Tips for Iceland by Motorhome for Beginners

Iceland is a dream country that you can best explore with a camper van on a road trip. This way, you can travel spontaneously at your own pace and discover the country's diversity. After many of my Icelandic friends, as well as family and friends, raved about Iceland, it was time to embark on my own journey to Iceland with my camper van.

In this article, I will show you how you can explore Iceland, whether with a rental camper or your own motorhome. I traveled in my own motorhome (check my old van here) for eight weeks across Iceland. Therefore, I have compiled my experiences here and answered questions that I asked myself before the trip. You can find tips for campsites and the camping card in Iceland here.

From renting your motorhome (if you don't have your own) to booking a ferry crossing, we cover all the details so you can plan your trip smoothly. We also give you useful tips on where you can drive and what to see on your road trip. Let's get started!

NEW: My guide to Iceland featuring the most beautiful places, sights, waterfalls, campsites, and food guide with all locations available for smartphone, desktop, or tablet in Google Maps. With just one click, you can save all the places I've visited in Iceland. Additionally, I include notes with tips so you can see where each location is. Check out the Iceland guide for mobile here.

I hope that your stay will become an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

Here are a few tips you should keep in mind before your trip. If you have your own motorhome, skip directly to point 3.

If you have limited time and do not want to start your journey from Germany with a motorhome, you can also fly to Reykjavik and rent a vehicle on-site in Iceland. Because taking the ferry takes a total of four days. In Iceland, there are several providers for motorhomes, campers, or cars with rooftop tents.

Tip: At the camper search engine Camperdays, you can find motorhomes for Iceland.

Friends in Iceland recommended the following providers to me:

There are at least 15 to 20 other providers. Here are some more:

Make sure to check carefully which camper meets your needs. Even in summer, we found the heating system important, as we had days with continuous rain and 5 degrees Celsius (and colder at night). However, if your budget is limited, a mini camper with a mattress (nothing else is included) is a great option for flexible travel. Just pack a good sleeping bag as running the engine to use the car's heating is neither good for the environment nor friendly to neighboring campers.

Ask what services are included in the rental price. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose between different sizes and equipment. Also, read the contract carefully before booking and signing. Check what is covered by insurance. Sometimes, there are also mileage limits per day. Planning to drive long distances? Then this point is important too.

Planning to drive into the highlands and on F-roads? Make sure to read the rental conditions, as some F-roads are explicitly excluded. You will definitely need to rent a 4x4 camper for that. However, if this vehicle gets stuck and fills with water, you'll have to replace the vehicle completely with your rental company.

By the way, Iceland is one of the reasons why I sold my van and ordered a 4x4 pickup with a cabin (for more ground clearance).

The advantage of a road trip with your own motorhome is obvious: You know your vehicle, know what is installed (I can be self-sufficient with a composting toilet, a good LifePo battery, and solar panels on the roof) and I have time because I can work on the road.

Because time is a factor in getting there: There is only one ferry to Iceland.

The ferry from Hirtshals (Denmark) sails over the Faroe Islands for about 42 hours. This means you need four days of your vacation for travel. I have the advantage that I am self-employed and can stay in Iceland for eight weeks. Plus, on the way back, I visit the Faroe Islands for three days.

If you have time, you should explore the Faroe Islands as well. I love these small islands that are still untouched by the masses.

Our crossing to Iceland cost a total of 4,446 Euros for two people with a camper (Peugeot Boxer). Meals and drinks are not included in the price. If you book very far in advance, you can travel 1,000 to 2,000 Euros cheaper. We booked in January and hence paid a lot.

Therefore, I recommend doing the journey with your own camper only if you, like us, have a lot of time to spend in Iceland. Otherwise, calculate what flights, rental cars (or motorhomes), and accommodations or campsite costs would be. Renting a camper in Iceland is not cheap. We saw that you have to pay nearly 2,000 Euros for just one week.

