Used to our own campervan and backpacking trips, we had to get used to handling this rig. Here's our take on a road trip that turned out to be more than positive, weaving through fjords, glaciers, geysers, and green plains… if you're still on the fence, here are five good reasons to explore Iceland by campervan!
1) Route 1, the Ring Road
An ideal road for exploring Iceland. This route quite simply circles the entire island and runs past the country's main sights - what a stroke of luck! It's suitable for all types of vehicles, including campervans: wide, well paved, and in good condition. What more could you ask for? Dotted with campsites and rest areas, it's ideal for a trip built around moving from place to place. In short, it's a reason in itself to get behind the wheel and drive around the island.
2) Landscapes worthy of the best films
It's no coincidence that so many films have been shot in Iceland - James Bond and the Game of Thrones series, among others. Waterfalls, glaciers, lava fields... the landscapes keep coming, and no two look alike. If you like a good photo, you'll need to stop often to capture this overflowing nature. Where tour buses take you to the busiest spots, having your own vehicle lets you get off the beaten track and enjoy the show at your own pace, wherever you like.
Want to take in Jökulsárlón without the crowds? Stop about 1 km before the bridge, at an informal parking area, and walk up for the view - or go around further east. A waterfall, an isolated church clinging to a mountainside? Turn off Route 1 for a wonderful moment of solitude.
3) The comfort of a cozy nest in a country with unpredictable weather
In Iceland, even in summer, let's be honest: the weather is fickle. Clouds roll in and out, a polar wind picks up, then the sun comes back. The temperature you feel can swing by 10°C within a few hours.
So it's no small luxury to be able to warm up when the wind is howling outside and you have no idea what the next few hours will bring. Park the campervan somewhere scenic, pull out a book and a steaming cup of tea, and just wait for the weather to turn.
4) Washing up, and bringing your own bathroom
Let's go all in and talk about "the little corner" and soap. In Iceland, showers cost money at every campsite - budget around €4 for 5 minutes of hot water. Same story for restrooms in restaurants and bars, at around €2. A campervan also solves the whole bathroom logistics question... a bit like being at home, in a way. We appreciated that.
5) A country that only recently opened up to tourism, worth exploring soon
It was the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 that put this magnificent country on the international map. We watched the news and discovered this astonishing island just a few hours from home. Add several low-cost airlines launching routes from European capitals, and just like that - Iceland became the new destination everyone was talking about.
And given its potential for nature, activities, and a real change of scenery, it's easy to understand the appeal. So here's our advice: don't wait too long to visit this extraordinary country before mass tourism catches up with it. Go check flight prices - Cool-Driver Nomads, time to hit the road!
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