Renting a Camper Van in Iceland: All the Need to Know Facts
One of the best ways to travel around Iceland is by camper van. You’ll have full freedom and flexibility to get out and explore this beautiful country, and you’ll have your lodging with you! It is an experience you’ll remember forever, but renting a camper van in Iceland does come with some planning. After all, as your transportation and accommodation it’s the most critical part of your trip!
Fortunately, I’ve been there wondering where to start the planning. And ultimately, there’s a lot to learn about camper van rentals in Iceland. Let’s take a look at what you need to know to make your van life in Iceland go smoothly!
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
Why Rent a Camper Van in Iceland
Camper van travel in Iceland gives you full flexibility to explore the beautiful countryside, but that’s only one reason why camping in Iceland is so popular! Here are more reasons to rent a camper in Iceland.
- You have the freedom to explore Iceland at your own pace and stay at a variety of campsites without limitations.
- You don’t need to pay for expensive hotels in Iceland because you are traveling with your accommodations. Not only are campsites in Iceland cheap compared to hotels, but you also don’t need to make reservations in advance providing you more flexibility.
- With a camper rental in Iceland, you’ll have the opportunity to save on food by using your cooler or refrigerator and your camping stove. That’s right, food in Iceland is also expensive. Opt to save money by cooking your own meals in your camper.
- You’ll find all the conveniences you need in your camper from comfortable beds to kitchenettes to heaters. For additional comforts you can easily rent them, like blankets and French presses for your morning coffee. This makes packing for Iceland easy!
- You’ll meet like-minded people to socialize with at the campsites throughout Iceland. Many campsites offer common spaces, such as kitchens and eating areas or even hot springs, this makes meeting other travelers simple if you’re traveling alone or tired of your travel companion.
- Iceland’s Ring Road is easy and safe to drive with any type of camper van as it is fully paved. As a bonus, in winter – from November to mid-April – when the roads are a bit more treacherous all rental vehicles in Iceland come with winter tires.
Requirements to Rent a Camper in Iceland
To ensure you are able to rent a camper in Iceland, check the terms and conditions and FAQs of the rental company. In general, you’ll want to verify you meet their drivers license, age, and insurance requirements. This will keep you covered when you pick up the camper.
Drivers License Requirements
Trying to figure out what license you need to rent a camper van in Iceland? Good news, you simply need a valid license from your home country – as long as it is written with Roman letters, and they can read it. You do not need an Icelandic drivers license or International Drivers License to hire a camper van in Iceland.
Age Requirements
Each rental company in Iceland may have different terms. In general though, you’ll need to be 21 years old to rent a car or camper van, 23 to rent a 4×4 camper van, and 25 to rent a motor home in Iceland.
Insurance Requirements
We’ll dive into insurance further down, but typically most rental companies will require you to have insurance, provide basic insurance included in your rental, or require you to buy coverage from them. Once again, the best way to know what is required is to read the terms and conditions.
Reservation Requirements
One more thing to ensure your camping holiday in Iceland is off to the right start: Make sure to book your van in advance. Camping in Iceland is popular and rental vans do book up! I recommend looking at least six months in advance to book your camper van. For one, you’ll find a better rate typically, but you’ll also have better selection and be able to confirm you have your transportation and accommodation handled!
When booking a camper van for Iceland, you’ll also likely need to pay a booking fee or a percentage of the rental cost to reserve the van. Make sure to do this or you have not fully reserved the van and you may show up and be out of luck!
The Cost of Renting a Camper Van
Iceland is expensive – even when living in a van! Here are some of the largest expenses to factor into your Iceland budget when camper vanning around. While it may save you some money, Iceland will not be a budget friendly destination no matter how you travel around it.
Camper Reservation
The bulk of your expense will come from your van rental in Iceland. Depending on the size of camper you go with, it could be multiple hundreds of dollars per day. Select the type of van you want and then shop around to try and find the best deal.
Camper Insurance
Being insured in your camper van is critical as you drive around Iceland. With unpredictable weather, lots of gravel roads, and sheep that wander in and out of the road, you never know what you may run into – figuratively or literally! Make sure you’re covered. This may come through your credit card, your travel insurance, or even the Iceland rental van company.
Mileage
Most Iceland camper van rental companies offer unlimited mileage on your reservation. If you are planning to drive the Ring Road or into the Westfjords, make sure this is the case so you don’t rack up some serious overage fees!
Extras
When renting a camper van in Iceland, you’ll be faced with all kinds of extras. Some companies include the basics, like a camper stove, cooler, and heater, others require you to rent everything individually.
Do you want blankets or a sleeping bag? What about a French press for your morning coffee? Outdoor chairs and a table? While they won’t make up the bulk of your expenses, they will impact your overall budget.
