Road tripping round Iceland is likely one of the finest methods to see this unimaginable nation. The Ring Road (Þjóðvegur 1, or just Route 1) circles all of Iceland in 821.5 miles (about 1322 kilometers), permitting you to rise up near every part from waterfalls to volcanoes to glaciers in a single journey.
And whereas Iceland is not essentially a difficult place for a highway journey from a planning perspective, there ARE a number of issues it’s worthwhile to know forward of time with the intention to have an pleasant journey.
If you are in search of an in depth Iceland highway journey plan, then try my 10-day Iceland Ring Road itinerary. Otherwise, maintain studying for some Iceland highway journey suggestions, and the important issues it’s worthwhile to know earlier than you go!
Road tripping in Iceland FAQ
First, a couple of commonly-asked questions on doing a highway journey in Iceland typically:
You do not essentially NEED a automotive in Iceland. You can definitely plan a visit with out one if you’re glad to base your self in Reykjavik and take day journeys/in a single day journeys from there. (I’ve completed this a pair occasions earlier than, and really choose it through the winter months!)
But public transportation will not be nice exterior of the capital space, and clearly if you wish to do an Iceland highway journey you’ll positively have to hire a automotive!
On the entire, no, driving in Iceland will not be tough. Iceland is a right-hand site visitors nation (just like the US and most of Europe), and the primary roads are effectively marked and fairly effectively maintained. And when you’ll run into roundabouts in greater cities, Iceland doesn’t have main highways with tons of site visitors to emphasize about.
The solely occasions when driving in Iceland can get difficult are:
1. If you are headed up into the Highlands on unpaved F-roads. These roads can get gnarly and generally require river crossings – you MUST have a 4×4 automobile and ideally some off-road driving expertise for these roads. (But you will not encounter any of them in case you’re simply sticking to the Ring Road and principal sights.)
2. During the winter months. From October by means of March, Iceland regularly will get hit with icy storms with gale-force winds. Driving in these situations is very discouraged (roads typically shut completely throughout excessive wind occasions), and doubly so in case you’re not used to driving in snowy/icy situations.
Yes you should use your US license to drive in Iceland! You don’t want any particular license to drive in Iceland so long as your US driver’s license is legitimate. The identical goes for UK and EU driver’s licenses, too. (But you do should be no less than 20 years outdated to hire a automotive in Iceland, or 23 to hire a 4×4.)
1. Like in most nations, it’s worthwhile to obey pace limits or danger a wonderful (extra on this later).
2. Seatbelts are required to be worn by everybody within the automotive.
3. You have to drive along with your headlights on always.
4. Driving whereas speaking on/utilizing a cellular phone with out the help of a hands-free system is illegitimate.
I personally assume you want AT LEAST 8-9 days to drive the Ring Road in Iceland, however 10-12 days (and even longer) can be superb. I’ve a 10-day Iceland highway journey itinerary you should use.
And now on to all of the important Iceland highway journey suggestions!
Iceland highway journey suggestions: what it’s worthwhile to know
Here are all of the issues it’s worthwhile to know earlier than your Iceland highway journey, and will bear in mind when you’re there!
1. Rental automobiles in Iceland aren’t low-cost
First issues first, let’s get this matter out of the best way: Iceland may be an costly place to journey. Don’t let a budget flights idiot you; when you’re there, you may be paying lots for every part, from primary accommodations to restaurant meals. And this positively extends to rental automobiles, too.
In truth, a rental automotive would possibly find yourself being your largest expense in Iceland in case you’re taking an extended highway journey. Because of excessive taxes, excessive demand, and simply total larger costs in Iceland, you may positively be paying extra to hire a automotive right here that you’d in, say, the US.
There are principally three sorts of automobiles you would possibly hire in Iceland. From most cost-effective to costliest they’re:
- An everyday 2WD automotive – You can completely hire a small automotive in Iceland, and will probably be the most affordable choice with the widest number of selection (nearly each rental firm in Iceland will supply these). Manual automobiles will likely be much more reasonably priced than automatics, and you may anticipate to spend wherever from $40-$100 per day for simply the automotive rental with none extras.
