Gas Stations Iceland

Gas pumps become scarcer as you move away from major settlements. Consider filling up as soon as your tankapproaches 50%. Fill a spare jerrycan before venturing into the Highlands (center of the country) because, as you can see on the map below, gas stations are rare in the region.

Rental cars in Iceland run on diesel or gasoline. The rental of electric cars is still marginal for now, as the network of electric charging stations is insufficient outside major cities.

The fuel type for your vehicle will be indicated in the documentation provided when you pick up the vehicle. In Iceland, gasoline engines generally equip rental cars. If you opt for a campervan or motorhome, there is a strong chance it will be a diesel engine. In case of doubt, ask your rental company for the fuel type because a mistake will cost you more than 5000 EUR ($5,757.75 USD). No need to count on your insurance; they will not cover you in this situation.

Diesel engines are on average 10 to 15% more energy efficient than gasoline engines. In Iceland, circulation speeds are much lower than in continental Europe, which tends to reduce the advantage of diesel over gasoline. Note that in Iceland, a liter of diesel costs 1.5% more than gasoline. Ultimately, choosing one type of engine over the other will have very little impact on your budget.

The vast majority of pumps are self-service.

The large gas stations in Iceland accept a wide range of payment cards.Smaller ones, however, only accept cards with a security code (4-digit pin code). If your card (North American card for example) does not allow entering a pin code, you will not be able to fill up.

If you only have Icelandic króna or a bank card without a pin code, it is possible to purchase a prepaid gas card at supermarkets or at N1 gas stations.

Diesel and gasoline prices in Iceland in May 2022

The price of gasoline is currently between 305.00 ISK ($2.39 USD) and 331.00 ISK ($2.60 USD) for a liter. This means that filling up your car can cost you between $103.64 and $138.19 USD. Part of the explanation comes from inflation and the fact that hydrocarbons must be shipped by sea. Fuel prices also vary based on the price of a barrel and the exchange rate. To find out the price per liter by station or region, consult the website bensinverd.is.

There are discount cards on the island. Your rental company has probably established a partnership with one of the oil groups to allow you to benefit from a few cents reduction per liter.

One of the largest oil companies, Olís, offers discount cards at all its gas stations. You get 3.00 ISK ($0.02 USD) reduction per liter of gasoline, a free coffee, free WI-FI connection, as well as a 10% discount in their restaurants in Iceland.

N1 offers a prepaid card which is very useful for avoiding unforeseen expenses and bank fees.

N1

Gas Stations N1

N1 is the main chain of gas stations in Iceland. They can be found in both large cities and remote rural areas. They are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but you won't always find a human presence on site.

Several travelers have encountered payment issues with the N26 neobank card

Olis / ÓB

Gas Stations Olis / ÓB

Olis stations are mainly located on coastal roads and in the Westfjords. You will find grocery stores and other local services at the Olis gas stations. The brand also owns the Quiznos and Grill 66 restaurants.

Orkan

Gas Stations Orkan

The oil group Orkan owns 70 automatic gas stations in the country. Their self-service stations are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Google and Apple Pay payments are accepted.

Costco

Gas Stations Costco

Costco is the newcomer to the market. The American company offers the most attractive prices. Unfortunately, you must be a Costco member to use their gas stations. If you are already a member, the membership will also work in Iceland! Note that there is only one Costco retail location to date and it is located in the Reykjavik area.

In Iceland, gas stations are not just a place to find fuel. Some of them are also cafes, grocery stores, liquor stores, and souvenir shops.

A hot dog after filling up

Going to a gas station for dinner may seem surprising, but on the island of ice and fire, it's normal. You will sometimes find real restaurants with, of course, a dining room where you can sit down! The menu often includes: Icelandic soups, hamburgers, hot dogs (Icelanders are fond of them), as well as coffee (often unlimited) and pastries for breakfast.

Grill 66 at Olis stations is a popular restaurant chain. They offer a complete menu and a restaurant with seating where you can enjoy a hamburger and fries for about 1800.00 ISK ($14.26 USD). For this price, you will also be entitled to a free coffee.

Given that Iceland lacks infrastructure in remote areas, Icelandic stations also serve as grocery stores and liquor stores.

A pump and nothing else

Not all gas stations offer the same services.The further you get from major cities, the more limited the choice will be. Sometimes, you will just find a pump without any building around. Prioritize large stations that offer many more food options. You can expect to find items such as noodles, coffee, drinks, ready-to-eat meals, fresh produce, frozen products, dry goods, and even hardware items like camping gear.

Most of them are only open a few days a week, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and until 7 p.m.

Large grocery stores have bakeries and ready-to-eat items. Indeed, convenience stores offer many homemade takeout meals, such as wraps, pizzas, chicken plates, and vegetables. These are not the most refined meals in Iceland, but they will help you manage your food budget.

A high-pressure jet is available

Iceland has free car wash stations at many gas stations. Don't miss the opportunity to give your vehicle a quick wash if you see one.