Iceland really is a dream destination for many: a wondrous island nation that bubbles and spews, with endless sunshine in summer and winter skies that dance with colour.

It’s a hip destination for UK travellers, and home to a vast array of extraordinary natural sights – from the sulphuric hot springs of the Blue Lagoon to the national parks of Vatnajökull and Thingvellir.

Booking Iceland car rental is a great investment in a country where many of the top sights are remote and located widely apart.

As well as the spectacular natural highlights, Iceland offers superb culture and incredible food. If you are staying in Reykjavik, check out the fish and chip shops by the harbour and one of the many hot-dog stands, which locals claim are the best in the world.

In the evenings, there are excellent restaurants and bars and you can enjoy music from local artists – and maybe even see Icelandic musical stars such as Sigur Rós and Björk.

Many UK airports offer direct flights to Keflavik International Airport (KEF). The airport is 50 kilometres, or 40 minutes by road, from Reykjavik. And the high cost of airport transfers alone (£80 for a taxi or £12 per person for the shuttle bus) makes Iceland car hire a good choice.

You won’t see the same a-few-quid-a-day car rental prices that are available in continental Europe’s travel hotspots, but if you book well in advance and compare deals on TravelSupermarket, you can net a bargain. A five-day car rental, for example, could cost about the same as a one-way taxi transfer between the airport and Reykjavik.

If you decide to book car hire, Iceland airport offers the best range of vehicles. Collect your car upon arrival and you could be on the road in minutes. There are also car hire locations for both pick-ups and drop-offs in convenient downtown areas around Iceland.

A 4x4 is not essential in Iceland. Even in winter, the main roads around Reykjavik and the Golden Circle are kept clear and a standard economy car will be fine. Iceland’s Golden Circle is a breeze to navigate and it contains most of the short-break attractions in which you are likely to be interested.  A 4x4 is, however, preferable for serious winter touring adventures, especially as there are certain routes that only 4x4 hire vehicles may use. 

Once you head outside the capital of Reykjavik and the main towns, you'll want the freedom to explore sights such as Snaefellsjökull National Park, Lake Myvatn, the glacial lake of Jokulsarlon, and Vatnajökull glacier, one of the largest in Europe.

Other attractions include the Blue Lagoon, an outdoor volcanic spring with rich mineral waters. Float about, slap on a silica mud mask, swim up to the bar, book a massage – the ways to relax here are endless.

With car hire, Iceland is also easy to see at times that make sense to you. Avoid the coach crowds by driving to the Blue Lagoon (40 minutes from the city) first thing or getting there late afternoon.

Golden Circle sights include the Great Geysir, Thingvellir National Park, the thunderous Gullfoss waterfall and the Kerid volcanic crater and lake.

Iceland car rental makes all of these destinations accessible with a good map and an adventurous spirit. Just keep a careful eye on your speed and the road conditions as some of the locals pelt along.

Search for cheap car hire now and Travel Super with TravelSupermarket.