A last-minute car rental in Iceland is often possible, but your options depend on the season, pickup location and vehicles still available. You may find a suitable car on the same day or the day before, particularly if you are flexible about the model and collection time.
This guide covers what to check before making a last-minute booking, how short-notice pickup works, what affects the price and how to choose a car that suits your route.
Can you book a rental car in Iceland at the last minute?
Yes. Same-day and next-day rental bookings are possible when cars are available.
The main challenge is usually vehicle choice. When demand is high, the remaining cars may not match your preferred size, transmission or price range.
Availability can become limited during:
- The main summer season from June to August
- Christmas, New Year and Easter
- Busy weekends and major events
- Periods of severe weather or flight disruption
- Days when several international flights arrive close together
Automatic cars, compact 4x4s and larger vehicles often have the strongest demand. If you need one of these categories, it is better to book as soon as you find a suitable option.
Always use a live booking search. A vehicle shown in an older search result or travel article may no longer be available for your dates.
How to make a same-day car rental booking
Booking online is usually the quickest way to see which vehicles are available and confirm the rental.
Enter the correct pickup details
Start with your exact pickup location, date and expected collection time.
Blue Car Rental has locations near Keflavík International Airport and in Reykjavík. Check both when your travel plans allow it, as availability can differ between locations.
Use the time you realistically expect to reach the rental office. If you are flying into Iceland, allow time for passport control, baggage collection and walking from the terminal.
Choose the right vehicle class
With a last-minute booking, it helps to focus on the vehicle category rather than a specific model.
Consider:
- The number of passengers
- Luggage space
- Manual or automatic transmission
- The season
- Your planned route
- Whether you intend to use F-roads
- The distance you expect to drive
A small 2WD can work well for Reykjavík and paved routes in suitable summer conditions. A 4x4 may be more practical for winter travel, difficult conditions or routes that include mountain roads.
Any vehicle used on an F-road must meet the legal and rental requirements for that road. Do not select a standard car and assume it will be suitable for every part of your itinerary. For a broader comparison of vehicle sizes and categories, see how to choose the right rental car for Iceland.
Check what the rate includes
Before confirming the booking, review the full price rather than only the daily rate.
Check:
- Included insurance
- Liability or excess amounts
- Mileage conditions
- Fuel or charging rules
- Additional driver fees
- Child seats and other extras
- Cancellation terms
- Driver age and licence requirements
- Pickup and return instructions
This matters even more when you are booking quickly. A low rate may not be good value if essential cover or equipment has to be added later.
Is a last-minute rental car more expensive?
It can be, but last-minute bookings are not automatically more expensive.
Rental prices change with demand, season and the number of vehicles remaining in each category. If only a few cars are left, you may have fewer choices and higher prices. At quieter times, a suitable car may still be available at a normal rate.
The total price can depend on:
- Vehicle type
- Rental length
- Pickup and return locations
- Insurance selection
- Optional extras
- Number of drivers
- Current availability
The most useful approach is to generate a live quote. Fixed price examples become unreliable quickly because availability can change throughout the day.
When comparing options, include the cost of reaching the pickup location. A cheaper car in Reykjavík may not save money if you are already at Keflavík Airport and need to arrange separate transport into the city.
Picking up a last-minute rental car at Keflavík Airport
Most international travellers begin their Iceland trip at Keflavík International Airport. For a short-notice booking, airport pickup is usually the simplest option because you can collect the car soon after arrival.
Blue Car Rental’s online check-in allows customers to complete much of the required paperwork before reaching the pickup location. Key-box pickup may also be available for eligible bookings, which can be useful when arriving late at night or early in the morning.
After booking, read the confirmation carefully and complete any requested steps as soon as possible.
Keep the following information available:
- Booking number
- Driver details
- Pickup instructions
- Key-box instructions, when applicable
- Rental company contact details
- Return location and time
Save the details on your phone or take screenshots. This avoids relying entirely on airport Wi-Fi or mobile data when you arrive.
For more details on arrival, walking from the terminal and collecting your vehicle, see our guide to car rental pickup at Keflavík Airport.
Can you collect a rental car after hours?
After-hours collection may be possible when it has been arranged as part of the booking.
A key-box service can allow you to collect the vehicle without waiting for the rental desk to open. However, you normally need to complete online check-in and any required verification before receiving the collection details.
Do not wait until you are outside the rental office to start this process.
Before travelling to the pickup point, confirm that:
- Your reservation is complete
- Online check-in has been submitted
- Payment requirements have been met
- You have received the collection instructions
- You know which location to use
- You can access the booking details without an internet connection
If anything is unclear, contact the rental team before arriving.
Which car should you book at short notice?
The right car depends on your route, the season and the number of people travelling. This table gives a quick overview.
| Travel plan | Suggested vehicle | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík and nearby paved roads | Small or medium 2WD | A practical choice in good conditions. Check that there is enough luggage space. |
| Golden Circle and South Coast | 2WD in summer or 4x4 in winter | Check the weather and road conditions before setting off. |
| Ring Road trip | Medium 2WD or 4x4 | A 2WD can work in good summer conditions. A 4x4 is often more practical in winter. |
| F-roads and the Highlands | Approved 4x4 | F-roads require a suitable 4x4. Some routes need a larger vehicle with more ground clearance. |
| Family or group trip | SUV, estate car or passenger van | Choose based on luggage space as well as the number of seats. |
| Winter trip | 4x4 | A 4x4 can offer more stability, but you must still follow weather warnings and road closures. |
Reykjavík and short paved-road trips
A small or medium 2WD car can be suitable for driving in Reykjavík and visiting popular locations on paved roads during good conditions.
A smaller car is also easier to park and usually uses less fuel. But check the luggage capacity carefully, especially when travelling with more than two people.
