Do You Need A 4×4 In Iceland? A Guide to Renting for the Ring Road

TRAVEL GUIDE: RENTING A 4X4 IN ICELAND

Iceland is famously rugged, and the weather is unpredictable, so a 4×4 vehicle would definitely be helpful for anyone embarking on a road trip across the country.

4×4 vehicles are generally more expensive than a 2-wheel drive rental car, so if you’re watching your budget you may be questioning if it’s really worth the investment. 

In a hurry? This website is our favorite tool for finding the most affordable and reliable 4×4 rental in Iceland:

🚙 Discover Cars (Search Keflavik Airport)

Our guide answers all of your questions about if you truly need to rent or hire a 4×4 in Iceland.

We’ll take a deep dive into which seasons of the year make renting a 4×4 essential, and explain which roads require you to have a 4×4 in Iceland This post also includes advice on places to visit with and without four-wheel-drive, and where to find the most affordable 4×4 in Iceland.

You do not need to rent a 4×4 to visit Iceland, but it will definitely provide some peace of mind.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle will improve your ability to see more of the amazing countryside, even in rough weather.

In a 4×4, the engine controls all four wheels simultaneously. This type of system is also heavier and has more power than a 2WD engine, which prevents the vehicle from getting stuck in the mud and gives it extra traction in snowy/icy conditions. 

Iceland has notoriously unpredictable weather (in every season). Renting a 4×4 safeguards you from a surprise rainstorm or icy roads in the mountains.  We were certainly glad to have it during a snowstorm in May in southeastern Iceland!

Plus, driving a 2WD vehicle on Iceland’s “F-roads” is illegal, so renting a 4×4 opens up your itinerary to even more remote and beautiful places.

Ultimately, it depends on the time of year and which landmarks are on your Iceland itinerary. Our advice is: it’s better to be safe than sorry, so we always choose to rent or hire a 4×4 in Iceland. 

As long as you won’t be taking many detours, and it’s not winter, you do not need to rent or hire a 4×4 to drive along the Golden Circle route. These paved highways are the best-kept and most popular roads in the country, so any regular vehicle can handle them.

The Golden Circle is a road trip through southwest Iceland, which covers some of the most popular landmarks in the country. They include Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, the Silfra Fissure, and the Geysir Geothermal Area.

Of course, if you’re there in the winter a 4×4 always helps if a storm blows in!

Starting in Reykjavik, you can complete the Golden Circle road trip in just one day, and it’s a great way to get a taste of Iceland before continuing on to more remote areas. 

On the Golden Circle route, you can snorkel at Silfra in pristine glacier water, filling the crevasse between the continents. It’s the only place in the world where you can dive between tectonic plates!

Summer is short, and you still might come across muddy roads (depending on where you’re going in Iceland). You could get away with seeing some of Iceland’s most famous sites in summer without a 4×4, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!

The rest of the year, you should definitely play it safe and rent a 4×4 in Iceland.

Rent a 4×4 in Iceland in December

Yes, you need to rent or hire a 4×4 in Iceland during the winter months (November – March). The weather is snowy and unpredictable during the winter. Snowstorms can come quickly, and you need a 4×4 to navigate the icy roads across the country. 

Rent a 4×4 in Iceland in October

Yes, you do need to rent or hire a 4×4 in Iceland in October. Although it is not technically winter, the cold weather creeps into the highlands sooner than Reykjavik. Snowstorms and icy roads are possible in October, so it’s highly recommended to have a 4×4 if you drive outside of the cities in the southwest.

You definitely need a 4×4 vehicle to drive on F-roads. Taking a 2WD car onto an F-Road is illegal because it puts your safety and the safety of others in danger. 

When you pick up your rental car, there will be a sticker on the dash stating, “This vehicle is permitted to drive on F-roads” or “This vehicle is NOT permitted to drive on F-roads.”

F-roads are steep, rocky roads leading into the mountains and highlands of Iceland. These hazardous roads are all over the country, and some even have river crossings. F-roads in Iceland are not maintained and remain closed throughout the winter. 

If you are an adventurous traveler, plan your trip to Iceland during the summer so you can visit some of the island’s most remote areas via the F-roads… and definitely rent a four-wheel drive!

While you don’t NEED a 4×4 for major portions of Iceland’s Ring Road… we’d still recommend it.

The Ring Road is 800+ miles long, and basically makes a loop around Iceland. It’s well-maintained, and travelers can easily navigate this road with a regular car in the summer. However, it is still a good idea to rent a 4×4 because, while most landmarks are close to the Ring Road, some scenic detours require a 4×4.

