Lava Car Rental Review, Fleet & Prices

Who they are

Who is Lava Car Rental?

Lava Car Rental is an award-winning, family-owned Icelandic car rental company that has been putting travellers on the road since 2016. It operates from Flugvellir 23 in Keflavík, a five-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport (KEF), which makes it one of the easiest ways to collect a car the moment you land. The whole approach is built around a single, refreshingly clear promise: genuinely all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees, so the figure you are quoted is the figure you pay. For visitors who want their Iceland trip sorted quickly and honestly, that clarity is a large part of the appeal, and it is captured neatly in the company's own rallying cry, #gowithlava.

Being a local, family-run operator matters here, and it shows in the details rather than the marketing. Lava Car Rental offers free pickup from Keflavík International Airport, so instead of queuing at a busy terminal desk you are met and on your way in minutes, with 24/7 assistance behind you for the whole rental. The team keeps generous opening hours to match the rhythm of a country where flights land at all times: round-the-clock service through the summer months from April to October, and 05:00 to 22:00 across the winter from November to March. Requirements are kept sensible too, with a minimum driver age of 20 and no extra young-driver surcharge, and a minimum rental of 48 hours.

The fleet is chosen with Icelandic conditions firmly in mind and spans a genuinely wide range. It runs from affordable, fuel-efficient economy cars for city driving and the sealed sections of the Ring Road, up through four-wheel-drive cars and SUVs built for gravel roads and light Highland access, to campers for travellers who would rather sleep on the road than off it. There are electric cars for eco-conscious visitors touring the charger-dense south and west, and luxury models for those who want extra comfort and space. Whatever the itinerary, from a budget summer loop to a more ambitious route, the all-inclusive package stays consistent: unlimited mileage, no deposit at pickup, free cancellation, and comprehensive insurance as standard, covering third-party liability, CDW, super collision damage waiver, theft protection and gravel protection.

That combination of care, transparency and range has earned Lava Car Rental a reputation that stands up to scrutiny. It has twice been named winner of Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards, in both 2023 and 2024, an accolade that reflects consistent quality rather than a one-off flourish. Travellers agree: the company holds 4.6 out of 5 on Google from more than 7,000 reviews and 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 3,448 reviews, backed by a strong 4.6 on Facebook. Customers return to the same themes again and again, praising the honest pricing, the smooth airport handover and the friendly, helpful staff. For a family-owned Icelandic operator competing against far larger international chains, it is a standing earned one satisfied traveller at a time.

Why travellers pick them

Why choose Lava Car Rental

Lava Car Rental is an award-winning, family-owned Icelandic company that has earned genuine top marks: World Travel Awards winner for Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company in both 2023 and 2024, backed by a 4.6 out of 5 on Google from more than 7,000 reviews. The draw is straightforward: insurance that is genuinely all-inclusive, a wide fleet built for real Icelandic roads, and a rental where the price you see is the price you pay, with no surprises waiting at the desk.

4.6Google (7000+)

Award-winning2023 & 2024

Unlimitedmileage

All-inclusiveinsurance

An award-winning name you can trust. Voted Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards two years running, in 2023 and 2024, and rated 4.6 out of 5 by 7,000+ Google reviewers who consistently praise the smooth, honest experience.
Genuinely all-inclusive insurance. Every booking comes with TPL, CDW, SCDW, Theft Protection and Gravel Protection as standard, so the cover most rentals sell as costly add-ons is simply built in, and there are no nasty surprises when you collect the keys.
Free Keflavík airport pickup. The base sits just a five minute drive from Keflavík International Airport, with complimentary pickup so your Icelandic road trip starts the moment you land, without a taxi fare or a wait.
No deposit and no hidden fees. There is no deposit to leave at pickup and no last-minute charges bolted on at the counter, which keeps the upfront cost of a self-drive trip refreshingly low and the final total exactly what you expected.
Unlimited mileage and free cancellation. Drive the full Ring Road and beyond without watching a distance counter, and keep your plans flexible with free cancellation should your itinerary change.
24/7 assistance throughout the rental. Support is available around the clock, so a question or a change of plan out on the Ring Road is always a quick message away, whatever the hour.
Young drivers welcome, no penalty. The minimum driver age is just 20 with no extra young-driver fee, so younger travellers pay the same fair rate as everyone else.

