Iceland was my first trip in a camper and I think this will be the first of many camper trips. I did quite a bit of research ahead of time to make sure my friend and I were fully prepared. I would like to share some of my findings and experiences with you in case you are thinking of going around Iceland in a camper.
How to decide between camper or no camper?
My friend and I knew we wanted to be "on the go" and plan everything ourselves for Iceland. We were looking for a nature adventure with flexibility and the camper was the best way to go for us. We wanted to make sure that if the northern lights were an option during our time in Iceland, we could start driving and find them, which is exactly how it worked out for us.
Pro: flexible, sometimes it's a cheaper option than hotels, as close as possible to nature
Cons: Not as comfortable as a real bed. Weather dependent. Most likely no F roads in Iceland and the gas is quite pricey in this country.
What company did we use in Iceland?
We searched for many many camper companies in Iceland. We decided to use Happy Campers and they did not disappoint us. Some of the factors that helped us go with this company: it was within our budget, they had everything we needed in their vans (for 2 people) including wifi, they had a local office with local employees and if we had issues they would have helped us (we had no issues though) , they picked us up at the airport. We did not want to deal with a toilet or shower in the camper, so we planned to sleep in campgrounds, which is a requirement in Iceland (you cannot just camp on any street).
Fun fact: the happy campers were all bright colors with happy stickers (ours was red) and every happy camper we saw on the road waved at us. That made us happy too!
How to pack for a camper?
I had a little bit of a learning experience from this trip. I used my hard suitcase and that was a mistake. If you are going to be in a camper, where space is limited, I suggest you pack a duffel bag or a soft suitcase that you may be able to squeeze in tight places. Trust me, I learned my lesson!
Pack light! Our camper included sheets, pillows, blankets, comforters, sleeping bags, utensils and frying pan, a little sink with water, a mini fridge, a mini gas stove. We paid for an electric converter to have extra power plugs for our chargers and for 2 chairs because we wanted to sit outside to look at the northern lights or the stars.
What to pack for a camper trip?
This one will vary depending on your trip and your personal preference. I will write another post with a full list of items to pack for a camper trip!
Camper's Insurance?
We read a lot about this subject before we came to our decision. The answer to this question will depend on your personal preference. Happy Campers includes a CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) with their rental price, which limits the driver's liability to a certain amount. They allow people to waive this insurance if a customer chooses to, but it is not recommended. They have many options for insurances, you will find them in their website. The weather in Iceland is so variable, that anything could happen at any point. Therefore, my friend and I upgraded to a higher level of insurance to make sure we had a peace of mind during our trip and we did not have to worry about this camper at all (it was still within our budget too).
Side note: I am not getting paid by any of the companies mentioned in this site. This post is based on my own opinion/experience and the goal is to help other travelers like me. Send me a message if you have any questions.
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