If you’re looking for miles of unspoilt natural beauty with very few inhabitants – then Iceland is your ideal holiday. This small Nordic island nation is located in the northern half of the north Atlantic and contains one of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll ever witness. From volcanoes to lava fields, hot springs and fjords, Iceland won’t disappoint. As you drive through this nation, you’ll come across quaint villages, picturesque towns and bustling cities. Museums, lagoons and plenty of Nordic hospitality await you as you learn all about how fishing and whaling has kept these communities alive.
Containing Iceland’s Museum of Rock n’ Roll, the town of Keflavik is a traditional Icelandic town waiting to be explored. It also happens to have Iceland’s main entry into the country – Keflavik International Airport. Home to the Saga and National Museum, Reykjavik is also Iceland’s capital city. As the islands largest city, you’ll encounter plenty of things to do, from restaurants to coffee houses and shopping quarters. If you’re looking for a more compact view of Iceland’s local fauna and flora, then pay a visit to Akureyri. This large town is located in northern Iceland, and hosts the country’s Botanical Gardens. It is also home to the very interesting Akureyri Art Museum. Consult our travel guide to Iceland for up-to-date information and travel tips.
Auto Europe has been in the global car hire industry for over 60 years. Having built up long-lasting working partnerships with many local, national and international car hire suppliers, we are able to provide great deals at global locations convenient to you. With a large vehicle fleet to choose from, you’re sure to find the right vehicle for your Icelandic holiday. Along with our trusted car hire service, you may also be interested in our luxury car hire, motorhome hire or transfer service. Contact one of our reservation agents today to find out more and book.
Look over the Iceland travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of travelling in Iceland.
Road Trips | Attractions | Travel FAQs |
Iceland is like many islands – perfect for a road trip. A road trip in Iceland is made even easier with the existence of a Road Ring that encircles the whole country. Also known as Road 1, it covers an estimated 825 miles and will take you up to 16 hours to drive. Many attractions can be found off the Ring Road, therefore make sure you experience everything else the country has to offer by exploring more remote regions. It is important to note that driving during the winter months can be dangerous due to extreme weather – so always take the recommended precautions before commencing on your road trip.
A country full of natural beauty, lava fields, fjords, lakes, lagoons, geological wonders and huge ancient snow-capped mountains – few countries come close to the splendour experienced here. From its charming traditional towns, to world-renowned museums and the spectacular northern lights, you’ll always find something to see, do and experience during your holiday.
Following is a list of the most common asked question by our customers for Iceland - things such as; time zone, currency, electricity supply and voltage. We also go into a little detail about how to choose the right vehicle for Iceland and much more. If you have an additional question that is not answered here, please contact our reservation team who can help.
Our agents have experience in dealing with road rules and regulations in Iceland, and have the ample knowledge to guide you through most holiday decisions, providing tips and suggestions. The travel tips section on our site will offer useful information on car categories, car hire coverage, driving age requirements and more.
Choosing what vehicle is right for your holiday can sometimes be a tricky task. Choosing a vehicle for Iceland can be even trickier, with the countries ever changing extreme weather and rural roads. To ensure you end up choosing the right vehicle, you should keep a few things in mind. If you are going to stay in the capital city, or a major town like Isafjordur, then a Mini or Compact car is sufficient. However, if you’re going to head into rural areas – which much of Iceland is – then you’ll need a sturdier vehicle. For Iceland in particular we recommend an SUV 4x4 or a Large vehicle. Many of Iceland’s roads are unpaved, and even its main Ring Road has sections of paved and unpaved roads. Other roads only allow 4x4 vehicles to access.
When choosing your vehicle you should also take note of how many people will be in your group, how many suitcases and how much internal legroom might be needed. If you’re visiting with a large group, then we would advise on renting a van for your trip. The added internal space and seating will be a blessing when driving around. Have a quick view of our car hire category section for further information on each category, their advantages and disadvantages.
Iceland has its own currency which is known as the Króna (ISK). Cash machines are available throughout Iceland, although in rural areas they may be harder to come by. Larger towns, petrol stations and shopping centres will have a greater array of ATMs. Credit and debit cards are readily accepted throughout the country and are a popular choice by locals. Major international bank cards are accepted, including Mastercard, Visa, Maestro and Cirrus.
Located in the Western European Time Zone, Iceland and the UK have no difference in time, with the exception being during daylight saving. Iceland does not observe daylight saving, so during this period it will be one hour ahead of the UK between late March and late October.
The electricity in Iceland operates on 220 volts, so a continental two-round-pin plug is standard. Be sure to travel with the appropriate adapters. Adapters can be found for purchase at the airport and within travel shops. Some petrol stations may also stock them.
As a member in the Schengen Treaty, there are no border controls between participating countries, except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom who opted not to sign the treaty. If you possess a UK passport you will not need a visa for stays of up to three months. Other types of British residents will need a valid Schengen visa to enter Iceland. Requirements may change due to Brexit, so make sure you check with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office for the latest advice and recommendations before travelling. Following is the contact details for the British Embassy based in Iceland.
British Embassy Reykjavik
Laufásvegur 31
101 Reykjavík
Iceland
Email: info@britishembassy.is
Telephone: +354 550 5100
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland, but English and German are commonly spoken as well. Below are a few pronunciation tips as well as some phrases that may be helpful during your travels.
Yes - Já
No - Nei
Thank you - Takk
Thank you very much - Takk fyrir
You're welcome - þú ert velkominn/Gerðu svo vel
Please - Vinsamlegast/Takk
Excuse me - Fyrirgefðu
Hello - Halló/Góðan daginn
Goodbye - Bless
What is your name? - Hvað heitir þú?
Nice to meet you - Gaman að kynnast þér
How are you? - Hvernig hefur þú það?
Good - Góður/Góð (male/fem.)
Bad - Vondur/Vond (male/fem.)
Where is ...? - Hvar er ...?
One ticket to ..., please. - Einn miða til ..., (takk fyrir).
Where are you going? - Hvert ertu að fara?
Bus - Strætisvagn
Airport - Flugvöllur
Bus station - Umferðarmiðstöð
Departure - Brottför
Arrival - Koma
Car rental agency - Bílaleiga
Hotel - Hótel
Room - Herbergi
Reservation - Bókun