Looking for the perfect country to take a road trip through? If Iceland isn’t the first country that pops into your mind, it should be. Between the majestic lava fields and snow-capped mountains, Iceland will leave you with your foot on the gas and not wanting to ever take it off as you explore the beautiful countryside. We have curated all of the ultimate DOs and DON’Ts for your upcoming road trip through Iceland. Happy travels:

DO Watch out for Sheep

Summer in Iceland means sheep are out and about all over the roads. Until autumn hits they are free to roam the beautiful land without enclosure. Make sure to look out for them on the road as they can sometimes dart out in front of cars. Your best bet for avoiding them on the road is slowing down around them and then honking a few times to nicely scare them off away from your car. Depending on what time of the year you are traveling matters with this ‘DO’ since when winter falls, all of the sheep are herded up for the winter season.

DO Prepare for One-Lane Bridges

Although Iceland is on its way to becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations, it doesn’t have the best way of handling any unforeseen traffic jams quite yet. A lot of the bridges located along the popular Ring Road only have one lane. Stay calm! Slow your car down as you approach the bridge and take a peek on the other side. Odds are, there won’t be anyone on the other side (except for maybe a sheep or two). 

DO Make Plans for Off-Season

Summer in Iceland falls from June to August and marks the country’s busiest peak of its tourist season. Escape the crowds and opt to plan your trip during the off-season months around December, January or September. Find the beauty in the warm autumn colors, northern lights and mountain snowfall that you most probably wouldn’t get the chance to experience during those peak summer months.

DO Stop for Gas

If you happen to drive past a gas station, make sure to stop and load your car up with gas. In Iceland, it can be hard to know when the next stop will come around. Load up on snacks as well during these stops! No one wants to be hungry on a road trip.

DO Make an Iceland Playlist

Accompany your epic drives through the mountains with some awesome music. Iceland has a wide selection of insanely talented bands. If you’re not sure where to look, check out Björk, Sigur Rós, Solstafir, Ásgeir and Múm to start. If music isn’t your preferred audio, download a range of podcasts or audiobooks to get you through your road trip.

DON’T Take Out Too Much Cash

Good news for those who love collecting credit card points, you will find that you will very rarely or will never need cash in Iceland. Regardless of how small the restaurant or town you are in is, they will almost always accept credit cards. Just remember to give your credit card company a heads up before you head over on your travels so no fraud alerts come up for you.

DON’T Underestimate the Weather

Weather in Iceland can change fast which can be super dangerous for road tripping. Keep checking the weather forecast and always be prepared with extra layers on hand. Since you can never be sure what the weather will turn out to be, a rain jacket, windbreaker, scarf, thick socks, and a long-sleeve wool sweater are always good beginner items to have in the back of your car.

DON’T Rush!

An enjoyable Iceland Road Trip takes at least 7 days from start to finish. Can it be done in fewer days? Of course. But this will leave you with less time outside of the car, fewer opportunities to explore off schedule and less flexibility if you were to get lost.

DON’T Stop on the Side of the Road

Although every inch of Iceland is gorgeous and most definitely photo-worthy when you’re driving around try your best to not stop and take pictures of everything. Trust me, it will be challenging! For safety reasons, make sure to pull into a parking lot when taking a pause on your road trip, even if the road seems rather empty at the time. This is also a great overall tip to follow when trying to get to your target destination quicker!

DON’T Book your Accommodation Last Minute

With a recent spike in tourism, the demand for Iceland accommodation has quickly surpassed its capacity. With not many hotels or inns located across the country, pickings can get slim fast. The selection tends to get even smaller outside of summer months when many accommodations close for the off-season. Plan out where you are looking to stay as early as possible. This will not only ensure that you will have a place to sleep once you arrive in Iceland, but it is also the best bet if you are looking to save money. If you really don’t do well with sticking to an itinerary, camping is probably the best option for you as it provides you with the freedom to come and go as you please.

With so much to see and gaze at, I have a strong feeling it will be hard for you to blink during your adventures on your road trip through Iceland. Get ready for the most iconic, once-in-a-lifetime trip! Take into consideration the above DOs and DON’Ts to keep this experience as wonderful and flawless for you as possible. Hit START on your travels by booking your Icelandic adventure with ACanela TODAY!

Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak