Be the master of your time and your wallet on this 13-Day Budget Self-Drive Tour around the Ring Road of Iceland. Don't worry about tour bus schedules or travelling with strang...
Be the master of your time and your wallet on this 13-Day Budget Self-Drive Tour around the Ring Road of Iceland. Don't worry about tour bus schedules or travelling with strangers; this adventure will be at your pace, and you get to decide when to move between all the wondrous locations you'll visit.
You'll get to see all the treasures of the famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, just to give you an idea of the natural variety you'll experience. You'll even get to explore the remote and unexampled West Fjords; a treat most visitors tend to miss.
This carefully crafted package provides you with an exclusive vehicle and a detailed personal itinerary so that you can circumference the island of ice and fire on yo...
On the first day, pick up your car at the Keflavík International Airport and make your way to Reykjavík City.
En route rests the one and only Blue Lagoon, meaning you can cure your jetlag right away with a visit to the healing mineral-rich waters of the world-renowned geothermal spa. Just remember to book the tickets in advance if that sounds up your alley.
Af...
Your second day sees you leaving the city behind you and kicking off your Iceland adventure with the Golden Circle.
First up is Þingvellir National Park, a World Heritage site located in a breathtaking and clearly visible gorge between two worlds; the meeting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Here you can add a snorkelling tour in Silfra fis...
Day three sees you trail along Iceland's south coast. Your first recommended stop will be at Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, which offers up the rarity of an accessible cave to enjoy the view from behind the cascading water. Close by is Skógafoss Waterfall, one of the biggest in Iceland with a drop of 60 metres.
Continue down the road to reach the magnificent glaci...
On day four, you'll take in the breathtaking sights of Skaftafell belonging to the great Vatnajökull National Park. Hiking enthusiasts are in for a treat around these parts since a myriad of tracks and trails dot the area.
One recommended route is the path leading up to the waterfall Svartifoss; where it stumbles down a wall of black hexagonal basalt columns...
Day five will see you zig zag through the stunning and desolate East Fjords, where great mountain passes and steep hills meet with hidden villages and sandy plains for a landscape straight out of a fairytale science fiction novel.
Today includes a lot of driving but also a lot of opportunities for solitude and reconnecting with nature. These parts are as well...
On day six, you'll drive through the breathtaking Möðrudalur Heights to your next destination of Lake Mývatn. There will be plenty to see on your way, including Jökulsárgljúfur Gorge and the most powerful waterfall in Europe; the thundering Dettifoss.
When you reach Mývatn, you'll find its landscape uniquely formed by geothermal activity; boasting of visionar...
Day seven finds you waking up in the Capital of the North, Akureyri, so feel free to explore the grounds by visiting the cafés, the museums, the swimming pool or the botanical gardens. You can also kickstart your day with a horseback ride before you continue your journey, or a whale watching tour if you missed it the day before.
Once you're ready, you'll cont...
On day eight, get ready to venture through the seemingly endless fjords of the West and witness the incredible landscapes en route to your next destination of Ísafjörður; the largest settlement in the Westfjords.
On you way, you can behold the scenic hills of Vatnsdalshólar, the columnar basalt fortress Borgarvirki or the hot pools of Drangsnes. These parts o...
Get ready to acquaint yourself with Icelandic history on day nine, where you'll traverse the trail of one of the greatest Saga heroes, the outlaw Gísli Súrsson. On your route to Dýrafjörður you can also visit the botanical garden Skrúður.
A museum dedicated to Jón Sigurðsson, one of Iceland's prime fighters for independence, awaits you in Hrafnseyri before yo...
A real treat awaits you on day ten, where a ferry ride from Brjánslækur across Breiðafjörður Bay is included in your package. The Baldur ferry will take you all the way to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where it makes port in Stykkishólmur, but we suggest you stop at Flatey island to enjoy the serenity and quietude.
Once you reach Stykkishólmur, you can pack your...
On day eleven, you can get better acquainted with this beautiful peninsula and sightsee your heart out.
