Iceland travel partners
IcelandStart helps you decide what to compare first. Once you know your route, season and travel style, these partner categories can help you check current prices, availability and booking terms directly with providers.
Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure
Editorial note
IcelandStart links to a small set of established booking platforms and Iceland-relevant partner categories because they cover the main booking steps travelers compare after choosing a route: flights, stays, vacation homes, rental cars and tours. We do not claim any partner is always cheapest. Final prices, availability and terms are shown on the partner site.
Plan first
If your main question is route safety, winter driving, whether you need a car, or where to stay, start with the IcelandStart planning guides or official Iceland resources first. Partner links are useful after your route and travel style are clearer.
Not sure what you need yet?
If you do not yet know whether your trip needs a car, guided tours, a Reykjavík base, countryside stays or a family/group setup, start with the Iceland trip planner first. Partner comparisons below are more useful once your trip shape is clearer.
New · Beta service
If you are still unsure about your route, overnight stops, car/tour choice or winter driving risk, do not start with booking links yet. Get a human Iceland plan check first, then compare only the options that fit.
Written planning advice only · No bookings handled by IcelandStart.
Choose by situation
Already know your trip shape? Jump straight to compare. Still deciding? Start with the matching planning guide. Full partner comparisons live in the table below.
Start here: Reykjavík hotel + cancellable day tours.
Ready to compare
via Hotels.com · partner site
Need guidance first
Read winter without car guide →Start here: South Coast stay (Vík / Hvolsvöllur) + local rental car.
Need guidance first
Read South Coast 1, 2 or 3 days →Start here: Hold key countryside stays, then compare the car that fits the route.
Need guidance first
Read Ring Road guide →Start here: Vacation home with kitchen + larger vehicle.
Ready to compare
Need guidance first
Read family/group guide →Start here: Stays first, then car or tours.
Need guidance first
Read first-time trip guide →Start here: Downtown hotel + airport transfer or day tour.
Need guidance first
Read Reykjavík city break guide →Paid partner links above are marked sponsored/nofollow. IcelandStart may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Official Iceland resources are separate and non-affiliate. See the Affiliate Disclosure.
Compare partners
A simple side-by-side view of where each partner shines.
| Partner | Why IcelandStart lists this partner | Best use case | Not ideal when | Check before booking | Continue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Expedia | Useful when you want to compare flights, hotels and packages in one search before booking car and tours separately. | Iceland flights, packages & multi-part trips | You only want a guided tour with no flight or stay to book | Total at checkout, baggage rules and change fees | Compare flights & stays |
 Trip.com | Useful when you want a broad global search for flights and hotels with multi-currency options. | Global flights, hotels & travel search | You need Iceland-specific local support or car rental | Currency, taxes and cancellation terms | Search Trip.com |
Hotels.comHotels.com | Useful when you need Iceland hotels and short stays, especially in Reykjavík and along main routes. | Iceland hotels & longer stays | You're a family/group wanting a whole house or apartment | Cancellation policy and exact location vs. your route | Search Hotels.com |
 Vrbo | Useful when you are a family or group that needs a whole house, kitchen and multiple bedrooms. | Iceland vacation homes, families & groups | Short 1–2 night city stops in central Reykjavík | Cleaning fees, house rules and check-in flow | View Vrbo Rentals |
Booking.comBooking.com | Useful after your overnight towns are clear — compare hotels, apartments and countryside stays that fit your route and driving day. | Hotels, apartments and countryside stays after route & bases are chosen | You have not chosen your route shape, travel season, car/no-car or overnight towns yet | Exact location, total price, taxes/fees, cancellation window, check-in time, parking and driving-day fit | Compare stays on Booking.com |
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LocalLava Car Rental | Useful when you want a local Iceland supplier with detailed insurance and road-restriction info for self-drive. | Local Iceland car rental after your route and dates are clear | You still need to decide whether to drive, take tours, or compare many suppliers | Insurance, deposit/self-risk, pickup/drop-off, mileage, road restrictions and cancellation terms | Compare Lava Car Rental |
 EconomyBookings | Useful when you want to compare multiple rental brands and price points side by side. | Broader car rental comparison | F-road / highland trips where local supplier terms matter more | Supplier reviews, deposit and insurance terms | Compare broader car rentals |
 GetYourGuide | Useful when you prefer cancellable day tours and activities instead of driving yourself. | Iceland tours & day activities | You want full self-drive flexibility and no fixed schedule | Pickup point, season availability and cancellation window | Compare Iceland tours |
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Choosing a category
Most Iceland trips need three things: a way to get there, a place to sleep, and a way to move around. Match the category to your trip shape — then click through to the partner site to see live prices, availability and booking terms.
Flights & packages
If you want flights only, or a flight + hotel bundle, start with a global travel platform (Expedia, Trip.com). Compare total at checkout, baggage, and change fees on the partner site.
Stays
Hotels for city breaks and short stops (Hotels.com). Vacation homes, cabins and villas for families, groups and longer stays (Vrbo). Check cancellation policy and exact location vs. your route.
Cars
Self-drive is the most flexible way to see Iceland outside Reykjavík. Compare local Iceland suppliers (Go Car Rental, Lava Car Rental) alongside a broader comparison platform (EconomyBookings). Check insurance, gravel / F-road terms and the deposit.
Tours & activities
Useful if you'd rather not drive in winter, or want Golden Circle, South Coast, Northern Lights, glacier or whale-watching with a guide (GetYourGuide, Viator). Check pickup point, season and cancellation window.
Reality check
Travel pricing changes constantly. We don't show fake prices, fake live deals, or fake countdowns. The only honest place to see real numbers is the partner site itself.
Independent
IcelandStart is operated and maintained by Marteinn Hilmarsson, based in Iceland. We are not a booking agency and not affiliated with the Government of Iceland or any official tourism body.
Methodology
IcelandStart lists a small number of partners that fit the main Iceland planning categories. These are the checks we apply, in plain language, when we add or keep a partner.
See also the editorial policy and affiliate disclosure for how affiliate links are labelled and separated from official Iceland resources.
Partner FAQ
Booking, travel-booking payment, changes, refunds and customer support are handled on the partner's official website. IcelandStart does not take travel bookings or travel-booking payments.
Yes. Some links on IcelandStart are sponsored or affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
We focus on a small set of established travel brands that match the main Iceland decisions: car rental and self-drive, tours and no-car travel, Reykjavík and route-based stays, family/group homes, and broader flight + package search as a supporting option.
No. Travel prices and availability change quickly. Final prices, fees, taxes, cancellation rules, and terms are shown on the partner site.
Official Iceland resources — such as weather, road conditions and safety — are separate from partner links and are never affiliate links.
Official Iceland resources · Non-affiliate
These official resource links are included for safety and planning. They are not paid partner links.
Official Iceland travel information — destination inspiration, things to do, accommodation information, and general travel guidance.
Visit official site
Official safe-travel information for Iceland. Useful for travel conditions, safety guidance, and preparation before outdoor or road-trip travel.
Check SafeTravel
Road condition information for Iceland (Vegagerðin / Umferðin). Useful before driving — especially in winter, high winds, snow, or changing conditions.
Check road conditions
Official Icelandic weather forecasts (Veðurstofa Íslands). Useful before driving, outdoor activities, or winter travel.
Check weatherThese are official, non-affiliate links — provided for traveler safety and planning. Always check the most recent information on the official site before you travel.
