Car Hire at Keflaví­k airport (KEF)

Renting a car is a popular option for travelling around Iceland. Keflavík Airport distinguishes between agencies that operate with a counter inside the Terminal and those that require a shuttle bus transfer.

Agencies with Counters in the Terminal

The following companies have service counters located inside the terminal’s arrivals hall. It is recommended to check their operating hours, as they may vary:

• Avis
• Budget
• Europcar
• Hertz

Agencies with Shuttle Bus

Other rental agencies operate from locations near the airport and offer a free shuttle service to transport passengers from the terminal to their offices. This service departs from the bus stop located near car park P2 and serves numerous companies, including:

• Alamo
• Átak
• Blue Car Rental
• Enterprise
• Flizzr
• Geysir
• Sixt

To rent a vehicle in Iceland, international travellers must meet specific requirements regarding age, driving experience and documentation. It is essential to comply with these requirements in order to collect the reserved car.

Required Documentation

• Driving Licence: Must be original, valid, and issued at least one year (12 months) prior. Provisional licences are not accepted.
• International Driving Permit (IDP): Usually not required if the licence is written in Latin (Roman) characters or in English. It is mandatory if the national licence uses a different alphabet (e.g., Arabic, Cyrillic, Japanese, etc.).
• Identification: A Passport or National Identity Card (ID) is required for verification purposes.

Age and Driving Experience

• Minimum Age: The driver must be at least 20 years old to rent small cars and two-wheel-drive (2WD) vehicles.
• Larger Vehicles: The minimum age increases to 23 years to rent 4x4 vehicles, large SUVs, passenger vans and luxury cars.
• Note: Some companies may apply an additional “young driver” fee to renters under 25 years of age.

Payment Method and Deposit

• Credit Card: A valid credit card in the name of the main driver is generally required for the security deposit. The rental company will request an authorisation (temporary fund hold) to cover potential damages.
• Debit Card: Some agencies may accept debit cards under specific conditions or if full insurance coverage is purchased, but a credit card is the standard for deposits.