Car Hire Akureyri — Explore Iceland's North on Your Terms
Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjörður, Iceland's longest fjord, and serves as the gateway to the north. While the town centre is compact and walkable, the real draw lies beyond — waterfalls, geothermal pools, whale-watching harbours, and the winding roads of the Troll Peninsula. A rental car turns a town visit into a full northern Iceland adventure. At 365 Car Hire, we compare options so you can choose the right vehicle for fjord drives, highland tracks, or coastal cruising. Pick-up is straightforward, terms are clear, and you collect the exact car you reserved.
Most visitors to Akureyri arrive by domestic flight from Reykjavik or by road via the Ring Road. The town itself is pleasant on foot, but public transport beyond it is limited. Taxis exist but are expensive for day trips. If you want to visit Goðafoss, Mývatn, or the Arctic coastline, having your own transport is the practical choice. Roads in the region range from well-maintained Ring Road sections to gravel mountain tracks. In summer, a standard vehicle handles the main routes. If you plan to explore the interior highlands or visit during the darker months, consider an appropriate vehicle for the conditions and always check the road status before setting out.
Northern Iceland / Eyjafjörður
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Rental car for fjord and highland access
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Paved Ring Road; gravel on highland routes
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Check road.is before any highland or winter drive
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
Include transfers, parking days, opening hours and return timing when comparing the two options.
Pick-up in Akureyri town centre
A town-centre collection suits travellers staying locally and planning day trips around Eyjafjörður. It keeps you close to accommodation and dining, with easy access to the Ring Road heading east or west.
Pick-up near Akureyri Airport
If you are flying in from Reykjavik, collecting near the airport saves a transfer and gets you on the road immediately. This works well for itineraries focused on the north and east rather than the capital.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Akureyri punches above its weight. It is Iceland's second-largest urban area, yet the town centre feels like a village stretched along a fjord. Colourful houses climb the hillside, a botanical garden defies the Arctic latitude, and cafés serve strong coffee to locals who have seen every season turn hard.
The real shift happens when you drive beyond the town limits. Eyjafjörður unfolds in long, grey-blue sheets, flanked by mountains that lose their snow only briefly in midsummer. Whale-watching boats leave from the harbour, but from the road you might spot humpbacks breaching without ever buying a ticket.
Further afield, Goðafoss crashes over a wide horseshoe cliff where Viking law-speaker Þorgeir supposedly threw his pagan idols into the water a thousand years ago. The waterfall is dramatic in any season, but visit in late autumn and the surrounding birch forest turns gold against black rock.
The north demands respect. Roads close without warning, weather shifts in minutes, and the highlands swallow the unprepared. But for travellers who plan properly, hire the right vehicle, and check conditions daily, the reward is quiet, wide-open country that feels untouched by the tourism boom further south.
Check the conditions behind the price
The selected supplier’s terms and booking voucher control the rental. Review them before payment and again before collection.
Total payable price
Compare the full payable amount and inclusions rather than an unsupported daily-price promise.
Deposit and payment card
Confirm the deposit, accepted card type and whose name must appear on the card.
Excess and cover
Read the renter's liability, exclusions and what any optional protection actually changes.
Fuel policy
Know the collection level, return requirement and whether a refuelling charge can apply.
Mileage and territory
Check any distance limit and where the vehicle may be driven.
Extras and return
Price additional drivers, seats, after-hours service and one-way return before payment.
Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Driving standards in the north
Icelandic traffic rules apply nationwide. Headlights must be on at all times, even in daylight. Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Speed limits are enforced with average-speed cameras on some routes, so do not rely on luck.
Fuel and stops
Petrol stations are spaced further apart in the north than around Reykjavik. Fill up before leaving Akureyri on longer drives. Many stations are self-service and require a card with a PIN.
Weather and seasonal roads
Winter brings snow and ice to lowland roads, and highland tracks close entirely from autumn until late spring. Always check the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration website before heading into the interior.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Visit Akureyri.
Build a realistic first journey
Akureyri to Goðafoss
One of Iceland's most photographed waterfalls sits roughly half an hour west of Akureyri along the Ring Road. The route is paved and accessible year-round in a standard vehicle, though winter conditions can slow progress.
Akureyri to Mývatn and Krafla
East of Akureyri, the Mývatn lake area offers geothermal fields, pseudocraters, and the Krafla volcanic system. The drive follows the Ring Road and is straightforward in summer; winter travellers should check forecasts and road closures.
Akureyri to the Troll Peninsula (Tröllaskagi)
This northern coastal loop rewards drivers with fjord views, mountain passes, and quiet fishing villages. Some sections are narrow and gravel; allow extra time for traffic and weather, and never rush the mountain roads.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a four-wheel-drive in Akureyri?
Not for the Ring Road or main tourist routes in summer. A standard car is sufficient for Goðafoss, Mývatn, and the town itself. If you plan to drive F-roads (highland tracks) or visit in deep winter, a 4×4 is strongly recommended.
What do I need to know about winter driving?
Icelandic winter means short daylight, snow, and ice. Winter tyres are legally required from November to April. Drive slowly, keep distance, and check road.is and safetravel.is for conditions before departure.
Are there toll roads near Akureyri?
There are no toll roads in the immediate Akureyri area. The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel south of Akureyri charges a fee; your rental agreement should state whether tolls are included or billed separately.
Can I take a rental car on highland F-roads?
Most rental agreements restrict or prohibit F-road driving unless you have a specific 4×4 category. The interior highlands are remote, with river crossings and rough terrain. If you are unsure, ask your supplier before booking.
Compare Akureyri car hire
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