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Tips for Driving in Iceland | What the Roads Are Like + Apps
Iceland's roads are a real pleasure for both those who love driving and those who prefer to be co-pilots. The landscapes that can be enjoyed traveling the country's roads are unique, it feels like you hardly need to get out of the car to enjoy the country. But it is important to know some tips for driving in Iceland.
In this article We tell you first-hand what it is like to drive in Iceland After a year of living there and having traveled across many corners of the country, I've learned what the roads are like, what insurance is needed, what apps you should download, and how to understand the road conditions These are some of the many tips for driving in Iceland that we tell you below.
First Tips for Driving in Iceland
Let's start with the common doubts that may arise when renting a vehicle. In Iceland you drive in the right lane and The maximum speed in the country is 90km/h on paved roads, 80km/h on dirt roads and 50km/h in urban areas. The emergency number is 112.
The roads are two-way with only one lane per direction except in the surroundings of the capital where there can be up to 3 lanes.
Most roads have very little traffic, are well maintained and they have few curves, especially Highway 1 that completely surrounds the island.
What type of roads are there?
La road numbering It also indicates how well they are maintained, with 1 digit being the country's main road, 2 digits being paved secondary roads and 3 digits being unpaved roads.
If the road starts with F like F210 means 4×4 roads in which there is a river crossing, sometimes very small and other times where experience is required to cross it.
Are there radars in Iceland?
Yes, there are speed cameras and the fines are high, exceeding €400. They are usually at the entrances to large cities such as Reykjavík, Akureyri or Selfoss or inside some tunnels.
in iceland It is mandatory to drive with lights at any time of the day, the fine for not doing so is around €30.
Are there tolls in Iceland?
There is only one toll in the entire country, is located in a tunnel on Highway 1 right at the entrance to Akureyri, in the North of the country. There are no barriers so it is easy to pass it without realizing it and You have a period of 24 hours to pay it online.
The price to cross the tunnel is 10€ and if it is not paid, it is automatically charged to the owner of the vehicle. If it is for rent, they will charge you that €10 plus a management fee.
Crossing the tunnel is not mandatory, can be avoided by taking the coastal detour on Highway 84, adding 10 minutes to your route.
What requirements are there to drive in Iceland?
You will need a valid driving license from your home country written in Latin alphabet, be over 20 years old and at least 1 year of experience. In Iceland you do not need to have an international driving license.
Rent a car in Iceland with a debit card
Most rental companies require a credit card for the vehicle rental process. Luckily there are companies like Car Wash Rental or the company Blue Car Rental that Do you accept debit cards that have the digits written on it. Furthermore, as I will comment below, both are the best and cheapest in the country. In the case of other companies, I recommend you contact them directly to consult.
How much does gasoline cost in Iceland?
⚠️ When paying at gas stations They will retain about €200 on your card and then they refund you the difference. If you use cards with a currency exchange fee, you will pay a percentage on those €200. I recommend using commission-free cards like N26.
The price of fuel in this country has a reputation for being one of the most expensive in the world and as usually happens it fluctuates quite a bit. The liter of 95 gasoline and diesel are very similar, with diesel being one or two cents more expensive. A liter of fuel costs around 320 crowns icelandic (2,1 €).
Although with rental cars they give you a discount voucher that reduces you between 5 and 7 crowns per liter (3-4 cents) at specific gas stations. Going around the island will cost you at least €200 in fuel with an average car.
Take note of these tips for driving in Iceland, the cheapest gas station is usually Orkan, you will easily recognize it because it is the only one in pink. On the internet you can consult the cheapest gas stations of each region.
Parking in Iceland
In the zone center from big cities like Reykjavík or Akureyri, it is very difficult to park in free areas between 9am and 6pm. To pay there are parking meters on the streets or you can use the Parka application.
In some tourist spots parking costs between 700 and 1000 isk (4,5-6,5€) for parking, regardless of the time you actually spend and you can pay for the Parka app.
In some cases there are free areas nearby, I recommend taking a look before entering the paid parking directly. This type of car parks are usually at the most famous stops, especially in the south.
Is it necessary to rent a 4×4 to tour Iceland?
It is necessary to rent a 4×4 in Iceland if you plan to visit the highlands (highlands) since it is the only type allowed (open in summer). For the rest of the roads it is not necessary, although it is can be useful, comfortable and safe, for example when traveling on unpaved roads or when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Apps and websites to drive in iceland
One of the best tips for driving in Iceland that we can give you is to download the following Apps or write down the names of the websites. Especially if you travel outside of the summer season.
road.is
On the road.is website, you have the possibility of checking the condition of the roads and any relevant warnings in real time. The status is indicated by various colors (you can find the legend below in Spanish). It is advisable to consult this page every morning before starting your trip to know possible road conditions or if it is necessary to adjust the route due to road closures.
As you zoom in on the area of interest, cameras are also displayed which, when clicked, provide you with live images and the number of vehicles that have traveled in the last hour.
In addition, it presents informative messages in English, especially useful if there are closures on main roads, as it usually informs about the evaluation of their status or the planned time for reopening. As I said, using this website is very good advice for driving in Iceland.
Safetravel.is
On both their website and the app, you can stay informed about any notices in Iceland. These include detailed information about events such as volcanic eruptions or advice on how to act during weather alerts, such as windstorms or heavy snowfall.
