Driving a Campervan in Iceland in October: Taking Advantage of a Shoulder Month

October is fall in Iceland, so driving in Iceland in October means traversing a multicolored landscape as the island slowly begins its transition into our winter season. But not only is the island incredibly beautiful this time of year, as a shoulder month, October holds many other perks for those renting a campervan in Iceland.

This article will explore what makes October such a great time to visit and road trip through Iceland, what you can expect from your journey, and what you need to know to properly plan and prep for your trip ahead.

Why October is Ideal for Driving a Campervan in Iceland

There are many factors that make October the ideal time to drive a campervan in Iceland:

• While temperatures may have already dropped pretty drastically from mid-summer, October is still fairly warm in Icelandic terms, with nice and mild weather conditions. This means you don’t need to worry about getting caught in a blizzard while driving or having to traverse roads covered in ice and snow. This is especially true if you’re planning on traveling to the north or the island, where road conditions can already turn challenging by the beginning of November.

• Daylight hours will also be a far cry from the almost overkill 20+ hours available in summer, but unlike winter with its measly 4 hours, October is the perfect compromise, offering 11 hours in early October and changing to 9 hours by the end of the month. This still gives you plenty of hours to plan a pretty packed trip itinerary.

• With the help of the weather and the daylight hours at your disposal, October is also the last month in which you can comfortably participate in our exciting outdoor activities, such as hiking, boating, and camping.

• If you’re a wildlife lover, ensure you come in early October, when you’ll still be able to spot a few of our migratory whale species while driving along our coast. By mid-October, they’ll all have moved on again.

• Traveling during a shoulder month means less traffic – on the roads, in the cities and towns, and also at our attractions.

Choosing the Right Campervan for Driving in Iceland in October

Choosing the right campervan is key to having a memorable Iceland trip (for all the right reasons!). Here’s what to consider when making your choice:

The Size

How big is your party going to be? You’ll need to ensure that the size of your campervan makes sense in terms of how many will be joining you on this trip. If it’s just you or you and your partner, it makes no sense to rent the biggest campervan you can find. In the same way, you also can’t squeeze a family of 6 into a compact camper made for 2.

The Itinerary

Where you’re planning on going will also dictate which campervan to get. If you’re planning on sticking to our cities and towns and only venturing out on our paved main roads, a 2-wheel drive will be more than sufficient for your journey. But if you’re planning on venturing into our more remote regions and would like to take some of our unpaved “roads less traveled,” we’d highly recommend you get a 4x4 campervan.

The Budget

How much you have to spend on your campervan will also dictate what you get at the end of the day. Don’t just take rental costs into consideration, but also how much you’ll be spending on gas (check the mileage of the camper for the latter).

Some of the Most Popular Road Trip Routes When Visiting Iceland in October

If you’re planning on driving in a campervan in Iceland in October, there are many scenic routes with dramatic landscapes and loads of interesting sights and attractions you can choose from:

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is the ideal choice for those with limited time on the island due to its location and length. It is a short, loop road that begins and ends in Reykjavik, where you can find many of our most iconic attractions along the way.

The Ring Road (also known as Route 1)

The Ring Road is probably the closest thing you’ll get to a highway here in Iceland. It’s a long loop road that encircles the entire island, connecting most cities and towns with one another. You’ll also find many of our most famous attractions along the way. For these reasons, it’s a very important logistical road here in Iceland as well as a popular road trip route.

The Diamond Circle

This is probably the last chance you’ll get to drive the Diamond Circle before road conditions become challenging and the route gets plagued with sudden road closures due to weather conditions.

The reason why the Diamond Circle is so susceptible to sudden road closures is that the route takes you through the north of Iceland, where it gets colder than in the rest of the country, and weather conditions can be much harsher. But irrespective of when you’ll be tackling the Diamond Circle, we recommend you do so with a 4x4 campervan.

The South Coast Way

This is the specific segment of the Ring Road that stretches from the capital city all the way down the south coast, making it yet another convenient option for those with limited time on the island. The South Coast Way is particularly well-known for its beaches, waterfalls, and glacial landmarks.

The Westfjords Way

As with the Diamond Circle, this will probably be the last chance you’ll have to explore the region before road conditions become too challenging. The Westfjords Way is also a route that should only be taken on in a 4x4 campervan. The Westfjords is one of Iceland’s more remote regions with beautiful, fairly untouched landscapes.

A Few Helpful Tips for Driving in Iceland in October

If it’s your first time visiting the Land of Fire and Ice or just your first time you’ll be driving in Iceland in October, the following will be helpful:

• Keep an eye out for our speed limit signs and ensure you stick to them. You need to keep in mind that it might not be the same as you’re used to back home, and we don’t look kindly on those breaking the rules of the road here.

• Our gravel roads require a slow and steady pace and enough space between you and the other vehicles on the road. This will prevent you from skidding on any loose gravel, as well as avoid getting damaged from rocks and other debris being kicked up by you or vehicles around you.

• Keep your eyes peeled for any critters suddenly crossing the road. Iceland has plenty of free-roaming sheep, reindeer, horses, etc., so there’s always a chance.

• Never park where it’s not a designated parking spot, and that includes quickly stopping along the side of the road for a snapshot. It’s illegal and could result in a hefty fine.

• Everyone is legally required to wear seatbelts once a vehicle is in motion, so please ensure that that is indeed the case.

• Headlights must be kept on when driving in Iceland, irrespective of whether it’s day or night. This is not only so you can see clearly, but so others can see you clearly.

• You will find plenty of one-lane bridges in our countryside. Here, you need to follow a first-come-first-served principle and allow whoever arrives at the bridge first to cross first.

Time to Experience Iceland’s Dramatic Scenery and Natural Beauty

Now that you know what to expect from driving in a campervan in Iceland in October, the only thing left to do is to use our guide to plan and prep, book a flight, rent a campervan in Iceland, and head out on whichever route (or routes!) you wish to explore.

So, grab your last chance here in Iceland in October to have a jam-packed trip itinerary filled with outdoor adventures and spectacular views; it’s time to experience the island’s dramatic scenery and natural beauty.