Car Rental in Egilsstaðir: Pick-Up and East Iceland Driving Guide

Egilsstaðir is the main service hub of East Iceland and a practical starting point for exploring the Eastfjords. From here, you can follow the Ring Road, drive out to fjord villages, or plan trips to the puffin cliffs of Borgarfjörður Eystri, Stuðlagil Canyon, and Vök Baths. For travellers arriving on a domestic flight at Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS), picking up a rental car here means you can start exploring the region without first driving across Iceland from Reykjavík.

East Iceland’s best sights sit in beautiful, spread-out pockets, and your own car is the easiest way to link them. With a car rental in Egilsstaðir from Hertz Iceland, a local team operating in Iceland since 1971, you collect a vehicle that is 2 years old or newer and set your own pace: an early start at Stuðlagil Canyon or Hengifoss, a sunset soak at Vök Baths, a day in Seyðisfjörður, a walk through Hallormsstaðaskógur, or a scenic drive to Mjóifjörður and the puffin cliffs of Borgarfjörður Eystri. Public transport is limited and tours run on fixed schedules, so having your own car means more freedom, more stops and more time at the places you love.

This guide covers how pick-up works at Egilsstaðir Airport, how to plan your arrival, the driving conditions and routes you will meet, and how to choose the right vehicle.

Egilsstaðir Pick-Up Location: Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS)

Our Egilsstaðir station is located inside Egilsstaðir Domestic Airport (EGS), a short drive from the town centre. When you land, collect your luggage, head to the Hertz desk, complete the rental agreement and collect your keys. Our team can also share current road conditions for the day’s route before you leave. To see how this fits with the rest of our network, browse our rental locations across Iceland.

Egilsstaðir Airport is the main aviation gateway for the whole eastern region, and demand for vehicles is high in summer. Book well in advance so your vehicle is prepared and waiting when you arrive.

Arriving by Ferry at Seyðisfjörður

Many travellers reach East Iceland on the international ferry from Denmark and the Faroe Islands, which docks at Seyðisfjörður, about 27 km from Egilsstaðir over the Fjarðarheiði pass (Route 93). Hertz does not offer pick-up at the ferry terminal. If you book your car at our Egilsstaðir Airport station, you will need to arrange your own transfer from Seyðisfjörður to the airport and collect the car there during opening hours.

One-Way Rentals from Egilsstaðir

Planning to drive the Ring Road in one direction, for example Egilsstaðir to Akureyri or Reykjavík? We offer one-way rentals between our stations. A one-way fee applies and varies by station, so run a search on hertz.is with your chosen pick-up and drop-off locations and the exact fee will appear in your quote summary.

Planning Your Visit to Egilsstaðir: Arrival, Weather & Logistics

Egilsstaðir sits beside the Lagarfljót river and is the central junction where the Ring Road meets the routes into the fjords. Daily domestic flights from Reykjavík take about an hour, which is why many visitors fly in and rent locally rather than drive across the country. Before you budget your trip, see our guide to how much it costs to rent a car in Iceland.

Weather in the East changes quickly, so plan flexible days, especially from autumn to spring. Before heading over any mountain pass, check live travel advisories, wind warnings and seasonal driving requirements on the official Hertz Iceland Safety Portal.

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Quick Guide to Egilsstaðir (Restaurants, Hotels, Attractions)

As the largest town in East Iceland, Egilsstaðir has supermarkets, fuel stations, cafés and restaurants serving Icelandic lamb and fresh fish. Stock up on food and fuel here, because services thin out quickly once you drive into the fjords. The town is also home to the Vök Baths, a geothermal spa on the shore of Lake Urriðavatn, ideal after a flight or a long day on the road.

From this hub you can reach some of the region’s best-known sights. Plan a self-drive trip with our guide to visiting Stuðlagil Canyon, and read our Hengifoss waterfall hiking guide to see the red clay layers in the cliffs beside one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls. With your own car you can reach these trailheads early and avoid the tour-bus crowds. The Hallormsstaðaskógur forest, Iceland’s largest woodland, lies along Lake Lagarfljót, and Borgarfjörður Eystri is a popular summer destination for puffins. To add guided boat trips, puffin tours or local experiences, browse the Hertz Iceland TourDesk selection.

? Hertz Travel Tip: Base yourself in Egilsstaðir for two or three nights and make loop trips: Seyðisfjörður one day, Stuðlagil and Hengifoss another, then fjord villages on the coast. You avoid repacking and start every day from a town with fuel and food.

