The gas stations in Iceland may not be what you’re used to back home. Here, various gas stations ask different gas prices, and in certain parts of the country, you might be hard-pressed to find any gas station at all. Needless to say, our gas station situation may be something you’ll need to get used to.
So, in an effort to make your life easier, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide on the gas stations in Iceland. We provide you with all the information you need as well as give you a few helpful tips to ensure you have a care-free trip and create lifelong memories (for all the right reasons!).
Icelands Various Gas Stations
Like in most parts of the world, we have different brands of gas stations here in Iceland. Except for a few privately owned gas stations, the following will be where you fill up most of the time:
Olis
Olis is one of the OGs of gas stations here in Iceland. They have been the leading petroleum product provider in Iceland since 1927 and are still one of the 30 largest companies operating on the island today.
For this reason, Olis gas stations are pretty prevalent all throughout Iceland and offer patrons all sorts of extras such as diners/restaurants, convenience stores, bathrooms, etc. All their gas stations are also manned with attendants to assist you in fueling up.
Atlantsolia
Atlantsolia almost lies on the complete opposite side of the spectrum compared to Olis. It is the brand with some of the least gas station branches, despite being on the island since 2003.
But Atlantsolia also has a different take on fueling up than Olis – they focus only on the essentials and no extra amenities in an effort to keep gas prices low. This is also why their gas stations are unmanned.
Costco
Yes, that’s right, the American giant has also made its way onto our shores – but only one. Costco and its gas station can be found in the capital city of Reykjavik, and you will need a membership card to fuel up here. But it’s honestly not very difficult to become a member – you complete a form and get handed a Costco card, so even visitors to the island can get one.
Orkan
Like Atlantsolia, Orkan has self-service gas stations in Iceland. But, unlike Atlantsolia, you’ll still find other amenities, such as bathrooms, convenience stores, etc., there. Their strategy of cutting overheads and costs while keeping those additional creature comforts seems to have worked thus far. They have become quite popular gas stations among locals.
Ób
Ob is another cost-cutting gas station brand in Iceland. It has been around since 1996 and is actually a subsidiary of Olis (just a cheaper version since they trim all the overhead fat). So, at Ob, you’ll find the minimum of additional amenities, and the gas stations are all self-service.
N1
N1 is another of the most common gas stations in Iceland, and these guys are definitely not focused on cutting costs anywhere. N1 gas stations are all-rounders aimed at providing their clientele with top-notch services. This means gas station attendants, restaurants/diners, bathrooms, convenience stores, etc. Needless to say, this all comes at an additional cost. But most customers are happy to pay a little extra for the added convenience and services.
Budgeting for Your Iceland Road Trip
Use the prices above to calculate your road trip budget. Find out from your rental agency what mileage your rental car has (for example, its average gas consumption can be 10 kilometers per liter). Then simply use the following formula:
? kilometers you will be traveling ÷ ? kilometers per litre = ? x the current gas price
*We highly recommend you add another 200-300 to the above answer to act as a buffer for those unforeseeable events or impromptu travels/stops along the way.
Below are the total number of kilometers/miles of some of our most popular road trip routes around the country:
- Ring Road – 1322 kilometers/821 miles
- Golden Circle – 300 kilometers/186 miles
- Westfjords Way – 1100 kilometers/684 miles
- South Coast Way – 400 kilometers/249 miles
- Diamond Circle – 250 kilometers/155 miles
*Just keep in mind that if you are planning on departing from another point than the generally accepted departure points for the above-mentioned road trip routes or are planning on continuing a bit further than where the routes normally end, you’ll need to add on those additional kilometers/miles.
How Much is Gas in Iceland?
As we already mentioned, the price of gas depends on where you’re fueling up, and prices also change with time. But at the time of writing this article, prices were as follows:
|
Gas Station |
Price Per Liter (ISK)
|
Price Per Liter ($) |
Price Per Liter (€) |
|
Olis |
316 |
2.34 |
2.09 |
|
Atlantsolia |
313.60 |
2.32 |
2.08 |
|
Costco |
269.70 |
1.99 |
1.79 |
|
Orkan |
284.60 |
2.11 |
1.89 |
|
Ob |
284.70 |
2.11 |
1.89 |
|
N1 |
284.90 |
2.11 |
1.89 |
*The above-mentioned only shows petrol prices. For Diesel, simply add another 10 ISK ($/€) per liter to your budget. You are also welcome to check out the current local gas prices at Iceland gas price trends.
