Car
rental

Your Local Car Rental

Local service you can trust - Easy airport or Reykjavik city pick-up

  • Clear pricing - no hidden fees
  • Reliable cars ready for Icelandic conditions
  • KEF airport delivery - we come to you
  • Car delivery to your Reykjavik accommodation - free of charge
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Created by Febrian Hidayatfrom Noun Project

Family run Company

Friendly local support

Created by Siti Zulaikahfrom Noun Project

Flexible Cancellation

Flexible cancellation available on most bookings

Created by Suci Cahyanifrom Noun Project

Easy Pick-up

We deliver the car to KEF airport or your Reykjavik accommodation

Created by yode tivefrom Noun Project

Well Maintained

Clean and well-maintained cars

ABOUT ESJA

Who We Are

At Esja Car Rental, we focus on making your trip simple and reliable.

We understand what travelers need when exploring Iceland — clear information, dependable vehicles, and a smooth experience from start to finish.

Vehicles suited for Iceland

From small cars to 4x4 vehicles, our fleet is ready for Icelandic roads and weather.

Simple and Transparent Pricing

We keep things clear. No hidden fees — what you see is what you pay.

Easy Pickup

Skip airport queues and start your trip smoothly from the city.

What Our Customers Say

Iceland Speed Limits, Road Rules & Fines: What Every Driver Needs to Know

Iceland is one of the great road trip destinations in the world. Wide open roads, dramatic scenery, and relatively light

Do I Need a 4×4 to Drive in Iceland? Category: Vehicle Advice | Reading time: ~5 min

It is one of the first questions people ask when planning an Iceland road trip. And the honest answer is:

Can I Rent a Car in Iceland with a Debit Card? Category: Booking Tips | Reading time: ~4 min

Most car rental companies in Iceland require a credit card. It is one of the first questions travellers ask —

Solar Eclipse Iceland 2026: Your Complete Guide to Witnessing a Once-in-a-Century Event

On August 12, 2026, Iceland will experience something it has not seen since 1954 — a total solar eclipse. For

F-Roads — Everything You Need to Know Before You Go Category: Driving Tips | Reading time: ~6 min

There’s paved Iceland, and then there’s the other Iceland. The Iceland above 500 metres, where the roads turn to gravel

The Ultimate Guide to Driving Iceland’s Ring Road Category: Road Trip | Reading time: ~6 min

There’s a road that circles an entire country. It hugs volcanic coastlines, dips into glacial valleys, passes beneath towering waterfalls,

Jökulsárlón — Iceland’s Floating Wonderland Category: Must-See | Reading time: ~4 min

There are places in Iceland that stop you mid-sentence. Jökulsárlón is one of them. You turn off Route 1, step

Skógafoss & the Waterfalls of Iceland’s South Coast Category: Nature | Reading time: ~5 min

Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls. That statistic sounds impressive until you realise that means you’ll pass one every few kilometres

Chasing the Northern Lights by Car Category: Aurora Hunting | Reading time: ~5 min

Few experiences match the feeling of watching the Northern Lights appear overhead. One moment the sky is just dark. Then

Winter Driving in Iceland — How to Stay Safe on Icy Roads Category: Safety | Reading time: ~6 min

Iceland in winter is one of the most dramatic places on earth. Snow-capped mountains, frozen waterfalls, deserted black sand beaches,

Reykjavík as Your Base — What to See, Eat & Do Before You Hit the Road Category: City Guide | Reading time: ~6 min

Almost every Iceland road trip starts in Reykjavík. It’s where flights arrive, where rental cars get collected, and where the

Road & Weather Conditions

Icelandic roads range from paved highways to gravel roads and highland mountain routes. Conditions can shift rapidly.

Always check:

Adjust your speed and driving behavior to match current conditions.

Gravel Roads

Rural roads may switch from pavement to gravel without warning.

  • Reduce speed when transitioning to gravel.
  • Maintain a safe distance to avoid gravel damage from other vehicles.
  • Gravel Protection (GP) insurance may cover stone damage.

