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Car rental in Iceland
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Renting a car with SAMATRIP™
When you hire a car through SAMATRIP™ as part of a tour package, you always get basic liability insurance and collision damage waiver (CDW) as standard.
We also offer a choice between manual (stick-shift) and automatic hire cars. If you’re not used to driving a manual, we recommend you go with an automatic.
Rental car categories with Iceland Tours packages
Type A
Toyota Yaris or similar
Configuration: Compact
Transmission: Manual
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 4
Doors: 5
Type Y
Toyota Yaris or similar
Configuration: Compact
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 4
Doors: 5
Type A2
Suzuki Swift or similar
Configuration: Compact 4×4
Transmission: Manual
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 4
Doors: 5
Type B
Volkswagen Golf or similar
Configuration: Compact
Transmission: Manual
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type B2
Volkswagen Golf or similar
Configuration: Compact
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type B3
Kia Niro or similar
Configuration: PHEV Wagon
Transmission: Manual
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type E2
Volkswagen Golf or similar
Configuration: 4×4
Transmission: Manual
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type P
Škoda Octavia Wagon or similar
Configuration: Executive 4×4
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type P6
Renault Captur or similar
Configuration: PHEV
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 20
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type N3
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid or similar
Configuration: 4×4
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 23
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type I
Toyota Land Cruiser 4×4 or similar
Configuration: 4×4
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 23
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type O
Kia Sportage or similar
Configuration: 4×4
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 23
Passengers: 5
Doors: 5
Type D2
Volkswagen Caravelle or similar
Configuration: Minivan
Transmission: Automatic
Age limit: 23
Passengers: 9
Doors: 5
What’s included with your car rental
- Basic liability insurance coverage
- Collision damage waiver (CDW)
- Unlimited mileage
- Authorization for two drivers (extra fee for additional drivers)
- Free in-car unlimited Wi-Fi
- Airport service charge if collecting your car at Keflavík International Airport
- Icelandic VAT @ 24%
What’s not included with your car rental
- Fuel
- Parking charges
- Parking fines and towing charges
- Fines for traffic violations
- Fees for tunnels, toll roads, and ferries
- Charges due to negligent vehicle damage (e.g. incorrect fuel, alcohol/drug use, off-road driving, etc.)
FAQs
1. Do I need a rental car in Iceland?
2. Am I eligible to rent a car in Iceland?
The minimum age to rent a car in Iceland is 20, and 23 for jeeps and vans. You must have held your driver’s license for at least one year at the time of rental.
If your driver’s license is not in Latin script (for example, Russian or Chinese), you’ll need to apply for an International Driving Permit in your home country before coming to Iceland. You’ll need to show the permit along with your driver’s license when collecting your car.
Good to know: You’ll need a credit card (not a debit card, unfortunately) in the main driver’s name. The rental company will take an imprint, and if there are damages to the car, or additional fees (like unpaid parking fines), your card will be charged.
American Express, MasterCard, and VISA credit cards are accepted.
3. Is driving in Iceland in winter safe?
4. Will I need extra days of car rental?
Our car rental partners rent out vehicles in periods of 24 hours. If you arrive in Iceland at an earlier time of day than you leave at the end of your trip, then you’ll need to pay for an extra 24-hour period.
This is often the case if you’re traveling from North America, as many flights land early in the morning in Iceland.
For example, if you pick up your car at 7:00 a.m., but drop it off at 11:00 a.m. on your last day, then a new 24-hour hour period begins at 7:00 a.m. on your last day.
5. If I add extra days in Reykjavík to my tour, will I need to pay extra for car rental?
When you customize your tour online with extra days in Reykjavík, the total price will not include car rental for those extra days.
If you’re happy to walk and use buses/taxis whilst you’re in town, you might not need your rental car. In that case, you can take the airport shuttle to the airport when it’s time to head home.
6. How much does an extra day of car rental cost?
7. What car rental insurance should I get in Iceland?
When you hire your car through Iceland Tours, you always get basic liability insurance and a collision damage waiver (CDW) included as standard.
Good to know: The collision damage waiver has an excess (deductible) that would need to be paid in the event of an accident. This amount varies depending on the type of rental car and our supplier. You have the option to pay extra to reduce the excess when you collect your car.
You also have the option to take out extra insurance to protect against damage from driving on gravel roads and ash. These extra policies can be bought from the car rental company in Iceland at the desk where you collect your key.
We advise everyone traveling to Iceland to take out personal travel insurance. That way, you’re covered for cancelations, lost or stolen items, medical costs, and costs of getting home if you need medical treatment.
Useful info
How to book
Customization, when to book, what’s included, payment options
Accommodation
Accommodation categories, room sizes, traveling with kids
Car rental
Vehicle types, insurance, eligibility, driving in winter
Booking terms
General conditions, Book with Confidence, Best Price Guarantee
Travel Guide
Facts about Iceland, weather, food, nature, culture
About SAMATRIP™
What we offer, who we are, working for us
