9 Tips for Renting a Motorhome in Iceland

 

This article was written by Motorhome Republic collaborators The Wandering Wheatleys

 

When it comes to exotic travel destinations, there aren’t many that have gripped the imagination of adventurous travellers in recent years more than Iceland. But it doesn’t pay to visit this chilly natural wonderland unprepared: here are a few of the things you really need to know about travelling in an Iceland motorhome rental.

1. Check the Weather

The hottest month of the year in Reykjavik is July, when temperatures reach a scorching 11°

C. And the coldest month is January when -18°C is the average. So regardless of the time of year that you visit, you’ll probably want to invest in a motorhome with a propane heater that you can turn on at night or in the early mornings when there’s still frost on the windows. It makes sleeping that much cozier!

And while it might sound like a good idea to rent a smaller vehicle and camp in a tent, you’ll be battling cold temperatures, strong wind, and possibly rain. The money that you’ll save won’t make up for waking up sopping wet in the middle of the night with no back-up plan.

2. Set a Budget

Iceland is expensive. And while renting a motorhome has a ton of benefits such as giving you freedom to travel at your own pace without doing a ton of planning ahead of time, one of the major perks is the ability to cook your own food. Eating out is incredibly pricey and you’ll appreciate being able to enjoy home cooked meals at a fraction of the price.

You’ll need to budget for food, supplies, campsites, gas, and of course, the daily rental rate for your motorhome. Set a budget so you can find a motorhome that fits what you need at the price you want.

3. Research Camping Options

An increase in tourism has led Iceland to modify their rules regarding “wild camping”. If you’ve ever been on a road trip in the USA you know that it’s relatively easy to find large areas of public land where you can park your motorhome or pitch your tent, no problem. But in Iceland, most of the land is privately owned farmland. And as much as they love having tourists squatting in their yard, you’ll be required to ask first.

According to the Iceland Environmental Agency, “it is now illegal to spend the night in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans, camper vans or similar outside organised campsites or urban areas unless the landowner or rightholder has given their permission.”

Don’t plan on camping for free in Iceland. There are plenty of well-equipped campsites all over the island. Generally you’ll pay between 1,200 and 2,000 ISK per person (~$9 - $16 USD). You can also pre-purchase the Icelandic Camping Card. It’s good for two adults and up to four children and the $177.80 USD price tag allows access to 40 campsites for a 28 night timeframe. Book your Camping Card here!

4. Book your Motorhome in Advance

Peak season in Iceland is June through August, when temperatures are at their highest. If you are planning to travel to Iceland during these months, you’ll want to make sure to reserve your motorhome several months in advance. It’s easy to compare different prices and models at https://www.motorhomerepublic.com/.

5. Check your Insurance Coverage

If you already have car insurance, or if you have a credit card that offers perks like auto protection, your motorhome rental may already be covered. But if you don’t, the rental company will have different options at varying deductibles that you can choose from.

Another great option is to purchase insurance for your motorhome rental through Motorhome Republic. They offer a variety of coverage options at rates much lower than purchasing it directly from the rental company.

Keep in mind there’s really no need for double coverage, so check with your insurance provider or credit card company prior to booking your vehicle.

6. Compare Models and Prices

Do you want to rent a luxury motorhome with a comfortable bed, a toilet, and kitchenette? Or are you looking for a converted campervan with just a simple mattress in the back? Can you drive a manual transmission or do you need an automatic? How large of a vehicle are you comfortable driving? You’ll want to compare different models and price points to find the car that fits you and that you’ll be comfortable driving.

Rather than flipping back and forth between different motorhome rental company websites, just go to one site that has them all - Motorhome Republic. They are like the Booking.com for motorhomes. And since they work with multiple retailers in Iceland, you can compare models and prices easily in one place.

7. Determine Fuel Efficiency

A bigger motorhome usually means lower fuel efficiency which will mean that you’ll have a higher gas bill. Also older vehicles generally have worse fuel efficiency. Consider those things, along with your budget, when selecting your vehicle since gas in Iceland costs about 2-3 times what it does back home. But keep in mind that the entire Ring Road is only 1332 kilometres in total so you won’t need to fill up very often.

8. Document Any Damage

Be diligent in documenting any pre-existing damage to your motorhome by taking photos and/or video of it’s condition when you pick it up. It’s especially important to examine the windshield as small chips from rocks can be common here. Give yourself at least an hour or two to complete the check-in process with the motorhome rental company.

9. Get Cooking and Camping Essentials

You can add camping essentials to most motorhome rentals (if they aren’t already included) for a fee. It will include cooking utensils, plates, cutlery, bedding, and other things you’ll need to cook and sleep in your motorhome. Of course you can also bring them from home if you’re on a budget.

With these Iceland motorhome travel basics under your belt, you’ll be free to concentrate purely on savouring the incredible beauty and breathtaking experiences all around you.