Campervan Rental in Iceland

Why rent a campervan in Iceland?

The appeal is obvious: Iceland is a road trip country, and a campervan lets you combine your transport and accommodation into one. Pull up to a campsite near a glacier, cook dinner with a view of the mountains, and wake up to silence. No checking in, no checking out, no packing and unpacking every day.

Iceland's campsite network is excellent. There are over 170 registered campsites spread across the country, including along the entire Ring Road and at most major tourist destinations. Most are open from June through August, with a handful available year-round.

The freedom is real. If you find a place you love, you stay. If the weather turns, you drive somewhere else. Your schedule is entirely your own, and that flexibility is what makes campervan trips in Iceland so memorable.

How much does a campervan cost?

Let's talk numbers, because this is where expectations often collide with reality.

Rental cost

• Basic 2-person campervan (converted van, pop-up roof): $150-$200/day in summer
• Mid-range 3-person campervan (full kitchen, heating): $200-$250/day in summer
• Large 4-5 person motorhome (bathroom, more space): $250-$300/day in summer

Additional costs to budget for

• Campsite fees: $15-$25 per night per person at most sites. The Camping Card ($160 for 28 nights at participating sites) can save money on longer trips.
• Fuel: This is the big one. Campervans are heavy and aerodynamic they are not. Expect to use 12-18 liters per 100 km for a standard campervan, compared to 6-8 liters for an economy car. With Iceland fuel prices around $2.20/liter, a full Ring Road trip (roughly 1,400 km) will cost $370-$550 in fuel alone.
• Insurance: Campervan insurance is more expensive than regular car insurance. Budget $25-$50/day for proper coverage including CDW, gravel protection, and windscreen protection.
• Groceries: You will cook most meals, which saves money versus restaurants but still costs $30-$50/day for two people.

Realistic total for two people, 10 days: $2,500-$4,000 including rental, fuel, campsites, insurance, and food. That is $250-$400 per day for two, or $125-$200 per person per day.

Pros and cons — the honest version

Pros

• Save on accommodation. No hotel bills. Campsites are $15-$25 versus $150-$300 for a hotel room.
• Total flexibility. Go where you want, stay as long as you like, change plans on a whim.
• Unique experience. Waking up at a campsite next to Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is something a hotel cannot replicate.
• Self-catering saves money.Cooking your own meals avoids Iceland's expensive restaurants ($25-$50 per meal).

Cons

• Harder to drive. Campervans are tall, heavy, and catch the wind. Iceland is one of the windiest countries in Europe, and a strong gust hitting a high-sided campervan is genuinely scary. Wind warnings should be taken seriously.
• Higher fuel consumption. Nearly double the fuel cost of an economy car. This eats into your accommodation savings.
• Limited road access. Most campervans cannot go on F-roads (highlands). Some gravel roads may also be restricted depending on the vehicle.
• Cramped quarters. After a week in a small campervan, even the closest couples can feel the walls closing in. Bad weather days stuck inside are tough.
• Parking challenges. Large campervans do not fit in every car park, and some popular attractions have tight access roads.

Camping rules in Iceland

This is important, and visitors get it wrong all the time: wild camping with a campervan or motorhome is illegal in Iceland. The law changed in 2015, and it applies to all vehicles equipped for overnight stays.

You must stay at a designated campsite. This means a registered facility with marked plots, toilet access, and (usually) running water. Most campsites also offer showers, electricity hookups, and basic cooking facilities.

The rule exists to protect Iceland's fragile nature. The vegetation grows slowly, human waste damages ecosystems, and the sheer volume of visitors made unregulated camping unsustainable. Respect the rule — it exists for good reason.

Campsite tips

• The Camping Card covers 28 nights at participating campsites for a flat fee of around $160. Worth it for trips of 7+ nights.
• Most campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. In peak summer (mid-July to mid-August), popular sites near the south coast can fill up by late afternoon.
• Arrive before 6 PM at popular areas to be safe. Quieter areas in the north and east are more relaxed.

Best campervan routes

The Ring Road (Route 1) — 10-14 days

The classic Iceland road trip. The Ring Road circles the entire island in roughly 1,400 km. With a campervan, plan 10-14 days to see the highlights without rushing. The road is fully paved and suitable for any campervan. Campsites are plentiful along the entire route.

South Coast and Golden Circle — 5-7 days

If you have limited time, the south coast from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon and back, with the Golden Circle included, is an excellent shorter route. This covers waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and the most popular sites in Iceland. Well-suited for campervan beginners.

Westfjords — 7-10 days

The Westfjords are remote, dramatic, and far less crowded than the south coast. Roads are narrower and some are gravel, so a smaller campervan is better here. Campsites are more spread out, and planning is more important. Recommended for experienced campervan travelers who want solitude.

Best season for campervan travel

Summer (June-August) is the only season I recommend for most campervan travelers. Here is why:

• Daylight: Near-24-hour daylight means you can drive and explore at any time. No rushing to set up camp before dark.
• Campsite availability: Most campsites are only open June-August. Outside these months, your options shrink dramatically.
• Weather: Summer temperatures average 10-15°C. Cold, but manageable in a heated campervan. Winter temperatures regularly drop below -10°C with severe wind chill, making campervan living miserable.
• Road conditions: Summer roads are clear and accessible. Winter brings ice, snow, and road closures that make campervan travel risky and stressful.

Shoulder season (May, September) is possible for experienced travelers with a well-heated campervan, but expect limited campsite access and colder nights. Winter campervan travel is for hardened adventurers only — and even then, I would think twice.

Who is a campervan right for?

A campervan trip around Iceland is an incredible experience, but it suits certain travelers better than others.

Great for

• Couples who enjoy road trips and do not mind close quarters. A 2-person campervan gives you enough space without being unwieldy to drive.
• Small families with older children who are comfortable camping. A mid-range campervan with 3 sleeping spots works well.
• Budget-conscious travelers who are willing to cook their own meals and stay at campsites to save on accommodation.
• Photographers and nature lovers who want maximum flexibility to chase light and weather.

Not ideal for

• Groups of 4+ — a large motorhome is expensive and hard to drive. Two smaller cars with hotel stays may be more comfortable and comparable in cost.
• First-time Iceland visitors in winter — winter driving is challenging enough in a regular car.
• Travelers who want comfort — if hot showers, real beds, and warm restaurants matter to you, a car plus guesthouse is the better choice.

Practical tips

1. Book early. Iceland has a limited number of campervans, and summer availability starts disappearing by February. Three months ahead is ideal.
2. Check the wind forecast daily. Use vedur.is to check wind speed. If gusts exceed 20 m/s, driving a campervan can be dangerous. Plan a rest day or park facing into the wind.
3. Fill up on fuel whenever you can. Petrol stations are sparse in parts of the north and east. Do not let the tank drop below half.
4. Bring layers and a good sleeping bag. Even in summer, nights can drop to 5°C. The campervan heater helps, but a warm sleeping bag is essential.
5. Download offline maps. Phone signal is unreliable outside towns. Google Maps or maps.me with offline Iceland maps will save you.
6. Get gravel protection. The same gravel road risks that apply to rental cars apply to campervans, only the repair bills are bigger.