Go Campers vs Lava Car Rental
Go Campers offers five fleet categories and dual pickup locations across Reykjavik and Keflavik, while Lava Car Rental keeps things simple with a single modern campervan model and streamlined airport pickup. This comparison lays out the factual differences to help you decide which approach fits your trip.
At a Glance
Go Campers
Lava Car Rental
Founded
2014
2016
Headquarters
Reykjavik, Iceland
Keflavik, Iceland
Fleet size
Not publicly specified (400,000+ explorers served to date)
Narrow camper fleet (car-rental company with a camper segment)
Pickup
Keflavik Airport, Reykjavik
Keflavik Airport
Fleet & Vehicles
Go Campers operates one of the broader campervan fleets among Iceland-focused rental companies, spanning five distinct categories: budget/compact vans, medium campervans, large campervans, 4x4 vehicles rated for F-roads, and rooftop-tent setups. The company builds and maintains its vehicles in-house from its Reykjavik base, and has served over 400,000 travelers since its founding in 2014. This range means Go Campers can accommodate solo travelers on a budget, families needing space, and adventurers planning highland F-road routes that require 4x4 capability.
Lava Car Rental takes a fundamentally different approach. Primarily a car rental company based near Keflavik Airport, its campervan offering centers on a single model: the Renault Kangoo, a compact 2024-2025 automatic campervan designed for two people on paved roads. While the fleet lacks variety, the vehicle itself is modern and comes with an inclusive base insurance package covering TPL, CDW, SCDW, and gravel protection. Lava has built a substantial review footprint, with over 4,700 Google reviews and nearly 3,800 on Trustpilot, reflecting the volume of its broader car rental business.
The two vendors occupy distinct positions in the market. Go Campers is a dedicated campervan specialist offering pickup from both Keflavik Airport and Reykjavik, with 24/7 self-service key collection at both locations. Lava Car Rental operates from Keflavik Airport only, offering 24/7 pickup during summer months. On cancellation terms, the vendors diverge notably: Go Campers uses a non-refundable base rate, with a refundable option available at additional cost, while Lava Car Rental offers free cancellation with 24 hours' notice. Go Campers also runs a sustainability program through Kolvidur reforestation, a differentiator for environmentally conscious travelers.
Go Campers fleet
Solo travellers & tight budgets
Budget / Compact campers
Couples who want more space
Medium campers
Groups & families
Large campers
+2 more categories
Equipment & Inclusions
Default equipment included with a standard rental. Individual vehicles may vary. How we rate equipment →
Category
Go Campers
Lava Car Rental
Sleeping
Thin fleece blankets & small cushions
Not suitable for 0-5°C nights; sleeping bag ~€15 or duvet set ~€23 per rental
Sleeping bags, pillows, sheets, blanket
Thin sleeping bags (comfort ~15°C), not duvets
Cooking
Gas stove, pot, pan, utensils, plates, cutlery
Gas sold separately (~€10-14 each); expect to buy 3+
Gas stove, pots, pans, plates, utensils, 1 cartridge
1 cartridge ≈ 3 days; expect to buy ~2 more
Cooling
Thermoelectric cooler on most models; compressor fridge on 4x4 PRO/LUX
28L electric cooler on VW Transporter
Heating
Webasto diesel heater
Webasto diesel heater
Power
USB & 12V on leisure battery; charges engine-off
220V sockets, USB, 12V, shore power on Kangoo; USB/12V + extra battery on Transporter
Water
Sink on medium and larger models
Compact models have no water; all disabled in winter
10L freshwater tank
Furniture
Chair ~€8, table ~€13 per rental
Built-in table + outdoor table & chairs
Wi-Fi
4G wifi hotspot
4G wifi hotspot, unlimited data
Customer Reviews
Lava Car Rental
Trustpilot
Cancellation & Flexibility
Go Campers
Non-refundableThe price shown is the non-refundable rate — cancelling gets a travel voucher at best, not cash, and a €30 fee applies within 10 days of pickup. A fully refundable rate is offered at booking for an extra charge.
Official terms →Lava Car Rental
Free cancellation (24h notice)Cancel more than 24h before pickup for a full 100% refund. Cancellations within 24h or no-shows are charged the full rental price.
Official terms →Who Should Choose Whom
Choose Go Campersif…
- •You need a specific vehicle type — whether that is a budget compact van, a large campervan for a family, or a 4x4 rated for Iceland's highland F-roads.
- •You want to pick up or drop off in Reykjavik rather than at Keflavik Airport, or you want the flexibility to choose between the two locations.
- •You are planning a trip that includes F-road or highland driving, which requires a 4x4-capable vehicle that Lava Car Rental does not offer.
- •You are traveling in a group larger than two and need a medium or large campervan with more sleeping and living space.
- •Environmental impact matters to you — Go Campers runs a reforestation program through Kolvidur, the only structured sustainability initiative between these two vendors.
Choose Lava Car Rentalif…
- •You are a couple looking for a simple, modern campervan for Ring Road or paved-road travel without needing to compare across multiple vehicle categories.
- •You want free cancellation flexibility — Lava Car Rental allows free cancellation with just 24 hours' notice, compared to Go Campers' non-refundable base rate.
- •You prefer an inclusive insurance package from the start — Lava's base rate bundles TPL, CDW, SCDW, and gravel protection without requiring add-on decisions.
- •Your trip starts and ends at Keflavik Airport and you want the convenience of a nearby, family-owned operation with 24/7 summer pickup.
- •You value a large volume of customer reviews to inform your decision — Lava Car Rental has over 4,700 Google reviews and nearly 3,800 Trustpilot reviews across its rental operations.
Compare Go Campers and Lava Car Rental prices
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