How to Prepare for an Iceland Driving Trip

In recent years, Iceland has become one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. Beautiful landscapes, majestic waterfalls, great hiking, and many other attractions make visiting Iceland an unforgettable experience.

Iceland is also an excellent place for road tripping, particularly when driving along the 830-mile Ring Road that circles the whole country. If this sounds amazing, read on to learn how to prepare for your Iceland trip!

Iceland Travel Is Best in the Summer

The best time to go to Iceland is in the summer when the sun shines until midnight. This allows you plenty of time to visit the best tourist sites, including beautiful landscapes featuring volcanoes, waterfalls, and mountainous terrains.

Summer is also an excellent time for driving on the F-roads. These unpaved tracks and paths are only open from June to September, and they make for an incredible adventure into the highlands of Iceland. The warmer months are also best for hiking and whale-watching.

Try visiting between fall and spring if you really can't fit a summer trip into your itinerary. It's cheaper, and you're more likely to see the Northern Lights. However, many attractions and popular cafes are closed, so expect a quieter experience.

Pack Only the Essentials

Regardless of which season you travel to Iceland, the weather is unlikely to be hot. The hottest month is July, and even then, the temperature rarely exceeds 57 F (14 C). In other words, you'll want to bring some colder climate layers.

Make sure you pack hiking boots, as the Icelandic highlands have plenty of world-class trails.

You should also include a swimsuit for visiting Iceland's many hot springs. The Blue Lagoon on the south coast is probably Iceland's most famous natural geothermal spa. The warm water is rich in healthy minerals and makes for a rejuvenating experience.

If you visit in the summer, you may have trouble sleeping since the sun never really sets. Bring some eyeshades to help you achieve a dark sleeping state. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also essential since the sun's rays are bright even though the weather is on the colder side.

Eating In Iceland

Eating out can be costly, and you don't want to spend a fortune every night. If you're traveling on a budget, bring a decent stash of snacks in your suitcase and stock up on food supplies at the grocery store once you arrive.

While you're probably not going to want to eat out every night, you should plan to spend at least one night in the capital city of Reykjavík. This cosmopolitan city is highly regarded worldwide for its unique culture, best sites, nightlife, and fine dining restaurants.

Get Ready for Driving in Iceland

You can find many more tips for visiting Iceland on our blog. However, one of the most important things you need to remember is to book everything (and we mean everything) in advance—especially if you plan to visit during peak season. This includes lodging, tours, and car rental.

Blue Car Rental has the perfect cars for driving on Iceland's rugged roads. Book one of our cars for your Icelandic road trip today.

We have plenty more practical information you can check out on our website as well as highly useful articles about driving in Iceland.