Iceland is one of the most unique places on Earth, and we believe that everyone should see it at least once in their lives. For those of you that have wanted to see an environment straight out of a fantasy novel, then Iceland has you covered with its combination of volcanic sand and idyllic hot springs.
If you want to explore Iceland, you have plenty of options at your disposal, and it all depends on how you want to experience the country. Since most people want to see some of the environment that the country is famous for, they end up wasting plenty of money on guided tours, but there are alternative options.
One of the best ways to fully appreciate Iceland when you’re visiting it is to do the exploration yourself, and a camper can make it a lot easier for you. Instead of having to pay for a pricey hotel, you can instead sleep in your camper, and this has the added benefit of letting you stay outside of the city.
To help you find the best place to rent a camper in Iceland, we have decided to put together this short guide that will go over eight of our favorite Iceland camper rental options. Keep in mind that our reviews are in no particular order, and we’ll discuss which of them we liked most when we reach the end.
The Best Iceland Camper Rental
Campervan Iceland
One of the best things about Campervan Iceland is that they offer more than just vans, which may surprise you, considering their name. The most popular model they have available is the Campervan Play, which comes equipped with camping gear and a bed that’s large enough for two people.
If you have a larger group, then you may want to consider their Campervan XL, which has seats and beds for five people, a gas stove, and even a sink. You can also get your hands on their Campervan 4×4 if you’re looking to do some exploring off the beaten path, though keep in mind that you’ll need some experience driving on gravel roads.
Another advantage to Campervan Iceland is that most of their vehicles don’t have a distance limit per day, letting you travel as far as you want. Finally, this service offers some of the most affordable prices around, with their cheapest van going for 13,000 ISK per day.
Get more information about Campervan Iceland here
CampEasy
CampEasy features one of the best websites and interfaces for choosing the ideal camper model, so if you’ve never rented one out before, they may be your best option. If you’re wondering about the layout of any of their vehicles, you just have to go to their site and hover over each of the options to get a floor plan.
At a glance, you’ll also be able to see the kind of transmission that’s featured on each van, the type of powertrain, the number of seats, and how many people can fit in the beds. You can choose from vans that support up to five people, and they even have a 4×4 option.
Another thing that we love about CampEasy is the staff, as they’ll do everything that they can to get you acquainted with the vehicle before you set out. CampEasy can even provide pickup and dropoff services so that you can get to and from your camper.
Get more information about CampEasy here
Motorhome Iceland
If you’re looking for something bigger than a campervan, Motorhome Iceland is a great choice, as they have a selection of spacious and comfortable motorhomes to choose from as well as their vans. Their largest model can fit six people, and it features a loft and even a fully functioning bathroom.
While their motorhomes may be a little more expensive than the vans that are available from other services, they also feel like hotels compared to them. You also only have to leave a deposit of between 15% and 20% before you arrive, which is a bit cheaper than other motorhome rental services in the country.
Some of the vehicles from Motorhome Iceland even come with USB connectors so that you can play your music directly from your smart device. This company even offers 24/7 coverage in case your vehicle breaks down, so you won’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Get more information about Motorhome Iceland here
Happy Campers Iceland
Happy Campers’ name should give you a hint about their greatest strength: ensuring that their customers have the best experience possible. To ensure that you can get to your van with ease, they offer a shuttle bus service from Keflavik International Airport to their depot.
Happy Campers also offer affordable rentals for extras like barbecues, camping chairs, and more. This service is also the longest-running one of its type in the country, making their staff the most experienced. Whether you’re a first-time explorer or you’ve been to Iceland before, the workers are happy to answer questions and help you out if you need it.
This service offers a three-tier pricing model that helps keep their prices as affordable as possible. If you’re traveling in the high season, then you pay full price, the mid season features a 25% discount, and the low season sees prices drop by 40%, making them extremely budget-friendly.
Get more information about Happy Campers Iceland here
Go Campers
If you’re going to explore F-roads and other areas that are harder to reach, Go Campers offers an excellent selection of vehicles. You can choose between two different 4×4 models, one of which is designed for two passengers, and the other of which is designed to carry four people.
Of course, Go Campers also offers a variety of other vehicles, ranging from an affordable two-person van up to their Go BIG Automatic camper for up to five passengers. Each of Go Campers’ vehicles is equipped with a heating system so that you can remain comfortable throughout the night.
Some of their campers also come included with an extra driver free of charge, whereas most of their competitors charge for the same service. You even get a fuel discount card when you rent a camper from them, ensuring that you can save even more money when you pick Go Campers.
Get more information about Go Campers here
Campers in Iceland
Much like Go Campers, Campers in Iceland is one of the best choices for buyers who plan on taking F-roads to get to otherwise inaccessible places. They have six different 4×4 models available, and they are much more affordable than competing services that offer offroad vehicles.
The most affordable option is the Dacia Duster, which can support two people and is equipped with a diesel engine for superior fuel economy. On the other end of the spectrum, they have the KuKu Mama, which is a converted Mercedes UNIMOG, though you’ll have to pay quite a bit more for it.
Before you ever get into the camper, the staff will also guide you through the basics so that you can safely negotiate the Icelandic roads. The team can also guide you through each of the parts of your camper so that you know where everything is, and we’d recommend taking notes.
Get more information about Campers In Iceland here
Kuku Campers
Our favorite thing about Kuku campers is that they have personality. Unlike some of the other rental services, the staff that works at Kuku Campers is energetic and unforgettable. Beyond being so expressive, each of the workers is well-versed in how each of the vehicles works, and they have a rare knack for teaching first-time drivers.
