Rent a Car in Iceland No Deposit No Credit Card

No deposit means the rental company will not block funds on your card as a security hold when you collect the keys. Each vehicle in the search results shows whether a deposit is required; cars marked "no deposit" skip that hold. Keflavik Airport KEF offers the largest selection - roughly half the fleet - while Reykjavik city and regional offices stock fewer no-deposit options. The rule attaches to the specific car, not the category, so one Dacia Duster may need a deposit while another does not. The excess - your liability if damage occurs - remains part of the rental agreement regardless of deposit status. Use the filter in the booking widget to display only no-deposit vehicles.

Yes, for eligible vehicles. When you search, the results flag which cars accept debit card or cash at pickup. You pay the booking advance online by any card - debit or credit - then settle the balance on collection using the method stated in your voucher. Some suppliers accept cash for the balance, others require a debit card with sufficient available funds; the specific car determines the rule, not the category. If your bank limits your debit card, contact them to raise the limit temporarily. Every voucher lists accepted payment methods before you travel, so there are no surprises at the counter.

You pay a booking advance online by card through the secure payment gateway; this amount is charged immediately and confirms your reservation. The remainder of the rental cost is due when you collect the car, paid by the method shown in your voucher - debit card, credit card or cash, depending on the vehicle. The voucher breaks down both amounts clearly. Additional extras such as gravel protection, GPS, child seats or a second driver are usually settled on pickup unless you pre-paid them during booking. No cash payment can be made online; the advance must go through the card gateway.

Bring your full national driving licence, valid for at least the minimum period stated in the rental terms - often one or two years. If your licence is printed in non-Latin characters, you also need an International Driving Permit, which translates your licence into multiple languages; obtain one from your home automobile association before you fly. EU and EEA licences are accepted as issued without additional permits. You must also present a passport or national ID, the payment card you used for the booking advance, and your confirmation voucher. Minimum age and experience vary by vehicle; check the specific terms during booking.

Standard collision-damage waiver typically covers damage on paved roads but excludes gravel impacts to windscreen, tyres, undercarriage and paintwork. Gravel protection - sometimes called SCDW or gravel insurance - is an optional extra you add during booking or at the counter. It reduces or removes your liability for stone chips and undercarriage scrapes on gravel roads. Given that even Route 1 includes gravel sections and wind lifts stones constantly, many drivers choose this upgrade. The cost and coverage level vary by supplier; the booking widget displays the option alongside child seats and GPS when you select your vehicle.

F-roads - mountain tracks numbered F208, F225, F35 and so on - are open only from mid-June to early September and legally require a 4WD vehicle. Two-wheel-drive cars are prohibited; attempting an F-road in a 2WD vehicle voids your insurance and leaves you liable for recovery and repair costs. F-roads feature river crossings, volcanic sand, and boulder fields that demand high ground clearance and low-range gearing. Book a Toyota Land Cruiser or equivalent full-size 4WD SUV if you plan to enter the highlands. Even with the correct vehicle, check road.is daily - sudden storms can close F-roads or raise river levels, making crossings dangerous.

By Icelandic law, all rental cars must be fitted with winter tyres from November through mid-April. During that period the tyres are included automatically, and you do not pay extra. Outside the legal winter-tyre season, suppliers may still fit them if snow falls unseasonably in the highlands or if you request them as an optional extra during booking. Studded tyres are common in winter for ice grip; in summer, standard all-season tyres suffice for paved roads. If you travel between late April and October and plan highland driving, ask at the counter whether winter tyres are available, though most summer stock runs on all-seasons.

In Reykjavik and along the south and west coasts, N1, Olis and Orkan stations appear every 30 to 50 km. In the Westfjords, around Myvatn, and on the east coast, gaps stretch to 80 or even 100 km. Highland F-roads have no fuel at all; you must carry enough to complete the route and return to a paved road. Most stations operate self-service pumps that accept international Visa or Mastercard with PIN; a few rural sites are unmanned and card-only. Fill your tank whenever it drops below half, and carry a chip-and-PIN card - magnetic-stripe or signature cards may fail at automated pumps.

You can cancel your booking without charge up to the deadline shown in your confirmation email, typically 48 hours before pickup. The booking advance you paid online is refunded in full to the original card within five to seven business days. If you cancel inside the deadline, the advance is forfeited. No-show without cancellation also results in loss of the advance and no refund. Flight delays, weather closures or changes of plan are not exempted from the policy, so cancel as soon as you know your trip is affected. The rental agreement you sign at pickup may have separate cancellation terms for changes after collection.

Automatic transmissions dominate the fleet in crossovers and SUVs - Kia X-Ceed, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota Rav4 and Land Cruiser all come with auto gearboxes. Manual gearboxes appear in economy and mini segments, such as the Hyundai i10 and Renault Clio, and some Dacia Duster and Logan Stepway units. If you are unfamiliar with manual shifting or plan long-distance Ring Road touring, an automatic reduces fatigue and simplifies hill starts on gravel. For city-only trips or budget-conscious travellers, a manual economy car suffices. Specify your preference in the search filter, and the widget will display only vehicles with your chosen transmission type.