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. In case you ask me, it’s proper up there with New Zealand and Norway by way of probably the most stunning nations on the earth.

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

Due to its beautiful pure magnificence, security, and ease of transportation, Iceland has grow to be a preferred vacation spot for solo vacationers and first-time highway trippers. Sure, it may be costly, nevertheless it has a lot to see and do, together with tons of fantastic hikes and waterfalls which can be free to get pleasure from. You don’t want to interrupt the financial institution right here.

Having been to Iceland a handful of occasions through the years, I feel taking a highway journey is one of the best ways to discover the nation. So, to make sure you save money and time and keep protected throughout your journey, listed here are my prime 13 Iceland road-trip suggestions:

1. Ensure you have automobile insurance coverage

I by no means depart house with out journey insurance coverage. And I by no means hire a automobile with out complete auto insurance coverage both.

In most locations, this may look like overkill. I imply, how typically do you truly use your automobile insurance coverage?

In Iceland, nonetheless, the climate modifications typically — and drastically.

Rain and snow are frequent, and gravel and sand typically harm home windows. However the actual menace most drivers aren’t ready for is the wind. The gusts listed here are so robust that automobile doorways are repeatedly ripped off their hinges (each time I’ve rented a automobile 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 acquired your self a recipe for automobile bother.

That’s why I all the time advocate vacationers have complete automobile rental protection once they go to Iceland. As a result of it’s significantly better to be protected than sorry right here!

In relation to renting a automobile, I like to recommend Uncover Automobiles. If you ebook, it’s tremendous simple so as to add automobile insurance coverage onto your buy with the clicking of a button. They make it clear what is roofed and the way a lot it prices.

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

2. Hire the best car

It’s simple to hire a automobile 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 automobile right here with their common license.

When renting a car in Iceland, you may have three primary decisions:

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

In case you’re simply planning to see the principle sights whereas sleeping in hostels, resorts, and/or Airbnbs, a daily automobile will do the trick. It’s the most affordable choice too.

If you wish to discover the rugged inside (generally known as the Highlands), a 4×4 is required, for the reason that roads there are sometimes unpaved, gravel ones referred to as “F-roads,” which might solely be traversed by 4×4 autos (for those who drive a daily automobile on them, your insurance coverage protection will likely be void).

Your remaining alternative is a campervan/RV. These are for vacationers who need to sleep of their car as they journey. They’re the costliest choice, however you’ll get monetary savings on lodging, so it form of balances out.

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

(Observe: It doesn’t matter what kind of car 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 harm this stunning atmosphere, however you may face stiff fines if caught.)
 

3. Obtain the best apps

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

• Google Translate – Whereas English is extensively spoken, the app could be useful for studying indicators and instructions. Simply make sure that to obtain Icelandic for offline use with the intention to nonetheless translate issues even with out cell knowledge.
• Google Maps – The perfect app for wanting up instructions. Be certain 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 could be saved updated ought to inclement climate or emergencies come up.
• Vedur.is – That is the very best climate app for Iceland.
• Samferda – This web site is nice for locating passengers if you wish to share a experience with somebody. (In case you’re a passenger and wish a experience, you’ll be able to publish right here too.) One other useful web site for locating passengers is Couchsurfing.

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

4. Carry a paper map

Each time I am going on a highway journey, I all the time convey a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is simple and free, and cell knowledge protection in Iceland is dependable. However it’s higher to be protected than sorry. You by no means know when your telephone goes to interrupt, in case your sign will likely be misplaced, or there will likely be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: convey a paper highway map with you, and simply depart it within the glove field. You probably gained’t want it, however for those who do, you’ll be glad you may have it!
 

5. Select your path properly

The overwhelming majority of vacationers road-tripping via Iceland drive the Ring Street (aka Route 1, the nation’s primary 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 web site, the glacier lagoon, and extra. In case you solely have a number of days to discover, that is the very best path to decide on. If it’s your first-time visiting Iceland, that is the path I counsel.

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

In case you actually need 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 house to among 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 automobile)

As talked about above, F-roads are rugged, unpaved routes that typically lead off the principle Ring Street into the inside. Driving on these roads requires a 4×4 (4WD). In case you have a daily automobile, 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 automobile. It’s not price it!
 

7. Examine the climate typically

I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: the climate in Iceland modifications quickly. For that purpose, you’ll need to regulate the forecast. Whereas driving in wind or rain may not be a difficulty, for those who’re planning to get out and hike or go to among the waterfalls, you’ll need to be sure to’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, convey rain gear (together with a hat), waterproof footwear, and a sweater. Even in the summertime, Iceland isn’t sizzling, and rain isn’t unusual both. Put together accordingly so your journey isn’t ruined (particularly for those who plan on mountain climbing).
 

