Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about travel to Iceland. If you really want to travel around Iceland and see the countryside, you’re going to have to rent a car. Driving in Iceland will give you total freedom to stop when you want and explore at your own leisure, but there are some definite drawbacks as well. That’s why we’re sharing the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate, about driving in Iceland.
Love #1: Beauty of Iceland
The reason you are visiting Iceland is to see the majestic landscapes. As you are driving around Iceland, you won’t be disappointed. Through your windshield, you’ll see glaciers, icebergs, mountains, and fjords. The best thing about Iceland driving is that you can take any backroad you want to, and go searching for hot springs on a whim.
Ten Things That Will Shock You in Iceland
Hate #1: Roads in Iceland
The roads in Iceland range from dirt paths to narrow paved roads. There are one-lane bridges, which can really test your driving skills. Many roads do not have a shoulder or a guardrail, and you might be looking at a precipitous drop-off. Or, fog may be obscuring your view entirely. The wind is another issue when driving in Iceland; it can whip off the ocean suddenly and catch you off guard. On top of all this, you also have to look out for sheep in the road!
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Iceland
Love #2: Iceland Drivers
In a lot of our “love & hate” posts, we mention local drivers as a hate, but not in Iceland. Icelanders are a very rule-following society, so they really do follow the rules of the road. They aren’t going to zoom past you or muster up any road rage at you. The drivers to look out for are the other tourists. Also, if a local warns you about a road, listen to them!
Hate #2: Steep Mountain Passes
Iceland is not a flat country. In fact, a lot of the roads you will drive on are winding mountain roads with lots of switchbacks. Some of them are even closed in the winter, but you could run into freezing rain or snow almost any time of year. (Remember, this is also on narrow roads with no guardrails!)
Love #3: Convenient Pull-Outs
The roads in Iceland have a lot of pull-outs where the popular sights are. You don’t have to block traffic and park in the middle of the road to take your pictures. You can easily pull off the road and get out to enjoy the views along the way. They are very well-marked as well, so you know when they are coming up.
Hate #3: Cyclists and Hitchhikers
In addition to watching out for sheep on the road, you also have to be mindful of so many cyclists. They are often in the road and don’t always ride single-file, so it can be hard to pass them, especially on some of the more narrow roads in Iceland. Hitchhikers are also a common sight on the roads in Iceland. They aren’t typically dangerous; just something else to watch out for as you drive around Iceland.
Love #4: Convenient Sights Near the Road
It’s almost like the main road in Iceland was built specifically to bring you to the best attractions. The N1, or the Ring Road, goes right by a ton of the major sights that you’d want to see. Lagoons, glaciers, waterfalls, and so much more are really easy to reach from the highway.
Hate #4: Driving Manual Transmission
If you’re coming to Iceland from the US, you probably expect to have an automatic transmission when you rent a car. However, in Iceland, most of the rental cars are still manual transmission. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift vehicle, then you can expect to pay a lot more for your rental car. Make sure you read the fine print when you reserve your car so you get something you are able to drive!
Love #5: Lack of Traffic
Even though Iceland tourism is growing every year, traffic is still pretty light. So, if you’re a little nervous about driving in Iceland for the first time, there’s usually nobody to rush you or drive you off the road. You can really take your time and drive at your own pace without worrying about anyone else rushing you on your Iceland road trip.
Hate #5: Lack of Services
As you travel around the countryside of Iceland, you’ll notice that the gas stations and restaurants are rather sparse. Iceland only has about 350,000 residents and about half of them live in Reykjavik. Once you leave the capital city, there’s not much out there. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you should make a habit of topping off your tank anytime you see a station. And if you’re visiting Iceland with kids, make sure you keep some snacks in the car!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Iceland really is a magical destination, and well worth exploring at your own pace with a rental car. Don’t let the “hates” of Iceland driving intimidate you, as there’s really nothing to fear about an Iceland road trip. Take your time, enjoy the sights, and pull over often to take photos! Want more of our family travel tips? Check out some of these other blog posts: