Campervan Rental at Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV)

Activities & Attractions Within an Hour of RKV

The advantage of starting at RKV instead of KEF is that you skip the 50 km Reykjanesbraut drive and have an extra two to three hours of daylight on day one. These six experiences sit within 60 minutes of RKV and work as half-day shakedowns before you commit to the Ring Road.

Sky Lagoon (10 km from RKV)

Sky Lagoon in Kópavogur opened in 2021 and has become the more atmospheric alternative to the Blue Lagoon. The 75-meter infinity edge looks directly out over the North Atlantic, and the seven-step bathing ritual takes around 90 minutes. From RKV, drive south on Reykjanesbraut and exit at Vesturvör, total 12 minutes. Pure pass costs around ISK 12,990, Sér pass ISK 16,990. Book a slot at least 24 hours ahead.

Mt. Esja Hike

Esja is Reykjavik's backyard mountain, visible from the RKV runway. The trailhead at Mógilsá is 16 km north of RKV via Route 1. The standard hike to Steinn (597 m) takes 2-3 hours round trip. Wear proper shoes; the volcanic scree is unforgiving in trainers. Free parking at the trailhead, plus a small café (Esjustofa) for post-hike coffee.

Whales of Iceland Exhibition

In the Grandi harbor district, 4 km from RKV, the largest whale exhibition in Europe with 23 life-sized models including a 25-meter blue whale. Allow 60-90 minutes. Tickets around ISK 3,500 adult. Combine with a stop at Bryggjan Brugghús or the Marshall House art space, both two minutes' walk away.

Whale and Puffin Tours from Old Harbor

Reykjavik's Old Harbor (Gamla Höfnin), 5 km from RKV, hosts daily whale watching with operators like Elding and Special Tours. Minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises are common from April through October. Puffin tours run mid-May through mid-August. A standard whale watch is 3 hours, ISK 11,500-13,500.

Krýsuvík Geothermal Area and Reykjanes

South of the city via Route 42, Krýsuvík (35 km, 40 minutes from RKV) gives you mud pots, fumaroles, and the surreal Seltún colored earth without the crowds at Geysir. Continue to Kleifarvatn lake and the Reykjanes lighthouse for a half-day Reykjanes peninsula loop. Since 2021 the Fagradalsfjall and Sundhnúkur volcanic systems have been periodically active — check safetravel.is before approaching any active fissure zone.

Your First Night: Capital Region Campsites After RKV Pickup

Picking up a campervan at RKV in the afternoon, especially after a domestic flight from Akureyri or a delayed KEF transfer, often means you don't want to commit to a 200 km drive on day one. The Capital Region has four solid campsite options within 30 minutes of RKV.

Reykjavik Eco Camping (Tjaldsvæðið Laugardalur)

The default first-night choice and the closest licensed campsite to RKV at just 4 km. Located inside Laugardalur valley next to the city's main thermal pool and botanical gardens. Hot showers, full kitchen building, laundry, electricity hookups, Wi-Fi, free use of Laugardalslaug pool with overnight stay. ISK 2,800-3,200 per adult, plus electricity ISK 1,200. Walk-in only, open mid-May through late September. Best for travelers who want to walk into central Reykjavik (25 minutes on foot or a 5-minute bus ride).

Hafnarfjörður Camping (Vikingavellir)

South of Reykjavik in the harbor town of Hafnarfjörður, 13 km from RKV. Quieter than Laugardalur and closer to the Reykjanes peninsula — smart pick if you plan to start with the Blue Lagoon, Krýsuvík, or a Reykjanes geopark loop. Hot water, kitchen, electricity, picnic area, walking distance to old town restaurants. ISK 2,500 per adult plus electricity. Open June through August.

Mosskógar (Mosfellsbær)

Twelve km north of RKV in the Mosfellsdalur valley. The most pastoral of the Capital Region options, surrounded by horse farms and the Esja foothills. Puts you on the doorstep of Route 36 toward Þingvellir. ISK 2,200-2,600 per adult. Mid-May to late September. Best for travelers starting the Golden Circle on day 2.

Þingvellir National Park Campsite

If you arrive at RKV by mid-afternoon and feel up to a 50 km drive, Þingvellir's official campsites (Leirar and Vatnskot) put you inside a UNESCO World Heritage site for sunrise. Basic facilities — toilets and cold water at most pitches, no electricity, no showers. ISK 2,500 per adult plus park service fee. Walk-in. Open early June to mid-September. Skip if it's your first night with jet lag.

Practical first-night advice: Wild camping in a campervan is illegal in Iceland outside designated sites. Reykjavik police actively patrol Skúlagata, Sæbraut, and the Grótta lighthouse area. Always confirm gate closure time — Laugardalur locks vehicle access at 23:00.

2WD vs 4x4 — Which Campervan Type from RKV?

Gravel Roads, F-Roads, and Insurance

Most standard campervan rentals from RKV are 2WD and prohibited on F-roads (mountain roads marked with an F prefix, such as F26 Sprengisandur or F35 Kjölur). These roads are typically only open from late June through early September and require a 4x4. Even on legal gravel roads like parts of Route 939 (Öxi), drop your speed to 60-70 km/h. Gravel damage and undercarriage scrapes are usually excluded from base CDW; ask about Gravel Protection (GP) at pickup.

The RKV-First Strategy: Multi-City Iceland Without the Backtrack

Most Iceland visitors fly into KEF, drive a Ring Road loop, and leave from KEF. That works, but it forces a full 1,322 km circumnavigation and burns two days on the long stretches between Egilsstaðir and Höfn. RKV unlocks a smarter pattern: use domestic flights to skip the parts you don't want to drive, and let your campervan focus on the regions you do.

The Classic RKV-First Itinerary

The pattern that saves the most time for one-week travelers:

• Day 1: Land at KEF in the morning, take the Flybus or taxi to RKV (50 km, 45 minutes), board a 45-minute domestic flight to Akureyri
• Day 1 afternoon: Pick up campervan at Akureyri Airport, sleep at Hamrar campsite
• Days 2-6: Drive south through Mývatn, Egilsstaðir, the Eastfjords, Höfn, the South Coast, and Vík, arriving back in Reykjavik
• Day 7: Drop campervan at RKV, fly home from KEF the same evening

This cuts 400 km of relatively monotonous driving and gives you the same Ring Road highlights in 60 percent of the time.

When RKV-First Saves Money

Domestic flights with Icelandair cost ISK 12,000-25,000 one-way Reykjavik-Akureyri if booked 4+ weeks ahead. Compare that to two days of campervan rental (roughly ISK 30,000-50,000), fuel for 800 km (ISK 25,000-30,000), and accommodation. The math favors flying when:

• Your trip is 7 days or fewer, every driving day matters
• Two or fewer travelers, no scale advantage on the camper
• You're visiting in winter when north-side roads are unreliable
• You specifically want a Westfjords or Eastfjords focus and can fly to Ísafjörður or Egilsstaðir

Drop-Off Timing With a KEF Connection

This is where RKV pickups outperform KEF every time. Dropping at RKV puts you 50 km from your international flight rather than at the same terminal, but it also gives you a flexible buffer. Recommended timing: 4 hours before international departure drop the camper at RKV; 3 hours before Flybus or taxi to KEF (45-50 minutes); 2 hours before check-in at KEF. If your international flight leaves before 09:00, sleep at a Reykjavik hotel the night before and drop the camper the previous evening — RKV rental offices typically allow late drop with key-box return.