Highway tripping round Iceland is among the finest methods to see this unbelievable nation. The Ring Highway (Þjóðvegur 1, or just Route 1) circles all of Iceland in 821.5 miles (about 1322 kilometers), permitting you to rise up near all the things from waterfalls to volcanoes to glaciers in a single journey.
And whereas Iceland is not essentially a difficult place for a street journey from a planning perspective, there ARE a number of issues it’s worthwhile to know forward of time in an effort to have an pleasing journey.
In the event you’re on the lookout for an in depth Iceland street journey plan, then try my 10-day Iceland Ring Highway itinerary. In any other case, maintain studying for some Iceland street journey suggestions, and the important issues it’s worthwhile to know earlier than you go!
Highway tripping in Iceland FAQ
First, a number of commonly-asked questions on doing a street journey in Iceland on the whole:
You do not essentially NEED a automotive in Iceland. You’ll be able to definitely plan a visit with out one in case you are comfortable to base your self in Reykjavik and take day journeys/in a single day journeys from there. (I’ve performed this a pair occasions earlier than, and really desire it throughout the winter months!)
However public transportation is just not nice outdoors of the capital space, and clearly if you wish to do an Iceland street journey you’ll positively have to hire a automotive!
On the entire, no, driving in Iceland is just not troublesome. Iceland is a right-hand site visitors nation (just like the US and most of Europe), and the primary roads are effectively marked and fairly effectively maintained. And whilst you’ll run into roundabouts in greater cities, Iceland doesn’t have main highways with tons of site visitors to emphasize about.
The one occasions when driving in Iceland can get difficult are:
1. In the event you’re headed up into the Highlands on unpaved F-roads. These roads can get gnarly and typically require river crossings – you MUST have a 4×4 automobile and ideally some off-road driving expertise for these roads. (However you will not encounter any of them when you’re simply sticking to the Ring Highway and fundamental sights.)
2. Throughout the winter months. From October via March, Iceland incessantly will get hit with icy storms with gale-force winds. Driving in these situations is extremely discouraged (roads usually shut completely throughout excessive wind occasions), and doubly so when you’re not used to driving in snowy/icy situations.
Sure you need to use your US license to drive in Iceland! You don’t want any particular license to drive in Iceland so long as your US driver’s license is legitimate. The identical goes for UK and EU driver’s licenses, too. (However you do should be not less than 20 years outdated to hire a automotive in Iceland, or 23 to hire a 4×4.)
1. Like in most nations, it’s worthwhile to obey pace limits or threat a high-quality (extra on this later).
2. Seatbelts are required to be worn by everybody within the automotive.
3. You want to drive along with your headlights on always.
4. Driving whereas speaking on/utilizing a cellphone with out assistance from a hands-free gadget is illegitimate.
I personally suppose you want AT LEAST 8-9 days to drive the Ring Highway in Iceland, however 10-12 days (and even longer) can be preferrred. I’ve a 10-day Iceland street journey itinerary you need to use.
And now on to all of the important Iceland street journey suggestions!
Iceland street journey suggestions: what it’s worthwhile to know
Listed below are all of the issues it’s worthwhile to know earlier than your Iceland street journey, and will remember when you’re there!
1. Rental automobiles in Iceland are usually not low-cost
First issues first, let’s get this subject out of the best way: Iceland might be an costly place to journey. Do not let a budget flights idiot you; when you’re there, you will be paying quite a bit for all the things, from fundamental motels to restaurant meals. And this positively extends to rental automobiles, too.
In reality, a rental automotive may find yourself being your greatest expense in Iceland when you’re taking an extended street journey. Due to excessive taxes, excessive demand, and simply general greater costs in Iceland, you will positively be paying extra to hire a automotive right here that you’d in, say, the US.
There are principally three forms of automobiles you may hire in Iceland. From least expensive to most costly they’re:
- A daily 2WD automotive – You’ll be able to completely hire a small automotive in Iceland, and will probably be the most cost effective possibility with the widest number of alternative (nearly each rental firm in Iceland will provide these). Handbook automobiles will probably be much more reasonably priced than automatics, and you may count on to spend anyplace from $40-$100 per day for simply the automotive rental with none extras.
