Self-Drive: Around Iceland in 8 Days

Itinerary

This itinerary is a whizz around the ring road of Iceland, which takes you to all the most important highlights. Ideal for those who are pushed for time. Explore the beautiful mystical Snæfellsnes peninsula and walk along the black sands of Djúpalónssandur beach. Watch seals, sea-birds, and whales and drive through incredible and dramatic scenery, and marvel at the floating icebergs on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – there is plenty to discover, even on such a short jaunt.

Day 0

Reykjavík

Reykjavík is a safe, clean, and vibrant city that has great museums, historic attractions, galleries, shops, open-air geothermal swimming pools and much more – so there is something for all to enjoy! While exploring the city, a taste of delicious Icelandic cuisine can be found in a variety of exciting restaurants located all over the city. The Airport Direct shuttle will transfer you to your accommodation in Reykjavík from Keflavik Airport upon arrival. Optional, and not included in the price, is to pick up the rental car at the airport when you arrive.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in tour price).

Day 1

West Iceland

Explore Snæfellsnes Peninsula known for its beautiful landscape with spectacular mountains, small villages, sparkling fjords, and dramatic volcanic peaks. Stop and take in the stunning sights at Eldborg Crater, Búðir village, the black sands of Djúpalónssandur Beach and the massive Snæfellsjökul Glacier. Visit Stykkishólmur village with its old and well-preserved colorful timber houses. Sail around Breiðafjörður Bay’s many islands and bird colonies.

Accommodation in Húnaflói/Skagafjörður area.

Day 2

Northwest Iceland & Akureyri

View the majestic Hvítserkur Cliff, off Vatnsnes peninsula that legend claims, is a petrified troll. Seals can be seen basking on the shore but the area is one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. Tour Skagafjörður, an area known for its horse breeding so keep an eye out for the Icelandic horse, visit the old farmhouse museum at Glaumbær and the old turf Víðimýrarkirkja Church. End the day at Akureyri, a charming town that has beautiful landmarks and great restaurants.

Accommodation in Akureyri area.

Day 3

Lake Mývatn Area

Take in Goðafoss Waterfall one of the country’s most impressive waterfalls before continuing to Lake Mývatn area, one of the pearls of Icelandic nature with its unique natural environment, contrasting landscapes and where you can experience the most and the best of Iceland. End the day by taking a soothing dip in the natural wonder of Mývatn Nature Baths.

Accommodation in Mývatn lake area.

Day 4

Northeast Iceland & Egilsstaðir

Head to the northern part of Vatnajökull National Park, which includes some of the most spectacular and diverse sights in Iceland such as Ásbyrgi Canyon, Dettifoss Waterfall, and Hljóðaklettar Cliffs before driving onwards through the mystical barren landscape of Möðrudalsöræfi on your way to Egilsstaðir town.

Accommodation in Egilsstaðir area.

Day 5

The Eastfjords

The drive along the Eastfjords is truly beautiful and breathtaking with dramatic mountains, narrow fjords,and quaint fishing villages. Visit Djúpivogur from where you can view Papey Island a nature reserve of seabirds and eider ducks, Seyðisfjörður, surrounded by sheer mountains, or Fáskrúðsfjörður, which has a great view of a hollow cliff island, Skrúður. Continue southward to Höfn town set in stunning scenery and famous for its delicious lobster.

Accommodation in Höfn area.

Day 6

Vatnajökull National Park

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the southeast coast. Stop at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, the biggest glacial lagoon of its kind, and sail between the towering icebergs on the lagoon. Continue to Skaftafell National Park, Iceland’s most popular wilderness area, and an ideal destination to enjoy outdoor activities as there are both short and easy trails that lead to Svartifoss Waterfall and Skaftafellsjökull Glacier.

Accommodation in Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

Day 7

South Iceland

Relish in the marvelous views of the south coast and one of the country’s most beautiful attractions including Vík village and Dyrhólaey Peninsula. Enjoy the magnificent scenery with its breathtaking view to all directions; Mýrdalsjökull Glacier to the north, Reynisdrangar rock formation to the east and the west the endless black coastline before driving onwards to view the picturesque waterfalls of Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

Accommodation in Gullfoss/Geysir area.

Day 8

Gullfoss & Geysir

Discover the inland by driving through the fertile farmlands and settings of famous sagas. Spend the day exploring the Golden Circle area which comprises of the beautiful Gullfoss Waterfall, Geysir hot spring area and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take time to visit Skálholt one of the most important places in Iceland throughout the Middle Ages and Kerið, a volcanic crater lake.

Accommodation in Reykjavík (optional and not included in the tour price).

Rates

Due to the great flexibility regarding car type and accommodation, as well as the exchange rate, please ask us for an accurate quote.

