Car Rental in Reykjavik
Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Travel Information
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 $45.25 per day
- From Reykjavik to Akureyri - 10 offers from $103.95 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 $40 per day
- Large cars - from $43 per day
- Medium cars - from $39 per day
- Vans - from $84 per day
- Small cars - from $33 per day
- SUVs - from $50 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.
Top 4 cities near Reykjavik
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37.7 km / 23.4 miles away
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222.4 km / 138.2 miles away
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247.3 km / 153.7 miles away
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378.6 km / 235.3 miles away
Top 5 locations near Reykjavik
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1.6 km / 1 mile away
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37.7 km / 23.4 miles away
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247.3 km / 153.7 miles away
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378.6 km / 235.3 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Reykjavik?
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?
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Reykjavik?
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 | $33 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 |
Europcar | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 1 | Small cars |
Europcar | Mitsubishi Outlander | 5 | 4 | SUVs |
Thrifty | Ford Fiesta | 4 | 3 | Small cars |
Europcar | Suzuki Jimmy | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
Europcar | Dacia Jogger 5+2 | 5 | 2 | Vans |
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.