Firstly, I must tell you that my old motorhome (view here) was not an all-wheel-drive vehicle. Therefore, it was clear from the start that I could not drive into the highlands on F-roads through river fordings. However, as I could intensely experience the landscape on the Laugavegur hiking trail from Landmannalaugar, it was okay. Additionally, I have friends who live and work in Iceland during the summer. They own "super jeeps" and know where to find the really cool spots in the highlands (no, I won't reveal those either).

On-site, you have the option to book a tour locally with super jeeps. We did one with Myvatn Tours to Askja in the north and with Secret Iceland for a tour to the Laki craters. The tours are not cheap but were very cool and informative.

In Iceland, the most important payment method is your credit card. Whether it is just a drink at the bar or paying for campsites. You hardly ever need cash, and even the smallest amounts are paid with a credit card. Note: Debit cards are somewhat a "German thing". They are accepted, but they don't help you for apps in cities like Klappid (bus rides in Reykjavik) or Hopp (e-scooter app). Iceland is practically cashless. Only at one campsite was there a box where you could drop cash if you did not meet anyone to collect payment-ONCE in eight weeks.

You only need cash for shower facilities. You can exchange these coins at check-in during payment so you won't have any unnecessary coins left after the trip.

Check with your bank at home about how many fees you will pay when using your German debit cards or credit card. Some need to be activated with typical home banks; otherwise, they often do not work abroad. Sweden does not use the Euro, meaning you will also need to pay fees for foreign currencies.

To avoid these fees, a good travel credit card is beneficial, with which you won't incur fees when making payments.

Currently, the best free credit cards for travel are the debit card from DKB Bank, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the Mastercard Gold from TF Bank. With a setup of at least 2 of these cards, you can almost always withdraw money at ATMs abroad for free and make payments on-site without foreign currency fees abroad!

-> Here you can find all tips with my experience for the best travel credit cards compared.

Compared to general living costs in Iceland, the prices for campsites are affordable.

Campsites in Iceland mostly consist of large meadows with a lot of nature in stunning locations. The infrastructure is often (still not) as good as in most European countries. Showers and toilets are often not as numerous on smaller sites as the number of campers present (two toilets and one shower for 100 people is normal).

However, at the tourist hotspots, there are large campsites (Vík í Mýrdal, Thingvellir, Skaftafell, Höfn), especially in the south along the Ring Road. The campsite in Reykjavik should be booked well in advance, as it is almost always full (June to August).

See our detailed tips for campsites in Iceland here. We have listed all the places we used. Additionally, all information about the camping card and when it is worth it is included.

To find a suitable campsite, we used the Park4Night app and Google Maps. We then read the latest reviews of the sites and decided whether to visit. If we didn't like a place, we moved on (provided there was a nearby alternative).

NEW: My guide to Iceland featuring the most beautiful places, sights, waterfalls, campsites, and food guide with all locations available for smartphone, desktop, or tablet in Google Maps. With just one click, you can save all the places I've visited in Iceland. Additionally, I include notes with tips so you can see where each location is. Check out the Iceland guide for mobile here.

I hope that your stay will become an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

Before the trip, we thought we should reserve the last campsite in Seyðisfjörður. The site is limited, and travelers with motorhomes are numerous the night before the ferry departs. The response came promptly: Not possible, there was enough space. In Iceland, the following applies: Operators want to make as much money as possible with campers. Thus, no one is turned away. Only at Hafnarfjörður Camping and Camping 66.12 NORTH were the operators very careful to rent out only as many spots as are available. This is rare. The only site you should reserve in advance is the one campsite in Reykjavik, as it is always fully booked when we were too spontaneous. At least for campers longer than 5 meters.

The best time to travel to Iceland for motorhome road trips is from June (midsummer), July, August, and September. The days are very long and the temperatures are pleasantly around 20°C on average. Ideal conditions for hiking and other activities. May and late September to October are also okay. However, during those times, the roads to the highlands are closed, and the Ring Road is often partially closed due to storms or snowfall.

If you prefer to travel in winter in Iceland, the months of December to April are fantastic. However, the days are very short, and roads are often impassable and thus closed. Your motorhome should be winter-ready and ideally have spikes on the tires. The winter months are wonderful if you want to see the Northern Lights. Starting mid-August, you have the chance. The darker the nights, the greater the chances.

I would advise against traveling to Iceland with limited time in winter. The chances of circumnavigating the Ring Road are very low. The road conditions can be too dangerous. A better option would be to rent a 4x4 jeep on-site or book tours with so-called superjeeps. The drivers know the conditions, and some providers even drive into the winter highlands. I am, however, sure that I will be driving my new 4x4 pickup camper to Iceland in winter. Update to follow.

Detailed article on which season to visit Iceland

The highlight in Iceland is the very diverse nature. If this is your first time in Iceland traveling with a motorhome, you will certainly travel the Ring Road with its numerous highlights. Depending on your vehicle, you can explore the highlands: Laki Crater, Askja, Landmannalaugar, or Thorsmörk via the relatively harmless F35.

For me, every region is worth a visit. The Westfjords with remote fishing villages, gravel roads, and Dynjandi - in my opinion, the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland. However, you will need time for this, as the Westfjords require a lot of driving. Or the solitary Eastfjords, which receive little attention from tourists. Here, we found everything quieter and more relaxed. Or the north, where many only hit the most important and well-known sights along Route 1 without deviating.

There is so much to discover, and I find it difficult to suggest routes.

As a German citizen, you can enter Iceland with just your identity card. Border controls within the Schengen area have been abolished. You should also carry your driver's license. For everyone under 18: A driver's license for 17-year-olds is not valid. As a German citizen, you can stay in Iceland for up to 90 days without needing a visa. Your travel documents must be valid for the duration of your stay in Iceland.

Iceland imposes strict inspections upon entry - especially regarding food items like meat, dairy products, cheese, or eggs. I recommend cooking raw meat or canned goods beforehand and checking carefully what you are allowed to bring. Alcohol is also heavily limited. Check on the website.

Sometimes all campers are inspected, sometimes only expedition vehicles. Depending on mood, anyone on the ferry really has to expect a thorough inspection.

Official website of the Icelandic Customs

Due to geographical isolation, there are very strict and longstanding import control laws for live animals in Iceland. For cats and dogs brought into Iceland, you need an import license from MAST, and the pet owner must comply with the import timelines of the quarantine stations. Since the quarantine lasts 2-3 weeks (please check), it is not worth it for most tourists.

Read about Smyril Line's information regarding traveling with pets here.

When driving in Iceland, there are some special features and rules you should pay attention to in order to stay safe on the road:

Weather conditions: The weather in Iceland can change rapidly. Always check the weather report and potentially adjust your route. If it becomes too stormy and gusty, roads may be closed to campers, even in summer. We experienced this ourselves and were glad we passed that spot a day earlier. Roads in Iceland are not closed without reason. Observe the rules and laws of the country.

One-way streets and tunnels: Many tunnels and bridges are only single-lane. Here, the rule is: first come, first served. Before single-lane bridges, especially in the southern part of the Ring Road, speed is first reduced to 50 km/h, and then attention is paid to whether traffic is coming from the other side.

Especially in rural areas, sheep often suddenly jump onto the road. Slow down and pass the animals carefully.

There are sufficient gas stations along the Ring Road. However, if you turn towards the highlands, Eastfjords, or Westfjords, gas stations become rarer. Keep an eye on your fuel and check whether a gas station is on your route.

In Iceland, the maximum speed limit for cars and motorhomes is:

Most roads in the highlands are marked as "F-roads". The F stands for 'Fjall', which translates to 'mountain'. These roads are only accessible by off-road vehicles. They go through often isolated areas where there are no gas stations. You can best navigate through rivers, mud, sand, and lava fields with a 4x4 vehicle. These roads are opened after the snow melts (from mid-June to early July). You can check the status at road.is or the SafeTravel app.

