Question 1

Can I rent a car upon arrival at Keflavik International Airport?

Accepted Answer

You can hire a rental car directly at Keflavik International Airport (KEF Airport), but we recommend booking a car on our website in advance. Doing so will give you cheaper options and a more comprehensive selection of available vehicles. Some car rentals may be fully booked during the high season, such as summer or Christmas. Therefore, booking ahead of time can give you an advantage.

Question 2

What are the benefits of renting a car at Keflavik Airport in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Many car rentals in Iceland are based at Keflavik International Airport, Iceland's largest airport, 32 miles (52 kilometers) from Reykjavik's city center. You can pick up your rental vehicle 24 hours a day at the airport, so it should be ready on arrival.
Keflavik Airport car rentals are a convenient way to have your auto rental for your entire stay in Iceland. Picking up and dropping off your rental at the airport allows you the freedom to go where you want from the moment you land in the country. Some providers will enable you to pick up your rental car in Keflavik and return it in Reykjavik or vice versa.

Question 3

Can I pick up the car at my accommodation near the airport?

Accepted Answer

While some rental companies offer pick-up at a specific Keflavik address, most require you to go to their office or the airport arrivals hall for pick-up. Please note that public transport options near the area can be limited.

Question 4

Can I pick up and drop off my car at any time at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

Most car rental companies near the airport are open 24/7. You can select your desired pick-up and drop-off times in our booking widget. Please note that pick-up and drop-off instructions can differ outside office hours, and you may incur additional charges.

Question 5

What sort of car should I rent for traveling in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

We have a wide selection of rental cars for you to choose from and pick up at Keflavik Airport, depending on what you need. If you're traveling during the summer and mainly stick to paved roads like the Ring Road, renting a small car in Iceland should be sufficient for your travels.
However, if you're visiting during the winter, renting a 4x4 vehicle in case you need to traverse through the snow would be better.
If you want to bring your accommodation wherever you go, renting a camper van in Iceland is a top choice for travelers, offering the ultimate convenience in summer.
Whether you're looking for a small vehicle with the lowest rental prices or need one of our specialty vehicles, our complete car rental search engine will help you find the best option to meet your needs. For further information, read our guide on rental car sizes in Iceland.

Question 6

What sort of tires do rental cars in Iceland have?

Accepted Answer

In summer, all cars rented in Keflavik will have standard summer-appropriate tires. In winter (after November 1), they'll have studded winter tires suited for winter traveling.

Question 7

Is it better to rent a car from Keflavik Airport or Reykjavik city?

Accepted Answer

We recommend renting a car directly at the airport, as it can be cheaper and rental offices near the airport have longer opening hours. If you hire a car from the capital, you must book an airport transfer to Reykjavik to pick up your vehicle.

Question 8

How do I pick up my car at Keflavik airport in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the company, car rentals in Keflavik have different procedures for pick-up or drop-off. Please find more details on your electronic voucher and contact the rental company for further information. You can find their contact details at the top of your voucher.
Please note that the car won’t be at the airport, but you must pick it up from the company’s nearby rental office. Some car rentals have a representative greet you in the arrival hall, while others require you to take a shuttle from the allocated pick-up location outside the arrival hall.

Question 9

Which places near Keflavik Airport in Iceland can I go to in my rental car?

Accepted Answer

If you have a few hours, you can visit the beautiful Reykjanes Peninsula or soak in the warm geothermal waters of the famous Blue Lagoon spa. Driving from Keflavik airport to the Blue Lagoon will only take about 15-20 minutes, making it a perfect pit stop on your way to Reykjavik.

Question 10

Can I pick up my rental car directly from my hotel in Keflavik?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although most visitors opt for airport pick-up as soon as they arrive in Iceland. Most car hire companies also allow customers to pick up their rental cars within the town of Keflavik.
Depending on the company, this option may be free, or you must prepare for a small additional cost. Keep in mind that Keflavik is within the municipality of Reykjanesbaer.

Question 11

How do I locate my car rental company upon arrival at Keflavik airport in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the rental company, a representative may be waiting for you in the Keflavik airport arrival hall. Or, you’ll need to follow the sign in the arrival hall listing all rental companies that provide an airport shuttle service in Iceland.

Question 12

What is the difference between renting a camping van or a car with a rooftop tent in Iceland?

Accepted Answer

A camping van is a converted moving van with space to sleep comfortably inside. The rooftop tent vehicles have a foldable tent on the top of the car, accessible by a ladder. The rooftop tent is closer to regular camping, while the vans are more in the line of a small motorhome. In both cases, you must park your rental van overnight at a designated camping area.

Question 13

Which rental cars are well-equipped to drive in the Icelandic Highlands?

Accepted Answer

Most rental cars in the 4x4 vehicle category are suitable for travel in the Highlands of Iceland. In some cases, cars will have a specific listing if there are certain highland roads they’re not suited to driving. Remember that most mountain roads (F roads) are closed during winter.
Driving a car not marked for highland travel will void any insurance you might have purchased. You will then be liable for your rental car’s undercarriage or suspension damage.

Question 14

Can I drop off the rental car I hired in Keflavik at another location?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the car rental company, there are various drop-off locations for your rental car, even if you picked it up in Keflavik. Carefully read the car rental page description to see if the car hire company has other locations outside Keflavik, such as Reykjavik airport.

Question 15

Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

No, an International Driving Permit is not mandatory for renting a car at Keflavik Airport, as long as you have a valid driving license in English or accompanied by an official English translation. Drivers with permits in non-Latin alphabets (like Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.) typically need an International Driving Permit along with their original license. Read our guide on renting a car in Iceland to learn more about requirements.

Question 16

Are there any age restrictions for renting a car at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most car rental companies at Keflavik Airport require drivers to be at least 20 or 21 years old for standard vehicles. You must be 23 or older for certain larger or luxury vehicles, so check any age restrictions when booking.

Question 17

Can I add an additional driver to my rental agreement at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your car rental agreement at Keflavik Airport. The additional driver must meet the same requirements as the primary driver and be present at the time of rental to provide their driving license. There may be an extra fee for each additional driver.

Question 18

What is the fuel policy for car rentals at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

At Keflavik Airport, the predominant fuel policy for car rentals is 'full-to-full,' where you receive the vehicle with a full tank and are required to return it full.
If the vehicle is not returned with a full tank, additional charges apply, usually higher than local fuel prices.
Another standard policy is 'level-to-level,' meaning you must return the car with the same amount of fuel as when you picked it up. This policy requires you to note the fuel level at the start of the rental period and refill accordingly before returning the car.

Question 19

What types of insurance options are available for car rentals at Keflavik Airport?

Accepted Answer

Car rentals at Keflavik Airport typically offer various insurance options, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), Gravel Protection, Theft Protection, and Sand and Ash Protection. Some are automatically included, and others are optional.
Each type of insurance covers different aspects of potential damage, and it's advisable to understand the coverage details before selecting.