How to Travel Around Iceland: Transportation Tips and Options
Wondering how to travel around Iceland? It’s easier than you think.
Iceland has some great transportation options that cater to all kinds of travellers.
Whether you want to drive yourself or save money with public transport, it’s all possible.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, one of the first things you’ll want to do is understand how you’ll get around the country.
We’ll cover everything you need to know in the guide below.
Travel Around Iceland in a Car or Campervan
Exploring Iceland in your own vehicle is one of the best ways to see the country.
With a car or campervan, you can set your own pace and stop whenever you like. This also gives you unlimited freedom to explore the lesser-known parts of Iceland and get off the main tourist routes.
Iceland has a good road network with low traffic, making your Iceland road trip a fun and convenient experience.
The main road, Route 1 or the Ring Road, winds around the island. Other roads, some paved and some gravel, branch into different areas. This gives you a lot of room to explore.
A regular 2WD car is usually enough for the main roads in the summer. However, if you plan to explore the highlands or roads marked with an “F” (such as F88), you’ll need a 4WD vehicle.
Having a 4WD car in winter is also a good idea, as snow-covered roads are common.
Taking coastal routes is a great way to enjoy Iceland’s scenery. However, driving through Iceland’s fjords will probably add extra travel time.
Many mountain roads are closed in the winter, and you won’t be able to access places like the Hornstrandir reserve during the winter months. So, it’s essential to plan ahead if you’re going to drive yourself around Iceland.
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website provides updates on road conditions and closures. This is a great resource to check daily before heading out in your car or campervan.
Tips for Travelling in Iceland With a Car
Are you planning to drive yourself around Iceland in a car or camper? Excellent decision! Here are some top Iceland travel tips to remember before you go.
Renting a Car
Renting a car in Iceland is simple, but there are a few things to consider.
International rental agencies like Europcar, Budget, and Avis operate in Iceland.
Local agencies such as Blue Car Rental, A Car Rental, and Go Car Rental often offer better rates and extra services like Wi-Fi hotspots or included insurance.
Car rental costs in Iceland are usually higher than in other countries, so booking in advance can save you money.
If you’re travelling from the UK or Europe, you can also take a ferry to Iceland and bring your own car.
Insurance
When renting a car, we highly recommend you take out additional insurance.
Gravel, sand, and ash damage are typical in Iceland; insurance policies often don’t cover this damage.
Iceland’s unique landscape can surprise inexperienced drivers. Extra insurance is a good idea if you travel in autumn or spring or plan to drive on F-roads.
Fueling Up
Fuel stations are common enough along main roads but can be sparse in remote areas like the highlands and Iceland’s West Fjords.
Make sure to fill up before heading into these less populated regions.
Most small gas stations in Iceland are automated and require a card with a PIN. You can buy a prepaid card at an N1 station if your card doesn’t have a PIN.
Renting a Campervan
Many people want to explore Iceland in a campervan. It’s no surprise! Renting a campervan can be a great option, as camping in Iceland is a fantastic way to have a more spontaneous adventure and appreciate the beautiful environment.
Renting a campervan is possible, giving you both accommodation and transportation.
Campsites in Iceland usually don’t need to be booked in advance, allowing for spontaneous travel.
And if you have an Iceland Camping Card, you can save money while travelling in a campervan.
If you travel in a campervan, do it during summer, as many campsites are closed in winter. Local rental companies offer a range of campervans, from family-sized vehicles to off-road capable ones.
How to Travel in Iceland Without a Car
Looking for the best way to travel in Iceland without a car?
Many people are intimidated by driving in a foreign country. With its snow, unpredictable weather, and volcanic landscape, Iceland can be daunting to drivers who have never driven through this country.
Don’t worry; many other great options for getting around Iceland don’t involve renting a car.
These options give you peace of mind and can help you save money on expensive car rental fees.
Get the genuine experience
Guided Tours
One of the best options for travelling around Iceland is to join a guided group tour. A group tour has many advantages.
First, your tour operator handles all transportation and logistics for you. You just need to fly into Iceland and don’t have to worry about getting around. It’s way easier and can help you save money!
Your tour makes transport to a hard-to-reach area, like hiking in Hornstrandir, easy.
Beyond the travel convenience, guided tours in Iceland are a far more enjoyable way to explore the country.
Your guides offer expert local knowledge and help you see Iceland’s most beautiful and exciting parts.
You’ll see more, experience more, and learn more.
Guided tours also come with the social advantage of joining other travellers. This social aspect is excellent for solo travel in Iceland.
