Traveling to Iceland in a camper or van is quite an adventure. This is one of the most popular options for exploring the country, as it gives you flexibility and freedom to improvise your itinerary as needed. In this post, I’ll share some tips for traveling around Iceland in a camper.
On this post you will find:
-
-
- Advantages & Disadvantages of renting a camper to travel around Iceland
- Which camper or van to rent in Iceland
- Where to rent a camper in Iceland
- Heating in the camper
- Best time to travel to Iceland in a camper
- Driving a camper in Iceland in winter
- Gas stations in Iceland
- Weather in Iceland
- Check the road conditions regularly
- Bring different credit cards
- Where to sleep – Iceland Campgrounds
- Travel insurance for Iceland
- Speed limit in Iceland
- Supermarkets in Iceland
- Useful things for traveling around Iceland in a camper
- Consider booking activities in advance
-
In Iceland, I had my first experience traveling in a camper. I had never tried this option before, and honestly, I had a lot of doubts about traveling around Iceland in winter with this type of vehicle. But in the end, we decided it was the best option since, if we faced any delays due to the country’s ever-changing weather, the camper would give us the flexibility to adjust our itinerary on the go.
Of course, before taking this trip, I had many concerns about whether traveling in a camper would be comfortable or if I would be too cold. So, in this post, I’ve compiled some tips for your trip to Iceland.
1. Advantages & Disadvantages of renting a camper to travel around Iceland
Advantages:
- Flexibility to change your itinerary as needed without relying on accommodations. This is key because, in Iceland (especially in winter), weather conditions can change suddenly, and roads may close.
- Savings on accommodation, as campsites are much cheaper than hotels.
- Sleeping in stunning locations, surrounded by nature.
- Convenience of having everything you need with you at all times. It’s great to be able to stop and cook wherever you want.
Disadvantages:
- Icelandic weather is challenging, especially in winter. There are strong wind gusts, and since campers are tall vehicles, they are more sensitive to wind, so extra caution is needed.
- Camper rentals can be expensive, especially in summer, which is peak season.
- Wild camping is prohibited in Iceland. You must stay in designated paid campsites that have camper-friendly facilities. So, while it’s more flexible than staying in hotels, you still need to plan your route in advance.
- Loss of some comforts. While larger campers are quite comfortable, it’s obviously not the same as staying in a hotel. You’ll need to set up and take down your bed daily, go to campgrounds to wash dishes, etc.
2. Which camper or van to rent in Iceland?
The choice of camper depends on the number of travelers, the time of year, and your budget. Renting a van is a much better option than a motorhome in Iceland since the roads are quite narrow.
Vans don’t have a bathroom, but this isn’t really an issue because you’ll have to stay in campsites anyway, where there are bathrooms with showers.
Types of Campers to Rent in Iceland
- Small campers (Kangoo-style): Ideal for 1-2 people, they are the most affordable and easiest to drive. However, they are not very comfortable due to the limited space, and tasks like cooking can be quite inconvenient.
- Medium campers: Offer more space and comfort, recommended for 2-3 people.
- Large or 4×4 campers: Recommended for winter travel or exploring the F-Roads (mountain roads). They are very spacious and comfortable, but since they have a larger surface area, they are more affected by strong winds.
If you’re traveling to Iceland in winter, renting a 4×4 vehicle (whether a camper or a car) is essential. I personally rented the Easy Luxury 4X4 de CampEasy.
3. Where to rent a camper in Iceland?
There are many companies that rent campers in Iceland since this is a popular way to explore the country. Some well-known options include:
- CampEasy
- Happy Campers
- Indie Campers
- Go Indie
It’s a good idea to compare prices, vehicle options, and included services before booking to find the best fit for your trip.
We rented our camper from CampEasy, and the experience was great. Since our trip was in winter, we absolutely needed to rent a 4×4, and since it was also our first time traveling in a camper, we wanted to be comfortable, so we chose the Easy Luxury 4X4.
