You’re planning a visit to the land of fireplace and ice: Iceland. For a rustic the dimensions of Ohio, there’s a seemingly countless 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 lease 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 exhausting to resolve what automobile to decide on. Right here, I’ll define what it’s prefer to lease 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 some other metropolis. The remainder of the nation, nonetheless, may be fairly completely different.
The Ring Highway
Route 1, aka the Ring Highway, 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 Highway 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 usually must move slower site visitors, together with bicyclists, buses, semis, sheep, and slow-going sightseers.
There are additionally a large number of one-lane bridges, gusty winds, and common inclement climate. The Ring Highway calls for a wholesome heap of respect.
Iceland’s peak journey season is June by means of August, and snow isn’t widespread then. However for a lot of the yr, the island’s byways may be snow-covered, slippery, and generally impassable. This consists of the Ring Highway.
Grime, Gravel, and Mountain ‘F-Roads’
Enterprise off The Ring Highway, and also you’ll undoubtedly encounter among the a whole lot of miles of grime and gravel roads — a few of which may be tough. Nonetheless, 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 choosing a rental automotive.
Iceland can be well-known for its F-roads. The “F” comes from the phrase “Fjalla” which interprets into “mountain.” Often open in the summertime, the mountainous, distant F-roads can provide among the most unimaginable views and driving adventures.
Be aware: Not all rental automotive firms allow their automobiles to journey on them. Extra on that in a bit.
Renting a Automotive in Iceland: Concerns
Now that a bit about Icelandic roads, you’ll must ask yourselves some questions earlier than renting.
4WD vs. 2WD
When you’re simply going to buzz round Reykjavík or plan to stay to The Ring Highway 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? Contemplate one thing with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. When you go to in winter, you might also need AWD anyplace you go in Iceland.
Wish to discover the distant highlands within the nation’s middle? Some specialty rental companies will lease you 4x4s with large off-road tires — with equally large value tags — for some extra excessive off-road adventures. Simply keep in mind to at all times persist with designated routes. Leaving designated routes can result in large fines.
Planning what you need to see will assist dictate the place you need to go. This may enable you lease a automobile with the suitable capabilities in your desired travels.
How Many Individuals?
Get an appropriately sized automobile in your journey. If touring with three or 4 individuals and their baggage (or tenting gear), renting a subcompact hatchback isn’t a sensible choice. Conversely, when you’re a solo traveler or have simply two individuals, you most likely don’t want a big automobile and might save money with one thing smaller.
Contemplate how a lot luggage or camping gear you’ll have. Each occasions, my spouse and I traveled by means of Iceland, and we camped for one to 2 weeks. We had backpacks, duffels, and different gadgets that took up house. Conversely, when you solely have a few carry-on baggage, it’s possible you’ll not want the additional cargo capability.
Iceland Rental Automotive 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 in style in Iceland and may 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 automobiles may be rented with rooftop tents in Iceland. From the Lilliputian Suzuki Jimny to full-size pickups, it is a widespread rental accent for automobiles in Iceland. It provides you an prompt tent whenever 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 may be a number of years outdated, particularly the 4WD fashions.
The right way 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.
- Frequent examples: Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota Aygo, Yaris
- Midsized 2WD automobiles: Whenever you’ll persist with the principle roads however want more room than a subcompact. Go for a wagon for cargo-carrying versatility.
- Frequent 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 grime tracks. Some rental companies will permit them on F-roads, however examine first.
- Small-to-midsized 4x4s: When you’re tackling harder terrain, having a real four-wheel-vehicle is an efficient selection for higher off-pavement efficiency. Solely often good for one to 3 individuals.
- Bigger 4x4s and pickups: For the ultimate off-pavement adventures, these automobiles carry extra individuals, extra cargo, and might sort out essentially the most tough terrain. They’re the least fuel-efficient and customarily the costliest to lease.
- 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. Verify what number of seats there are if touring with greater than two individuals. 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 may 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 usually requires you to make use of your credit score or debit card’s PIN, so make sure it.
I like to recommend discovering a automobile that balances your gasoline financial system and want to go the place you need. For instance, in 2019, my spouse and I wished 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 individuals 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 Automotive Costs
Rental costs are depending on whenever you go and what you lease. Costs can be inexpensive within the low season (winter) and essentially the most at their peak from June to August. The identical rental automotive may be as much as 50% inexpensive in February in comparison with July.
In keeping with rental automotive costs by way of Guide to Iceland, in peak months, small automobiles may be round $450 per week to start out. Stepping as much as a medium automotive provides about $100 extra as a baseline.
Choosing AWD or 4WD will pattern towards $600 weekly however can run into the $1,000 per week vary. Premium 4WDs, corresponding to a more recent 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 companies provide these automobiles for rent. Wish to lease 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 by way of 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 firms in Iceland; nonetheless, some are higher than others. Research on-line scores and browse critiques earlier than reserving.
Iceland Rental Automotive Insurance coverage
When you’ve ever rented a automotive in North America, there are non-obligatory insurances to cowl collision, roadside help, and different points. Whenever you take a look at renting in Iceland, you may even see these in addition to some fairly uncommon coverages. Do you want them?
For instance, many firms provide gravel safety. Once more, Iceland is a rustic with a number of gravel roads, and this insurance coverage usually covers the automobile’s paint and headlights towards harm from rocks and stones. This insurance coverage may 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 automobile’s paint, plastics, home windows, and so forth. The additional insurance coverage is commonly round an additional $15 USD a day.
Moreover, whereas many rental companies provide customary collision waivers, they frequently have a deductible you’ll need to pay if you’re in an accident. Most rental companies provide elevated collision waivers to get rid of the deductible, which may be roughly $15 USD a day further.
Insurance coverage is at all times a chance, however Iceland generally is a place of extremes. Each occasions we rented, we acquired full protection in order to not fear about harm, which tacked on round $35 USD further a day. However the selection is as much as you. Regardless, learn the wonderful print so that you don’t get prices you didn’t anticipate.
Can I Take My Automotive 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 firms don’t allow two-wheel-drive automobiles 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 wonderful print. In any other case, you may be in for steep fines, particularly if the automotive is broken.
In some distant areas of Iceland, there may be deep water crossings. I extremely advise towards going by means of deep water in a rental of any type, until 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 when you select to cross any of those rivers, the motive force and lessee have full accountability for all harm until buying river ford crossing (RFC) safety.
Select Your Iceland Automotive Rental Correctly
Iceland is certainly one of my favourite locations on earth. Renting the precise rig to discover this unimaginable 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 wonderful print. Then, you have to be able to discover the land of fireplace and ice.