When refilling German gas bottles abroad, people often face problems. Unfortunately, this is also the case in Iceland.

For Iceland, you do not need a special adapter for electricity at campsites or motorhome parking spaces. The same CEE adapters as in Germany are used. On smaller campsites, you only need the normal CEE plug. As I have a large lithium battery and two solar panels on board, we only had to charge the battery once. After two weeks of continuous rain without sun and only short daily stages, the battery was almost empty (I work on the road, charging the laptop, drone, camera, and action cam batteries).

You need: a CEE plug, electricity adapter for the cable reel or extension cord. And the reverse CEE plug adapter. Just like in Germany.

You cannot refill German gas bottles in Iceland. However, there are several ways to connect gas bottles from Iceland to your system. Since we barely made use of an 11 kg bottle in 8 weeks, I cannot provide exact details on this. It's best to check the Facebook group for Iceland and search for gas bottles. You will get help here.

In Iceland, you will not have any trouble finding a gas station along the Ring Road. However, towards the highlands and Westfjords, the network thins out. Check in advance how many kilometers the next gas station is and refuel in good time. You should not worry about the price; just make sure the tank is full.

In Iceland, there are often only gas pumps that can be operated with a credit card. There are no employees on-site. Therefore, I always carry two credit cards, as often, for reasons unknown to me, one credit card does not work. You can often also pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

One thing you should know: Gasoline and diesel are more expensive in Iceland than at home. Here you can check gasoline prices at gas stations.

Now you know how to get to Iceland and the best time to visit. I have told you what you need to consider. Let's come to the actual adventure: What is there to see in Iceland and what activities can I recommend? Here are a few of my ideas for you.

Colorful landscapes ranging from ice and glaciers to lava deserts, spectacular waterfalls, quiet fjords, bright green canyons, black beaches, and winding mountain passes.

At many locations, you can observe puffins between June and August. These cute little birds are always a highlight for me. During this time, whales can also be found in the Eastfjords, Westfjords, and the north. Whale watching tours also start from Reykjavik.

With a bit of luck, an eruption may occur during your visit, allowing you to get very close to an active volcano. Of course, this is only if it is a "tourist-friendly" eruption, as was the case in July 2023 when Fagradalsfjall Litli-Hrútur erupted, and we could walk very close on the second day. Later, we also saw the spectacle from the air on a small Cessna flight before the lava ceased.

In winter 2024, there was also an eruption when we were on-site. However, this time it was not "touristic", as Grindavik was under threat. We therefore refrained from heading towards Grindavik.

Especially along the south coast, the highlights line up that you can easily reach with your rental car or on hikes along the Ring Road 1.

My conclusion in short and sweet: Iceland is always worth a trip, especially with a motorhome. I love this country and believe there's no better way to explore this amazing land.

You can travel at your own pace, experience nature up close, and be spontaneous-especially when the weather isn't ideal. This kind of flexibility isn't possible with a rental car and pre-booked accommodations (especially in summer). I can recommend traveling to Iceland with a (own) motorhome at any time. Just be aware of what your vehicle can handle and which fords you can drive through. Don't overestimate yourself.

1. Nothing works without a credit card. You can leave your debit card behind-it's a typically German thing. You won't need cash.

2. For me, the best travel times are July and August along with September. In summer, from June, you have many hours of sunlight, but even in September, very long and warm days (especially in the south) remain pleasant. June is often quite stormy and rainy. However, winter is also great if you have a winter-ready vehicle.

3. Inform yourself well about the road conditions. Ask in Facebook groups or read current reviews on Google Maps. Many blog posts or comments become outdated when you travel. Conditions on fords can change hourly. Tomorrow might have less water in a ford than in the evening (glacier melting). Ask rangers or locals on-site about road conditions.

I am already planning my next trip to Iceland because I haven't explored everything yet.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions about traveling with a motorhome to Iceland. If you have any further ideas or questions, we would be very happy to receive your comment here on the travel blog.

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