Passenger Van & Minibus Rental in Iceland

Travelling as a group and need a van rental in Iceland that actually fits everyone comfortably? Hertz Iceland’s passenger van and minibus fleet ranges from a 7-seater right up to a 17-seater, with both 2WD and F-road certified 4×4 options — built for families, tour groups, and anyone who’d rather travel together in one vehicle than split across two cars.

One thing worth clarifying before you book: when we say “9-seater” or “15-seater,” that figure includes the driver. A 9-seater seats 1 driver plus 8 passengers, not 9 passengers on top of the driver — a common point of confusion that’s worth double-checking against your group size before you choose a vehicle.

What Does “9-Seater” (or 14, 15, 17) Actually Mean?

This is genuinely one of the most common questions we get, so it’s worth being explicit: every seat count we quote — 7-seater, 9-seater, 14-seater, 15-seater, 17-seater — is the total including the driver’s seat. A “9-seater” van fits you (the driver) plus 8 passengers, not 9 passengers in addition to the driver. If you’re travelling as a group of 9 people total, you need a 9-seater; if you have 9 passengers not counting the driver, you’ll need a larger van. Double-check your headcount against this before booking to avoid an awkward surprise at pickup.

Why Rent a Passenger Van in Iceland?

For groups of 7 or more, a passenger van solves a problem that splitting into multiple cars creates: coordination. Everyone travels together, on the same schedule, with no risk of getting separated on unfamiliar roads or losing time regrouping at every stop. It’s also frequently more cost-effective than renting two or three smaller cars to move the same number of people, especially over a multi-day itinerary.

Our fleet covers a genuine range of group sizes and needs — from a compact 7-seater that still drives like a large car, up to full 17-seater minibuses for tour groups, with F-road certified 4×4 options available for groups wanting Highland access too.

Looking for a vehicle to sleep in rather than just travel in? A passenger van isn’t set up for camping — if that’s what you actually need, visit our dedicated camper and motorhome rental page instead.

Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Rent a Passenger Van

We want to be upfront about this rather than let you find out on the road: driving a large passenger van or minibus in Iceland takes more skill and attention than driving a standard rental car. Iceland’s weather can turn quickly — sudden crosswinds and storm conditions are a real factor on exposed stretches of the Ring Road and coastal routes, and a tall, long-bodied vehicle catches wind very differently from a compact car or SUV.

We recommend passenger van rental specifically to drivers who already have experience handling this type of vehicle. If you’ve only ever driven a standard car, a sudden Icelandic crosswind on a loaded 15-seater is not the place to learn. If you’re unsure whether your experience is sufficient, our team is happy to talk through your specific route and vehicle choice before you book.

Driving a Van in Iceland: What to Know First

We want to be upfront about this rather than let you find out on the road: driving a large passenger van or minibus in Iceland takes more skill and attention than driving a standard rental car. Iceland’s weather can turn quickly — sudden crosswinds and storm conditions are a real factor on exposed stretches of the Ring Road and coastal routes, and a tall, long-bodied vehicle catches wind very differently from a compact car or SUV.

We recommend passenger van rental specifically to drivers who already have experience handling this type of vehicle — whether that’s a van, minibus, or similar large vehicle in their home country. If you’ve only ever driven a standard car, a sudden Icelandic crosswind on a loaded 15-seater is not the place to learn. If you’re unsure whether your experience is sufficient, our team is happy to talk through your specific route and vehicle choice before you book.

Vans Availability and Roads in Iceland

Passenger vans and minibuses in our fleet are built primarily for Iceland’s paved road network — Route 1, the connections between towns, and city driving in Reykjavík and beyond. This covers the vast majority of group itineraries, from airport transfers to full Ring Road circuits.

For F-roads specifically, only two vehicles in our fleet are certified: the VW Caravelle 4×4 (9-seater) and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (15-seater). Every other van and minibus is restricted to paved and gravel main roads, regardless of season.

One practical note that applies year-round, not just in summer: we carry a limited number of vans and minibuses in our fleet compared to our car categories. Availability is tighter than you might expect at any time of year, so if a passenger van is part of your plan, we’d recommend booking as early as possible rather than assuming a spot will be open closer to your travel dates.

Explore Our Passenger Van & Minibus Fleet

Every seat count below includes the driver. Licence requirements and F-road status vary by model — check both carefully before booking.

Standard Licence Vans

No special licence required — your regular driver’s licence is enough

VW Caddy Maxi (7-Seater)

Manual | 2WD. 1 driver + 6 passengers. Our most compact van — still drives easily, ideal for smaller groups or families.

Luggage 4

Min. Age 20+

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

Ford Transit (9-Seater, Manual)

Manual | 2WD. 1 driver + 8 passengers. A dependable, roomy choice for groups on paved main routes.

Luggage 4

Min. Age 23+

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

VW Caravelle (9-Seater, Automatic, 2WD)

Automatic | 2WD. 1 driver + 8 passengers. A comfortable, easy-driving option for paved-road group travel.

Luggage 7

Min. Age 23+

❌ F-Road Not Allowed View Details & Pricing

VW Caravelle (9-Seater, Automatic, 4×4)

Automatic | 4×4. 1 driver + 8 passengers. The F-road certified version of our 9-seater — genuine Highland access for a full group.