What to Wear When Exploring Egilsstaðir and East Iceland

Weather around Egilsstaðir can shift between the town, the lake and the nearby fjords, so dress in layers you can add or remove. In summer, daytime temperatures are often around 8–14°C, so a light jacket and sturdy shoes cover most short hikes and sightseeing; from autumn to early spring you will want insulation, a hat, gloves and waterproof boots with good grip. Whatever the season, keep an extra layer, water and snacks in your rental car. Pack the following essentials:

• Waterproof and windproof outer shell: protects against heavy rain and strong winds on passes and waterfall trails.
• Insulating fleece or down mid-layer: keeps you warm on cold mornings at the trailhead.
• Moisture-wicking thermal base layers: stay dry and comfortable on uphill hikes.
• Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots: essential for muddy, rocky or uneven trails.
• Warm gloves, a hat and a scarf: useful against biting winds on coastal cliffs.

Top Tips for Renting a Car at Egilsstaðir Airport

East Iceland has many gravel sections, and loose stones can chip paint and windscreens. We recommend adding Gravel Protection (GP) and Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) coverage for extra peace of mind on the roads between the fjords. Please note that damage from river crossings and underbody damage are not covered by any of our coverage products, and driving on closed or unmarked tracks is illegal.

At pick-up, walk around the vehicle with our team, photograph any existing scratches, check the tyres and confirm the fuel level. All vehicles are fitted with seasonal tyres, but you should still adjust your speed to the conditions. If you are renting an electric vehicle, see our charging tips below.

F-roads require a 4×4, no exceptions: highland F-roads are restricted to approved 4×4 vehicles and usually open only from around June or July, depending on snow. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are never F-road approved. Check road.is or ask our team for live updates before heading onto any F-road.

Driving in Egilsstaðir: Traffic Rules and Regional Access

Driving in East Iceland means narrower roads, single-lane bridges and long gravel sections. Unlike the busier South Coast, you can drive for a long time without seeing another car, which is relaxing but means you must be self-sufficient with fuel, food and weather information.

Egilsstaðir Parking Information and Payment

Street parking and public car parks in Egilsstaðir town centre are free, so you can leave your car outside supermarkets such as Bónus and Nettó, or near cafés and restaurants, without ticket machines or time-limited zones. Some popular natural sites in the surrounding region charge parking fees to fund trail maintenance, so look for signs at trailheads and pay as instructed on site. Enter your licence plate exactly as shown on your rental agreement to avoid fines being forwarded to your contract. Rules and fees can change, so always follow the signage.

The main exception is the airport car park at Egilsstaðir Airport (EGS), which uses Autopay licence plate recognition. If you park there, for example when meeting a flight, here is how it works:

1. Drive in: cameras read your licence plate, so there are no paper tickets and nothing to pay upfront.
2. Drive out: cameras read your plate at the exit to stop the parking.
3. Pay automatically: registered Autopay customers are charged automatically when they drive out.
4. No Autopay account? You can pay online at autopay.io.
5. Pay within 48 hours: after that, an invoice is sent to your home bank with an additional service fee of ISK 1,490.

If you are collecting or returning a Hertz rental, ask our team at the desk about parking before you leave the car park.

Park only in marked spaces and never stop on the road shoulder for photos, especially on narrow fjord roads. Use marked pull-outs and viewpoints instead.

Key Roads and Travel Routes

Egilsstaðir connects the Ring Road (Route 1) to the coastal roads of the East Fjords. Here are the main roads radiating from town:

• Route 1 (Ring Road): paved highway north towards Mývatn and Akureyri, and south towards Höfn.
• Route 93 (Seyðisfjarðarvegur): a spectacular mountain road over the Fjarðarheiði heath down to the colourful village of Seyðisfjörður, known from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It is steep in places and can be foggy, windy or snowy.
• Routes 92 and 96: paved coastal roads towards Reyðarfjörður, Eskifjörður, Neskaupstaður and the southern fjord villages.
• Routes 95 and 939 (Öxi Pass): a summer shortcut towards the south with gravel sections; closed in winter.
• Route 931: the road along Lake Lagarfljót towards Hallormsstaðaskógur and Hengifoss.

Weather Conditions for Driving from Egilsstaðir

In summer, Route 1 and Route 931 are usually clear and well maintained, making it easy to drive between town, Hallormsstaðaskógur, Hengifoss and the nearby fjords. On the mountain passes, conditions can still shift from clear to foggy or windy within minutes. Fjarðarheiði (Route 93) regularly sees fog, strong winds and ice, even in late spring. Before you leave, check road status on road.is and weather alerts on vedur.is, and never drive past a road closure. Hold car doors firmly with both hands on exposed passes, because sudden gusts can bend the hinges.

