Planning your Iceland adventure? We’ve got your back.
At Thrifty Car Rental Iceland, we’ve rounded up the most frequently asked questions from our savvy renters over the years and answered them right here – to make your trip prep smoother, quicker, and a whole lot easier.
Start here, smart saver:
BEFORE MAKING A BOOKING
- How old do I need to be to hire a rental car in Iceland with Thrifty?
No Max Age Limit – Just Smart Driving with Thrifty Iceland
Here’s the deal: at Thrifty Iceland, we don’t put a cap on how old you can be to rent a car – if you’re road-ready, we’re ready for you!But we do keep things safe and smart with minimum age requirements:
20 years old – That’s the magic number if you’re renting from these groups:
Economy, Compact, Compact Wagon, Intermediate (2 or 4-door), and Intermediate Wagon.23 years old – For all other vehicle types.
25 years old – Needed for some prestige or luxury rides. If you’re eyeing something fancy, double-check the age info on the car’s description page.
Got questions? Our Reservation Center is just a click away. We’re here to help you drive smart and save big.
- What is the minimum/maximum rental period?
We like to keep things flexible (and friendly to your wallet)!
Minimum rental period: 24 hours – just enough for a quick adventure or a one-day detour.
Maximum rental period: 100 days for short-term rentals – that’s over three months of exploring!Need a car for longer? No problem. Just reach out – we’ll hook you up with a smart long-term deal that suits your plans.
- Do you take a deposit on my credit card upon pick up?
Nope! Zero deposit, zero stress.
At Thrifty Iceland, we don’t hold a deposit on your credit card when you pick up your rental. Just book, show up, and hit the road. It’s that simple. - Can I avoid a deposit on my credit card upon pick up?
You sure can – because with Thrifty Iceland, there’s no deposit to avoid!
We don’t take any deposit when you pick up your car. Just grab the keys and go. Easy, breezy, and totally Thrifty. - What documents are required at pick-up?
Just the essentials:
A valid credit card in the renter’s name (make sure it’s good for at least 6 months after your return date)
A valid driver’s license
That’s it! For all the fine print, check out our Terms & Conditions page. We keep it simple, so you can keep it moving.
- What is the minimum age for driver?
Easy:
- 20+ for most standard cars
- 23+ for larger vehicles
- 25+ for some luxury models
Want the exact age for your ride? Click here to check the details.
- Can I rent a car with brand new driver’s license?
Not just yet!
You’ll need to have held your driver’s license for at least 1 year before renting with Thrifty Iceland. - Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a car or is a national driver’s license enough?
Not always!
- If your license has Latin letters, it’s good to go.
- If it doesn’t, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your original license.
⚠️ Heads up:
If your license isn’t covered by the IDP system (like ones from Hong Kong SAR), we recommend getting an IDP before hitting the road in Iceland. Read more about driver license policy. - What is included in the rental price?
No hidden fees here—just good value!
- Unlimited mileage
- TPL (Third-Party Liability)
- Taxes
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) – included for free!
Want extra peace of mind? You can upgrade to our MAX protection coverage during your booking process. Find out more about our protection packages here.
4×4/AWD DRIVING IN ICELAND
- Do you offer 4×4/AWD rental cars?
You bet! We’ve got a range of 4×4 and AWD vehicles ready for Iceland’s wild side.
Click here to see what’s available. - Can I drive off road in Iceland?
Nope – off-roading is a no-go in Iceland. It’s illegal and can seriously damage nature (and your wallet).👉 Click here for the full details.
- Can I drive on the F-roads in the highlands?
Yes – but only with a 4×4 or AWD vehicle, and only when conditions allow.
The highlands are epic, but they play by their own rules.👉 Click here to check what you need to know before you go.
DELIVERIES/RETURNS
- What If I’m Late to Pick Up My Car?
We’ll hold your reservation for 2 hours after your pick-up time. After that, the car may go to another lucky driver—unless you’ve let us know you’re running late.
Flight delay? No worries! If your reservation includes a correct flight number, we’ll adjust based on the new arrival time. If it’s outside opening hours, we’ll stay open—as long as we’ve been notified.
👉 Click here for all the details in our late arrival policy.
- If I arrive early to pick up my rental car, can I get the car right away?
If your car’s ready, it’s yours. If not, you may need to wait until your scheduled pick-up time. Either way, we’ve got you covered.
