The Essential Guide to Driving & Car Rentals in the Faroe Islands
Planning a trip to the Faroe Islands? Here’s everything you need to know about car rentals and safe driving to make the most of your visit.
Situated about halfway between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 main islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean.
This self-governing nation known for dramatic plunging waterfalls and endless grassy countryside is home to a population of just over 50,000. It’s a unique destination that feels truly undiscovered when you visit.
Driving in the Faroe Islands offers the opportunity to explore the breathtaking landscape and rugged beauty of this archipelago at your own pace.
But for American visitors, or those unaccustomed to driving in places like Ireland or the UK, the experience can be quite different from what you’re used to back home.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
From navigating narrow mountain passes to understanding local road rules, renting a car here requires a bit of preparation.
We learned a lot on our recent trip to the Faroe Islands and in this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about rental cars in the Faroe Islands. Including what to know before you rent and tips for safe driving once you arrive.
So, first, let’s cover the most important question…
Do I need a rental car in the Faroe Islands?
Probably, yes. If you want the freedom to get out and explore outside the charming main town of Torshavn, it’s much easier if you have your own wheels. While there is some public transport around the islands, driving yourself is the best way to maximize your time.
However, if you read the rest of this post and decide that driving in the Faroe Islands just isn’t for you, don’t worry. Several great guided tours around the islands will do the driving for you and, as a bonus, you get the benefit of a knowledgeable local guide.
Here are my favorite Faroe Islands tours:
- Faroe Islands Highlights Tour – The small group, 6-hour tour is an easy way to visit many of the top sights around the Faroe Islands (including nearly everything we saw by car).
- Sightseeing Around Nólsoy to see Puffins – On our visit, we took the ferry to Nolsoy to explore and had a great day, but we didn’t see any puffins. If I had it to do over again, I would have booked this 2-hour boat tour.
- Exclusive 1.5 Hour Drangarnir Boat Tour – This excellent boat trip is a great way to see the stunning Drangarnir sea stacks and view the world’s most Instagrammable waterfall (Mulafossur) from the sea.
Now, since you’re still reading, I’ll assume you’re up for the adventure of renting a car in the Faroe Islands.
Let’s talk more about what you need to know before you do.
How to book rental cars in the Faroe Islands
Typically, when I book rental cars outside the United States, I always use DiscoverCars.com. I like their website because it clearly lists what is included with the car and what is not. This way there are no hidden costs or surprises at the counter (I hate surprises at the rental car counter, especially after a long flight).
But in this case, my search for Faroe Islands rental cars returned just one result, Enterprise Rental Cars. (That’s unusual for DiscoverCars.com, but hey, the Faroe Islands aren’t exactly a vast rental car market.)
And while the reviews for Enterprise were okay, I prefer a few options to choose from. Especially since the rates were pretty steep.
So, I dug a little deeper.
My search revealed 4 primary rental car companies in the Faroe Islands:
Note: If you’re partial to the major car rental chains, you’ll also find Sixt and Avis rental counters at the airport. However, their reviews are abysmal. In the Faroes, it pays to go local with your car rental choice.
Of the 4 companies, all had confidence-inspiring reviews. Just Drive had the best reviews (5 stars), but they were also the most expensive, by far, when I searched our July dates. They also charge an additional “late arrival fee” for flights landing after 6:00pm (our Copenhagen flight landed at 8:00pm). None of the other companies charged that fee.
After a thorough comparison of costs and reviews, we rented with RentYourCar.fo and we had a painless rental experience. They had the best prices and availability for our dates.
What to know about car rentals in the Faroe Islands
It’s easy to pick up your car when you land at Vagar Airport, all of the local rental providers have counters there.
When it comes to the type of car, I always prefer small cars when renting in Europe. When it comes to parking, it’s easier to have a more compact car. It’s also a plus on narrow lanes when exploring a more remote location. And all companies include unlimited mileage with your rental.
The local rental agencies offer new cars and the best rental deals can often be found directly on their websites. Car types range from a small economy car to a luxury car but it’s best to just keep it simple and book something in the mid-range. There’s no specific rental car type needed to get around the islands since the roads are in good condition (for example, you don’t need an SUV).
Regardless of which company you choose, here are a few tips that apply to all rentals:
- Get the tunnel pass
- Get the wifi hotspot
- Get the insurance
Rental insurance is always a good idea, especially when driving somewhere more remote like the Faroe Islands. Though most roads are excellent, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You’ll enjoy the trip more with the added peace of mind.
The Wifi Hotspot offered by most local rental car companies comes in very handy in less populated areas of the islands where cell phone service is dodgy.
For about 300 DKK, the tunnel pass allows you unlimited trips through the islands’ incredible system of subsea tunnels. If you’re out and about exploring, this pass will pay for itself in a day or two.
More on these amazing tunnels in a moment!
Driving in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands have a well-maintained network of roadways making it a fairly easy place to drive. Especially for Americans like us since they drive on the right.
Let’s just say it was certainly less stressful than our road trip around Ireland a few years ago!