Again, our advice for driving in Iceland is that you check the platform every morning to be aware of possible developments.
If you prefer to read it in Spanish, you can access it from Google Chrome, where the translation option will appear.
Si You travel in winter to the land of ice and fire You may be interested in our guide to travel to Iceland in winter and the list of what to wear to Iceland in winter.
Tips to driving in iceland in winter
The main concern of tourists who visit Iceland in winter It's how to drive on its roads. If you are not used to driving in snow or ice it can be scary, but My personal experience is that by driving with caution and at a moderate speed you can travel across the country without major problems.
All vehicles are required to have winter wheels starting in October. This type of wheels allows you to drive on icy or snowy roads much more safely and you will practically not notice any differences in driving.
One of the most important tips for driving in Iceland in winter is do not make any sudden movements such as hard braking or steering to avoid losing control of the vehicle. We have driven on icy and completely snowy roads and with care and slowly you do not feel unsafe.
For most situations a normal front-wheel drive car is sufficient for driving on snow or ice. Although a 4×4 is not essential, it is helps you feel more confident, have better traction and avoid getting stuck in the snow when parking.
During winter it is especially It is advisable to check the state of the roads on road.is before you start driving to know what you're going to encounter and plan any possible changes to your route.
F-ROAD, Tips for driving in Iceland with 4×4
To drive through the Highlands you must have a 4×4. The higher the better since along the F roads you have to ford rivers and you don't want any water getting into the cabin. Note that Not all rivers can be crossed by normal 4×4, there are some very powerful ones. A good tip for driving in Iceland is to be very careful with the rivers and do not cross if you do not see it clearly, no insurance covers any damage you cause.
There are many kilometers without service areas or towns, so It is advisable to have a full tank and some basics such as water and food in case any unforeseen event arises.
It is also essential check the weather forecast of the area before starting the route, I recommend the Icelandic website Vedur.is. In many areas there will be no coverage, so I recommend downloading the country map to use it offline with the app Maps.me.
To cross rivers, it is advisable to look for tracks where other cars have passed or wait for another car to come and pass first. If there are neither of the two, it is recommended to get out of the car, look for the shallowest area and check the strength of the water.
¿What car to rent to drive in Iceland?
The type of car you should rent to travel the country It will depend on your needs and the type of trip you are going to make.. If you are going to visit the most typical tourist spots during summer with a normal car you will have more than enough, look for one according to your budget taking into account the luggage space.
If you like to explore, get on any path or go hiking in mountainous areas such as Thakgil I recommend renting a tall car, such as an SUV or 4×4, to be much more comfortable and calm on unpaved roads.
Last if you travel in winter and you are worried about the snow or are you going to do many kilometers on unpaved roads like those made when visiting the westfjords I would recommend you rent a 4×4. Of course, if you intend to visit the highlands by car or van, you will have no choice but to take a 4×4.
Better rental companies in Iceland
Car Wash Rental is a very popular Icelandic company with a huge fleet of vehicles. Furthermore, they have very competitive prices, and from personal experience, I can say that it's very difficult to find the same cars for less.
We rented a Duster 4×4 in May to tour the entire island passing through the west fjords. Lava allows renting with debit cards, has its offices very close to Keflavik International Airport and has a pick-up service at the airport.
A good alternative to Lava is Blue Car Rental. The fleet they have is also huge and they have a very good reputation. My advice for driving in Iceland is to pay close attention to the reviews, because although not many, like everywhere, there are companies with a bad reputation.
In tips for driving around Iceland and renting a vehicle, camper vans cannot be missing. For us the best way to travel around Iceland.
One of the pioneers and with the largest and most varied fleet is Camp Easy. They have vans of all sizes, 4×4 traction, with heating and they also offer rental of additional equipment such as bicycles or kayaks. Is a very popular company and you can see their vans in almost any parking lot in the tourist areas of the country. Camp Easy has pick-up at the international airport and very, very good reviews.
What insurance to hire in Iceland
The world of rental car insurance in Iceland is dense and complex. Each company offers different coverages with more or less deductibles, but they are almost always around €1000-€2.000.
The most typical coverages included in that excess are liability insurance (TPL), collision damage waiver (CDW), reduced excess collision damage waiver (SCDW), gravel protection (GP), theft protection (TP).
Many companies offer additional coverage as protection against sand or ash and tire insurance. By paying for higher optional insurance, they take away your deductible.
Practically no insurance includes:
- window breaks
- Animal abuse
- Water damage when crossing rivers
- Roadside assistance
- Wind damage to doors
- Damage to the underside of the vehicle.
For this type of thing you would have to pay 100% of the repair cost. I recommend that you read the rental contract in detail to know exactly what your insurance includes and what it does not.
A good alternative to have better coverage than what rental companies offer is hire external insurance. For example the company Rentto the Cover insures cars rented in Iceland and its policy does include roadside assistance, underbody damage, wind damage, broken windows and punctures, among others. So if you have to pay something to the rental company they would reimburse you.
I hope this guide of tips for driving in Iceland has answered all your doubts and encouraged you to rent a vehicle to get to know this magnificent island. To continue organizing your trip you can read more in our guides to travel to iceland. Or get inspired by watching our featured stories Instagram. Thanks for reading us!
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