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 the event you ask me, it’s proper up there with New Zealand and Norway by way of probably the most lovely nations on the planet.

And, similar to each of these locations, it’s an incredible place to take a street journey.

Because of its gorgeous pure magnificence, security, and ease of transportation, Iceland has turn into a preferred vacation spot for solo vacationers and first-time street trippers. Sure, it may be costly, however it has a lot to see and do, together with tons of fantastic hikes and waterfalls which might 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 believe taking a street journey is the easiest way to discover the nation. So, to make sure you save money and time and keep secure throughout your journey, listed here are my high 13 Iceland road-trip ideas:

1. Be sure you have automotive insurance coverage

I by no means go away house with out journey insurance coverage. And I by no means hire a automotive with out complete auto insurance coverage both.

In most locations, this would possibly look like overkill. I imply, how typically do you truly 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 here are so robust that automotive doorways are usually 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, slim roads and an abundance of energetic volcanoes, and also you’ve acquired your self a recipe for automotive hassle.

That’s why I all the time advocate 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 Uncover Vehicles. Once you ebook, it’s tremendous simple 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 under to get a quote. It’s quick and free:

2. Hire the precise automobile

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

When renting a automobile in Iceland, you might have three predominant decisions:

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

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

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

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

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

(Observe: It doesn’t matter what kind of auto you might 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 lovely surroundings, however you could possibly face stiff fines if caught.)
 

3. Obtain the precise 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 broadly spoken, the app could be useful for studying indicators and instructions. Simply be certain that to obtain Icelandic for offline use so that you could nonetheless translate issues even with out cell information.
• Google Maps – One of the best app for wanting up instructions. Be certain that to obtain your maps so you might have them for offline use.
• Safetravel.is – This app shares climate alerts, street 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 one of the best climate app for Iceland.
• Samferda – This web site is nice for locating passengers if you wish to share a trip with somebody. (In the event you’re a passenger and want a trip, you possibly can put up right here too.) One other useful website for locating passengers is Couchsurfing.

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

4. Convey a paper map

Each time I am going on a street journey, I all the time deliver a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is straightforward and free, and cell information protection in Iceland is dependable. Nevertheless it’s higher to be secure than sorry. You by no means know when your cellphone goes to interrupt, in case your sign will probably be misplaced, or there will probably be an emergency.

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

5. Select your route correctly

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

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

In the event you actually need to get off the overwhelmed path and beat the crowds, head to the Westfjords. Solely a fraction of vacationers come right here, so it’s house to a number 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 (in case you have a automotive)

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 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 value it!
 

7. Examine the climate typically

I’ve mentioned it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: the climate in Iceland adjustments quickly. For that purpose, you’ll need to regulate the forecast. Whereas driving in wind or rain may not be a problem, should you’re planning to get out and hike or go to a number of 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, deliver rain gear (together with a hat), waterproof footwear, and a sweater. Even in the summertime, Iceland is never scorching, and rain isn’t unusual both. Put together accordingly so your journey isn’t ruined (particularly should you plan on mountain climbing).
 

8. Solely pull over the place there’s area

You’re going to be tempted to cease your automotive typically to take pictures. And I imply actually typically. Not solely are the principle 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 is going to be tempting to tug over to get out and take pictures, however achieve this with warning. Attempt to pull off the street 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. Follow designated stopping areas.
 

9. Keep watch over your gasoline tank

As soon as you permit the busier a part of the island round Reykjavik, gasoline stations turn into few and much between. For that purpose, you’ll need to replenish when you possibly can. Don’t simply wait till you might have 1 / 4 tank, as you would possibly run out of gasoline earlier than you get to the subsequent station.

Whilst you can typically lookup the place gasoline stations are by way of Google Maps, I all the time be certain that to high up after I can. The peace of thoughts is value 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 suppose that, as a result of Iceland is small, you possibly can see the sights in only a matter of days.

You may’t.

In the event you’re seeking to drive your entire Ring Street, plan for not less than 10-14 days. Whereas you are able to do it in much less, you’ll be rushed and can spend extra time driving than I’d advocate. (In the event you simply need to see the principle highlights within the south and east, 5-7 days is ample.)

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

In the event you’re searching for really useful itineraries, this put up breaks down all my solutions for various 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 will probably nonetheless be crowded round Reykjavik and the sights closest to town.

For that purpose, I recommend visiting within the shoulder season. The climate remains to be heat and there will probably be far fewer folks. All the things will probably be a little bit cheaper too.

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

Moreover, I recommend avoiding winter visits too should you plan on driving. Street situations are lower than superb, and snowstorms are frequent. Except you might have numerous expertise with winter driving, skip that season. (You may positively do a winter go to to see the northern lights, I simply wouldn’t hire a automotive for that.)

Personally, I believe late Could to early June and late August to early September are one of the best occasions to go to. Costs are cheaper, the climate is first rate, and the crowds are thinner.
 

12. Choose up passengers

In the event you’re touring on a funds, contemplate taking passengers. Having folks chip in for gasoline for a leg or two of your journey is a good way to save cash whereas additionally connecting with like-minded vacationers. As talked about above, you should use web sites like Samferda or Couchsurfing to seek out them.

An alternative 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 amazing expertise). Whereas they typically don’t have cash to contribute, they doubtless have cool tales and nice ideas. It’s a straightforward means to assist different vacationers and enliven your personal journey.
 

13. Comply with the principles of the street

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 might be used to. Be certain that 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 below 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 it is advisable to speak and drive, or else pull over. Not solely is it harmful, however you could possibly face excessive fines as nicely.
• Be careful for others on the street. 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 the event 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 street journey in Iceland?
Iceland is among the best nations on the planet for a street journey. The reason being that there’s primarily only one lengthy street that circles the nation (often known as Route 1, or the Ring Street). That makes it fairly simple to get round and tough to get misplaced.

How lengthy do it is advisable to road-trip round Iceland?
In the event you plan to drive your entire Ring Street, you’ll need not less than 10 days (14 days can be higher). In the event you simply need to see the principle sights within the south and east, 5-7 days must be lots.

Is Iceland very costly?
Iceland could be very costly. Meals, lodging, rental vehicles, and gasoline are all dear. Nonetheless, there are many methods to avoid wasting too. By sharing a automobile (and splitting prices), cooking all of your meals, and tenting or sticking to hostels, you possibly can simply do it for below $100 USD per day.

Is it value renting a 4×4?
I might solely hire a 4×4 in case you have prior street journey expertise and are planning to go off street. For the typical customer seeking to see the principle sights, a 4×4 will not be crucial.

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

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

Is it secure to drive solo in Iceland?
Iceland is persistently ranked as one of many most secure nations on the planet. In the event you’re new to solo journey, it’s the proper place to start out.

Iceland is among the most lovely nations on the planet. It’s additionally among the finest (and best) locations to do a street journey. Whereas it could be costly, it’s very secure and straightforward to get round, and there are many free issues to see and do to maintain prices down. Simply observe the guidelines above, and also you’ll have a enjoyable and secure go to to this rugged island nation!

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