A camper van is your car and your bed in one. You wake up by a fjord, make coffee before anyone else is around, and drive on when you’re ready. These are the three Icelandic camper companies that give Stuck in Iceland readers a discount. I only work with companies I would rent from myself.
I earn a small commission when you book through these links or codes. It costs you nothing extra, and it keeps this magazine independent.
Camper van discounts for my readers
Go Campers
5% off
No code needed. The discount is added when you book through my link.
Konvin Car Rental
10% off
The code comes by email when you join my free newsletter.
Prices, insurance and terms change, so check them with the company before you pay. If a discount doesn’t show at checkout, contact the company before you book.
Which company suits you?
Go Campers
A Reykjavík company, sister to Go Car Rental. A good range of vans, from compact two-seaters to bigger family campers.
Happy Campers
A family-run company with simple, practical vans. A good choice if you want a no-fuss van that does the job.
Konvin Car Rental
A newer company with keen prices, including 4×4 campers for the Highlands. Worth comparing if your budget is tight.
Is a camper van right for you?
Why people love it
- No hotel bookings, so you can change plans with the weather.
- You save on hotels and can cook your own meals.
- Quiet mornings in places the tour buses haven’t reached yet.
What to know first
- You may only sleep at registered campsites.
- Vans are tall and catch the wind, so driving takes more care.
- Many campsites close in winter, and the nights are cold and long.
If you’d rather sleep in a bed, see my car rental discounts.
2WD or 4×4 camper?
| Your trip | What to rent |
|---|---|
| Summer, Ring Road, Golden Circle, South Coast | A 2WD camper is fine. |
| Summer, Highlands or F-roads | A 4×4 camper. F-roads are closed to 2WD vehicles by law. |
| Winter, roughly November to March | A 4×4 with winter tyres, and think twice. A car and guesthouses are often the more comfortable choice. |
Where you can sleep
In a camper van you may only sleep at registered campsites. Parking for the night in lay-bys, car parks or by the roadside is not allowed, and the fines are real. There are campsites all around the country, and most have toilets, showers and somewhere to wash up.
- Most campsites open from May to September. Fewer stay open in winter, so check before you go.
- In July and August, arrive by late afternoon at popular campsites.
- Some rental companies sell a camping card that covers a number of campsites. Ask whether it suits your route.
Staying warm at night
Even in summer, Icelandic nights can be cold. Most vans have a heater that runs off a separate battery, and many campsites have power hook-ups. Bring warm layers and a hat to sleep in. Never run the engine to heat the van while you sleep.
Camper van insurance, in plain words
Most rentals come with basic collision cover (CDW), but you still pay the first part of any damage, the excess. These are the extras people usually ask about:
- Gravel protection: covers chips from stones thrown up by other vehicles. Worth having.
- Sand and ash protection: covers paint damage in sandstorms. Most useful on the South Coast and in the Highlands.
- Extra collision cover: lowers the excess. Many people take it with a camper, since a van is bigger and harder to park.
What insurance usually does not cover: river crossings, driving off marked roads, damage under the van, and doors blown open by the wind. Park facing into the wind and hold the door with both hands. Every company’s terms are different, so read them before you book and ask the company if anything is unclear.
Before you book, read my list of the 12 mistakes that cost people money when renting a camper van in Iceland.
Driving a camper van in Iceland
- Check the wind forecast every morning. Strong gusts can push a tall van across the road, especially under mountains on the South Coast.
- Take it slower than you would in a car, and leave more room on gravel.
- Headlights on at all times. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 80 on gravel and 90 on paved roads.
- Never drive off marked roads, and never stop on the road for a photo. Use the pull-outs.
- Fill up when you’re down to half a tank. Most pumps need a card with a PIN.
Plan your route, and take it slow
The Ring Road is about 1,322 km, and in a camper ten days is a relaxed pace. With less time, pick one region and enjoy it properly. You’re on holiday, so sleep in, stop for coffee and don’t try to see everything. My free road trip plans, each with an interactive map, are here:
Every morning before you drive
Check the weather and wind at vedur.is, the roads at umferdin.is and any alerts at safetravel.is. In an emergency, call 112. My safety guide has the rest.
Camper vans in Iceland: questions I get asked
How do the reader discounts work?
For Go Campers and Happy Campers, book through my link and the discount is added for you. The Konvin code comes by email when you join my free newsletter. If a discount doesn’t show at checkout, contact the company before you pay.
Where can I sleep in a camper van in Iceland?
Only at registered campsites. Sleeping in a camper in lay-bys, car parks or by the road is not allowed. Most campsites are open from May to September, and fewer stay open in winter.
Do I need a 4×4 camper van?
Not in summer if you stay on the Ring Road and paved main roads. You need a 4×4 for the F-roads in the Highlands, and one with winter tyres if you travel in winter.
Can I drive a camper van on F-roads?
Only in a 4×4 camper, and only when the roads are open, roughly late June to September. Most rental insurance does not cover river crossings, so check the terms first.
How do I stay warm at night?
Use the van’s heater, plug into power at campsites where you can, and bring warm layers. Never run the engine for heat while you sleep.
Which insurance should I get?
Basic collision cover is usually included. Gravel protection is worth having, and sand and ash protection helps on the South Coast and in the Highlands. Terms differ between companies, so read them before you book.
When is the best time to rent a camper van?
June to August, when the days are long and the campsites are open. May and September are quieter and cheaper, with colder nights. Winter camper trips are for experienced, well-prepared travellers.
How old do I have to be to rent a camper van?
Age rules differ between companies and vans, and some need you to be older than for a car. Check with the company when you book.
Ready to hit the road?
Pick the van that suits your trip, use one of the discounts above, and join my free newsletter for the Konvin code and discounts on tours, hot springs and more. Back to the discounts
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