Plus, they include accommodation, which takes care of another tricky logistical element.
Check out our guided adventure tours in Iceland if this sounds like the right option for you.
Public Busses
Travelling around Iceland without a car is possible. Just grab a bus and use the country’s convenient bus network.
Public buses serve most of Iceland’s main towns and coastal areas, and you can easily see all the top tourist sights by taking the bus.
Busses in Iceland also take you to the country’s main hiking routes.
So, if you want to do a multi-day hike, like the Laugevagur hike, it is recommended that you take the bus between the start and endpoints.
The leading bus service, Strætó, nearly circles the country on the Ring Road.
In the east, Svaust connects with the Strætó route at Egilsstaðir and Höfn.
West Iceland has its own local bus lines. Public buses run all year, but the number of buses in service reduces in winter.
Remember that Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, so plan extra time for delays. But if you’re happy to take it slowly on the bus, this is an excellent option for budget travellers.
Scheduled Tourist Buses
In the summer, tourist buses operate across Iceland.
Various tourism companies run routes to the main highlights in Western Iceland. You can catch these buses for sightseeing or simply to get from one place to another.
Many tourist buses have GPS tracking, so you can see where your bus is in real-time. Some buses even offer onboard Wi-Fi.
These seasonal services typically run during July and August and are convenient for visiting popular tourist spots.
Domestic Flights
Consider catching domestic flights if you want to get across the country fast.
Domestic flights are incredibly convenient during winter, as roads in Iceland can be very tricky and slow to travel on.
Many Icelandic roads close in winter, so catching a flight gives you peace of mind, knowing you’ll be able to reach your destination on time.
Domestic flights in Iceland are quick, but they can be expensive.
The main domestic airports are Reykjavik (a different airport from Keflavik, which is for international flights), Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir.
Travelling through Iceland’s terrain can be challenging, making flights popular among locals.
Domestic flights act like a national bus or rail network in Iceland, providing a reliable way to cover long distances quickly.
Check out the national airport provider, Isavia, for more details about flights and airports in Iceland.
Travel Around Iceland Using Ferries
Ferries are fun and scenic travel options in Iceland. They won’t help you get around the entire country. Still, they are great options for getting to some remote coastal areas while enjoying incredible views.
Some ferries let you take cars on board, which is excellent if you want to drive around Iceland. And if you’re lucky, you might get to spot whales while travelling on the ferry.
Here are some ferry options to consider when getting around Iceland.
Viðey Island Ferry from Reykjavik
You can take a ferry from Reykjavik to the uninhabited island of Viðey. This ferry runs regularly to help you access hiking trails, seabird colonies, and historic sites on the island.
Vestmannaeyjar Ferry to Heimaey
Head to Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago using the Vestmannaeyjar ferry.
Heimaey island is famous for its birdlife, including millions of breeding puffins. The town of Heimaey is a must-visit due to its unique location on top of a lava landscape.
Brjánslækur Ferry from Stykkishólmur
The Brjánslækur ferry connects the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to the Westfjords.
The ferry operates year-round and is a great way to save travel time if you’re heading in this direction. It also stops at Flatey Island on the way, which is worth a visit if you have time.
Grímsey Ferry from Dalvík
If you want to travel to Grímsey, located on the Arctic Circle, you can do it by ferry from Dalvík.
The ferry from Dalvik lets you potentially see puffins along the way, as well as stunning cliffs and impressive basalt formations. You can explore the island for two to five hours or stay overnight.
Hrísey Ferry from Árskógssandur
A short ferry ride from Árskógssandur takes you to Hrísey, a peaceful island with beautiful views of Eyjafjörður. The ferry runs seven times daily, and the trip only takes about 15 minutes.
Cycling Around Iceland
Feeling active? Then cycling around Iceland can be a great way to explore the country’s scenic coastline!
Iceland has generally flat and paved roads, which makes long-distance cycling fun.
However, you’ll need to be prepared for Iceland’s unpredictable and often harsh weather, including strong winds, rain, and occasional sand or snowstorms. These can be intense when you’re on a bike.
The Ring Road, Iceland’s main route, is mainly accessible to cyclists, though it lacks hard shoulders, and you’ll need to share the road with cars.
Most cyclists bring their own bikes, though rentals are available from companies like Reykjavik Bike Tours.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to travel around Iceland is straightforward. Transport options are abundant, and there are options for all travellers and budgets. Just be aware of the Icelandic weather and plan your travels carefully around this.
Are you looking for a group tour that handles all your transportation and logistics? Check out our Iceland adventure tours for unforgettable experiences and easy travel.
