My Iceland Campervan Road Trip: Campsites, Small Spaces and a Hotel Break

As someone who, at the time, spent 45 minutes to an hour driving each way to work, I thought there was no way I’d willingly sit my butt in a car for an entire holiday. Yet somehow, an Iceland campervan road trip became the plan.

Once I started watching Instagram videos and YouTube explainers for an early summer trip, Iceland kept pulling me in. Lo and behold, I learnt about the Ring Road, and suddenly renting a campervan sounded like a very reasonable idea.

Mind you, I was a junior employee on a budget, planning my “last” big trip before moving out of my parents’ place and paying for it with real money. So we went with a compact campervan that fit the essentials: a bed and a portable stovetop—no built-in toilet, and certainly no room to get away from each other.

To say it was luxurious would be a stretch. It definitely brought us closer together.

Here’s what it was actually like, which campsites we stayed at, and why we eventually worked a hotel into the trip.

Why we chose a small campervan for our Iceland road trip

I’ve always been that kid who was scared of sitting on a big bus in case it tipped over, so being closer to the ground was a personal plus. The front seats had enough room to sit, even if the sleeping area required a little more cooperation.

The compact size also made parking easier at busy campsites. And while our little campervan managed the windy conditions we encountered, that’s my experience—not a promise that a small van can handle whatever Iceland throws at it.

What I liked most was the flexibility. We could decide how far we wanted to drive and choose where to spend the night without having a different hotel reservation dictating every day.

There were still campsite rules and arrival procedures to follow, but we had room to change our minds. For a road trip with plenty of reasons to stop, that helped everyone’s spirits.

Picking up and returning our campervan

Our rental company arranged airport pickup and drop-off, which made both ends of the trip easier. We had some initial concerns about the condition of the first vehicle they offered us, but the staff helped resolve them before we left.

Returning the campervan was quick, too: a few pictures, a handover, and we were on our way to the airport.

My takeaway? Look over the vehicle before leaving, take your own photos, and raise anything you’re unhappy with right away. You’re about to spend quite a lot of time together.

It’s about the journey AND the destination.

In our case, the campervan was our Batmobile. It was how we got around, how we reached historic UNESCO sites, and where we slept.

That freedom did not mean we could pull off the Ring Road anywhere and set up camp. For a campervan trip, plan to stay at designated campsites. Overnight stays outside them generally require permission from the landowner or rightsholder, and local restrictions can also apply. Camping rules explained by an Icelandic rental operator

Honestly, the campsites became part of the experience.

As we travelled, we listened to Icelandic sagas filled with tragedy, betrayal, loyalty and people travelling from village to village in search of work or vengeance. They had horses; we had a campervan and a portable stove.

Different circumstances, but I was enjoying the narrative.

Three campsites we stayed at in Iceland

We stayed at three campsites during the trip. Vík was my favourite, with Höfn and the Skaftafell campsite close behind for different reasons.

All three felt clean and well-maintained during our visit, but the kitchens, showers, and settings were different enough to affect the experience. These are my impressions from our stay; check each campsite’s current facilities and arrival instructions before going.

Vík campsite: my favourite for its cozy kitchen

Vík had a reception booth, a small shop for extra necessities, an enclosed communal kitchen, washrooms, showers and electric hookups.

The showers felt surprisingly nice for a campsite, but the kitchen was what really won me over. There was space to prepare a meal, cook and wash the dishes without trying to do everything inside our tiny campervan.

It also had that lovely traveller energy. People were comparing hiking trails, planning waterfall stops and figuring out the next stretch of their road trip. There was a buzz of excitement over everyone’s breakfast.

We caught Vík during particularly windy weather, so having somewhere indoors to cook and sit was a big plus. I appreciated that kitchen far more than I expected to.

Höfn campsite: glacier views and the cutest fishing village

Höfn gets extra points for its setting in THE CUTEST fishing village.

The yellow reception and facilities buildings were fairly close together, but we managed to park our campervan on a hill with a beautiful view of the glaciers in the distance. That was a pretty good trade-off.

The shower facilities weren’t the most modern we used, and there were additional portable toilets outside the main building during our stay. It was practical rather than fancy.

There were also cottages available as an alternative to sleeping in a campervan, which is worth looking into if you want a little more space.

Side note: seeing people arrive on bicycles with their tents was a striking sight. I thought our tiny van was adventurous until I saw how they were travelling.

The glacier campsite: my favourite setting for a hike

Skaftafell campsite

Skaftafell campsite is mentioned last, but the setting made it a close contender.

We had glacier views, nice showers and access to laundry facilities. The main drawback was the lack of an indoor kitchen. The outdoor cooking and washing-up area was useful, but preparing food on a portable gas stove became more challenging when the wind picked up.

For me, the nearby walks made up for it. We explored a trail to a waterfall framed by dark rock and another towards the glacier. Obviously, we did both.

Afterwards, we stopped for amazing soup at the café near the information centre. A hike followed by soup was a very good way to spend the day.

Iceland campervan road trip FAQs

How far ahead should I book a campervan?

We booked our trip about a month in advance and still found options across different rental companies and campervan styles.

That worked for us, but I wouldn’t treat one month as a rule or deliberately wait that long. If your dates are fixed, compare availability early—especially if you want a particular layout, transmission or price.

Also, look closely at what’s included. A campervan with bedding, cooking equipment and the features you need may be a different proposition from the cheapest headline price.

Do I need to book campsites in Iceland beforehand?

We were able to arrive and check in at the campsites we visited in June without making a reservation. I liked that flexibility, especially when we hadn’t decided how far we wanted to drive that day.

But “we found room” isn’t the same as “there will always be room.” Check each campsite’s booking policy, opening dates and arrival instructions rather than assuming they all work the same way.

For example, Skaftafell currently says that pitches cannot be reserved and asks visitors to register and pay at campsite reception before camping. Skaftafell campground information

What about booking a hotel during the road trip?

We booked a hotel on the fly because someone was very much oversleeping in the campervan.

It worked out for us, but I wouldn’t build an entire trip around finding a last-minute room. If a particular hotel, location or budget matters to you, book ahead.

No rule says you have to commit to campervan life every single night. A proper bed and a little personal space can be a welcome addition.

Is a campervan cheaper than a rental car and hotel?

It can be, but it isn’t automatically.

A campervan combines transport and somewhere to sleep, but you still need to account for fuel, insurance, campsite fees and any extras - including tourist attractions parking lot fees. Compare that total with the cost of a rental car, fuel, and hotel or hostel stays for the same dates.

Also, check parking charges at the attractions you plan to visit. Campsite fees don’t mean your sightseeing parking is covered.

For us, the compact campervan fit our budget. Whether the savings are worth it depends on how comfortable you are with sleeping, changing, and organizing your belongings in a very small space.

Would I choose a campervan over a hotel again?

The campsites were one of the loveliest surprises of the trip. The cozy kitchen in Vík, the views in Höfn and the walks near the glacier all became part of what I remember about Iceland.

Travelling by campervan added that “touching the Viking grass” element I was hoping for, even if the Vikings probably weren’t debating whether to book a hotel for the night.

Just check each campsite’s arrival arrangements rather than assuming reception will be open late. And keep your happy hat handy for the nights when Mother Nature gets loud.

I enjoyed the freedom, but I also appreciated the hotel when we needed it. You can love the road trip and still be very ready for a proper bed.