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    Let's be friends!

    Unpopular opinion: red eye flights are better. ๐Ÿ›ฉ

Hereโ€™s why:

1. They are often cheaper than daytime flights.
2. You get an entire extra day in your destination.

Even if the red eye and daytime flights are the same price, you get better bang for your buck because you get to spend more time in your destination.

For example, we got an entire extra day in Bora Bora for free by flying on the red eye. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ’ธ

Agree or disagree?

#travelreel #travelreels #travelreelsoninstagram #travelbloggervibes #redeyeflight #cheapflights
    Dreaming up a trip to Positano, Italy? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Save and screenshot this ultimate itinerary for 5 days in Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy!

Day 1: Explore Positanoโ€™s streets, shops and restaurants.
Day 2: Day trip to Amalfi Town (or Ravello).
Day 3: Day trip to Capri.
Day 4: Beach day at Spiaggia Grande.
Day 5: Fornillo Beach or a private beach club like @arienzobeachclubpositano 

For more itinerary details (how to get to Positano, activity details and more), head to:

indigosahara.com/positano-itinerary-5-days 

Buon viaggio! ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒŠ

#positanoitaly #positanobeach #amalficoastitaly #italytrip #travelitinerary #travelguides #positano๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
    Heading to Italy โ€” soon or someday? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Heading to Italy โ€” soon or someday? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Save and screenshot this one week Italy itinerary for Rome and the Amalfi Coast!

Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Positano
Day 4: Amalfi Town
Day 5: Capri
Day 6: Positano
Day 7: Rome

Buon viaggio! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿค๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‹

#italyitinerary #italytravel #italytrip #romecity #positanoitaly #amalficoastitaly
    How many have you been to out of 30? โœจ All of t How many have you been to out of 30? โœจ

All of these bucket list destinations are the perfect places to visit in Europe for an iconic European summer experience.

Iโ€™m personally very excited to check a few more off the list this summer. ๐Ÿคญ

Remember to SAVE this summer bucket list for easy access later! 

#europedestinations #europetrip #europeansummer #summertravel #travel
    12 flights for $175 USD total. ๐Ÿ’ธ Hereโ€™s how๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ

Travel hacking!

AKA taking advantage of credit card points and credit card opening bonuses. ๐Ÿ’ธ๐Ÿ’ธ

This is just from putting all of our regular expenses on travel credit cards over the past six-ish months (groceries, house renovation expenses, clothes, etc.), paying the card off in full every month and racking up free miles.

So, what travel credit card is best, you ask?

I wish there was a simple answer, but the truth is, it depends on your personal goals as a traveler.

Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™ve created a FREE downloadable quiz (link in bio) that you can take to determine which travel credit card you should open.

This travel hacking quiz is going to tell you exactly which travel credit card is best for you, no matter if youโ€™re new to travel credit card points or a seasoned travel hacking pro.

If you take the quiz, let me know what you get!! ๐Ÿ’ฌ

(Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor, and this is not financial advice. Always consult a professional who knows your unique financial situation. Always follow credit card best practices, such as paying your card off in full on time every month.)

#travelhacking #travelcreditcards #freeflights #freetravel #budgettravel #budgettraveltips #europeansummer
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Indigo Sahara

A travel blog: teaching cultural competence through inspirational travel

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Do You Need To Rent A Car In Iceland?

July 10, 2023

If you’re traveling to Iceland, you’ll definitely want to leave the city and venture out to the country’s jaw-dropping landscapes. So, this begs the question: do you need to rent a car in Iceland?

Do You Need To Rent A Car In Iceland?

This blog post is sponsored by Lava Car Rental, an Icelandic car rental company specializing in new and cheap rental cars in Iceland. All thoughts are my own.

In this article, you’ll learn everything about renting a car in Iceland — if its necessary, where to rent, other transportation options and more — leaving you confident in your Iceland ground transportation choice.

Let’s get started with the basics.

How do tourists get around Iceland?

Tourists get around Iceland in two primary ways: car rentals and bus tours.

Car rentals are the most popular way for tourists to get around Iceland. Because there are so many incredible, diverse landscapes to visit around the island, most tourist opt for a rental car.

rent a car in iceland

We’ll talk about why I recommend renting a car in a moment.

On the contrary, the best alternative to getting around Iceland is joining an Iceland bus tour, such as this South Iceland day trip, if you are uncomfortable driving abroad or are only stopping in Reykjavik for a short period of time.

