NordicVisitor

Cars for Hire in Iceland

Rental Cars

A self-drive tour is a fantastic way to experience Iceland´s natural wonders at a flexible pace, from geysers to glaciers and everything in between. As a well-established local travel agency, we are able to offer our self-drive customers an excellent selection of vehicles from a reputable car rental agency as well as plenty of tools to help navigate Iceland at ease and discover hidden gems along the way.

For your own unforgettable road trip in Iceland, you can select one of our popular self-drive tours or or request your own custom-made itinerary by using our tour customization form. We also offer 4x4 adventure tours for those who want to get off the beaten path!

Rental car types for Iceland: (see example cars for Iceland)

A	Ford Fiesta or similar (Manual)
B	Ford Focus or similar (Manual)
C	Ford Focus Wagon or similar (Manual)
D	Ford Mondeo or similar (Automatic)
E	Ford Escape or similar (Automatic 4x4)
F	Ford Explorer or similar (Automatic 4x4)
G	Ford Expedition or similar (Automatic 4x4)
H	Ford Transit or similar (Manual)

Included in all rentals:
• Basic liability insurance coverage
• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Unlimited mileage
• Authorization for two drivers (additional drivers at extra fee)
• GPS navigation system
• Airport/city surcharge
• Icelandic VAT @ 25.5%

Not included:
• Fuel or oil
• Overnight parking at hotels
• Parking fees, parking fines, or towing charges
• Fines for traffic violations
• Fees for ferries, tunnels, or toll roads
• Negligent vehicle damage (e.g., due to incorrect fuel, alcohol/drug use, off-road driving, etc.)

Optional*
• Insurance upgrades (e.g. theft of personal belongings, personal injury, roadside assistance, etc.)
• Additional driver(s)
• Child seat
• DVD player during trip (if travelling with children/infants)
• Other special equipment (e.g. snow chains, roof rack, etc.) subject to availability

*Optional features are available for an additional fee and can be selected at the local car rental office at time of pick-up.

Payment information: A valid credit card is required by the car rental company - your rental agent will make an imprint of your card for security reasons when you come to collect your car. Your voucher covers the cost of the rental, but the imprint may be used to pay all extra charges or cost due to the use of the rented vehicle. Most major credit cards are accepted, and the credit card must be in the driver’s name. No cash is accepted.

Please Note:
• The minimum rental age is 21 for most car groups. Drivers aged 19 - 21 are subject to a young driver surcharge.
• A valid national driver’s license, which has been held for at least one year, is required for all rentals. An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) may also be required.
• Vehicles travel on the right side of the road in all Nordic countries.
• We recommend a 4X4 vehicle (Types E - G) from mid-October to mid-April.

Nordic Visitor provides all self-drive customers with:
• Hard copies of invoice and all travel vouchers
• Hard copy of customized itinerary
• Detailed map(s) with accommodations marked
• Road atlas
• Information about local driving regulations
• Additional brochures about optional activities & day tours along your route
• Mobile phone & charger (for temporary use while travelling) with 500 ISK worth of call-time
• 24-hour emergency help line
 • “Highlights of Iceland” booklet; includes helpful information about travelling in Iceland and details about unique attractions that you may wish to visit along your drive

YOUR RENTAL CAR: It is important that you are well-informed about your car rental agreement and vehicle insurance—please read the waiver carefully and ask the rental agent about anything unclear before embarking on your journey.

Your rental car should be in good condition when you receive it. Make sure to check all lights, tires and the spare tire. Also be sure to test the radio before driving off the lot. If you have any doubts about the car’s functionality, please contact your rental agent directly.

REPAIRS OR BREAKDOWNS: You are responsible for changing flat tires and getting flat tires repaired. Make sure to have an intact spare tire at all times. If your windshield wipers stop working—possibly from insects or dirt—you can stop at a gas station and ask the service staff to clean them.

In case of a major breakdown, be sure to contact your rental agent right away to arrange for roadside assistance. Please note that Nordic Visitor self-drive customers are given a cell phone on arrival pre-loaded with 500 ISK of talk time to use in case of such situations during their stay in Iceland.

Driving in Iceland

THE “RING ROAD”: The “Ring Road” is the nickname for Route 1, the country’s only interstate highway that circles the whole island (except for the Westfjords region). As the interior highlands are mostly impassable, the Ring Road stays close to the coastline for its entire 1,328km (825 miles) span. Most of Iceland’s most popular attractions are alongside or just a short detour from this highway.

SAFE DRIVING IN ICELAND: It is critical that you are aware of driving laws and potential road hazards in Iceland. We also strongly recommend taking a few minutes to watch the short video “How to drive in Iceland” from the Road Traffic Directorate of Iceland. Nordic Visitor self-drive customers also receive a brochure about driving in Iceland on arrival.

