Road
Tolls In Iceland

A majority of Iceland’s roads are free from tolls, except for a few exceptions. This includes the newly opened Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, which opened in 2020 in Northern Iceland.

The tunnel was created to shorten Ring Road by 9 miles. You will pass through this tunnel if you are heading from the east of the Eyjafjörður fjord to Akureyri, the capital of the North.

Tunnel Toll

The toll differs depending on the weight of your vehicle. For regular passenger car under 3.5 tons will cost you 1,650 ISK or $10, each way. For vehicles that weigh between .5 to 7.5 tons, there is a 2.600 ISK or $15 one-way fee. You need to pay the fee within 24 hours of driving through and you will need to have a valid credit card to do so. You can pay for the payment via the website veggjald.is.

Tunnel App

They even have a convenient app you can use with Apple iOS and Android after passing through the tunnel. The easiest option would be to pre-register your rental car’s license plate number on the website 24 hours before you pass through the tunnel. That way you can prepay and not have to worry about it afterward.

It is essential to pay the fee and there is no way to get around it. If you forget to pay within 24 hours before or after you pass through the tunnel, you will leave Iceland with a fine. You will be charged the tunnel fee upon returning your rental car, as well as a $20 service fee. So it is best to be prepared and take care of it immediately after or in advance.

Can I drive around the tunnel?

You could, but only if you feel comfortable driving on a mountain pass. The tunnel saves not only time but unneeded stress, especially for those who don’t like windy mountainous roads. However, it is an option for you during certain times of the year.

If you do not take the tunnel you will take the Víkurskarð Road, a mountain pass that connects the Svalbarðsströnd coast and Fnjóskadalur. The road is not that challenging during the summer months, but winter is another story. Heavy snow is more common in Northern Iceland than in other parts. Bad weather occurs typically between late September to early May. It could be a beautiful day in West Iceland but heavily snowing on the mountain pass. So it is best to avoid those months in general, just to be extra safe.