Picking Up Your Car: What You Need to Know

Here is everything you need to know before you pick up your SIXT car in Iceland, so your trip gets off to a smooth start.

Finding our desk at Keflavík Airport

Our rental desk is inside the terminal. After you have collected your luggage and walked through customs, the car rental desks are on your left, in the corner – SIXT is just around the corner. The desk is open 06:00–02:00 daily.

Before you drive off

There is no SIXT staff member at the parking lot, so please check the car yourself before you drive off. Walk around it and take photos (pictures) or a short video – including the windshield, wheels, bumpers and the interior. If you find damage that isn’t already recorded, email the photos to cs@sixt.is within 2 hours of picking up the car, together with your rental agreement number and the license plate. That way the damage is on record before your trip starts, and it won’t be attributed to you when you return the car.

What to bring

• A valid driving license that you have held for at least 1 year (longer for some car categories – see below).
• A passport or ID card.
• A credit card in the name of the main driver. The card used for the rental must always be in the name of the main driver (the renter).
• Your booking confirmation.

Driving license

• Your license must be a valid, full license. Digital licenses, learner permits and restricted licenses are not accepted.
• If your license is not in the Latin alphabet (for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese or Cyrillic), you also need a valid International Driving Permit.
• Licenses from countries that have not signed the Geneva or Vienna road traffic conventions must be accompanied by an official English translation.

Minimum age

The minimum age and the number of years you must have held your license depend on the car category:

A young driver surcharge applies to drivers under 25. The exact requirements for your car are shown when you book.

Payment and deposit

• We accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Discover and JCB credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
• In some cases a debit card can be accepted, but please note that releasing the deposit hold on a debit card can take much longer than on a credit card.
• A deposit is held on the card at pick-up – see Security deposit.

Is your flight delayed?

Add your flight number to your booking, so we can follow your expected arrival time. You can add it in the SIXT app or by emailing us at cs@sixt.is.

Additional drivers and child seats

• Additional drivers can be added for a fee. Every additional driver needs a valid driving license and must meet the same age requirements.
• Need a child seat? Baby seats, child seats and booster seats are available for a fee. Book them in advance – see Child seats and booster seats.

Fuel and charging

• Petrol and diesel cars should be returned with a full tank. Otherwise, the fuel is charged at the current price per liter plus a refueling fee.
• Electric cars are handed over with at least 80% charge and should be returned with at least 80%. See Charging an electric car in Iceland.

Where can I drive?

• You can drive anywhere on Iceland's public roads. Cross-border rentals are not allowed.
• F-roads may only be driven with an approved 4x4 – electric and hybrid cars are never allowed. See F-roads in Iceland.
• You may take the car on local ferries from the mainland to the islands, but not on the international ferry from Seyðisfjörður.
• Driving on ice, through unbridged rivers and streams, on beaches and off-road is not allowed and is not covered by rental protection.

Changing your return time

• Need to keep the car longer or return it earlier? Email us at cs@sixt.is with your rental agreement number. See Changing your booking.
• If you return the car late without telling us, a service fee of EUR 12.40 is charged in addition to the extra rental time.
• If you return the car early, the unused days are not refunded.

Winter tires

From 1 November to 14 April, winter tires are mandatory in Iceland and included in the price. See Winter driving in Iceland.

Full rental terms and conditions: sixt.is/rental-information