Print

fish195401:19 UTC22 Feb 2015

I just searched and found only one comment about this. I'm guessing it isn't necessary but am hoping to confirm. We are traveling the Ring Road, is there any point in spending the extra $ or GPS in the rental car?

bjoern08:08 UTC22 Feb 2015

A map will still work fine in combination with the roadsigns. It all depends on what you are used to.

castaway_girl13:12 UTC22 Feb 2015

There's no need for a GPS. We used the maps in our guidebook and printout from online maps.

kim.e.ellingsen09:50 UTC23 Feb 2015

Drove the long way around from Seydisfjordur in 1999 using a somewhat old guidebook and a hastily bought map at a gas station. No worries, the roads are well marked. For trekking purposes I'd suggest 1:100 000 maps or better, depending on the difficulty of the terrain. A gps will give your exact location should it be needed for SAR though- any smartphone has a good enough reciever for that.

icelandnaturelover16:07 UTC25 Feb 2015

Hi, a map can be enough if you are not planning on driving tracks, in the Highlands for example. If you only follow the ring road then you have enough signs.
I agree with kim.e.ellingsen, a hiking GPS is useful if you are hiking as the weather can change quickly. If you can not see the trail, you can not use your map. You need a hiking GPS such as those ones

This is also good to get the free app from ICE-SAR to tell them where you are in case you are lost and need help.

mappes1110:59 UTC26 Feb 2015

I just downloaded sygic app to my phone and paid like 40 euro for whole world maps because they had promotion. I do not need data to use it and it goes wherever my cellphone goes.

fish195420:07 UTC07 Mar 2015

Thanks everyone for the replies. Rented a two wheel drive and no gps will rely on phone and maps. We don't plan to do much hiking so I suspect we will be ok

iampaulstevens10:17 UTC17 Apr 2015

Well, I prefer GPS navigation because apart from the maps there there are speed cameras displayed. It's a shame if you get fine on the road, especially if the rental company can fine you too for that. So maybe just have a look on this page http://www.sygic.com/speed-cameras/features

Thorn Tree01:00 UTC18 Apr 2016

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

GPS needed? Country forums / Scandinavia & the Nordics / Iceland
fish195401:19 UTC22 Feb 2015	I just searched and found only one comment about this. I'm guessing it isn't necessary but am hoping to confirm. We are traveling the Ring Road, is there any point in spending the extra $ or GPS in the rental car?
bjoern08:08 UTC22 Feb 2015	A map will still work fine in combination with the roadsigns. It all depends on what you are used to.	1
castaway_girl13:12 UTC22 Feb 2015	There's no need for a GPS. We used the maps in our guidebook and printout from online maps.	2
kim.e.ellingsen09:50 UTC23 Feb 2015	Drove the long way around from Seydisfjordur in 1999 using a somewhat old guidebook and a hastily bought map at a gas station. No worries, the roads are well marked. For trekking purposes I'd suggest 1:100 000 maps or better, depending on the difficulty of the terrain. A gps will give your exact location should it be needed for SAR though- any smartphone has a good enough reciever for that.	3
icelandnaturelover16:07 UTC25 Feb 2015	Hi, a map can be enough if you are not planning on driving tracks, in the Highlands for example. If you only follow the ring road then you have enough signs. I agree with kim.e.ellingsen, a hiking GPS is useful if you are hiking as the weather can change quickly. If you can not see the trail, you can not use your map. You need a hiking GPS such as those ones This is also good to get the free app from ICE-SAR to tell them where you are in case you are lost and need help.	4
mappes1110:59 UTC26 Feb 2015	I just downloaded sygic app to my phone and paid like 40 euro for whole world maps because they had promotion. I do not need data to use it and it goes wherever my cellphone goes.	5
fish195420:07 UTC07 Mar 2015	Thanks everyone for the replies. Rented a two wheel drive and no gps will rely on phone and maps. We don't plan to do much hiking so I suspect we will be ok	6
iampaulstevens10:17 UTC17 Apr 2015	Well, I prefer GPS navigation because apart from the maps there there are speed cameras displayed. It's a shame if you get fine on the road, especially if the rental company can fine you too for that. So maybe just have a look on this page http://www.sygic.com/speed-cameras/features	7
Thorn Tree01:00 UTC18 Apr 2016	This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.	8

GPS needed?