Frequently Asked Questions

Driving In Iceland

AT GEYSIR we like our customers to be well prepared for their special Iceland experience, so we would like to ask you to apply your full attention at all times when driving in Iceland.

Driving tips and regulations for Iceland

Wearing seatbelts (front and rear seats) is required by law.
Headlights must be ON at all times while driving.
Off-road driving is ILLEGAL. Heavy fines are issued if caught.
ONLY 4×4 vehicles are allowed on F-roads.
Keep within the speed limits. Speeding fines are horrendously expensive!
Keep a tight hold of the car door when opening in heavy wind. Wind damages are very expensive.
Check the filler cap to see what type of fuel you should put into the car.
It is dangerous to stop the car on the side of the road.
Your mobile phone is not a reliable GPS navigation system in Iceland.
Be aware that animals (sheep, horses, reindeer) may be on the road in rural areas.
If you get a parking ticket, pay it as soon as possible at any bank.

The Ring Road and F-roads

The total length of the ring road (R1) is about 1,332km, is mostly paved and is easy to drive on, but in parts it can be narrow and requires your concentration. The mountain roads (F-roads) are closed during the winter and are often impassable well into the summer. Conditions can vary and can change quickly on F-Roads if there is snow, ice, or heavy rain resulting in deep pot holes and rocks lying in the road, so great awareness is required of the driver. Such condition can cause damages, especially to the underbody of the car, which is not covered by our insurance, so please drive carefully!

Emergency roadside assistance (+354 455 0000)

If the car malfunctions due to normal wear and tear, or for other reasons beyond the renter´s control, Geysir shall supply the renter with a comparable vehicle as soon as is possible, or arrange to have repairs done as soon as can be arranged by a Geysir service partner. A refund will be made for a lost rental day if the renter is deprived from using rented car for a period over 24-hours. Geysir will assist you with all other problems with the car, but at the renters responsibility and cost.

Before heading out on your journey always take a careful look at the weather forecast and road conditions. All you need to know is found here:

en.vedur.is – The weather forecast for Iceland. The three maps on the front page tell all. Always check the wind speed map first! As well as all the pertinent weather information you need for the day there is also a mine of information on the site, including earthquake activity and where in the country the Aurora might be seen.

road.is – Has detailed, colour coded information about all the roads in Iceland and the conditions are updated regularly. There is also another page that shows the location of over 100 webcams that each gives several views of the road and surroundings.

safetravel.is – SafeTravel provides lots of useful information about travelling safely in Iceland whether by road, overland or sea.

Traveling Iceland in Winter

Driving during the winter in Iceland can be a lottery at times: one minute the weather will be sunny and calm, then within minutes can change to being snowy and windy. For this reason, it is necessary to be well prepared for all circumstances. For all that though, the landscape during winter is a spectacular, pure, sparkling wonderland. It´s maybe no surprise that the directors of Game of Thrones choose to film the winter scenes here.

Winter driving here is both exciting and challenging at the same time. A sudden cover of ice on the road requires full focus on driving all the time, so please let the passenger take care of capturing the beautiful landscape on film! If you want to stop and enjoy the view, please park the car in a safe, designated parking spot and not just anywhere at the side of the road.

Use your common sense, especially when conditions are bad. Enjoy the countryside and surroundings but don´t become too bold in good conditions – even though you may be driving a 4WD vehicle. You don´t want to waste your valuable holiday time waiting to be rescued because you got into trouble.

Tips for winter driving

Take care. Reduce your average speed when there is snow/ ice on the road.
If you have to brake in ice/ snow, do it gently. Do not brake suddenly on icy roads as this can cause the wheels to lock and you being out of control.
If you get stuck in snow do not press hard on the gas pedal. The best way to get out of deep snow is to get someone to push on the car while the driver presses steadily on the accelerator.
Try to avoid driving in remote areas during the night.
Make a note of your route, especially the road numbers and any villages, so if you do have to call for assistance you can give us a good idea of your location.
This is what we suggest you should have in the car when travelling in winter: Warm coat, boots, hat, gloves and a window scraper. If there is a lot of snow forecast we recommend having a shovel in the car.
If you get stuck in a snow drift, please remember that you are liable for all recovery costs!
At the weekend assistance may take longer to source. Especially after 17:00 hrs.

Before heading out on your journey always take a careful look at the weather forecast and road conditions. All you need to know is found here:

Toll Roads In Iceland

Vaðlaheiðargöng

The only toll road in Iceland is at the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, which is on Route 1 a few km east of Akureyri in the north of the country. Signs are placed at the approach to the tunnel at either end to alert drivers that they are now on a toll road, how to pay for the journey and how much it costs. Journeys should be registered within 3-hours of using the tunnel. Payment has to be done through the web www.veggjald.is where there is a special “payment for rental cars” option. The price for a single trip is ISK 1,500 if the trip is paid via the tunnel website. If not the price goes up to ISK 2,500 and will be billed to the owner of the car. Geysir will charge the tunnel price plus an Admin fee of €25 resulting in a total price of approx. EUR 45.

