Car Rental in Reykjavik
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Reykjavik Bus Station
Mini
Kia Picanto
or similar
$40.38
per day
Reykjavík East
Economy
Ford Fiesta
or similar
$43.85
per day
Reykjavik Bus Station
Compact
Hyundai i30
or similar
$50.81
per day
Reykjavik Bus Station
Intermediate
Kia Ceed STW
or similar
$56.29
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Reykjavik Sud
Standard SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe
or similar
$108.91
per day
Reykjavik Sud
Full-size SUV
Toyota Land Cruiser
or similar
$168.23
per day
Downtown
Luxury Van
Renault Trafic
or similar
$281.79
per day
Reykjavik Airport
Premium SUV
Landrover Defender
or similar
$307.31
per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 12:32 AM on 11/20/24. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
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Travel Information
Languages
Icelandic, English, Danish, German
Currency
ISK
Drive on
Right-hand side
Country code
+354
Average car rental price
$132 per day
Average car rental length
5 days
Speed limit within town
30 - 50 km/h or 19 - 31 mph
Speed limit out of town
80 - 90 km/h or 50 - 56 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.02%
Average gas price
$2.23 per liter or $8.45 per gallon
Lowest gas price
$2.08 per liter or $7.87 per gallon
Highest gas price
$2.34 per liter or $8.85 per gallon
Why rent a car in Reykjavik?
By far the largest city in Iceland (it is home to two-thirds of its population), Reykjavik can be a fascinating city to visit. Home to a surprisingly diverse and active cultural life, it also boasts a rich history, interesting architecture, and plenty of quirky hidden gems for a curious traveler to explore. Better yet, Reykjavik can also serve as the hub to explore most of the majestic nature of Iceland.
One-Way Car Rentals in Reykjavik
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Reykjavik and drop off in another city include:
- From Reykjavik to Keflavik - 82 offers from $45.10 per day
- From Reykjavik to Akureyri - 10 offers from $103.62 per day
Top ways to enter Reykjavik
- Keflavik Airport: The busiest airport in Iceland is not actually in Reykjavik, but in the much smaller town of Keflavik about a 50-minute drive southwest of the capital. Served by the national carrier Icelandair, as well as some two dozen other airlines including low-cost carriers like easyJet and Wizz Air, the airport is the primary port of entry for most foreign visitors.
- Reykjavik Airport: Much closer to the capital, but also much smaller, Reykjavik Airport serves only domestic destinations and flights to the relatively nearby island of Greenland which belongs to Denmark.
- By ship: If you’re arriving in Reykjavik by cruise ship, you can also pick up the rental car right at the city harbor. Known as Viðey, the ferry terminal is about a ten-minute drive east of the city center.
- By bus: If you’re arriving in Reykjavik by bus from another town in Iceland, you can pick up the rental at the Reykjavik Central Bus Terminal which is just south of the city center.
Top sights and activities
- National Museum of Iceland. More than 150 years old (and therefore significantly older than the Republic of Iceland), the National Museum is mainly dedicated to the settlement and history of Iceland and covers everything from the arrival of Viking settlers to the art they created, becoming independent from Denmark, and the present day. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum also frequently hosts a number of temporary exhibitions.
- Culture House. Foreign visitors might want to avoid trying to pronounce its full Icelandic name, Þjóðmenningarhúsið, but they should not ignore the Culture House itself, as it is another important place in the exploration of Iceland’s history. Located in the building that used to house the national library, the Culture House has everything from the original manuscripts of ancient sagas to exhibitions on volcanic islands and research on the visual history of Reykjavik.
- Icelandic Punk Museum. The majestic, austere landscapes of Iceland might not immediately suggest it, but the country — and specifically its capital — has always been a hotbed of counterculture and creativity, including punk music; even the city’s former mayor, comedian Jón Gnarr used to be in a punk band in his teenage years. Perhaps aptly located in a former underground restroom, the small, but innovative Punk Museum explores this surprising connection, even letting visitors put on a leather jacket and get their hands on a guitar. Punk’s not dead, at least not in Reykjavik.
