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Car hire in Reykjavik – a city full of Icelandic Charm

One of Europe's most breathtakingly beautiful destinations, Reykjavik (which means Smoke Bay in Icelandic) is the northernmost capital in the world and as such is characteristically cosmopolitan with a flamboyantly artistic flare. Visitors (especially first-timers) are encouraged to take a stroll around its pedestrianised centre and experience the many museums, art galleries and other first-class tourist attractions the city has to offer. After that, why not take in the panoramic city views from the top of Hallgrímskirkja church and learn all about the Vikings and Iceland's long and fascinating history at the nearby National Museum.

Above all, Reykjavik is the perfect springboard for those planning to discover the real Iceland, with many of the country's extraordinary natural wonders within easy reach of the city, including the famous Blue Lagoon and Snæfellsjökull National Park. Those looking for a more active holiday in the Reykjavik area can combine snowmobiling and horse-riding with white-water rafting and scuba diving, all available in close proximity to the city. And due to Reykjavik's proximity to the Arctic Circle, summer visitors can enjoy many more hours of daylight due to the midnight sun phenomenon, thus enhancing the city's potential for exciting day-trips and other fun-filled sightseeing itineraries.

And there's no better way to explore the local environs, as well as the rest of Iceland, than to car hire in Reykjavik and get your kicks on Route 1, otherwise known as the Ring Road. Covering 1,340 km, it loops around the entire island, passing a succession of thundering waterfalls, majestic glaciers, moon-like lava fields and soaring snow-capped mountains en route.

You cannot leave Iceland without witnessing the fleeting spectral glow of the Northern Lights, which are caused by charged particles from solar flares colliding with the earth's atmosphere. Often visible from mid-September through April, they can only be seen on dark clear nights away from the bright city lights, so to see the aurora borealis (as they are officially known) you'll need to wrap up warm and head for the hills.

Auto Europe provides quality car hire at over 28,000 convenient pick-up and drop-off points in more than 190 popular destinations, including Reykjavik and other key locations in Iceland such as Isafjordur or Hofn. Make your selection by using our state-of-the-art booking engine and confirm your booking in a few simple clicks of the mouse. If you need any help with your travel plans in Iceland, don't hesitate to get in touch with our reservation specialists and they will be only too happy to give you all the assistance you need. For added peace of mind, take some time to read the comments on our car hire reviews in Reykjavik and car hire reviews in Iceland car hire reviews pages to find out what some of our previous customers thought of their Auto Europe car rental experience on the island.

For more information on renting a vehicle in Reykjavik, click on the car hire related topics listed below:

Where to pick up a car hire in Reykjavík

Picking up a car rental in Reykjavik isn’t too complicated, especially with convenient locations in downtown Reykjavik and at Reykjavik Airport. We work with many world-class car rental suppliers. Through them, we are able to offer great rates and regular promotions. With a large vehicle fleet to choose from, you’re also sure to find the right vehicle for your journey in Iceland. We take the stress and worry out of hiring a car in Reykjavik and help you find the best deals around.

If you’d like to see a full list of all available suppliers, then use our secure online booking engine. Simply add the desired dates and location. Then a full list will be displayed which can further be filtered down by vehicle engine type, number of car doors, engine type and more. If you are under the age of 26 years old, make sure you add your age into the provided field before making the search. This will allow our system to display only suppliers that are willing to rent a car to your age group. Our website has been designed to help you find the very best rent a car deals in Reykjavik.

Reykjavík Airport

Located at Vatnsmýri not far from the capital, Reykjavík International Airport is Iceland's main air transport hub for domestic flights as well as scheduled services to and from Greenland. From there you can fly to the airports of Akureyri and Egilsstadir in the northern and eastern parts of the island, respectively. International flights are handled at Keflavik International Airport Airport located about 50 km south-west of the city. The car hire desk of each supplier can be found inside the arrival hall.

Reykjavík Airport (RKV)
Website: Reykjavík Airport
Address: 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Telephone: +354 424 4000

Book with the best car hire suppliers in Reykjavík

With great rental rates, regular promotions and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick-up, it’s little wonder our customers keep coming back to save on time and money. Our online booking engine provides the tools to seek out and narrow down the very best car rental in Reykjavík. When you rent a car in Reykjavík through us, you’re sure to have found the very best deal, and with our price match guarantee, you can book in total confidence.

In Iceland we have partnered with the very best car hire suppliers – Avis, Budget and Payless. Together, they have years of experience in providing a high-quality global rental service. For a full list of suppliers, simply select your desired dates and location on our website. Then all the available suppliers for those dates will be displayed. Once you are happy with your rental rate, click through to book. Don’t forget to look out for promotions, such as, free winter tyres, free additional drivers or add a one-way car hire to allow you to really explore the island.

If you need more information about what car hire companies are available in Reykjavík or about their policies, please contact one of our reservation agents via email or by phone.

Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Reykjavík

Here you’ll find some of the answers to some of the most asked questions by those hiring a car in Reykjavik. If you have a question, the chances are it has been asked by someone previously and you’ll find the answer here. If not, then contact our team and they’ll be happy to answer any car hire related questions for Iceland. Many of our agent have local knowledge and are able to provide tips on driving in Iceland and helping you maximise your trip in this beautiful country.

