Decided to rent a car in Reykjavik? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:
Reykjavik is the northernmost and farthest capital from the rest of the world. But this remoteness is successfully overcome in a three-hour flight from continental Europe to the international Keflafik airport. Despite the small population (about 130 thousand spectators), Reykjavik, founded in 874, is very interesting for tourists. There are no skyscrapers here, but there are a huge number of museums and art galleries, restaurants and historical monuments.
For tourists there are interesting routes around the city, especially along the amazing multi-colored heated sidewalks, as well as along the main street Laugavegur with numerous shops. It has a well-developed public transport and taxi network. But it is better to rent a car. This is very easy to do, for example, using the Bookingautos website. It will cost you much less than transportation, and besides, you will be completely independent in your travels. In addition, the car will come in handy if you travel outside the city. City official website - reykjavik.is
What to see in Reykjavik
Not the largest, but the most important attraction in terms of status is National Museum of Iceland. High-quality and carefully selected exhibitions cover the entire history of the country - from the god Thor, whose thousand-year-old sculpture occupies one of the main places in the museum, to the present day.
Lutheran Church Hallgrimskirkja is visible from every corner of the city. This is a real standard of modernity, despite the fact that the project was developed back in 1937. The church is stunningly beautiful. The main element of the interior decoration is a huge organ, which has more than 5 thousand pipes. An excellent view is given by the observation deck, located at a heightof 70 m. Here the whole city is already visible from a bird's eye view.
One of the main pearls of the city has become complex Perlan with a spherical roof, equipped in an existing city boiler house. Now there is an elite revolving restaurant, a planetarium, a circular panorama, an ice cave, numerous museums that constantly host exhibitions, concerts, fairs, and educational films are shown. The interactive exposition with a map of the island, where you can launch a volcanic eruption, is very interesting.
Harpa Congress Center is a masterpiece of modern architecture in the form of a huge crystal with a honeycomb structure of the walls, repeating the pattern of basalt columns. Numerous LEDs are built into the walls, which give a chic play of light and shadows in the dark. Inside there are concert halls and a congress center, an opera house, the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra performs, there are souvenir boutiques, an exposition of rare cars.
You will definitely not pass by two monuments. Sun Voyager has the appearance of a Viking drakkar skeleton and symbolizes the discovery of a new, undeveloped territory. And the monument to Leif the Happy, located next to Hallgrimskirkja, was donated by the US government in memory of the discovery of America and in honor of the 1000th anniversary of the parliament Iceland.
Where to go nearReykjavik(for 1-2 days)
Iceland is a small country, even European standards. However, there is a lot to see here, even in the immediate vicinity of Reykjavik. To move outside the city, you should rent a car with off-road capability. This will make it easier to get around in the mountains, given the fact that in Iceland only a third of the roads are paved. Tourists should not forget that off-road driving is prohibited in the country.
The most popular place for tourists is the thermal complex Blue lagoon, located 40 km from Reykjavik. This is actually a spa resort, a huge outdoor pool with a water temperature of about 38 degrees. Soothing geothermal waters and white clay have a wonderful healing effect. A visit to the Blue Lagoon in winter looks especially spectacular.
Very close to the capital, on the Reykjanes peninsula, tourists can see spectacular Martian colorful landscapes, powerful clay geysers, the deepest in the country, blue-green, Lake Kleifarvatn popular with divers.
Thingvellir National Park is the meeting place of the Althing, the world's oldest parliament. Its main attractions are the 20-meter Oxara waterfall, as well as the unique lake Thingvallavatn, which occupies a crack between the American and Eurasian continental platforms. Drivers love to dive into the icy waters of the lake, which reaches a depth of 63 m. Not far from the park is the beautiful two-stage Gullfoss waterfall, as well as the impressive valley of Haukadalur geysers.
Southeast Iceland has a glacial lagoon Jokulsarlon with spectacular icebergs breaking away from a glacier descending into the sea. As a nice bonus, visitors will be able to see seals frolicking right in the lagoon, as well as visit Reynisfjara beach, formed by completely black sand and surrounded by hexagonal rocks.
Food: the best restaurants in Reykjavik
The foundations of the national cuisine of Iceland were laid back in the days of the Vikings. Then the main diet of the population was fish and seafood. Later, with the development of sheep breeding on the island, mutton and dairy were included in the main food products. Plant food, almost until the 20th century, was completely absent, not counting the meager gifts of the Icelandic tundra - reindeer moss, berries, mushrooms.
Modern Icelandic cuisine is aimed not on the preservation of traditions, but on the highest quality of products and the emergence of new, innovative dishes. Therefore, there are almost no restaurants exclusively of local cuisine left. Nevertheless, in the menu of any restaurant in Reykjavik, even traditional European or Japanese, visitors are sure to expect whale steak, excellent lamb soup, and amazingly cooked cod. For tourists, the following restaurants can be recommended, which successfully combine haute cuisine and local culinary traditions:
The city is divided into four parking zones: red, blue, orange, green. The most expensive parking fee is in the red zone (320 CZK per hour), the most affordable is in the green zone (170 for the first hour and 50 for each subsequent hour). On Sunday parking is free in all areas. Parking lots are plentiful and located in all parts of the city. As a rule, they are small in size and can accommodate from 10 to 70 cars. Payment is made at parking machines, for which various payment methods are available - from coins to bank cards.
There are large parking lots at shopping and cultural centers. The cost of one hour of parking varies considerably from place to place, from 225 kr at Nagra (Austurbakka 2) to 80 kr at Stjörnuport (Laugavegur 94) and Vitatorg (Lindargotu 59). The opening hours of these parking lots are limited by the opening hours of shopping centers. The city has a large Kringlan (Kringlan 4) free car park that can accommodate 2,000 cars.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Sixt
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Estimated cost for 7 days rental
January
€193
February
€128
March
€137
April
€149
May
€184
June
€224
July
€243
August
€242
September
€162
October
€121
November
€111
December
€149
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Reykjavik is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €25. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Reykjavik is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €25, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model Toyota Camry is €76per day.
We have the largest selection of cars in Reykjavik. What do we offer:
New cars 2024 of the year.
Cars of any class from budget to premium.
A wide range of models: convertibles, sedans, SUVs, minivans.
You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:
Cabriolet;
Business Class;
SUV;
Minivan.
Also available other models and you can rent them in Reykjavik at a convenient time and on favorable terms.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of Renault Zoe when ordering in Reykjavik will cost quite a modest amount.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.
Book in advance
Reykjavik is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Reykjavik. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat 500 or Ford Fiesta. These models are the most popular with our customers in Reykjavik.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Opel Astra Estate will cost €45 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
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 recommendations
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.
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 you pick up your car, you may be asked to pay for a full tank of fuel right away. This condition will suit you if you plan to travel long distances. For a couple of trips around the city, you don’t need so much fuel, and therefore it doesn’t make sense to overpay. Pay attention to the fuel policy when booking a car. If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Mileage without limits
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.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Reykjavik, 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.
Which rental company to choose
When renting a car in Reykjavik, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Reykjavik, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Car pick-up procedure
You should show a voucher and personal documents. A manager draws up a lease agreement. The deposit is blocked on the card.
Before leaving the rental, turn on the ignition, find out the amount of fuel and compare it with what is written in the contract.
Inspect the car carefully. Point out to the manager any paint chips and scuffs. The employee must record the damage. Take a photo yourself: they should show the defect, the number of the car and the employee of the rental company. This will help to avoid problems when returning the car: it will prove that it was not you who torn the upholstery or scratched the fender.
Our advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Reykjavik
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.
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