Tips for an 8-day van trip in Iceland

Hi there,

We're planning a full week in Iceland in April. Given the short timeframe to prepare, I’m asking for some help on the forum.

We’re considering renting a camper van to be more independent with our travel. - Is this really a good idea at this time of year due to weather conditions (cold nights, poor road conditions, etc.)? - Can we just "park" anywhere for the night to sleep, or do we absolutely have to go to a campsite? What are the approximate rates for a van with 2 people? Do we need to book in advance? - If this mode of transport is recommended, do you have any good places to rent one?

Iceland is still a big island with lots of points of interest, so I think it’ll be tough to see everything in 8 days. - Are there parts of the island we should prioritize in April? We like hiking (nothing too long—6 or 7 hours is out of the question) and unique landscapes. - Are some sites inaccessible at this time of year? - Is Reykjavik worth stopping for a day or two?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Jeff

Hello,

We're planning a full week in Iceland in April. Given the short timeframe to prepare, I’m asking for some help on the forum.

We’re considering renting a camper van to be more independent. - Is this really a good idea at this time of year due to weather conditions (cold at night, poor road conditions, etc.)?

Most vans have heating, so no problem there!

- Is it possible to "park" anywhere for the night to sleep, or do we absolutely have to go to a campsite? What are the approximate prices for a van with 2 people? Do we need to book in advance?

Since 2017, wild camping has no longer been allowed in Iceland. Here’s a site for campsites and prices: https://tjalda.is/is/ You also have this site with a camping card: https://utilegukortid.is/?lang=en/ — for a week, I’m not sure the card would be worth it. No, you don’t need to book in advance, which will let you choose your destination based on the weather.

- If this mode of transport is recommended, do you have any good places to rent one?

Here’s a nice option: https://www.kukucampers.fr/blog/les-meilleurs-campings-en-islande

Iceland is still a large island with many points of interest, so I think it’ll be tough to see everything in 8 days. - Are there parts of the island to prioritize in April? We like hikes (not 6 or 7 hours, though) and unusual landscapes.

It’ll depend on the weather.

- Are some sites inaccessible at this time of year?

Yes, the interior of the country and possibly other sites depending on road conditions. Here’s a site with road status updates: https://umferdin.is/en

- Is the city of Reykjavik worth stopping for 1 or 2 days?

Yes.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Jeff

Hi there,

A few more details in response to your questions and my previous answers.

- Is it possible to "park" anywhere for the night to sleep, or is it mandatory to go to a campsite? What are the approximate rates for a van and 2 occupants? Do we need to book in advance?

In Iceland, wild camping has not been allowed since 2017. Here’s a site for campsites and prices: https://tjalda.is/is/ You also have this site with a camping card: https://utilegukortid.is/?lang=en/ — for a week, I’m not sure the card is worth it. No, you don’t need to book ahead, which will let you choose your destination based on the weather. I’m talking about campsites here.

For the van, yes, it’s best to book it. Sometimes agencies offer deals. For prices, you can simulate on https://www.kukucampers.fr/blog/les-meilleurs-campings-en-islande, but keep in mind that Iceland is expensive.

Iceland is still a large island with many points of interest, so I think it’ll be hard to see everything in 8 days. - Are there parts of the island to prioritize in April? We like hikes (not 6 or 7 hours though) and unusual landscapes.

It’ll depend on the weather.

For regions, the entire southern part is usually doable in all seasons. You’ll find some hikes there too. Otherwise, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is also nice.

Here’s some extra info.

If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer! !

Good evening Nathalie, and thank you for these valuable answers. After some research online, especially on forums, we’re refining our plans a bit.

First off, we’re extending our stay from 7 to 9 full days on-site. We’re hoping—weather permitting—to be able to drive around the island on Route 1.

We’re dropping the van idea in favor of the more comfortable (but also pricier) motorhome option. Since it looks like we won’t be able to take the F-roads, we’ll gain comfort and space for evenings that can feel a bit long in tight quarters. Plus, it’s great to have a shower and toilet inside when it’s cold out. For the rental, we’ve spotted Campervan Iceland, which offers reasonable prices and has good reviews on Google.

Our flight lands at 12:35 AM, so we still have the issue of the first night (really just 5–6 hours). The only hotel at the airport charges 170 € for two people… That’s expensive per hour. But I don’t see any simpler alternatives.

I’m starting to map out the itinerary and the different stops. I’ll post it here once it’s roughly finalized so I can get feedback on whether it’s doable.

Thanks again,

Jeff