11 Top Travel and Safety Tips for an Iceland Campervan Road Trip

After completing her own Iceland campervan road trip, Travelista contributor Maja Proescholdt rounds up her smartest travel and safety tips for anyone else planning a similar trip.

Iceland is a magical destination, with otherworldly landscapes that make you feel like you’re on another planet. t’s the perfect place for an adventure, and there’s no better way to experience this island than on a road trip. Iceland is a relatively small country geographically (it’s just 822 miles around the entirety of the Ring Road).It has well-maintained roads and it’s been named the safest country in the world for 15 years running (according to the Global Peace Index). However, the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable and really impact driving conditions, so there are still a number of factors to consider when planning an Iceland road trip. Whether you’re planning to hire a car or do camper van rental in Iceland, take a look at our top travel and safety tips for your Iceland road trip.

11 Top Travel and Safety Tips for an Iceland Campervan Road Trip by Maja Proescholdt

1) Booking a camper van will give you much more flexibility for travelling

Having a vehicle where you can sleep inside is an excellent choice for road tripping. A camper van with a kitchen for cooking (which includes dishes/cutlery in the rental) will be even better! Being able to sleep and cook on the go means you’re not limited to expensive accommodation, and can travel much more freely. Sleeping inside the vehicle gives you better protection from inclement weather than camping in a tent, too.

2) Public transport is limited, and your own vehicle will allow you to stop where you like

The incredible Icelandic scenery means you want to pull over for photos constantly on your road trip – trust me, it really is that beautiful. Public transport in Iceland is fairly limited to main towns; if you don’t want to drive, your best bet is to book a guided tour. This can be expensive though, and renting your own vehicle will give you so much more freedom to stop where you like!

3) If you plan on driving F-roads, book the appropriate rental

The inland roads in Iceland (called F-roads) are unpaved, gravel roads, and only accessible during the summer months. In order to legally drive on these roads, you must have a 4×4. Campervan Rejkyavik have a number of vehicles, including 4×4 camper van rentals, that are perfect for a road trip including F-roads. You can experience some of the most rugged, dramatic landscapes in the country by getting (literally) off the beaten path!

4) Accommodation and food are expensive in Iceland – so a camper van can be a budget-friendly way to explore the country

Not only will a camper van give you flexibility, it can also save you money. Being able to sleep in your vehicle and cook your own meals will help bring the cost of your trip down. Alternately, you could also book a rental car and stay in budget accommodation (such as hostels) along the way – try to stay in accommodation that offers kitchen facilities.

5) Wild camping is illegal, so research campsites in advance

Wild/freedom camping (parking up wherever you like and sleeping overnight) has been illegal in Iceland since 2015. So, you’ll need to stay at campsites on your camper van road trip. It’s very rare that you’ll need to book campsites in advance; for most you can simply show up and pay on arrival. However, it’s good to have a few ideas and options for where you’ll sleep each night. There are about 200 campsites around the country – most are very budget-friendly, ranging from $10-20 per person, per night.

6) Be prepared for the weather, especially when traveling in winter

Iceland is a phenomenal winter destination, but road tripping in winter means you need to take extra care. Be prepared for snow and ice, along with extreme winds – be careful opening car doors when it’s windy too. In snowy or icy conditions, drive cautiously, slow down, and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Snow tires are mandatory on all Iceland camper van rentals from November to April, but basic winter driving tips can save your life. I’m from Minnesota in the US and very experienced driving in winter conditions; small actions like reducing your speed and leaving more room will help keep all road users safe.

7) Consider daylight hours when you’ll be travelling

Iceland has very limited daylight hours in winter, and 24-hour daylight (known as the midnight sun) in summer. Think about your itinerary and what’s realistic for the amount of light you’ll have each day – if it’ll be dark by 5pm, there’s no point making more stops that you can’t see! If you’re renting a camper van in Iceland in summer, it might be much brighter overnight than you’re used to; so bring an eye mask.

8) Download Google Maps offline

I never rely on having mobile reception on road trips, and always recommend downloading Google Maps offline in advance. Even if you don’t have phone signal, you’ll still be able to navigate on your road trip this way!

9) The Ring Road is the most popular road trip, but you can still see a lot of Iceland in a few days

If you want to do a full road trip around the Ring Road in Iceland, you’ll want a minimum of one week. But if you’re visiting for a shorter amount of time, you can still see a number of incredible destinations on the popular South Coast on a three-day itinerary! This is perfect for exploring on a weekend or long-weekend break. Some top stops for your Iceland road trip are Reykjavik, Seljandfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Diamond Beach and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Gulfoss, and Thingvellir National Park.

10) Always check the Live Road Condition Map

For the purpose of safety, Iceland’s road conditions are updated very regularly via this Live Road Condition Map. Be sure to have this link saved and check it regularly whenever you have access to Wi-Fi or 5G. You could also consider putting a 5G hotspot in your vehicle to ensure you always have access.

11) Don’t forget the essentials on your camper van road trip

If you’re renting a camper van in Iceland, here are a few things you’ll want to make sure you pack:

• Power bank
• Wet wipes (in case your campsite doesn’t have shower facilities)
• Ziploc/plastic bags (for storing food or waste)
• Headtorch/torch
• First-aid kit
• Pacsafe portable safe (for keeping valuables in the vehicle)
• Eyemask

“For your own safety, we encourage you to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and road conditions during your travel, as the weather can be unpredictable and as a result travel conditions can change very quickly!”

Cozy campers

Iceland is a top destination for a campervan road trip – the scenery here is just stunning, whatever time of year you travel. Hiring a camper van can not only save you money on pricey accommodation, but give you so much more freedom and flexibility on your adventure. Are you ready to take the plunge?

Find more travel tips, guides and itineraries in our travel section.