Although you won’t have to worry about driving or navigation on a bus tour, you won’t be able to make any spontaneous stops or diversions from the tour’s designated route either, which is a definite bummer.

Do you need a car to get around Iceland?

Whether you opt for your own car, a bus tour or another private driver, yes, you need a car to get around Iceland. Iceland’s main tourists spots are very spread out. It can take a couple hours just to drive from one popular attraction to the next.

For example, the drive from Reyjavik to Vik (the town near popular destinations like Kirkjufjara Beach and Skรณgafoss waterfall) is over 2.5 hours long.

iceland car rental

Granted, the long drives are always stunning and promise to keep you entertained throughout.

Regardless, if you want to see as much of Iceland as possible, you’ll need a vehicle.

Is it recommended to rent a car in Iceland?

Yes, it is highly recommended to rent a car in Iceland.

Although you can hire private drivers or bus tours, it is better to rent a car in Iceland because you’ll have the freedom to make spontaneous road trip stops (which you’ll want to do), adjust your Ring Road road trip itinerary to the unpredictable Icelandic weather, and overall see a lot more of Iceland on your trip.

car rental in iceland

For instance, you’ll be able to road trip around the full Ring Road and/or Golden Circle, as well as spontaneously stop to see the lupines, waterfalls, glaciers and rare moss fields that you will drive past.

Where To Rent A Car In Iceland

During our June trip to Iceland, I worked with Lava Car Rental, an Icelandic car rental company specializing in new and cheap rental cars, to bring the best Ring Road road trip itineraries and Iceland travel guides to you.

What I loved most about Lava Car Rental, besides their impeccable Icelandic branding and fun volcano logo, was how affordable and easy it was to rent a car with them.

You can expect their car rentals to cost well under $100 USD per day (some for under $50 USD and around $100 USD for 4×4 vehicles). For Iceland, that’s an impressive rate. You can barely buy a meal at a restaurant in Iceland for that price.

best car rental iceland

Furthermore, even though off-site car rental pickups can seem intimidating or like too much work after a long flight, Lava Car Rental’s free Keflavik airport shuttle to the car rental pickup site was pretty seamless.

In fact, they even have a flight tracker that will track the arrival of your flight so that their shuttle will be ready for you upon arrival.

If you don’t see the shuttle (located right outside the P1 parking lot doors) within five minutes, call their office and they’ll happily send a shuttle for you.

car rentals iceland

Then, once you pick up your Lava Car Rental car (or campervan), you’re ready to explore Iceland.

They’ll give you gas discounts on your key fob, too. Be sure to use the discounts (by tapping the petrol station fob on the gas pump’s card reader before inserting your bank card) because gas in Iceland is expensive!

What kind of car do I need in Iceland?

In Iceland in summer, any economy car rental will do. Although 4×4 vehicles are necessary on some roads, you will not need a 4×4 vehicles if you just plan on visiting the main Iceland tourist spots.

Even if you do encounter some bumpy roads, you should be fine in a 2WD vehicle. We easily drove on roads in our 2WD Dacia Jogger from Lava Car Rental where 4×4 vehicles were recommended.

road trip aesthetic

For example, if you’re hoping to visit Studlagil Canyon (which I highly recommend) and don’t want to walk the full six miles out-and-back to the canyon, you can easily take the bumpy “4×4 recommended” road to a closer parking lot in a 2WD car. It’s a little rocky, but we had no problems.

iceland road trip

Just make sure to avoid the F-roads (steep mountain roads into the highlands), on which you need a 4×4 to drive by law.

Additionally, off roading is illegal in Iceland, so don’t rent a 4×4 thinking you’ll be able to.

In Iceland in winter, on the other hand, a 4×4 car is recommended, as roads can be snowy and unmaintained.

do you need to rent a car in iceland

Do you need an SUV in Iceland?

You do not need an SUV in Iceland.

Like I mentioned earlier, we rented a Dacia Jogger from Lava Car Rental, which is very spacious but not intended to be used as an SUV. And, we had no troubles navigating Iceland.

More Iceland Car Rental FAQs

Is it easy for Americans to drive in Iceland?

Yes, it is very easy for Americans to drive in Iceland. In Iceland, they drive on the right side of the road, and intersections are very similar to US intersections.

You can read Iceland’s driving rules here to make sure you’re as prepared and comfortable to drive in Iceland as possible before your trip.