- A 4×4 (4WD) automobile – Lots of people wish to hire bigger 4x4s for driving in Iceland, and in some instances they’re really helpful (like for winter driving, or for touring up into the Highlands). These bigger automobiles clearly include a better price ticket; you’ll be able to count on to pay $100-$250 per day or extra.
- A campervan – Campervans are in style in Iceland, as they will double as each transport and lodging (although you continue to want to remain in designated campsites!). These vans might be fairly dear although – particularly in order for you one which’s additionally 4WD. You’ll be able to count on to pay not less than $100-$350 per day or extra.
Notice that every one of those costs are a variety as a result of costs can differ quite a bit relying on what time of 12 months you are visiting (i.e. how excessive demand is), how giant of a automobile you want, whether or not it’s worthwhile to guide an automated, and many others.
I did a 15-day street journey in Iceland in August in 2022 (excessive season in Iceland), and we spent slightly below $2000 on a 2WD automotive with two drivers – averaging out to about $130 USD per day.
Must seek for a rental automotive in Iceland? For all the things aside from campervans, I like to recommend utilizing Uncover Vehicles. And Iceland is one place the place it’s vastly simpler to select up/drop off your rental automotive on the main airport (KEF or Keflavík Worldwide).
2. You solely want a 4×4 for F-roads
Having doubtless shocked you with how costly it may be to hire a automotive in Iceland, I do have some excellent news: chances are you’ll not have to hire a 4×4 in Iceland in any respect.
The vast majority of roads in Iceland (just like the Ring Highway, all of the roads between main cities, and even the roads across the Westfjords and Eastfjords) are both totally paved or well-maintained sufficient you could drive them with a 2WD automotive from Could via September.
The one roads in Iceland that you’re legally required to have a 4WD automobile to drive are F-roads. These are largely roads that go into Iceland’s inside (AKA the Highlands), they usually’re all indicated with the letter “F” in entrance of the street quantity. F-roads are clearly marked on maps, and likewise on street indicators.
F-roads are nonetheless official roads, however driving them normally looks like off-roading. These unpaved roads might be pitted, muddy, and troublesome to drive. Some F-roads additionally require river crossings, which might be tremendous harmful within the flawed form of automobile (and typically even in the correct form of one!).
For these causes, you aren’t allowed to drive any 2WD automobiles on F-roads, and when you do will probably be a breach of contract along with your rental automotive firm.
Most individuals doing street journeys in Iceland won’t ever have to enterprise onto F-roads, although, so renting a 4×4 is not essentially important. (And when you actually wish to get a glimpse into the Highlands, you’ll be able to all the time guide a day tour with an organization that is aware of the best way to navigate F-roads safely like this one to Landmannalaugar.)
Notice: You may also want (or not less than be higher off with) a 4×4 within the winter months, when Iceland incessantly will get hit with icy storms that carry gale-force winds. Personally, I might not advocate planning a winter street journey in Iceland except you’re VERY comfy driving in snowy/icy situations.
3. Know what’s not insured
Once you’re renting a automotive in Iceland, paying for Collision Harm Waiver (CDW) insurance coverage is obligatory – and the value is normally baked in to the overall worth of your rental. This fundamental insurance coverage basically implies that when you’re concerned in an accident, there is a restrict to how a lot you will be chargeable for (the deductible/extra quantity is normally round $2500 USD).
However fundamental CDW in Iceland would not cowl all the things you may encounter on a street journey, and so it is necessary to know what’s NOT insured.
Widespread issues that you simply may need to pay further to have insured in a rental automotive embrace:
- Tires (when you’re renting a 4×4 and planning to drive F-roads, pay to insure the tires)
- Gravel harm (to issues just like the windshield, undercarriage, and many others.)
- Wind harm (an actual threat in Iceland; unhealthy winter wind storms incessantly blow out automotive home windows and may rip automotive doorways clear off)
- Sand harm (one other actual threat, particularly throughout these unhealthy wind storms)
- Harm attributable to hitting animals (there are LOTS of sheep in Iceland)
- Towing when you break down or get in an accident
You’ll be able to improve the fundamental CDW insurance coverage to cowl extra issues along with your rental firm – simply be sure you know what’s NOT lined in no matter insurance coverage package deal you select.
