Car rental Reykjavik

When choosing your Car Rental in Reykjavik you have several like from type of cars to the different kinds of services the companies offer.

Challenging driving conditions 

Driving in Iceland in the wintertime can be a challenging experience especially if you are not a veteran driver who can drive with élan in an icy cold weather. Even in summertime it can be tricky if you go outside the capital as you have some gravel roads and many one lane bridges. 

If you go for Reykjavik Car hire and plan to go into the highlands, a good  option is the 4 WD cars with enormous tyres but if you intend to stay on the roads, a normal car is enough.  The best people to advice you on what are the kinds of cars to hire in Iceland are the Car Rental agencies. There are agencies that deal with premium cars down to to low cost agencies, what you choose depends on your needs.

Driving rental cars in Reykjavik Iceland

While going for Car Rental in Reykjavikl in Reykjavik, it is a must that you enquire about the driving rules that you should know while traveling in the city. Keep in mind that as you drive in Reykjavík, it is a must that you drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Headlights should always be on while driving and you must ensure that you drive slowly, as the roads, especially in outskirts of the city, where the roads are surfaced with loose gravel. 

If you are traveling on a hired car in Reykjavik,  the speed limits within the town is 50 km/h in urban areas, and sometimes as low as 30 km/h, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas and 90 km/h on paved roads.

Besides you must also ensure that you do not have alcohol content in your blood that is over 0.05 and that if you are driving you are at least over 18 years old.

The tourists taking Car Rental in Reykjavikl in Reykjavik and driving in Iceland need not apply for a permit, as the foreign driving licenses are valid in Iceland for visitors. Nonetheless, it is the best if you carry your insurance certificate and vehicle registration, along with your passport if you are driving in and around Reykjavík.

Limitations and restrictions from the Car Rental agencies 

While approaching the various Car Rental agencies car hire in Reykjavik, make sure that you check out the deal carefully so that you pay no hidden extras in form of service tax or travel tax etc. There are several car hire agencies in this capital town and each of them offers you an extensive choice. Some of the best desks for car hire in Reykjavik are located in the airport that provides a wide range of car hire choices at standard prices. If you are planning to book car it is always advisable that you do so in advance as renting cars on-location is always pricier than doing so in advance. You should also note the fact that unlike many other European agencies, the Car Rentals - also at the airports - are not open around the clock.

Important: Remember that restrictions can apply for your rental car. For example: You cannot take all cars on all roads in Iceland, such as certain mountain roads. You need to know this before you rent the car as if you have a problem on a "banned" road, all insurances are null and void. Be clear with your car hire company before you rent the car, and get all restrictions clearly defined and in written form before you start driving around Iceland.

For the avid traveler who wants to travel around the place by opting car hire in Reykjavik, the best route to take is the main highway. This Route 1-Ring Road that encircles the country will take you to almost all the popular spots. Iceland is sparsely populated and stations can be 100-200km apart. Therefore ensure that your gas tanks are always kept full. Also, if you have taken car hire in Reykjavik, stock extra food and know where guesthouses/hotels are located. In case of a road closure due to Iceland’s ever-changing weather, they may be helpful. Remember it is a great idea to check out the website of Iceland Meteorological Office, as they not only have information about the weather, but can also update you about the Icelandic Road Administration on all of the main roads.

Rental cars on the higlands

A person driving by taking car hire in Reykjavik should know that most mountain roads are closed until the end of June as they are wet and muddy, which makes them totally impassable. The best roads on which you can safely travel in car are the route numbers with an "F" prefix, e.g. F128. Pay attention to road signs; for instance of you see a sign that reads  "malbik endar" drive cautiously as it indicates that in this locality the road changes from a paved road to a gravel road. Similarly the sign, which reads “einbreið brú” means that, a one-lane bridge is approaching and hence you need to exercise caution.

To sum it up, it can definitely be a fantastic idea to explore the place by taking car hire in Reykjavik, if you are a seasoned driver who has some cash to spare, and is out to have some real good adventure. 

Ask your Car Rental Reykjavik / car hire company to advice you what kind of car to hire so you get the right car for your holiday. Maybe you need a 4wd, maybe just a small economic one.