You’re planning a visit to the land of fireside and ice: Iceland. For a rustic the dimensions of Ohio, there’s a seemingly countless array of issues to see and do, particularly for out of doors fans. 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 wish to go, what you wish to see, and the way many individuals are with you, it may be exhausting 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 clean as potential.
Iceland Roads
First, what are Iceland’s roads like?
Driving round Reykjavík is just about like driving round every other metropolis. The remainder of the nation, nonetheless, might be fairly completely different.
The Ring Street
Route 1, aka the Ring Street, runs 821 miles (1,322 km) across the total 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, nevertheless it’s slender in comparison with North American requirements and normally lacks shoulders. The utmost velocity is simply 90 km/h or about 56 mph, which means you’ll usually must go slower site 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 12 months, the island’s byways might be snow-covered, slippery, and generally 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 a whole bunch of miles of filth and gravel roads — a few of which might be tough. Nevertheless, many of those routes result in Iceland’s most unbelievable options, together with magnificent waterfalls, scenic fjords, volcanic options, and extra. Maintain this in thoughts when choosing 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 unbelievable views and driving adventures.
Observe: Not all rental automotive firms allow their autos 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
Should you’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. Should you go to in winter, you might also need AWD wherever you go in Iceland.
Wish to discover the distant highlands within the nation’s heart? Some specialty rental businesses will hire you 4x4s with large off-road tires — with equally large value tags — for some extra excessive off-road adventures. Simply bear in mind to all the time stick with designated routes. Leaving designated routes can result in enormous fines.
Planning what you wish to see will assist dictate the place you wish to go. This may assist you hire a car with the suitable capabilities in your desired travels.
How Many Individuals?
Get an appropriately sized car in your journey. If touring with three or 4 folks and their baggage (or tenting gear), renting a subcompact hatchback isn’t a good selection. Conversely, when you’re a solo traveler or have simply two folks, you in all probability 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, when you solely have a few carry-on luggage, it’s possible you’ll 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 standard in Iceland and might be rented.
Some Icelandic leases include manual transmissions. Concentrate when choosing your rental rig, particularly when you’re not OK shifting your own gears.
Many autos might be rented with rooftop tents in Iceland. From the Lilliputian Suzuki Jimny to full-size pickups, it is a frequent rental accent for vehicles in Iceland. It offers you an on the spot tent whenever you arrive at camp, and is normally cheaper than renting a campervan.
Lastly, not all of Iceland’s rental vehicles are solely a few years outdated, as they’re right here within the U.S. Many might be a number of years outdated, particularly the 4WD fashions.
Learn how to Decide the Proper Rental
- Subcompact 2WD hatchbacks: The least costly two-person street tripper — fuel-efficient and versatile. No F-road adventures right here.
- Widespread examples: Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Yaris
- Midsized 2WD autos: If you’ll stick with the primary roads however want more room than a subcompact. Go for a wagon for cargo-carrying versatility.
- Widespread examples: Dacia Jogger, Hyundai i30, Kia CEED, Toyota Corolla
- Compact AWD crossovers: Usually have extra floor clearance and traction than 2WDs, particularly if venturing onto filth tracks. Some rental businesses will enable them on F-roads, however examine first.
- Small-to-midsized 4x4s: Should you’re tackling tougher terrain, having a real four-wheel-vehicle is an effective alternative for higher off-pavement efficiency. Solely normally good for one to a few folks.
- Bigger 4x4s and pickups: For the ultimate off-pavement adventures, these autos carry extra folks, extra cargo, and might deal with probably the most tough terrain. They’re the least fuel-efficient and customarily the costliest to hire.
- Widespread 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 parts — 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.
- Widespread examples: Renault Grasp Camper, VW vans
Gas Is Very Costly
Gas in Iceland is extraordinarily costly, and extra fuel-efficient autos 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 might be difficult at first as a result of 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 sure you already know it.
I like to recommend discovering a car that balances your gasoline financial system and need 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 first rate gasoline financial 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 supplied AWD and gasoline effectivity.
Icelandic Rental Automobile Costs
Rental costs are depending on whenever you go and what you hire. Costs might be cheaper within the low season (winter) and probably the most at their peak from June to August. The identical rental automotive might 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 vehicles might be round $450 every week to start out. 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, reminiscent of 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 extra insurance coverage and are solely examples.
Large balloon-tire-equipped 4x4s are iconic Icelandic rigs, and specialty rental businesses provide these autos 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 every week in the summertime through ISAK 4×4 rental.
How about an arctic-ready Toyota Land Cruiser on 35s? Take a look at Geysir.is and its Land Cruiser Arctic 4×4. Peak pricing begins at round $2,373 USD every week.
There isn’t a scarcity of rental automotive firms in Iceland; nonetheless, some are higher than others. Examine on-line rankings and browse critiques earlier than reserving.
Iceland Rental Automobile Insurance coverage
Should you’ve ever rented a automotive in North America, you already know there are non-obligatory insurances to cowl collision, roadside help, and different points. If you take 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 firms provide gravel safety. Once more, Iceland is a rustic with numerous gravel roads, and this insurance coverage usually covers the car’s paint and headlights in opposition to injury from rocks and stones. This insurance coverage might be about $10 USD a day.
Then there’s sand and ash protection. That is normally insurance coverage in opposition to injury from Iceland’s sandstorms, or if there’s a volcanic eruption, ash storms. Each hazards can injury a car’s paint, plastics, home windows, and so on. The additional insurance coverage is commonly round an additional $15 USD a day.
Moreover, whereas many rental businesses provide normal collision waivers, they frequently have a deductible you’ll must pay in case you are in an accident. Most rental businesses provide elevated collision waivers to remove the deductible, which might be roughly $15 USD a day further.
Insurance coverage is all the time of venture, however Iceland is usually a place of extremes. Each occasions we rented, we received full protection in order to not fear about injury, which tacked on round $35 USD further a day. However the alternative is as much as you. Regardless, learn the positive print so that you don’t get expenses you didn’t anticipate.
Can I Take My Automobile Wherever?
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 firms don’t allow two-wheel-drive vehicles on F-roads. Don’t assume your AWD rental is routinely allowed on F-roads, both. When unsure, ask or take a look at the positive print. In any other case, you might be in for steep fines, particularly if the automotive is broken.
In some distant areas of Iceland, there might be deep water crossings. I extremely advise in opposition to going by way of deep water in a rental of any form, until you’re with an skilled native information.
Thrifty Car Rental particularly has a piece on crossing unbridged rivers. They don’t suggest it, both. Thrifty states that when you select to cross any of those rivers, the driving force and lessee have full duty for all injury until buying river ford crossing (RFC) safety.
Select Your Iceland Automobile Rental Properly
Iceland is one in every of my favourite locations on earth. Renting the best rig to discover this unbelievable Nordic island will help you get to among the most wonderful locations the nation has to supply.
Do your homework, store round, and browse the critiques in addition to the positive print. Then, you need to be able to discover the land of fireside and ice.