- A 4×4 (4WD) automobile – Lots of people wish to hire bigger 4x4s for driving in Iceland, and in some circumstances they’re advisable (like for winter driving, or for touring up into the Highlands). These bigger automobiles clearly include a better price ticket; you may anticipate to pay $100-$250 per day or extra.
- A campervan – Campervans are standard in Iceland, as they’ll double as each transport and lodging (although you continue to want to remain in designated campsites!). These vans may be fairly dear although – particularly if you’d like one which’s additionally 4WD. You can anticipate to pay no less than $100-$350 per day or extra.
Note that every one of those costs are a variety as a result of costs can range lots relying on what time of yr you are visiting (i.e. how excessive demand is), how giant of a automobile you want, whether or not it’s worthwhile to guide an computerized, and many others.
I did a 15-day highway journey in Iceland in August in 2022 (excessive season in Iceland), and we spent slightly below $2000 on a 2WD automotive with two drivers – averaging out to about $130 USD per day.
Need to seek for a rental automotive in Iceland? For every part aside from campervans, I like to recommend utilizing Discover Cars. And Iceland is one place the place it’s vastly simpler to select up/drop off your rental automotive on the main airport (KEF or Keflavík International).
2. You solely want a 4×4 for F-roads
Having probably shocked you with how costly it may be to hire a automotive in Iceland, I do have some excellent news: it’s possible you’ll not have to hire a 4×4 in Iceland in any respect.
The majority of roads in Iceland (just like the Ring Road, all of the roads between main cities, and even the roads across the Westfjords and Eastfjords) are both totally paved or well-maintained sufficient that you may drive them with a 2WD automotive from May by means of September.
The solely roads in Iceland that you’re legally required to have a 4WD automobile to drive are F-roads. These are principally roads that go into Iceland’s inside (AKA the Highlands), they usually’re all indicated with the letter “F” in entrance of the highway quantity. F-roads are clearly marked on maps, and likewise on highway indicators.
F-roads are nonetheless official roads, however driving them often seems like off-roading. These unpaved roads may be pitted, muddy, and tough to drive. Some F-roads additionally require river crossings, which may be tremendous harmful within the fallacious kind of automobile (and generally even in the proper kind of one!).
For these causes, you aren’t allowed to drive any 2WD automobiles on F-roads, and in case you do will probably be a breach of contract along with your rental automotive firm.
Most individuals doing highway journeys in Iceland won’t ever have to enterprise onto F-roads, although, so renting a 4×4 is not essentially important. (And in case you actually wish to get a glimpse into the Highlands, you may all the time guide a day tour with an organization that is aware of methods to navigate F-roads safely like this one to Landmannalaugar.)
Note: You may also want (or no less than be higher off with) a 4×4 within the winter months, when Iceland regularly will get hit with icy storms that carry gale-force winds. Personally, I’d not suggest planning a winter highway journey in Iceland except you’re VERY comfy driving in snowy/icy situations.
3. Know what’s not insured
When you are renting a automotive in Iceland, paying for Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance coverage is necessary – and the worth is often baked in to the overall worth of your rental. This primary insurance coverage basically signifies that in case you’re concerned in an accident, there is a restrict to how a lot you may be answerable for (the deductible/extra quantity is often round $2500 USD).
But primary CDW in Iceland does not cowl every part you would possibly encounter on a highway journey, and so it is vital to know what’s NOT insured.
Common issues that you simply may need to pay further to have insured in a rental automotive embrace:
- Tires (in case you’re renting a 4×4 and planning to drive F-roads, pay to insure the tires)
- Gravel harm (to issues just like the windshield, undercarriage, and many others.)
- Wind harm (an actual danger in Iceland; dangerous winter wind storms regularly blow out automotive home windows and might rip automotive doorways clear off)
- Sand harm (one other actual danger, particularly throughout these dangerous wind storms)
- Damage brought on by hitting animals (there are LOTS of sheep in Iceland)
- Towing in case you break down or get in an accident
You can improve the essential CDW insurance coverage to cowl extra issues along with your rental firm – simply be sure you know what’s NOT lined in no matter insurance coverage package deal you select.