What ties this together is a wide, well-kept fleet that suits almost any Icelandic itinerary. Based at Flugvellir 23 in Keflavík, minutes from the airport, Lava Car Rental runs everything from fuel-efficient economy cars for sealed Ring Road driving to capable 4x4 SUVs for gravel roads and light Highland access, alongside campers for travellers who want to sleep on the road, electric cars for eco-conscious touring, and premium luxury vehicles for extra comfort and space. That breadth means the same all-inclusive terms apply whether you are pairing the Golden Circle with a compact hatchback or heading further afield in four-wheel drive.

The result is a rental that stays simple and predictable from booking to return. The all-inclusive insurance, the unlimited mileage, the no-deposit terms and the transparent, no-hidden-fee pricing remove the guesswork that so often creeps into a car hire abroad, while 24/7 assistance and free airport pickup handle the practical moments at either end of the trip. It is the kind of consistency that two consecutive World Travel Awards and 7,000+ positive reviews reflect, and it is why so many travellers choose Lava Car Rental for their journey around Iceland.

The fleet

One family-run fleet, five ways to explore Iceland

Lava Car Rental spans economy runabouts, 4x4 SUVs, campers, electric cars and luxury models, so travellers comparing it against the best campervan rentals in Iceland can match a vehicle to almost any itinerary: the best campervan rentals in Iceland. Every category shares the same promise of all-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free Keflavík Airport pickup.

Economy Cars

EconomyAll-inclusive insuranceUnlimited mileage

Lava Car Rental's economy cars are the affordable, fuel-efficient starting point for two travellers who want to keep running costs low. They suit city driving around Reykjavík and steady progress along the paved Ring Road, where good fuel economy pays off over the long distances Iceland demands. Classic loops such as the Golden Circle and South Coast are well within their comfort zone. As sealed-road cars they are meant for tarmac rather than gravel tracks or the Highlands. Every booking includes all-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free pickup from Keflavík International Airport.

4x4 Cars & SUVs

4x4SUVUnlimited mileage

The 4x4 cars and SUVs at Lava Car Rental add four-wheel drive and higher ground clearance for travellers who want to venture beyond the tarmac. They are built for gravel roads and, with the right care and conditions, light access to Highland routes that ordinary cars cannot reach. This makes them a versatile choice for winter trips, remote waterfalls and the parts of Iceland that reward a little extra capability. They still handle the Ring Road and Golden Circle with ease when your days are more relaxed. All-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free Keflavík Airport pickup come as standard.

Campers

CamperSleep on the roadAll-inclusive insurance

Lava Car Rental's campers are designed for travellers who want to sleep on the road rather than book a hotel each night. They give you the freedom to follow the weather and the light, waking up beside a fjord, a waterfall or a quiet stretch of coast. That flexibility suits a leisurely Ring Road tour, where your accommodation travels with you and your itinerary can shift with the conditions. It is a natural fit for couples and small groups who value spontaneity over a fixed plan. As with every Lava booking, they include all-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free airport pickup at Keflavík.

Electric Cars

ElectricUnlimited mileageFree airport pickup

The electric cars in Lava Car Rental's fleet are aimed at eco-conscious travellers who want a lower-emission way to see the country. They are best suited to touring the more charger-dense south and west of Iceland, where the charging network makes planning routes straightforward. This lets you cover the Golden Circle, Reykjavík and the South Coast while keeping running costs and environmental impact down. As with the wider fleet, they are intended for sealed roads rather than rough gravel or Highland tracks. Every EV comes with all-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free pickup from Keflavík International Airport.

Luxury Cars

LuxuryAll-inclusive insuranceUnlimited mileage

Lava Car Rental's luxury cars are the premium and larger vehicles in the range, chosen for comfort and space on longer Icelandic journeys. They bring a more refined ride and extra room for passengers and luggage, which makes the big daily distances feel effortless. This is the tier to pick when four or five travellers want to spread out, or when you simply want a more elevated drive around the classic routes. Their comfort is especially welcome on long South Coast and Ring Road days where the scenery keeps you on the road for hours. Each one includes all-inclusive insurance, unlimited mileage and free Keflavík Airport pickup.

