By car to Iceland. Roads in Iceland, the cost of gasoline in Iceland, parking in Iceland, traffic rules in Iceland

Safe driving in Iceland

In a sense, driving in Iceland is different from most other countries. Leaving an asphalt road on a gravel road can be dangerous if the driver does not notice the changes and slows down. The weather can change very quickly, and so can the driving conditions. 

Elfis Elfis will help you learn about this in the cartoon, look at this page “Driving with Elfis”. Remember that inexperienced drivers can easily lose control of the car on dirt roads, the maximum speed is 80 km / h, but often this speed is too high. Roads are narrow and it is easy to lose control of the car. Even if the speed limit is 80 or 90 km / h, the road can safely not allow such speeds.  

If you do not drive a 4 × 4 jeep, you are not allowed to drive on mountain roads (as shown on the maps). Under Icelandic law, everyone must wear a seat belt, no matter where they sit in the car, and children must wear protective equipment appropriate to their weight. Headlights are needed around the clock while driving. Off-road driving is prohibited!

Top 12 driving tips in Iceland

Icelandic road signs

Features of highways in Iceland

The total length of roads for public use in Iceland is 12,890 km. In this, paved roads here are 4,782 km.

Payment for the use of highways

The fee in Iceland is charged only when passing through the Hualfjörður tunnel. All other roads are free.

From 2018, it is planned to put into operation another tunnel – Vaðlaheiðargöng, which will also be paid. The length of the tunnel will be 7.4 km. Travel through the new tunnel for car owners will cost ISK 800, which is equal to 6.4 euros.

Hualfjörður tunnel and driveway

Hualfjörður lies between Reykjavik and Akranes. It is 5770 meters long, and 3750 meters of the total length are located under the sea. This tunnel cannot be driven at speeds above 70 km / h. The lowest point of the tunnel is considered to be 165 m.

The Hualfjörður tunnel has been welcoming motorists from all over the world since July 11, 1998. It was opened 8 months ahead of schedule. It was expected to pass 1,500 cars a day, but in 2007 the tunnel’s capacity was 5,500 cars a day.

Tariffs

• If the length of the car is not more than 6 meters, and together with the trailer – not more than 8 meters, you will have to pay for travel through the tunnel ISK 100 (0.8 euros);
• For lengths over 8 meters, the driver pays an additional ISK 300, equal to 2.4 euros;
• Penalty for travel without payment – ISK 2,800, which is equal to 22 euros (plus the cost of travel, which the driver did not pay).

Fasten your seat belts and drive with the headlights on

By law in Iceland, you must wear seat belts. This means that the seat belts must be fastened, even if you drive close. They save lives, so don’t be afraid to sound too right. By law, you must also always drive with the headlights on. This is especially important in winter, when the days are short and dark. It will be easier for you to drive if you see cars in front of you and pedestrians. Yes, and don’t forget to turn on the turn signals: other drivers can’t read minds (except for Derren Brown. Mr. Brown, if you’re reading this, you can move on to the next point). But keep in mind that local drivers sometimes forget about it, so always keep a safe distance between cars.

Check the weather forecast and drive according to weather conditions

It is very important to follow this advice in Iceland. The weather here can be very unpredictable, so it is recommended to be aware of the weather forecast for the day before getting behind the wheel. Even if you have experience driving on winter and mountain roads, the conditions in Iceland can be very different from those to which you are accustomed. Strong winds, sudden blizzards (even in spring) and thick fog can catch you by surprise, and you will need to drive more carefully. Don’t be afraid to slow down or stop where it’s comfortable and wait for the weather to improve. Icelandic weather is a force of nature, and there is nothing shameful about retreating before it. Here are  useful  sites  where you can get information about the weather and road conditions.

Get acquainted with the signs / single-lane bridges

In Iceland, there are good roads with all the necessary road signs, but, of course, useless if you do not know what they mean. Familiarize yourself with them before embarking on your road trip to make it easier for you to navigate the many blind spots, steep turns and single-lane bridges in the Icelandic countryside. And remember that the right to drive on a single-lane bridge first has the first car that reached it.

Keep sunglasses on hand

Remember Corey Hart’s old song Sunglasses at Night? Some of you may think that taking sunglasses on a winter trip to Iceland does not make sense, but you are wrong! The winter sun in Iceland can be insidious. It is both strong and low in the sky: it strikes the eye while driving. And if you travel in the summer, remember that the sun can shine around the clock, so always keep sunglasses on hand. In addition, you will look cooler in them.

Beware of sheep

Traveling through Iceland in spring or summer, on the roads and in the fields you will meet many sheep. Unfortunately, teaching sheep the rules of the road is still in its infancy, so for now you will have to come to terms with their habit of crossing the road without warning. In some areas, you may also encounter horses and deer: they should not be trusted either.

What not to do:

Get off the road

NEVER DO THIS! Icelandic nature is very fragile, and off-road driving can damage plants and mosses that will be restored for decades. If you see something interesting far away, but there is no road, just park your car and walk. So everyone will be whole.

Stop in the middle of the road

I know that I wrote to leave my car by the road if you want to explore natural attractions. But, of course, everything is not so simple here. Please do not stop your car in the middle of the road to go out to take pictures. Leaving the car on the roadside is also not an option. This can be easily forgotten when driving through the desert areas of Iceland, but on some routes, especially on the Ring Road, the traffic is quite heavy, and a car parked on the road can be dangerous. So you need to find a pocket or an exit (there are a lot of them along the road, just go a little further), park there and don’t worry about anything.

Drive fast on gravel roads

In fact, you shouldn’t drive anywhere. Speed ​​limit in settlements is 30 km / h; in cities – 50 km / h; on asphalt roads – 90 km / h; on gravel roads outside the city – 80 km / h. Surveillance cameras and police patrols have been set up across the country. You should also be especially careful when driving on gravel roads, especially in areas where asphalt turns to gravel. If you drive on the gravel too fast, the car may lose traction. Small stones can also damage the car, so it’s best to drive slowly and enjoy the roar.

Fear the locals

Despite the fact that the ancestors of the locals were formidable Vikings, the Icelanders are a friendly nation and are almost always ready to help a traveler who is in a difficult situation. If you just want to ask for directions or have a more difficult problem, the locals will do their best to help you. So lower the window and say hello. Locals do not bite!