For more tips about driving and travelling safely in Iceland, please visit http://www.safetravel.is/en/

ROAD CONDITIONS: Always check on weather and road conditions prior to embarking on a long drive. Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination, and enjoy the journey!

Before leaving your hotel, you can dial 1777 between 08:00 and 16:00 on weekdays to speak with an operator at the Public Roads Administration, or visit www.road.is. You can also check at a tourist information centre, or ask the staff at hotels, restaurants or filling stations.

DRIVING LAWS: In Iceland, cars are driven on the right side of the road. Motorists are obliged to use headlights at all times and all passengers must wear safety belts. Also, talking on mobile phones while driving (except with headsets) is prohibited, and driving under the influence of alcohol is punished with hefty fines starting at 70.000 ISK.

SPEED LIMITS AND FINES: The general speed limit is 50 km/h or less in urban/residential areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads (we recommend slower speeds), and 90 km/h on paved roads like the major highway, the Ring Road. Fines for speeding are high, ranging from 30000 ISK to 150000 ISK.

Please note that speed cameras are posted around the country—particularly in urban areas and in the Hvalfjörður tunnel.

RURAL ROAD HAZARDS: Many bridges in rural areas—even on the Ring Road—are only wide enough for one car at a time; the car closest to the bridge gets the right of way for crossing these single-lane bridges (einbreið brú). Also, proceed with extra caution when approaching a blind hill (blindhæð) or when the paved section of a road ends and transitions to gravel (malbik endar).
 
Be sure to familiarize yourself with road signs, which can be found in this PDF brochure.

SHEEP: Sheep actually outnumber people in Iceland! As such, please drive carefully through farmland as free-roaming sheep are frequently spotted near roadsides and often wander onto the roads. If you notice sheep near the road, slow down, and if they are on the road, honk the horn.

HIGHLAND ROADS (F-roads): Most highland roads (or mountain roads), marked with an “F” on maps, have loose gravel surfaces so please drive with extra caution and pay special attention along the shoulders of the road. You must reduce your speed—especially with oncoming traffic—since these roads tend to be very narrow and often have very sharp winding turns.
 
Most highland roads are closed until the end of June or longer due to wet, muddy conditions that make the roads impassable. When opened, most of these roads are only suitable for 4WD vehicles. Please note that driving a regular-type rental car on prohibited highland roads can invalidate your rental insurance; make sure to review the rules in your car rental contract. Some car rental agencies require extra insurance for travelling in the highlands.

OFF-ROAD DRIVING: Driving off marked roads can damage fragile vegetation and be very dangerous for motorists. Therefore, off-road driving is strictly prohibited and heavily fined by authorities.

FILLING STATIONS: Fuel is slightly cheaper at self-service stations like ÓB, Orkan and Atlantsolía; they take credit cards with a 4-digit PIN number. If you do not have a card with a 4-digit PIN, you may be able to pay inside at the service desk or buy a pre-paid card to use at the pump.

Most filling stations should have instructions at the pump in English, but if not, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a service attendant or another motorist. Self-service pumps are marked ‘sjálfsafgreiðsla’ and full-service pumps are marked ‘full þjónusta’.

Make sure to check which type of fuel your car requires (usually listed on the cover of the gas cap) before filling the tank. Most rental cars operate on regular petrol (‘bensín’ in Icelandic).

Opening hours of filling stations vary throughout the country, but most in the greater Reykjavík area are open 07:00 - 23:00. Typically, the larger stations like N1 will have automats available for self-service after closing hours and accept credit cards with 4-digit PIN numbers.

Note: gas stations are sparse between Vík and Mývatn, so please keep a close eye on your fuel levels. It is better to fill the tank when you have the chance rather than risk running out of gas.

PARKING IN REYKJAVÍK: Few hotels in central Reykjavík offer overnight parking for their guests. However, you can find metered parking in many downtown areas; meter fees typically range from 80 ISK to 150 ISK per hour but are free after 18:00 on weekdays, after 13:00 on Saturdays and all day on Sundays. Many meters require coins, but in some streets or public lots you can pay by credit card at an automat and put a ticket in the windshield.

Parking garages are another option; they are marked with a “P” and fees range from 50 ISK to 80 ISK per hour, but keep in mind that they have varied closing hours. Free parking can also be found just outside of the city centre.

PARKING IN AKUREYRI: You can find parking disks at filling stations in Akureyri free of charge—simply pick one up and post it in your car. On the back you will find instructions, but it is essentially a simple system of setting the clock on the hour parked.

Note: Outside of urban areas, parking is free.

PARKING FINES: Fines for parking violations generally range between 1500 ISK to 2500 ISK and can be paid at a bank. If paid within three business days, the fine is reduced by a small discount.

 

Super Jeep Images

Some pictures of the famous 4x4 and Jeep tours sent to us by our travellers and guides.