From ancient glaciers to bubbling lava, Iceland, known as the land of fire and ice, is a small island with unparalleled beauty, making it the perfect place for a campervan road trip. It appeared on our screens as the filming location for Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and James Bond, where it captured the world's imagination. However, experiencing Iceland in a motorhome is the best way to look at some of the Earth’s greatest primordial wonders firsthand.
There’s constant excitement when touring Iceland in a campervan. Most of Iceland’s highlights are found along the coastal Ring Road and Golden Circle. Here, you will see waterfalls, geothermal activity, volcano craters and a UNESCO world heritage site—Katla Geopark, Iceland's first geopark, a natural wonderland waiting to be explored.
Iceland is the perfect campervan rental holiday location because of its stunning landscapes and unique natural features. The country is also known for its friendly locals and excellent camping facilities, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its wide open spaces and endless natural beauty, Iceland is where you can truly disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature.
With so many amazing sights dotted around Iceland and an extensive and well-maintained road network, Iceland is primed for a fantastic campervan road trip. And wherever you roam in Iceland, you’re never far from a friendly countryside campsite!
Camper Champ helps to ensure you find the best deal and camper for your holiday. You can save money by comparing motorhome rental prices across popular brands, making visiting this stunning country more possible.
Campervan holidays are gaining much popularity the world over, and here’s why:
Experience unbeatable freedom: Travelling with your bed in the back means freedom and flexibility to choose where you roam during the day. Although you can guarantee a campsite if you book in advance, there are always plenty of pitches if you travel during the off-season, allowing for daily spontaneity!
Get in touch with nature: Experience Iceland authentically when you camp in rural farmlands or on the edge of a coastal cliff. Hotel rooms are the same in every country, but campervans let you experience the wild side of the island.
Everything you need is right behind the driver’s seat: Travel with all the necessities you might need during your trip when you go by campervan! Depending on the vehicle, this could include a hot shower, a kitchenette, and (of course) a comfortable bed.
Save money on accommodation: Hotel and Airbnb prices can reach staggering heights in Iceland. Add car hire to the mix, and a travel budget can get quickly out of hand. Instead, keep your wallet happy by renting a motorhome and combining the two.
When driving in Iceland, remember these important tips:
Here are the top 10 places to park your campervan overnight in Iceland:
Iceland experiences constant underground volcanic activity, leading to countless hot springs and streams scattered around the country. You can visit the many geothermal pools throughout the island, a pastime revered by locals and tourists alike. The most famous Blue Lagoon is known for its baby-blue waters but is popular with attracting large crowds. The Mývatn Nature Baths, located in Northern Iceland, is also known for its baby-blue hue and can be a less crowded and cheaper option.
If you visit Iceland to see the famous Glacier Ice Caves, note that this is only possible during winter. Tours run from mid-October to March. The Northern Lights are also seen most prominently around this time of year from September to March. After a day of sightseeing, travelling by motorhome affords the comforts of settling under the stars to watch this brilliant display. What better way to finish up a day in Iceland?
Ice caves are located all over the country as well. Two ice caves can be visited at any time of the year—the Katla Ice Cave, situated beneath Kotlujokull Glacier and the man-made ice cave tunnel at Langjökull Glacier. You can even walk across time-hardened lava fields and traverse the famous Reynisfjara Black-Sand Beach on the south coast. Iceland is the only place on Earth where you can stand and swim between two continental crusts!
But these are not the only things that make Iceland so unique. The country’s wildlife includes Icelandic horses, bred exclusively on the island for over a millennia, and a year-round stream of migrating whales. It’s also the only place in the world, outside Antarctica, with no mosquitos.
On top of its raw natural beauty, Iceland is also packed with interesting cultures and traditions. You’ll have the chance to sample the famous Icelandic Fish, usually cod or haddock, that’s been left to dry for weeks in the salty sea air. In addition, Iceland’s more unusual museums, like the Sea Monster Museum, the Nonsense Museum, or the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft, are worth visiting.
Some car rental companies in Iceland offer a rooftop tent as a substitute for a motorhome. This can be a cheaper option than a campervan; however, it is less convenient, especially in cold or windy weather, which can occur in Iceland throughout the year.
Most land in Iceland is privately owned, and parking a campervan overnight outside of a registered campsite is strictly prohibited without prior approval from the landowner.
There are plenty of campsites in Iceland. They are relatively cheap, starting at around 1447 Icelandic króna per night.
Most campervan rental companies in Iceland have vehicle options that allow child/baby seats and booster seats.
However, not all vehicles may be compatible with a child seat, and not all companies have seats available to rent. Please check the features of the vehicle when booking.
Home to the country’s best-known volcanoes and glaciers, Iceland’s interior highlands can only be accessed by F-roads, indicated by a letter F in front of the road number on the map.
These mountainous and backcountry roads require a 4WD vehicle and are not advised for inexperienced drivers.
Always check whether F-roads are open, as the summer season is not long. Even then, be aware that conditions may be challenging – large rocks in the road, unbridged rivers, mud, and snow in all seasons.
Be aware that mobile reception is poor in Icelandic highlands, and there is only one gas station, in Hveravellir.
All motorhome rental providers have their depots in Keflavik, which is a short drive from Reykjavik and is the gateway for most visitors to Iceland via Keflavik International Airport.
Iceland is encircled by a Ring Road (Route 1) which connects many popular sights and is in suitable condition for standard vehicles. The road is just over 1,300 kilometres long – roughly thirteen hours of drive time – yet many visitors find that they’ll spend more than a week exploring the sites along the way.