4. Don’t underestimate the climate
Why would possibly you wish to add some insurance coverage protection to your rental automotive in Iceland? Because Iceland’s climate is INTENSE. Iceland may be hit with savage storms that include sturdy winds, rain, and snow principally any time of yr (although the worst storms are extra widespread within the winter).
And do not assume that simply since you reside someplace the place it rains or snows lots that you’re going to be robotically ready for driving in Iceland. Iceland’s climate – and particularly its winds – are probably not like something you’ve got skilled earlier than! Think sideways rain and blowing black sand and wind sturdy sufficient to blow out automotive home windows or actually knock you off your ft.
Road closures in Iceland within the winter months are widespread. The F-roads within the Highlands shut on account of snow, which is fairly normal. But different roads within the nation (together with even the Ring Road) shut generally, too – often due to that wind.
Don’t underestimate the dangerous climate in Iceland. If Safetravel.is is saying it isn’t a secure journey day, then it isn’t a secure journey day and you need to keep put the place you’re as a substitute of venturing out on the roads. (More on websites like Safetravel later.)
5. Watch out for pace cameras
You probably will not see many police automobiles in Iceland, however there are many site visitors/pace cameras all around the nation.
Unless in any other case posted (like when going by means of cities), the pace restrict in Iceland is 90 kph on paved roads and 80 kph on gravel roads (although I can not picture driving that quick on most of them!). Pay consideration to your pace, and for any indicators warning of an upcoming digicam.
If a digicam catches you dashing, you may anticipate a ticket within the mail out of your rental firm – and dashing fines are often no less than a pair hundred {dollars}.
6. You could face one-lane roads
Iceland’s principal roads are, for probably the most half, paved and well-maintained two-lane roads. But many non-main roads in Iceland are narrower – generally simply huge sufficient for one lane of site visitors. You may also look forward to finding one-lane bridges, and even the occasional one-lane tunnel!
If you end up approaching a single-lane bridge in Iceland, simply be alert. At bridges, it is common courtesy for whoever arrives on the bridge first to cross first. If there is a line of site visitors coming from one route, often you let the entire line cross. You can flash your headlights to point that you simply’re ready and that it is secure for oncoming site visitors to cross.
On some longer bridges and in single-lane tunnels, although, you typically can not see the opposite finish. In these circumstances (and when driving on one-lane roads), maintain your eyes peeled for pull-out areas/lay-bys; one automotive pulls in to the lay-by with the intention to let the opposite automotive cross.
Some bridges and tunnels have indicators at every finish denoting which route of site visitors has the “right of way” (i.e. which route is meant to yield and use the lay-bys). A white or black arrow within the route you are touring means you will have proper of means; a purple arrow getting into your route means you are supposed to present means.
In apply, although, not everybody pays consideration to those and it’s possible you’ll simply have to make use of your individual judgement for when you need to use a lay-by.
7. Only pull over when it is secure
Speaking of pulling over… most of Iceland’s roads (together with the Ring Road) are simply two lanes with barely any shoulder space. I KNOW the Icelandic surroundings is extremely epic and that you’re going to most likely wish to cease lots for images.
But please DO NOT cease on the aspect of the highway to take images, and positively don’t open your automotive doorways into the highway to go away your automobile. This may be very harmful each to you another drivers on the highway.
If you completely should cease, discover a lay-by, relaxation space, car parking zone, or different spot to securely cease that will not impede site visitors. (Or you are able to do what my good friend Kate and I did, and designate the passenger as through-the-windshield-photo-taker whenever you’re driving.)
8. Make a plan for getting gasoline
If you are driving the Ring Road (or in any other case driving 4-5 hours per day as you discover Iceland), then you definately’ll most likely have to refill your gasoline tank each 1-2 days. And in case you’re touring in a few of Iceland’s extra distant areas (together with just about all of East Iceland), gasoline stations may be few and much between. So it ought to go with out saying that you need to gasoline up every time you may, simply to be secure.
There are two two principal sorts of gasoline station setups in Iceland: manned and unmanned. The first is what you are probably used to, with a number of pumps exterior a small comfort retailer with cashiers inside. At these, you may both pay on the pump or pay inside.
Unmanned stations, alternatively, often simply encompass 1-2 pumps (generally simply on the aspect of the highway or in a random car parking zone) and no cashiers. At these, you often want a credit score or debit card with a PIN quantity – which isn’t all the time one thing that American vacationers have available.