8. Solely pull over the place there may be area

You’ll be tempted to cease your automobile typically to take images. And I imply actually typically. Not solely are the principle sights in Iceland awe-inspiring, however the common sights are beautiful 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 drag 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 may be room to take action with out impeding visitors. Whereas the Ring Street isn’t a superhighway, it’s a busy route with common visitors in each instructions. Don’t endanger your self or others for a photograph. Persist with designated stopping areas.
 

9. Regulate your gasoline tank

As soon as you allow the busier a part of the island round Reykjavik, gasoline stations grow to be few and much between. For that purpose, you’ll need to refill when you’ll be able to. Don’t simply wait till you may have 1 / 4 tank, as you may run out of gasoline earlier than you get to the subsequent station.

Whilst you can typically search for the place gasoline stations are by way of Google Maps, I all the time make sure that to prime up after I can. The peace of thoughts is price it. You’ll even be coated in case you get delayed or change your journey plans on the final minute.
 

10. Don’t rush

Lots of people suppose that, as a result of Iceland is small, you’ll be able to see the sights in only a matter of days.

You possibly can’t.

In case you’re seeking to drive the whole Ring Street, plan for at the very 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 advocate. (In case you simply need to see the principle highlights within the south and east, 5-7 days is adequate.)

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

In case you’re in search of really useful itineraries, this publish breaks down all my strategies for various time frames, all the way in which as much as a whole month.
 

11. Keep away from the summer season (and likewise the winter)

Iceland suffers from success. The nation is swamped by vacationers throughout the summer season, 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 will possibly nonetheless be crowded round Reykjavik and the sights closest to the town.

For that purpose, I counsel visiting within the shoulder season. The climate continues to be heat and there will likely be far fewer folks. All the things will likely be somewhat 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 affords among the most untamed and exquisite landscapes in Iceland.

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

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

12. Decide up passengers

In case you’re touring on a price range, contemplate taking passengers. Having folks chip in for gasoline for a leg or two of your journey is an effective way to save cash whereas additionally connecting with like-minded vacationers. As talked about above, you need to use web sites like Samferda or Couchsurfing to search out them.

Another choice is to select up hitchhikers. Within the hotter months, hitchhiking is tremendous frequent alongside the Ring Street (I hitchhiked right here and had an excellent expertise). Whereas they typically don’t have cash to contribute, they probably have cool tales and nice suggestions. It’s a simple approach to assist different vacationers and brighten up your individual journey.
 

13. Observe the foundations of the highway

Being a accountable traveler means following native norms and legal guidelines. Remember that Iceland has stricter driving legal guidelines and penalties than you could be used to. Be certain 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 underneath 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 telephone whereas driving. Use a hands-free setup if you should discuss and drive, or else pull over. Not solely is it harmful, however you may face excessive fines as nicely.
• Be careful for others on the highway. This consists of sheep (there are extra sheep than folks right here) and cyclists. Cross slowly and provides them a large berth.
• Know who to name. In case you expertise an emergency, dial 112 for help. It’s the equal of 911 within the US/Canada.

Iceland Street Journey FAQ

How troublesome is a highway journey in Iceland?
Iceland is without doubt one of the best nations on the earth for a highway journey. The reason being that there’s primarily only one lengthy highway that circles the nation (generally known as Route 1, or the Ring Street). That makes it fairly simple to get round and troublesome to get misplaced.

How lengthy do you should road-trip round Iceland?
In case you plan to drive the whole Ring Street, you’ll need at the very least 10 days (14 days could be higher). In case you simply need to see the principle sights within the south and east, 5-7 days needs to be loads.

Is Iceland very costly?
Iceland could be very costly. Meals, lodging, rental automobiles, and gasoline are all dear. Nonetheless, there are many methods to avoid wasting too. By sharing a car (and splitting prices), cooking all of your meals, and tenting or sticking to hostels, you’ll be able to simply do it for underneath $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 typical customer seeking to see the principle sights, a 4×4 isn’t crucial.

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, typically main you into the inside.

In case you have a daily rental car, you’re forbidden to drive on them.

Is it protected to drive solo in Iceland?
Iceland is constantly ranked as one of many most secure nations on the earth. In case you’re new to solo journey, it’s the right place to start out.

Iceland is without doubt one of the most stunning nations on the earth. It’s additionally the most effective (and best) locations to do a highway journey. Whereas it could be costly, it’s very protected and straightforward to get round, and there are many free issues to see and do to maintain prices down. Simply comply with the information above, and also you’ll have a enjoyable and protected go to to this rugged island nation!

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