Assuming you get the wifi option with your rental car, you’ll have no trouble using GPS to navigate around and between the islands. The speed limit in towns and urban areas is 50km/h (30mph) and 80km/h (50mph) everywhere else.
However, reaching some of the smaller villages like Saksun requires a good distance on mostly single-lane roads with two-way traffic.
While that can be a bit nerve-wracking, there are lay-bys (widened sections on one side of the road to allow for passing). These are spaced out frequently along single-lane roads and always seem to be there when you need one.
What to do at a lay-by
The protocol, when faced with an oncoming vehicle, is to pull over if the lay-by is on your side of the road. If it’s on the other side, the other driver should pull over and yield.
In practice, we found this system to be exceptionally effective.
Note: Never park in a lay-by, these are for passing only!
Tip: If the car behind you blinks its lights twice while you’re driving gingerly down one of these single-lane roads, look for the next lay-by and pull over to let them pass. It’s likely to be a local accustomed to driving on these roads and they’ll want to go much faster than you!
Drive the incredible Sub Sea Tunnels in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands feature several sub-sea tunnels that connect different islands, making it easier to travel between them without relying on ferries.
These tunnels are quite deep, with some going down as far as 150 meters (about 490 feet) below sea level. We found this incredible tunnel system to be one of the coolest things about driving in the Faroe Islands.
All of the tunnels have tolls but there’s no need to stop, all tolls are charged by plate.
Don’t worry, you’ll be charged later. All of the local car rental companies offer either a tunnel pass in advance or the option to just pay all of your tolls when you return the car.
If you don’t choose to purchase the tunnel pass, you can also pay the sub-sea tunnel fees online before or after driving through at www.tunnil.fo.
The entire tunnel system is a true marvel of engineering. But the newest Eysturoy Tunnel will completely blow your mind. I’ve never seen anything like it anywhere in the world.
Don’t Miss the Eysturoy Subsea Tunnel
It’s not just a tunnel, it boasts the world’s first undersea roundabout, nicknamed the “jellyfish.” It also features a pretty impressive underwater art installation.
I mean, how can you not take a drive through this engineering wonder? At 11km (7 miles) long, the tunnel opened in 2020 and connects the two most populous islands – Eysturoy and Streymoy.
Bonus: The roundabout means you can keep circling until you’ve seen enough (we did a few loops while taking pictures!).
Unfortunately, as of this writing, the tunnel passes do not yet include the Eysturoy Subsea Tunnel which can be paid online after you transit the tunnel or charged to your card on file later.
Driving through these tunnels is a unique and exhilarating experience. They are more than just functional, they’re an inside look at the innovative infrastructure that connects these rugged islands.
So that covers the basics of car rental and driving in the Faroes. And, of course, don’t forget to look out for sheep as you go. They largely ignore posted road signs, haha.
And just in case you still have questions, here are a few more things to know about car rental in the Faroe Islands…
5 Commonly Asked Questions about Driving in the Faroe Islands
1. Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in the Faroe Islands?
No, you do not need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in the Faroe Islands if you have a valid driver’s license from the US or most other countries. Your home country’s driver’s license is sufficient as long as it is issued in Latin letters (A-Z), but make sure to have it with you at all times when driving.
2. What side of the road do they drive on in the Faroe Islands?
In the Faroe Islands, (thankfully for us!) they drive on the right-hand side of the road, just like in the US. So at least that aspect of driving in the Faroe Islands will feel familiar to American drivers.
3. Are there any specific driving rules I should be aware of?
Yes, there are a few local driving rules to be aware of in the Faroe Islands. Speed limits are generally lower than in the US, with a maximum of 80 km per hour on open roads and 50 km per hour in urban areas.
Also, headlights must be on at all times, day and night. And like most places around the world these days, seat belt use is mandatory for all passengers, and talking on a mobile phone is prohibited.
4. What types of roads will I find in the Faroe Islands?
You name it! Roads in the Faroe Islands vary from well-paved highways to narrow mountain tracks. Most main roads are in good condition, but some rural roads can be steep and winding.
Weather conditions can play an important role in reduced visibility so be sure to check the weather report for fog and rain before heading out (they’re both pretty common, unfortunately, and why headlights are required at all times).
5. Is it easy to find gas stations in the Faroe Islands?
In larger towns and on main roads gas stations are pretty easy to find. But I’d recommend always keeping your tank half full since gas stations can be sparse in more remote areas. You’ll definitely want to avoid running out of fuel.
Don’t be afraid to rent a car in the Faroe Islands!
The bottom line? Driving in the Faroe Islands isn’t as hard as you might think. We found it to be relatively straightforward, despite a few white-knuckle moments.
Navigating yourself around the Faroe Islands to explore all those beautiful landscapes is incredibly rewarding. Especially those super cool sub-sea tunnels.
Do your research, book early, and enjoy your car rental adventure in the Faroe Islands. And be sure to pop over to the full Faroe Islands post for more information on where to stay and all of the best things to see and do!
Read More: 15 Wild & Wonderful Things to Do in Faroe Islands (Don’t Miss #6!)
