Traveling in Iceland is a moment full of surprises! We highly recommend you explore Iceland as much as possible. If you want to rent a car for yourself, we recommend that you know more about Iceland`s self-driving activities. Here are 12 things to keep in mind.
1. Speed limit
The city of Iceland usually has a speed limit of 50 km/h (31 mph) and a suburban speed limit of 90 km/h (55 mph), but it also depends on road conditions (the asphalt road has a speed limit of 90 km/h and the gravel road has a limit of 80 km/h).
Don`t drive too fast
Be prepared in advance
Self-driving on the Icelandic roundabout is best prepared. Bring a few more warm clothes and snacks with you. There are a lot of gas stations along the Ring Island Road, where you can fill up the petrol or buy something to eat, just don`t forget to bring your credit or debit card (and payment code), and many stations only provide self-service.
Get ready before you go
Know the model you need
The models required to drive in Iceland vary according to the season. During the summer, you don`t have to rent a four-drive if you plan to travel mainly around Reykjavik or on the roundabout. However, if you plan to include highland areas, we recommend driving a four-drive car for safety. In winter, four-wheel drive is a necessary condition for car rental.
What kind of car do you need
Watch out for fat sheep
Unfortunately, the car accident caused by the sheep running on the road is not in the minority in iceland. Sheep are free-range in many parts of Iceland, so be careful driving and always be vigilant. When there are sheep in the middle of the road, please wait patiently, their fat and honest posture is also a sight of Iceland.
Watch out for the sheep on the road
5. Mental preparation for the weather conditions in Iceland
The weather in Iceland is unpredictable. Just now the sun was shining, and in a few minutes you were told to experience the four seasons. Be careful where the road freezes, especially when the ice is sometimes difficult to see, so it is necessary to keep an eye on the weather conditions outside the car.
Keep warm
6. Mobile phone signals
Plug and play Icelandic phone cards are available at Icelandic airports, supermarkets or souvenir shops. But not all parts of the island have cell phone signals or 3G/4G networks. Sometimes when you`re playing in a highland, mountaintop or canyon, your phone may lose its signal.
Plug and play cell phone cards are a must for travel
7. Tourist routes
Do your Icelandic homework in advance and arrange your own journey carefully to maximize your Icelandic trip. But don`t make the schedule too tight, so you don`t have time to take into account the beauty of the way you inadvertently appear.
click to view our self-driving travel recommendations.
Don`t really "lose" Iceland
You can`t rely entirely on GPS
After arriving in Iceland, some visitors put their hotel`s name in the streets of Reykjavik into the GPS and followed the GPS all the way from the airport. A few hours later, they were on the outskirts of Iceland, where there were no hotels and farmland. Many parts of Iceland have the same name, so when you put your address into a GPS, be careful it won`t navigate you into the wilderness. Every time this happens, it becomes a laugh between Icelanders.
Make a good travel plan
9. Road Driving
In Iceland, it is illegal to drive outside a prescribed road. We cherish the nature of iceland, so please don`t drive the car out of the road, which is very harmful to iceland`s nature, especially many new land in iceland is young and fragile, and the wheel crush can leave a permanent wound. Catching a road in Iceland would require a hefty fine.
Take good care of nature and drive civilized
10. Travel planning and reporting
If you decide to drive to the Icelandic highlands, we recommend that you tell at least one person where you plan to go and when you expect to return, preferably to share the GPS of your itinerary with others. Most importantly, remember Iceland`s emergency contact number:112. Iceland`s search - and - rescue teams are so powerful that they can save lives effectively.
Pay attention to safety, report travel plan with people
11. Seat belts
Iceland law requires everyone in the car to fasten their seat belts all the time. Whether it`s a driver or a passenger, there`s no exception. Law also stipulates that children under the age of six must fasten their seat belts in the corresponding car seat according to their height and weight. Violators will be fined heavily by the police. We hope your Iceland is safe, so be sure to fasten your seat belt at all times.
Always keep in mind
12. Tour groups
If you want a more thorough experience of Iceland`s highlands, it`s a smart choice to join a super jeep led by an experienced professional director. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the highlands without any pressure, and enjoy the magic and uniqueness of Icelandic nature.
Click to view our super jeep.
You can also click on the icelandic road traffic manual for more self-driving information and icelandic road signs.
Author: Birta Bjornsdottir