Reykjavik is well serviced by international Airline companies from Europe and North America. All the self-drive tours start and finish in Reykjavik. The airport is located about 50km outside the city. There is a shuttle bus that runs regularly between the airport and downtown. The bus stop is located right outside the terminal and the departures are scheduled to take off 35-40min after each flight arrival. The ride takes about 45min.
  • Accommodation for 7 nights, budget or comfort rooms with breakfast
  • Rental car for 8 days, with unlimited mileage and CDW insurance (pick up & drop off in Reykjavik)
  • Flybus transfer to and from airport
  • E-Itinerary with the tour map, location points, and pictures for you to view before you arrive.
  • Driver Guide tablet mapping and navigating your personalized journey and highlights of surrounding areas:
    – Navigation GPS
    – Personalized itinerary with location points and information
    – Points of interest – suggestions for restaurants, museums, swimming pools and much more
    – Safe travel information and alerts
    – Weather and news information
    – Chat with us – We are there for you while traveling
  • 24/7 emergency phone line service
  • Taxes and service fee

First and last night in Reykjavik Airport pick up of rental car

Weather

Iceland has a subarctic climate. However, it has a milder climate than would normally be expected, given its northerly location. Reason for this is the North Atlantic Current which influences the climate and makes it reasonably temperate. This gives rise to warm summers, with top temperatures between 20-25°C. While thunderstorms are rare, storms with high winds, especially in the highlands, do occur. Strong glacial winds can also whip up heavy dust storms, especially in early summer, in the arid highlands of the Vatnajökull glacier. The one thing that can be said about the weather in Iceland is that it is unpredictable and weather conditions can change very quickly, especially in the highlands.

Seasons

All seasons are interesting and special in their own way.
Spring sees the arrival of migratory birds and courtship season. At this time there are fewer tourists, but not all areas are accessible – highland roads are often still covered with snow.
Summer is short and lasts from June through August. This is the busiest time as far as traffic and tourist traffic is concerned. If you want to travel at this time it is essential that you make arrangments and book accommodations well in advance.
Fall is a beautiful time of the year, with the leaves turning colors and the first sightings of northern lights. Migratory birds prepare to take off on their long journeys south.
Winter is by far the calmest time of the year to visit Iceland. The average temperatures are around 0°C, but can drop down to -10°C. At this time road conditions can be difficult and the highlands are off-limits.

Northern Lights

There is never any guarantee to see the Northern Lights, as they are a natural phenomenon. But your best chances to see them are during fall, winter or early spring, when the air is clear and the nights are dark, especially around a New Moon.

Money

Iceland uses the Icelandic Krona. There is a currency exchange at the airport and at banks around the country. However, banks are only available in larger settlements. But Visa and Mastercard are also widely accepted.

Electricity

Iceland uses stand European sockets. You may need an adaptor in order to be able to charge your electronic devices.

Driving in Iceland

While the towns and the ring road is paved, many other roads are not. It is especially important to pay attention to the signs that warn drivers that the road surface is about to change from tarmac to gravel. If you don’t slow down, you can easily lose control of the car.
Iceland has many one-lane bridges. Be cautious and courteous when encountering other drivers.
Sometimes roads are closed. Usually, there is a good reason for that. Check before you set out and don’t ignore those ‘Road closed’ signs. You are most likely to encounter them in the highlands. The ice and snow are slow to melt up there and some roads can still be closed even during the official summer season.
After heavy rains, the road can be slick and strong winds can also pose a hazard.

Gas stations

Gas stations are widely distributed, even in the smallest settlements, so there should be no problem finding one to fill up when you need it. Some are not serviced, however, and you’ll have to make your purchase by credit card.
As the weather can be so variable you should think in layers and prepare for all kinds of weather. However, obviously, you’d need warmer clothes during the cold half of the year.

 

Since the wind is the most challenging weather factor it is important to bring good windproof clothes!

  • Wind/rainproof jacket with hood (probably the most important item of clothing)
  • Woolen socks
  • Hat, scarf, gloves
  • Warm fleece jacket
  • Jumper
  • Thermal underwear
  • Lip balm, sun protection, sunglasses
  • Bathing suit
  • Hiking boots
  • Sneakers
  • Outdoor pants (fast drying)
  • T-shirts
  • Eye-mask if you are traveling in summer (the sun is up most of the time)
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Compass
  • Hiking maps (GPS doesn’t work everywhere)
  • Energy bars

While in the countryside casual/outdoor clothing is just fine, if you are planning on spending time in Reykjavik you might also want to consider taking some glad rags to better merge with the fashion-conscious nightlife scene of the capital.

