Driving-guide-to-faroe-islands

The Ultimate Guide to Driving in Faroe Islands

By Verified Expert

Is it safe and easy driving the roads in the Faroe Islands? Which side of the road do Faroe Islanders drive on? How do you rent a car for your stay? Continue reading and find all you need to know about driving in the Faroe Islands.



The Faroe Islands is a cluster of unbelievable islands in the North Atlantic Ocean yet to be discovered. There are unexplored sights on every corner. From cascading waterfalls to quiet and uncrowded villages.

Here are all the important things to know about driving the Faroe Islands, so you are ready to hit the road. One thing is for sure, experiencing the untouched islands in a vehicle is a vacation you will never ever forget.

Gásadalur
​Down by the seaside near the village Gásadalur on Vágar island. Photo by Kah-Wai Lin.

Many travellers say that renting a car and self-driving the Faroe Islands is something else. So if you like independent travel and being on your own, renting a car is the absolute best way to enjoy a getaway in this far-away archipelago. It gives you the freedom to stop in every village, waterfall, and coastline scenery.

You can wander from one attraction to another undisturbed and at your own pace. Buckle up and spend as much time as you like at each and every nature scenery.

Renting a car in Faroe Islands

Fossá
Fossá waterfall is the tallest waterfall in the Faroe Islands.

You are spoiled for choice when it comes to renting a car in the Faroe Islands. You can choose between several car rentals in Faroe Islands to suit your driving needs. The car rental agencies offer a wide assortment of vehicles that you can choose from.

The most popular cars to rent are small cars like VW up! and Nissan Micra. They do not hold much luggage, though. Renting a standard car like Toyota Yaris is also a popular choice. It gives you more space for the suitcases.

Cottages in Faroe Islands
These cabins are located next to the road between the villages Kvívík and Vestmanna on Streymoy island. Photo by Sandrine Michelmore.

You are never in need of a four-wheel-drive in the Faroe Islands. Even when travelling in winter, you will do perfect when you hit the road in a standard car or a SUV.

Travellers usually pick up their car at the airport on Vágar island upon arrival. The agencies are very flexible with pick-up and return options.

How much does it cost to rent a car in the Faroe Islands?

Saksun
When in the secluded village Saksun. A meandering road leads to this location on Streymoy island. Photo by Sandrine Michelmore.

It is by all standards not cheap booking a rental car. The smallest vehicles vary from 600 DKK to 800 DKK per day. Renting a SUV will cost you from 900 DKK to 1,100 DKK per day. It will add to the price if you upgrade to a car with automatic transmission.

All car rental providers will give you a discount for longer rentals. Prices are also reduced significantly in winter compared to the summer season from May to August.

Tindhólmur
Tindhólmur islet as seen from the main road on Vágar island. This locations is located a 10 minutes drive from the airport. Photo by Sandrine Michelmore.

With a total number of 1,400 rental vehicles available in the archipelago, we advice you to reserve your car rental as early as possible. It can be hard to even find a last-minute vehicle in the peak of summer in July. Booking your rental car as far ahead of your travel dates as possible will also give you the best price. Check car rental prices and availability here.

There are no parking fees in the Faroe Islands except at the parking lot at the airport. As you will most likely only be at the airport upon your arrival and departure, there will be no parking fees involved in your travel.

What age can you Drive in The Faroe Islands?

Driving car in Faroe Islands
The views you encounter when driving in the Faroe Islands. Photo by Bhav Thiara.

You can start driving a car in the Faroe Islands when you are 18. Faroe Islands car rental agencies usually require drivers to be at least 20 before allowed to hit the road. Other car rental companies will only let those at least 21 years of age drive.

All drivers aged 75 need to have a renewed driving licence in order to drive the roads in the Faroe Islands. Once you reach the age of 75, the driving license must be renewed every 5 year. Those 80 year and older need to renew it every second year.