Gas
Gas in Iceland is expensive. For one, it is sold by the liter, like most places in Europe. This alone increases the cost as compared to our “by the gallon” gas in the United States. But you’ll also be driving long distances in a larger vehicle at $8 – 9 per gallon. To minimize the cost of petrol, plan out your route ahead of time to decrease unnecessary driving. From there, just make sure its a line item in your budget.
Campsites in Iceland
One other thing to factor into the cost of camping in Iceland is the campgrounds. Even with a camper van, you can’t legally just park and sleep anywhere. You have to stay at a designated campsite. These are plentiful and pretty reasonable in cost, typically running $10 – 20 per person per night. Some include a shower in that cost, others charge extra to shower.
Find out the full details of what it costs to travel Iceland.
How to Select Your Camper Van
Before camping in Iceland, I had no idea how many types of camper options there are! From small SUVs, like a Subaru Forester or Mitsubishi Pajero, to trucks and Jeeps with pop-up tents, RVs and more traditional motor homes, and your average camper van, like the Renault Trafic or Mercedes Vito, there are tons of camper options in Iceland.
Some of the most popular camper options in Iceland are the Subaru Forester, Ford Transit, Dacia Dokker, and the Volkswagen Caddy. For vans, the Renault Trafic and Mercedes Vito are the most popular.
To select the right type of campervan rental in Iceland, you’ll need to weigh a few key options.
Manual or Automatic Transmissions
Iceland camper rentals come in both manual and automatic transmissions. Typically manual is a bit less expensive, but if you don’t know how to drive a manual, aka stick shift vehicle, make sure to reserve an automatic camper van!
2WD or 4WD Camper Vans
2 wheel drive camper vans in Iceland are the less expensive option, but if you plan to do some extreme driving, you will want to spring for 4 wheel drive. This will help you tackle the gravel roads, F-roads, steep hills, and even river crossings. (See insurance exceptions below to find out more!)
To help you determine what you will need, the Ring Road and Golden Circle can be done with just 2WD. However, if you want to head to the Westfjords or Landmannalaugar, 4WD is important.
Ultimately, we ended up with 4WD and I’m so glad we did. It meant we were not limited on where we could explore. While most roads were well paved, a few roads we took were seriously rough!
Looking at 2WD but still want to visit Landmannalaugar? Take a tour!
Destinations and F-Roads in Iceland
Like above, if you plan on going to certain parts of the country, like the Westfjords or Landmannalaugar, you will want to ensure you get a camper van that can legally go on F-roads. This includes categories D, E, EA, F, H, G, I, and J. In most cases, these coincide with the 4 wheel drive camper van for Iceland. It is actually illegal to take other cars on F-roads and you can be pulled over and cited.
Size of Camper Van
The size of your camper van will matter because it impacts how many people it sleeps, how much gas it uses, and of course how much space you have inside. It can also limit where you drive it in some cases. The larger the vehicle, typically the larger the price tag!
Comforts or Extras for a Camper Van
Most camper vans companies in Iceland offer the basics you need to get started, like basic dishes and a camping stove, with your rental. However, if you want additional comforts, like blankets, sleeping bags, camping chairs, camping tables, coolers, coffee presses, etc, they are available to rent.
Each item you rent has an additional charge and it takes up space in the van, however it can also limit the amount of things you need to pack for Iceland. Just make sure to pay attention to what is included and what you need to add on. For example, coolers, camping stoves, and heaters may be standard or they could be add ons. Either way – you’ll want them!
Mileage Limits on Camper Vans
Some van rental companies in Iceland come with mileage limits per day, like 200km/day Depending on where you’re going and how far you’re driving, this might not be enough. This can leave you stuck with a bill at the end for going over your included mileage.
If you want full freedom to drive around Iceland, opt for a company and rental van that offers unlimited mileage.
Popular Camper Van Companies in Iceland
Since traveling by camper van in Iceland is common, there are a lot of great camper van rental companies in Iceland to choose from. To avoid having trouble, book with a reputable Iceland campervan company! Here are some of the most popular for you to search.
Kuku Campers Van Rental
Kuku Campers offers all kinds of fully equipped camper vans for rent. Choose from 2 – 5 persons, 4×4 campers with overnight heaters, and more. They also offer road side assistance all around the country!
- Google Rating: 4.8 stars with 999 reviews
- Website: kukucampers.is
This is ultimately the Iceland camper van rental we went with, and they were great to work with!
CampEasy Iceland
CampEasy offers more options than many camper rental companies in Iceland. Choose from a full package, including trip planning and rental toys, like bikes, scooters, paddle boards, ATVs, and more. They focus on building quality campers and providing a complete solution for traveling around Iceland.
