Planning an Iceland trip and don't know where to start?
Six questions, in the order they matter: when, how long, who with, budget, car or tours, where to sleep. We point you to the answer for each one.
Parking in Iceland: zones, apps, fines and tourist site fees
Parking in Iceland
What visitors need to know before they park
I am scared of getting a fine I did not understand.
At a glance
- •Apps: Download Parka and EasyPark before you land, then register your rental plate. Most paid parking is app-based. What to set up.
- •Reykjavík zones: P1 (red) is 660 ISK/hr, P2/P3/P4 are 240 ISK/hr. P1 and P2 are enforced every day, including Sundays. Zone breakdown.
- •Fines: City fines run 5,000 to 10,000 ISK, plus a rental admin fee. Appeal within 14 days or it is final. Fines & appeals.
- •Attractions: Golden Circle and South Coast sites charge 750 to 1,000 ISK via plate-reading cameras. No gates, no attendants. Attraction parking.
Want the full picture? Keep scrolling for the detail.
Before You Arrive
Download Parka and EasyPark before you land. They cover most paid parking in Reykjavík and at major tourist sites. Some attractions also use checkit.is. Having these ready means you won't be scrambling in a parking lot with no signal. Register your rental car's license plate once you pick it up.
Do parking meters take credit cards? Most meters accept cards, but many areas have moved to app-only payment. Don't rely on finding a meter. The apps are your safest bet.
App vs. machine: how wardens know you paid. Icelandic parking wardens use license plate scanners, not paper tickets. When you pay through Parka or EasyPark, your plate is registered in their system instantly. There is no ticket to print, no receipt to put on the dashboard. If your plate is in the system, you are covered. This is the same for both street parking and tourist attraction lots.
One thing that confuses visitors: "Gjaldskylda" is not a place. You will see the word on parking signs and it simply means "payment required," a paid parking zone. It is not the name of a car park, a neighbourhood, or a tourist attraction, so do not type it into your maps app hoping to find it.
Arriving Soon? Take These With You.
Two field-tested checklists to help you pack right and land feeling steady.
Parking in Reykjavík: the Zone System
Reykjavík uses a color-coded zone system. Here's what each zone means:
| Zone | Rate | Weekday | Weekend | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P1 🔴 | 660 ISK/hr | 9am to 9pm | 10am to 9pm | No limit |
| P3 🔵 | 240 ISK/hr* | 9am to 6pm | Free | Varies |
| P4 🟡 | 240 ISK/hr | 8am to 4pm | Free | No limit |
*P3: 240 ISK/hr for first 2 hours, then 70 ISK/hr after.
Parking disc: In P3 zones, you need a parking disc (a cardboard clock you set on your dashboard). Your rental car should have one. If not, ask the agency.
Sunday parking: P1 and P2 are enforced every day including Sundays (10am to 9pm on weekends). Don't assume Sunday means free parking in the city center.
Free parking: P3 and P4 are free on weekends. Outside paid hours, all zones are free. Side streets outside the zone system and some hotel parking may also be free. Ask when you book.
Fines & Enforcement
Parking in unmarked or restricted areas can result in fines of 5,000 to 10,000 ISK. Your rental company will add their own admin fee (typically 3,000 to 5,000 ISK) on top. Double parking, blocking driveways, and parking too close to intersections are all actively enforced.
Got a fine? In a rental car, the fine goes to the rental company, who charges your card. You will not receive a paper ticket on the windshield, it is all digital. The first you hear about it may be a charge on your credit card weeks after you return home.
Rental surcharge: Most rental companies add a 3,000 to 5,000 ISK processing fee on top of any fine. This is standard practice and written into your rental agreement, and some companies charge more. The total cost of a parking fine in a rental car is often double the original fine.
How to appeal: A Reykjavík parking citation can be appealed within 28 days of the date on it, through the appeal form on reykjavik.is or by email to bilastaedasjodur@reykjavik.is (documents within 7 days). Include the date, location, license plate, and your reason for appeal. Outside Reykjavík, contact the local municipality.
Attraction parking fines: If you do not pay a camera-enforced parking fee at a tourist site, the charge goes to your rental company and then to you, plus the rental company's admin fee. Pay at the time, even if the system seems optional. It is not.
Never park on moss. Icelandic moss takes decades to recover. Driving or parking on moss is illegal and can result in significant fines. Stick to paved or gravel surfaces, always.
How to check or pay a parking ticket
There is no windshield ticket in Iceland. Everything is by license plate. If you think you might have one, here is the honest sequence.
Rental car (most visitors): The rental company is the first to know. Email them with your contract number and plate and ask if any parking or attraction charges are pending. They pay first, then charge your card, sometimes weeks after your trip. You cannot usually pay the fine directly, the rental company handles it and adds an admin fee.
Reykjavík city fine (your own car or long stay): Pay online at bilastaedasjodur.is using the reference number on the notice. Questions go to bilastaedasjodur@reykjavik.is with your plate.
Attraction fee you forgot to pay: Open the app named on the sign at that lot, usually Parka, EasyPark, or checkit.is, enter your plate, and pay for the day you visited. Most attractions accept late payment for a short window before it goes to collections.
Outside Reykjavík: Fines are issued by the local municipality (Akureyri, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður and so on). Google the municipality name plus "bílastæði" or contact them directly. The 14 day appeal window still applies.
