Master car hire in the Faroe Islands with ease! From airport pickup to navigating wild terrain, let us guide you on an unforgettable journey.
But what's the best way to see it all? Your own set of wheels, of course!
There's no better way to explore the islands than at your own pace, coming and going as you please, stopping off where you want, and being in the comfort of a car with just you and your loved ones.
It's how the Faroe Islands were meant to be explored, and to make that happen, you'll need to think about renting a car.
This is your Faroe Islands car hire cheat sheet.
Whether you're going solo or bringing the whole crew, we'll cover everything from picking up your rental to handling those twisty roads (and maybe even some curious sheep).
Adventure awaits, so buckle up because we're about to make your Faroese road trip absolutely unforgettable.
First things first, getting the car.
The most common place to pick up a rental car is at the airport, and that's quickly done since there's only one airport in the Faroe Islands, and that's Vágar Airport.
All the major car hire companies are situated in the nearby area (see map above), so you can quickly pick up your car and go. Here are some tips to have a smooth experience.
However, renting a car from the airport by showing up on the day is usually about 20% more expensive. Therefore, it can pay to shop around and see your options.
For example, if you hire a car with us here at PHD Car Rental, we can drop off and meet you to collect your car at any of these locations:
And the savings are simple maths.
Say you get the bus from Vagar Airport to Tórshavn at 89DKK (€12), with the average car rental cost at 600DKK, plus 20% (which is something you'll pay every day), you're saving about €50 (370DKK) a week, by getting the bus into town and picking your car up at the bus station.
€50 is another meal out, another experience, or simply savings for your next trip!
Long story short, shop around and see what options work best. When it comes to car rental companies, pick one that's flexible and has your needs and budget in mind.
Faroese roads are surprisingly well-paved when you consider how outdoorsy it is.
Unless you're planning major off-road adventures, a basic rental will get you to those epic views in comfort (and save you a few Kroner).
Let's move on to the good stuff – those twisty Faroese roads!
Okay, the Faroes aren't about speed – it's about soaking in those views. Therefore, there are a few things to know to keep your adventure stress-free:
There's no doubt that Faroese driving has its quirks, but it's part of the adventure. Be alert, go slow, and those stunning views are yours!
Okay, let's talk about the locals you'll be sharing those twisty roads with...sheep! The Faroe Islands are home to over 70,000 sheep, outnumbering the human population by about 20,000. They are adorable but have no concept of traffic rules. Here's the deal:
If you're planning to island hop, which you absolutely should be if you're looking to fully immerse yourself in Faroe culture, the ferries are your lifeline! Here's how to make it smooth sailing (pun intended):
And finally, Faroese cell coverage can be spotty in remote areas. Don't panic, prepare:
The Faroes are about embracing the unexpected. A little planning + a sense of adventure = an unforgettable road trip!
And there we have it.
You've done the research; now it's time for action! Your Faroese road trip is calling.
Don't forget, for the best rental experience, get in touch with our team here at PHD Car Rental to make it easy to hit the road and explore on your own terms. Think zero stress, maximum adventure.
Picture those waterfalls, those charming villages... they're waiting to be discovered.
Stop dreaming, start driving. The Faroes awaits!
The first big thing to know about renting a car here is that there is a relative scarcity of rental cars (around 1,400 rental cars only across all the islands!), which means that prices will get steep, especially during the peak of summer holidays. If you’re planning your visit to the Faroe Islands sometime within the year, do your best to always book in advance. Winter is a good time to snatch up deals—and if you’re smart about which car rental company you choose, you can do so without any worry about cancellation fees.
Google “car rentals in Faroe Islands” and you'll likely find listings for the big car rental companies (Sixt, Kayak, etc). But that’s not all there is. With some locals being too aware of how high car rental prices put off some travelers from visiting their homeland, they’ve set up shop to offer more affordable prices (i.e. our mission in a nutshell!). But it’s not just a matter of pricing. With a local, small team you can expect much more personal support and all the attention that small businesses are known for: ensuring you’re satisfied and sharing with you recommendations.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to nab a car rental winter deal, this is a must-do. Because for many car rental companies (especially the big ones), apart from the rental price of your vehicle, other costs can include cancellation fees and security deposits. The latter can be especially annoying when they charge your credit card immediately for a high deposit, before releasing it with the cost of your bank’s currency exchange fee. Our favorite alternative? Go with a car rental company that doesn’t charge you for cancellations & security deposits.
Thought the rocky Faroe Islands would require 4-wheel drives? Not all. Off-road driving is actually banned from the islands, and thanks to a fantastic road network, just a standard car type would do you well for your adventures (even in winter!)
If you haven’t been lucky enough to nab a car rental winter deal, this is a must-do. Because for many car rental companies (especially the big ones), apart from the rental price of your vehicle, other costs can include cancellation fees and security deposits. The latter can be especially annoying when they charge your credit card immediately for a high deposit, before releasing it with the cost of your bank’s currency exchange fee. Our favorite alternative? Go with a car rental company that doesn’t charge you for cancellations & security deposits.
One of the unique things you’ll quickly find out about the Faroe Islands is its many tunnels connecting you all across the archipelago. There are around 20 of them—and they can go either under the seabed itself (sub-sea tunnels) or right through a mighty mountain.
Whether it’s because of the sparsity of the population or the immensity of space around, the Faroe Islands have no parking fees whatsoever…with one exception. If you’re planning to park at the airport, you can expect to pay a fee there—otherwise, park as long as you want, free of charge.
Perhaps a little disappointing to the 4-wheeler adventurers: the Faroe Islands doesn’t permit any off-road driving (officially: it’s prohibited by law). This is to protect the pristine nature all around, much of which is actually private property. So do enjoy your road trips—but on the ample roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Quintessentially Faroese, when you’re driving around here you’ll very soon be greeted with our most common habitant: wooly sheep. You’ll see them across fields and by roadsides, but just be mindful that some can galavant across the roads (often when in a panic). So when sheep are around, do slow down.
For a quick runthrough of local driving rules: if you’re in town areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph)—otherwise, it’s 80 km/h (50 mph). You drive on the right-hand side. It’s illegal to hold a mobile device (or drink alcohol) while driving. And while the legal driving age in the Faroe Islands is 18, most car rental companies will require you to be at least 20-21 years of age.
We’re keeping this part short—only because we’ll be breaking things down for you fully in a separate
blog. But the quick sum of it is: if you’re looking to rent a car for your adventures in the Faroe
Islands, you can either rent from the regular big companies or opt for a local car rental company.
Why we’re biased for the latter? Because, well, that’s what we do—but in our PHD Car Rent way. We make
reservations a breeze, never tie up your money in security deposits, don’t charge cancellation fees
(unless you cancel 24 hours before your pick-up time), and make sure your money goes the furthest for
you.
Our mission has always been to provide the best value car rentals that you can rely on for quality and
friendly, local service. But don’t take our word for it—check out our 134, 5-star Google reviews!
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