4. Do not underestimate the climate
Why may you wish to add some insurance coverage protection to your rental automotive in Iceland? As a result of Iceland’s climate is INTENSE. Iceland might be hit with savage storms that include robust winds, rain, and snow principally any time of 12 months (although the worst storms are extra widespread within the winter).
And do not assume that simply since you dwell someplace the place it rains or snows quite a bit that you will be mechanically ready for driving in Iceland. Iceland’s climate – and particularly its winds – are doubtless not like something you’ve got skilled earlier than! Suppose sideways rain and blowing black sand and wind robust sufficient to blow out automotive home windows or actually knock you off your ft.
Highway closures in Iceland within the winter months are widespread. The F-roads within the Highlands shut as a consequence of snow, which is fairly commonplace. However different roads within the nation (together with even the Ring Highway) shut typically, too – normally due to that wind.
Do not underestimate the unhealthy climate in Iceland. If Safetravel.is is saying it is not a protected journey day, then it is not a protected journey day and it’s best to keep put the place you’re as a substitute of venturing out on the roads. (Extra on websites like Safetravel later.)
5. Be careful for pace cameras
You doubtless will not see many police automobiles in Iceland, however there are many site visitors/pace cameras everywhere in the nation.
Except in any other case posted (like when going via cities), the pace restrict in Iceland is 90 kph on paved roads and 80 kph on gravel roads (although I am unable to picture driving that quick on most of them!). Take note of your pace, and for any indicators warning of an upcoming digital camera.
If a digital camera catches you dashing, you’ll be able to count on a ticket within the mail out of your rental firm – and dashing fines are normally not less than a pair hundred {dollars}.
6. You could face one-lane roads
Iceland’s fundamental roads are, for probably the most half, paved and well-maintained two-lane roads. However many non-main roads in Iceland are narrower – typically simply broad sufficient for one lane of site visitors. You may as well look forward to finding one-lane bridges, and even the occasional one-lane tunnel!
If you end up approaching a single-lane bridge in Iceland, simply be alert. At bridges, it is common courtesy for whoever arrives on the bridge first to cross first. If there is a line of site visitors coming from one route, normally you let the entire line cross. You’ll be able to flash your headlights to point that you simply’re ready and that it is protected for oncoming site visitors to cross.
On some longer bridges and in single-lane tunnels, although, you usually can’t see the opposite finish. In these instances (and when driving on one-lane roads), maintain your eyes peeled for pull-out areas/lay-bys; one automotive pulls in to the lay-by in an effort to let the opposite automotive move.
Some bridges and tunnels have indicators at every finish denoting which route of site visitors has the “proper of method” (i.e. which route is meant to yield and use the lay-bys). A white or black arrow within the route you are touring means you could have proper of method; a purple arrow entering into your route means you are supposed to present method.
In follow, although, not everybody pays consideration to those and chances are you’ll simply have to make use of your personal judgement for when it’s best to use a lay-by.
7. Solely pull over when it is protected
Talking of pulling over… most of Iceland’s roads (together with the Ring Highway) are simply two lanes with barely any shoulder space. I KNOW the Icelandic surroundings is extremely epic and that you will in all probability wish to cease quite a bit for images.
However please DO NOT cease on the facet of the street to take images, and positively don’t open your automotive doorways into the street to go away your automobile. This may be very harmful each to you every other drivers on the street.
In the event you completely should cease, discover a lay-by, relaxation space, car parking zone, or different spot to securely cease that will not impede site visitors. (Or you are able to do what my pal Kate and I did, and designate the passenger as through-the-windshield-photo-taker while you’re driving.)
8. Make a plan for getting fuel
In the event you’re driving the Ring Highway (or in any other case driving 4-5 hours per day as you discover Iceland), you then’ll in all probability have to refill your fuel tank each 1-2 days. And when you’re touring in a few of Iceland’s extra distant areas (together with just about all of East Iceland), fuel stations might be few and much between. So it ought to go with out saying that it’s best to fuel up each time you’ll be able to, simply to be protected.
There are two two fundamental forms of fuel station setups in Iceland: manned and unmanned. The primary is what you are doubtless used to, with a number of pumps outdoors a small comfort retailer with cashiers inside. At these, you’ll be able to both pay on the pump or pay inside.
