Terms and Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to Car Buddy’s website (www.carbuddy.is). By accessing or using this website, or by booking any service with us, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use our website or services.

Car Buddy is a fully licensed and insured travel operator in Iceland, certified by the Icelandic Tourist Board. All services are delivered in accordance with Icelandic law.

2. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions:

“Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” means Car Buddy.
“Client”, “you”, “traveller” means the person or persons using our services.
“Services” means all transfers, day tours, private customized tours, reseller products, and related travel services provided or sold by Car Buddy.
“Driver” means a driver contracted or employed by Car Buddy.

3. General Terms

You must be at least 18 years old to make a booking.
All bookings are subject to availability.
You agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information during the booking process.
By completing a reservation, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions.

4. Scope of Services

Car Buddy provides:

Private transfers (including airport transfers and point-to-point services).
Standard day tours operated according to descriptions on our website.
Private customized tours, where an itinerary is tailored specifically to your request and differs from our standard tours.
Reseller products (services operated by third-party suppliers but booked through Car Buddy).

Specific inclusions and exclusions for each service are stated in the relevant service description or booking confirmation.

5. Bookings

Bookings can be made via:

Email: contact@carbuddy.is
Our website: www.carbuddy.is
Our online contact form
Approved partner or agency channels

A booking is only confirmed once Car Buddy issues written confirmation (for example, by email or booking voucher).

You are responsible for ensuring that all details are correct, including:

Full names of travellers
Flight information (for airport or domestic airport transfers)
Pickup and drop-off locations
Date and time of service
Special requirements, child seats, extra luggage, or additional services

Car Buddy is not liable for issues arising from incomplete or incorrect information provided by you.

6. Bookings via Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

If you book Car Buddy services through an Online Travel Agency (OTA) such as Viator, GetYourGuide, TourDesk, or other platforms:

The OTA’s own booking, payment, and cancellation terms may apply in addition to these Terms.
In the event of any conflict between the OTA’s terms and these Terms, the conditions stated in your booking confirmation will prevail.

Any questions regarding payments or refunds processed by an OTA must be addressed to that OTA, where applicable.

7. Prices, Currency & Payment

7.1 Prices & Currency

All prices are listed in Icelandic Krona (ISK) or US Dollar (USD) unless otherwise stated.
Car Buddy is not responsible for:
- Currency exchange rate fluctuations
- Bank transfer fees, credit card processing fees, or other financial institution charges

7.2 Payment Deadlines & Delays

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

100% of the total booking price is due at the time of booking for all services (transfers, day tours, private customized tours, and reseller products booked through Car Buddy).

If payment is not received:

Car Buddy reserves the right to treat the booking as cancelled and withdraw confirmation.
A grace period may be requested at least 48 hours before the payment due date and is valid only with written approval from Car Buddy.

7.3 Payment Methods

Accepted payment methods include:

Credit and debit cards
Other methods as specified during the booking or checkout process

For group, incentive, or corporate bookings, separate payment schedules may apply (see Section 19).

8. Cancellations & Changes by the Traveller

The following cancellation rules apply to all services, regardless of whether they are transfers, standard day tours, or private customized tours, unless expressly stated otherwise in a written agreement.

8.1 Cancellations – All Services

Cancellations made 48 hours or more before the scheduled start time of the service:
– You are entitled to a refund of the amount paid to Car Buddy, minus non-refundable payment processing and banking fees (including card and currency conversion fees), currently approximately 3% of the total amount.
Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the scheduled start time of the service:
– No refund will be issued (100% cancellation fee).

All cancellations must:

Be submitted in writing (e.g. email to contact@carbuddy.is), and
Be confirmed by Car Buddy in writing to be valid.

In line with standard practices in Iceland’s travel industry, Car Buddy reserves the right to charge cancellation fees based on the total package price.

8.2 Traveller Change Requests

You may request changes to booking details (time, date, route, number of passengers, etc.):

Up to 12 hours before pickup for transfers, unless otherwise specified.
For day tours or private customized tours, the applicable change window will be stated in your confirmation or offer.

Conditions:

Any fare difference resulting from the change will be communicated and must be paid and confirmed before the change is applied.
If the new fare is lower, a partial refund will be issued according to the refund rules (i.e. minus non-refundable processing fees).
No changes are guaranteed within 12 hours of pickup. If changes cannot be accommodated, the original booking and cancellation rules apply.

