Why rent a campervan in Iceland? The ultimate freedom in another world

Renting a motorhome in Iceland is the key to experiencing the island's breathtaking and ever-changing nature up close. The biggest advantage is your absolute flexibility. You can spontaneously adapt your route to the unpredictable Icelandic weather, chase the dancing Northern Lights on a clear night, or simply linger on a black lava beach. With a platform like Campcruisers, you can find the right vehicle for this extreme country: compare different models online, from a basic campervan to a capable 4x4 motorhome that can also take you to the highlands on the rough F-roads. When you hire a campervan in Iceland, you are not dependent on expensive hotels and can wake up right in the middle of nature – a priceless experience. What are you waiting for? Grab your campervan now and explore a country that feels like another planet.

The best tours when you rent a motorhome in Iceland

A rented camper is your mobile basecamp for exploring Iceland's most spectacular natural wonders. Here are three legendary route suggestions.

🚗 Tour 1: The Ring Road – A full circle around Iceland

This classic route takes you to most of Iceland's famous highlights.

• Duration: 10-14 days
• Distance: approx. 1,332 km (828 miles) (plus detours)
• Ideal for: First-time visitors, photographers, nature lovers
• Day 1-3: The South – Waterfalls, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches (approx. 250 km)
• Start in Reykjavík and drive along the south coast. Visit the famous waterfalls Seljalandsfoss (where you can walk behind) and Skógafoss. Explore the black sand beach of Reynisfjara with its basalt columns and visit the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with its floating icebergs.
• Day 4-5: The East Fjords (approx. 300 km)
• Drive through the picturesque and often deserted East Fjords. Discover charming fishing villages like Seyðisfjörður and look out for puffins (in summer) and reindeer.
• Day 6-7: The North – Mývatn & Whales (approx. 300 km)
• Explore the geothermal region around Lake Mývatn with bubbling mud pots and bizarre lava formations. Drive to Húsavík, the "whale watching capital of Europe," and take a boat tour.
• Day 8-10: The West & Return (approx. 480 km)
• Explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called "Iceland in Miniature," with the famous Kirkjufell mountain. Complete your circuit with the "Golden Circle" before returning to Reykjavík.

🌋 Tour 2: The Golden Circle & the South Coast

A shorter but intense tour combining the most famous sights in the southwest.

• Duration: 5-7 days
• Distance: approx. 600 km
• Ideal for: Short-term visitors who want to see the top highlights
• Day 1: The Golden Circle (approx. 250 km)
• Explore Iceland's three most famous sights in one day: Þingvellir National Park, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart; the Haukadalur geothermal area with the erupting geyser Strokkur; and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
• Day 2-4: The South Coast to Jökulsárlón (approx. 350 km)
• Follow the south coast as described in Tour 1. Visit the waterfalls, black sand beaches, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This is one of the most spectacular sections when you rent a campervan in Iceland.
• Day 5: Glacier Hike & Return Journey
• Take a guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull before starting your journey back towards Reykjavík.

🚙 Tour 3: The Highland Adventure (Summer only & with 4x4!)

This demanding tour takes you on the rough F-roads into the uninhabited, volcanic heart of the island.

• Duration: 3-4 days
• Distance: approx. 400 km
• Ideal for: Adventurers, experienced 4x4 drivers, hikers
• Day 1: The Kjölur Route (F35)
• Drive the Kjölur highland track, which connects the south with the north. The route takes you through a barren desert landscape between the Langjökull and Hofsjökull glaciers. Stop at the Hveravellir geothermal area for a dip in a natural hot spring.
• Day 2 & 3: Landmannalaugar – The Rainbow Mountains
• Your destination is Landmannalaugar, one of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes with its colourful rhyolite mountains, obsidian fields, and hot springs. A paradise for hikers. The approach requires crossing rivers (fords).

Getting to Iceland: Flight to the Far North

For travellers from Europe, North America, and beyond, the only way to get to Iceland is by plane.

• ✈️ By Plane:



• Keflavík International Airport (KEF) is Iceland's only international airport, located about 50 km from the capital, Reykjavík.
• From Europe (UK, Ireland, etc.): There are regular direct flights from many major cities like London, Dublin, Paris, and Berlin, operated by airlines like Icelandair, EasyJet, and Play.
• From North America (USA & Canada): You will find direct flights from major hubs like New York, Boston, Chicago, and Toronto.

After your arrival, you will get to the pick-up location of your camper, often via a shuttle service provided by the rental company from the airport. The exact address of our partner's motorhome rental station will be in your booking documents.

Icelandic Cuisine: More than just fermented shark

With a rented camper in Iceland, you can avoid the high restaurant prices thanks to your own kitchen and rely on local products.

What you should definitely try:

• 🐑 Icelandic Lamb: The lamb is particularly tender and spicy because the animals roam freely. Try Kjötsúpa, a hearty lamb soup.
• 🐟 Fish: Fresh fish like cod (Þorskur) or Arctic char (Bleikja) is delicious.
• 🥛 Skyr: A protein-rich, yogurt-like dairy product that is an Icelandic classic.
• 🌭 Hotdog (Pylsa): Try an Icelandic hotdog with "everything" (remoulade, sweet mustard, ketchup, raw and roasted onions) – preferably at the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand in Reykjavík.

Camping in Island: Well organized, but with rules

Iceland is very camper-friendly, but wild camping has been severely restricted in recent years.

• 🏕️ Wild Camping & Free-Standing:
• Overnighting in a campervan outside of designated campsites has been generally forbidden in Iceland since 2015. This applies尤其 in national parks and throughout the entire south. Violations are penalised with heavy fines.

• 🚐 Official Sites & Campsites:
• Iceland has a very good and dense network of campsites. Most are open from May to September.
• Camping Card: With the "Campingcard," you can stay at over 40 affiliated sites across the country for a fixed price.
• Reykjavik Campsite
• The largest and best-equipped campsite in the capital, an ideal starting and ending point.
• Skógar Campsite
• A simple but spectacularly located site right next to the mighty Skógafoss waterfall.
• Camping Skaftafell
• Located in Vatnajökull National Park, the perfect base for glacier hikes.

You can also find and book campsites on Campcruisers.