Wind Hazards

Iceland experiences sudden and extreme wind gusts.

  • Hold the door securely when opening, especially in exposed areas.
  • Park facing the wind when possible.

Damage caused by wind-blown doors is not covered by standard insurance.

F-Roads (Highland / Mountain Roads)

Highland roads are marked with an F (e.g., F35).

  • Only 4x4 vehicles authorized by Esja may drive these routes.
  • Surfaces are rough, and conditions can be unpredictable.
  • Plan your route and fuel stops in advance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The driver´s original and valid driving license (same applies to additional drivers). Regarding foreign drivers license: We need the license with Latin Characters as we need to be able to understand the license. Information we need are: Issuing date, expiring date, Full name, driver´s license number

Even though some countries have started issuing digital driving license Esja Car Rental requires a physical driving license at the time of pick-up for verification and record-keeping purposes.

A valid credit card is required for the rental. If the renter does not have a credit card, we also accept 16-digit debit cards. It is permitted to use a card that belongs to someone other than the driver, provided the cardholder is present at the time of rental.

If the vehicle you selected during the reservation is unavailable during pick up we will supply you with a similar model. We always guarantee the same, or higher, category. We, however, do not guarantee the brand and model.

The pick-up and drop-off offices of Esja Car Rental are located in downtown Reykjavík City. The address is Vatnsstígur 10b, 101 Reykjavík

We do also offer our customers to meet and deliver our cars to them at their Reykjavik city hotel.

Minimum rental period is 24 hours.

We do not hold a deposit from our customers while they have a rental car. We need to see a valid credit card on arrival, we will only hold the imprint of the card as a guarantee. If the renter does not have a credit card we do accept 16 digit number debit card.

All our customers can reduce their liability to zero by opting for our Esja Summit package.

The Esja Summit reduces the liability amount for damages to zero. This includes damages covered by CDW/SCDW, GP, TP, Tire Protection and SAAP but also includes damages such as damage to the underside, wind blowing up the doors and water damages. This allows our renters to have a carefree experience with Esja Car Rental while enjoying our beautiful island.

Excluded are damages not covered by insurances as stated in Article 29 and 32 in the Rental Agreement and terms and conditions, for example intentional damages, damages caused by negligence or damages resulting from driving where prohibited.

Please note: Insurances can only be applied before the rental starts, not during the rental period.

Renter must be 20 years of age to rent a 2WD car or a medium sized 4WD/AWD.

To rent our larger 4WD, SUV´s or Luxury models the renter must be 23 years of age.

To rent a car at Esja Car Rental the renter/driver shall be at least 20 years old and shall have held a valid driving license for at least one year before renting the vehicle and must present the license when signing the Rental Agreement. To rent a large size SUV or a passenger car the renter must be 23 years of age.

Even though some countries have started issuing digital driving license Esja Car Rental requires a physical driving license at the time of pick-up for verification and record-keeping purposes.

In addition to that we require the driving license do have Roman alphabet (not Arabic, Chinese or Cyrillic scripts )but if not, an International Driving License is required.

Any request for exemptions on the above must be sent via e-mail prior to pick-up

Included in the car rental price rate;

  • Unlimited mileage
  • 24% VAT tax
  • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
  • Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW)
  • Gravel Protection (GP)
  • Theft Protection (TP)

Credit card payment is the best option to pay for your rental vehicle when you book online. Visa, MasterCard, Union Pay, Discovery, Diners Club and JCB are valid.

The renter may also be able to book with a debit card if you have the online payment option available on it.

The renter, or someone traveling with the renter, also needs to submit a credit card on arrival when he picks up the vehicle. We require the renters to submit credit card but if you only have debit card we accept debit cards with a 16 digit number on the front.

Pick-ups at our office in downtown Reykjavik is only available during opening hours.
In cases of pick-ups after outside working hours we bring the car to your Reykjavik hotel. To do so you need to have already paid your rental upfront and gone through our online check-in kiosk before having the car delivered.

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