Planning Ahead: 5 Things to Book for Your Iceland Campervan Trip
Ensure a seamless and stress-free campervan trip around Iceland by planning ahead and booking essential elements in advance. In our guide, "5 Things to Book in Advance on your Campervan Trip Around Iceland," we highlight key aspects that can enhance your travel experience. Among these crucial considerations is renting a camper in Iceland. By securing your camper rental in advance, you not only guarantee the availability of your preferred vehicle but also enjoy the convenience and peace of mind that come with planning this integral part of your journey. Dive into our comprehensive guide to discover the other essential aspects to book ahead, ensuring that your campervan trip is not only well-organized but also maximizes your enjoyment of Iceland's diverse landscapes and attractions.
Iceland isn’t all hiking in nature – there are some activities that are well worth booking ahead of time to secure your spot, especially as Iceland gets more and more popular. This list will help guide you on some of the best activities in the country that you need to book before hand – preferably before you arrive in Iceland for your campervan adventure.
1. The Blue Lagoon
The perfect spot to begin or end your camping trip, the Blue Lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the airport. Due to its popularity, entry times are staggered throughout the day so that it never gets overcrowded. Many of our customers are surprised when they realize that you do have to reserve your ticket ahead of time, so if this is something you’re interested in, make sure to book at least a week in advance to get your desired day and time. In the summer time, you might have to reserve your spot even more in advance.
2. Activities on Iceland’s Glaciers
One of the best ways to enjoy the Icelandic nature that you’ll be driving through in your campervan is to get out of the car and experience one of Iceland’s many glaciers. These ice-caps cover 11% of the total country, and many have active volcanoes lying underneath (don’t worry – the officials can usually detect when they’re about to erupt). There are multiple unreal experiences that you can enjoy one the ice caps, but most will require you to book in advance. Snowmobiling, glacier hikes, ice-climbing, exploring a natural ice cave, or even a fly-over to admire these ice giants from above – it’s all possible in Iceland.
3. The Laugavegur Trail Huts
If you’re planning on doing the famous 5-day Laugavegur trek while on your Iceland camping trip – and it is an incredible experience – you might want to look into booking the trail huts that serve as accommodation along the way. You can see the availability of the huts and reserve your spot here. If you’re not staying in the huts and are instead using a tent to camp out overnight, the only thing you need to worry about is reserving your campervan for the summer before they’re all booked!
4. Highland Adventures
Speaking of Iceland’s magnificent highlands, if you’re thinking about trying to explore some of Iceland’s wildest regions, you should investigate the option of booking a 4x4 camper van with Go Campers. The rough tracks of Iceland’s interior are only accessible by these types of campervans, as there are rivers that need to be forded. However, there are also a lot of tour companies that offer day trips into the Icelandic highlands from all around the country. From Reykjavik and the south, day tours can take you up into the popular areas of Thórsmörk and Landmannalaugar, whereas traveling in from the north of the island gives you easy access to the Askja volcanic caldera, and the east has the wild areas surrounding Snæfell mountain.
5. The Ferries
If you’ve been researching Iceland and its different regions, you might have discovered that there are several ferries that are operating around the country. The first of the two main ferries that might be of interest to travellers with campervans is the ferry in the south to the Westman Islands. Taking a campervan across on this ferry allows you to camp on the biggest of the islands, Heimaey. The small island has an interesting volcanic history and is also home to the largest puffin colony in the entire country in the summer. The other ferry that might be useful to take is the one that travels between Stykkishólmur on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Brjánslækur in the Westfjords, allowing easy access to the magnificent nature of the region.
Ferry to Brjánslækur in Westfjords
Do you need to reserve a spot at the campsites in Iceland?
There is no need for you to call ahead and book your spot at the campsites around the country; all of them have plenty of space for both campervans and tents.
Conclusion
Planning ahead can make your campervan trip in Iceland easier. Bookings are needed for popular spots like the Blue Lagoon, Laugavegur Trail huts, and some ferries, especially in summer. While campsites don’t require reservations, some activities and highland tours do. A little preparation means more time to enjoy Iceland’s amazing landscapes and make the most of your trip.