What's included

What comes with every Lava Car Rental booking

Lava Car Rental is built around a genuinely all-inclusive promise: the rate you are quoted is the rate you pay, with the protection and practicalities already folded into the price. There are no hidden fees, no surprise line items at the desk, and no upsell to reach a sensible level of cover. Every rental leaves the lot ready for Icelandic conditions, which is exactly what you want on a country road you have never driven before.

The following come as standard on every vehicle, from the economy cars through to the 4x4 SUVs, campers, electric models and luxury cars. They reflect the way this family-owned, award-winning company has operated since 2016: transparent pricing, a full insurance stack included rather than sold back to you, and support that stays with you for the whole trip rather than ending at the handover.

Free pickup from Keflavík International Airport, with the base a five-minute drive from KEF, so your car is waiting almost as soon as you land.
Unlimited mileage, leaving you free to drive the full Ring Road and beyond without watching a kilometre counter.
No deposit at pickup, so a large hold is never placed against your card at the desk.
All-inclusive insurance as standard: TPL (third-party liability), CDW (collision damage waiver), SCDW (super collision damage waiver), Theft Protection and Gravel Protection, all built into the price.
24/7 assistance, so there is real help behind you at any hour of the day or night.
No hidden fees, keeping the quoted price honest from booking to return.
Free cancellation, giving you room to adjust as Iceland's weather and plans shift.

An insurance stack built for Icelandic roads

The detail that sets Lava Car Rental apart is that the protection most companies treat as a paid upgrade is included from the start. SCDW, the super collision damage waiver, lifts the standard collision cover further and brings your financial exposure right down, so an unlucky knock does not turn into an outsized bill. Gravel Protection matters just as much here: much of the scenery in Iceland is reached over unsealed roads, and loose stones thrown up by passing traffic are the classic way a windscreen cracks or paintwork chips. Having that cover as standard, rather than as an afterthought bought at the counter, means the everyday hazard of Icelandic driving is handled before you turn the key.

Combined with TPL, CDW and Theft Protection, that stack covers the situations travellers actually meet on the island. It is protection matched to the roads rather than a menu of add-ons designed to inflate the total, and it is the practical reason so many drivers describe a Lava rental as low-stress.

Why all-inclusive with no deposit changes the trip

Booking a car abroad usually carries a familiar worry: the large deposit held against your card, the excess you would owe after a minor scrape, the extras you are pressed to buy at the desk. Lava Car Rental removes those pressure points. With the full insurance already included and no deposit taken at pickup, the anxious part of the handover simply disappears, and you can concentrate on the drive rather than the paperwork. Requirements stay refreshingly simple too: the minimum driver age is 20 with no extra young-driver fee, and the minimum rental period is 48 hours, so a long weekend of touring is comfortably within reach. It is a straightforward, transparent way to rent that leaves the surprises for the landscape, not the invoice.

Pickup & location

Pickup, location and opening hours

Lava Car Rental is based at Flugvellir 23, 230 Keflavík, just a 5-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport (KEF). That short distance is one of the quiet advantages of booking with Lava Car Rental: the gap between clearing the terminal and pulling onto the open road is measured in minutes rather than hours, so the first stretch of an Iceland trip stays calm and unhurried.

The practical flow is straightforward. Once you have landed at KEF and collected your luggage, Lava Car Rental provides free pickup from Keflavík International Airport, bringing you the few minutes from the terminal to the base at Flugvellir 23. There is no separate transfer to arrange and no extra transport bill to reach the fleet, which fits the company's wider no-hidden-fees approach. You step off the plane, meet Lava Car Rental, and reach a clean, well-prepared vehicle without the usual friction of a long airport transfer.

Opening hours are generous and built around real flight schedules. In winter (Nov–Mar) the office runs 05:00–22:00, covering the early departures and late arrivals that come with the short days of the season. In summer (Apr–Oct) Lava Car Rental operates 24/7, so even a red-eye landing in the small hours is met with an open desk and a ready car. Behind those hours sits 24/7 assistance throughout the year, meaning there is always someone to reach if a flight slips, plans change, or a question comes up while you are out on the Ring Road.

