In two days, wife and I are flying out to KEF where we pick up a rental from Avis at the airport early the morning. We will drive same-day to Arnarstapi (two nights), Olafsvik (one night), and Grundarfjordur (two nights), making a big circle around the Snaefellnes peninsula before spending our last two nights at the Hilton Nordica in Reykjavik. I got the day-to-day sight-seeing planned out, and wish I had a little more time on the peninsula. Not particularly happy with a 240 km drive first day from KEF to Arnarstapi, and a 220 km drive from Grundarfjordur to the Hilton, but the poor planning is my fault.

Here is the question: I have read lots of negative reviews of Iceland petrol stations changing $200 or more when only a top-off is pumped. Also, the stations are automated like an ATM with no human attendant, and confusing instructions. The pumps want some kind of prepaid Iceland gas card or a European-style pin-enabled credit card. Suggestions? I have never seen a country in Africa or South America with such problems buying gas.