Foreign Office changes Iceland travel advice as tourists warned 'very different to UK'

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to UK tourists visiting Iceland due to 'extreme weather' and rules that are 'very different to the UK'. The travel advice was updated with new safety information added on Thursday, November 21.

The alerts related to extreme weather and 'challenging' driving conditions in the country. The Foreign Office warned travellers that driving a car in Iceland 'can be very different to the UK' as the weather can change quickly and make conditions difficult.

The speed limits in Iceland tend to be lower than in the UK and distances between towns are far greater. Some main routes can be gravel or dirt tracks and some are narrow. Certain routes, including bridges, consist of a single lane with passing areas.

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Tourists have been urged to 'reduce your speed' while driving on gravel and loose surfaces. Some roads, such as in the highlands or interior roads, require four-wheel drive.

The Foreign Office shared a word of warning to those thinking of hiring a vehicle while in Iceland, saying: "The weather can cause damage to rental cars that is not covered by insurance.

"Strong winds are common and can throw sand or ash up, damaging paintwork. British tourists have had to pay large amounts of money to repair damage to hire cars caused by sand and ash. Breakdown recovery costs, especially in remote areas, can be high."

Following a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula on November 20, the Foreign Office also reminded visitors that extreme weather events are common in Iceland, given its natural geography. It said: "In the event of an eruption or wider seismic activity follow the latest advice issued by the authorities."

The capital city of Reykjavik and the rest of Iceland aside from the town of Grindavik and the area to the north of it have not been affected by the recent eruptions, however the Foreign Office added: "It is likely there will be further eruptions in this location. Monitor local media for updates and always follow the authorities' advice on travel to the area."