Car hire in Iceland
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Iceland is a natural wonderland of blue ice, geysers andhot springs. But there’s an equally enchanting cultural side to this remote island in its capital and smaller cities. Planes are the main form of transportation around Iceland, followed by bus service. While these are reliable, they don’t allow you to see much of the countryside as you travel.
Car hire driving tips in Iceland
With a hire car, you’ll have the advantage of flexibility to go where you want on your own schedule. Domestic flights are not cheap, so reserving car rental in Iceland can quickly prove excellent value. Iceland has good roads that reach all of its attractions. During the peak of summer travel, many tourists rent cars since it’s such a good option. To avoid paying high rates and having a limited selection of vehicles, an advance booking is highly recommended during peak travel periods.
Need to know essentials
Driving licences: a driving license from your home country is valid in Iceland as long as it is in English. Alternatively, you can carry a notorised English translation of your home country license along with the license itself or simply get an International Driving Permit.
Which side does Iceland drives on: the right.
Speed limits:
National or provincial paved roads: 90kph
Local gravel roads: 80kph
Urban roads: 50kph
Alcohol limits:Iceland takes drunk driving very seriously and has a limit of 0.05 per cent or 50mg/100ml. Police checkpoints are frequently set up outside towns and cities, with a large fine and loss of driving privileges for at least two months for anyone caught driving drunk.
Driving age: 17 years (21 years for anyone driving a rental car, 25 for a rental jeep).
Compulsory items: a warning triangle. Winter tyres from early November to mid-February.
Seatbelts: everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt, and children under the age of six must be restrained in a child safety seat.
Mobile phones and GPS: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving inIceland, though hands-free devices are allowed. Although there are relatively few roads on the island, a GPS can be handy when navigating the scenic gravel roads as the signage can sometimes be vague. If you book a hire car in Iceland through us then you will be eligible to a GPS as an added extra.
Cost of fuel in Iceland: the price of unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are considerably higher than in the UK.
Car hire and fuel payment: Iceland car rental companies require the person hiring a car to hold a valid credit card. Many petrol pumps inIceland are self-service and accept major credit cards as payment.
Insurance:Iceland’s government requires full coverage to be included with every vehicle hire transaction, but this doesn’t cover small damage. With so many gravel roads in the country, cracked windscreens are a common problem and make it worth paying extra for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance.
Traffic and parking: Iceland is one of the few countries on earth that doesn’t seem to have much of a traffic problem, making it a truly pleasant place to drive. Parking in towns is strictly enforced but clearly signposted. Be sure and park in the direction of the traffic and never within five metres of a pedestrian crosswalk or intersection. The police won’t hesitate to slap a ticket on cars that are parked in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Our travel editor’s recommended drives
The Ring Road – the mother of all drives wraps around the entire island, passing by lunar landscapes, black-sand beaches, belching geysers and even a handful of picturesque villages. This is a multi-day drive.
The Golden Circle – this fantastic 185km loop covers the incredible Pingvellir National Park, the great geyser area of Haukadalur and the Golden Waterfall at Gullfoss - arguably the greatest day drive inIceland.
The South Coast – a natural wonderland with two of Iceland’s top waterfalls, volcanic black-sand beaches and Myrdalsjokull Glacier as just some of the highlights easily accessible from the capital.
East Fjords – get off the beaten path and visit one of Iceland’s coolest traditional villages at Djupivogur before heading out to witness Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, where there are some amazing hikes into the ice.
Iceland travel tips
Iceland is one of the world’s most unique destinations and a relatively easy trip from the UK. The island’s excellent infrastructure and roads make it ideal for a lengthy road trip with car rental. There are plenty of accommodation options in all the right places and it rarely gets crowded. Iceland should be on the short list of every fan of Mother Nature.
Iceland weather and tourist seasons
The Gulf Stream helps keep the climate of Iceland temperate, generating much less snow than visitors may expect. Summers are pleasantly mild, with days of 24-hour sunlight from late May to early August, even in the capital of Reykjavik. Winters are naturally cold and dark, with the only reliable snow in the far north of the island. The one thing visitors can expect in Iceland is pollution-free skies and mercurial quick-changing weather. Naturally, the summer months see the most tourists but even in this season, it rarely feels crowded. For a real treat, consider visiting in the early autumn, just before things cool down.
Iceland contact numbers (+354)
Emergency services – 112
Traffic news/weather/road accident – 354 522 6000
British Consular Emergency Services – 354 550 5100
British Embassy – 354 550 5100
US Embassy – 354 697 4448
Irish Embassy – 354 554 2355
Canadian Embassy – 354 575 6500
Holidays and festivals
Like most of Europe, Iceland follows the standard calendar of national and religious holidays. During the brief but glorious summer, cultural festivals appear left and right, with some famous events happening in and around the capital, such as the Viking Festival (July) and the Reykjavik Jazz Festival (August/September). The Iceland Airwaves Festival (October) is a popular music festival held near the capital. With 24 hours of daylight, the summer is a great time to plan a trip around a festival, but winter is just as entrancing with the Northern Lights and the seemingly endless darkness.
Money matters
Iceland uses the Icelandic krona as its currency. Credit cards are accepted everywhere and ATMs are reliable and convenient at most destinations. Travellers cheques are widely accepted and can be cashed at banks, which are also the best places to get cash advances from a credit card. Banking hours are Monday to Friday from 09:15 to 16:00. Foreign currency can be exchanged in many hotels and at all major banks.
Health and safety
There are no health concerns in Iceland. The water is potable throughout the country, sanitation levels are excellent and food hygiene is up to international standards. Citizens of the EU can receive free or subsidised medical care in the event of an emergency if they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC is only good for healthcare at state-run medical centres. Travellers from non-EU countries should get some form of travel or medical insurance in the event of an emergency.
Fitting in…
People from Iceland are very direct in their speech, which often comes across as rude to visitors. This frank and honest approach also applies to bodily functions like burping and breaking wind. It’s best just to say “bless you” if someone farts in front of you.
Visas for Iceland
Residents of the UK, the US, Canada and Australia can enter Iceland for up to 90 days without a visa provided their passport is valid for three months past the date of entry. EU citizens can enter Iceland with only their national identity card for a stay of up to 90 days. Travellers from other countries need to check with their local Iceland embassy to find out current regulations regarding visas.
Electricity
The voltage inIceland is 220-240 Volts, 50 Hertz, with most outlets accepting the two-pin round plugs that are common in Europe. Travellers from other parts of the world are advised to buy a universal travel plug adapter.
Business hours
The opening hours of stores in Iceland are typically Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 up to 16:00. Most stores close on Sundays year-round and Saturdays during the summer months from June to August. Government offices in Iceland maintain the global schedule of Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00.
Helpful phrases
Hallo - Hello
Vinsamlegast - Please
Takk – Thank-you
Ja/nei – Yes/no
Bless - Goodbye
Fyrirgefou – Excuse me
Resources online
