Real Routes, Mountain Passes & Stress-Free

Landing at Vágar Airport is an arrival you never forget. As your plane dips beneath North Atlantic cloud cover over Sørvágsfjørður, steep basalt cliffs rise on both sides before the wheels touch down on a short runway flanked by open water. Whether you arrive on a direct flight from Copenhagen, Edinburgh, Reykjavik, Paris, or London, stepping out into the cool ocean air signals the start of an incredible road trip.

Getting around the Faroe Islands, however, requires thoughtful planning. With eighteen volcanic islands connected by causeways, bridges, and sub-sea tunnels, having your own vehicle is the single best way to experience the country on your own schedule. Here is what international visitors need to know about picking up a car at Vágar Airport, understanding local driving customs, and planning a smooth, unforgettable journey.

Cruising the Fjords: Why Having Your Own Wheels is Essential

The Faroe Islands operate a reliable public transit network of red city buses in Tórshavn and blue coaches between regional towns. While helpful for local commuters, public transit is not built for sightseeing.North Atlantic weather changes fast. One valley on Vágar can be completely socked in with horizontal rain while a neighboring fjord fifteen minutes away sits under warm sunshine. When relying on fixed bus timetables, you cannot chase pockets of sunshine, linger at mountain overlooks, or wait out a quick drizzle from the comfort of your car.

Having a vehicle transforms driving itself into the highlight of your trip. Smooth asphalt highways hug the edges of the fjords, carrying you past cascading waterfalls, sea stacks, and dramatic tidal currents. When you travel by car, every turnout becomes an impromptu viewpoint where you can pull over safely, breathe in the salty sea air, and watch the light shift across the mountains.

Arriving at Vágar Airport: Stress-Free Vehicle Collection

Vágar Airport (FAE) is the only international airport in the Faroe Islands. Because several European flights often land within the same window, the small arrivals hall can quickly fill up.

Skip Counter Delays with 24/7 Keybox Collection

For international travelers, waiting in a slow rental desk queue after a long flight is frustrating. Flights into the North Atlantic can also face crosswind delays, meaning you might land late at night when traditional rental desks are closed or charge steep out-of-hours fees.

A practical alternative is booking with an operator that provides 24-hour self-service keybox pickup. Prior to departure, you receive your parking bay number and a secure four-digit PIN by email or text. Once you collect your bags from the carousel, you walk straight outside the terminal doors to the lockbox station, enter your code, grab your keys, and head to your vehicle. Whether you land at midday or 1:00 a.m., you can be on the road within minutes.

Protect Your Travel Budget: Look for Zero Deposit Terms

Standard rental agencies across Europe often freeze between €800 and €1,500 on your credit card as a security deposit hold. That frozen sum ties up your spending limit throughout your vacation and can take up to two weeks to clear after returning home.

To keep your travel funds accessible, look for local companies with a zero-deposit policy. Booking through a customer-friendly local service like A2B Car Rental means no money is blocked on your card at pickup. You simply pay the agreed rental price, leaving your credit limit free for dining, boat charters, and outdoor activities.

Conquering Mountain Passes & Dramatic Switchbacks

While modern sub-sea tunnels provide fast underground shortcuts between islands, some of the most spectacular scenery in the Faroes is found along the old mountain passes. Routes like the historic Oyggjarvegur pass and the switchbacks leading down toward Norðradalur offer staggering panoramic vistas.Driving these serpentine roads requires steady attention and a well-maintained vehicle. As you trace the hairpin curves down green alpine valleys, isolated island peaks appear through the coastal mist, creating scenes straight out of a Nordic myth. Pull-out bays along the curves allow you to pause, step out into the quiet landscape, and take in views that bus passengers never get to see.

Navigating Single-Lane Tunnels & Passing Bays

While the newer tunnels are wide and double-laned, several older mountain tunnels in the northern and southern islands are single-lane with oncoming traffic. Driving them is straightforward once you know the local system:

• Watch for Passing Bays (Møtipláss): Cut into the rock wall every 100 meters and marked with a white ‘M’ on a blue sign. If the passing bay is on your right-hand side, pull in and yield to oncoming vehicles.
• Heavy Vehicle Priority: If you meet a truck or bus inside a single-lane tunnel, you must pull into the nearest bay to yield, regardless of which side the bay is on.
• Headlight Discipline: Keep your dipped headlights on at all times, including in bright daylight, as required by Faroese law.
• Watch for Roaming Sheep: Pastures are unfenced, and sheep frequently graze along the warm road shoulders or nap near blind bends.

Secluded Coastal Villages & Historic Heritage

One of the greatest rewards of an independent road trip is discovering the quiet coastal villages tucked away at the ends of dead-end fjord roads. Places like Saksun, Tjørnuvík, Gjógv, and coastal settlements in the northern isles have preserved their traditional architecture for centuries.

Having your own reliable car allows you to explore these historic villages early in the morning before tour groups arrive. You can park by a whitewashed stone church, listen to the Atlantic waves break against the sea wall, and wander through quiet lanes bordered by turf-roofed cottages.

Why Unlimited Mileage is Non-Negotiable

Because the archipelago looks compact on a map, visitors often assume they will cover very little ground. In practice, winding fjord perimeters and tunnel connections mean you can easily clock 150 to 200 kilometers in a single day of touring.

Ensure your booking includes unlimited mileage as standard. Some budget operators advertise cheap baseline rates but limit drivers to 100 kilometers per day, charging steep fees for any excess distance. Unlimited mileage guarantees complete freedom to take scenic detours down quiet side fjords without constantly watching the odometer.

Planning a Longer Stay with Duration Discounts

Cramming the Faroe Islands into three days often leaves visitors rushing, especially if heavy fog settles over the peaks. Spending a week or more gives you the breathing room to adapt your daily plans around real-time local forecasts.

Extended bookings can also be more cost-effective. For instance, A2B Car Rental offers an automatic tiered discount: every rental day adds a 1% discount, scaling up to 20% off your total booking cost. A 10-day trip receives 10% off automatically, while a 20-day summer road trip gets the full 20% savings, making in-depth exploration much more affordable.

Quick Reference: Car Rental Features at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I pick up my rental car at Vágar Airport?

Rental cars are parked in the designated lot right outside the Vágar Airport terminal building, less than a two-minute walk from baggage claim. With a 24/7 keybox pickup, you enter your PIN at the automated station, retrieve your key, and walk straight to your car.

Do international drivers need an International Driving Permit?

Drivers with a valid physical license printed in the Roman alphabet from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany, or other EU nations do not need an International Driving Permit. You simply need to carry your regular plastic license and have held it for at least one year.

What happens if my flight into Vágar Airport is delayed?

Because the weather can delay incoming flights, keybox pickup provides reliable peace of mind. Your vehicle remains held for you, and your keys are accessible in the secure lockbox at any hour with no late fees.

How do I pay for the sub-sea tunnels?

All four underwater tunnels use automatic license plate recognition cameras. You drive straight through without stopping, and the tolls are billed directly through your rental provider.