Parking fees at popular attractions
Most major tourist sites charge a flat day rate per car via automatic cameras that read your license plate. No gates, no attendants. Pay before you leave, or the fee routes to your rental company with an admin fee added.
| Site | Fee (car) | Pay via |
|---|---|---|
| Þingvellir | 1,000 ISKAll park car parks, P1 to P5, for the day. Toilets are charged separately. | Parka, on site kiosk |
| Geysir | 750 ISKParking only. Toilets at the service centre charge a small fee. | Parka, card kiosk inside visitor centre |
| Gullfoss | 750 ISKBoth the upper car park and the lower car park. Toilets on the upper level. | Parka, card kiosk on site |
| Kerið crater | 700 ISK per personEntry to the crater, including parking. | Booth at the entrance, card accepted |
| Seljalandsfoss | 900 ISKMidnight to midnight, and the toilets are included. | Parka, on site kiosk |
| Skógafoss | 900 to 1,000 ISK | Parka |
| Reynisfjara | 1,000 ISK | Parka |
| Goðafoss | 1,000 ISK | Parka |
| Dettifoss (west) | Free at time of writing | n/a |
| Ytri Tunga (seals) | Free, donation box | On site |
Fees last checked August 2026. Prices change year to year. Trust the sign at the lot over any list, including this one.
How it works: Cameras photograph your plate on entry. You have a grace window (usually until end of day) to pay through the named app. If you do not pay, the fee routes to your rental company plus their admin fee.
Cash? Generally no. Iceland is cashless and most sites are app or card only. A few have a card kiosk as backup.
One fee per site, not per stop: The day rate covers your car for the whole day at that lot. You do not pay again if you leave and come back the same day.
Cruise parking: what to do with a car on a port day
Most cruise passengers do not need a car at all on a port day. You stay on the ship, and the ship's shuttle, a taxi, or a local bus gets you into town. But if your Iceland road trip includes a cruise in the middle, here is how to handle the car.
If your cruise starts or ends in Reykjavík: Return the rental car before you board, or pick it up after you disembark. The cruise terminal at Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn) is an industrial pier, not a place built for long-stay visitor parking.
Hotel parking during the cruise: If you have a hotel night before or after the cruise, ask if they allow parked cars during the sailing. Some hotels offer this, some charge a daily fee, and some do not allow it. Call ahead and confirm.
Street parking near the terminal: The area around Skarfabakki is mostly P1/P2 zones with time limits and daily enforcement, including Sundays. It is not designed for multi-day parking, and a rental company admin fee on top of any fine makes this an expensive guess.
If you want a car for just one port day: In Reykjavík this is usually more trouble than it is worth. The city center is walkable, and the Golden Circle or South Coast need a full day, not a port window. Rental offices are downtown or at Keflavík Airport, not at the port.
Long-stay alternative: Keflavík Airport has long-stay parking lots. If your trip starts and ends with flights, leaving the car at the airport and taking the Flybus to Reykjavík for the cruise can be simpler than trying to park near the terminal.
The simple rule: A cruise day in Reykjavík is easiest without a car. If your itinerary includes one, plan the handoff around the hotel or the airport, not the cruise terminal. For what to do once you step off the ship, see our cruise port day guide.
Things You Might Not Think to Ask
Can I park on the side of the road in the countryside?
Use designated pull-offs only. Parking on the shoulder of a narrow road is dangerous and sometimes illegal. Never drive off-road or onto unpaved ground to park.
Why can't I park on moss?
Icelandic moss takes decades to recover from damage. Driving or parking on moss is prohibited and can result in significant fines. Stick to paved or gravel surfaces.
Is there parking at Keflavík Airport?
Yes. Short-term and long-term parking are available. Rates start around 500 ISK/hour for short-term. Long-term lots are more affordable for multi-day trips. Book online for better rates.
Do I need to worry about parking in the dark?
In winter, Iceland has very limited daylight. Parking signs can be hard to read. Use your phone's flashlight and double-check zone markings. If you can't tell whether parking is allowed, find another spot.
What if my parking app doesn't work?
This happens, especially with weak signal in rural areas. Screenshot your license plate number for quick entry. At attractions, look for a card-accepting kiosk as backup. If neither works, take a photo of the sign and your location as evidence in case of a dispute.
Can I park facing the opposite direction of traffic?
No. You must park in the direction of traffic flow: your car should face the same way as the lane you're parked in. Parking against traffic (facing oncoming cars) is illegal and can result in a fine, even in residential areas. Police do enforce this.
Winter is close
Two things worth checking every winter morning
In winter the two questions that decide your day are: is the road safe right now, and how much light do I actually get. Both are free, both work on your phone, and you can save them to your home screen.
The three checks, in this order
- 1. vedur.is for the weather and any warnings.
- 2. road.is for road status and closures.
- 3. Can I drive today? which reads both feeds for your exact spot and answers in one line: Go, Caution, or Not today.
You might also need
Parking at Seljalandsfoss
What it costs, how the camera lot works, and how to pay
Iceland Cruise Port Day
What fits in your port window without missing the ship
Transport & Getting Around
Airport buses, taxis, car rentals & driving tips
Money & Payments
Currency, cards, and cashless payments
Local Notes
Driving safety and practical tips