It’s a large camper, with space for 2-3 people. The interior is very comfortable and spacious, featuring two refrigerators and a separate battery for the vehicle’s heating system. It also has a two-burner stove and a TV. With the camper rental, CampEasy includes a tablet with unlimited Wi-Fi, allowing you to check the weather, road conditions, etc. They also provide bedding and kitchen utensils.
4. Heating in the camper
One of my biggest concerns before the trip was whether I would be cold at night inside the camper. Even in summer, nights can be very chilly, so the heating system in your camper is essential.
There are two types of heating in vans:
- Stationary heating, which runs on the camper’s fuel and can be left on all night.
- Electric heaters, which only work when the camper is connected to a power source at a campsite.
The Easy Luxury 4X4 has stationary heating, so we kept it on all night and never felt cold.
5. Best time to travel to Iceland in a camper
The most popular time to visit Iceland is summer (June–September). During this season, the days are longer, the weather is milder, the roads are open, and you can enjoy more outdoor activities (since Iceland is all about breathtaking landscapes).
However, summer is also the busiest tourist season, meaning that campsites can get crowded, and camper rental prices are higher.
Winter (november-march) is the ideal season to see the Northern Lights and breathtaking snow-covered landscapes. There are fewer tourists, and camper rental prices are usually lower. However, it’s also the worst season in terms of weather conditions, making driving riskier as roads are often icy. Extreme caution is necessary, and you must check road and weather conditions constantly.
Autumn and Spring (September–October / April–May) are good months to travel to Iceland in a camper, as weather conditions are not as extreme, and you can enjoy all outdoor activities.
6. Driving a camper in Iceland in winter
My experience traveling in a camper in Iceland was during winter, specifically in December. We did this route around Iceland in 10 days, focusing on the southern part of the island since the northern area usually has more snow.
The Easy Luxury 4X4 has winter-ready tires with studs to prevent slipping on the roads. Although we didn’t encounter road closures due to snow, we did experience days with a yellow alert due to strong winds. The gusts reached 90 km/h, and it was unsafe to drive, so that caused us to adjust our itinerary on the go. For this reason, I believe the camper is a good option for traveling around Iceland in winter.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
However, I also have to say that due to the large size of the vans, the wind can be very dangerous, and extra precautions are needed when driving during this time. We saw some cars that had gone off the road due to the wind or ice, and we ourselves were on the verge of experiencing this due to the strong winds in certain areas.
So, the general recommendation if you decide to travel around Iceland in a camper in winter is not to take risks. If you feel there is too much wind or if the road is icy, it’s best to stay where you are and not drive. It’s better to wait and adjust your itinerary than to risk an accident.
7. Gas stations in Iceland
Gas stations are not frequent in all areas of Iceland, so it’s recommended to fill up your tank whenever you find a station, especially if you’re traveling in the northern part of the country.
The stations are self-service, meaning you insert your credit card, choose the pump, and fuel up on your own. It’s quite intuitive, although we found that some cards didn’t work, so I recommend carrying multiple cards. You can get virtual and free bank cards like N26,Revolut or Wise.
8. Weather in Iceland
The weather in Iceland is very unpredictable at any time of the year. I recommend checking the forecast daily on vedur.is. On this website, you can see the temperature, wind conditions, and even the aurora forecast.
9. Check the road conditions regularly
Another useful website is road.is, where you can check the status of the roads and routes. If you’re traveling in winter, it’s essential to check this website every morning before planning your route for the day.
10. Bring different credit cards
Iceland is a country where almost everything is paid for with a card, even in remote areas. To avoid currency exchange fees, make sure to carry a card that doesn’t charge you for this. Here are 3 cards I recommend for traveling:
These are virtual accounts, but you can also request a physical card. It’s super useful to have at least one of them when traveling abroad.