If you do not often journey with a debit card and haven’t got a PIN quantity to your bank card (most US bank cards do not include them), another choice is to buy a pre-paid gasoline card from a manned station in the beginning of your journey. Then you should use that card like a debit card at any pumps from that very same gasoline firm throughout the nation.
(Some gasoline stations/pumps settle for Apple Pay or Google Pay now, too, however I’d not depend on that out in the midst of nowhere!)
Gas in Iceland is dear, too. You refill by the liter, and costs after I was there have been 320-330 ISK per liter (equal to about $2.25 USD per liter, or $8.55 USD per gallon).
Pro tip: It’s additionally price noting that many self-service/unmanned pumps in Iceland do not provide the choice to “fill up” your tank. You’ll have to pick out the (financial) quantity of gasoline you wish to put in earlier than you begin pumping. So concentrate the primary time you fill as much as see how a lot it prices.
9. Gas station meals is sweet!
And since we’re on the subject of gasoline stations, manned gasoline stations in Iceland often double as comfort shops AND cafes. In truth, a number of the greater gasoline stations in Iceland have full on sit-down eating places inside, the place you may order every part from sizzling canine to fish and chips to rooster sandwiches from the counter.
Gas station meals in Iceland is definitely fairly good (Icelandic sizzling canine simply hit totally different!), and is a number of the most cost-effective meals you may discover in Iceland exterior of buying in a price range grocery retailer. If you need a fast and low-cost meal that may style good, do not forget about gasoline stations.
10. You do not journey to Iceland for the meals
Sure, Iceland does have some good eating places (particularly in Reykjavik) that serve up good seafood, however on the entire Iceland will not be identified for its culinary choices. And whenever you’re highway tripping, it’s possible you’ll go lengthy stretches – particularly within the North and East – with out seeing any eating places in any respect.
My tip? Don’t be too treasured about the place you eat, and reap the benefits of no matter you do discover.
Like I stated above, gasoline station meals in Iceland is definitely good. And any tiny roadside cafes you stumble throughout are more likely to be uber cozy AND serve up easy however respectable meals.
Another tip? Stop in to a grocery retailer early on in your journey (the Bonus chain is probably the most reasonably priced) and top off on issues that do not should be refrigerated that you may maintain within the automotive for these occasions when there simply is not anything out there.
11. Download apps and maps
There are a couple of smartphone apps/web sites that will likely be helpful for any Iceland highway journey. A couple of I like to recommend embrace:
- Safetravel.is (web site, app or comply with them on Instagram) for information on climate alerts, journey disruptions, closures, and many others.
- Road.is for up-to-date data on highway situations
- Veður (web site or app) for detailed climate forecasts
- Parka to pay for parking in sure cities/at sure sights
- AllTrails for mountaineering assist
- Flush for locating public restrooms
I additionally extremely suggest downloading maps to make use of offline for Iceland! Even you probably have cell service throughout your journey, there are a number of components of the nation the place you will not have nice cellphone sign. To ensure you may nonetheless get instructions and use GPS, obtain maps for offline use.
You can obtain segments of Google Maps maps after which use them offline (instructions right here), or you might use an app like Maps.me that additionally helps you to obtain maps for offline use.
12. Hitchhiking is pretty widespread
Iceland is likely one of the most secure nations on this planet, but in addition one of the crucial costly to journey in. It additionally has a reasonably horrible public transit system exterior of Reykjavik. These issues added collectively imply that many backpackers and price range vacationers to Iceland need to get inventive about touring across the nation, and infrequently resort to hitchhiking.
Obviously you do not HAVE to select up hitchhikers, however simply bear in mind that it is a pretty widespread and accepted means for backpackers to journey in Iceland. Use your individual judgement after all, however do not essentially ignore everybody you cross with a thumb out in search of a trip.
13. You want extra time than you assume
This goes for any highway journey, actually, but it surely’s particularly vital to recollect in Iceland: issues will take longer than you assume.
Driving from Point A to Point B can typically take longer than Google Maps says it’ll, both since you discover you may’t really drive the pace restrict on a few of Iceland’s unpaved roads, or perhaps since you wish to cease a couple of occasions for images, or maybe since you get slowed down by a herd of sheep!
