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

Posted: 4/2/24 | 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 hanging look. In the event you ask me, it’s proper up there with New Zealand and Norway when it comes to probably the most lovely nations on the earth.

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

Because of its beautiful pure magnificence, security, and ease of transportation, Iceland has change into a well-liked vacation spot for solo vacationers and first-time street trippers. Sure, it may be costly, nevertheless it has a lot to see and do, together with tons of wonderful hikes and waterfalls which are free to get pleasure from. You don’t want to interrupt the financial institution right here.

Having been to Iceland a handful of instances through the years, I feel taking a street journey is the easiest way 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. Be sure you have automobile insurance coverage

I by no means depart dwelling 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 really use your automobile insurance coverage?

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

Rain and snow are widespread, and gravel and sand typically injury home windows. However the true menace most drivers aren’t ready for is the wind. The gusts listed here are so robust that automobile doorways are recurrently 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 lively volcanoes, and also you’ve bought your self a recipe for automobile bother.

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

With regards to renting a automobile, I like to recommend Uncover Automobiles. Once you guide, it’s tremendous simple so as to add automobile 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. Lease the precise 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. Which means 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’ve gotten three major decisions:

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

In the event you’re simply planning to see the primary sights whereas sleeping in hostels, motels, and/or Airbnbs, a daily automobile will do the trick. It’s the most cost effective choice 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 automobiles (in case you drive a daily automobile on them, your insurance coverage protection might 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 needless to say customary transmissions are the norm right here, so reserve an automatic-transmission car if that’s a requirement for you.

(Word: It doesn’t matter what sort of car you’ve gotten, 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 atmosphere, 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 telephone:

• Google Translate – Whereas English is broadly spoken, the app may be useful for studying indicators and instructions. Simply be certain that to obtain Icelandic for offline use to be able to nonetheless translate issues even with out cell information.
• Google Maps – One of the best app for wanting up instructions. Ensure that to obtain your maps so you’ve gotten them for offline use.
• Safetravel.is – This app shares climate alerts, street closure info, and extra. It’s good to have so that you may be stored 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 may put up right here too.) One other useful website for locating passengers is Couchsurfing.

Examine the worldwide insurance policies and prices in your telephone 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 information in your journey, get an eSIM.
 

4. Convey a paper map

At any time when I am going on a street journey, I all the time convey a paper map. I do know, Google Maps is straightforward and free, and cell information 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 might be misplaced, or there might be an emergency.

Give your self peace of thoughts: convey a paper street map with you, and simply depart it within the glove field. You possible gained’t want it, however in case you do, you’ll be glad you’ve gotten 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 major freeway) counterclockwise. This lets you begin with the well-known Golden Circle after which head towards widespread sights just like the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, the Sólheimasandur crash website, the glacier lagoon, and extra. In the event you solely have just a few 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 counsel.

Nonetheless, if you wish to be contrarian otherwise you need to get off the overwhelmed 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.

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 dwelling 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 usually lead off the primary Ring Street into the inside. Driving on these roads requires a 4×4 (4WD). You probably 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 stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: the climate in Iceland adjustments quickly. For that purpose, you’ll need to keep watch over the forecast. Whereas driving in wind or rain won’t be a difficulty, in case you’re planning to get out and hike or go to among the waterfalls, you’ll need 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, convey 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 in case you plan on mountaineering).
 

8. Solely pull over the place there may be house

You will be tempted to cease your automobile typically to take photographs. And I imply actually typically. Not solely are the primary 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 photographs, however accomplish that with warning. Attempt to pull off the street solely at designated stops or the place there may be 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. Keep on 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 change into few and much between. For that purpose, you’ll need to replenish when you may. Don’t simply wait till you’ve gotten 1 / 4 tank, as you may run out of gasoline earlier than you get to the subsequent station.

Whilst you can usually lookup the place gasoline stations are through Google Maps, I all the time be certain that to prime 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 suppose that, as a result of Iceland is small, you may see the sights in only a matter of days.

You possibly can’t.

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

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

In the event you’re on the lookout for beneficial itineraries, this put up breaks down all my recommendations for various time frames, all the way in which as much as a complete month.
 

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

Iceland suffers from success. The nation is swamped by vacationers throughout 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 counsel visiting within the shoulder season. The climate continues to be heat and there might be far fewer individuals. All the pieces might 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 provides among the most untamed and delightful landscapes in Iceland.

Moreover, I counsel avoiding winter visits too in case you plan on driving. Street situations are lower than preferrred, and snowstorms are frequent. Until you’ve gotten numerous expertise with winter driving, skip that season. (You possibly can positively do a winter go to to see the northern lights, I simply wouldn’t hire a automobile for that.)

Personally, I feel late Might to early June and late August to early September are one of the best instances to go to. Costs are cheaper, the climate is respectable, and the crowds are thinner.
 

12. Choose up passengers

In the event you’re touring on a finances, take into account taking passengers. Having individuals 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 need to use web sites like Samferda or Couchsurfing to seek out them.

An alternative choice is to choose up hitchhikers. Within the hotter months, hitchhiking is tremendous widespread alongside the Ring Street (I hitchhiked right here and had a fantastic expertise). Whereas they typically don’t have cash to contribute, they possible have cool tales and nice suggestions. It’s a simple method 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. Remember that Iceland has stricter driving legal guidelines and penalties than you could be used to. Ensure 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 telephone whereas driving. Use a hands-free setup if you’ll want to discuss and drive, or else pull over. Not solely is it harmful, however you could possibly face excessive fines as properly.
• Be careful for others on the street. This contains sheep (there are extra sheep than individuals 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 without doubt one of the best nations on the earth for a street journey. The reason being that there’s basically 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 you’ll want to road-trip round Iceland?
In the event you plan to drive your complete Ring Street, you’ll need not less than 10 days (14 days could be higher). In the event you simply need to see the primary sights within the south and east, 5-7 days must be a lot.

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

Is it price renting a 4×4?
I’d solely hire a 4×4 when you’ve got prior street journey expertise and are planning to go off street. For the typical customer trying to see the primary sights, a 4×4 will not be obligatory.

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, usually main you into the inside.

You probably 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 the event you’re new to solo journey, it’s the proper place to start out.

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

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