Roads in the Faroe Islands

Driving in Faroe Islands
Fossá waterfall is an impressive experience. Photo by @seppthebus on Instagram.

The infrastructure in the Faroe Islands is great. Nine out of eighteen islands are accessible with a car. Three out of these nine islands require you to take a passage by ferry in order to drive around.

The islands are connected by roads, bridges, tunnels, and underwater tunnels. This makes it effortless to get around.

Some roads have only one lane. These are the roads to small villages such as Saksun and Tjørnuvík on Streymoy Island and Sandvík on Suðuroy Island. The roads are safe but always adjust your speed to the conditions.

All roads are paved even to the smallest settlements. There are lay-bys on all single-track roads in order to keep traffic in a flow. These widening sections are only meant for smoothening traffic so do not use for parking.

Where Can I Drive in the Faroe Islands?

Audi test drive in Faroe Islands
Off-road driving is not allowed in the Faroe Islands. This Audi Q6 e-tron Prototype was an exception. It was a test drive in Faroe Islands for international press organised by Guide to Faroe Islands.

All larger islands in the Faroe Islands are accessible with cars. These islands have an exceptional good infrastructure. Take a look at a map of the Faroe Islands to see how well-connected the craggy islands are.

You will never be far away from the coastline wherever you roam. This makes a road trip in the Faroe Islands super epic. It adds to the awesomeness that there is very, very little traffic on the roads making it even easier to get around. Getting stuck in traffic is unheard of.

Islands Accessible in a Car

Self drive tour - Guide to Faroe Islands
The roads in the Faroe Islands are safe and epic. Photo by Mads Fyllgraf.

Most people pick up their rental car at the airport. Starting from the only airport in the Faroe Islands on Vágar island, this is how you will drive the roads in a vehicle.

Vágar island is linked to its neighbouring island Streymoy by a sub-sea tunnel. If you want to experience the southernmost island in the archipelago, then you can take the ferry SMYRIL to Suðuroy Island. The ferry to Suðuroy Island departs from the capital, Tórshavn, located centrally on Streymoy Island.

Streymoy Island is also the only place from where you can reach Sandoy Island by car. Drive through the 10.8 km (6.7 miles) long underwater tunnel Sandoyartunnilin. You will find the tunnel’s portal at Gamlarætt ferry port on the west side of Streymoy Island.

From Streymoy Island you can get to Eysturoy Island either by crossing the bridge at Sundini or by driving through the notorious Eysturoyartunnilin Tunnel. This impressive road network is home to the only underwater roundabout in the world.

From Eysturoy Island, you will reach Borðoy Island through another underwater tunnel. When on Borðoy Island, you can drive along an embankment to Kunoy island. You can also drive from Borðoy Island along another embankment to Viðoy Island. Finally, when on Borðoy Island, you can take the car and passenger ferry SAM to Kalsoy Island.

Reach these 9 Islands in a Car

Puffin
You will find puffins in huge numbers on Mykines island between May and August. Mykines is one of the islands with no cars. Photo by Sandrine Michelmore.

There is a total of 18 islands in the Faroe Islands and nine of these islands are reachable in a car. These are also the largest isles in the island group.

  • Streymoy Island
  • Eysturoy Island
  • Vágar Island
  • Suðuroy Island (take the ferry SMYRIL)
  • Sandoy Island
  • Borðoy Island
  • Viðoy Island
  • Kunoy Island
  • Kalsoy Island (take the ferry SAM)

You can get to most of the car free islands in a ferry. The popular Mykines island is open to travellers during the summer months.

Explore the car free island Mykines by jumping on the Mykines boat from Vágar island. Alternatively, experience the northernmost isles Fugloy Island and Svínoy Island in the passenger ferry RITAN departing from Viðoy Island.

What is the speed limit in tunnels?

Underwater tunnel in the Faroe Islands
Eysturoyartunnilin is one of the sub-sea tunnels in the Faroe Islands.