The Cheapest Gas Stations in Iceland by Location
Below, you will find a quick cheatsheet to some of the cheapest gas stations in Iceland based on where you find yourself here on the island:
The Capital City of Reykjavik
- Atlantsolia at Kaplakriki
- Atlantsolia at Sprengisandur
- Orkan at Bustadavegur
- Orkan at Dalvegur
- Orkan at Reykjarvikurvegur
- Ob at Hamraborg
- Ob at Arnarsmari
- Ob at Fjardarkaup
- Ob at Bæjarlind
- The one and only Costco
South-west Iceland
East Iceland
West Iceland
North Iceland
South Iceland
What Influences the Price of Gas in Iceland?
There are many factors that influence gas prices in Iceland. These include:
Iceland Being an Island.
This immediately means that things must be imported and shipped, and those costs also need to be considered when it comes to gas prices. Although Iceland has done a pretty good job of keeping prices in line with the rest of the world.
The Specific Region in Iceland.
There are certain areas in Iceland that are extremely remote and sparsely populated. In these areas, gas stations can be quite a rare sight, and the prices are higher than in the rest of the country.
This is due to it being quite challenging to get the gas there in the first place and, therefore, costing a bit more. It also has to do with general business smarts (if you’re the only gas station in the area where people have to fuel up, you can charge whatever you want since beggars can’t be choosers).
The Overheads.
A self-service gas station will inevitably be less expensive than one with attendants, bathrooms that need to be looked after, restaurants, shops, etc.
The Board.
Whenever you’re dealing with a franchise, whatever is happening on the ground has been decided in a boardroom somewhere. So, when company heads have decided that gas needs to be at least $x for them to cover costs and make a profit, that’s what the gas station will be required to sell it for.
Getting Gas in Iceland
Many often wonder how to pump gas in Iceland. Do you just stop and help yourself? Do you wait for assistance? Do you pay with cash? Pay with a gas station card? Let’s clear up any confusion. When filling up at a self-service gas station, you will need to operate the pump yourself.
To “activate” the machine, you will need to insert a card (more on these options a bit later), select the fuel/diesel option, select how much gas you want to fuel up with, and voila! Whenever you visit a gas station with attendants, they will assist you with filling up as well as making payment.
Making payments at the gas stations in Iceland has led to many a headache for visitors who didn’t come prepared. You currently have a few options for paying at our gas stations:
With a Credit Card.
This is the most commonly accepted method of payment, but with one snag – we only accept credit cards with a chip and a pin. So, if you don’t have one of those, you will need to phone your credit card company and make the necessary arrangements. Otherwise, your card will be useless at our pumps.
With a Prepaid Fuel Card.
Some gas stations allow you to buy a prepaid fuel card, top it up, and then use it at the pumps in exactly the same way you would a credit card.
With Digital Payment Methods.
This is one of the latest ways some gas stations in Iceland allow you to pay for gas. Let’s face it, in a digital age such as ours, it was just a matter of time before digital payment methods started creeping into our daily essentials. Although this is still not common practice everywhere, there are gas stations that will allow payments via Apple Pay, etc.
General Services and Amenities at Gas Stations in Iceland
You now know how to get gas in Iceland, so once you’ve fuelled up, what else can you expect from a full-service gas station? These are some of the most common amenities and facilities:
Restrooms
If you need the loo or a wash basin to wash your hands, you’ll often find these at our gas stations in Iceland, where they tend to be free to use.
Iceland’s Famous Gas Station Food
You’ll often find a convenience store at the gas station where you can get takeaways or grocery items and any other daily essentials you may have forgotten back home. Just keep in mind that there is a price to pay for this convenience, and gas station convenience store items can be quite pricey. If you hit the gas station jackpot, you’ll even be able to grab a famous Icelandic hot dog (what many consider to be our unofficial national food).
And ask for one with “everything on it” – you won’t regret it. At some gas stations, you’ll also have the option of visiting an on-site diner, café, or restaurant where you can grab a quick bite. Just don’t expect too much of the latter – although you’ll always find quality food there, the focus is still on speed and convenience, not fine dining.
Vehicle Extras
Some gas stations will have air pumps you can use free of charge. Others will have car washes that ensure your car gets all the dust from Iceland’s famous F-roads off in no time. But for the car wash services, you’ll need to pay a little extra. At the gas stations where there are attendants, they’ll also usually be happy to assist with minor repairs, tire checks, etc.
Charging Up
Many gas stations in Iceland also have EV charging stations where electric vehicles can “fuel” up. These pumps are usually found at what initially looks like parking spaces (so please don’t stop there if you’re not charging your vehicle).
Bins
Icelanders have a great respect for our environment, so we don’t take kindly to those who don’t take care of their surroundings. Littering is one of the things that’s an absolute no-go here on the island. Keep your trash with you in the car till you reach your nearest gas station, where you’ll find trash bins where you can dispose of it.
Wi-Fi
Many of our gas stations offer free Wi-Fi, so if you’ve got a quick work emergency to tend to or just want to do a bit of research about the trip ahead, you’ll be able to do so there.
