Iceland’s Biggest Travel Surprises - The Zero Car Rental Guide

Why “the Land of Fire and Ice” Still Catches People Off‑Guard

Type “bucket‑list destinations” into any search engine and Iceland nearly always cracks the top five. Dramatic waterfalls, lunar lava fields, black‑sand beaches and geothermal lagoons draw millions of camera‑toting travellers every year. Yet—as a Morgunblaðið, one of the main newspapers here in Iceland, reminded readers on 31 May 2025—it is not the scenery that delivers the first jolt of culture shock. It is the practical stuff: jump‑cut weather, sky‑high prices and roads that look more like hiking trails than highways.

Below you will find ten common surprises flagged by that article and echoed in thousands of reviews on TripAdvisor, Reddit and personal blogs. Better still, you will see how Zero Car Rental turns each potential mishap into a smooth, memorable road trip—without drowning you in technical talk about kilowatts and battery chemistry.

If you are still weighing which company deserves your booking, have a look at our in‑depth guide on how to choose the perfect Iceland car‑rental company before you lock anything in.

Four Seasons in a Day

The surprise  Locals joke that if you do not like the weather, “just wait five minutes.” A single Golden Circle loop can greet you with sleet, sun, sideways rain and aurora‑ready clear skies—all before dinner.

Zero’s tip  Every vehicle comes with free in‑car Wi‑Fi and a one‑tap link to the Icelandic Road and Weather Service. If a storm front rolls in, refresh the live map and reroute—no extra SIM card required. Our KEF-based support desk is on standby 24 / 7 in case you need help!

Sticker Shock at the Pump

The surprise  Petrol regularly tops 320 ISK / litre (≈ €2.10), so travellers who copy‑paste a Spain or Florida fuel budget often blow through their krona halfway round the Ring Road.

Zero’s tip  We keep pricing transparent: no surprise refuelling fees, no upsold insurances and a fuel‑efficiency rating printed on every booking confirmation. If you prefer an electric or hybrid model, great—if not, no hard sell, just options.

Cash?  What Cash?

The surprise  Iceland is almost cash‑free. Even a remote food truck at Skógafoss swipes credit cards. Many visitors waste time hunting ATMs or paying exchange fees they never needed.

Zero’s tip  Book and pre‑pay online with any major card in our website. When your flight lands, head straight to our key locker—no queues, no paperwork, no cash deposit. For a full walk‑through from baggage claim to open road, bookmark our Ultimate Guide to Keflavík Airport – Land, Grab & Drive.

Roundabouts, Single‑Lane Bridges & F‑Road Rules

The surprise  The Ring Road looks simple on Google Maps until your GPS chirps “single‑lane bridge ahead” or “gravel section next 8 km.” Many visitors do not learn what an F‑road is—mountain tracks that require a 4×4—until a rental agent hands over the keys.

Zero’s tip  Our fleet includes both AWD crossovers for basic Highlands trips and fully certified 4×4s for the tougher tracks. Before you drive, we send a short video on what to expect on our roads and is mandatory for the check-in process. We want to make sure you are in the know before you even arrive. Planning a Highlands detour? Our blog post on classic car‑rental mistakes—and how to dodge them like a pro is compulsory pre‑trip reading. Also, remember to check https://www.vedur.is/ for the weather and www.road.is for the updated status on any road in Iceland.

Midnight Sun vs. 19‑Hour Nights

The surprise  In June, you might wander Reykjavík at 01 : 00 believing it is happy hour; in December, you may struggle to see the landscape during a four‑hour twilight.

Zero’s tip  Turn these surprises into an advantage! The long summer days allow you to explore the most popular places very early or late in the evening avoiding the crowds and have that Insta-moment all for yourself! In winter, you can embrace the solitude and enjoy the display of northern lights and the majestic skies above. There is an "Iceland" for each traveller.

Hot‑Spring Etiquette (and the Sulphur Smell)

The surprise  Guidebooks warn that geothermal water smells like rotten eggs, but the bigger shock is the mandatory naked shower before you enter the pool. Skip it and expect a lifeguard’s whistle.

Zero’s tip  We all have the same bits and bobs - No one will stare at you but if you are more conservative than the average, do not fret! Most if not all pools have a curtain for your use. On natural pools, you will just need to by handy with a towel! If you need more inspiration, skim our roundup of the top 10 must‑see sights you can reach by rental car.

Wildlife Has Right of Way

The surprise  Sheep, horses and even Arctic foxes wander the tarmac. Hitting a ewe can cost thousands in livestock fees and damage and unmeasured emotional trauma.

Zero’s tip  Forward‑collision alerts are switched on by default, but keep an eye out and keep your head on a swivel when you see our adorable neighbours. We also recommend keeping speeds below 30 km / h when passing farm gates—even if the road signage says 50. BONUS TIP - Do not use your horn to scare the animals, you might make the matter worse!

Reykjavík Feels Tiny—but Its Nightlife Hits Hard

The surprise  With just 140,000 residents, the world’s northern‑most capital looks like a town, yet Friday bar crawls run until 05 : 00 and beer can top €11 a pint.

Zero’s tip - Happy Hour can help you save money! You can also use Parka's app to see where to park and where you need to pay in the city. Leave your car downtown, taxi back to your hotel and grab the keys after coffee—no drink‑driving temptations.

Northern Lights Are Never Guaranteed

The surprise  An Instagram feed filled with emerald swirls skews expectations. Summer auroras? Impossible. Cloudy weeks? Common.

Zero’s tip  No need for fancy apps, magical divination methods or supernatural abilities. Just go to the Aurora Forecast and check the map and time - if the activity is above 3 (aurora forecast) and there are no clouds (i.e white means clear skies - Green is overcast) or heavy cloud cover, you will be fine. Just have patience and repeat as necessary.

Budget Planning Takes Practice

The surprise  Food, fuel and activities add up fast; many travellers underestimate daily costs by 20–30 %.

Zero’s tip  Online portals are your friend, check restaurant prices and menus before you go, food is quite reasonable on supermarkets like Bonus or Kronan. For a deeper dive, read our Ultimate Guide for International Travellers so nothing blindsides your credit card.

Practical Planning Cheat‑Sheet

Conclusion – Turn the “I Didn’t Expect That!” into “I’m So Glad We Planned for It!”

Iceland will always keep a few tricks up its volcanic sleeve—that unpredictability is half the magic. When you partner with Zero Car Rental, you swap costly curveballs for confident choices: local insight over tourist traps, transparent pricing over hidden fees and real‑time support instead of guesswork.

For a deeper look at what makes us different, read Zero Hassle, Maximum Fun – The Best Way to Car Rental Iceland in 2025 and discover why renting a car in Iceland with Zero is the best decision. Ready to experience Iceland’s wonders minus the “oops” moments? Click Book Now and let’s hit the open road.