From late September to April, snow, ice and strong winds are common on higher sections of the Ring Road and on passes such as Route 93, and roads are ploughed regularly. Black ice, drifting snow and reduced visibility call for lower speeds, longer braking distances and a check of road.is and vedur.is before every drive, especially for longer legs to Höfn or Akureyri.

Between November and March, storms can arrive suddenly and last for many hours. If you are not used to snow and ice, choose a 4×4, leave a buffer day in your itinerary and be ready to adjust plans when the forecast changes; it is a simple way to keep a winter trip enjoyable.

Top Trips from Egilsstaðir by Car

Egilsstaðir’s position on the Ring Road makes it easy to plan efficient routes without backtracking. You can switch from deep, narrow fjords to the volcanic landscapes of the north, or from reindeer country to the glacier-fed coast of the southeast. With an Egilsstaðir car hire, each of these journeys becomes a self-paced road trip.

Getting from Egilsstaðir to Seyðisfjörður

The 27 km drive over Fjarðarheiði on Route 93 takes about 30 to 40 minutes in good conditions and descends into one of Iceland’s most photogenic fjord villages, with its colourful wooden houses and art scene. The pass is steep and winding, so drive slowly and check road.is first. In poor visibility or closure, wait in Egilsstaðir until the pass reopens.

Getting from Egilsstaðir to Akureyri

The paved Ring Road drive from Egilsstaðir to Akureyri covers about 245–270 km and takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours without long stops. The route crosses the stark highlands of the northeast, passes the Hverir geothermal field, and runs close to Lake Mývatn, where you can explore volcanic craters and nature baths. Short detours lead to Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, and Goðafoss lies close to Akureyri.

1. From Egilsstaðir, join Route 1 (Ring Road) heading northwest towards Möðrudalur and Mývatn.
2. Stay on Route 1 past the Dettifoss and Mývatn area, following signs for Akureyri.
3. Continue on Route 1 into Akureyri and follow local signs to the town centre, harbour and main hotels.

We recommend dedicating a full day to this drive. High-altitude sections can see snow and strong winds outside summer, so check conditions before you set off. If you are continuing in one direction only, ask about a one-way rental and check the fee in your quote. Please also be reminded the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel is a tolled road, please pay after usage at tunnel.is.

Getting from Egilsstaðir to Höfn

Heading south to Höfn is one of Iceland’s most scenic coastal drives, winding around the fjords where steep mountains drop into the Atlantic. You pass fishing villages such as Fáskrúðsfjörður, Stöðvarfjörður and Djúpivogur, each with cafés, small museums and local crafts, with black sand beaches and wild reindeer a possibility along the way.

1. From Egilsstaðir, take Route 1 (Ring Road) south towards Reyðarfjörður and the Eastfjords.
2. Stay on Route 1 as it winds in and out of the fjords, passing places such as Fáskrúðsfjörður, Djúpivogur and Berufjörður.
3. Keep following Route 1 along the coast until Höfn, then follow local signs to the town centre and harbour.

The summer shortcut over the Öxi pass (Route 939) makes the journey about 185 km and roughly 3 hours; the full coastal Ring Road is about 255 km and 3.5 to 4 hours. Öxi is a steep, narrow gravel road that is not recommended in fog or poor weather, and it is closed in winter. A higher-clearance vehicle makes it more comfortable; if you are unsure, stay on the paved coastal route. Allow extra time for photo stops, fuel and the curvier coastal sections.

Choosing the Best Rental Car for Your Egilsstaðir Trip

For most East Iceland itineraries, we recommend a 4×4 SUV. Steep passes, gravel roads and strong crosswinds make ground clearance and traction valuable, particularly from autumn to spring. A compact 2WD car works for summer trips that stay on the paved Ring Road.

Vehicle Options for a Car Rental in Egilsstaðir

Here is how our main categories suit East Iceland. Availability depends on dates and station, so check live options when you search.

• 4×4 SUVs (compact, such as Dacia Duster or similar): an economical choice for couples or solo travellers on gravel roads and fjord routes.
• Full-size 4×4 SUVs (such as Toyota Land Cruiser or similar): room and comfort for families or groups with heavy luggage, and F-road capability where the vehicle’s terms allow it.
• Electric vehicles: well suited to summer touring on the paved Ring Road with charging planned ahead.
• Automatic cars: relaxed driving on long routes and changeable conditions.
• Compact 2WD cars: suitable for summer driving limited to paved sections of Route 1.
• Passenger vans: for larger groups who need seating and luggage space.