Preparation
Ferry
For many, the journey to Iceland with a campervan begins with the Smyril Line ferry: Departure from Hirtshals (Denmark), the destination: Seyðisfjörður in the east of the island. There's a stopover in the Faroe Islands along the way. The journey takes approximately 65 hours, or about three days (3 night at sea, 1 day in the Faroe Islands, 1 night at sea; approximately 1 hours to the Faroe Islands, and then another approximately 36 hours to Iceland). The season is from March to November; in summer, there are occasionally two departures per week.
Tip: Book early during peak season (June-August) as camper spaces are limited.
Website: smyril-line.com
Travel time
The best time to visit Iceland is from June to early September. All roads are open then, the weather is mild, and the midnight sun ensures long days. Those traveling during the off-season in May or September will experience less tourism but should expect more changeable weather. In winter, Iceland is only suitable for campers to a limited extent, as many campsites are closed and road conditions can be difficult. You should plan at least seven to ten days to circumnavigate the island via the Ring Road, allowing enough time for highlights and spontaneous stops.
In summer, the sun shines almost around the clock, allowing for a great deal of flexibility when traveling. Just go with the flow—the landscape changes around every bend.
TRAVEL TIPS AND RULES
Believe Route
- Ring road (Route 1): The classic Iceland tour, approx. 1.300 km, ideal for 10 – 14 days.
- Golden circle: Perfect for a day trip from Reykjavík (Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir).
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula: “Iceland in miniature” with volcanoes, beaches and lava fields.
- Westfjorde & Hochland: More remote and adventurous, the highlands are only accessible by 4×4.
Along the way, waterfalls such as Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Dettifoss are among the most famous photo opportunities. The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with Diamond Beach, the volcanic Mývatn region, the black sand beaches near Vík, and Vatnajökull National Park are other highlights of a trip. When planning trips into the highlands, it's important to keep an eye on the weather and time, and to plan flexibly.
Camping & Overnight Stays
Camping is mandatory in Iceland: Overnight stays are permitted only at official campsites. There are over 200 of these throughout the country. Many are simply equipped, but some offer more comfort. Showers are often available for a fee. Advance booking is usually not necessary, but it can get crowded during peak season, so arriving early is recommended.
The Iceland Camping Card can be worthwhile for longer stays as it provides access to many places for a flat rate.
Weather & road conditions
The weather in Iceland can change quickly, so it's recommended to regularly use apps like vedur.is. Highland roads, so-called F-roads, are only permitted in summer with off-road campers.
Refuel
In remote areas, refuel early. A credit card with a PIN is required – the machines often have instructions in German. Off-road driving is strictly prohibited and carries heavy fines. It is essential to respect nature, avoid polluting hot springs, and avoid littering.
Traffic, speed limits & tolls in Iceland
Road conditions vary widely. The Ring Road is mostly paved and easily navigable. Secondary roads and F-roads in the highlands, however, are often unpaved, narrow, or rocky. The latter are only accessible in summer and only with four-wheel drive vehicles. Information on road conditions can be found at road.is, and weather warnings are available at vedur.is. Driving slowly on gravel roads is recommended to avoid rockfalls. Appropriate insurance for rockfalls and accidents is advisable for rental vehicles.
The speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on paved country roads, and 80 km/h on gravel roads, although even lower speeds are often recommended. There are many mobile speed cameras in Iceland, and fines are high—so it's important to adhere to the speed limits. Low beam headlights are always required, as is the wearing of seat belts by all passengers. Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device. In the event of a breakdown, never stop on the road—use emergency lanes or breakdown bays. Caution: Sheep are often found on or beside the road, especially in summer.
Iceland has only one toll road – the Vaðlaheiðargöng Tunnel in the north near Akureyri. It costs about 1.500 ISK per passage and must be paid online. (tunnel.is) must be paid within 24 hours, otherwise additional fees will apply.
Parking is free in many places, but parking fees apply at tourist hotspots like Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, or Skógafoss. These can usually be paid using the Parka app or at a parking ticket machine. In Reykjavík and Akureyri, there are parking zones with time-based fees. Always keep your parking ticket clearly visible behind your windshield.
COSTS (roughly estimated)
Ferry
Costs range from approximately €1.800–€2.200 (high season, round trip for two people, with a camper up to 2 meters long, and a simple inside cabin). Additional charges apply for cabins with windows, meals, and larger campers.
Tip: Meals on board are expensive, so bring your own provisions if necessary.
Campsite
Campsites cost around 30 to 45 euros per night for two people with electricity, and a shower costs around 2 euros.
You should budget around 15 to 25 euros per person per day for food in your camper.
For longer holidays, the Camping Card is worthwhile. It costs around €179 for two adults and up to four children, is valid for 28 nights at over 40 participating campsites, and only costs the overnight tax per person. This is worthwhile for two people staying for around 6-7 nights.