Unmanned stations, however, normally simply encompass 1-2 pumps (typically simply on the facet of the street or in a random car parking zone) and no cashiers. At these, you normally want a credit score or debit card with a PIN quantity – which isn’t all the time one thing that American vacationers have readily available.
In the event you do not normally journey with a debit card and haven’t got a PIN quantity on your bank card (most US bank cards do not include them), an alternative choice is to buy a pre-paid fuel card from a manned station initially of your journey. Then you need to use that card like a debit card at any pumps from that very same fuel firm throughout the nation.
(Some fuel stations/pumps settle for Apple Pay or Google Pay now, too, however I might not depend on that out in the midst of nowhere!)
Gasoline in Iceland is dear, too. You refill by the liter, and costs once I was there have been 320-330 ISK per liter (equal to about $2.25 USD per liter, or $8.55 USD per gallon).
Professional tip: It is also price noting that many self-service/unmanned pumps in Iceland do not provide the choice to “refill” your tank. You will have to pick out the (financial) quantity of fuel you wish to put in earlier than you begin pumping. So listen the primary time you fill as much as see how a lot it prices.
9. Gasoline station meals is sweet!
And since we’re on the subject of fuel stations, manned fuel stations in Iceland normally double as comfort shops AND cafes. In reality, a number of the greater fuel stations in Iceland have full on sit-down eating places inside, the place you’ll be able to order all the things from scorching canine to fish and chips to hen sandwiches from the counter.
Gasoline station meals in Iceland is definitely fairly good (Icelandic scorching canine simply hit completely different!), and is a number of the least expensive meals you will discover in Iceland outdoors of purchasing in a price range grocery retailer. If you need a fast and low-cost meal that can style good, do not forget about fuel stations.
10. You do not journey to Iceland for the meals
Certain, Iceland does have some good eating places (particularly in Reykjavik) that serve up good seafood, however on the entire Iceland is just not identified for its culinary choices. And while you’re street tripping, chances are you’ll go lengthy stretches – particularly within the North and East – with out seeing any eating places in any respect.
My tip? Do not be too treasured about the place you eat, and benefit from no matter you do discover.
Like I stated above, fuel station meals in Iceland is definitely good. And any tiny roadside cafes you stumble throughout are more likely to be uber cozy AND serve up easy however first rate meals.
One other tip? Cease in to a grocery retailer early on in your journey (the Bonus chain is probably the most reasonably priced) and refill on issues that do not should be refrigerated you could maintain within the automotive for these occasions when there simply is not anything out there.
11. Obtain apps and maps
There are a number of smartphone apps/web sites that will probably be helpful for any Iceland street journey. A couple of I like to recommend embrace:
- Safetravel.is (web site, app or observe them on Instagram) for information on climate alerts, journey disruptions, closures, and many others.
- Highway.is for up-to-date information on street situations
- Veður (web site or app) for detailed climate forecasts
- Parka to pay for parking in sure cities/at sure points of interest
- AllTrails for mountain climbing assist
- Flush for locating public restrooms
I additionally extremely advocate downloading maps to make use of offline for Iceland! Even in case you have cell service throughout your journey, there are a number of elements of the nation the place you will not have nice telephone sign. To make sure you’ll be able to nonetheless get instructions and use GPS, obtain maps for offline use.
You’ll be able to obtain segments of Google Maps maps after which use them offline (instructions right here), or you could possibly use an app like Maps.me that additionally permits you to obtain maps for offline use.
12. Hitchhiking is pretty widespread
Iceland is among the most secure nations on the earth, but in addition one of the crucial costly to journey in. It additionally has a reasonably horrible public transit system outdoors of Reykjavik. These items added collectively imply that many backpackers and price range vacationers to Iceland should get artistic about touring across the nation, and sometimes resort to hitchhiking.
Clearly you do not HAVE to select up hitchhikers, however simply bear in mind that it is a pretty widespread and accepted method for backpackers to journey in Iceland. Use your personal judgement after all, however do not essentially ignore everybody you move with a thumb out on the lookout for a journey.
13. You want extra time than you suppose
This goes for any street journey, actually, but it surely’s particularly necessary to recollect in Iceland: issues will take longer than you suppose.
Driving from Level A to Level B can usually take longer than Google Maps says it would, both since you discover you’ll be able to’t really drive the pace restrict on a few of Iceland’s unpaved roads, or possibly since you wish to cease a number of occasions for images, or maybe since you get slowed down by a herd of sheep!