Rental Car Categories:

Category A / Economy

Summer: VW Polo, Toyota Yaris, Skoda Fabia or similar
Winter: VW Polo, Suzuki Swift 4×4 or similar

Passengers: 2 adults + 2 child
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 102 g/km
Category B/ Compact

Summer: VW Golf, Toyota Auris, Honda Jazz or similar
Winter: VW Golf, Kia Ceed, Suzuki S-Cross 4WD or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 2
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 116 g/km

Category S / Standard

Summer: Toyota Corolla Auto, Skoda Octavia Auto or similar
Winter: Skoda Octavia Sedan, Toyota Avensis or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 3 large + 1 small
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 102 g/km

Category N / Estate

Summer: VW Golf STW, Skoda Octavia STW or similar
Winter: Skoda Octavia STW, Kia Ceed STW or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 5
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 104 g/km

Category F / Compact 4×4

Suzuki Vitara 4WD or similar

Passengers: 5 adults
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 204 g/km

Category FG / Compact 4×4

Dacia Duster 4WD or similar

Passengers: 5 adults
Suitcases: 3
Doors: 5
Manual
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 204 g/km

Category G / Compact Elite 4×4

Kia Sportage, Toyota Rav 4 4WD or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 158 g/km

Category H / Compact Elite 4×4

Kia Sorrento, Discovery Sport 4WD or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 5
Doors: 5
Automatic
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 194 g/km

Category I / Premium

Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD, Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD or similar

Passengers: 5 adults
Suitcases:  5
Doors: 5
Automatic
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 213 g/km

Category C / Intermediate

Toyota Corolla or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases: 4
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 137 g/km

Category D / Estate Special

Skoda Octavia 4WD STW or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases:  5
Doors: 5
Automatic or manual
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 141 g/km

Category L / Luxury

Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C200 or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases:  3
Doors: 4
Automatic
Driving restriction: Not allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 127 g/km

Category R / Luxury 4×4

Audi Q7 Quattro, VW Touareg, Land Rover Discovery or similar

Passengers: 4 adults + 1 child
Suitcases:  5
Doors: 5
Automatic
Driving restriction: Allowed on F-roads

CO2 emissions: 195 g/km

Outside of Reykjavik, most accommodations in Iceland are relatively simple. We mostly work with Bed and Breakfasts and farmhouse accommodations, which supports the local community.

 

Country hotels
More facilities and services and more luxury in comfort. All rooms in cat. IV have private/en-suite bathrooms and are better equipped. On-site bars/restaurants offering buffets and/or á la carte menus open year-round or summer only.

Bed and breakfast
Bed and breakfasts generally have a more intimate atmosphere. Guests stay in the home of the hosts or in a separate building on the premises. Rooms range from simple to the more comfortable with shared or private/en-suite bathrooms. Meals other than breakfast are sometimes available.

Rooms in bed & breakfasts and country hotels can be of four different categories.

Category I | standard
These rooms are simple, comfortable and adequate. Beds are made and rooms are cleaned daily. Clean towels are supplied. Guests have access to a communal lounge. Breakfast is included.

Category II | standard
In addition to category I, all rooms have hand basins and are usually of a higher standard and better equipped. Breakfast is included.

Category III | comfort
In addition to categories I and II, rooms have private/en-suite bathrooms. Breakfast is included.

Category IV | comfort
Rooms with private/en-suite bathrooms in country hotels. Better equipped with TV and sometimes tea and coffee making facilities. Breakfast is included.

Self-catering cottages or apartments
All cottages/apartments have cooking facilities and the necessary kitchen utensils and crockery for the registered number of guests. Duvets are supplied but guests rent the bed linen. A great choice for families or smaller groups.

Cottages/apartments are rented out both on a daily and weekly basis. They must be neat and in good condition, have running water and a WC. Duvets are supplied but guests are required to rent bed linen. Cleaning is usually not included in the price; guests are normally required to clean themselves before departure, although sometimes cleaning services are available at an extra fee. All cottages/apartments have cooking facilities and the necessary kitchen utensils and crockery for the registered number of guests. Breakfast is sometimes available on request. Self-catering cottages/apartments can be of four categories: A, B, C or D. The difference between the categories is mainly a question of size, extra facilities, and comfort.

Category A
These cottages/apartments are simple and need only be one room with WC facilities. Cooking facilities and refrigerator.

Category B
These cottages/apartments have at least one separate bedroom. Coffee maker. Shower facilities in the area.

Category C
In addition to the requirements of A and B, there is a shower inside the cottage/apartment and at least one well-equipped bedroom w/bedside tables and a wardrobe. Coffee-maker and toaster. Veranda with garden furniture and barbeque facilities.

Category D
These are cottages/apartments with requirements of overall good standard. At least one well-equipped bedroom with bedside tables and wardrobe. Comfortable and tasteful furniture. Veranda with garden furniture, barbeque facilities and hot tub/Jacuzzi.

inquire