You’re planning a visit to the land of fireplace and ice: Iceland. For a rustic the dimensions of Ohio, there’s a seemingly limitless array of issues to see and do, particularly for outside fanatics. Some are happy with merely seeing the capital metropolis, Reykjavík, taking bus excursions, or visiting one of many world’s most unique knifemakers.
However to actually expertise all of the nation has to supply, you need to venture out farther. And to see that, you’ll want an Iceland automotive rental.
There’s a dizzying array of rigs to hire in Iceland. Relying on the place you need to go, what you need to see, and the way many individuals are with you, it may be arduous to determine what car to decide on. Right here, I’ll define what it’s prefer to hire a automotive in Iceland and provide steerage from firsthand expertise to assist make your go to to this iconic island as easy as doable.
Iceland Roads
First, what are Iceland’s roads like?
Driving round Reykjavík is just about like driving round another metropolis. The remainder of the nation, nonetheless, will be fairly completely different.
The Ring Street
Route 1, aka the Ring Street, runs 821 miles (1,322 km) across the complete nation’s perimeter and is its main freeway. I’ve circumnavigated Iceland twice on it, going counterclockwise each occasions.
The Ring Street is a largely paved two-lane freeway, but it surely’s slim in comparison with North American requirements and often lacks shoulders. The utmost pace is simply 90 km/h or about 56 mph, that means you’ll typically must go slower visitors, together with bicyclists, buses, semis, sheep, and slow-going sightseers.
There are additionally a mess of one-lane bridges, gusty winds, and common inclement climate. The Ring Street calls for a wholesome heap of respect.
Iceland’s peak journey season is June by way of August, and snow isn’t frequent then. However for a lot of the yr, the island’s byways will be snow-covered, slippery, and typically impassable. This contains the Ring Street.
Grime, Gravel, and Mountain ‘F-Roads’
Enterprise off The Ring Street, and also you’ll undoubtedly encounter among the lots of of miles of dust and gravel roads — a few of which will be tough. Nevertheless, many of those routes result in Iceland’s most unimaginable options, together with magnificent waterfalls, scenic fjords, volcanic options, and extra. Preserve this in thoughts when deciding on a rental automotive.
Iceland can be well-known for its F-roads. The “F” comes from the phrase “Fjalla” which interprets into “mountain.” Normally open in the summertime, the mountainous, distant F-roads can provide among the most unimaginable views and driving adventures.
Notice: Not all rental automotive corporations allow their automobiles to journey on them. Extra on that in a bit.
Renting a Automobile in Iceland: Issues
Now that you already know a bit about Icelandic roads, you’ll must ask yourselves some questions earlier than renting.
4WD vs. 2WD
For those who’re simply going to buzz round Reykjavík or plan to stay to The Ring Street and the sights close to it, a two-wheel-drive automotive will suffice.
Planning to enterprise off the overwhelmed path, maybe down lengthy stretches of gravel to the Westfjords or on F-roads on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula? Think about one thing with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. For those who go to in winter, you might also need AWD wherever you go in Iceland.
Wish to discover the distant highlands within the nation’s middle? Some specialty rental companies will hire you 4x4s with massive off-road tires — with equally massive value tags — for some extra excessive off-road adventures. Simply keep in mind to at all times follow designated routes. Leaving designated routes can result in enormous fines.
Planning what you need to see will assist dictate the place you need to go. This may aid you hire a car with the suitable capabilities to your desired travels.
How Many Individuals?
Get an appropriately sized car to your journey. If touring with three or 4 folks and their baggage (or tenting gear), renting a subcompact hatchback isn’t a sensible choice. Conversely, for those who’re a solo traveler or have simply two folks, you most likely don’t want a big car and might save money with one thing smaller.
Think about how a lot luggage or camping gear you’ll have. Each occasions, my spouse and I traveled by way of Iceland, and we camped for one to 2 weeks. We had backpacks, duffels, and different gadgets that took up area. Conversely, for those who solely have a few carry-on luggage, you could not want the additional cargo capability.
Iceland Rental Automobile Choices
Iceland has a various vary of rental rigs, from a tiny Kia Picanto subcompact hatchback to an enormous balloon-tire-equipped Land Rover Defender 110 SUV. Additionally, EVs and hybrids are fashionable in Iceland and will be rented.
Some Icelandic leases include manual transmissions. Concentrate when deciding on your rental rig, particularly for those who’re not OK shifting your own gears.
Many automobiles will be rented with rooftop tents in Iceland. From the Lilliputian Suzuki Jimny to full-size pickups, this can be a frequent rental accent for automobiles in Iceland. It provides you an on the spot tent while you arrive at camp, and is often cheaper than renting a campervan.
Lastly, not all of Iceland’s rental automobiles are solely a few years outdated, as they’re right here within the U.S. Many will be a number of years outdated, particularly the 4WD fashions.
Learn how to Choose the Proper Rental
- Subcompact 2WD hatchbacks: The least costly two-person highway tripper — fuel-efficient and versatile. No F-road adventures right here.
- Frequent examples: Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Yaris
- Midsized 2WD automobiles: Whenever you’ll follow the primary roads however want extra space than a subcompact. Go for a wagon for cargo-carrying versatility.
- Frequent examples: Dacia Jogger, Hyundai i30, Kia CEED, Toyota Corolla
- Compact AWD crossovers: Typically have extra floor clearance and traction than 2WDs, particularly if venturing onto dust tracks. Some rental companies will enable them on F-roads, however examine first.