Similarly, stopping for hikes and to see unimaginable pure sights like waterfalls and black sand seashores would possibly take you longer than anticipated, too.
You completely can plan a jam-packed highway journey itinerary for Iceland (my good friend Kate and I positive did!), however simply needless to say you could have to chop some issues, or transfer your itinerary round in case you run out of time – or daylight.
Pro tip: Before your journey to Iceland, make sure to examine on how a lot daylight you may anticipate to have all through your journey! A summer time Iceland highway journey in June, July, or August, would possibly internet you wherever from 16-24 hours of daylight, whereas a winter journey in November, December, or January would possibly solely provide you with 4-6 hours of daylight. You’ll wish to plan accordingly!
14. Book what you may prematurely
Iceland is a tourism sizzling spot, particularly through the summer time months. But the nation does not have a ton of tourism infrastructure in the best way of accommodations and different lodging choices exterior of Reykjavik. Similarly, there are a finite variety of rental automobiles out there on the island, and solely so many tour operators providing issues like horseback rides, whale watching excursions, glacier hikes, and many others.
Iceland is a spot the place you actually do have to plan your go to prematurely, particularly for a summer time journey.
Get your flights and rental automotive booked as quickly as attainable, and do not go away lodge reservations till the final minute*. (When planning a highway journey for August 2022, for instance, a lot of the lodge choices alongside the South Coast have been already booked up by early June!)
You’ll additionally wish to pre-book any must-do actions, like snorkeling between tectonic plates in Silfra, occurring a whale watching tour, visiting an ice cave, and many others. If an exercise will get canceled due to dangerous climate, it is a lot simpler for the corporate to attempt to accommodate a date swap than you attempting to scramble last-minute.
And when you need not guide each sizzling spring in Iceland prematurely, you DO have to guide Blue Lagoon tickets earlier than you arrive. The tickets are inclined to promote out year-round, generally days and even weeks prematurely.
While planning thus far prematurely does not make for probably the most versatile type of journey, take it from me that it actually is important today in Iceland.
(If you are touring in winter, you may generally be extra versatile – and also you would possibly wish to be, in case a type of tremendous dangerous storms forces you to vary your plans – however I’d nonetheless suggest superior bookings. Look for choices on Booking.com that provide free cancelation/modifications as much as the day earlier than you keep.)
*If you are tenting in Iceland, that is the one exception; some campsites do not take reservations, and even on the ones that do, it’s possible you’ll not want them. It IS nonetheless finest to examine for availability earlier than displaying up, although, and you may pre-book some websites by means of the Parka app I discussed earlier.
15. Have Plans B and C, too
Iceland is a rustic you journey to to witness the superior energy of Mother Nature. But whenever you’re relying lots on nature to your leisure, needless to say it may be very unpredictable.
Maybe dangerous climate will make part of your itinerary not possible; perhaps a highway closure will reroute you for hours; perhaps a volcano will begin erupting proper earlier than your journey that you simply determine you NEED to go see (occurred to us!); or perhaps you may simply actually fall in love with one space and wish to keep longer than you deliberate.
In Iceland particularly, it is good to no less than focus on these types of conditions along with your journey associate(s) earlier than your journey. If you run into dangerous climate, will you don rain gear and push by means of in case you can, or will you scrap sure stops? Are you prepared/capable of make last-minute modifications to your plans if a tour will get canceled, a hike takes longer than anticipated, or one thing completely wonderful pops up?
I do not essentially imply you need to guide a number of accommodations or excursions for every single day of your journey, anticipating for one thing to go fallacious. But it does not damage to have some further issues in thoughts to fall again on if you must.
READ NEXT: An Epic 10-Day Iceland Ring Road Itinerary for the Best Iceland Road Trip
There are so many different issues I might inform you about highway tripping in Iceland (like, how the backs of your seats will most likely flip right into a drying rack to your swimsuits after visiting sizzling springs, or the way you completely positively wish to be sure you have good windshield wipers), however these are all of the vital suggestions that I feel are important!
Have you ever taken a highway journey in Iceland? If not, would you wish to?