Iceland Camper-Van Arrival Day: Airport, Costco, Fuel, and the First Campsite
Photo note: Unless explicitly credited otherwise, the photos in this Iceland article are our original images from our September 27-October 6, 2024 Ring Road trip.
อ่านบทความนี้เป็นภาษาไทย: เปิดเวอร์ชันภาษาไทย
The first day of an Iceland camper-van trip can disappear quickly. There is an airport transfer, paperwork, a new vehicle, groceries, fuel, and the question of where to spend the first night. We found it easier when we treated arrival day as a short sequence of practical stops rather than trying to begin sightseeing immediately.
1. Decide what to buy at the airport
If you plan to drink during the trip, the airport duty-free shop is worth considering before collecting the van. Icelandic alcohol prices can be high, and buying everything later at a regular shop may be less convenient. Buy only what you can store safely in the van.
Alcohol shopping at the airport before starting our road trip.
2. Learn the camper van before leaving
At pickup, photograph the exterior and interior, check the fuel level, and ask about the gas bottles, refrigerator, heating, water, waste, and electrical hookup. Our Hertz van had a small kitchen, but its 220V outlets required shore power at a campsite.
3. Do the large grocery shop near Reykjavík
Costco was our first major practical stop. We bought groceries, drinks, and simple ingredients before heading around the island. Bónus was useful for smaller or more ordinary grocery top-ups. With a camper van, storage space matters more than the apparent bulk discount.
Some of the groceries we bought for the camper van.
A Bónus grocery stop for everyday road-trip supplies.
Carry both Visa and Mastercard if possible. Costco membership and payment rules can vary, and fuel pumps may have different card requirements from the warehouse.
4. Fill the tank and choose a realistic first night
Fuel up before leaving the Reykjavík area, but do not add a long detour just to chase a tiny price difference. We found that Iceland fuel prices were often fairly close between vendors; Costco was a good deal for us when it was already part of the route.
For the first night, choose a campsite that matches your arrival time and energy. Do not plan a demanding sightseeing day after a late pickup, grocery stop, and unfamiliar drive.
5. Keep the final morning in mind
Before returning the van, allow time to empty waste and refill or clean the vehicle according to the rental instructions. We also made a final fuel stop near the airport rather than leaving it to the last few minutes.
For the full route, read our counter-clockwise Ring Road itinerary, then see the campsites we used and Hertz camper-van review.