- Small-to-midsized 4x4s: For those who’re tackling tougher terrain, having a real four-wheel-vehicle is an effective alternative for higher off-pavement efficiency. Solely often good for one to a few folks.
- Bigger 4x4s and pickups: For the ultimate off-pavement adventures, these automobiles carry extra folks, further cargo, and might sort out probably the most tough terrain. They’re the least fuel-efficient and usually the most costly to hire.
- Frequent examples: Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Hilux
- Campervans: Campervans can present all-inclusive tenting setups. No must pitch a tent within the components — you sleep inside. Many have in-van stoves, too. Test what number of seats there are if touring with greater than two folks. Some are 2WD, some are AWD/4WD.
- Frequent examples: Renault Grasp Camper, VW vans
Gas Is Very Costly
Gas in Iceland is extraordinarily costly, and extra fuel-efficient automobiles will assist save prices. As of this writing, gasoline is 315.27 ISK (Icelandic Krona) a liter. That’s $8.55 USD a gallon.
Fueling your rental will be difficult at first attributable to pumps being within the Icelandic language. Obtain the Icelandic language pack from Google Translate and have it on the prepared.
Iceland typically requires you to make use of your credit score or debit card’s PIN, so make certain you already know it.
I like to recommend discovering a car that balances your gasoline economic system and want to go the place you need. For instance, in 2019, my spouse and I needed to discover the island’s F-roads. We rented a 2019 Suzuki Jimny, which had ample floor clearance, four-wheel drive, and respectable gasoline economic system. The tiny off-roader was good for 2 folks and our tenting gear.
In 2023, we went again to Iceland, this time together with her cousin, so we rented a bigger 2022 Toyota RAV4 with all-wheel drive, as we had extra gear. Whereas not as succesful because the Jimny, it nonetheless provided AWD and gasoline effectivity.
Icelandic Rental Automobile Costs
Rental costs are depending on while you go and what you hire. Costs shall be cheaper within the low season (winter) and probably the most at their peak from June to August. The identical rental automotive will be as much as 50% cheaper in February in comparison with July.
In keeping with rental automotive costs through Guide to Iceland, in peak months, small automobiles will be round $450 per week to begin. Stepping as much as a medium automotive provides about $100 extra as a baseline.
Choosing AWD or 4WD will development towards $600 weekly however can run into the $1,000 per week vary. Premium 4WDs, comparable to a more moderen Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser, or Land Rover Defender, can run nicely into the vary of $3,000-4,000 per week in peak occasions. These are all earlier than further insurance coverage and are solely examples.
Large balloon-tire-equipped 4x4s are iconic Icelandic rigs, and specialty rental companies provide these automobiles for rent. Wish to hire a Land Rover Tremendous Defender full with 37-inch tires? You are able to do that for about $3,749 USD per week in the summertime through ISAK 4×4 rental.
How about an arctic-ready Toyota Land Cruiser on 35s? Try Geysir.is and its Land Cruiser Arctic 4×4. Peak pricing begins at round $2,373 USD per week.
There isn’t a scarcity of rental automotive corporations in Iceland; nonetheless, some are higher than others. Research on-line rankings and browse opinions earlier than reserving.
Iceland Rental Automobile Insurance coverage
For those who’ve ever rented a automotive in North America, you already know there are elective insurances to cowl collision, roadside help, and different points. Whenever you have a look at renting in Iceland, you might even see these in addition to some relatively uncommon coverages. Do you want them?
For instance, many corporations provide gravel safety. Once more, Iceland is a rustic with a number of gravel roads, and this insurance coverage typically covers the car’s paint and headlights towards harm from rocks and stones. This insurance coverage will be about $10 USD a day.
Then there’s sand and ash protection. That is often insurance coverage towards harm from Iceland’s sandstorms, or if there’s a volcanic eruption, ash storms. Each hazards can harm a car’s paint, plastics, home windows, and many others. The additional insurance coverage is commonly round an additional $15 USD a day.
Moreover, whereas many rental companies provide customary collision waivers, they often have a deductible you’ll must pay if you’re in an accident. Most rental companies provide elevated collision waivers to get rid of the deductible, which will be roughly $15 USD a day further.
Insurance coverage is at all times of venture, however Iceland generally is a place of extremes. Each occasions we rented, we obtained full protection in order to not fear about harm, which tacked on round $35 USD further a day. However the alternative is as much as you. Regardless, learn the nice print so that you don’t get prices you didn’t count on.
Can I Take My Automobile Anyplace?
On account of Iceland’s community of paved highways, unpaved backroads, mountain F-roads, and even tracks with deep water crossings, not all leases are allowed on all roads.
Most rental automotive corporations don’t allow two-wheel-drive automobiles on F-roads. Don’t assume your AWD rental is robotically allowed on F-roads, both. When unsure, ask or have a look at the nice print. In any other case, you will be in for steep fines, particularly if the automotive is broken.
In some distant areas of Iceland, there will be deep water crossings. I extremely advise towards going by way of deep water in a rental of any type, except you’re with an skilled native information.
Thrifty Car Rental particularly has a piece on crossing unbridged rivers. They don’t advocate it, both. Thrifty states that for those who select to cross any of those rivers, the motive force and lessee have full accountability for all harm except buying river ford crossing (RFC) safety.
Select Your Iceland Automobile Rental Properly
Iceland is considered one of my favourite locations on earth. Renting the fitting rig to discover this unimaginable Nordic island might help you get to among the most superb locations the nation has to supply.
Do your homework, store round, and browse the opinions in addition to the nice print. Then, you ought to be able to discover the land of fireplace and ice.
