Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CAR RENTAL AGENCIES IN ICELAND
Avis W avis.is
Budget W budget.is
Caravan W caravan.is
Car Rental Iceland W carrentaliceland.is
Europcar W europcar.is
Geysir W geysir.is
Hasso W hasso.is
Hertz W hertz.is
National W nationalcar.is
Saga W sgcarrental.is
as they pass - slow down and pull over as far as
possible to minimize this, especially on unsurfaced
roads. Most fields are unfenced so always beware of
livestock wandering about. When there's snow -
though you'd be unlucky to come across much
around the Ringroad during the summer - you'll
find that the road's edges are marked by evenly
spaced yellow poles; stay within their boundaries.
Avoid skidding on gravel or snow by applying the
brakes slowly and as little as possible; use gears
instead. In winter , everyone fits studded snow tyres
to their cars to increase traction, so make sure any
vehicle you rent has them too. Pack a good blanket
or sleeping bag in case your car gets stuck in snow,
and always carry food and water.
Bringing your own vehicle
The Norröna vehicle ferry from Denmark to
Seyðisfjörður in the East Fjords (see p.28) makes
bringing your own vehicle into Iceland fairly
straightforward, though obviously you have to get
it to Denmark first. Assuming you have been living
outside Iceland for the previous twelve months,
you're allowed to import the vehicle and 200 litres
of fuel duty free for up to one year starting from the
date of entry. You'll need to produce proof that the
vehicle is registered or rented by you, and has third-
party insurance. Overstay and you'll be liable to full
import duties on the vehicle.
Rough roads and four-wheel-driving
Iceland's interior routes, plus some shorter gravel
tracks off the Ringroad, can be really rough, even if
not requiring four-wheel-drive. Four-wheel-drive-
only roads - on which you may encounter
stretches of sand, boulders, ice or river crossings -
are designated with an “F” on road maps (for
instance, the Sprengisandur route is F26), and it's
illegal to drive conventional vehicles along them.
Precautions for four-wheel-drivers include
never tackling roads alone; being properly
equipped with all rescue gear and tools (and know
in advance how to use them); and always carrying
more than enough fuel, food and water. Tell
someone reliable where you're going and when
you'll be back, so that a rescue can be mounted if
you don't show - but don't forget to contact them
when you do get back safely. You'll also need
advance information on road and weather condi-
tions; see box below for websites.
Vehicles easily bog down in snow, mud or soft
sand, and if that happens it is vital to maintain
forward momentum : while you're still moving
forward, resist the temptation to change gear, as
you'll lose your impetus by doing so. If you do stop
Driving regulations and road conditions
Icelanders have a cavalier attitude to driving in
conditions that most other people would balk at
- they have to, or would probably never get
behind the wheel - and take dirt tracks and
frozen twisting mountain roads very much in their
stride. There's a national tendency not to use
indicators, and to gravitate towards the road's
centre. Aside from the weather and potential road
conditions, however, low-volume tra c makes for
few problems.
Cars are left-hand drives and you drive on the
right . The speed limit is 50km an hour in built-up
areas, 90km an hour on surfaced roads, and 80km
an hour on gravel. Seat belts are compulsory for all
passengers, and headlights must be on at least
half-beam all the time.
Roadsigns you'll soon become familiar with -
even if you stick to the Ringroad - are “Einbreið bru”,
indicating a single-lane bridge sometimes also
marked by flashing yellow beacons; and “Malbik
endar”, marking the end of a surfaced road. Bright
orange signs marked “Varuð” or “Hætta” (warning or
hazard) alert you to temporary local problems, such
as roadworks, ground-nesting birds on the road
(“fuglar á vegi”) or sandstorms .
Other common problems include having other
vehicles spray you with windscreen-cracking gravel
WEATHER AND ROAD
WEBSITES
English-language weather forecasts
can be found at W en.vedur.is, which
predicts conditions over the forthcoming
week. W vegag.is shows continually
updated road maps with routes
colour-coded according to their
condition. Select “English” and then click
on the “Road Conditions” map in the top
right-hand corner of the webpage.
 
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