Most people planning a camping trip in Iceland do so for several reasons. Some like the feeling of roughing it and getting away from their daily routine. Others want to get closer to nature. And many people are simply trying to save money. Camping is one of the best and cheapest ways to travel around the island. Regardless of whether you choose to go tent camping and travel by car, or go the campervan/motorhome route, something that will affect your bottom line is the price of gas. It’s something that you’ll want to factor in when traveling on a budget. So exactly how much does gas cost in Iceland? And how much fuel do need for your vehicle? Let’s take a quick look at these questions to see if we can answer them.
How Much Does Gas Cost in Iceland?
Prices will fluctuate depending on the season and time of year, oil reserves, exchange rates, etc. There’s also the fact that much like of the world, Iceland uses the metric system rather than imperial. So at first glance, it may look less expensive than it actually is. Outside of the US, fuel is usually measured in liters and a US gallon is nearly four liters. So when I quote prices in liters, keep in mind that you’ll need to multiply it by 3.78 to get the price in US gallons.
Over the past year, the cost of fuel has hovered around 220 to 230 Icelandic krona per liter. To put this in perspective, here is today’s exchange rate for some major currencies:
1 USD = 120 krona
1 GBP = 155 krona
1 EUR = 137 krona
So a liter, on average, costs around 1,63€, £1.43, or $1.85. This translates to a US gallon costing around $7 (just over six euros and around £5.40).
How Much Fuel Do I Need in Iceland?
Now that we know how much gas costs in Iceland, it’s time to figure out how much we need. This is a broad topic as there is a wide range of vehicle fuel efficiency and the capacity of gas tanks between rental cars, campervans, and motorhomes. We’ll provide our best guesstimate.
In order to fill up your rental car in Iceland, you’ll need around 55-70 liters depending on the size and model of the vehicle. Campervans around the same; 60-70 liters. Motorhomes are bigger, with the average being around 80 liters, and of course the larger the model, the larger the tank.
In order to complete your calculation, you also need to keep fuel efficiency in mind. Do a quick Google search to find out information for your specific model. Then figure out how many kilometers or miles you’ll be driving. The entire Ring Road is 1,332 km (828 miles), not including side trips to places like Skógafoss, the Diamond Circle, Snaefellsnes peninsula, etc. And voilá! You have the info for how much fuel you need for Iceland.
How Much Does Gas Cost in Iceland?
Iceland is expensive, this isn’t new information. And gas prices are likely to be significantly higher on our small, Nordic island that what you’re used to back home. You’ll be saving lots of money on your accommodation and probably cooking your own meals, so it’s ok to spend a little bit more money on fuel. Now that you have a good idea of how much gas costs in Iceland and how much fuel you need for your car, campervan or motorhome rental, you can start planning the budget for your trip. And here’s one last tip: gas stations in Iceland can be few and far between. When you see one, I would advise topping up or at least planning your gas station stops in advance. Have a great time on your Iceland road trip!