- Hallgrimskirka. This Lutheran cathedral in the capital city is an eye-catching building with its 73 m-high tower. Inspired by Icelandic traditions, it has a unique architectural style. There is also an observation deck in the tower you can go up and take in the vistas of the city and surrounding countryside.
Ideas for day trips
- Reykjanes. Iceland’s southwestern peninsula is not only where the country’s main airport is located, but it’s also a fascinating destination in its own right. Whether you visit the idyllic hot springs of Blue Lagoon, cross the pedestrian bridge between Europe and North America or marvel at lava formations, you’re bound to have an interesting time.
- Þingvellir. Not only a national park but also a heritage destination, Þingvellir (or Thingvellir) is where the Althing, the Parliament of Iceland, was originally located. About to celebrate its 1,100th anniversary in 2030, Althing is known as the oldest parliamentary building in the world. In addition to the Parliament, you can visit the interactive visitors center, walk along the nature trails, or even dive and take a Silfra snorkeling tour, as this is one of the best places in Iceland for these activities. Located only 45 km (28 miles) northeast of Reykjavik, the area can be reached in 40 minutes by car.
- Snæfellsjökull National Park. A wild and stunning place, this national park is dominated by an ancient volcano that’s covered with a glacier. Other attractions include stunning, empty beaches, Vatnshellir Cave, and the opportunities to see the northern lights (the best odds to catch them are during the autumn and winter months of the year). The national park is about a 2 hour and 40-minute drive from the capital, so the best course of action would be to give at least two or three days to visit (there are accommodations around the park). Do keep in mind that you need a 4x4 vehicle to safely move around the park on your own - otherwise, driving to the area and then joining a tour can be a good idea.
Most popular cars
Most visitors of Reykjavik go for mini, economy, or compact rental cars. The most popular models are the Hyundai i20, Hyundai i10, and Volkswagen Golf.
Car rental prices in Reykjavik
- Station wagons - from $49 per day
- Large cars - from $50 per day
- Medium cars - from $46 per day
- Vans - from $105 per day
- Small cars - from $40 per day
- SUVs - from $49 per day
Money-saving and other tips
These are some good methods to save money on your rental car:
- Compare the rates of different rental car providers
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
- Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Reykjavik is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 38% cheaper than the yearly average.
Fact checked by
Megan Starr & Aram Vardanyan
Megan & Aram is a travel blog run by two friends that have been helping people travel the world since 2010. They have visited well over 100 countries together and share a special passion for lesser-known destinations, as well as the Nordics. Megan is currently based in Germany and Aram is based in Armenia. They run 4 destination-specific websites in addition to Megan & Aram.
Top 4 cities near Reykjavik
-
37.7 km / 23.4 miles away
-
222.4 km / 138.2 miles away
-
247.3 km / 153.7 miles away
-
378.6 km / 235.3 miles away
Top 5 locations near Reykjavik
-
1.6 km / 1 mile away
-
37.7 km / 23.4 miles away
-
247.3 km / 153.7 miles away
-
378.6 km / 235.3 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Reykjavik?
Car rental prices in Reykjavik vary by time of year. This graph shows the average prices per month to help you find the best time of year to rent.
Average rental costs per day in Reykjavik
The cheapest month to rent a car in Reykjavik is November (when prices average $65.66 per day). This is 28% cheaper than the yearly average and 51% cheaper than renting in July (when prices average $133.03).
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. How much your car rental will cost will depend on the type of vehicle you rent, how long you’ll rent it for, and how far ahead you book. Simply enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see the exact prices.
What’s the usual rental length in Reykjavik?
How long travelers keep their rental cars for varies from month to month: in August, the average renter keeps their car for 7 days, and in January, they keep their car for 4 days.
Average number of rental days in Reykjavik
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Reykjavik?
Based on the number of searches by our customers, the most popular month for renting a car in Reykjavik is August, and the least popular is April.