The speed limit in tunnels is 80km/h. With more than 20 tunnels in the archipelago, you will for sure spend some time driving through tunnels. Most tunnels go through mountains whilst a handful will take you under the seabed from one island to another.

Whether you drive in mountains tunnels or sub-sea tunnels, the speed limit is 80km/h. As some mountain tunnels are fairly narrow, you are advised to stay below the speed limit. All underwater tunnels are two lane and keeping the speed at 80km/h here is always convenient.

Do I need a Car in the Faroe Islands?

Funningur
The zig-zag road leading to the village Funningur on Eysturoy island. Photo by Kah-Wai Lin.

Whether you need a vehicle for your vacation in the Faroe Islands really depends on how you like to travel. Here you will get an overview of the benefits and what precautions to take.

When in the capital, Tórshavn, you will do just fine walk or cycle. Your main purpose of visiting the Faroe Islands lies in the countryside between high mountains and rugged coastlines far away from the crowds.

If you are a fan of flexibility and want to roam in the untouched nature as much as possible, then driving yourself around the islands is the right choice. More than anything, it gives you freedom throughout your trip.

Puffin Faroe Islands
Puffins are a summer attraction in the Faroe Islands. You can drive to the village Gjógv and get a glimpse of this cute bird between May to August. Photo by Kah-Wai Lin.

There are also other ways to enjoy the amazing nature across the archipelago. There are great guided day tours that will let you experience a lot of what the islands have to offer.

There is also a public bus network Strandfaraskip Landsins that allows for travel to many islands at a reasonable price. The public busses run infrequently, though.

Things to know when driving in Faroe Islands

Eiði
Eiði is a lovely located village on the island Eysturoy. Photo by Kah-Wai Lin.

Below are some things important to know before you get behind the wheel in the Faroe Islands. By familiarising yourself with these rules, your road trip will turn out awesome.

  • Keep your headlights on at all time.
  • You drive on the right-hand side.
  • Speed limit on main roads 80 km/h.
  • Speed limit in villages 50 km/h.
  • No drinking and driving.
  • Seat belts are required for all passengers.
  • Some driving tunnels are narrow so choose a safe speed
  • Always have your driver’s license on you when driving.
  • Off-road driving is prohibited.
  • Children under 135 cm (53 inches) are required to be secured in a car or booster seat.

Always follow Faroe Islands’s driving rules to avoid any issues. These rules will make sure you stay safe.

There are some 600 km (373 miles) of road network in the Faroe Islands. Every single kilometre is enjoyable to ride and there are no traffic jams outside of the capital, Tórshavn.

Gas stations in the Faroe Islands

Gas stations are spread out across the islands. No worries not having enough fuel for your road trip. You are never more than 15 kilometres away from a filling station.

If you stay in Tórshavn, you can choose between four gas stations to fuel up. There are two brands here EFFO and Magn.

Sheep on the roads!

Sheep in Faroe Island
Be careful when driving as sheep can leap in front of your vehicle. Photo by @seppthebus on Instagram.

You will find sheep roaming pretty much everywhere in the Faroe Islands. As you drive across the landscapes, you will sooner or later share the road with some sheep. You can expect to find sheep eating grass on the side of the more or less everywhere. They tend to run out on the roads when panicked.

So just be careful and keep those sheep in mind when driving around. The Faroe Islands means the Sheep Islands after all. In case of an accident, always call the Faroese police.

House on Sandoy Island
This lonely house is located next to the road when you drive from the village Skopun towards Sandur on the island Sandoy. Photo by Guide to Faroe Islands.

Experiencing the different islands in a vehicle allows for a tailor-made vacation. You will not only have your trip personalised but can also plan your stay in this stunning place on earth to your own desires. Road conditions are good not to mention how super easy it is to get from one location to another. This makes the Faroe Islands ideal for a road trip.

Inspired to go on a road trip in the Faroe Islands? Start out by browsing the largest Car Rental marketplace in the Faroe Islands.

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