Parking in Iceland

The best way to travel through Iceland, is by car. If you have not rented one, I can recommend Blue Car Rental.

Afer you picked up your car, you obviously also need to park it once in a while. So I've put all Icelandic parking rules together for you.

Parking do's and dont's:

• Park in the same direction as the driving direction. You can get a ticket if you don't.

• Don't just park / stop your car at the side of the ring road if you see a beautiful sight. Always drive until there is a side street or parking area. It is very dangerous for you and other people if you stop at the side of the ring road.

Paid parking in Iceland

In the bigger cities and towns in Iceland, you have to pay for parking in some areas. You will see a blue sign with a white P on it and it will tell you between what hours you need to pay there.

In some places there is a time limit for how long you can park, you can get a parking clock at any gas station.

More and more touristy spots are also asking for parking fees now. There you will also see the blue sign with a white P and info about paid parking.

Parking in Reykjavík

Many areas in the center of Reykjavík have paid parking, but right in the middle of the city, behind Hallgrimskirkja, there is free parking.

Parking in Akureyri

In Akureyri there are a few areas that have paid parking. Those are the parking lots very close to the city center. But if you park a little bit further away, at Hof Cultural center for example, you don't need to pay.

Tourist spots in Iceland that have paid parking

• Thingvellir National Park

• Skaftafell National Park

• Jökulsárlón

• Seljalandsfoss

• Kirkjufell

• Ytri-Tunga

• Bruarfoss

• Kvernufoss

• Hraunfossar

• Solheimajökull

• Solheimasandur

• Fagradalsfjall

• Hverir (says you have to pay for parking, but I am not 100% sure this is official)

• Kerid Crater*

• Stokksnes (Vestahorn/Viking Village)*

• Landmannalaugar**

*not a parking fee but a per person admission

**Parking in Landmannalaugar

One place you don't expect paid (and even reserved parking) is Landmannalaugar. From June 20 to September 15, 2024, guests driving themselves must reserve parking spaces and pay a service fee before arriving at Landmannalaugar between 8 AM and 3 PM. The area is open 24/7, and parking reservations are not needed if arriving before 8 AM or after 3 PM.

>> More info

There might be more places, but there are the ones I know of now. There are some places where there are "unofficial" signs that you have to pay, so if you are not sure, google the place and see if there is any official info about it.

Tunnel Akureyri

There is only one tunnel in Iceland that you need to pay toll for. This one is just east of Akureyri. In summer time I always advice people to take the mountain route in stead of the tunnel. It is much more beautiful and takes only 10 minutes longer than the tunnel. So if you are not in a hurry and want to enjoy the view, just take road 83 & 84 through the mountain.

If you do want to take the tunnel, you can pay for it online or through the app "Veggjald".

>> Pay online for the tunnel

Camping

Campervans / motorhomes / caravans need to park on campgrounds during the night. Parking and camping outside of designated camping zones is illigal in Iceland.

You can pay for campgrounds at the location itself or online.

>> Pay for camping through Parka.is

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