A couple of details are worth knowing before you book. Lava Car Rental applies a 48-hour minimum rental, which suits the reality of Icelandic touring, where even the shortest itineraries tend to run across at least two days. Because the base is family-owned and close to the airport rather than a distant counter, the handover itself stays personal: staff take the time to walk you through the car and its all-inclusive cover before you drive away. You arrive at KEF, reach Lava Car Rental in minutes, and set off with the whole of Iceland in front of you.

Where you can go

Where a Lava Car Rental car can take you in Iceland

Lava Car Rental keeps its fleet broad on purpose, from economy runabouts to 4x4 SUVs, campers, electric and luxury cars, so the right choice comes down to the roads you actually plan to drive. Collect your keys five minutes from Keflavik Airport, point the car east, and here is how to match a Lava vehicle to Iceland's headline routes, sealed asphalt classics and summer gravel alike.

Paved classics: an economy car for the Golden Circle and South Coast

Iceland's most photographed drives all run on sealed asphalt, which is exactly where a Lava economy car feels at home. It is the natural, fuel-efficient pick for two travellers on a budget along the Golden Circle, the easy day loop from the capital region that links Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal field at Geysir and the thundering Gullfoss waterfall. The same car handles the South Coast run to Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss and the black-sand sea stacks at Vik, and, further east, the glacier lagoon at Jokulsarlon with its neighbouring Diamond Beach. Every one of these sights sits on paved road, so no special vehicle is required, and Lava's Gravel Protection and all-inclusive insurance come as standard, which is reassuring on the loose grit and flying stone chips you will meet on side roads and car-park approaches.

The long haul: a comfortable SUV or luxury car for the Ring Road and Snaefellsnes

When the trip grows longer, a Lava 4x4 SUV or luxury car comes into its own. With more space and a composed ride, it is built for touring the full Ring Road (Route 1), which loops the whole island in roughly 1,300 kilometres past waterfalls, fjords and fishing towns, and unlimited mileage as standard means the distance never counts against you. The same comfort suits the Snaefellsnes peninsula, often called Iceland in miniature, where a glacier-capped volcano, lava fields, bird cliffs and the photogenic Kirkjufell mountain fold into a single scenic circuit. These are family-and-luggage routes on sealed roads, and the extra room, along with no deposit at pickup and 24/7 assistance, pays off over the long days between stops.

Electric touring, the Highlands and sleeping on the road

Lava's electric cars suit eco-minded travellers who plan to stay in the more charger-dense south and west, where the Golden Circle, the South Coast and the greater Reykjavik area are well served by charging points, so an EV tours these regions comfortably as long as you plan the longer legs around available chargers. For the interior it is a different story. The gravel F-roads into the Highlands, toward the ochre rhyolite peaks and hot springs of Landmannalaugar or the green glacial valley of Thorsmork, are legally and practically for a 4x4 SUV only, driven with care: these tracks open only in the short summer window, roughly mid-June to September, and economy, electric and luxury cars must never be taken onto them. Finally, if your idea of Iceland is waking up beside the route rather than driving back to a hotel, a Lava camper turns the paved Ring Road and South Coast into a self-contained trip you can sleep, and travel in. Whichever you choose, the same Lava principles apply: free airport pickup, all-inclusive insurance, no hidden fees, and local staff who match the car to the conditions you will actually meet.

When to go

Iceland with Lava Car Rental, season by season

Lava Car Rental is based at Flugvellir 23 in Keflavík, a five-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport, with free airport pickup and 24/7 assistance so a late or early flight never leaves you stranded. In summer (April to October) the office runs 24/7, and through winter (November to March) it stays open 05:00–22:00. Every rental comes with all-inclusive insurance as standard, unlimited mileage, no deposit at pickup and no hidden fees, which means the real question is never whether you can travel, only which season suits the trip you have in mind and which Lava vehicle you should pair with it.

