EUROPCAR

3544250300

Decided to rent a car in Iceland? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:

Iceland ("country of ice")is a small northern country located between Greenland and America. It is called the island of volcanoes, glaciers and waterfalls. Iceland has many glaciers and active volcanoes. Volcanic tourism is very popular here, with a visit to the lava flow and the most famous Geysir geyser, as well as travel to wild parks and thermal springs. It is here that you can see such a unique spectacle as the Northern Lights and many other natural paintings. State official website: iceland.is

Iceland 1

Settlements of Iceland were erected, as trade and fishing ports. At the moment, the main occupation of the local residents of this city is the extraction and processing of seafood. If there is a desire to get to know the cities and sights of Iceland better, it is better to have a personal or rented car with you. Each locality of this state is unique in its own way.

Iceland 2

If you rent a car in Iceland, you will have a chance to get acquainted with this amazing country at the right time for you and at your own pace.

Reykjavik.

It is the largest city and also the capital of Iceland. It is home to 60 - 70% of the inhabitants of the total population of the country (about 150 thousand), so it is still the most densely populated. Despite the fact that the city is located near the Arctic Circle, it is quite warm here in winter. In summer, the night lasts 4 hours a day, and in winter daylight hours are only 4 hours. Downtown Reykjavik is lined with low-rise, brightly colored buildings to combat northern depressions. Places of interest: Bessastadir residence, Harpa Hall and Conference Center, Cathedral and National Square. Reykjavik is considered the cleanest and most comfortable place to live.

Kopavogur.

Kopavogur is a geothermal town with a large number of thermal springs. Located next to Reykjavik and is considered the second most populous in Iceland. Many baths, saunas, spas, and an outdoor pool have been built in Kopavogur.

Iceland 3

Hafnarfjordur

Located 10 km from Reykjavik. The harbor of the city is similar to the shape of a horseshoe. Hafnarfjördur has a lot of industry but is one of the cleanest in Iceland.

Iceland 4

Akureyri.

Icelanders consider it the second capital, located in the north of the country. Akureyri is considered the fourth largest in the country. The famous Godafoss waterfall and Lake Mývatn are located here.

Iceland 5

Your Perfect Road Trip Awaits: Top Routes to Take in Iceland

Iceland's breathtaking landscapes and otherworldly beauty make it an ideal destination for a road trip adventure. Exploring this Nordic island nation by a rented car allows you to discover hidden gems and experience the country's raw natural wonders at your own pace. Here are some of the top routes to consider for your Icelandic road trip:

1. The Ring Road (Route 1)

The iconic Ring Road circles the entire island, covering approximately 1,300 kilometers. This route offers a comprehensive tour of Iceland's diverse landscapes, including:

Stunning waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss
The black sand beaches of Vík
The otherworldly Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
The geothermal wonders of Lake Mývatn

2. The Golden Circle

Perfect for a shorter trip, the Golden Circle is a 300-kilometer loop from Reykjavík that showcases some of Iceland's most famous attractions:

The powerful Gullfoss waterfall
The active Geysir geothermal area
Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site

3. The Westfjords

For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the Westfjords offer rugged landscapes and remote beauty. Highlights include:

The stunning Dynjandi waterfall
The red sand beach at Rauðasandur
The Látrabjarg bird cliffs, home to millions of puffins

4. The Diamond Circle

Located in North Iceland, this 250-kilometer route features some of the country's most impressive natural wonders:

The horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon
The powerful Dettifoss waterfall
The volcanic landscapes of Mývatn
The charming town of Húsavík, known for whale watching

When planning your Icelandic road trip, be sure to check road conditions and weather forecasts, as they can change rapidly. Always drive carefully and respect local traffic laws. With your rental car, you'll have the freedom to explore Iceland's stunning landscapes at your own pace, creating unforgettable memories along the way.

Remember: Book your car rental in advance through Bookingautos to ensure availability and the best rates for your Icelandic adventure!

Driving in Iceland.

Main highways are excellent for any driver as they are perfect and traffic is zero. However, driving off asphalt, on mountain paths, is another form of travel.

All mountain roads in Iceland (the interior of the island) are gravel. The surface of gravel paths is often loose, for this reason you should drive very carefully, and also slow down if you encounter an oncoming car.
Worth remembering! Dirt roads on maps of Iceland and on warning boards are marked with the letter F. The car rental agreement usually indicates whether your car is allowed to drive on a dirt road. In addition, such paths often turn out to be narrow and go into the mountains.
In the city, the speed limit is 50 km/h, on gravel roads in the countryside - 80 km/h, and on paved roads - 90 km/ h.

What are the types of parking.

Parking rates in Icelandic settlements are 100-250 kroons/hour. In certain parking lots in Reykjavik, the first two hours are free. Payment is possible through a parking meter or cashier.
Parking lots near natural monuments are covered with gravel and fenced with small posts. There are commercial parking lots near national parks, and there are free parking lots near waterfalls, lakes, geysers.
In addition, free parking lots will be located near hotels, hotels and in the camping area, since their cost is included in the payment for accommodation in these places.

There is one more distinguishing feature in Iceland - this is the frequent hit of animals on the road. It is believed that the number of sheep and horses in this area exceeds the population.

Rent an electric car in Iceland.

Electric cars are becoming more affordable. Iceland has always been worried about the environment and the ever-increasing oil prices. Today, electric vehicles are in great demand in this country and there are plans to create 200 new electric vehicle charging stations over the next 3 years.

Today, there are 13 charging stations in Iceland, 6 of which are built in Reykjavik. Charging an electric car takes about 60 minutes, but there are already fast stations on sale that can cut the time by 2 times. There are several electric car rental companies in Iceland, but with a very modest fleet. For example: Tesla Model Y - Long Range offered by LocalCarHires. The rental price for 7 days will be €1200.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€301

February

€279

March

€268

April

€359

May

€288

June

€431

July

€647

August

€534

September

€295

October

€200

November

€275

December

€527

The most popular cars in Iceland

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular rental locations in Iceland

Keflavik Airport (Reykjavik)

Reykjavik Domestic Airport

Akureyri Airport

Reykjavik

List of required documents

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

Top 10 Tips You Should Know

Download Google maps for offline access

All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.

Iceland 6

Book a car in advance

Iceland is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.

Which car to choose for rent

The compact model is relevant for city trips in Iceland. It can be Toyota Aygo or VW Polo. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Audi A4 Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €35 per day;

What you need to pay attention to when receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance advice

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

Iceland 7

What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Fuel Policy

When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Iceland for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.

Iceland 8

Rent without mileage limit

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

Iceland 9

Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Iceland, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

How to choose a rental company

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Iceland are EUROPCAR with an average rating of 9.9 points and SIXT (rating - 9).

Car pick-up procedure

Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.

Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.

Our advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages

Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!

No additional fees

Based on 8255 reviews

Rate 4,8/5

Based on 8255 reviews

Tony

4,8

Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!

Michael

4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

Luna

4,5

The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

Jody

4,9

Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

Download the BookingAutos mobile app

Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Iceland.