13 Iceland Street Journey Suggestions (Know Earlier than You Go)

Posted: 4/2/2024 | April 2nd, 2024

Iceland is a magical nation. It simply feels out of this world, such as you’re on one other planet. The rugged volcanoes and black-sand seashores give the island a desolate however putting look. Should you ask me, it’s proper up there with New Zealand and Norway by way of probably the most stunning international locations on the planet.

And, identical to each of these locations, it’s a tremendous place to take a highway journey.

Because of its gorgeous pure magnificence, security, and ease of transportation, Iceland has develop into a well-liked vacation spot for solo vacationers and first-time highway trippers. Sure, it may be costly, but it surely has so much to see and do, together with tons of wonderful hikes and waterfalls which might be free to take pleasure in. You don’t want to interrupt the financial institution right here.

Having been to Iceland a handful of instances over time, I feel taking a highway journey is one of the simplest ways to discover the nation. So, to make sure you save money and time and keep secure throughout your journey, listed below are my high 13 Iceland road-trip suggestions:

1. Be sure you have automotive insurance coverage

I never leave home without travel insurance. And I by no means hire a automotive with out complete auto insurance coverage both.

In most locations, this may seem to be overkill. I imply, how typically do you really use your automotive insurance coverage?

In Iceland, nevertheless, the climate adjustments typically — and drastically.

Rain and snow are frequent, and gravel and sand typically injury home windows. However the actual menace most drivers aren’t ready for is the wind. The gusts listed below are so sturdy that automotive doorways are often ripped off their hinges (each time I’ve rented a automotive right here, the corporate has jogged my memory of this).

Mix that with winding, slender roads and an abundance of energetic volcanoes, and also you’ve received your self a recipe for automotive bother.

That’s why I at all times suggest vacationers have complete automotive rental protection after they go to Iceland. As a result of it’s significantly better to be secure than sorry right here!

On the subject of renting a automotive, I like to recommend Discover Cars. If you ebook, it’s tremendous straightforward so as to add automotive insurance coverage onto your buy with the press of a button. They make it clear what is roofed and the way a lot it prices.

You need to use the widget beneath to get a quote. It’s quick and free:

2. Lease the suitable automobile

It’s straightforward to hire a automotive in Iceland. You don’t want an Worldwide Driving Allow when you’ve got a legitimate license utilizing Latin letters with a license quantity, {photograph}, and expiration date. Meaning Individuals, Canadians, Australians, Brits, and New Zealanders can all hire a automotive right here with their common license.

When renting a automobile in Iceland, you may have three major selections:

• A automotive
• A 4×4 (4WD)
• A van/RV

Should you’re simply planning to see the primary sights whereas sleeping in hostels, lodges, and/or Airbnbs, an everyday automotive will do the trick. It’s the most cost effective possibility too.

If you wish to discover the rugged inside (often known as the Highlands), a 4×4 is required, because the roads there are sometimes unpaved, gravel ones known as “F-roads,” which might solely be traversed by 4×4 autos (in the event you drive an everyday automotive on them, your insurance coverage protection might be void).

Your remaining selection is a campervan/RV. These are for vacationers who wish to sleep of their automobile as they journey. They’re the most costly possibility, however you’ll get monetary savings on lodging, so it form of balances out.

Simply take into account that customary transmissions are the norm right here, so reserve an automatic-transmission automobile if that’s a requirement for you.

(Word: It doesn’t matter what sort of auto you may have, by no means drive off-road. It’s extremely unlawful as a result of fragility of Iceland’s ecosystem. Not solely does off-roading injury this stunning setting, however you might face stiff fines if caught.)
 

3. Obtain the suitable apps

Everybody road-tripping round Iceland ought to have the next apps downloaded to or web sites bookmarked on their cellphone:

• Google Translate – Whereas English is extensively spoken, the app might be useful for studying indicators and instructions. Simply be sure to obtain Icelandic for offline use in an effort to nonetheless translate issues even with out cellular knowledge.
• Google Maps – The very best app for wanting up instructions. Ensure to obtain your maps so you may have them for offline use.
• Safetravel.is – This app shares climate alerts, highway closure info, and extra. It’s good to have so that you might be stored updated ought to inclement climate or emergencies come up.
• Vedur.is – That is the perfect climate app for Iceland.
• Samferda – This web site is nice for locating passengers if you wish to share a experience with somebody. (Should you’re a passenger and want a experience, you may submit right here too.) One other useful website for locating passengers is Couchsurfing.