- If I return the car early do I get a refund?
Sorry, no refunds for early returns.
- Can I return my rental car outside of your opening hours?
No, after-hours returns aren’t allowed unless they’re part of your original booking.
You’ll need to return the car as scheduled, during the time you booked.
CAR RENTAL PAYMENT
- How can I pay for my rental?
Paying with Thrifty Iceland is easy—you’ll pay at the rental desk when you pick up your car.
You’ll need a valid credit card in the main driver’s name. We’ll place a temporary authorization hold (not a deposit) based on your rental charges.
Accepted credit cards:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- H.C.C. cards (booked via thrifty.com)
🚫 No virtual cards, Apple/Google Pay, or e-wallets at pick-up.
🚘 Renting a luxury ride? Bring two credit cards.👉 For all the fine print, check our credit card policy page.
- Can I pay my rental with a debit card?
Yes, you can!
We accept debit cards and prepaid credit cards—as long as they meet these conditions:- Has a 16-digit number starting with 4 or 5
- Is in the main driver’s name
- Has enough funds to cover the rental
👉 For all the fine print, check our credit card policy page.
- Can I pay my rental with a prepaid credit card?
Yes, you can! We accept prepaid credit cards (and debit cards too)—as long as:
- It has a 16-digit number starting with 4 or 5
- It’s in the main driver’s name
- It has enough funds to cover the rental
- Can I prepay my booking online?
Yes, and it’s a smart move! Prepay online and score a discount off your rental price.
More savings = more adventure. - Do I need to bring a credit card when I pick up the car?
Yes, you do—even if you’ve prepaid or have a voucher.
You’ll need a non-prepaid credit card in the main driver’s name, valid for at least 6 months after your return date.👉 For all the details, check out our credit card policy.
- Do I need to bring my physical credit card when I pick up the car? I have the credit card on my phone.
Nice try, tech whiz—but no.
You’ll need to bring the physical credit card with you when picking up the car. Digital cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or e-wallets aren’t accepted at the desk. - Can I use my mom’s credit card?
The credit card must be in the name of the main renter, and that person must be present at pick-up—whether it’s your mom, your friend, or anyone else.
👉 For the full scoop, check out our credit card policy.
- Can I use my friend’s credit card?
The credit card must be in the name of the main renter, and that person must be present at pick-up—whether it’s your mom, your friend, or anyone else.
👉 For the full scoop, check out our credit card policy.
CAR RENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTION PACKAGES
- Which protection package is included in the booking rate?
We keep it simple and solid:
Third-party liability insurance (TPL)
CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) – included for free!Want more coverage? You can always upgrade. 👉 See all protection options.
- I have car rental coverage from a third party. How does that work?
Using your own insurance? No problem. Just a heads-up—you’ll pay Thrifty first if there’s any damage, then claim it back from your provider.
It’s up to you to know what your third-party policy covers, so be sure to check the fine print before you hit the road.
- What are the benefits of buying a protection package from Thrifty even though I have third party coverage?
Good question—here’s the deal:
Even if you’ve got third-party insurance, Thrifty’s protection packages can save you time and stress. If something happens, you deal directly with us—no paperwork, no chasing refunds from your insurer.
With our protection, you’ll either pay nothing or just a small excess, depending on your coverage level. And if you want total peace of mind, our MAX Protection package gives you full coverage with zero excess.
Want the details? Click here to learn more about our protection options and what’s included.
- Do you offer zero excess protection package?
Yes, we do.
Our MAX Protection package gives you zero excess and includes extensive damage coverage, so you can travel with total peace of mind.
Want to know what’s included? Check out our protection packages for the full breakdown.
CAR RENTAL EXTRA SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT
- How much luggage can I fit in my rental car?
It depends on the car you choose.
We offer a range of vehicles, and each one has different luggage space. Check the car details on our cars page to find the right fit for your trip.
- Do you provide winter tyres during winter?
Yes. All our rental cars come with winter tyres from November 1 to April 15, in line with Icelandic traffic laws.
No need to request them—they’re automatically included to keep you safe on the road.
- Do you provide snow chains?
Nope, we don’t—and you won’t need them.
Snow chains are for big vehicles on rough mountain roads, not for the main roads you’ll be driving. Instead, we’ve got you covered with quality studded winter tyres on all our cars from November 1 to April 15—so you’re ready for Iceland’s winter roads without the hassle.
