Winter driving in Iceland is a fantastic and unique experience, but the country’s icy roads and unpredictable weather can create challenging driving conditions of even the most experienced drivers. Making winter tires essential for safe travel.
Let’s find out if rental cars in Iceland have winter tires and how you can ensure a safe driving in Iceland as you enjoy the country’s stunning winter scenery.
Winter Driving Conditions
Winter conditions in Iceland can be rather harsh. During months, from November to April you can expect snow and ice in every part of the island. Iceland is a large island, so conditions differ from which part you’re in. During winter the division of weather conditions is often far more than other times of the year.
Reykjavik, including Keflavik Airport, often has a rather mild winter compared to other parts. While there is snow, heavy winds and icy roads it’s nothing like the weather and road conditions in North Iceland, the East and the Westfjords.
What to Expect in Winter
So, it depends not only when you visit Iceland, but also where you’re visiting. If you are traveling to Iceland between November and April, you will most likely encounter winter conditions. How hard the Icelandic winter will hit you is a question that’s impossible to answer in advance, as the weather is very unpredictable over the winter months.
However, when adventuring to rural areas, road conditions often become more challenging. So, when driving to the city of Akureyri or Lake Mývatn in the north, you can expect heavy snow and even road closures. This can also happen in other areas, like the South coast or the Golden Circle route, but it’s not as frequent as in more remote areas.
Winter Car Rental in Iceland
Renting a car is always the best way to travel in Iceland, whatever the season. However, this is never as true as in winter. As conditions can change quickly, altering your travel plans can make all the difference. Having a rental car in Iceland offers freedom to travel at your own pace and create your own travel itinerary.
During winter, I recommend hiring a 4x4 rental car, as the all-wheel drive will make driving in winter conditions easier. Although all rental cars should have winter tires over these months, a small city car will only be sufficient for short city driving and not longer journeys.
Importance of Winter Tires
Winter tires provide crucial safety on Iceland’s icy roads, especially in rural areas where conditions can be extreme. Remember, the only part of the car that touches the ground is the tires. So, having a good set of winter tires highly increases your safety, which should always be your number one priority. Just remember, even though your rental vehicle has winter tires, it’s not immune to winter conditions. They provide better grip and increase safety, but you still need to be extra careful when driving in snow and ice. It’s no fun sliding on the road or getting stuck in snow.
Car Rental Winter Tires
The best winter tires for Iceland’s icy roads are studded ones, which use metal spikes to increase grip and reduce slipping. However, it’s important to check if the studs are still intact, as they can wear down over time. There’s no point in having a winter tire with no or worn-down studs.
According to Icelandic law, winter tires are allowed from November 15 to April 15. However, this rule is flexible, so if conditions call for them to be put on earlier or to stay on longer, it is allowed.
Pro Tips for Winter Driving in Iceland
- Drive slowly, especially on icy roads.
- Avoid sudden braking to prevent skidding.
- Keep extra distance between your car and others.
- Always check weather and road conditions before setting out.
Conclusion
In summary, the answer to this question is definitely yes: you do need winter tires when renting a car in Iceland during winter. Although Iceland is a cold country, there is no need for winter tires in Iceland in summer.
Make sure that the winter tires are studded and that the spikes are actually working. Also, remember that having studded winter tires does not turn your rental car into a snowmobile, so please be careful when driving in winter conditions like snow and icy roads. You can further increase your safety by renting a 4x4 and, of course, booking with full coverage insurance.
By doing so you'll can have a wonderful winter drive in Iceland. Enjoying Iceland's amazing natural wonders in their winter uniform as well as having the opportunity to explore Icelandic culture and winter festivals.
Please visit our blog for more useful travel tips about Driving in Iceland and other Practical Info.
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