Examine the worldwide insurance policies and prices in your cellphone plan earlier than leaving, in order to keep away from sudden prices when utilizing these apps and/or web sites. If you wish to keep linked with limitless knowledge in your journey, get an eSIM.
 

4. Deliver a paper map

At any time when I’m going on a highway journey, I at all times deliver a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is simple and free, and cellular knowledge protection in Iceland is dependable. However it’s higher to be secure than sorry. You by no means know when your cellphone goes to interrupt, in case your sign might be misplaced, or there might be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: deliver a paper highway map with you, and simply go away it within the glove field. You seemingly gained’t want it, however in the event you do, you’ll be glad you may have it!
 

5. Select your path correctly

The overwhelming majority of vacationers road-tripping by Iceland drive the Ring Street (aka Route 1, the nation’s major freeway) counterclockwise. This lets you begin with the well-known Golden Circle after which head towards common sights just like the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the Sólheimasandur crash website, the glacier lagoon, and extra. Should you solely have a number of days to discover, that is the perfect path to decide on. If it’s your first-time visiting Iceland, that is the path I counsel.

Nevertheless, if you wish to be contrarian otherwise you wish to get off the crushed path, head clockwise. There are nonetheless some sights you may go to to kick issues off, such because the postcard-perfect Mount Kirkjufell and the rugged Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

Should you actually wish to get off the crushed path and beat the crowds, head to the Westfjords. Solely a fraction of vacationers come right here, so it’s residence to a few of the most unspoiled landscapes within the nation. It was additionally the spotlight of all my time in Iceland.
 

6. Keep away from the F-roads (when you’ve got a automotive)

As talked about above, F-roads are rugged, unpaved routes that usually lead off the primary Ring Street into the inside. Driving on these roads requires a 4×4 (4WD). In case you have an everyday automotive, you gained’t be permitted to drive on them. You’ll void your insurance coverage protection whereas additionally risking blowing a tire or damaging the automotive. It’s not price it!
 

7. Examine the climate typically

I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: the climate in Iceland adjustments quickly. For that motive, you’ll wish to control the forecast. Whereas driving in wind or rain may not be a difficulty, in the event you’re planning to get out and hike or go to a few of the waterfalls, you’ll wish to be sure you’re ready for the climate. The Vedur.is app (talked about above) is a should.

It doesn’t matter what time of yr you go to, deliver rain gear (together with a hat), waterproof footwear, and a sweater. Even in the summertime, Iceland is never sizzling, and rain isn’t unusual both. Put together accordingly so your journey isn’t ruined (particularly in the event you plan on mountain climbing).
 

8. Solely pull over the place there’s house

You’re going to be tempted to cease your automotive typically to take images. And I imply actually typically. Not solely are the primary sights in Iceland awe-inspiring, however the common sights are gorgeous too. You’ll come throughout random vistas and waterfalls, craggy moss-covered hills, black-sand seashores, and a lot extra.

It will likely be tempting to tug over to get out and take images, however achieve this with warning. Attempt to pull off the highway solely at designated stops or the place there’s room to take action with out impeding site visitors. Whereas the Ring Street isn’t a superhighway, it’s a busy route with common site visitors in each instructions. Don’t endanger your self or others for a photograph. Persist with designated stopping areas.
 

9. Keep watch over your gasoline tank

As soon as you allow the busier a part of the island round Reykjavik, gasoline stations develop into few and much between. For that motive, you’ll wish to replenish when you may. Don’t simply wait till you may have 1 / 4 tank, as you may run out of gasoline earlier than you get to the following station.

When you can usually search for the place gasoline stations are by way of Google Maps, I at all times be sure to high up once I can. The peace of thoughts is price it. You’ll even be lined in case you get delayed or change your journey plans on the final minute.
 

10. Don’t rush

Lots of people assume that, as a result of Iceland is small, you may see the sights in only a matter of days.

You may’t.

Should you’re trying to drive your complete Ring Street, plan for at the least 10-14 days. Whereas you are able to do it in much less, you can be rushed and can spend extra time driving than I’d suggest. (Should you simply wish to see the primary highlights within the south and east, 5-7 days is enough.)

I want high quality over amount, so I at all times counsel vacationers decelerate and actually soak within the sights. You gained’t remorse it.

Should you’re on the lookout for really helpful itineraries, this post breaks down all my suggestions for different time frames, all the best way as much as a whole month.
 

11. Keep away from the summer time (and in addition the winter)

Iceland suffers from success. The nation is swamped by vacationers through the summer time, between late June and early August, as that’s when the climate is the warmest and the times are the longest. Whereas “busy” in Iceland is a far cry from “busy” in cities like Barcelona or Venice, it may well nonetheless be crowded round Reykjavik and the sights closest to town.

For that motive, I counsel visiting within the shoulder season. The climate remains to be heat and there might be far fewer folks. The whole lot might be a bit of cheaper too.

In case you are set on going in the summertime, I’d counsel heading off to the Westfjords. It’s the least-visited space of the nation and gives a few of the most untamed and delightful landscapes in Iceland.

Moreover, I counsel avoiding winter visits too in the event you plan on driving. Street circumstances are lower than superb, and snowstorms are frequent. Until you may have plenty of expertise with winter driving, skip that season. (You may undoubtedly do a winter go to to see the northern lights, I simply wouldn’t hire a automotive for that.)

Personally, I feel late Could to early June and late August to early September are the perfect instances to go to. Costs are cheaper, the climate is respectable, and the crowds are thinner.
 

12. Choose up passengers

Should you’re touring on a finances, think about taking passengers. Having folks chip in for gasoline for a leg or two of your journey is an effective way to economize whereas additionally connecting with like-minded vacationers. As talked about above, you should use web sites like Samferda or Couchsurfing to search out them.

An alternative choice is to choose up hitchhikers. Within the hotter months, hitchhiking is tremendous frequent alongside the Ring Street (I hitchhiked here and had a great experience). Whereas they often don’t have cash to contribute, they seemingly have cool tales and nice suggestions. It’s a straightforward means to assist different vacationers and enliven your personal journey.
 

13. Comply with the foundations of the highway

Being a accountable traveler means following native norms and legal guidelines. Bear in mind that Iceland has stricter driving legal guidelines and penalties than you could be used to. Ensure to do the next:

• By no means drive off-road. Respect the delicate Icelandic ecosystem and by no means drive off-road.
• By no means drink and drive. Iceland has very strict legal guidelines about driving beneath the affect (0.02% is the restrict). Not solely are you endangering your self and others, however the fines are extraordinarily excessive (100,000 ISK).
• By no means use your cellphone whereas driving. Use a hands-free setup if you could discuss and drive, or else pull over. Not solely is it harmful, however you might face excessive fines as nicely.
• Be careful for others on the highway. This contains sheep (there are extra sheep than folks right here) and cyclists. Go slowly and provides them a large berth.
• Know who to name. Should you expertise an emergency, dial 112 for help. It’s the equal of 911 within the US/Canada.

Iceland Street Journey FAQ

How tough is a highway journey in Iceland?
Iceland is likely one of the best international locations on the planet for a highway journey. The reason being that there’s primarily only one lengthy highway that circles the nation (often known as Route 1, or the Ring Street). That makes it fairly straightforward to get round and tough to get misplaced.

How lengthy do you could road-trip round Iceland?
Should you plan to drive your complete Ring Street, you’ll need at the least 10 days (14 days can be higher). Should you simply wish to see the primary sights within the south and east, 5-7 days ought to be a lot.

Is Iceland very costly?
Iceland might be very costly. Meals, lodging, rental automobiles, and gasoline are all expensive. Nevertheless, there are many methods to save lots of too. By sharing a automobile (and splitting prices), cooking all of your meals, and tenting or sticking to hostels, you may simply do it for beneath $100 USD per day.

Is it price renting a 4×4?
I might solely hire a 4×4 when you’ve got prior highway journey expertise and are planning to go off highway. For the common customer trying to see the primary sights, a 4×4 isn’t needed.

What’s an F-road?
An F-road is a route on which solely 4×4 autos can journey. They’re very rugged, unpaved roads, usually main you into the inside.

In case you have an everyday rental automobile, you’re forbidden to drive on them.

Is it secure to drive solo in Iceland?
Iceland is constantly ranked as one of many most secure international locations on the planet. Should you’re new to solo journey, it’s the proper place to start out.

Iceland is likely one of the most stunning international locations on the planet. It’s additionally top-of-the-line (and best) locations to do a highway journey. Whereas it could be costly, it’s very secure and straightforward to get round, and there are many free things to see and do to keep costs down. Simply comply with the ideas above, and also you’ll have a enjoyable and secure go to to this rugged island nation!

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