A red SUV parked on a gravel road, with green mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

Car Rental Prices in Iceland: What to Expect Year-Round

Car rental prices in Iceland vary a lot depending on the time of year, the type of vehicle, and how long you rent it for.

In general, prices are lowest in winter, start increasing in late spring, and peak in July and August when demand is highest, as it’s the best time to visit Iceland. Larger vehicles like SUVs see the biggest price jumps in peak season, while small cars stay relatively more affordable year-round. Prices per day also go down the longer you rent. For example, a small car might cost around $390 for 7 days (~$56/day), but about $702 for 14 days (~$50/day).

Average Car Rental Prices in Iceland for 3-Day Trips

Short rentals have the highest daily prices and change the most with the season. Small cars start around $167 for 3 days in winter and go up to about $296–$367 for 3 days in summer, with bigger cars increasing even more.

PeriodSmallFamilyMid SUVLarge SUVWhat it means
Jan–Mar (low season)$167$217–$364$204–$296$298–$829Cheapest time to rent
Apr–May (shoulder)$185–$210$217–$356$224–$229$298–$829Good balance of price/weather
Jun (ramp-up)$240–$274$282–$499$297–$516$451–$800Prices start rising fast
Jul–Aug (peak)$296–$431$359–$826$410–$898$772–$1,636Most expensive (but best) period
Sep (drop)$259–$295$303–$538$347–$584$696–$919Still high, but better
Oct–Nov (low again)$213–$247$249–$452$285–$490$436–$773Great value
Dec (holiday spike)$206–$235$240–$426$275–$463$422–$732Christmas surge

Average Car Rental Prices in Iceland for 5-Day Trips

5-day rentals are a middle ground between short and longer trips. Small cars start around $258 for 5 days in winter and go up to about $473–$584 for 5 days in summer. Bigger cars follow the same pattern, with higher prices in peak season.

PeriodSmallFamilyMid SUVLarge SUVWhat it means
Jan–Mar (low season)$258–$325$334–$561$315–$457$460–$1,281Cheapest time to rent
Apr–May (shoulder)$286–$324$334–$548$345–$354$460–$1,281Good balance of price/weather
Jun (ramp-up)$372–$424$436–$771$354–$797$696–$1,238Prices start rising fast
Jul–Aug (peak)$473–$665$554–$1,276$634–$1,387$1,207–$2,574Most expensive (but best) period
Sep (drop)$400–$455$468–$830$537–$902$1,074–$1,422Still high, but better
Oct–Nov (low again)$328–$382$384–$697$450–$757$672–$1,197Great value
Dec (holiday spike)$317–$362$372–$659$425–$715$650–$1,132Christmas surge

Average Car Rental Prices in Iceland for 7-Day Trips

A 7-day rental is the most common choice for travelers and gives a clear view of how prices change throughout the year. In winter, small cars start around $345 for 7 days, while in peak summer they can reach $632–$887 for 7 days, with SUVs and larger vehicles increasing even more due to higher demand.

PeriodSmallFamilyMid SUVLarge SUVWhat it means
Jan–Mar (low season)$345–$390$447–$599$422–$517$872–$1,294Cheapest time to rent
Apr–May (shoulder)$384–$467$481–$608$422–$557$930–$1,355Good balance of price/weather
Jun (ramp-up)$508–$578$595–$1,055$628–$1,081$931–$1,659Prices start rising fast
Jul–Aug (peak)$632–$1,010$741–$1,314$849–$2,107$1,622–$3,755Most expensive (but best) period
Sep (drop)$535–$610$627–$1,111$718–$1,208$1,417–$1,904Still high, but better
Oct–Nov (low again)$439–$512$515–$933$589–$1,014$900–$1,604Great value
Dec (holiday spike)$424–$484$498–$882$569–$958$871–$1,517Christmas surge

Average Car Rental Prices in Iceland for 10-Day Trips

10-day rentals bring the daily price down compared to shorter trips. Small cars start around $454 for 10 days in winter and go up to about $849–$1,157 for 10 days in summer. SUVs and larger cars increase more during the busy months.

PeriodSmallFamilyMid SUVLarge SUVWhat it means
Jan–Mar (low season)$454–$571$588–$987$553–$803$808–$2,259Cheapest time to rent
Apr–May (shoulder)$503–$571$587–$965$607–$624$1,222–$2,344Good balance of price/weather
Jun (ramp-up)$677–$771$794–$1,435$841–$1,435$1,223–$2,183Prices start rising fast
Jul–Aug (peak)$849–$1,319$995–$2,531$1,121–$2,749$2,130–$4,805Most expensive (but best) period
Sep (drop)$703–$801$825–$1,461$943–$1,586$1,809–$2,506Still high, but better
Oct–Nov (low again)$577–$674$676–$1,226$775–$1,332$1,182–$2,111Great value
Dec (holiday spike)$554–$632$649–$1,151$743–$1,251$1,136–$1,984Christmas surge

Average Car Rental Prices in Iceland for 14-Day Trips

14-day rentals have the lowest daily cost overall. Small cars start around $622 for 14 days in winter and go up to about $1,180–$1,492 for 14 days in summer. Larger vehicles go up more, especially in July and August.

PeriodSmallFamilyMid SUVLarge SUVWhat it means
Jan–Mar (low season)$622–$782$806–$1,353$758–$1,176$1,107–$3,095Cheapest time to rent
Apr–May (shoulder)$690–$910$805–$1,321$758–$855$1,673–$3,211Good balance of price/weather
Jun (ramp-up)$936–$1,067$1,098–$1,945$1,165–$1,980$2,226–$3,884Prices start rising fast
Jul–Aug (peak)$1,180–$1,700$1,384–$3,262$1,541–$3,545$2,912–$6,045Most expensive (but best) period
Sep (drop)$963–$1,098$1,129–$2,001$1,291–$2,173$2,432–$3,434Still high, but better
Oct–Nov (low again)$790–$922$926–$1,679$1,060–$1,825$1,620–$2,893Great value
Dec (holiday spike)$757–$864$887–$1,574$1,017–$1,710$1,554–$2,715Christmas surge

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental Prices in Iceland

January, February, and November are usually the cheapest months. July and August are normally the most expensive.

If you’re traveling in summer, booking early usually helps. Prices often go up as availability gets lower, especially for automatics and 4x4s.

Yes. Automatic cars usually cost more, and they also sell out faster during busy months.

Sometimes, but not always. In winter and spring, the difference can be smaller than people expect. In summer, 4x4 prices usually increase a lot more.

Yes. The rental price already includes:

  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
  • Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)
  • Third Party Liability Insurance
  • Theft Protection
  • Unlimited mileage

Extra insurance options may still be available at checkout if you want more coverage.

Yes. Prices can change depending on demand, how far ahead you book, and how many cars are left.

No. Cars are usually picked up with a full tank and should be returned the same way.

Usually not. Renting from Keflavík Airport or Reykjavík is normally very similar price-wise, so most travelers choose whichever pickup location is more convenient for their trip.