Planning an Iceland road trip? After 11 trips to Iceland, I’ve put together everything you need to know before hitting the road, from rental cars and road conditions to costs, itineraries and the best time to travel.
Although you can travel perfectly well by public transport in Iceland, a rental car is actually your best choice if you really want to get the most out of your trip to Iceland. I have visited Iceland no fewer than eleven times since 2005 and taken countless road trips, both by rental car and public transport, in summer and in winter. In this article, I have gathered tips, experiences, and inspiration spanning more than ten years. Enjoy reading!
Iceland road trip: know before you go!
A road trip in Iceland is always a good idea. Whether you have four days or four weeks, you will never get bored in Iceland. Although traveling around Iceland by rental car is generally straightforward, there are a few things you should keep in mind before you set off.
For instance, Iceland has increased tremendously in popularity as a destination over the past few years. This means that accommodations are often fully booked far in advance and that in some places you can not expect the tourist facilities found in other Scandinavian destinations. I’ve found that there are few public toilets along the way, and parking lots are not spacious enough everywhere for large numbers of cars. In my experience, there are relatively few public toilets along the way, and not all parking areas are equipped to handle large numbers of cars. If you’re visiting a popular attraction during the high season (July and August), I recommend setting off early and avoiding the busiest places in the middle of the day.
After no fewer than eleven trips to Iceland, I can also tell you from experience that it’s very easy to plan too much into a single day. There’s so much to see everywhere and distances may are greater than they seem. One of my best pieces of advice I have given to many of my readers is to resist the temptation to pack too much into each day. If your itinerary is too packed, you may return home disappointed, feeling like all you did was rush from one place to the next. Further down in this article, I’ll share some route suggestions for a short Iceland road trip.
Renting a car in Iceland
There are countless car rental companies in Iceland, but the quality can vary considerably. The number of rental companies has grown rapidly in recent years as tourism has increased, and not all of them offer the same level of service or quality.
Most rental companies have an office at Keflavík International Airport, where the vast majority of visitors begin their Iceland trip. This is not the same as Reykjavík Domestic Airport, which mainly serves domestic flights. If you’re not starting your road trip straight away and plan to spend a few days in Reykjavík first, it may be worth taking the Flybus from Keflavík Airport into the city and picking up your rental car at one of the city offices instead.
You can easily compare rates and availability on Booking but my number one tip is to always keep an eye out on your own risk as it may end up quite expensive in the end.
You can find my complete guide to renting a car in Iceland here.
Driving a car in Iceland
Driving in Iceland is relatively straightforward. The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, circles almost the entire country, with the exception of the Westfjords. It’s paved throughout and consists mostly of two-lane roads. There are also numerous smaller roads branching off from the Ring Road. In general, the Ring Road is in good condition.
Because Iceland is a popular destination for campervans and motorhomes, it’s worth keeping in mind that you may encounter some delays along the way. Campervans tend to drive more slowly than cars, and cyclists also use the Ring Road. The traffic rules are similar to those in the rest of Europe, and your rental company will usually provide you with information about the local rules.
The interior unpaved roads, the F-roads, are a completely different story. Driving on F-roads in a rental car is only permitted if you have rented a suitable 4WD vehicle. These mountain roads take you into Iceland’s interior and are normally only open during the summer months, usually from July through August. Always check with your rental car company what the exact rules are for driving on F-roads!
Some F-roads involve river crossings, and damage caused by crossing rivers is NEVER covered by standard rental car insurance. The Ring Road is open year-round, unless it is temporarily closed due to severe weather conditions. If you’re unsure about the road conditions or the weather, always check with your accommodation or the nearest gas station before setting off. They will be able to provide you with updated information about safey along the way.
Iceland road trip in the summer
If you’re planning an Iceland road trip in summer, all roads are generally open and most destinations are easily accessible. One of the great advantages of traveling in summer is the almost endless daylight, especially at the beginning of the season, which means you can make the most of your days. I once visited Gullfoss waterfall in the middle of the night, which was a truly special experience. The roads are also much quieter at night. In summer, some parts of Iceland are covered in wildflowers, adding another beautiful touch to the landscape.
Note that the endless daylight may also have its downsides. Are you heading to Iceland for the first time? Then visit my Iceland for First-Timers article, which includes 18 things you absolutely need to know before going to Iceland.
Iceland road trip in winter
If you’re planning to visit Iceland in winter, it’s important to know that the roads into the interior are closed. The Ring Road, however, generally remains open unless there is a snowstorm or severe weather warning. And although you might expect Iceland to be covered in snow during winter, that isn’t necessarily the case. I once visited in February, and there was hardly any snow in some parts of the country.
Studded tires are required in winter, and most reputable car rental companies have them as standard on their winter rental cars. Keep in mind, though, that the days are short in winter and that parking areas can be very icy. Bringing a pair of microspikes is therefore always a good idea!