There is an alternative route using the original road which goes over the mountain (see map). If travelling from Akureyri it is on Route 83 then onto Route 84. If travelling from the east on Route 1, turn right after crossing the bridge over the river Fjnoská onto Route 84 and then onto Route 83.

National Park Entrance And Parking Fee

When visiting Iceland´s National Parks please be aware of having to pay for car parking. This is especially so of Thingvellir and Skaftafell National Parks when using the official car parks. If no payment is made the charge is sent to Geysir, which is subsequently made to the stored card on the contract. Always look for and read any signs in the area where you decide to stop.

Geysir charges a €25 admin fee plus the cost of the parking ticket.

The charge for a day pass on all the parking lots is as follows:

Passenger car, 5 seats or less – 750 ISK
Passenger car, 6-8 seats – 1000 ISK
Bus, 9-19 seats – 1800 ISK
Bus 20, seats or more – 3500 ISK

Skaftafell National Park:
Daily fee from 00:00 – 24:00

Passenger car, 5 seats or less – 750 ISK
Passenger car, 6-9 seats – 1000 ISK

Insurances

Basic CDW insurance

The basic CDW Cover is included in all rentals. This insurance includes Theft Protection, Third party liability insurance, personal accident insurance and a CDW insurance. The excess is ISK 500.000 on normal family cars and ISK 600.000 on 4×4, luxury cars and passenger vans.

Silver Insurance

The Silver insurance package includes Theft Protection, Third Party Liability, Personal Accident insurance and lowered excess liability CDW. The excess is ISK 100.000 on normal family cars and ISK 150.000 on 4×4, luxury cars and passenger vans.

Gold Insurance

The Gold insurance package includes Theft Protection, Third Party Liability, Personal Accident insurance, lowered excess liability CDW and Sand and Ash storm protection. The excess is ISK 100.000 on normal family cars and ISK 150.000 on 4×4, luxury cars and passenger vans. In addition the Gold insurance also includes Windows and glass cover and Gravel Protection. The excess on gravel, window and glass damages is ISK 25.000 on normal family cars and 50.000 on 4×4, luxury cars and passenger vans.

Zero Excess Insurance

The ZERO EXCESS brings your rental liability excess to ZERO. This includes Theft Protection, Third Party Liability, Personal Accident insurance, lowered excess liability CDW and Sand and Ash storm protection. The excess is ISK Zero. The Excess is also ZERO in the case of Window, glass, gravel or Sand and Ash damages.

Not Covered by Insurance

Intentional damages or damages due to gross negligence on the part of the driver.
Damages resulting from the driver being under the influence of controlled or illegal substances, or in any other way incapable of driving the vehicle in a safe manner.
Damages caused by a race or test driving.
Damages caused by war, revolution, civil unrest, or riots.
Damages done by animals.
Holes burned into seats, carpets, or mats.
Damages affecting only wheels, tires, suspension, batteries, glass (other than windows), radios, or loss by theft of parts of the vehicle and damage resulting from this.
Damages caused by driving on rough roads, e.g. to the transmission, the drive or drive shaft, and other parts in or attached to the chassis. Damages to the chassis, or any part of the car, resulting from the vehicle scraping bottom on rough roads. The same ap- plies to damages occurring when stones are thrown up, striking the underside of the car when being driven. The underside of the car is not insured.
Damages resulting from driving in places where driving is banned, such as paths, tracks, banks of snow, ice, unbridged rivers or streams, beaches, places only accessible at low tide, or other trackless areas. The car is not insured when crossing rivers or driving in water of any kind. River crossing must be done with extreme care.
Damages to the car caused by driving on mountain roads and roads marked F on a map or a road sign, including the Kjölur (road 35), Kaldidalur (road 550) and Sprengisandur (road 26) routes. (This does not extend to 4wd and all wheel drive cars accepted by Geysir for use on mountain roads – approved cars are insured on all marked roads and tracks).
Water damages to the car, its electrical system, accessories or engine.
Damages caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or other kind of earth material being blown onto the vehicle.
No compensation will be paid for damage caused by sea spray/ seawater, if the vehicle is transported by sea.
Reference is made to the general conditions for accident insurance (Icelandic: kaskótrygging) as set by VIS insurance company at www.vis.is.The renter agrees that any damages not covered by the insurance of the car may be charged from the credit card provided at the beginning of the rental.

Extras

WIFI

WiFi is so important when road-tripping through Iceland. It is a great way to see other attractions in the area while also having the advantage to check weather and road conditions. That is why we have WiFi options that provide a strong connection throughout Iceland. You can expect unlimited data too, so roam as much as you want and connect up to 5 devices!

Per Day: 10€

GPS

GPS is great for those who have a big road trip planned throughout the country. While popular routes such as Ring Road and Golden Circle are pretty straightforward, GPS can be beneficial. There are a lot of off-the-beaten-path locations for you to explore where GPS can be of assistance.

Per Day: 10€

Booster Seat

Traveling with kids? We got you covered! Go Car Rental offers booster seats for any traveler that needs one. They are certified and safety-approved baby seats that are suitable for children 0-12 months old or 0 – 13 kilograms up to 8 years old or 46 kilograms

Per Day: 5€