Iceland is one of the easiest countries in Europe to road trip with children — short distances between sights, no dangerous wildlife, safe swimming pools in every town — and one of the easiest to get wrong if you arrive without the right car seats or an itinerary built for small legs.
The law: what Iceland actually requires
The rule is based on height, not age. Any child measuring under 135 cm must be secured in a child restraint appropriate to their size, in every vehicle, on every road. There is no exemption for short journeys, for taxis, or for the back seat.
Two further points that surprise visitors. First, a child in a rear-facing seat must never sit in front of an active airbag — the passenger airbag has to be switched off, and not every vehicle allows that. Second, the driver is legally responsible, so if you are driving someone else children, the fine is yours.
Icelandic police do enforce this, particularly on the Keflavik–Reykjavik road and around the Golden Circle. At 30,000 ISK per violation it is far cheaper to book the seat.
Which seat for which child
Aurora Car Rental Iceland offers two categories, deliberately kept simple:
| Seat type | Suits | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child seat 0–3 years | Infants and toddlers | 4,000 ISK per day | Rear-facing where appropriate; airbag must be off |
| Child seat 4–12 years / up to 135 cm | Older children and booster stage | 4,000 ISK per day | Fits standard rear seat belt |
Both can be ordered in multiples when you book, so a family with a toddler and two school-age children takes one of the first and two of the second. Seats are fitted and checked at pickup, and we will show you the installation rather than leaving you in the car park with a manual.
If you prefer to bring your own seat, most airlines carry child seats free of charge as part of the baggage allowance. That works well for a two-week trip and less well for a five-day one, where the hassle usually outweighs the saving.
Which vehicle fits your family
Two adults and two children in car seats is where most rental cars start to struggle, because three-across seating with bulky seats rarely works in a compact SUV. Practical guidance from our fleet:
| Family size | Recommended vehicle | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 2 adults + 1 child | SsangYong Tivoli or Dacia Duster | Plenty of room, lowest daily rate |
| 2 adults + 2 children | Kia Sportage or SsangYong Korando | Wider rear bench, larger boot for luggage plus pram |
| 2 adults + 3 children | Bus, 9 seats | Three-across child seats do not fit reliably in an SUV |
| Larger group or two families | Bus, 9 seats | One vehicle, one driver, everyone together |
| Family wanting to camp | Camper van 6 persons or Dacia with roof tent | Sleeping and driving in one; seats still required while driving |
Luggage is the other trap. A family of four in Iceland travels with suitcases, a pram, waterproofs and often a cooler box. A compact SUV boot fills fast. If you are close to the limit, the bus is a better decision than a roof box on a windy island.
Routes that work with children
The rule of thumb for Iceland with kids is a maximum of two hours of driving in a day, split into segments of no more than 90 minutes, with something physical at each end.
Golden Circle, 1 day. Thingvellir has flat walking paths between rock walls, Geysir erupts every few minutes which holds attention brilliantly, and Gullfoss is a five-minute walk from the car park. Add the Secret Lagoon at Fludir to finish.
South coast, 2 days. Seljalandsfoss you can walk behind — children love this and get soaked, so pack waterproofs. Skogafoss has a staircase to climb. Reynisfjara black sand beach is dramatic but requires strict supervision because of sneaker waves; keep everyone well up the beach. Overnight in Vik, continue to Jokulsarlon where the floating icebergs need no explanation.
Snaefellsnes, 1–2 days. Shorter distances than the south coast, a lava tube cave at Vatnshellir, seals at Ytri Tunga beach and the Kirkjufell mountain. Good for a first Iceland trip with younger children.
Reykjanes, half day. Handy on arrival or departure day since it surrounds Keflavik. Bridge Between Continents, the Gunnuhver steam vents and the Brimketill lava rock pool are all short stops.
Swimming pools: the secret weapon
Almost every Icelandic town, however small, has a geothermal swimming pool with hot tubs and usually a slide, and admission for children is typically a few hundred krona. They are open late, they are warm even in a snowstorm, and they reliably reset a child who has had enough of the car.
Build one into most days. Akureyri, Hveragerdi, Selfoss, Hofn and Egilsstadir all have excellent municipal pools. Remember the shower rule — everyone, including children, showers naked with soap before swimming.
Safety points specific to Iceland
Wind and car doors. Iceland wind rips doors out of hands and bends hinges — damage that is not covered by insurance. Teach children to hold the door with both hands, and park facing into the wind where possible.
Waterfall and cliff edges. Very few Icelandic sites have railings. Dyrholaey, Gullfoss and the Latrabjarg cliffs all have unfenced drops. Hold hands, always.
Reynisfjara. Sneaker waves at this beach have caused fatalities. Stay at least 30 metres from the water, and never let a child run toward the sea.
Geothermal areas. The ground at Hverir and Geysir can be scalding just off the path. Boardwalks and ropes exist for a reason.
Summer daylight. In June it never really gets dark, and children who normally sleep at 20:00 simply will not. Sleep masks and blackout blinds for the accommodation are worth more than any other item you pack.
What is included, and what to add
Every Aurora Car Rental Iceland vehicle includes insurance, WiFi, GPS and free transfer from Keflavik Airport, with flight monitoring so we adjust the pickup if you land late — useful when travelling with tired children. There is no deposit and payment is in cash on pickup, in ISK or EUR.
Useful extras for families beyond the child seats: a cooler box at 3,000 ISK per day for milk and snacks, tyre insurance at 3,000 ISK per day if you plan gravel roads, and an additional driver at 2,000 ISK per day so parents can share long stretches. The full fleet and pricing are on our our cars page, and you can check availability on the booking page. Please note all vehicles are unavailable from 10 to 15 August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Are child seats mandatory in Iceland?
Yes. Every child under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint in every vehicle. The fine for non-compliance is 30,000 ISK and the driver is legally responsible, even for other people children.
How much do child seats cost to rent?
Aurora Car Rental Iceland charges 4,000 ISK per day per seat, in two categories: 0–3 years and 4–12 years up to 135 cm. Multiple seats can be booked for families with several children.
Which car is best for a family of four in Iceland?
A Kia Sportage or SsangYong Korando — a wider rear bench for two child seats and a boot that takes suitcases plus a pram. A family of five or more should take the 9-seat bus, since three child seats across an SUV rear bench rarely fit.
Can I bring my own child seat from home?
Yes, and most airlines carry one free as part of the baggage allowance. It is worth doing for a longer trip; for a short trip renting is usually simpler than transporting a seat through two airports.
How much driving per day is realistic with kids?
Around two hours, broken into segments of no more than 90 minutes. Iceland suits this well because the distance between major sights on the south coast and Golden Circle is short.
Is Iceland safe for children on a road trip?
Very, with three specific cautions: unfenced cliff and waterfall edges, sneaker waves at Reynisfjara black sand beach, and strong wind that can slam car doors. Geothermal areas also have scalding ground just off the marked paths.
Book a family car with seats included in the plan
Child seats from 4,000 ISK per day, insurance, WiFi, GPS and free airport transfer. No deposit — pay cash on pickup.
Aurora Car Rental Iceland — Suðurbraut 890, 262 Keflavík | WhatsApp: +48 729 854 633 | carrentalaurora@gmail.com