While it’s only two-lanes, Iceland’s Ring Road (also called Route 1) is nicely paved and easy to drive on:

Renting a 4×4 campervan in Iceland is becoming an increasingly common way to explore the country, as van life continues to grow in popularity. It’s also a budget-friendly option!

Traditional motorhomes and large RVs are available, but most travelers choose smaller campervans. Some of them are built-out with a kitchenette, stove, fridge, bathroom, and heating/cooling. Campervans start around $100/day, so it’s perfect for travelers who want to spend more time in nature *and* save money on hotel rooms.

There are a lot of reasons why you should consider renting a campervan in Iceland:

• It’s fun. Renting a campervan and a unique and intimate way to experience Iceland. 
• It’s convenient. You don’t have to spend time unpacking and repacking at each new hotel or Airbnb. 
• It’s Affordable. Campervans are usually cheaper than booking several hotels throughout your trip. Renting a 4×4 campervan takes care of all your accommodation and transportation for about $100-150 per day. 

Drawbacks to Renting a Campervan in Iceland

• Availability: You need to ensure that your campervan is a 4×4 vehicle to drive safely in the winter months or on F-roads in the summer. 
• Fuel Efficiency: These vehicles are less fuel-efficient than smaller 4×4 cars. 
• Lack of space and privacy: Goes without saying, compared to a hotel.

The process of renting a campervan in Iceland is relatively straightforward. You can find several highly-rated companies renting campervans in Reykjavik, and most of them have online platforms to book a campervan before you go!  

At the rental office, you will likely need a valid international driver’s license, a credit card in the driver’s name, and a small deposit put down in case of any damage to the vehicle. I got my international driver’s license for $20 at the AAA office near my home. It was a quick, easy process!

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when deciding whether renting a 4×4 campervan in Iceland is right for you, but it’s a unique way to experience the countryside and take a bucket-list-worthy road trip.

➡️ Rent: Kuku Campers in Iceland

So, do you need a 4×4 in Iceland? It also depends on where you want to visit. For any of the following destinations, the answer is a definite: yes!

These are some of Iceland’s most remote and beautiful locations, only accessible via F-roads and other lesser-maintained roads off the Ring Road.

Studlogil Canyon – The Studlogil Canyon is located near the eastern coast of Iceland. The canyon is world-famous for basalt columns towering 100 feet (30 meters) above the glacial river. For much of the year, the parking lot is only accessible with 4×4 vehicles. If you do not have a 4×4 in Iceland, you will have to hike 2-3 hours out and back to see the basalt rock formations.

For travelers staying near the Golden Circle, you may be able to get by without a 4×4 in Iceland. You will still have access to a number of beautiful destinations in Southern Iceland, including; 

• The Reykjanes Penninsula (Brimketill, Gunnuhver, Blue Lagoon)
• Vik (Solheimasandur Plane Wreck & Reynisfjara Beach)
• Skogafoss
• Seljalandsfoss
• Diamond Beach
• Silfra Fissure (Snorkeling between the continents, as mentioned earlier)

Diamond Beach is right along the Ring Road, nearly five hours east of Reykjavik. Unless there’s a snowstorm, you won’t need a 4×4 to get here either.

🌎 Jared’s Detours Blog: Diamond Beach Iceland

You’ll find a stunning glacier lagoon, and crystal-clear icebergs sitting on a black sand beach.

Securing a 4×4 rental in Iceland is very easy! The rental companies are well prepared to handle the constant influx of tourists looking for 4×4 rentals.

I usually use Discover Cars, since their rental listings include big international companies, along with localized rental options, country-by-country.

🚙 Reserve at Discover Cars (Search Keflavik Airport)

It’s actually cheaper and more convenient to book an online 4×4 rental in Iceland before you go.

Keep in mind: several rental car companies will require you to take a shuttle from the airport to an off-site location to sign documents and pick up your vehicle. The shuttles arrive outside the main doors in the terminal.

The most common types of vehicles to rent are:

• Dacia Duster/Suzuki Jimny – Most common 4×4 in Iceland and very reliable.
• Subaru Foresters – Medium-sized vehicle for families and groups of 3-4 people. 
• Toyota Land Cruser – Larger 4×4 SUV that can handle even more challenging terrain and river crossings – $150/day
• Jeep Wrangler – A 4×4 vehicle with the highest versatility and sturdiness. 

PRO TIP: Renting a 4×4 from Keflavik Airport is usually cheaper than renting from a spot closer to Reykjavik!

Some travelers are content staying in Reykjavik or at the Blue or Sky Lagoon the whole time, which is great…. but… renting a car gives you so much more flexibility.

Iceland is one of the best destinations in the world to choose your own adventure, and renting a 4×4 is key to making it happen!