Travel

The Ultimate Practical Guide to Driving in Iceland 2019

Be your own driver

Renting a car when travelling around Iceland is the perfect way of making sure it will be the ultimate vacation of the year. Create your own travel itinerary, avoid the most tourist filled spots and best of all, spend each night sleeping under the stars, if you don’t opt for the alternative of planning a bunch of day tours from Reykjavik that is. You can’t go wrong either way. Iceland has too much to discover and it doesn’t matter if you spend most of the time on the road or if you only drive small distances. Having a vehicle when exploring Iceland is one of the best choices you will ever make though. Before embarking on your next Icelandic adventure, there are some practical things to take into consideration. The first step is to do some research on the different car rental options that are available on Iceland. By finding the best car rental company in Iceland, you will have sought advise from local expertise which means the information is based on first-hand knowledge about everything from road conditions to weather approval. Reykjavik Cars is one such car rental company in Iceland and they will make sure you have everything you need for your drive around the island. Car hire in Iceland is one of the most popular ways of exploring the island and it will grant you the freedom to set your own pace and discover at will. Having a car and being your won chauffeur means having the luxury to choose the road less travelled and pick the sights that are perhaps not on the more common routes. Driving yourself when visiting Iceland is not difficult, as long as you are aware of some local rules and regulations. 

The best source of local knowledge

Rent a car in Iceland and you will realise the difference it makes when it comes to the overall experience. By contacting Reykjavik Cars, you will have taken the first step in making sure that your vacation is off to a flying start. Because the car rental company has information regarding everything from fuel price in Iceland to which roads are more suitable during which season, you will have an incredible advantage, especially if you have never visited the island before. The Ring Road for instance, is one of the most popular ones and is quite easy to manoeuvre and here you will only need a 2WD as opposed to the F-roads were a 4×4 is recommended. Depending on when you plan to visit Iceland it will be advisable to check with the car rental company which type of vehicle is best. At Reykjavik cars you will also be able to ask questions on road safety, local traffic regulations to the notorious rapidly shifting Icelandic weather. By sharing the general idea of your travel itinerary with the car rental company you will also be able to get advice on which add-ons that are most important, i.e. should you opt for both GPS and Wi-Fi or is one enough? You will also be able to ask for advice when it comes to car insurance, something that is mandatory when renting a car in Iceland. It’s possible to pick up your car already at the airport and take in such sites as the Blue Lagoon and Gullfoss on your way to visit Reykjavik, or if you prefer, there is also the option of picking the car up once you have reached the capital. Having Reykjavik as your base is not a bad idea as the city is full of exciting things to experience as well. 

Natural phenomenon and practicalities

Iceland is the island of fire and ice, it is also home to hot springs, waterfalls and Geysir. The Northern Lights in Iceland are famous and then there is the Midnight Sun. Between all of those incredible natural phenomenon there is the breathtakingly beautiful nature, exciting history and a myriad of cultural sites as well as delicious food and black sand beaches. By renting your own car at Reykjavik Cars it is possible to experience all of this and more, at your own pace. Be aware of practicalities such as the fact that most gas stations in Iceland are DIY, the weather can change in an instance, always make sure to have information on road conditions and ask before heading out where the nearest community is. Also make sure to have information on rescue services as well as ample food and water. All of these practical things are vital and something the car rental company can offer at least, some advice on. Before travelling to Iceland it’s best to read up on official sites on general information regarding the island. Once you have all the practicalities under control, there is nothing to do but sit back, relax and see where the road takes you. 

Jess Young

Jess is a writer at the UK's largest independent press agency SWNS. She runs women's real-life magazine Real-Fix.com, as well as contributing articles and features to all of the major titles and digital publications.

Published by
Tags: hf