Having spent 4 days halfway around Iceland, I have gained a lot of different experiences, which I was happy to share with you. I have come to the conclusion that I would like to help other travellers to avoid making mistakes and enjoy the road trip as much as possible. If you are thinking about going to Iceland for a road trip, these tips will probably help you.
Rent a vehicle
You should rent your car early to get the category you want. Be aware that you can only rent a car in Iceland when you are 20 years old and have at least 1 year driving experience.
Road network
Iceland's road network is very well developed, but it cannot be compared with Central European standards. Your way will always lead you on gravel roads, but about 70% of the road network is asphalted, as is the ring road. It is strictly forbidden to leave the road in Iceland and the vehicle hirer is liable for damage to the vehicle as well as to nature. All roads with a one or two-digit number can be driven on with a normal car without any problems. However, if you want to go to the highlands (three digit number) you should definitely rent a 4x4 vehicle.
Doing the road trip in winter
Pro - Not many tourists, breathtaking landscapes with snow, less tourists, interesting low light for photography, good prices
You will be able to see - Aurora Borealis, winter wonders like the blue caves, frozen waterfalls
Con - difficult driving conditions, many roads closed, not many hours of light
Accommodation
While it is easy to find an accommodation in Reykjavik, many air bnb’s and hotels can be found online, during the road trip it can get a bit tricky to find the perfect place to stay if you are on a budget like we were. During our south coast road trip we stayed one night in Vik in a Air bnb, usually accommodation can be found mainly in Vik and Hofn, although you have a few options in between, so take into account the travel time to the accommodation facilities. Just download the air bnb App and you should be good to go!
Driving times
Always plan more time to go from point A to point B than Google says. You will want to stop all the time to admire the scenery, so if you plan too much, you will be frustrated not to be able to.
Daytime
Look at the time of day available to you when you are on the road. Due to the latitude, the length of the days varies greatly. Check how long you need to see all sides during the days.
Essentials you should not forget to pack:
Waterproof jacket, trousers and shoes
sturdy hiking boots to explore the national parks and glacier lagoons
Warm clothes, because the weather in Iceland is unpredictable
A neckrest to relax as a passenger
Chargers & adapters to charge your devices even while driving
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