- Google Rating: 4.9 stars with 1,686 reviews
- Website: campeasy.com
Happy Campers
Happy Campers is a family run business and focuses on making things simple, easy, and fun. Their camper vans offer everything you need for cooking and sleeping, including easy to drive and park eco-friendly campers. They claim to be the safest in the country!
- Google Rating: 4.8 stars with 1,259 reviews
- Website: happycampers.is
Rent.is
Rent.is is the largest camper rental in Iceland. As such, they offer large scale road assistance open 24 hours per day around the Icelandic Ring Road! They depend on their reviews to tell you the whole story – so give them a read. Perhaps best of all, you can book now and pay later with Rent.is.
- Google Rating: 4.5 stars with 498 reviews
- Website: rent.is
Indie Campers Reykjavik
Indie Campers says they offer a seamless and personalized online experience with fully equipped camper vans for hire in Iceland. They strive to provide travelers with authentic travel tips and advice from locals, including highlighting special places you should visit.
However, if you read their reviews, many people struggle with the quality and upkeep of the vans running into maintenance problems on the road.
- Google Rating: 2.8 stars with 86 reviews
- Website: indiecampers.com
When to Book a Camper Van for Iceland
With camper rentals in Iceland being so popular, don’t wait to reserve it. You’ll run into limited inventory or worse, no inventory, and have to replan or push out your trip. Let’s say that again – renting a van in Iceland means planning ahead! You can not just show up and hope to get a van, you need to book months in advance.
If you’re planning to visit during their peak summer season (June – September), this means booking your Iceland campervan at least six months in advance. Another perk to doing this is many camper van companies offer discounts the further in advance you book!
Insurance for Camper Vans in Iceland
The insurance options below are what were offered by our camper van rental company in Iceland: Kuku Campers. Most operators offer similar options. Each insurance policy is paid by the day for your rental period.
What you elect to include on your car is completely up to you, but keep in mind that damages to a rental car or van can add up quickly!
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
At Kuku Campers, Collision Damage Waiver insurance is included in the cost of your rental. This includes third-party liability insurance and accident insurance for the driver and owners limiting the lessee’s liability to just 3,000 euros + any towing fee.
Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)
If 3,000 euros seems a bit high, you can get Super Collision Damage Waiver insurance in Iceland. This will decrease your liability to just 750 euros in case of an accident. Towing expenses beyond the liability is included in this insurance.
Platinum Collision Damage Waiver (Platinum CDW)
Keep yourself completely covered with comprehensive vehicle insurance. This insurance decreases the liability to 0 euros. Towing fees are also included in this insurance.
Gravel Protection in Iceland (GP)
There are a lot of gravel roads in Iceland. Gravel protection on camper vans in Iceland will cover the damages to the car from gravel roads. This includes the windshield and headlights. Without gravel insurance you will be liable for 500 euros.
If you are planning to drive on any gravel roads, F-roads, or 4×4 roads, you may want to elect for this! Gravel is everywhere and it’s beyond your control.
This is the one additional car insurance in Iceland that we went with. And, we actually ended up having a piece of gravel hit and crack the windshield! It more than paid for itself.
Sand and Ash Protection in Iceland (SAP)
This insurance reduces liability for damage to the vehicle caused by sand and/or ash storms. These storms can cause serious damage to the whole car, including paint, windows, and lights.
Of course you have no control over the weather and the storms that come up, but if the weather will be questionable during your trip, you may wish to consider it!
Tire Insurance
Getting tire insurance covers the cost of repairing tires or replacing tires if new ones need to be purchased. It also covers the workshop cost of mounting the new or fixed tire.
Once again, as roads can be rough in Iceland, this is a very real possibility to consider. Whether you opt for it or not, before leaving the rental car company in Iceland, make sure you have a spare tire on the car!
Insurance Packages
If you want to select multiple insurance options in Iceland, you can see what insurance packages your Iceland camper rental offers. These often bundle multiple insurance selections together to save you money and offer you more complete coverage.
7 Insurance Exceptions in Iceland
As the driving rules and roads in Iceland are a bit of a challenge, there’s a few exceptions to what car insurance will cover. These are common across companies, but of course read your terms and conditions! The campers are expensive and you don’t want to come off vacation in debt.
1. Reckless Driving
If you are driving too fast or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are not covered by your insurance!
Drinking and driving is severely frowned upon in Iceland. Driving legal limits are 0.05% but everyone we met said they have zero tolerance, so don’t risk it!
2. F-Roads in Iceland
F-roads are considered more dangerous roads due to steep inclines, rough surfaces, pot holes, and potential water crossings. Driving on F-roads or gravel parts of roads 35 and 550 may void your insurance policy!
Camper van categories A, AB, AA, B, C, and CA are only allowed on paved and normal gravel roads. If your vehicle is found on an F road, offroad, closed road, or any other type of road your car is not suitable for, you can be fined 500 euros.
Camper van categories D, E, EA, F, H, G, I, and J are insured for F-roads, as long as they are open. There are still exceptions, you are not allowed to take these categories on roads F-88, F-210, or F-249.
3. Undercarriage Damage
Any damage to the undercarriage of your vehicle is not covered. This can be caused by driving over a big rock, which are common throughout Iceland. Please stay alert when driving!
4. River Crossings
Some roads, particularly F roads in Iceland, may take you across water ways. While camper van categories D, E, EA, F, G, H, I, and J can cross rivers, any damage caused by them is not covered.
If you opt to cross rivers, make sure to watch another car cross it first or see how deep it is before driving into the water. We actually had a van upgrade due to KuKu losing 3 vans the previous week by people driving through the rivers!
5. Wind Damage
Iceland has extreme weather, and the wind is no exception. When you are opening doors, the hood, or the trunk, make sure they do not get caught by the wind and ripped off! No joke – wind damage is not covered by insurance.
This also includes foreign objects being blown into cars, such as ashes, sandstorms, or objects blown by storms. If you find the wind picking up, park in a protected area to minimize damage to your vehicle.
6. Flat Tires
If you encounter a flat tire, you are responsible for addressing it. This means you will need to change the tire and find a workshop to get the flat tire fixed.
Before leaving the rental car office, make sure you have a spare tire available on your vehicle. We passed many people who had flat tires along our drive.
7. Smoking in the Vehicle
If you choose to smoke in your car or leave the smell of cigarettes in the car, you will be fined 500 euros.
Picking Up Your Camper Van in Iceland
You’ve carefully selected and reserved your Iceland camper rental, and now you’re ready to board your flight to Iceland… what’s next?! Let’s take a look at what arriving in Iceland looks like and the next steps to hit the road.
Transfer to Your Camper Rental Company
Most of the best camper rental companies in Iceland offer transportation from the Keflavik airport in Reykjavik to their offices. When you book your camper, ask about pick up. This can save you a big headache of trying to get there yourself as public transit is limited.
Fill Out Paperwork
Arriving at your camper van company location means it’s time for paperwork! Ensure you have your license on you for this part of the process. You’ll go through a briefing about your van, what’s included, the extras, the insurance options, and more. Take it all in. Ask questions. You want to get this part right!
Inspect Your Iceland Camper Rental
I know you’re eager to hit the road, but before you do, make sure you take the time to inspect your Iceland campervan rental for previous damage. This will keep you from getting stuck with a tab to fix damage that you didn’t cause. Also, check for a spare tire while you’re at it. You will want it!
Walk around, make notes on the paperwork, take pictures or even a video. Bring up anything that makes you concerned as once you’re on the road, it’s difficult to just head back to the rental location.
Take a Tour of Your Camper Van
One last thing before you hit the road. Have the campervan company give you a brief tour of the van. They will let you know about all the important features and how to use them. This could include a heater, cooler or refrigerator, sink, camping stove, etc.
You’ll also want to verify what is powered by the car battery versus a separate one to avoid accidentally draining your battery which could leave you stranded.
Your camper rental in Iceland is your home and your transportation – not to mention you’re financially responsible for it while you have it! You want to feel comfortable before setting off on your adventure.
Know the Laws about Driving in Iceland
You’re now ready to go! But before you take off, familiarize yourself with the driving laws in Iceland. They range from the typical, like wearing your seatbelt, to less common, like driving with your headlights on all day and all night. Find out everything you need to now about driving in Iceland.
Planning for a Trip to Iceland
Renting a camper van in Iceland is sure to make your adventure memorable, even if it does sound like a lot to take in. Just use these need to know facts to prepare for your trip, and then read on to continue your planning in this amazing country.
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Awesome content. Thank you for sharing this wealth of information on campervans in Iceland. It was very interesting and useful content. I’m pinning it to share!
Glad you found it useful! Camper vanning in Iceland is one of the best ways to get around – hands down!
Thanks, Julia! Your comprehensive guide on renting a camper van in Iceland is an absolute must-read for anyone planning a camping trip to this beautiful country. Your post covers all the essential information, from choosing the right type of camper van to understanding the driving conditions and regulations. I particularly appreciate your tips on packing and preparing for the trip, as well as your suggestions for the best campsites and places to visit along the way. Thank you for sharing your expertise and insights – your post has definitely convinced me to rent a camper van for my next Icelandic adventure!
Thanks for the feedback – I’m really glad you found value in all of the details. I hope you can put them into action and campervan through Iceland soon!