9. Cancellations & Changes by Car Buddy

If Car Buddy cancels any transfer, day tour, or private customized tour due to operational reasons or safety concerns, you may choose:

Reschedule – move to another suitable Car Buddy service (subject to availability), or
Refund – receive a refund of the paid tour price, excluding non-refundable card and processing fees (currently approximately 3%).

Where applicable, refunds will be processed in the original payment currency. See also Sections 11 and 12 (Extraordinary Events & Travel Insurance).

9.1 Currency Exchange Disclaimer

Car Buddy is not responsible for any changes in exchange rates between the time of booking and the time of refund. The final amount you receive in your home currency may differ due to bank or card provider rates and fees.

10. Waiting Time & No-Show Policies

10.1 Complimentary Waiting Time

Car Buddy provides complimentary waiting time from the scheduled pickup time as follows:

Airports: 60 minutes
Ports or bus stations: 30 minutes
Hotels and other pickup locations: 20 minutes

For delayed flights or ships, the new official arrival time will be taken into account, with a maximum delay allowance of 8 hours.

If the delay exceeds 8 hours, the transfer is considered cancelled and a full refund of the transfer price will be issued, minus non-refundable processing fees (approximately 3%).

10.2 Extra Waiting Time (On Request)

You can request extra waiting time in advance or during the complimentary period. If agreed with the Company, extra waiting is charged as follows:

EUR 6.00 / 15 minutes – Sedan
EUR 9.00 / 15 minutes – Minivan
EUR 12.00 / 15 minutes – Minibus

Payment for extra waiting time must be confirmed before the additional waiting begins.

10.3 Traveller No-Show

A No-Show occurs when:

You fail to appear at the pickup location by the end of the complimentary and/or paid extra waiting time, or
You cannot be reached using the contact details provided.

In case of No-Show:

No refund is issued.
Any agreed extra waiting time remains payable.
Efforts will be made to contact you by phone or messaging apps; if unsuccessful, the driver will be released.
You have 24 hours from the scheduled pickup time to dispute a No-Show in writing.

10.4 Driver No-Show

Drivers must arrive at the pickup location by the scheduled time.

If a driver is delayed by up to 10 minutes, they will attempt to contact you directly.
If delayed by more than 10 minutes, the Company will notify you and arrange a solution (replacement vehicle or rescheduling).
If no suitable solution can be arranged, you are entitled to a full refund of the affected service (minus any non-refundable processing fees if applicable under law).

11. Baggage & Children

11.1 Baggage Allowance

Standard luggage allowance: one medium-large backpack or standard suitcase (max. 100L) per traveller.
Extra or oversized items (e.g. strollers, sports equipment, musical instruments) must be declared at the time of booking.

If you arrive with more luggage or more passengers than declared:

The driver may only transport the number of passengers and items that fit safely in the vehicle.
Car Buddy is not obligated to provide additional vehicles or services, and no refund will be given for unused portions.

11.2 Children & Child Seats

Under Icelandic law, children must use appropriate child or booster seats according to their age, height, and weight.

You must:

Inform Car Buddy at the time of booking if child seats are required.
Provide the age and approximate size of each child.

If this information is not provided in advance:

Car Buddy cannot guarantee availability of suitable child seats.
The driver may be unable to operate the service for safety and legal reasons.
In such cases, no refund is due.

12. Third-Party Services & Reseller Products

In some cases, Car Buddy acts as a reseller of services operated by third-party suppliers (e.g. activity providers, day tour operators, attractions).

These services are operated under the terms and conditions of the respective supplier.
Car Buddy is not responsible for any acts, omissions, errors, or negligence of third-party suppliers, nor for loss, damage, injury, or schedule changes arising from their services.
Any claims or complaints related specifically to a third-party operated service may need to be addressed to the relevant supplier.

Where Car Buddy is responsible for transport to or from a third-party service, our own Terms apply to that part of the service.

13. Extraordinary Events & Unforeseen Circumstances

Car Buddy reserves the right to modify routes, itineraries, or departure times without prior notice if necessary due to:

Adverse weather conditions
Road closures or unsafe road conditions
Natural events (e.g. volcanic activity, storms, landslides)
Strikes, labor disputes, or governmental actions
Other circumstances beyond our reasonable control

Flight schedule changes are the responsibility of the traveller. Any additional costs related to flight changes (such as hotel stays, meals, or extra transfers) must be covered by the traveller.

In the event that your tour or service is cancelled due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances in Iceland (e.g. natural disasters, significant health risks, warfare, or serious safety concerns), a full refund will be issued in line with the EU Package Travel Directive, to the extent applicable.

14. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is not included in any of our prices.

We strongly recommend that all travellers obtain comprehensive travel insurance that covers:

Medical costs and emergencies
Trip cancellations and curtailment
Travel delays and missed connections
Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal belongings
Emergency evacuation or repatriation, where applicable

All personal belongings, including luggage and equipment, are the sole responsibility of the traveller. Car Buddy is not liable for loss, theft, or damage to personal items during any part of the service.

15. Passenger Responsibilities & Conduct

You are responsible for:

Ensuring all information provided at booking is correct.
Having valid travel documents, visas, and insurance where applicable.
Being ready at the pickup location at the scheduled time.
Following all safety instructions given by the driver or guide.

The driver and the Company reserve the right to:

Refuse service, or
Interrupt and terminate a tour or transfer without refund

if a traveller:

Is under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that may endanger safety or comfort,
Behaves aggressively, abusively, or in a way that may cause risk or damage to the driver, vehicle, other travellers, or third parties,
Refuses to comply with safety instructions or local regulations.

In such cases, no refund is provided and any additional costs incurred (e.g. alternative transport, damage) will be the responsibility of the traveller.

16. Lost Property

Any items left in vehicles are the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Car Buddy will make reasonable efforts to locate and return lost items when reported.
We do not guarantee that lost items will be found or recovered.
Any shipping, courier, or handling costs associated with returning items must be covered by the traveller.
Car Buddy is not liable for any loss, damage, or cost related to forgotten or misplaced items.

17. Public Holidays & Special Events

A 100% surcharge applies to Car Buddy staff and tour guides on the following Icelandic public holidays:

New Year’s Day (1 January)
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Whit Sunday
Iceland Independence Day (17 June)
Commerce Day (first Monday in August)
Christmas Eve (after 12:00 on 24 December)
Christmas Day (25 December)
New Year’s Eve (after 12:00 on 31 December)

Special rates may also apply during major cultural or large-scale events in Reykjavík or Iceland. These will be clearly reflected in your offer or booking confirmation.

18. Changes to Information & Errors

We make every effort to ensure that all information, prices, and descriptions on our website and in our materials are accurate. However, occasional errors or changes may occur.

Car Buddy reserves the right to correct any obvious errors in prices or information and to notify you as soon as reasonably possible.
If we make a significant change after your booking (for example, a material price error or a major change in itinerary), you may either:
- Accept the corrected terms, or
- Cancel the booking and receive a full refund of amounts paid to Car Buddy for that service (subject to non-refundable processing fees where applicable).

19. Group & B2B Bookings

For group bookings, corporate travel, or bookings made via travel agencies and tour operators:

Additional or separate Terms and Conditions and payment schedules may apply.
These will be communicated in writing at the time of offer or booking and will prevail over any conflicting terms in this document.

20. Liability & Limitation of Liability

Car Buddy is not responsible for:

Any loss, damage, accident, sickness, injury, illness, death, or schedule changes resulting from causes beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of nature, weather, road conditions, labor disputes, pandemics, or actions of third parties.
Additional costs arising from changes to domestic or international flights (such as extra accommodation, meals, or onward transport).

To the fullest extent permitted by law:

Car Buddy’s total aggregate liability arising out of or in connection with any booking is limited to the total amount paid by the traveller for the specific service giving rise to the claim.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by gross negligence or wilful misconduct, or any other liability which cannot be excluded under Icelandic law.

21. Data Protection & Privacy

Car Buddy collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws and our Privacy Policy.

By making a booking, you consent to:

The use of your personal data for processing your reservation,
Communication regarding your booking and travel arrangements,
Compliance with legal and regulatory obligations, and
Essential service information related to your trip.

For further details, please refer to our Privacy Policy available on our website.

22. Complaints & Dispute Resolution

If you are dissatisfied with any part of our service, we encourage you to:

Inform your driver or guide immediately, so that we have an opportunity to resolve the issue on the spot whenever possible.
If the issue is not resolved, submit a formal complaint in writing to contact@carbuddy.is within 14 days of the end of the service.

We will review all complaints carefully and respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall be governed by Icelandic law (see Section 23) and, where relevant, may be handled by the appropriate Icelandic consumer or tourism authorities.

23. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions, and any agreement arising from them, are governed by the laws of Iceland.

Unless otherwise required by mandatory consumer protection rules, any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Iceland.

24. Contact Information

Car Buddy
Email: contact@carbuddy.is
Phone: +354 781 7244
Website: www.carbuddy.is