Plan ahead to make the most of your Iceland travel
This article was written by Motorhome Republic collaborators The Wandering Wheatleys
If Iceland isn’t on your bucket list yet, you should add it now! It’s one of the most beautiful, remote, and isolated destinations in the world. Offering spectacular waterfalls, black sand beaches, relaxing hot springs, icy glaciers, national parks filled with wildlife, and so much more, it will undoubtedly be an unforgettable vacation experience!
However, due to its extreme weather conditions, a trip to Iceland requires proper planning and preparation. Read on about what to consider before planning your trip to this amazing country!
Enjoy!
Check the Average Weather Conditions
If you look at a world map, Iceland is located almost as far north as you can get before getting into terrain that is uninhabitable. Its latitude is on par with southern Greenland and Sweden. So winters in Iceland are very chilly, with average temperatures around 0°C in January. Winters also bring a lot of rain and only a few hours of daylight each day.
But Iceland is also an ideal place to see the Northern Lights which attracts some brave tourists to the country during the winter months.
July is the hottest month of the year, with average temperatures around 11°C in Reykjavik. Summer is the most popular time of year to visit Iceland, so you will have to contend with crowds at the most popular tourist attractions.
There are accommodation options around the island but they are generally expensive and tend to book up quickly. We would highly recommend renting a motorhome during your trip to Iceland. That way you won’t have to worry about pre-booking accommodations way in advance, and you won’t have to tent camp in the cold.
Check Road Conditions
There is one major road that runs the entire circumference of Iceland - Þjóðvegur 1, also known as the Ring Road or Route 1. The road is 1332 kilometres long and theoretically you could drive the entire way in around 16 hours. But there are so many amazing sights to see along the way, most people choose to take their time.
During the winter months the Ring Road is very dangerous with icy conditions and extreme winds. It is not recommended to do a self-driving tour of the north of Iceland during the winter months.
The standard speed limit on the Ring Road is 90 kilometers/hour outside of cities and 50 kilometers/hour when you drive through the towns. Most of the roads are paved and you’ll need to stay away from “F” roads unless you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle.
Regardless of the time of year you visit, you should still monitor www.road.is which gives you up-to-date information about the road conditions in each area of the island. Make sure to pay particular attention to the wind speed; it is dangerous to drive when the wind exceeds 20 metres per second.
Determine How Long to Stay
Two weeks should be plenty of time to explore the entire island. If you don't have two weeks to spend here, there are still plenty of attractions to enjoy that are just a short drive from Reykjavík. So you can still see some of the highlights in just a few days by touring the Golden Circle or by hitting the highlights of the southern end of the island.
Plan Your Itinerary
Keflavík Airport (KEF), located 30 miles southeast of Reykjavík, is the largest airport in Iceland and the main hub for international flights. Reykjavík is also an ideal starting place as most of the motorhome rental companies are based here. If you plan on touring the entire Ring Road, check weather conditions to help you determine whether to travel clockwise or counterclockwise.
To help you determine what to see and do during your time in Iceland, we’ve developed a 14-Day Itinerary, a Guide to the Golden Circle, and Not-to-Miss Highlights of Southern Iceland!
Plan Your Route
From Reykjavík, you have a few options to see the country. The most popular route is the Ring Road which will take you around the entire island. Since the Ring Road is 1332 kilometres long, you'll want to dedicate at least a week to driving this route.
The Ring Road route is not ideal during the winter months as the road can be impassable and very dangerous due to snow, ice, and extreme winds.
If you don't have a lot of time to spend in Iceland, you can opt for the Golden Circle route. This is a common tour route that will allow you to see 3 popular Icelandic attractions - Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss Waterfall. The entire circular route is just under 140 miles so it's possible to make the drive in just a day. Of course, you should take your time so that you can enjoy the drive and make as many stops along the way as you want.
Find a Reputable Rental Car Company
Many people who visit Iceland choose to rent a motorhome or a campervan. That way you have the freedom to explore the country without the hassle of booking rooms or making sure you get back to a city every evening before dark. Plus Iceland is quite expensive so having the ability to cook your own food in your motorhome can help you stick to a reasonable budget.
There are plenty of motorhome rental companies to choose from in Iceland, but comparing them to make sure you get the best fit for your needs at the best price can be daunting. We prefer to use one website where we can go to compare models, prices, and reviews - Motorhome Republic.
With over 450 suppliers in 38 countries, Motorhome Republic is the largest online motorhome and RV rental agency in the world. They provide exceptional customer service and support to help you find the best vehicle at the best price. And their team of multilingual experts will provide ongoing support during your trip should you encounter any problems along the way.
Because Motorhome Republic works with a variety of suppliers, they are able to bring you a comprehensive range of quality motorhomes, RV’s, and campervans at all shapes, sizes, and price points.
Stock up on Snacks
As you’ve probably already heard, Iceland is incredibly expensive. There are a few budget grocery stores around the island but if you have room in your bag you can save some dough by buying a few packaged snacks back home. Goodies like granola bars, dried fruit, crackers, and instant coffee are all relatively easy to pack and transport. And buy some baby wipes ahead of time for times that you need to freshen up!
A few snacks to throw in your bag include:
If you’re on a budget, you’ll definitely want to avoid eating at restaurants as you’ll almost certainly spend at least $15/person for just simple things like soup. Add in wine or beer and you’ll have a hefty bill at the end. If you do want to enjoy any alcoholic beverages at your campsite in the evenings, stock up at the duty free before you leave the airport!
What to Pack
As we’ve mentioned, the weather conditions in Iceland can be extreme. You’ll need to be prepared for freezing cold temperatures and rain. And you’ll also need a swimsuit, flip flops, and a quick dry towel for the many hot springs around the country.
Here’s a short list of the things that you’ll definitely want to pack for a trip to Iceland:
If you are planning on bringing electronics that you’ll need to keep charged, like a laptop and camera batteries, consider investing in a portable car charger powerstrip. That way you can charge all of your devices while driving.
Purchase a Camping Card
The Icelandic Camping Card is good for two adults and up to four children and the price allows access to 40 campsites around Iceland. Most campsites charge between 1,400 - 2,000 ISK per person ($11-16 USD), and the camping card is only $177.80 USD. So if you’re planning to travel around Iceland for more than a week, the Camping Card is a good investment. The card is valid for 28 nights but be sure to check the season of each camp prior to arriving - many don’t open until June 1st.
Plan Your Stops
Iceland is relatively small and most of the highlights of the country are easy to get to in your motorhome. Determining what points of interest you want to see during your visit ahead of time will help you in outlining your itinerary. Download an offline map, star your must-visit spots, and start driving!
Read our complete 2-week Iceland Itinerary here!
Written By: Kristof Haines
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.
