Practical information for packages with Iceland Travel arrangements

To rent a car in Iceland, the lead renter and driver must:

• Have a valid driver’s license which has been held for at least one year. International drivers licenses are not required unless your license is not in Roman script.
• Be a minimum of 20 years of age for a passenger car
• For minibuses and 4WD vehicles, the minimum age is 23
• Present a valid credit card in their name that’s able to cover charges for the entire rental period

Iceland is an unspoiled country and roads can be rugged and difficult at times. As you drive carefully through both the urban and country environments, be sure to remember the following:

• Iceland drives on the right side of the road.
• The speed limit in populated areas is usually 50 km/hr. Speed limit signs are usually not posted unless it is other than 50 km/hr. The speed limit is often 60 km/hr. on thruways, but in residential areas it is usually only 30 km/hr. The main rule on highways is that gravel roads have a speed limit of 80 km/hr., and paved roads 90 km/hr. Signs indicate if other speed limits apply. If speed limit is exceeded, high penalties will be imposed.
• All passengers are required by law to use safety-belts.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious offence in Iceland. The threshold blood alcohol test level is very low and there are severe penalties for breaking this law.
• The surface on the gravel roads is often loose, especially along the sides of the roads, so one should drive carefully and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. The mountain roads are also often very narrow and are not made for speeding. The same goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time.
• Special warning signs will indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign to reduce speed. Choose a safe speed according to conditions.
• Watch out for animals on and near the roads. Sheep and horses roam free in the summer, and you may see some wandering on rural roads. 
• Off-road driving is illegal in Iceland. Never drive outside the marked roads, as it can take centuries for nature to heal wounds caused by careless driving.
• Take your garbage with you; never leave it in the unspoiled nature.
• Parking fees at Þingvellir National Park are the responsibility of the passengers. Fees start at 750ISK per vehicle. 

Additional tours may be offered by Iceland Travel during your holiday package, based on weather conditions, tour operator discretion and group interest. These tours are arranged and paid in Iceland.  Side tours can include but not limited to boat tours at the glacial lagoon, glacier snowmobiling, etc.

• Breakfast is always included on your journey, but no other meals. Hotel check-in time is before 18:00.  For later arrival please notify your hotel. In many countryside accommodations there are restaurants where dinner is available for a reasonable price.
• A credit card is required for security deposit and must be presented physically upon pick-up of your car rental.
• Self-drive package itineraries are a guideline for your travel in Iceland. The route may vary according to your overnight stay and road conditions, especially during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October.
• On your accommodation itinerary you will find a detailed address list, describing how to get to your accommodations, as well as a reference number which is valid as your voucher.
• The kilometer/mile distance per day is not precise. The distance may vary depending on the location of your accommodation and the detours you take each day.
• Detour suggestions: It’s likely you’ll be unable to do everything that is suggested, so be sure to choose between the sites mentioned depending on interest as time limits your possibilities.
• IMPORTANT: Accidents incurred by crossing streams and rivers are exempt from insurance coverage. Driving off the main roads and on roads marked “F” is the renter’s own responsibility. While driving on such tracks, the renter is held 100% responsible for any and all damage that may occur. The renter will also be held responsible for any expense due to towing and transporting a vehicle if it is damaged in driving conditions such as those mentioned above. Please refer to your rental agreement for details. 

The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona. Currency exchange is available throughout Iceland, including a commission free exchange bureau operated by Arion Bank in both the arrival and departure halls at Keflavík International Airport. Most major credit cards are accepted in Iceland, but we strongly recommend that passengers using the more commonly-used Visa and MasterCard. Cirrus bank cards are also accepted at ATM machines in the country.

Cell phone coverage is both reliable and extensive throughout the country. You may find yourself snowmobiling through the wilderness amongst a herd of reindeer and decide to pull out your phone to grab a photo, and you notice you have full bars. It’s not uncommon, but we do recommend to contact your cell phone provider before your trip to discuss rates, device compatibility and availability while overseas.

For information on foreign embassies located in Iceland, and Icelandic embassies abroad, please check out this comprehensive list from Embassy Pages.

Temperatures in Iceland are surprisingly mild for being so close to the Arctic Circle, with temperatures in Reykjavík ranging between 32°F-46°F (0°C-8°C), while year-round you can expect rain, snow, wind and sun, sometimes all in the same day!

In the winter, the sun rises later and sets earlier than in North America and Europe, but there’s still enough daylight to enjoy sightseeing no matter what part of the country you’re visiting. The additional darkness also means an increased possibility of glimpsing the northern lights.

Experiencing the weather and nature are part of the fun and adventure of travelling in Iceland. To get the most out of your experience, it is important to bring the right clothing as the weather in Iceland can change very fast.

The following is a list of suggested items to bring on your tour of Iceland. We suggest packing as light as possible, and with luggage porter service generally unavailable at hotels, a good rule of thumb is to bring no more than what you can comfortably carry between the transfer bus and your hotel room. We also recommend dressing in layers which can make it easy to change clothes throughout the day, potentially as quick as the changes in weather! That includes the summer, where despite higher temperatures than the other three seasons, the winds can be strong year-round, so being properly prepared is essential. Also, despite travelling close to the Arctic Circle, there are many opportunities for swimming and bathing in thermal waters throughout the year, so we highly recommend bringing a bathing suit (or two!).

Essential

• Passport, valid for at least three months beyond your confirmed return date
• Warm outerwear clothes for cold days, wind and waterproof when possible: Winter jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, sweaters; outdoor winter walking shoes, or hiking boots preferred; sandals or slippers for hot springs, lagoons, nature baths. Tennis shoes/trainers/sneakers are not recommended.
• Thermal socks and underwear
• Swimsuit and towel
• Toiletries and medical supplies
• Type-F power adapter for European outlets will be needed for devices from North America and the United Kingdom. Voltage is 220V with 50 Hz frequency.

Recommended

• Personal insurance
• Leggings or long-johns
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Binoculars
• Water bottle
• Memory card for your camera
• Comfortable indoor shoes for the evenings
• Small bag or knapsack for personal items to use during the day

Travelers can bring the following into Iceland:

• 1-liter spirits, 1-liter wine and 6 liters beer or
• 3 liters wine and 6 liters beer or
• 1-liter spirits and 9 liters beer or
• 1.5 liters wine and 9 liters beer or
• 12 liters beer 
• 200 cigarettes or 250g of other tobacco products 

These items can be expensive in Iceland, so if you would like to enjoy them during your trip, we recommend purchasing them in the Duty-Free shop when you arrive in Iceland.

Trip cancellation, health and baggage insurance are not available through Icelandair. However, Icelandair recommends the purchase of insurance through our partner, Allianz Global Assistance, for customers from the United States and Canada.