Car hire in Akureyri, Iceland

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Choose from 9 pick-up spots

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There are 9 car hire providers in Akureyri. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

The most popular car rental companies in Akureyri

Hiring a car in Akureyri: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyBudget
Most popular carMini, 4-5 doors
Average daily priceR 1,911
Best time to book2 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in Akureyri

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Akureyri car rental search.

How to find a cheap car hire deal in Akureyri

  • Searching for a cheap rental car in Akureyri? With an average price of R 1,911 a day, you're in gear for serious savings. Whether you're after a small ride, a road trip-ready SUV, or something in between, we round up all the top deals to get you real value.

  • R 1,444 is the cheapest daily price for a rental in Akureyri.

  • For longer trips, book a weekly rental from R 4,863 and make room for more adventures.

  • Snap up the best price on a Akureyri car hire by booking in advance. You're more likely to get the car that fits and a rate that works.

  • Europcar, Budget and Hertz are among the top-rated providers in the city. Use them as a starting point to compare offers.

  • Always check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Akureyri car hire policy, whether you go with Europcar or any other supplier. Some companies might not include it in the base price and instead sell it separately.

  • Consider booking a one-way rental. You might be able to score a good deal if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Find the best available rates by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'

  • Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car with a full tank, so you pay only for what you use. No surprise fuel add-ons when you hand back the keys either.

  • Hit the highway without counting the miles and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and pick 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.

Best value car hire options right now

  • You'll find the best value with this company. Prices average R 3,282 a day.

  • Next up is this provider, offering daily rates of around R 3,572.

  • The third option also delivers savings with every booking. Expect to pay roughly R 3,672 a day for one of their rentals.

  • The Mini rental category is a reliable option if you're unsure what kind of ride you need. It's also the vehicle type that's booked more than any other in Akureyri.

Flying to Akureyri? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're jetting into Akureyri, make tracks sooner by booking a car hire at Akureyri Airport. The drive time from this airport to the city centre is around 3 kilometres and takes about 15 minutes.

Compare car hire types in Akureyri

  • Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap rental car in Akureyri gets you moving without breaking the bank. These agile, fuel-efficient cars are great for city driving and short trips.

  • Medium: Choose from compact and intermediate cars that combine space, fuel efficiency and comfort. Easy to manoeuvre around cities and roomy enough for longer drives, they're a reliable fit for most trips.

  • Large: Long drives fly by in this Akureyri car hire category. Also known as full-size, they're built with bigger engines for better driving. The extra legroom and comfort make them a top choice for families and groups of friends.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising along uninterrupted highways, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Akureyri that can handle a small crowd (and their luggage), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group excursions, moving or business use.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Choosing excess insurance for your Akureyri car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of theft or a collision. Insurance policies aren't the same across all rental providers, so check how each one stacks up.

  • Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Akureyri by adding a few handy extras. Think things like a navigation system to be your trusty co-pilot, or reverse cameras that upgrade your parking game.

Good to know

  • Usually, you have to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Iceland. Being younger doesn't always disqualify you — just expect some extra fees or restrictions. Check the companies' terms and conditions before you book.

  • If you've got the kids in tow, check if you should add a child car seat to your Akureyri car hire reservation. Whether local laws require them or not, they're always the safest way for little ones to travel.

  • Make sure you have the necessary documents when you get to the rental desk. As a general rule, bring a valid driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds for the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.

  • If it's your first time driving in Iceland, remember that traffic here keeps to the right side of the road.

  • Local speed limits are usually about 45kph in built-up areas and around 85kph on highways. Check the road signs, as limits may vary.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Iceland is 0.05%. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, the only way to be sure you're safe to drive is to avoid drinking.

  • One of the busiest times to be out on the roads in this destination is around 8am. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the Icelandic króna (ISK) for day-to-day spending throughout your trip. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cash and cards to cover you in every situation.

  • Icelandic is the language most often spoken across the country.

Best hotels in Akureyri for drivers

  • Spend less time looking for a place to park and more time enjoying your stay at Hotel Norðurland. Around 0.97 kilometres from central Akureyri, it comes with parking, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage.

  • Hafdals Hotel also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features parking, along with Wi-Fi and internet access. Make this your base and you'll be roughly 3 kilometres from the city centre.

  • Need more ideas for your trip? Browse the full list of hotels in Akureyri. You can narrow things down using the filters — try 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' If you're driving electric, you can use the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter.

  • It's time to get out and explore now you've found a car hire deal in Akureyri and your hotel. From Kjarnaskógur to Nordurslod - Into the Arctic and Regnbogastiginn, there's plenty to keep you busy here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from Akureyri

  • Shift gears and make tracks to Saudarkrokur. Around 72 kilometres west of central Akureyri, it's home to must-sees like Drangey Tours and Puffin and Friends.

  • Alternatively, collect your cheap car hire in Akureyri and then head out to Husavik. About 56 kilometres northeast of Akureyri, Húsavík Harbour and Husavik port are big attractions that are well worth the trip.

  • Husavik has some great accommodation options including Fosshotel Husavik and Hótel Húsavík. Both give you somewhere to leave your car while you're here.

  • Got a little fuel left in the tank? Motor on to Hafnarfjörður, about 257 kilometres southwest of Akureyri. From Aurora Basecamp to Nature Walks, it's the perfect finale to your trip.

  • Book a room at Hótel Vellir or 201 Hotel. They're a convenient base for exploring everything Hafnarfjörður has to offer. They come with space for your wheels too.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Akureyri will set you back around R 1,911 per day or R 4,863 per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Akureyri is a compact estate (sometimes known as a station wagon). The most popular is Mini, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car hire company in Akureyri is currently Dollar, followed by Thrifty.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Akureyri is currently July.
On average, around R 4,863. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Akureyri is R 4,863.
If you're looking for freedom to explore Akureyri, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Akureyri that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Akureyri.
Most places – Akureyri included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is R 1,786 per day. The average price per day is around R 2,065.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Budget, Avis and Thrifty offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Budget as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the internet for all kinds of vehicle hire deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van hire in Akureyri.