Luggage 7

Min. Age 23+

✅ F-Road Allowed View Details & Pricing

Type D Licence Required

14 seats and above — a special minibus (Type D) licence is required to rent these vehicles

Ford Transit (14-Seater)

Manual | 2WD. 1 driver + 13 passengers. Our largest-luggage minibus option, well suited to tour-style group travel.

Luggage 10

Min. Age 23+

❌ F-Road Not Allowed ? Type D Licence Required View Details & Pricing

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (15-Seater)

Automatic | 4×4. 1 driver + 14 passengers. The only F-road certified minibus in our fleet, for large groups needing Highland access.

Luggage 1

Min. Age 23+

✅ F-Road Allowed ? Type D Licence Required View Details & Pricing

Ford Transit (17-Seater)

Manual | 2WD. 1 driver + 16 passengers. Our largest vehicle, built for full tour groups on paved main routes.

Luggage 1

Min. Age 23+

❌ F-Road Not Allowed ? Type D Licence Required View Details & Pricing

*Fleet availability varies by season. Seat counts include the driver. Only the VW Caravelle 4×4 (9-seater) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (15-seater) are F-road certified.

Type D Licence: What You Need to Know

If your group is 14 or more, including the driver, you’ll need a valid Type D driving licence to rent our 14-seater, 15-seater, or 17-seater vehicles — this applies to the Ford Transit 14-seater, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 15-seater, and Ford Transit 17-seater specifically. A standard car licence is not sufficient for these vehicles under Icelandic law, regardless of your home country’s regulations.

Our 7-seater and both 9-seater options do not require a Type D licence — a standard, valid driver’s licence held for at least 1 year is enough. If you’re not sure whether your licence qualifies, please check with our team before booking one of the larger minibuses.

Tips on Renting a Passenger Van in Iceland

• Count your group carefully. Seat numbers include the driver — a 9-seater fits 8 passengers, not 9.
• Only rent a large van if you have relevant driving experience. Iceland’s sudden crosswinds and storm conditions affect tall, long vehicles far more than standard cars — this isn’t the place to learn on the job.
• Confirm your licence type before booking. The 14, 15, and 17-seater vehicles legally require a Type D licence — check this well before your trip, not at pickup.
• Only two vans are F-road certified. If Highland access matters, choose the VW Caravelle 4×4 (9-seater) or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (15-seater) specifically.
• Book in advance during peak season. Larger vehicles have limited fleet numbers and are in high demand for tour groups and family trips in summer.
• Ask about entertainment extras. Select models can be fitted with headphones and speakers — useful for keeping a large group comfortable on longer drives.

Fuelling Your Passenger Van in Iceland

Vans and minibuses are thirstier than a standard rental car, and it’s worth budgeting for that honestly. At current pump prices — roughly 195–225 ISK per litre for 95 octane petrol, and closer to 220–225 ISK per litre for diesel — a large 9-to-17 seat vehicle will cost noticeably more to fuel over a multi-day trip than a compact car or SUV. Factor this into your overall trip budget alongside the road usage charge, especially for a full Ring Road circuit.

Refuelling itself works exactly like any conventional vehicle: N1, Orkan, ÓB/Olís, and Atlantsolía stations are found throughout Reykjavík and along all main routes, with self-service pumps accepting international cards directly. Every Hertz Iceland rental, vans included, comes with an ÓB/Olís discount keychain — scan it at the pump sensor at any ÓB or Olís station for a small saving on every fill-up.

Given the higher running cost and the remote stretches some group itineraries cover, we’d also recommend considering our Roadside Assistance add-on for van rentals specifically. It covers the towing fee if you experience a breakdown, flat tyre, or similar issue on the road — worth adding at booking rather than deciding at pickup, particularly for a vehicle carrying a full group far from the nearest town.

Van & Minibus Rental Requirements in Iceland

• Minimum age is 20 for the VW Caddy Maxi (7-seater); 23 for every other van and minibus in the fleet.
• A Type D licence is required for the 14-seater, 15-seater, and 17-seater vehicles. A standard licence held for at least 1 year is sufficient for the 7-seater and both 9-seaters.
• Only the VW Caravelle 4×4 (9-seater) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (15-seater) are F-road certified; all other vans are restricted to paved and gravel main roads.
• We recommend van rental only to drivers with prior experience handling large vehicles, given Iceland’s sudden weather changes.
• CDW and TPL insurance are included as standard on every van and minibus.

The Real Cost: 2026 Road Usage Charge

As of January 1, 2026, the Icelandic government replaced older fuel taxes with a kilometre-based Road Usage Charge, which applies to every vehicle on the road — including all passenger vans and minibuses. The charge is calculated automatically based on actual distance driven and billed on your final invoice at return, combining a government road tax with a Hertz service fee plus VAT.

Pick Up Locations for Your Van or Minibus

For the fastest start to your trip, pick up directly at Keflavík International Airport — our counter is inside the Arrivals Hall, so your group can collect the van immediately after landing with no shuttle wait. If you’re spending time in Reykjavík first, our downtown office is the more convenient option before your group’s day trips begin.