Reykjavik Travel Guide

For many Iceland is on their travel wish list. The islands uniqueness and unspoilt natural beauty is one of the reasons many opt for a visit here. From the Blue Lagoon to its hot springs and glaciers – there are very few countries in the world like it. Once you have explored the city, we would recommend taking Route 1 and exploring the rest of the island. Care should be taken regarding the changing weather conditions and on staying warm and safe. This guide has some great must-see ideas and road trips to maximise your time.

Best day trips with my car rental in Reykjavik

Reykjavik is the perfect destination for an exhilarating road-trip, with many of the country's top attractions within easy reach of the capital. A ride around the country's ring road is also an exciting option for visitors looking to get the best out of their car hire in Reykjavik, with the possibility of stopping over for a night or two en route or looping back to their accommodation in the capital the same day.

Mount Esja: Mount Esja to the north-east of the city is one of the most enjoyable day-trips for people staying in Reykjavik. With an altitude of more than 900 metres, the mountain is a great place to relax and enjoy Iceland's famous fresh air along some of the hiking trails laid out by the local authorities. It is suitable for both casual and serious hikers, but the real highlight is the journey itself which affords a succession of stunning views with selfie opportunities waiting around every corner.

Golden Circle: The Golden Circle is a popular tourist itinerary in southern Iceland that's easily accessible from the capital. Covering some 300 kilometres (190 miles), it loops from Reykjavík into the southern uplands of Iceland and back again, comprising many of the country's top attractions en route. Don't miss the Gullfoss Waterfall (which freezes over in winter) and the two geysers - Geysir and Strokkur. Other places of interest include the Kerið volcanic crater, the town of Hveragerði and Skálholt cathedral.

Thingvellir National Park: Located just 45 minutes away by car from the centre of Reykjavik, Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park offers visitors the chance to see the real Iceland with miles and miles of lush, green landscape overlooked by rows of snow-capped mountains in the distance. Sitting in a rift valley created by the separation of the North American and European tectonic plates, the park is home to the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland's original and very long-lasting parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries.

The Blue Lagoon: One of the great natural wonders of Iceland is the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a large geothermal spa situated a short drive south-west of Reykjavik. Located in a lava field near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the average temperature of the water is a comfortable 37–39°C (99–102°F), making it the ideal spot to chill for a couple of hours and recharge your sightseeing batteries.

Langjökull Glacier: Easy to reach from Reykjavik, Langjökull is the second-largest glacier in Iceland, after Vatnajokull. Deep inside the glacier is a man-made ice tunnel some 500 metres long which descends more than thirty metres down into the hidden depths of the glacier, making for a truly memorable experience. Snow-mobiling, skiing and snowboarding are optional activities for those looking to extend their visit by getting off the beaten track.

Hafnarfjörður: Built on a lava field just south of Reykjavik, Hafnarfjörður is the third-largest town in Iceland and a popular place of excursion for visitors staying in the capital. Built around a natural harbour, it offers many old-style boutiques and plenty of traditional Icelandic boutiques and other authentic shopping opportunities, while the popular Viking Village offers tourists a taste of the island's fascinating Viking heritage.

What to do in Reykjavik

Small, compact and buzzing with energy, Reykjavik is currently one of the world's most exciting must-visit tourist destinations with its number of first-rate attractions steadily growing. With two-thirds of Iceland's population living in the city, there's much to see and do (especially in the long days of extended sunlight in the summer) with plenty of festivals and one-off events happening throughout the year. Share the joy of driving in this magical country with a free additional driver. Check out all the promotions on our website and save.

• Hallgrímskirkja Church: By far the best view of Reykjavik is from the top of Hallgrímskirkja church, located right in the heart of the city centre. Built as a tribute to the national poet Hallgrimur Petursson, the building stands as one of Iceland's most iconic landmarks and features an impressive pipe organ.


• Settlement Exhibition: This excellent museum offers visitors the chance to learn about Reykjavik's first Viking settlement with a rare collection of well-preserved archaeological exhibits. The visitor experience is enhanced by state-of-the-art interactive displays going back many centuries to the island's earliest inhabitants.


• Perlan Museum of Icelandic Natural Wonders: Housed in a futuristic building, this first-class tourist attraction portrays Iceland's many natural wonders, from lava fields and ice caps to the rich abundance of sea life that exists in the local waters. Highlights include an ice cave and fascinating glacier exhibition, plus a modern planetarium that offers a true-life Northern Lights experience.


• Arbaer Open Air Museum: Located in the eastern suburbs of Reykjavik, the Arbaer Open Air Museum is a recuperated farm and village comprising over twenty traditional Icelandic homes and gardens. Visitors are free to walk around and explore the village to get a true taste of island life in days gone by.


• Reykjavik Maritime Museum: Ranked as one of the best museums in Iceland, the Reykjavik Maritime Museum is located in the old harbour district of the city and features exhibitions showcasing how early Icelandic settlers relied on fishing to survive and prosper. The collection includes accounts of local fishermen and their families who established fishing as a way of life for many.


• Volcano House: As Reykjavik sits on an active volcano, there's no better place to learn about the island's geological history than Volcano House in the heart of the city centre. The collection features a wide variety of volcano-related exhibits, as well as the popular Volcano Cinema where regular eruptions imitate life on the island.


• Thermal Pools: You can't leave Reykjavik without wallowing in the warm waters of one of the city's many thermal pools. Filled with naturally heated geothermal water, the pools are an important feature of Reykjavik's social scene and have much therapeutical value for locals residents and visitors alike.

Useful links

Reykjavik Tourism