Iceland is a gallery of natural wonders, home to some of the world’s most incredible scenery. To truly experience its beauty, you need a car. But how easy is it to drive in Iceland? Today I´m not only going to answer that question, but also demonstrate the need for having a rental car when exploring Iceland.

To answer the question, it’s important to focus on a few key elements for traveling in Iceland. Where, how and most importantly when are you planning on driving in Iceland. Today I’ll be focusing on winter driving.

Iceland in Winter

Iceland truly is a winter wonderland. With its never-ending ice sheet covering the whole country like a giant bedsheet, only to be broken up by spectacular sights such as frozen waterfalls or hot lava shooting up from the country’s active volcanoes. With the northern lights dancing in the night sky it’s hard to imagine a more magical place for a winter holiday.

But is it easy to drive in Iceland under such conditions?

Winter Driving in Iceland

Winter driving can be as challenging as it is rewarding. During winter Iceland’s roads are more than less covered with snow and ice. In addition, there is limited daylight. So, not only do drivers have to battle the road conditions, but also drive in the dark for much of the time.

While that’s true, I’m not suggesting that driving in Iceland must be hard. It can be easy to drive in Iceland, even in winter. It just depends on how you do it. Let me guide you to an easy winter drive in Iceland.

How to drive easy in Iceland: Winter

Studded tires: Only drive a car with studded winter tires. Snow chains are not commonly used in Iceland and when driving on the icy roads, proper winter tires are necessary. So, only rent a car from a car rental in Iceland that provides studded winter tires.

4x4 Rentals: Do yourself a favor and rent a 4x4 when traveling to Iceland in winter. A 4x4 will not only get you further than a small or economy car will but you’ll feel safer knowing there are all wheels working for you.

Check Conditions: It’s always a good idea to have a look at the forecast before traveling. For winter driving in Iceland it is simply necessary. Make it a daily habit to check both weather and road conditions before heading out on the road.

Flexible plans: The weather will affect your winter trip in Iceland. To make things easier, have your travel plans as flexible as you can. Now this again means you will need a rental car, as you can’t rely on scheduled transport when altering plans booked in advance. Make a list of where you want to go and simply follow the weather. With multiple options for each day, you can avoid bad weather and enjoy more traveling in Iceland.

No rush: It’s important not to rush when driving on Iceland’s icy winter roads. Being careful will get you much further and faster. Road and weather conditions might require driving at a lower speed and that’s fine. Just take more time to enjoy the ride and Iceland’s breathtaking scenery. There is a saying in Iceland, if the weather is bad, wait an hour. If the weather is really bad, wait another hour. Patient is the key for safety.

By following these simple guidelines, you’ll have no problem cruising around Iceland in winter.

Where is Easy to Drive in Iceland?

Where can you go for an easy winter drive in Iceland? That’s a very good question, as there are some parts that are easier to reach than others and some are simply impossible during this season.

The rule of thumb is that the further away from Reykjavik the harder it gets. There are two main factors for this. One being long distance covers more area requiring going over mountain passes and remote areas, which usually take on more snow and increasing the chance of some parts being affected by the weather. The second is that the southwest part of Iceland, mainly Reykjavik city and surrounding areas usually experiences less harsh winter and with most people living there the roads are better maintained during winter.

So for example getting from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City should be rather easy most of the time in winter. Whereas driving to Akureyri or Jökulsárlón can face more challenges due to long distances and remoteness along the way. These are not impossible to reach but you might have to be flexible on travel dates.

The further you go the harder it may be getting there and back. Areas like the Westfjords and the East of Iceland. might even be impassable at times in winter. Speaking of impassable, the highland is completely off limits in winter. All F-roads are closed so do not attempt to travel there.

On the other hand, many of Iceland’s most popular sights are easily reachable. Such as the Blue Lagoon, Geysir and the rest of the Golden Circle. So no worries there are plenty of great places you can easily visit.  

Best rental car for easy driving

To have the easiest winter drive in Iceland you’ll need a 4x4 rental car. Whether you’re planning a long road trip along the Ring Road or simply visiting Reykjavik, a 4x4 vehicle is a must have. In winter you can expect all kinds of weather and it’s best to be prepared.

A 4x4 rental car in Iceland will increase your travel ability, allowing you to go further and through tougher conditions. This is especially true in winter, where you can expect snow on the roads and icy conditions.

All our rental cars have studded winter tires from November to the end of April. A 4x4 will not only make your winter driving easier, but also safer. Allowing you to enjoy more of Iceland with a peace of mind.

Navigating in Iceland

Your drive in Iceland will be much easier if you have navigation in the car. It is important to plan your trip in advance and familiarize yourself with the route you tend to use each time. Many cars have a built-in GPS, which usually works fine, but I do recommend using your phone and Google maps.

By using a smartphone, you can search for locations and sites instead of street addresses. In addition, it often provides live feed of road conditions and traffic. This will come in handy especially during winter. Saving you a lot of time and effort.

In conclusion

There you have it. It’s easy to drive in Iceland, even in winter. Just follow these steps and you’ll have no problem cruising in the land of Ice and Fire. All you need is a good 4x4 rental car, flexible travel itinerary and a good navigation system.

Remember to just take things slowly, there’s no need to rush. Iceland’s amazing scenery isn’t going anywhere and all that matters is that you travel safely, so you can enjoy your Iceland winter trip. So, rent a car in Iceland and start planning your trip to go see the nation's waterfalls, geysers and of course the Northern lights. It’s really just that easy!

For more travel tips in Iceland, please see our blogs on Driving in Iceland and Practical Info. 

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