Ísafjörður (IFJ)

 Ísafjörður Car Rental – Hertz Iceland at IFJ Airport, Westfjords

Located in the largest settlement of the Westfjords Ísafjörður town, the Isafjordur airport (IFJ) is one of three regional airports. The Isafjordur airport is an Iceland domestic airport, only operating daily flights to Reykjavik Domestic airport in the capital city centre.

The airport and town centre is just five kilometres from each other. You can travel between the town centre and the airport by driving Route 64 west for six minutes.

There are no public buses connecting Isafjordur town and its airport, but only taxis available for hire at a high price. So renting a car from the IFJ is the best and easiest way to start your self-drive trip in Westfjords if you take domestic flights to Isafjordur.

Available Cars at IFJ Station

Our fleet in Ísafjörður includes trusted manual and automatic vehicles, plus 4WDs for Westfjords adventures. Choose from the following options for your trip:

• Passenger Van: Volkswagen Caravelle, seats up to 9—great for families or groups.
• Economy Cars: Volkswagen Golf (manual/automatic), ideal for city driving and short day trips.
• 4WD SUVs: Toyota Land Cruiser, Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sportage—recommended for exploring the Westfjords in winter or rugged terrain. Available in automatic and manual.

Picking up your car at Isafjordur airport

Arriving in Isafjordur? Collect your rental car quickly and easily—everything happens right inside the IFJ airport terminal, so you can hit the road within minutes.

What You Need:

1. Reservation Confirmation: Have your Hertz booking email ready on your phone or printed.
2. Driver’s License: Must be valid and held for at least 1 year.
3. Credit Card: In the main driver’s name. For security/deposit—debit/cash not accepted.

Pickup Steps:

• Find the Hertz rental desk inside IFJ terminal (no shuttle needed).
• Show your documents and complete your rental agreement with our team.
• Our staff will guide you through insurance options—including our exclusive ZERO excess coverage for maximum peace of mind. You can upgrade at pickup.
• Collect your keys and your car—parked right outside the terminal.

* We DO NOT take any deposit when renting out a car. The credit card information is held only for security purposes

Tips for a Smooth Pickup:

Feel free to ask our team about Westfjords driving conditions, local weather, or route tips.

• Review our rental requirements before arrival to save time.
• Check car protection coverages and extras for details and pricing so you can choose your coverage quickly. We offer a ZERO excess rental car coverage package at our IFJ airport rental desk. If you would like to maximize your rental car’s protection level, you can ask any of our station staff when picking up your vehicle.

Why Choose Hertz at IFJ?

• Direct in-terminal pickup—no waiting or transfers.
• Friendly local staff ready to help from the moment you land.
• Options for full coverage, flexible cancellation, and support wherever you drive.

Driving & Parking Tips – Ísafjörður Car Rental

Driving a rental car in Ísafjörður is the best way to explore the Westfjords at your own pace, thanks to well-maintained roads linking local and regional attractions.

Essential Ísafjörður Road Info (For Car Rentals):

• Residential streets: speed limit 30 km/hr
• Town roads: speed limit 50 km/hr
• Rural gravel roads: speed limit 80 km/hr
• Rural paved roads: speed limit 90 km/hr

Tip: Off-road driving is strictly illegal in Iceland. Always stay on marked roads or designated paths when using your rental car in the Westfjords.

Winter & Nature Safety:

• Expect glare from snow and water—carry sunglasses and drive carefully.
• In winter (October–April), icy conditions and wildlife crossings are common on Westfjords roads.
• Always clear frost or snow from vehicle windows before setting out.
• Watch for sudden changes in weather, especially on remote coastal drives.

Parking Your Rental Car in Ísafjörður:

• Most parking spots in the town centre are free for car renters.
• For paid locations, use parking meters or ticket machines (cash/card accepted).
• Hotels and guesthouses generally offer free overnight parking for guests.
• Campervans/Caravans: Overnight camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds. Sleeping in vehicles is illegal inside town limits.

Top Places to Visit in Ísafjörður (With Your Rental Car)

Plan your drive to explore the largest town in the Westfjords region:

1. Ísafjörður Maritime Museum – Discover the history of Iceland’s fishing culture
2. Hversdagssafn – Museum Of Everyday Life
3. Ísafjörður Culture House – Local arts and events
4. Fosshestar – Unique Icelandic horse experiences
5. Ísafjarðarkirkja – Striking town church
6. Hafnir Ísafjarðarbæjar – Port of Ísafjörður

Best Westfjords Natural Attractions (Easy Day Trips from Ísafjörður):

1. Dynjandi Waterfall – The “Jewel of the Westfjords”
2. Látrabjarg Cliffs – Birdwatching (puffins in summer)
3. Vigur Island – Wildlife and local farm tours
4. Rauðisandur Beach – Famous red sands
5. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve – Remote hiking/wildlife
6. Krossneslaug Hot Spring – Oceanfront bathing
7. Drangsnes Hot Pots – Small-town geothermal pools
8. Þingeyri Viking Village – Historic settlement tour
9. Hörgshlíðarlaug Hot Spring – Secluded swimming spot
10. Hellulaug Hot Spring Pool – Beautiful coastal soak

Every destination is accessible by rental car, with 4WD highly recommended for winter and unpaved routes. Plan ahead for road conditions using your car rental’s advice or ask our team for local travel tips.

Our other car rental location in the Westfjords area

Hertz Iceland also has a rental station in Bíldudalur Domestic Airport in the Westfjords area. If you want to rent a car from our Ísafjörður or Bíldudalur stations, booking in advance is needed.

Rent your car in Isafjordur with Hertz today to secure your booking. You can also learn more about travelling by a rental car from our Iceland rental car travel guides.

FAQ renting from Hertz Iceland at Isafjordur

• Do I need a 4WD in Ísafjörður?
  For town driving a 2WD is fine, but a 4WD is strongly recommended for winter trips or exploring outside town in the Westfjords region.
• Can I rent a car in the airport terminal?
  Yes. Our Hertz desk is located inside the Ísafjörður (IFJ) terminal. Walk-up and pre-booked rentals available.
• Can I drive from Ísafjörður to Reykjavik?
  Yes, Route 60 and Route 1 connect these cities. Expect a 5–6 hour drive, longer in winter; check road and weather conditions before travel.
• Is fuel expensive in Ísafjörður?
  Fuel prices are high throughout Iceland. Plan for about 3,500–5,000 ISK per day depending on route and vehicle.
• Can I pick up in Ísafjörður and drop off in Reykjavik?
  Yes, one-way rentals are available. A location fee may apply.
• Are automatic cars available?
  Yes, automatic cars are available on request, though manual transmission is more common.
• What documents do I need?
  You need a valid driver’s license (held for 1 year), passport/ID, and a credit card.
• Can I rent without a credit card?
  No, a credit card is required for security/deposit; debit/cash not accepted at IFJ.
• What’s the cancellation policy?
  Free cancellation for most bookings up to 48 hours before pick-up; check your reservation email for details.
• Where can I park overnight?
  Most hotels offer free overnight parking. Campers/caravans must use official campgrounds—street parking is prohibited.
• What’s the minimum age to rent?
  20 years for small cars, 23 years for large cars/vans/4WDs.