点评:Driving the Iceland's Ring Road or Route Nr. 1 is the best adventure you can do on your own to fully admire this amazing island.
Like its name says likewise in many cities worldwide Ring Road runs all around, but instead around the city it goes all around the island.
Here, I will give future travelers some tips I gathered during my two months research for our trip, which perfectly matched with our experience on ground.
- The very first advice in order to do it is to rent a car,
- I strongly advise 'Blue Car Rental' or their subsidiary 'Zero Car'. They're a local car rental company and you've probably never heard about them like me. But, after I did from our hotel's email recommendation, I canceled my booking at a major car rental company and booked with them. I checked their online reviews and never have seen such ratings for a car rental (4,5 to 4,9). I totally agree and rated them likewise.
- When renting (with any company) choose 'Full protection' coverage (at Zero Car it is mandatory). Iceland is a very unique and specific country - volcano ash, gravels and driving on unpaved roads could damage your rental which leads to orbit charges in one of the world's most expensive countries if you don't purchase Full protection,
- We rented from 'Zero Car' for several reasons. Everything is online - full prepayment (don't worry, you can cancel any time if plans change). Full insurance included at a slightly lower price than at 'Blue Car' and best of all - NO wait time. You get emailed your key box code, go directly for the keys in a key locker and then straight to your car. We were in our car after 5 min, while at the 'Blue Car' counter was a 10+ people line.
- Plan AT LEAST six days for a Ring Road drive. While the 1.300 km (800 mi) length could be comfortably driven in two days, you'd be a fool doing that and seeing nothing. Plan your lodging approximately every 200-300 km in order to have enough time to explore the area of that day. Beware, some attractions (ice caves, glaciers walks,...) you CANNOT do on your own, but with a tour, so plan accordingly. Start your day early, before sunrise to get most of it, specially in autumn/winter.
- Obey speed limits - fines are high and there's absolutely no reason to drive fast. Likewise most of Europe in residential area is 30 km/h, through town is 50 km/h, but on open road (ONE lane only in both directions throughout entire island) is 90 km/h. I must emphasize I rarely reached that 90 km/h and let others bypass me, as the scenery all around is so spectacular you're missing much if you drive fast.
- Refuel often, don't fall below half a tank - in some areas gas stations are rare and beware you could be stuck somewhere due to snow or strong winds with your engine running for heating. Fuel is very expensive (around 2,20 Euros per liter) - 'Zero Car' gives you a token with car keys valid for a discount at 'Olis' gas stations to save some money,
- Decide beforehand if you'd like to drive further inland on F-roads (unpaved) in order to rent an appropriate car. In that case you must rent a 4x4 (heavy fines if you don't and drive there with a normal car) and extend your journey to 7-8 days. We didn't do that, but had a Kia sport wagon driving only the paved roads.
- Watch for wildlife on the road. Animals are mostly fenced just by the roadside and you can park and approach to pet them, they're very friendly and people used. However, we saw them crossing the road once and apart from car damage and trip ruin you could face a law suite from the animal owner. When parking along the road do that with caution parking with your entire vehicle aside the driving lane.
- Unusually, many car parks by nature attractions in the middle of nowhere ARE paying. There's a paying machine and you'll be fined if you don't pay parking no matter how silly it looks. Parking is also pretty expensive (mostly around 900 ISK, 7 Euros flat rate no matter you stay one hour or half a day). Luckily, all the natural attractions are free so this is the only expense.
- Restaurants are very expensive, so you might opt for self catering apartments to prepare your own food. 'Bonus' and 'Kronan' are two huge food store chains present in every bigger town to stock yourself. Beware, you cannot buy alcohol here (only 2% low alcohol beer). For real stuff you must find a liquor store ('Vinbudin" is widely present) and be prepared for skyrocket prices.
TIP: Buy alcohol when you land at Keflavik airport. There's a free shop at arrival (you pass through it). Still expensive, it is around 20% cheaper than elsewhere.
- Weather can change within minutes. Have layers of clothes to act accordingly - waterproof clothes are must, as well hiking boots, gloves,...
Please remember these are only my tips and advices to prepare you, not to scare you. Following them you'll have a terrific time in this amazing country. We had absolutely no problems and brought back lifetime memories.
Enjoy to the fullest the Land of Fire and Ice.