RENTING A CAR IN ICELAND AIRPORT
- Where do I find Thrifty car rental Iceland?
We’re right where you need us—inside Keflavík International Airport.
Just head to the Hertz rental desk in the arrivals hall, and you’ll be on your way in no time. Thrifty is serviced by Hertz Iceland, so everything’s in one easy spot.
TICKETS AND FEES
- Are there road tolls in Iceland?
Just one—and it’s an easy one.
The only toll road in Iceland is the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel in the north. You’ll need to pay the fee online, either before your drive or within 3 hours after.
If you don’t pay it yourself, Thrifty will charge the tunnel fee to your credit card, plus an administration fee. So it’s best (and cheaper) to take care of it directly.
Need help? Here’s how to pay the tunnel fee.
- Do I have to pay for parking in Iceland?
In many places—yes.
Paid parking is common in downtown Reykjavík and other popular areas. Just watch for signs when you pull into a parking lot or space—they’ll tell you how and where to pay, usually via parking meters or apps.
In Akureyri, things work a little differently. There are no meters—just time-limited spaces. You can grab a parking clock from a local gas station, set it to your arrival time, and place it in your car window.
Some popular spots now use online parking through myparking.is. That includes:
- Skaftafell, in Vatnajökull National Park (South Iceland)
- Þingvellir National Park, on the Golden Circle route
Pro tip: Pay when you park—because missed payments can turn into fines (plus an admin fee if we have to handle it later).
- What do I do if I get a parking ticket?
If you get a parking ticket during your rental, Thrifty will take care of the payment—and then charge the fine to your credit card, along with a small administration fee for processing.
Want to know more about those fees? You’ll find the details here.
- What do I do if I get a speeding ticket?
Speeding tickets are your responsibility to pay.
By law, Thrifty must report who was driving the car at the time the ticket was issued. For handling this, we’ll charge an administration fee.
After that, the Icelandic police will contact you directly to sort out the fine.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
- I made a booking but I have not received a confirmation e-mail. What should I do?
Booking wrapped up but still waiting on that confirmation email? No worries — it should land in your inbox within an hour of booking. If it’s ghosting you, here’s what to check:
- Did the booking go through all the way? (Sometimes the last click gets skipped!)
- Peek at your spam or junk folder — it might be hiding in there.
Still no sign of it? We’ve got your back. Just shoot us a message at thrifty@thrifty.is with your name, pick-up and return dates, and the type of vehicle you booked. We’ll track it down faster than you can say “smart saver.”
- Can I be sure that the booked vehicle is available?
Booked it? You’ll get it — or better.
We’ve got you covered. If the exact car you picked isn’t available when you arrive, no stress — we’ll hand you the keys to a similar ride. Even better? We always guarantee a vehicle in the same category or higher than what you booked.
Just a heads-up: while we can’t promise the exact brand or model, we do promise you’ll hit the road in something just as awesome — or a sweet upgrade.
- Can I make changes to my booking?
Yes. We have a friendly modification policy. Extensions depend on availability.
- Do you offer emergency breakdown assistance?
Need help on the road? We’re here for you.
If you’re in a jam, give our emergency line a ring at +354 858 0499. We’ll connect you with one of our trusted service partners anywhere in Iceland to get you back on track.
Costs may vary depending on where you are, what’s gone wrong, and how tricky the fix is — but we’ll always do our best to help you out fast and fairly.
⚠️ If it’s a serious emergency or someone’s hurt, call 112 right away — that’s Iceland’s emergency service line.
FUEL POLICY
- What is the fuel policy?
Easy — it’s full to full. You get the car with a full tank, and you bring it back the same way. Fair and square.
- Do I need to fill up the tank before I return the car?
Yep! Since we hand you a full tank at pick-up, we ask that you return it full too. That way, no extra fees and everyone wins.
- I am returning my car in your Keflavik office by the International airport. Is it enough for me to fill up the tank in Reykjavik before I drive to Keflavik?
Smart thinking — but not quite enough. Reykjavík is about 50 km from Keflavík, so your tank won’t be full when you get here.
Here’s a better move: top up at the Orkan station right near our Keflavík office.
- What happens if I don’t return the car with a full tank?
No biggie — we’ll handle it for you. But heads-up: we’ll charge your card for the missing fuel + administration fee Best to fuel up and save the extra cost!