Want to know more about visiting Iceland in winter? Check out my guide to Iceland in winter.
How many days do you need for Iceland?
The route you can take obviously depends entirely on how much time you have available. If you have a week or less, I recommend focusing on the South Coast and, if time allows, adding a trip to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Although it’s technically possible to drive the entire Ring Road in one week, you’ll spend a lot of time behind the wheel and have relatively little time to explore the sights along the way.
If you have one week, I recommend the following itinerary:
Day 1: Fly to Keflavík, pick up your rental car and drive to Reykjavík
Day 2: Explore Reykjavík or take a day trip to Snæfellsnes
Day 3: Visit the Golden Circle and Þingvellir
Day 4: Drive along the South Coast to Kirkjubæjarklaustur/Skaftafell
Day 5: Explore Skaftafell and visit Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Day 6: Long drive back to Reykjavík
Day 7: Return your rental car and fly home
You could also extend this itinerary with a visit to the volcanic Westman Islands.
Some of the sights you can visit along this route, either as part of the itinerary or as optional stops, include Reykjadalur Hot Springs, the DC-3 plane wreck and the Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón glacier lagoons. You can also easily add a glacier hike to your itinerary.
Curious about the itinerary for my own four-day Iceland road trip? Read my article about this trip here.
If you have ten days or more, it’s worth considering driving the entire Ring Road. Even then, however, you’ll have quite a lot of driving to do. In the north, for example, you can go whale watching in Húsavík and explore the volcanic landscapes around Mývatn.
If you want to venture into Iceland’s interior and visit places such as Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk, you’ll need a suitable 4WD vehicle. Keep in mind that river crossings are not covered by rental car insurance. Alternatively, you can visit some of these areas on an organized bus tour from Reykjavík, for example with Reykjavík Excursions.
I’m often asked whether you really need a 4WD in Iceland. If you’re planning to stick to the Ring Road, a regular 2WD rental car is perfectly fine. However, if you want to drive the unpaved F-roads into Iceland’s interior, you’ll need to rent a suitable 4WD vehicle.
How much does a road trip in Iceland cost?
You can make an Iceland road trip as cheap or as expensive as you like. However, Iceland is by no means a budget destination. I would budget at least € 100 per person per day for a rental car and basic accommodation, although this can be considerably higher during the peak summer months. This obviously depends on the season you travel in and how far in advance you book. In general, the earlier you book, the better the prices tend to be. Keep in mind that the €100 is a starting point for your accommodation and rental car alone.
Traveling outside the high season is often cheaper, although some attractions, accommodations and other facilities may be closed. On top of this, you’ll need to budget for fuel, meals and any other expenses along the way.
Most natural attractions in Iceland are free to visit, although this is changing and more places are starting to charge an entrance or service fee. Þingvellir, for example, currently charges a parking fee. The fees are generally modest and are used to maintain and improve facilities for visitors. Parking fees have also recently been introduced at many places, particularly at Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions. Expect to pay around ISK 1,000 for the first few hours, with additional charges if you stay longer. You can usually pay at the parking machine on site using a debit or credit card.
If you want to keep your costs down, buy groceries at supermarkets or pick up food at gas stations rather than eating at restaurants near the main tourist attractions.
Good to keep in mind
Don’t forget to refuel regularly. There aren’t an enormous number of gas stations along the way, so keeping an eye on your fuel level will help you avoid running out of gas. Distances can also be greater than they appear on the map. You don’t necessarily need a navigation system in Iceland, but it can be useful for estimating your travel time. These days, 4G and 5G coverage is available in most parts of Iceland, and many gas stations and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, so you can usually just use a navigation app on your phone.
Finally, whenever you get out of your car, always hold on to the door firmly. You wouldn’t be the first tourist to have a car door ripped from its hinges by the Icelandic wind. And yes, that wind is always there. Consider yourself warned…
What I would do differently on my next Iceland road trip
I’ve been visiting Iceland since 2005 and have seen the country change dramatically over the years. Based on my experiences, there are a few things I would do differently on my next trip to Iceland:
- Plan less into each day. This is probably the biggest mistake people make.
- Save a little more money than you think you’ll need. Iceland almost always ends up being more expensive than expected.
- Don’t try to tick off every highlight in too little time.
- Add more beautiful hikes to your itinerary. They’re a great way to escape the crowds, at least for a while.
- Don’t underestimate the Icelandic weather. Those photos of blue skies and sunshine don’t always reflect reality.
Book your Iceland trip
Do you want to travel to Iceland? Find the best options to book your trip below:
Conclusion and further reading
I hope this guide has given you plenty of inspiration and that you’re already looking forward to your Iceland adventure! Iceland is an incredible country to explore, and with a little preparation, you can make the most of your time there.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message. And if you’d like to keep reading, you might also enjoy these articles:
This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase and/or reservation via such a link, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for considering!