Summer: midnight sun, open F-roads, the widest choice

From roughly June to August the mountain F-roads and the Highland interior open, and the near-endless daylight of the midnight sun lets you drive late into the evening without ever chasing sunset. With Lava open 24/7 across the wider April to October summer window, this is the most flexible time to collect a car whenever your flight lands. For the paved circuits, the Ring Road, the Golden Circle, the South Coast and Snæfellsnes, a Lava economy car keeps fuel costs down while covering the headline sights, and an electric car is an easy, quiet choice for touring the more charger-dense south and west. If the interior and gravel routes are on your list, a Lava 4x4 SUV unlocks the Highlands with the higher clearance and traction those roads demand, while a Lava camper turns the long daylight into drive-and-sleep freedom for travellers who want to fall asleep wherever the road ends.

Autumn and winter: aurora, ice, and a car built for it

Autumn brings the first northern lights of the season, thinner crowds and a quieter feel on the road, and it is the moment to favour a higher-clearance 4x4 SUV as the weather turns and gravel roads grow greasier. Winter (November to March) is the aurora season proper, but it asks for genuine respect: daylight is short, the F-roads and Highlands close, and ice, snow and loose gravel reward a slow, deliberate pace. For most winter travellers the sensible answer is a Lava 4x4 SUV on studded winter tyres for grip on the ice, so you can chase the lights by night and return to a warm cabin by day. Here Lava's approach earns its keep: all-inclusive insurance already includes Theft Protection and Gravel Protection, which is genuinely reassuring on Iceland's loose winter surfaces, and with no deposit at pickup a winter booking stays low-stress even when conditions are at their most demanding. Take single-track and gravel roads gently, check road and weather conditions before every leg, and never underestimate a sudden squall on an exposed stretch.

Spring and the constants, in any month

Spring is the quiet shoulder: milder driving on the lowland routes, longer light by the week and fewer travellers on the road, though the higher passes and F-roads stay shut until the thaw clears them, so a paved-road economy or electric car covers most spring itineraries comfortably. Whatever the month, the Lava fundamentals hold. Every booking carries free airport pickup, all-inclusive insurance as standard, unlimited mileage, no deposit, no hidden fees, free cancellation and 24/7 assistance, with the office open around the clock in summer and 05:00–22:00 in winter. Book the car for the season rather than the season for the car, and Iceland tends to reward the choice.

Who it's for

Who Lava Car Rental is best for

Lava Car Rental is a family-owned Icelandic company running since 2016 with a genuinely wide fleet, so there is a sensible match for almost every kind of trip. Whether you are looping the Ring Road for the first time or heading deeper into the country, you get the same all-inclusive insurance, free Keflavik Airport pickup and the reassurance of strong ratings, including 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 7,000+ reviews and a World Travel Awards win as Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company in 2023 and 2024.

Budget travellers are the natural fit for the entry point. The economy cars are affordable and fuel-efficient, ideal for city driving and sealed routes such as the Ring Road, Golden Circle and South Coast, and they keep running costs low on longer summer touring. Because insurance is included as standard, there is no deposit at pickup and no hidden fees, the quote you see is close to what you actually pay, which makes it easy to plan a trip without surprises at the desk. Families and Ring Road tourers who want more space step up to the 4x4 cars and SUVs, which add comfort and capability for bigger loads and mixed conditions, while eco-conscious travellers can choose an electric car to tour the more charger-dense south and west with a lighter footprint.

Lava also caters to travellers with more specific priorities. Comfort and space seekers can move up to the luxury cars, premium and larger vehicles built for refinement on long days behind the wheel. Highland-bound adventurers can take a 4x4 SUV onto gravel roads and, with the right care and conditions, toward lighter Highland access, backed by all-inclusive cover as standard: third-party liability, CDW, super collision damage waiver, theft protection and gravel protection, plus unlimited mileage. For those who want to sleep on the road, Lava also offers campers that let you travel and rest in one vehicle.

Above all, Lava Car Rental is for travellers who value genuinely all-inclusive insurance, no deposit and no hidden fees over a bare headline price, with a minimum driver age of 20 and no extra young-driver fee, free airport pickup and 24/7 assistance. If your priority is truly living on the road for a full camper trip rather than day-touring by car, it is worth comparing a dedicated camper specialist too; Lava's campers cover that middle ground well, but a purpose-built operator may suit longer sleep-and-travel itineraries. You can weigh the options against the best campervan rentals in Iceland before you book.