Monthly searches in Reykjavik by pick-up date relative to the average
Car rental information
| Car rental locations | 5 |
| Airport locations | 1 |
| Popular suppliers | Europcar, Thrifty, Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz |
| Popular car categories | SUVs, Small cars, Medium cars, Vans |
| Lowest price | $40 per day |
| Cheapest supplier | Alamo |
Most popular car models of rental suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europcar | Suzuki Vitara | 4 | 1 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Dacia Duster | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Europcar | Kia Picanto | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Hyundai i10 | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Suzuki Jimny | 3 | 1 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Ford Fiesta | 4 | 3 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 4 | SUVs |
| Thrifty | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Europcar | Suzuki Jimmy | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
Our customers' reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.
BD
United Kingdom
Suzuki Jimmy
3/12/23
Lava tunnel, exploring an ice cave, all the amazing waterfalls, driving on incredible landscapes.
AN
United States of America (USA)
Suzuki SX-Cross
12/26/22
Intense storm affected our trip. Nothing to do with the car company.
NH
United Kingdom
Dacia Duster
11/30/22
Driving in Iceland is very easy as there are far fewer cars than U.K.
if you hire a car try and get one with adaptive cruise control as it makes the journeys much easier when travelling out of Reykjavik.
This is our first time hiring a car and we found it a much better option than booking trips and of comparable price but with much greater flexibility. If you have any guide book you can easily go to the same places as they are all well marked.
Wifi is everywhere in Iceland (puts U.K. to shame) so using a sat nav on your phone is an easy option.
Petrol pumps are a pre-authorisation type so you have to put your card in, select how much you want to pre-approve and then the pump will only dispense up to that amount. If you stop before the pre-approved amount you will only get charged what you’ve used. It’s a good system. If you get the discount token on the key ring for N1 garages, you have to scan that first.
NK
United States of America (USA)
VW Polo
8/10/22
Staff is fantastic - getting call through ahead to find location and figure out shuttle service was not. Website also unclear. Adding ways to get to location in communications would help (they are in tiny grey 8” font with minimal info at bottom of booking confirmation currently)
PV
Netherlands
Volkswagen Polo
7/27/22
Walked the famous trail of approx 56kms.
Restaurants in Reyk were very good and resonably priced compared to the stores i heard before hand.
HB
Australia
Kia Ceed
6/13/22
So easy to deal with and a perfect car to drive
TS
Czech Republic
Dacia Duster
5/15/22
Explore by yoursef and be surprised. Rent a bigger car, 4x4.
PO
United States of America (USA)
Suzuki Swift
9/23/21
I loved Iceland even with its inclement weather. The beautyof the various landscapes was breataking. At times you feel like you are driving off the end of the earth. I loved driving slower. You
AB
Poland
Renault Duster
7/9/21
Iceland - one of the best places to visit on the Planet
GT
Greece
Dacia Duster
5/5/21
Wonderful experience
Car Rental Statistics
Highest-rated company
Thrifty
8.7 / 10
Lowest-rated company
City Car Rental
6.3 / 10
Total number of reviews
20
Total rental companies
16
Average daily price
$132.19
Lowest daily price
$40.38
Total cars available
323
Top 16 suppliers in Reykjavik in 2024
Thrifty
2 locations
Europcar
2 locations
$57 - $72
Hertz
2 locations
$60 - $307
Dollar
1 location
$60 - $307
Alamo
1 location
$40 - $572
SIXT
1 location
$40 - $572
Enterprise
2 locations
$45 - $840
Budget
1 location
$42 - $150
National
1 location
$47 - $660
GreenMotion
1 location
$72 - $1,625
Saga
1 location
$44 - $223
Avis
2 locations
$46 - $177
Surprice
1 location
$46 - $177
Nordic Car Rental
2 locations
$46 - $177
FairCar
2 locations
$46 - $177
City Car Rental
1 location
$46 - $177
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2023
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2023
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2023
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 300 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Trustpilot - Top 10 Car Rental Agencies
SimilarWeb - Top 50 Car Rental Websites
Highly recommended by our customers
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