Passenger car or 4x4 jeep?
Only 4WD jeeps and off-road minibuses can venture onto the tracks of the desert highlands of the interior. These tracks are marked F on road signs and maps. Before setting off, you should check that the track is officially open. Most are relatively easy, but not all. Be careful, on some there are fords to cross which in bad weather can become dangerous or even impassable.
Passenger cars allow you to go around Iceland completely or partially on the circular road n°1, but also to go down the small roads in the inhabited and uninhabited countryside, to go around the grandiose fjords and explore the imposing peninsulas, to touch the glaciers and to cross large volcanic regions. Passenger cars, whether (2WD) two-wheel drive or (4WD) four-wheel drive, are not permitted on mountain tracks.
Please note that: Due to Iceland's popularity, you need to plan ahead to organise a self-drive trip during the high season, which is approximately from June 10 to September 20. In fact, accommodation availability becomes limited as well as the number of rental vehicles available.
If this is the period you are considering for traveling, we will not be able to offer you an itinerary and a quote beyond a certain date. Here are our deadlines
- April 15th is the deadline for a quote request for a self-drive with a tourist car during the High season (June 10th to August 20th)
- May 15th is the deadline for a quote request for a self-drive with a 4wd vehicle during the High season (June 10th to August 20th)
- No deadline for campers and motorhomes, unless of course these vehicles are no longer available
Vehicle and accommodation quote
Tourist car
4x4 vehicle
The prices which appear on these tables are only indicative, but rather close (+/-) to the quotation which we will establish for you and with you, according to the duration of your stay, the type and the availability of accommodation
It is possible to mix rustic and comfortable accommodation, which we recommend for longer journeys, especially if you are going to discover the highlands in a 4x4 vehicle.
A choice of accommodation
The more you plan and book your trip in advance, the more your ideal choice of accommodation will be satisfied. On longer trips, it is recommended to mix rustic and comfortable accommodations. The more you plan and book your trip in advance, the more your choice of accommodation will be satisfied.
1- Comfort Option
Accommodation in a Hotel and/or guesthouse*** / **** (or cabin ***) in a double or double twin room or single room - Breakfast included
2- Standard Option
Accommodation in a Guesthouse and/or standard B&B (or cabin) with single bed or twin beds with shared facilities - breakfast included - Access to an equipped kitchen to prepare your meals if no restaurant nearby
3- Rustic Option
Accommodation in a sleeping bag in a hostel and/or cabin and/or cabin - No breakfast Access to an equipped kitchen to prepare your meals
1.2.3- Mixed accommodation
To achieve an ideal in-depth discovery of Iceland, we recommend not to settle on a single type of accommodation but to do a mix between the first 2 categories above if you are traveling by tourist car and a mix between the 3 categories if you are traveling by jeep.
Overnight stays in Reykjavik
In our tables, overnight stays in Reykjavik on arrival and at the end of the trip are not included here, nor airport transfers on arrival and departure. But we can include them, as it is also possible to pickup the vehicle on arrival at Keflavik International Airport and to return it at the end of the trip to Reykjavik or at Keflavik airport.
See information here: Rvik hotels and Airport transfers
Ferry for passengers and vehicles
- You can book through us (extra charge) the return ferry crossing to the Vestmannaeyjar Islands
- The crossing of Breiðafjorður Bay between Snæfellsnes and the North-West Peninsula with a possible stopover at Flatey Island
Domestic flight
Domestic flight (eventually) is at your expense if you decide to return to Reykjavik by domestic flight or if you decide to start your self-drive from North or East Iceland
You can book domestic flight through us (at an additional cost)
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To build an ideal itinerary for your self-drive tour this summer in Iceland and get a quote, please read the information section of this page.
Airlines that fly to Iceland
From UK: Icelandair / Fly Play
From Canada: Icelandair / Fly Play / Air Canada
From USA: Icelandair - Play
From Switzerland: Icelandair / Play / Lufthansa / Scandinavian Airlines / Eurowings
Book your flight as soon as possible! Either through your local travel agent or directly online:
Your contact for a self-drive project:
Matthildur matta@fjallabak.is tel. 00 +354 824 3072
What trip?
In order for us to start to understand your travel project in Iceland, we will need you to communicate the following essential elements:
- How many people: couple(s), adult(s), child(ren) and of what age?
- The period and duration that you are considering?
- What category of accommodation would you consider: luxurious, comfortable, simple, rustic or a mix of these?
- The type of vehicle: passenger car, 4x4 vehicle?
- What itinerary are you planning approximately
- What you absolutely want to discover (if feasible)
- Your particular interests as: landscapes / photography / birds / whale watching / volcanoes / hiking /spa , etc.
Build and carry out your project with us
- With these elements we can then give you an initial estimate of the cost of this trip
- You will then tell us if it can fit your budget
- If it suits you, we will have to make an appointment to communicate by phone, if possible with a large map of Iceland unfolded in front of you.
- Then you will confirm: your arrival and departure date from Iceland, the name of the airline, the return flight numbers and the exact times.
- Knowing your dates, the duration of the trip, the number of participants, etc. we can then establish an initial quote for your self-drive trip
- If this quote suits you then we will send you a confidential link where you can register online by paying a deposit of 30% of the advertised price
- As soon as we receive your confirmation deposit, we launch the accommodation reservations. Precision: the later we book, the more the choice and availability of accommodation is reduced
- When these reservations have all been confirmed to us (it takes about two weeks) we will send you the final itinerary based on the available accommodations that have been confirmed to us as well as the exact price of your self-drive tour
- If we have an availability problem with certain accommodations forcing us to modify either the standard or even the itinerary, then we will ask for your opinion and your green light.