CampervanPlanet verdict

CampervanPlanet verdict Lava Car Rental is a family-owned Icelandic company running since 2016, five minutes from Keflavik Airport, and it earns genuinely strong marks: 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 7,000+ reviews, 4.5 on Trustpilot from 3,448 reviews, and back-to-back World Travel Awards as Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company in 2023 and 2024. Its real appeal is a no-nonsense, all-inclusive approach: insurance as standard (third-party liability, CDW, super collision damage waiver, theft and gravel protection), free airport pickup, unlimited mileage, no deposit at pickup and no hidden fees, all across a wide fleet spanning economy cars, 4x4 SUVs, electric and luxury cars, and campers. It suits budget travellers, families and Ring Road tourers, eco-conscious drivers, comfort seekers and Highland-bound adventurers who want honest, insurance-included pricing rather than a low headline rate padded with extras at the desk. The main things to plan around are a minimum rental of 48 hours and the fact that there is no single public daily from-price, so it is worth pulling a quick quote to see your real total. And while Lava does offer campers, it is first and foremost a car rental, so if your whole trip is about sleeping on the road you may find a dedicated camper specialist has more choice. For most Iceland self-drive trips, though, Lava is an easy company to recommend: reserve early for peak summer and check a quote for your dates.

Good to know

Lava Car Rental FAQ

Where is Lava Car Rental located and is there airport pickup?+

Lava Car Rental is based at Flugvellir 23, 230 Keflavík, Iceland, only a five-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport (KEF). It offers free pickup from Keflavík Airport, so you can collect your vehicle quickly after landing. This makes Lava a convenient first stop when you begin your Iceland road trip.

What is included with Lava Car Rental?+

Lava Car Rental takes an all-inclusive approach, with insurance as standard covering TPL (third-party liability), CDW, SCDW (super collision damage waiver), theft protection and gravel protection. Every rental also includes unlimited mileage, free pickup from Keflavík Airport, 24/7 assistance and free cancellation. There is no deposit at pickup and no hidden fees, so the price you see is the price you pay.

What cars does Lava Car Rental offer?+

Lava Car Rental runs a wide fleet built for Icelandic conditions. It includes economy cars for city and Ring Road driving, 4x4 cars and SUVs for gravel roads and light Highland access, campers for travellers who want to sleep on the road, electric cars for eco-conscious touring, and luxury cars for extra comfort and space. Whether you want a budget runabout or a premium vehicle, there is a suitable option.

Is Lava Car Rental good and what are its ratings?+

Lava Car Rental is very well rated. It holds 4.6 out of 5 on Google from more than 7,000 reviews and 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 3,448 reviews. It was also named winner of Iceland's Leading Car Rental Company at the World Travel Awards in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting a strong reputation among travellers.

Does Lava Car Rental require a deposit?+

No. Lava Car Rental does not require a deposit at pickup, which sets it apart from many rental companies in Iceland. Combined with all-inclusive insurance and no hidden fees, this makes budgeting for your trip straightforward and transparent.

Can I drive F-roads and the Highlands with Lava Car Rental?+

F-roads and the Highlands should only be driven with a 4x4 SUV and with proper care for the terrain and conditions. Economy and other 2WD cars are not permitted on F-roads. If you plan to explore the interior, choose one of Lava Car Rental's 4x4 cars or SUVs, which are suited to gravel roads and light Highland access.

What are Lava Car Rental's opening hours?+

Lava Car Rental's opening hours vary by season. In winter, from November to March, the office is open 05:00 to 22:00. In summer, from April to October, it operates 24/7, and 24/7 assistance is available year-round.

What are the requirements to rent from Lava Car Rental?+

The minimum driver age at Lava Car Rental is 20, and there is no extra young-driver fee for drivers who meet that age. The minimum rental period is 48 hours. These simple requirements make it easy to plan a self-drive trip around Iceland.

Lava Car Rental award-winning, all-inclusive Iceland car rental you can trust