Ring Road travel
A 2WD can be suitable for the paved Ring Road during summer, provided weather and road conditions are good.
For winter travel, a 4x4 is often the more practical option. Ice, snow and strong winds can affect main roads as well as remote routes.
Vehicle type does not remove the need to check conditions. Even a large 4x4 should not be driven when roads are closed or travel warnings are in place.
F-roads and the Highlands
F-roads require an approved 4x4 vehicle. They are seasonal and generally open only during the warmer months.
A compact 4x4 may be suitable for some easier routes, while rougher highland roads and river crossings can require a larger vehicle with greater ground clearance.
Check both the road conditions and your rental agreement before driving into the Highlands.
Families and groups
For families and larger groups, luggage space can be more important than the stated number of seats.
A five-seat vehicle may not hold five passengers and five large suitcases comfortably. Review the luggage guidance for the vehicle category before booking.
Child seats and other essential extras should be reserved at the same time as the car. They may also have limited availability during busy periods.
- Not sure which category suits your itinerary? Compare a 2WD and 4x4 rental in Iceland before booking.
How to improve your chances of finding a car
Be flexible about the model
When booking at short notice, you may not find your preferred make or model.
Decide which features are essential. Transmission type, passenger capacity, road suitability and luggage space may be non-negotiable. Brand, colour and minor features usually are not.
Choosing another vehicle in the same suitable category can make it easier to complete the booking.
Search nearby pickup times
A car may become available later in the day after another customer returns it.
Try a few nearby pickup times when your schedule is flexible. Make sure the new time still works with the rental location’s opening hours or key-box process.
Compare Keflavík and Reykjavík
Availability can differ between the airport and city locations.
Check the practical cost of changing pickup points before booking. Include transfers, travel time and your planned route.
For most travellers arriving by air, collecting near Keflavík Airport is more straightforward than travelling into Reykjavík first.
Travellers starting their trip in the capital can collect their vehicle from the Blue Car Rental Reykjavík city office.
Contact the rental company when necessary
The online booking system should be the first place to check because it reflects current bookable availability.
Direct support can still be useful when:
- Your pickup time is very close
- Your flight has been delayed
- You need a specific type of child seat
- Your route requires a particular vehicle class
- You are unsure about after-hours collection
- You need help understanding a rental condition
Provide clear information about your arrival time, group size, luggage and route. This makes it easier for the team to give a useful answer.
What to do if your flight is delayed
Contact the rental company as soon as you know that the delay may affect your collection time.
A flight number can help the rental team understand your arrival, but it does not always update every part of the pickup arrangement automatically. A long delay may move your collection outside staffed opening hours or require a different process.
Keep your booking number and contact details easy to find during the journey.
When contacting the rental team, include:
- Your reservation number
- Flight number
- Updated arrival time
- Expected pickup time
- A phone number or email address where you can be reached
Do not make a second booking unless the rental company advises you to do so.
What to check before driving away
A last-minute booking can feel rushed, but it is still worth taking a few minutes to check the vehicle before leaving.
Confirm:
- The vehicle matches the rental agreement
- The fuel or battery level is correct
- Existing damage has been recorded
- There are no unexpected warning lights
- Tyres appear suitable and properly inflated
- You have the emergency contact details
- You understand the return process
Take clear photos of the vehicle, including each side, the wheels and the windscreen.
It is also useful to find the basic controls before entering traffic. Check the lights, windscreen wipers, demisters, parking brake and fuel-cap release.
Common mistakes with last-minute car rental bookings
Choosing the cheapest available vehicle
The cheapest option may not have enough luggage space or may not be suitable for your route and season.
Start with the practical requirements. Compare prices only between vehicles that can safely and legally complete your planned trip.
Entering the flight landing time as the pickup time
You will not normally reach the rental location at the moment your flight lands.
Allow time for leaving the aircraft, passport control and collecting luggage. An unrealistic pickup time can make the collection process more complicated.
Skipping the rental conditions
Read the main terms before confirming, even when you are in a hurry.
Pay particular attention to insurance, driver requirements, deposits, cancellation rules, permitted roads and vehicle restrictions.
Assuming after-hours pickup is automatic
Late pickup must be confirmed. Complete all online steps and make sure you have received the correct instructions.
Leaving essential extras until collection
Child seats and other equipment may not be available without a reservation.
Add essential extras when booking the vehicle.
Booking a car that is too small
Passenger capacity does not always equal luggage capacity.
Check the vehicle information carefully and choose a larger category when your group has several suitcases or bulky equipment.
Should you book now or wait?
Once you find a suitable vehicle at an acceptable total price, waiting usually adds more risk than benefit.
The rate could fall, but the vehicle could also be booked by someone else. This is particularly important when you need:
- An automatic car
- A compact or large 4x4
- A vehicle for several passengers
- A specific pickup location
- Several child seats
- Collection outside normal hours
Review the cancellation conditions before confirming. A flexible booking can reduce the risk if your travel plans are still changing.
Last-minute car rental checklist
Before completing the booking, check that:
- The vehicle suits your route and season
- There is enough room for passengers and luggage
- The pickup location is correct
- The pickup time is realistic
- You understand the insurance options
- Essential extras have been reserved
- Online check-in is complete
- After-hours collection has been confirmed
- You have received the booking details
- You understand the return instructions
Booking a last-minute car rental with Blue Car Rental
A short-notice booking does not need to be complicated.
Start by checking live availability. Choose a vehicle that fits your route, passengers and luggage. Then complete online check-in and review the collection instructions before travelling to the rental location.
Blue Car Rental offers pickup near Keflavík International Airport and in Reykjavík. Eligible customers can also use the key-box collection service, helping make early, late and last-minute arrivals easier to manage.
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