Can you drive in Iceland with a US license?

Yes, you can driving in Iceland with a valid US driver’s license.

Although an international driver’s permit is always recommended, it is not required in Iceland.

We drove in Iceland with just our US license — no international driver’s permit (IDP) — and we had zero issues.

Do You Need To Rent A Car In Iceland?

Have any more questions about whether or not to rent a car in Iceland? Send me a DM over on Instagram. I’m happy to help!

More Iceland Travel Guides

Cheap Travel Tips That Will Change Your Life
80 Road Trip Puns That Will Drive You Honkers
100 Adventure Puns Youโ€™ll Love A Moun-ton
Travel Photography Tips For Beginners 2023 (W/ Examples)

Save This Guide For Later

Save this guide to renting a car in Iceland for later by sharing to socials.

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By: Indigo Sahara

About Indigo Sahara

Indigo Sahara is a full-time travel blogger and photographer who has lived abroad twice, journeyed through 10+ countries and learned multiple languages. Since graduating with her master's degree, her goal now is to make travel accessible to all.

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Unpopular opinion: red eye flights are better. ๐Ÿ›ฉ

Hereโ€™s why:

1. They are often cheaper than daytime flights.
2. You get an entire extra day in your destination.

Even if the red eye and daytime flights are the same price, you get better bang for your buck because you get to spend more time in your destination.

For example, we got an entire extra day in Bora Bora for free by flying on the red eye. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ’ธ

Agree or disagree?

#travelreel #travelreels #travelreelsoninstagram #travelbloggervibes #redeyeflight #cheapflights
Dreaming up a trip to Positano, Italy? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Save and screenshot this ultimate itinerary for 5 days in Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy!

Day 1: Explore Positanoโ€™s streets, shops and restaurants.
Day 2: Day trip to Amalfi Town (or Ravello).
Day 3: Day trip to Capri.
Day 4: Beach day at Spiaggia Grande.
Day 5: Fornillo Beach or a private beach club like @arienzobeachclubpositano 

For more itinerary details (how to get to Positano, activity details and more), head to:

indigosahara.com/positano-itinerary-5-days 

Buon viaggio! ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒž๐ŸŒŠ

#positanoitaly #positanobeach #amalficoastitaly #italytrip #travelitinerary #travelguides #positano๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น
Heading to Italy โ€” soon or someday? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Heading to Italy โ€” soon or someday? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

Save and screenshot this one week Italy itinerary for Rome and the Amalfi Coast!

Day 1: Rome
Day 2: Rome
Day 3: Positano
Day 4: Amalfi Town
Day 5: Capri
Day 6: Positano
Day 7: Rome

Buon viaggio! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿค๐Ÿ๐Ÿ‹

#italyitinerary #italytravel #italytrip #romecity #positanoitaly #amalficoastitaly
How many have you been to out of 30? โœจ All of t How many have you been to out of 30? โœจ

All of these bucket list destinations are the perfect places to visit in Europe for an iconic European summer experience.

Iโ€™m personally very excited to check a few more off the list this summer. ๐Ÿคญ

Remember to SAVE this summer bucket list for easy access later! 

#europedestinations #europetrip #europeansummer #summertravel #travel
12 flights for $175 USD total. ๐Ÿ’ธ Hereโ€™s how๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿผ

Travel hacking!

AKA taking advantage of credit card points and credit card opening bonuses. ๐Ÿ’ธ๐Ÿ’ธ

This is just from putting all of our regular expenses on travel credit cards over the past six-ish months (groceries, house renovation expenses, clothes, etc.), paying the card off in full every month and racking up free miles.

So, what travel credit card is best, you ask?

I wish there was a simple answer, but the truth is, it depends on your personal goals as a traveler.

Thatโ€™s why Iโ€™ve created a FREE downloadable quiz (link in bio) that you can take to determine which travel credit card you should open.

This travel hacking quiz is going to tell you exactly which travel credit card is best for you, no matter if youโ€™re new to travel credit card points or a seasoned travel hacking pro.

If you take the quiz, let me know what you get!! ๐Ÿ’ฌ

(Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor, and this is not financial advice. Always consult a professional who knows your unique financial situation. Always follow credit card best practices, such as paying your card off in full on time every month.)

#travelhacking #travelcreditcards #freeflights #freetravel #budgettravel #budgettraveltips #europeansummer

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