Visit the villages Arnarstapi and Hellnar, awe at the castle-like structure of basalt columns Lóndrangar, explore the Dritvík Cove or walk along the black pebbles of Djúpalónssandur Beach; the possibilities are endless, just remember to pack your camera.
You'll spend another night at Snæfellsnes.
On day twelve you've almost come full circle, so spend it exploring the west coast and its numerous attractions, such as the settlement exhibition in Borgarnes.
Other notable stops are at Deildartunghver, the hot spring with the largest flow in all of Europe, and the neighbouring waterfalls Hraunfossar and Barnafoss.
At Reykholt, you can locate the medieval re...
Your journey comes to an end. Be sure to drop off your car at Keflavík Airport in due time before your departing flight.
If you have the time, you can fit in some last-minute Reykjavík shopping or sightseeing, explore the lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, or crown your adventure with a rejuvenating visit to the Blue Lagoon. Just remember to book the voucher in advance.
At the end of the day, you will then leave Iceland after a pleasant journey, with enough memories to relish for a lifetime.
Self-drive tours begin either in Reykjavík City or at Keflavik International Airport. A valid driver's license is required, along with a one-year long on-road experience. Please be aware that your itinerary may be rearranged to better fit with your arrival date and time.
Although it is summertime, the Icelandic weather can be very unpredictable. Please bring appropriate clothing.
This tour can be started either from Keflavik International Airport or the city of Reykjavík.
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. Super budget level accommodations will be arranged in hostel dorm beds. Budget level bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, and bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double or triple room(s). Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur. Guide to Iceland will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. Please keep in mind that hotel quality in Iceland varies among locations and availability is highly limited. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level. We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Dormitory beds with shared bathrooms in guesthouses or hostels. Located in the region of the best attractions. Breakfast is not included.
Rooms with shared bathrooms in farmhouses, guesthouses or hostels, with good locations near the best attractions. Breakfast is not included.
Below you can see the car rental options available for this self-drive tour. All our vehicles are new or current models. Super budget 2WD vehicles are maximum 5 years of age, and come equipped with a GPS and standard CDW insurance. Budget 2WD and Comfort 4x4 level vehicles are maximum two years of age, and come equipped with a GPS, CDW, GP and SCDW insurances. You can also upgrade to an automatic model.
A small 2WD vehicle such as Toyota Aygo, Hyundai i10 or similar, fit for basic travelling in everyday conditions. Compact and comfortable for up to 2 travellers with very little luggage. No highland capabilities.
A basic 2WD vehicle such as VW Polo, Toyota Yaris or similar, suitable for travelling in everyday conditions. Comfortable for 3 travellers with light luggage. This vehicle does not have highland capabilities.
A medium sized 4WD (4x4) jeep or SUV such as Toyota Rav4 or similar. Fit for most travel, and good for snow and off-asphalt driving. This vehicle has basic highland capabilities. Recommended.
You can now add meals to your booking. Select to include dinner on every night as an optional extra, and we will provide you with vouchers as part of your booking confirmation. We will choose from top-rated restaurants that fit with your vacation itinerary and make your reservations for you. At the restaurant, you will be offered a set menu, from which you can choose from meat, fish or vegetarian options. If you would prefer something else, the voucher will act as a credit that you can redeem at the restaurant against menu items that are not part of the set menu. Please notify the restaurant on arrival about any dietary requirements. Vouchers are non-refundable.
This insurance guarantees that you can cancel the booking of this package and receive a full refund, minus the insurance cost of 5,000 ISK per person. The cancellation must be made within a minimum of 48-hours before the listed starting time. To cancel your booking and claim your refund, simply contact our service desk by writing to info@guidetoiceland.is no later than 48-hours before departure and declare the cancellation. Please note that this insurance only covers the full cancellation of this entire package. It does not cover cancellations of individual activities and services within the package. The cost of the Cancellation Insurance is neither refundable nor transferable.