Vehicle height (ferry to Iceland with our 4x4)

Hi, I can't give you any info on your question since I haven't done this trip, but it might depend on the ferry company. For example, I went to Morocco with my 4x4, which—with the roof tent—was 2.25 meters tall. I had a headache over the height limit because the booking stated a max of 1.90 meters for passenger vehicles. The only other option on the online booking was to pretend it was a camper van . So I called the ferry company (Italian, based in Italy, but with French speakers), and they simply told me I’d have to pay an extra 30 € per crossing at embarkation. When I actually boarded, no one asked me anything... You should call the company... Otherwise, what route are you taking to Iceland? Where are you boarding from? Which company? How long do you estimate the trip from France to Iceland will take?... I’m asking because it’s been on my mind too..😛

Thanks for your reply. On Iceland forums, they mention random laser checks at boarding—no way to dodge the tech! We’ll give it a shot. For us, it’ll come down to 2/3 cm, and the extra cost is 150 to 90 € per crossing... We’ll deflate as much as possible at boarding and hope the Toy loses a few cm once loaded.

We’re boarding on June 29 in Denmark (Hirtshals) and returning on August 10. On the way there, we’ve got a 2.5-day stopover in the Faroe Islands, while the return trip is direct. We don’t have any time constraints (retired), and we’ve planned a route that takes us around the whole of Iceland plus almost all the interior tracks. The biggest expense is the crossing. We went through the only agency in France (Gallia) that sells tickets for Smyril Line, the only company serving Iceland—so it’s a bit of a monopoly, and we just found out we could’ve saved 600 € by booking directly with them! We’re paying 2384 € with Gallia (round trip for 2 people + outside cabin + vehicle with extra length due to the spare tires... the height, if we get caught, will be extra). We’re traveling with a friend (Nissan Patrol) who’s sharing our cabin. There’s an option to travel in shared dorms, which is cheaper but more unpredictable depending on the sea conditions and the other passengers. We’re leaving from Montpellier—1990 km to reach Hirtshals—which can be done in 2 days since it’s all toll-free highways everywhere except in France.

For Iceland, you need at least 3–4 weeks. We’ll be spending 36 days on the island, which is ideal for exploring all the regions plus a few hiking trips. The biggest expense is the crossing; once there, we’ll be wild camping as much as possible, except in national parks where we’ll have to use the huts and campgrounds.

The political situation in the Maghreb (Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt) is forcing us to find other destinations. Two years ago, we headed to Mongolia... The hardest part is finding the time since you need at least 2 months—it’s a journey of nearly 25,000 km, 52 wild camps, and we’re already itching to go back! For Iceland, you have to book the ferry as early as December—this year, by February, it was already fully booked!

We can stay in touch to swap tips on tons of destinations since we’ve done quite a bit of traveling. We’ll track our route with GPS, and when we get back, we can share the good deals and useful info if you’re thinking of heading north. When "it’s been on your mind," the project’s already taking shape!

Jacqueline

Thanks for your detailed reply. I really like your retirement pace... it’s kind of how I picture it too, *inch Allah* as they say in the deep south. I’ll keep your email and username on file, and if the plan comes together, I won’t forget to reach out. The only things holding us back a bit are Iceland’s outdoor temperatures and humidity—camping and wild bivouacs are great, but it’s even better with sunshine and a little warmth!!! Oh well, they say Iceland is earned... as Pierre77N put it.

Anyway, safe travels and happy trails!

Hi there! We’re also making the same trip, leaving on AUGUST 17 from HIRTSHALS, and we booked directly with SMYRIL LINE for 1,956 € round trip for two, with an outside cabin. We’re starting from NICE. After you get back—and before we leave—I’d love to hear your thoughts and any issues you ran into. Thanks in advance, and safe travels!

Hi Crabotine.

We’re heading to Iceland in July 2014 for 4 weeks with a KDJ120 equipped (we’ll be sleeping in it). We know the country well from previous visits (though not since 2004… the sun…), and I’d be interested in: a recent GPS track (happy to trade with what I’ve got—see my blog: http://voyageur78s.over-blog.com/) and also tips or info on accommodation in the interior (accessibility of both staffed and unstaffed huts, plus any campgrounds or guesthouses), since I imagine things have changed a lot in 10 years!

We often slept in small huts or remote areas without issues—just had to find the key and heating since we didn’t have kerosene for the local stoves. Is that still doable?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. Michel

We're taking the ferry to Iceland at the end of June with our 4x4 (HDJ80). The booking was made based on a vehicle not exceeding 1.90m. The new tire setup might make us slightly exceed this limit. Are they strict about heights? Are they checked at boarding (passing under a gate)? Some of you have probably faced this issue—thanks for your advice. Loading the vehicle and, if necessary, deflating the tires will reduce the excess height.

Thanks

Hi Crabotine,

I’m planning to go to Iceland next summer with a Peugeot Expert that’s 1.94m tall. How did your crossings go with the vehicle height? Are there checks or gates? Is there any leeway? The price difference for the booking is double. Thanks

We were checked with a height gauge in Seyðisfjörður

hi there I just got back from Iceland. I went by camper van last month, starting from Denmark (Hirtshals). The Smyril Line company doesn’t check dimensions—you won’t go through a height barrier. You’ll stop over in the Faroe Islands. have a great trip -dzt