翻译:驾驶冰岛环路或 Nr. 路线1 是您可以独自进行的最佳冒险活动,以充分欣赏这个神奇的岛屿。
正如它的名字所说,环路在世界各地的许多城市都是环绕的,但它不是绕城市,而是绕岛。
在这里,我将为未来的旅行者提供一些我在两个月的旅行研究中收集到的提示,这些提示与我们在地面上的经历完美匹配。
- 为此,第一个建议是租一辆车,
- 我强烈建议“Blue Car Rental”或其子公司“Zero Car”。他们是一家当地的汽车租赁公司,您可能像我一样从未听说过他们。但是,在我按照酒店的电子邮件推荐进行操作后,我取消了在一家大型汽车租赁公司的预订,并通过他们进行了预订。我查看了他们的在线评论,从未见过这样的汽车租赁评级(4.5 至 4.9)。我完全同意并对他们进行同样的评价。
- 租赁时(与任何公司)选择“全面保护”保险(在 Zero Car 中,这是强制性的)。冰岛是一个非常独特和特殊的国家 - 火山灰、碎石和在未铺砌的道路上行驶可能会损坏您的租金,如果您不购买全面保护,则会导致在世界上最昂贵的国家之一产生轨道费用,
- 我们从“零汽车”租赁有几个原因。一切都在线 - 全额预付款(不用担心,如果计划发生变化,您可以随时取消)。包含全额保险,价格略低于“Blue Car”,最重要的是 - 无需等待时间。您会收到通过电子邮件发送的钥匙箱密码,直接前往钥匙柜中取出钥匙,然后直接前往您的汽车。 5 分钟后我们就坐进车里了,而“Blue Car”柜台前已经排起了 10 多人的队伍。
- 计划至少六天的环路车程。虽然 1,300 公里(800 英里)的长度可以在两天内舒适地行驶,但如果您这样做却什么也没看到,那您就太傻了。大约每 200-300 公里计划一次住宿,以便有足够的时间探索当天的区域。请注意,有些景点(冰洞、冰川步道等)您无法独自游览,但可以跟团游览,因此请做好相应计划。尽早开始新的一天,在日出之前,以充分利用一天的时间,特别是在秋季/冬季。
- 遵守速度限制 - 罚款很高,而且绝对没有理由开快车。同样,欧洲大部分地区住宅区的时速为 30 公里/小时,城镇中的时速为 50 公里/小时,但在开放道路上(整个岛屿仅在两个方向上只有一条车道)为 90 公里/小时。我必须强调,我很少达到 90 公里/小时,让其他人绕过我,因为周围的风景是如此壮观,如果你开得太快,你会错过很多东西。
- 经常加油,不要低于半个油箱 - 在某些地区加油站很少见,请注意,在发动机运转加热时,您可能会因雪或强风而被困在某个地方。燃油非常昂贵(每升约 2.20 欧元) - “Zero Car”为您提供带有车钥匙的代币,可在“Olis”加油站享受折扣,以节省一些钱,
- 提前决定您是否想在 F 路(未铺砌)上行驶到更远的内陆地区,以便租用合适的汽车。在这种情况下,您必须租一辆四轮驱动车(如果您不租一辆普通汽车,则将被处以重罚)并将行程延长至 7-8 天。我们没有这样做,但有一辆起亚运动旅行车只在铺好的道路上行驶。
- 注意路上的野生动物。动物大多被围在路边,你可以停车并接近它们来抚摸它们,它们非常友好,人们也很习惯。然而,我们看到它们过马路一次,除了汽车损坏和旅行毁坏之外,你还可能面临动物主人的法律诉讼。沿路停车时,请小心地将整辆车停在行驶车道旁边。
- 不同寻常的是,许多偏僻的自然景点旁的停车场都是收费的。有一个缴费机,如果你不付停车费,无论看起来多么愚蠢,你都会被罚款。停车费也相当贵(大多在900冰岛克朗左右,无论停留一小时还是半天都是7欧元)。幸运的是,所有的自然景点都是免费的,所以这是唯一的费用。
- 餐厅非常昂贵,因此您可能会选择自助式公寓自己准备食物。 “Bonus”和“Kronan”是两家大型食品连锁店,遍布每个较大的城镇,可供您购买。请注意,这里不能买酒(只有 2% 的低度啤酒)。对于正品,您必须找到一家酒类商店(“Vinbudin”随处可见),并做好价格飞涨的准备。
提示:抵达凯夫拉维克机场时购买酒精饮料。抵达时有一家免费商店(您会经过它)。虽然还是贵,但比其他地方便宜20%左右。
- 天气可能在几分钟内发生变化。准备好几层衣服以应对 - 防水衣服是必须的,还有登山靴、手套……
请记住,这些只是我的提示和建议,旨在帮助您做好准备,而不是吓唬您。跟随他们,您将在这个神奇的国家度过一段美好的时光。我们绝对没有遇到任何问题,并带回了一生的回忆。
尽情享受火与冰之地。