Does Waze Work in Iceland? A Comprehensive Guide and Top Tips for Travelers

From fiery volcanoes and majestic mountains to cascading waterfalls and sparkling glaciers, Iceland is nothing if not unique. A dream vacation destination for adventure lovers, this special country has so much to offer, but it pays to be prepared for your trip – especially if you’re a first-time visitor.

Reliable navigation is one of the key things you’ll need to make your Iceland road trip a success. Find out everything you need to know about the navigation app Waze in this complete guide, which answers the question ‘does Waze work in Iceland?’ and gives you lots of handy top driving tips!

Does Waze Work in Iceland?

First of all – yes, Waze works in Iceland. This navigation app can be used for most major routes and urban areas across the island. It operates just like any other GPS-based navigation app, offering turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates and user-reported hazards such as accidents, police presence and road closures.

Whether you’re driving through the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik, exploring the Golden Circle, or journeying along the famed Ring Road (Route 1), Waze will generally provide accurate and helpful guidance for your trip.

Waze Coverage and Reliability in Iceland

So, now we’ve answered the question ‘does Waze work in Iceland?’, you might be wondering what Waze’s coverage is like across the island and exactly how reliable it is. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Main roads and urban areas – Waze covers all major highways, including the Ring Road, as well as most city and urban centers. It’s especially popular in and around Reykjavik, where a large community of users post frequent updates on traffic and hazards.

• Remote and rural areas – While Waze works well on the main routes, its effectiveness can diminish in more remote locations. Some rural areas may have limited or no cellular coverage, which can interrupt real-time updates. However, as long as your phone’s GPS is active, Waze will continue to track your location and provide navigation, just without live traffic or hazard reports.

• Offline functionality – Waze does not offer full offline map downloads. This means that if you lose internet connectivity in remote areas, you may lose access to new route calculations and live updates. However, your route will remain visible as long as you started the route while connected.

Waze vs. Google Maps: Which One Is Better?

Google Maps is another popular choice for navigation in Iceland, especially because it allows you to download maps for offline use. This is a significant advantage if you plan to travel in remote areas where internet coverage may be unreliable or nonexistent, making Google Maps a better choice for exploring Iceland’s more isolated landscapes or for travelers who want to minimize their data usage.

Waze stands out for its community-driven features, such as real-time traffic updates, user-reported hazards, police speed cameras and even alerts about animals on the road. This makes Waze highly valuable if you want the most up-to-date information while driving, especially in more populated areas and along popular routes.

Both apps provide accurate directions and speed limit information, but Waze’s real-time alerts and Google Maps’ offline capabilities each serve different travel needs. That’s why many visitors find it beneficial to use both apps in tandem for the best experience on the road.

Top Tips for Using Waze in Iceland

Lots of travelers have successfully used Waze to navigate thousands of kilometers across Iceland. How exactly? Well, here are our top tips to use Waze during your trip.

1. Ensure You Have Internet Access

Waze requires an internet connection for real-time updates, route changes and hazard reporting. Iceland has excellent mobile coverage in most populated areas, but remote regions may have limited or no signal. Here are some options you can consider:

• Rental car Wi-Fi – Many car rental companies offer Wi-Fi hotspots as an add-on, which is a convenient way to stay connected throughout your journey.

• Local SIM card or eSIM – Purchasing a local SIM card or using an eSIM service like Airalo can provide affordable data coverage across Iceland.

• Download maps in advance – While Waze does not support offline maps, you can use Google Maps to download Iceland’s map for offline navigation as a backup.

2. Use Waze for Real-Time Alerts, But Check Weather and Road Conditions Before You Go

One of Waze’s best features is its community-driven reporting system, which is particularly useful in Iceland because weather and road conditions can change rapidly. As user reports are more frequent in and around Reykjavik and less common in remote areas, it’s important to check the local Iceland weather forecast and up-to-date Iceland road conditions, too.

Iceland’s weather is notoriously unpredictable. Even in summer, you may encounter rain, fog, or strong winds. In winter, snow and ice are common, and many roads may be closed. Use apps like Vedur (the official Icelandic weather app) and SafeTravel to make sure your planned route remains open and safe, as well as to check whether your vehicle is suitable for your route.

3. Be Mindful of Speed Limits and Cameras

Waze generally displays accurate speed limits for Icelandic roads and users often report the locations of speed cameras, so the app can help you stay informed, but make sure to always pay attention to road signs.

• Speed limits – Common speed limits across Iceland are 30, 50, 70, and 90 km/h, depending on the area. When in doubt, especially in rural areas, you can assume the limit is 90 km/h unless otherwise posted.

• Speed cameras – Iceland uses both stationary and mobile speed cameras. Waze users often mark their locations, but not all cameras are reported, so it’s important to always drive cautiously.

4. Check the Road Types Along Your Route Beforehand

Some Icelandic roads, especially F-roads (mountain roads), are only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. Waze and Google Maps may not always distinguish between F-roads and regular roads, so make sure to always verify this with official Icelandic road information.

5. Make Use Of Waze’s Voice Guidance and Fun Features

Waze offers a variety of voice options for turn-by-turn navigation, including celebrity voices and themed options. This can add a fun twist to your road trip and make navigation more enjoyable. You can also share your trip with friends or family, so they can track your progress.

6. Report Hazards and Help the Community

If you encounter a hazard, accident or speed camera, you can report it through Waze to help other drivers. This community-driven approach makes the app more useful for everyone, particularly in areas with fewer users.

7. Combine Waze with Other Essential Apps and Services

For the best experience, we recommend using Waze alongside these other apps and services:

• Google Maps – For offline navigation and route planning.

• Vedur – For up-to-date weather forecasts and alerts.

• Umferdin – For the latest on road conditions across the island.

• SafeTravel – For Travel Plans and safety alerts.

• 112 Iceland – For emergency services in case of accidents or emergencies.

8. Be Prepared For Your Road Trip

In remote areas, especially in the Highlands or during winter, always have a backup plan. Carry a paper map, ensure your phone is charged, and consider a portable charger or power bank. If you’re venturing into the Highlands or off-road, you can make a Travel Plan online, so the authorities will know where to find you in case of an emergency.

Waze in Iceland – Key Points

So, there you have it – all the info you need to know about using Waze in Iceland. Before we go, here’s a summary of all the key points we’ve covered so you can refer back to this list whenever you need to:

• Does Waze work in Iceland? – Yes, especially on main roads and in urban areas.   

• Offline maps availability –  No, but GPS tracking works without the internet.        

• Real-time alerts – Yes, community-driven hazard and police reports.    

• Check road conditions  – Use Umferdin and SafeTravel app.         

• Speed limits and cameras – Waze displays limits and user-reported cameras.     

• Remote areas – Limited coverage; use offline Google Maps as a backup.      

By keeping these tips in mind and preparing accordingly, you’ll be ready to make the most of Waze and your Icelandic road trip. Safe travels!

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