Reykjavík

Europe > Iceland > Reykjavík (KEF)

The Car or no Car advice for  Reykjavík can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Reykjavík ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Reykjavík ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.

🇮🇸 Mode

Score
🚆 Non-car score non-car score 4

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Reykjavík?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇮🇸 Factor

Score
🚗 Car Score car rental availability score 8
🚗Do we need a car in Reykjavík? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Reykjavík sits in a slightly unusual position on the travel map. Iceland is very much a destination in its own right, but the city is also widely used as a stopover between Europe and North America, especially on routes to the USA and Canada. In both cases, the transport decision tends to land in the same place: a rental car offers far more flexibility, with a few important caveats.

📍 Reykjavík vs Iceland

Reykjavík itself is compact and walkable.

  • The city centre is easy to explore on foot

  • Buses cover urban areas reasonably well

  • Taxis are available but expensive

If your visit is limited to cafés, museums, and the harbour, you can manage without a car. But most visitors don’t come to Iceland just for the city.

🌍 Iceland as the Main Attraction

What draws people to Iceland lies outside Reykjavík.

  • Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and lava fields

  • The Golden Circle and south coast

  • Hot springs and remote landscapes

Public transport to these places is limited. Organised tours exist and work well for short stays, but they operate on fixed schedules and predefined routes.

✈️ The Stopover Factor

For travellers using Reykjavík as a stopover en route to the USA or Canada, time is often limited.

  • You want to see as much as possible in a short window

  • Flexibility matters more than comfort

  • Waiting for tours or bus connections eats into valuable hours

In this context, a car allows you to turn a stopover into a real Icelandic experience, even if only for a day or two.

🚗 Why Renting a Car Changes Everything

A rental car gives you:

  • Control over timing and route

  • Access to quieter sites beyond tour buses

  • The ability to react to weather and light

  • Efficient use of short stays

This is true whether Iceland is your main destination or a brief pause between continents.

⚠️ The Iceland Caveats

There are, however, some important considerations:

  • Car rental is expensive

  • Fuel costs are high

  • Weather can change rapidly

  • Road conditions vary, especially outside summer

  • Some routes require specific vehicles and experience

Renting a car in Iceland rewards planning and caution.

Conclusion: should you rent a car in Reykjavík?

Yes — in most cases, it’s the best way to experience Iceland.

You can enjoy Reykjavík without a car, but Iceland beyond the city is where the country truly reveals itself. Whether you’re staying for a week or just stopping over on the way to North America, a rental car offers the freedom that Iceland’s landscapes demand — as long as you respect the conditions.

🚗Do we need a car in Reykjavík? Is it worth it? Should we? Destinations | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, driver options, local driving rules, and an overall recommendation.

🇮🇸 Factor

Score
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Reykjavík?
 overall should you rent a car score 7
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