A Few Helpful Tips Regarding Gas and Gas Stations in Iceland
If this will be the first time you’re visiting Iceland or the first time you’ll be driving around here on the island, the below tips will come in very handy:
- As we already mentioned, there are very remote areas here on the island, so it will serve you well to do a bit of planning beforehand. Take your planned route and check it against a map of gas stations in Iceland, so you can see exactly where you’ll need to fill up. This way, you’ll be able to avoid the exorbitant prices at remote gas stations, as well as avoid getting stranded when you run out of fuel in an area without any gas stations nearby.
- There are many ways you can save on gas money. One way is to find out whether your car rental agency has partnered with any gas stations here on the island. In these instances, a tag attached to your rental car key will allow you to get special prices or discounts with a simple swipe.
- Another way of saving on gas money is to manage the way you drive. If you keep a consistent pace, preferably under 50 km/hr, you will save roughly 75% on normal gas consumption. The less gas you use, the less you’ll need to fill up, and the less you’ll have to spend at the gas stations.
- You can be environmentally friendly as well as budget-conscious by picking the right rental car. If you want to drive around in a gas-guzzling vehicle like a Hummer, you will pay a hefty price at the pumps. And future generations will continue paying for the damage you’ve caused to the environment.
- If you are planning on visiting during our colder months, especially our winter season, we highly recommend you add a little extra to your gas budget. This is because of our weather. Not only will your car need to push through things like ice and snow, but you’ll also need to contend with our legendary winds that can sometimes reach speeds of more than 35 kilometers an hour! Needless to say, the harder your car needs to work, the more gas you will use.
- Take special note of our F-roads! The F-roads are roads that can be both extremely challenging as well as rewarding. These are unpaved roads that can get pretty rough, but they allow you to explore breathtaking places very few get to see. Driving the F-roads will definitely take some extra planning when it comes to gas. You will find absolutely no gas stations along the F-roads, so unless you want to end up stranded on a road with barely any traffic, you’ll need to ensure that you sufficiently fuel up before (and after) your F-road excursion.
- Take advantage of the Icelandic Coupons app. Although this app offers discounts for various things such as restaurants, attractions, products, etc., all around the country, it sometimes also has offers that are valid at our local gas stations (whether for the gas itself or food items at the convenience store, etc.).
FAQs Regarding Gas Stations in Iceland
Below, you will find a few answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about gas stations in Iceland:
Where Can I Find an Iceland Gas Station Map?
You’ll be able to find detailed Iceland gas station maps all over the internet, but the easiest is always to check for gas stations in Iceland on Google Maps. That being said, most GPSs will also have a function where you can check for gas stations in your vicinity.
What are the Opening Hours of Gas Stations in Iceland?
In the bigger cities, most gas stations will be open 24/7, while those in more remote hours will have their own operating hours, which you will need to check. But, you will also find that many gas stations that are technically closed during certain hours still offer a self-service pump option for those in urgent need of some gas.
What are the Shop Hours at the Gas Station Convenience Stores in Iceland?
As with the gas pumps, the shops at the gas stations can stay open 24/7 in the bigger cities. But even in the smaller towns and more remote areas where there are specific operating hours, convenience store hours are still very, well, convenient, with many open from 08:00 to 21:00 every day.
What Type of Food Can be Bought at the Gas Stations in Iceland?
The convenience stores at the gas stations in Iceland have a large variety of food one can buy. This includes basic groceries such as milk, bread, and eggs, comfort food such as chips and sweets, road trip meals like sandwiches, and, of course, Iceland’s famous hot dogs as a takeaway option.
Is Gas Expensive in Iceland?
Gas isn’t necessarily considered much more expensive than in the rest of the world, but it is definitely a bit more costly. This is for a variety of reasons that you can learn more about in our “What Influences the Price of Gas in Iceland?” Section in this article.
Can I Pump My Tires at a Gas Station in Iceland?
Yes. Most gas stations will have air pumps you can use to pump your tires. And wherever you’re at a gas station with attendants, they’ll also be happy to assist.
Prepped and Ready for Your Road Trip Adventure Around Iceland
This guide has given you all the important info and insights into navigating the gas stations in Iceland and fueling up efficiently and affordably.
From learning about the various brands and the current gas prices to different factors that can influence gas prices and usage and the amenities and facilities you can expect to find at our gas stations – you know now everything there is to know in order to properly plan and prep for any road trip adventure here on the island.
Empowered with this knowledge, you can now get pumped for your trip (quite literally). All that’s left to do is catch a flight, rent a campervan in Iceland, fuel up and hit the road, and embrace the adventure that awaits you on the journey through our breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders.