Kuku Campers also has one of the widest selections of vehicles out of every rental service in Iceland, with the options ranging from a compact van for two all the way up to the Kuky Mama. Like with Campers in Iceland, the Kuku Mama is a massive truck that can put up with any terrain.
The company even offers Kuku Maps, which will show you a variety of recommended routes to take, though you can always adjust them to your liking. Kuku Campers also features some of the most affordable rates around, and they have a policy against hidden costs.
Get more information about Kuku Campers here
Campervan Reykjavik
Campervan Reykjavik offers a variety of campers that range from vans, to jeeps, all the way up to motor homes. For customers that want a wide selection of vehicle types to choose from, this service is an excellent option. Each of their vehicles also comes included with a range of helpful accessories.
For example, you’ll get a complete set of cutlery and plates, a gas stove, a camping set, and more with the vans. The motorhomes feature even better accommodations, and their vehicles also feature free insurance, so you won’t have to worry about damage from a wide range of sources.
To ensure that you know what you’re paying for, each of the vehicles also features a floor plan that you can consult in advance. As a final bonus, their motorhomes all come equipped with a Garmin GPS so that you always know exactly where you are during your trip.
Get more information about Campervan Reykjavik here
Frequently Asked Questions about Iceland camper rental options
What are the Different Kinds of Campers Available?
There is a wide range of Iceland camper rental options when you’re in Iceland, and picking the right one is one of the most crucial things that you can do. The first option is a simple campervan, which may feature fewer amenities than larger vehicles, but they are also some of the most affordable.
Campervans are also versatile, as they can support between two and five people, making them perfect for family excursions. One of the only downsides to campervans is that they tend to be a little more cramped than the other choices, and they feature poor performance on F-roads unless they’re specialized.
On the other hand, there are also jeeps and other offroad vehicles which have been converted into campers. These cars are even more cramped than vans, though they make up for it with superior performance, especially if you’re traveling over gravel. We’d only recommend these for smaller groups, however.
Motorhomes are the largest option at your disposal, and they are comparable to mobile hotel rooms. If you want to enjoy Iceland in comfort but you still want to be able to move around, a motorhome should be your preferred choice.
Some rental services will even offer larger trucks, like the Mercedes UNIMOG. They combine the offroad performance of a 4×4 with the amenities of a motorhome, so these trucks are both reliable and comfortable Iceland camper rental choices.
What Documents Do I Need to Rent Out a Camper?
Depending on the service that you choose, the documents that you need may vary, so be sure to carefully consider what you need to bring along. Most services will require a valid source of ID, and they may require one separate from your driver’s license. A passport is the most common one, considering you’ll need it to enter the country.
Note: For more information on Iceland camper rental tips and tricks, check out this article.
Be sure to consider the date of issue of your passport as well, as some services may mandate that it be at least one year old. Keep in mind that this will be necessary for anyone who plans to drive the vehicle, so several members of your group may need to bring their documents along with them.
Of course, you’ll also need a driver’s license. If you’re traveling from the EU, then any valid permit from a member country will often be accepted. If you hail from a non-EU country, then they’ll typically take any international class B license that is written in Latin characters.
Finally, you will likely need to pay with a credit card, as that will guarantee that you won’t damage the vehicle and get away without paying. Some services will accept other forms of payment, provided they have your credit card so that they can deduct the self-risk fee.
Do I Need to Pay a Deposit?
Most of the time, you’ll have to pay a deposit that ranges from 10% to 25% of the overall cost of the rental, so be prepared to pay in advance. Beyond that deposit, it’s likely that you won’t have to pay for anything else until you arrive in Iceland.
Most services will only accept credit cards as a form of payment so that you don’t have to leave a security deposit, as it will be automatically deducted if the vehicle is returned damaged. Extras and other costs can all be handled up front. The deposit when renting a camper isn’t as steep as you may expect.
Can I Drive an Iceland camper rental with no Prior Experience?
Whether or not you can drive a camper with no experience beforehand will depend on the kind of vehicle that you want to rent out. For example, campervans are relatively easy to drive since they feature similar handling and characteristics to minivans, though the larger models may be a bit of a challenge.
Most 4x4s will also be relatively easy to drive, as long as you stay on the roads, but you’ll want a bit of experience negotiating gravel tracks if you plan on going off the beaten path. We would recommend that inexperienced drivers keep to paved roads so that they don’t run into any challenges.
Motorhomes are the hardest vehicles to drive, as they are much larger than the other choices, and a lot of drivers have never been behind the wheel of one of them. Keep in mind that visibility out of a motorhome is also worse than in a car, so you’ll need to be more perceptive than usual.
There are also some challenges that are unique to driving in Iceland. If you’ve never driven in the winter, then you’ll have to be careful around snow and ice. Sheep are one of the main causes of accidents in the country, so you’ll also need to be on the lookout for any of them on the roads.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many rental services to choose from when you’re looking for the best Iceland camper rental. If you’re looking for the right one, you’re going to have to consider what you want out of your rental service.
Our favorite option for customers that are going to travel on F-roads is Campers in Iceland, as they have an unrivaled selection of 4×4 vehicles, all of which are well-maintained. If you want to work with a memorable staff who will make your adventure all the more enjoyable, we’d recommend Kuku Campers.
On the other hand, customer service is an essential part of any business working in industries like vehicle rental, and Happy Campers know how to treat their customers right. These services are some of our favorites, though each one of the Iceland camper rental options that we reviewed has their own strengths.
Keep in mind that the season during which you visit will affect the prices of these campers, so be sure to plan your vacation far in advance. We hope that we’ve been able to help you pick out the best place to get your camper from when you visit Iceland. The land of ice and fire is a wonderful place, safe travels!