11. Where to sleep? Campgrounds in Iceland
Iceland is well-equipped for camper travel. The only thing to consider is that some campgrounds are open year-round, while others remain closed during the winter. On this CampEasy map, you can see all the campgrounds and their opening dates:
The price of campgrounds is approximately 30-40€ per night for two people. There are numerous campgrounds, some with full facilities and others more basic. Some campgrounds, like the one in Reykjavik, have super comfortable common areas, including kitchens and dining rooms for use.
These are the campgrounds where I stayed while traveling in winter:
- Reykjavik Eco Campsite – Well-located, with good facilities and plenty of space.
- Selfoss Campsite – Small but comfortable facilities.
- Skógar Campsite – It’s literally the parking lot by the Skógafoss waterfall. It has no services, just a public bathroom that anyone can use. It’s only worth staying there if you want to wake up next to the waterfall, but it offers no comfort, and they charge the same price as other campgrounds with services.
- Camping Skaftafell – A campground in a beautiful setting, near Vatnajökull National Park. Very comfortable bathrooms, but no kitchen or dining area.
Skogafoss Camping
12. Travel Insurance for Iceland
Although with the European Health Insurance Card you can receive medical attention in Iceland (with a co-payment), it is recommended to get travel insurance that covers accidents, any kind of medical emergency, or issues you might have with the camper.
The insurance I always use is IATI. By booking IATI Travel Insurance through this link, you will get a 5% discount.
13. Iceland speed limit
The maximum speed in Iceland is 90 km/h on the so-called Ring Road, which is the circular route that goes around the island. On gravel roads, the limit drops to 80 km/h. It is essential to respect speed limits.
14. Supermarkets in Iceland
When traveling in a camper, you will obviously need to stock up on food on the first day. The most well-known and affordable supermarket is Bonus, and you will find many in the Reykjavik area, as well as one in Selfoss. Kronan is another supermarket with good prices and variety.
15. Useful things for traveling around Iceland in a camper
In addition to clothing, which will depend on the season you travel (this is the clothing list for winter in Iceland), there are a few things I consider useful for traveling around Iceland in a camper:
- Flashlight: Bringing a miner’s flashlight like this one was really useful for being at campgrounds at night since there is very little light, and there’s often a considerable distance between the camper area and the bathroom or kitchen.
- Crampons: If you’re traveling in winter, they are a must. I bought these crampons on Amazon, and they worked really well.
- Towel
- Flip-flops
- External battery to charge phones and cameras
- A fabric bag or small backpack to carry to the campground bathrooms
- Slippers to wear inside the camper without getting dirt everywhere
- Portable coffee maker: Nothing better than making your coffee on the road. I took my portable AeroPress, which I think is a must on every road-trip.
- Llevar poca ropa, pero adecuada para el clima. Evitar llevar maletas muy grandes que ocupan lugar en la camper.
16. Consider booking activities in advance
There are certain activities in Iceland that are very popular or seasonal, so it’s a good idea to book them ahead of time to secure your spot. Here are some activities you should consider reserving in advance:
- Blue Lagoon – It’s a very famous place, so it’s best to book your entry to the Blue Lagoon in advance.
- Ice Cave Tours – I did this tour with Getyourguide that departs from Jökulsárlón, and I booked it 1 month in advance. They offer free cancellation, and it’s also possible to change the date, so don’t worry if you need to do so due to weather conditions or delays in your itinerary.
- Glacier Trekking – A very popular activity is to go trekking on the Vatnajökull glacier.
Traveling in a camper through Iceland is a unique experience that allows you to discover the island in a flexible and adventurous way. With the right preparation and by taking these tips into account, you can have a unique trip through this incredible Nordic country.
Other useful posts about Europe:
- Iceland winter packing list
- 10 day Iceland Itinerary
- How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Iceland
- Best places to visit in March in Europe
- Tips for planning your first trip to Europe
- Where to stay in Andorra
This post contains affiliate links. That means, if you click on certain links within this post and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read more about it here.