- We will send you a simplified road-book and our final invoice. The balance must be paid 40 days before the date of your arrival in Iceland
Recommended Travel Gear
Try to go as light as possible and take only essentials. Excess baggage can be a burden to you and to our support personel. Keep in mind that there are limits on how much your duffel bag can weigh because the weight restrictions on international and domestic flights is usually 20 kg (70lbs).
For quantities or quality for each item listed, use your own judgement, based on the expected weather conditions and overall packing/weight restrictions for your luggage.
Luggage for overland journeys
- Extra bags clearly marked with your name can be kept in the Reykjavik hotel or in our store local office for pick-up at the end of the trip
- Large duffel bag (60/80 liters) sturdy and water-resistant, not exceeding 15 kg
- Daypack (30 to 50 liters)
Clothing
You’ll need to bring comfortable and adequate clothing to protect you from cold and wet weather, such as polypropylene, capilene, or pile. Wool and wool/synthetic blends are also suitable – though wool, if wet, dries slowly compared to synthetic fabrics. We discourage the use of cotton in wet conditions it dries very slowly.
When layering, the innermost layer should be long underwear. The middle layer can be a synthetic turtleneck or wool shirt, and pants. The outermost layer must be a breathable waterproof jacket such as a good quality Gore-Tex wind/rain parka and over-pants.
Clothing and travel Accessories all the year around
- Regular underwear. Synthetics are easier to wash and dry
- Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton/synthetic T-shirts
- Synthetic thermal underwear
- Full-length pants, quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Long-sleeved, synthetic or wool shirt
- Wool or synthetic socks
- Synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
- Gore-Tex rain/wind parka
- Gore-Tex rain/wind pants
- Wool hat
- Gloves (wool or pile)
- Down jacket from September to May (optional)
Accessories
- Swimsuit and towel for hot spring bathing and swimming pool
- Toiletry kit—soap, toothbrush, and so on.
- Personal first aid kit
- Moisturising lotion. (The air in Iceland is very dry)
- Sunglasses
- Swiss Army-type pocket knife (Must be kept in duffle bag, not in hand luggage, when flying !)
- Half liter capacity unbreakable water bottle or thermos
- Binoculars for bird watching, seals and whales (from March to September)
- Hiking poles. Highly recommended
- Optional but recommended
- Repair kit with needle, thread, and safety pins
- Reading and writing material
- Your favorite snack food such as raisins or chocolate
- Protein supplements for vegetarian
Specific equipment for summer (May to September)
- Hiking boots, medium-weight, all leather, with padded ankle, good arch support, and a lug sole traction. Your hiking boots should be waterproof, well broken in, and suitable for rocky terrain or possibly snow
- Short gaiters easy to put on Highly recommended.
- Hiking shorts, quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Hiking trousers, quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Medium-weight synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
- Sun & rain hat
- Sunscreen and lip protection (The sun in Iceland is much more intense than you probably imagine)
- Teva-type sandals for river crossing. Absolutely recommended!
- Spare pair of prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses, or contact lenses (but not only lenses, as wind-blown dust can make them very uncomfortable)
- Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries (from August only)
- Netting hood, head net or bug bucket hat * (optional, can be purchased in Iceland / see explanation bellow)
Specific equipment for winter (Oct. to April)
- Canadian winter boots or warm trekking shoes
- Cleats for snow and ice adaptable to your shoes
- Warm synthetic fleece sweater or jacket
- Warm fleece trousers
- Silk socks (optional)
- Silk gloves (specially recommended for photographers)
- Warm waterproofed shell gloves or mitt
- Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries
- Ski goggles
When lodging in Hotels and Inns (Comfort Discovery)
- Casual elegant sportswear for evenings at the hotels
- Moccasin type shoes or lightweight sports shoe or slipper
When lodging in hostels and huts (Rustic Discovery)
- Hiking shoes are not allowed inside accommodation
- Moccasin type shoes or lightweight sports shoe. But your Teva-type sandals for river crossing can also be used inside
- Comfortable sleeping bag +5°C to +15°C / 32°F to 60°F which can be opened all the way to be used also as comforter
- Cotton sheet for hut’s mattress
- Pillow if you can’t sleep without one (optional)
- Towel and flannel for toileting and shower (or high density synthetic-chamois
- Eye shades. Highly recommended from April to July!
- Pile/fleece pants, ideal for around the camp
- Headlamp or small flashlight with spare batteries (no need from May to July included)
- 1 or 2 good bottles of wine or a bottle of something stronger (can be bought at duty free at arrival in Iceland and in few places around the country)
Camera, tablets, smart-phones
- Camera bag
- Light telescopic tripod and cable release for camera (Longs exposures for Northern Lights from mid-August)
- Replacement batteries for electrical devices
- Additional memory card
- Adapter for electrical plug (European standard)
*About netting hood There are no mosquitoes in Iceland (yet), but at the beginning of summer midges swarms invade the lowlands rivers banks and lakes as Lake Mývatn “lake of midges”. With global warming midges begin to colonize now some wet areas of higher ground covered by vegetation. The outbreak periods are short but not really accurate. It is hell for the hapless hiker who found a windless day in clouds of these very angry bugs You will not regret to have brought with you, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and above a netting hood that you put on over your head rain hat or sun hat. You probably will not have to use it, but you’ll be relieved to have it just in case … and it’s not a huge investment.