When you arrive in a new country, there are always new things to learn and new customs to experience. For example, anyone renting a camper van needs to learn how and where to fill the vehicle with fuel-or diesel, if you rent a camper or a motor home with us.
In general, a gas station is a gas station wherever you are. In other words, a gas station in Iceland will feel familiar to most travelers. One major difference might be in is how you pay for fuel at a self-service stations or after hours in Iceland. Although Visa cards work perfectly well, you need a card with a chip and a 4-digit PIN to be able to fill your camper at self-service stations or after hours. If you want to be on the safe side in case you forgot to get a PIN code for your credit card, you can always buy a pre-paid gas card you can use after hours. Just remember, there’s no refund if you don’t use up the entire pre-paid card. Most self-service pump stations do not accept cash, so you can usually only use cash during staffed opening hours. While you might find a self-service station that accepts cash hey’re few and far between.
If you fill up your camper van or motor home during opening hours, make sure you go inside before you pay for your fuel and show the discount tag you get from us when you pick up your camper. That is the only way to get the rebate from the tag since you can’t use it in self-service gas stations.
Americans should also note that diesel pumps here in Iceland have black handles while ordinary gasoline have green handles.
A good rule of thumb is to fill up when your tank drops below half, especially in rural areas. Some highways in certain rural areas have few gas stations, so it’s better to be prepared.
How do gas stations in Iceland work?
When it comes to gas stations, Iceland will feel familiar to most travelers, but there are a few local quirks to keep in mind. Many gas stations in Iceland are self-service, especially once you leave the capital area and larger towns. You’ll usually insert your card at the pump, choose an amount, and then fill your gas tank. Because distances can be long between petrol stations, Iceland travelers should plan ahead and fill up when they can instead of counting on “just one more village” down the road.
When you see a gas station in Iceland and your tank is around half full, that’s the perfect time to top up. Fuel options are clearly marked, but always double-check whether you need diesel or gasoline before pumping. The bottom line: keeping an eye on your fuel level and using each Iceland gas station stop as a chance to fill up will make your camper van road trip much less stressful.
Why petrol stations in Iceland are more than just fuel stops
Petrol stations in Iceland play a huge role in the social life of some small villages. In many places, the station has a restaurant, a grocery store and a retail store where you can for example buy fishing gear, along with various other services, You can also rinse off your camper for free in most places since there is a chance your camper will be dusty and/or muddy. You’ll almost always find the famous Icelandic hot dog at gas stations that serve food.
If you are driving a motor home rental and need to dispose of lavatory water, most gas stations offer that, too.
You’ll also find out everything going on in the area at the local gas station. Often they’ll have a bulletin board with information on all the local events as well as brochures for attractions in the area.
Although many Iceland gas stations offer all kinds of necessary services for your road trip, don’t assume you can use them without making a purchase. For example, buy gas or food or whatever you need before using their restrooms. If you’re just rinsing off your camper, buy something to drink, or at least buy some snacks if you need to use their bathroom.
Gas station App
Navigating gas stations in Iceland is easier when you know exactly where the next one is—especially when traveling through remote areas with long gaps between towns. This simple app, featuring an Iceland gas station map, helps you plan ahead so you’re never guessing where the closest stop for gas in Iceland might be during your road trip.
Petrol station locations and gas prices in Iceland
Read more: Camping in Iceland
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