Equally, stopping for hikes and to see unbelievable pure sights like waterfalls and black sand seashores may take you longer than anticipated, too.
You completely can plan a jam-packed street journey itinerary for Iceland (my pal Kate and I positive did!), however simply needless to say you will have to chop some issues, or transfer your itinerary round when you run out of time – or daylight.
Professional tip: Earlier than your journey to Iceland, you’ll want to verify on how a lot daylight you’ll be able to count on to have all through your journey! A summer season Iceland street journey in June, July, or August, may internet you anyplace from 16-24 hours of daylight, whereas a winter journey in November, December, or January may solely offer you 4-6 hours of daylight. You will wish to plan accordingly!
14. Ebook what you’ll be able to upfront
Iceland is a tourism scorching spot, particularly throughout the summer season months. However the nation would not have a ton of tourism infrastructure in the best way of motels and different lodging choices outdoors of Reykjavik. Equally, there are a finite variety of rental automobiles out there on the island, and solely so many tour operators providing issues like horseback rides, whale watching excursions, glacier hikes, and many others.
Iceland is a spot the place you actually do have to plan your go to upfront, particularly for a summer season journey.
Get your flights and rental automotive booked as quickly as potential, and do not depart lodge reservations till the final minute*. (When planning a street journey for August 2022, for instance, many of the lodge choices alongside the South Coast had been already booked up by early June!)
You will additionally wish to pre-book any must-do actions, like snorkeling between tectonic plates in Silfra, happening a whale watching tour, visiting an ice cave, and many others. If an exercise will get canceled due to unhealthy climate, it is a lot simpler for the corporate to attempt to accommodate a date swap than you attempting to scramble last-minute.
And whilst you need not guide each scorching spring in Iceland upfront, you DO have to guide Blue Lagoon tickets earlier than you arrive. The tickets are inclined to promote out year-round, typically days and even weeks upfront.
Whereas planning to this point upfront would not make for probably the most versatile sort of journey, take it from me that it actually is important as of late in Iceland.
(In the event you’re touring in winter, you’ll be able to typically be extra versatile – and also you may wish to be, in case a kind of tremendous unhealthy storms forces you to vary your plans – however I might nonetheless advocate superior bookings. Search for choices on Reserving.com that provide free cancelation/adjustments as much as the day earlier than you keep.)
*In the event you’re tenting in Iceland, that is the one exception; some campsites do not take reservations, and even on the ones that do, chances are you’ll not want them. It IS nonetheless finest to verify for availability earlier than exhibiting up, although, and you may pre-book some websites via the Parka app I discussed earlier.
15. Have Plans B and C, too
Iceland is a rustic you journey to to witness the superior energy of Mom Nature. However while you’re relying quite a bit on nature on your leisure, needless to say it may be very unpredictable.
Perhaps unhealthy climate will make part of your itinerary inconceivable; possibly a street closure will reroute you for hours; possibly a volcano will begin erupting proper earlier than your journey that you simply resolve you NEED to go see (occurred to us!); or possibly you will simply actually fall in love with one space and wish to keep longer than you deliberate.
In Iceland particularly, it is good to not less than talk about these types of conditions along with your journey accomplice(s) earlier than your journey. In the event you run into unhealthy climate, will you don rain gear and push via when you can, or will you scrap sure stops? Are you prepared/capable of make last-minute adjustments to your plans if a tour will get canceled, a hike takes longer than anticipated, or one thing completely superb pops up?
I do not essentially imply it’s best to guide a number of motels or excursions for day by day of your journey, anticipating for one thing to go flawed. Nevertheless it would not harm to have some further issues in thoughts to fall again on if it’s a must to.
READ NEXT: An Epic 10-Day Iceland Ring Highway Itinerary for the Finest Iceland Highway Journey
There are such a lot of different issues I might let you know about street tripping in Iceland (like, how the backs of your seats will in all probability flip right into a drying rack on your swimsuits after visiting scorching springs, or the way you completely positively wish to be sure you have good windshield wipers), however these are all of the necessary suggestions that I believe are important!
Have you ever ever taken a street journey in Iceland? If not, would you prefer to?
