Minivan Rental Iceland – The Smart Choice for Groups and Families

There is simply no better way to travel Iceland with a group than in a single, roomy van. One vehicle, everyone together, luggage sorted, and space to breathe after a long day on the road. We've seen it time and again with our customers — once you've done a group trip this way, squeezing into two separate cars feels like a step backwards.

If you're travelling to Iceland with family or friends and wondering whether a minivan makes sense — this guide is for you.

Why a minivan makes sense in Iceland

Iceland is a road trip destination. Almost everything worth seeing requires you to get in a car and drive — sometimes for several hours at a stretch. When you're travelling as a group of five, six, seven or more people, the question of how to get around quickly becomes the most important logistics decision of your trip.

Most groups default to renting two smaller cars. It works, but it comes with real drawbacks: you spend the whole trip trying to stay together on the road, someone always ends up alone in one vehicle, and the combined cost often ends up higher than a single van anyway.

A minivan solves all of this at once. Everyone travels together — which is actually the whole point of a group trip. You have a single booking, a single pick-up, and one driver or a rotation of drivers sharing one vehicle. The luggage fits properly. And on a long drive to Jökulsárlón or the Westfjords, being able to stretch out and enjoy the scenery together is genuinely part of the experience.

One thing to get right before you arrive: the airport

This catches a surprising number of visitors off guard, so it's worth spelling out clearly. Iceland has two airports near the capital:

• Keflavík International Airport (KEF) — this is where your international flight arrives. It's about 50 km southwest of Reykjavík and handles almost all flights from Europe and North America. You can check arrivals, departures and flight status on the Keflavík Airport website.
• Reykjavík Airport (RVK) — this is a small domestic airport right in the city centre. It serves internal Icelandic flights and a handful of routes to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Your international flight does not land here.

We pick up at Keflavík International Airport — which is where you'll be arriving. We mention this because it's genuinely one of the most common sources of confusion we see from visitors booking car rental in Iceland. If you search "Reykjavík airport car rental" and book something there, you may find yourself waiting at the wrong place entirely.

Our 9-seater vans

We run two 9-seater vans in our fleet: the Toyota Proace and the Renault Trafic. Both are automatic, spacious and well-suited to Icelandic road conditions — comfortable on long highway stretches and perfectly capable on the paved roads that connect all the major tourist destinations.

Both vans seat up to 9 people with luggage space. They're an ideal fit for:

• Families with children travelling with prams, car seats and holiday kit
• Friend groups doing a Ring Road or South Coast trip together
• Extended families combining multiple generations in one vehicle
• Small tour groups or sports teams

Being automatic makes a real difference in Iceland. You're often driving in changing weather conditions, on unfamiliar roads, with passengers keeping an eye on maps or wildlife. Not having to think about a gear stick is one less thing to manage — and on a long trip, that adds up.

Minivans and F-roads

One important limitation to know upfront: our 9-seater vans are not suitable for F-roads. F-roads are Iceland's highland tracks — unpaved, rocky, often with river crossings — and they require a proper 4WD vehicle with high ground clearance. A minivan, however capable on tarmac, is not built for that terrain.

The good news is that F-roads are only a consideration if you're specifically planning to drive into the highlands. The vast majority of Iceland's most popular destinations — the entire Golden Circle, the South Coast, Snæfellsnes, the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Ring Road — are all fully accessible on paved roads and perfectly suited to a minivan.

If your group wants to combine highland driving with a group trip, one option is to split the itinerary: use the van for the main road trip and join a guided highland tour for the F-road section. It's often the easiest solution.

Tips for driving a large van in Iceland

If you've never driven a vehicle this size before, a few things are worth knowing before you set off:

Width and parking

Icelandic roads are generally wide and well-maintained on the main routes, but some older bridges on the Ring Road are single-lane — you'll need to yield and cross one vehicle at a time. Parking at popular attractions can also be tighter than you'd expect. Take it slowly in car parks and don't assume you'll fit where a small car would.

Wind

Iceland's wind can be fierce, particularly on the south coast and in exposed highland areas. A large van has a lot of surface area and can feel the crosswind more than a smaller car. This isn't a reason to worry — just something to be aware of, especially when opening doors. Strong winds can catch a door and damage it against the vehicle next to you.

Share the driving

Iceland's roads are scenic but distances are long. If you have multiple licensed drivers in the group, add them to the rental and take turns. A full Ring Road is around 1,400 km — that's a lot for one person to absorb alone, and sharing the driving means everyone stays fresher and more present for the experience.

Fuel stops

Petrol stations become less frequent once you leave the capital region. Fill up whenever you're above half a tank — especially before heading east or into less-visited areas. A 9-seater has a larger tank than a small car, which works in your favour, but it also means a full fill-up costs more than you might expect.

Common questions about minivan rental in Iceland

Do I need a special licence to drive a 9-seater?

No. A standard category B driving licence covers vehicles up to 9 seats including the driver, which is exactly what our vans are. No special licence or additional training is needed.

Can we pick up at Keflavík and drop off somewhere else?

We offer pick-up and drop-off at Keflavík International Airport only. This keeps things simple and reliable — you know exactly where to find us, and we can give your vehicle the proper check it deserves before and after your trip.

Is a 9-seater van covered by standard car rental insurance in Iceland?

Yes — standard insurance options apply to our vans just as they do to our other vehicles. Make sure you understand what your chosen cover includes, particularly around gravel damage (which is common in Iceland) and sand and ash damage if you're travelling on the south coast.

How far in advance should we book?

9-seater vans are in shorter supply than regular cars in Iceland — there simply aren't as many of them. If you're travelling in summer (June–August), book as early as you can. We've seen groups miss out because they left it too late and there was nothing available at short notice.