written by Betty Nguyen
It took me several weeks of research and planning to curate a proper itinerary for our road trip with the Nomoon team in May 2017. Before you start researching, you have to figure out first how many days you’re spending on the trip and what areas of Iceland you wish to explore.
As it turns out, we wanted to explore the west and north regions of Iceland in five days. Here are a few tips in planning your road trip in Iceland.
1.GOOGLE MAP YOUR ROUTES
Google Maps is great for personal customizations – I use it all the time for my tours. You can add pictures, sequential numbers, details, etc. for every destination point.
2. GET A GOOD CAR RENTAL
There aren’t many to choose from and the one we had was ‘OK’, not great, but not terrible. If you’re going in the summer time and sticking to flat roads, most likely, you won’t need a 4×4. I can and prefer to drive manual, so that saved me a few dollars. Ask the right questions, understand your insurance policy, and document every ding on the vehicle before driving off. I planned the pick-up and drop-off times, too to save a half day cost. Also ask where the nearest gas station is nearby the rental.
3. BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS AHEAD OF TIME
Some people love to be spontaneous, but booking your accommodations ahead of time in Iceland is strongly recommended, especially during peak high season – summer. Reason being, accommodations are limited and when you are out in the middle of no where, it’s reassuring to know that you don’t need to drive 50 more miles to find lodging in a nearby town. To note, as a travel company, we are here to help you if you need lodging assistance. 😉
4. SHOP FOR GROCERIES
Unfortunately, there’s no way of avoiding the high food prices in Iceland, but doing your homework beforehand will always go a long way towards minimizing your overall food budget and saving precious holiday time and energy.
I strongly advise going to a Bónus store (30 stores nationwide) and stocking up prior to the road trip. Bónus stores are open on weekdays and weekends and operate under a yellow banner showing a pink piggy bank.
5. PACK SUITABLE CLOTHING
Yes, this a no-brainer, but bring layers. Thermals, dry wool, gloves, warm socks, hiking boots, etc. Depending on the season, you may have to bring more or less – but do check the weather before you leave. Download our checklist here.