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read to a greater extent than close how I mass inexpensive hotels online.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget locomote insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than close why you lot should ever behave locomote insurance.
Recommended Guidebook: Lonely Planet Iceland
Suggested Reading: The Little Book Of Hidden People
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READ MORE FROM ICELAND
Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle
How To Photograph The Northern Lights
Iceland’s Best Photography Locations
Road Trip Guide To Iceland’s Ring Road
Any questions close driving or renting a auto inwards Iceland? Are you lot planning a route trip there? Drop me a message inwards the comments below!
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