Important Not To Completely Rely On GPS

The GPS device in your rental car is not always the best way to get around Iceland, some recent visitors discovered the hard way.

Suðurnes Police recounted the recent adventures of a group of tourists to Iceland who picked up a rental car with a GPS device included. In an attempt to drive from Garður to Keflavík, they followed the instructions of the device in order to find their way.

Unfortunately, the GPS led them onto a gravel trail. Their vehicle came to an abrupt stop when it hit a trash can which stood where the trail met a sidewalk, with the car ending up driving on top of the trashcan, rendering it immobile.

GPS devices have proved confusing or misleading for tourists in the past. This is especially the case when a less-known location has the same place name as a well-known one.

To avoid such misunderstandings, we at the Grapevine highly recommend buying, or picking up for free, an actual paper map. Making use of Google Maps may also prove helpful.