Food costs
You should budget around €15 to €25 per person per day for food in your campervan. Restaurant meals are more expensive, as is alcohol (beer costs around €8 to €12 in a restaurant). Tip: These are, of course, only guidelines; the advantage of campervans is that you can bring in food and alcohol to provide for yourself.
Diesel
Diesel cost about 2 Euro/Liter (Status: 2025).
Useful apps
- Parka (Campsites, booking & payment)
- 112 Iceland App (Emergency app)
- Weather (Weather)
- Google Maps / Maps.me (Offline-Navigation)
- Aurora Alerts (Northern Lights Warnings)
EXPERIENCES IN ICELAND
Visit of the puffins
These charming birds can be best observed in the following locations during the summer, from approximately early May to mid/late August (towards the end of August, the puffins slowly retreat to the sea). Over 6 million puffins come to Iceland to nest each summer, making the island home to the largest puffin colony in the world.
Látrabjarg
The colony is located on the steep coast at the far west of the Westfjords in Iceland. It's one of the largest seabird colonies in Europe. The birds are unusually friendly, as they have no natural predators there. You can encounter the puffins up close, often just a few meters away – great for photos!
Tip: Always stay a little way away from the cliff edge – the ground there can be crumbly.
Dyrholaey
This colony can be found at the South coast of Iceland, near Vík í Mýrdal. This spot is very easy to reach, as it's located directly on the Ring Road. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon—this is when the puffins are often ashore to nest or feed. Dyrhólaey is accessible and safe, with a viewing point and parking. It's a great photo spot, especially with the lighthouse or the Freibogen in the background.
Note: Some areas may be temporarily closed during the breeding season to protect the birds, but there is usually always a section where you can observe them.
Port of Borgarfjordur Eystri
The colony is located right at the end of Road 94, about 5 km east of the village of Bakkagerði on Iceland's east coast. A wooden walkway and platforms lead into the heart of their breeding grounds, allowing visitors to get close to the birds without disturbing their nests. They are particularly active early in the morning or late in the evening when they return from their hunting trips. There's an observation hut with a window, ideal in bad weather.
Whale watching
The approximately 3-hour tours can be conveniently booked online – many operators also accept paid or unpaid-on-arrival options. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is standard. Bring warm clothing; expect up to a 99% chance of seeing whales, such as humpback and minke whales, in Skjálfandi Bay. You'll often also receive a very warming
overalls.
Meeting point: Ticket offices – all tour operators are located near the church at the harbor in Húsavík.
natural baths
The Lake Myvatn Nature Bath in northern Iceland is a geothermal spa with sulfurous, blue water. It's quieter and less touristy than the Blue Lagoon. From the spa, you have beautiful views of the lava fields and volcanoes.
In the south lies the Reykjadalur-Tal with a hot spring – accessible via a one-hour hike. It's a truly nature-based experience, and it's free.
The Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is Iceland's oldest swimming pool with a natural geyser spring and rustic atmosphere.
The blue lagoon Near the airport is the most famous thermal spa, with excellent infrastructure but heavily influenced by tourism. Online reservations are required.
A highlight for any Iceland tour – whether in winter or summer.
Northern Lights in Iceland – Magical celestial phenomenon in the far north
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to experience the Aurora Borealis—better known as the Northern Lights. Between late autumn and spring, green, sometimes purple, or reddish lights dance across the sky, transforming the dark nights into an unforgettable natural spectacle.
When can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Northern Lights season runs from late August to mid-April. The best months are September, October, February, and March. The lights are most active between 21:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on clear, cloudless nights. The farther you are from artificial light, the better the viewing.
Particularly good places for observation
- Thingvellir National Park
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Skógafoss or Jökulsárlón (with good visibility)
- Nordisland around Akureyri
- East Fjords – very little light pollution
- Westfjords – isolated, but dreamy under clear skies
Fire Island – Living with Volcanoes
Iceland is an island of fire and ice—and that's more than just a poetic image. The country lies directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American continental plates are slowly moving apart. This makes Iceland one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth—with over 130 volcanoes, many of which are still active.
Volcanic eruptions are part of everyday life here. Some are small and spectacular, like the Fagradalsfjall eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where visitors were able to get relatively close to the glowing lava flow. Others, like the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, caused a worldwide sensation – at the time, air traffic was paralyzed across Europe.
For Iceland itself, volcanoes do not only represent danger – they also represent life: the country owes its fertile soils, geothermal energy, hot springs and impressive landscapes to this geological fire.
When you travel to Iceland, you will feel the volcanic origins almost everywhere – in black lava fields, steaming cracks in the earth, glowing red craters or in the natural hot springs that invite you to bathe.
Tip:
Before you travel, find out about current volcanic activities (e.g. vedur.isWith a little luck—and the necessary caution—you might even witness an eruption from a safe distance. An unforgettable experience!
Have fun in Iceland!
