Iceland Self-Drive Road-Trip Itinerary
Iceland has been on my list for ages. It seems to be the perfect place for lost-in-nature and active vacations! Pretty interesting in terms of hiking, waterfall chasing, and volcano watching, it simply has to be on my list! If you’re reading this, I’m assuming it’s on yours too!
Now that we can find regular deals from North America and Europe, we kind of run out of excuses. Iceland is becoming a new trend and flights can be more than affordable nowadays!
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland on your own, this article will help you to plan your Iceland itinerary, give you some handy information on driving around Iceland and a bunch of travel tips! The goal is quite simple; help you make the most of your trip to Iceland!
As I believe, Iceland is the perfect dreamy destination for an epic road-trip, let’s assume that you’re planning on hitting the road in Iceland too! We have all heard of the epic Iceland Ring Road, haven’t we?
Where Is Iceland?
Iceland is a huge island located in the North Atlantic Ocean. It belongs to the European continent and its capital is Reykjavik (this is also where you are likely to land on arrival).
Planning A Trip To Iceland & Facts About Iceland:
- Iceland isn’t the most budget-friendly destination. Although, the cheapest way would probably be via camping. You have to keep in mind that it can get pretty cold or rainy depending on the season you’re going. Autumn and winter can be a bit tricky, so if you’re traveling during this period, you might want to consider getting a campervan instead. But, the good news is, you’ll have more chances to get to see the Northern lights! If you’d rather make the most of the great weather, you should plan your trip to Iceland during the summer (July and August). You can also check this Iceland itinerary in winter.
- Iceland is considered as one of the world’s safest countries, which is making it ideal for solo travelers.
- The currency is ISK, which is the Icelandic krona. You’ll find many ATMs in Reykjavik and you should be able to find them in the towns too. It’s pretty easy to pay by card so you should be able to get around without too much trouble.
Iceland Itinerary AKA The Best Places To Visit in Iceland:
Planning your Iceland road-trip itinerary might be harder than you think! There’s a simple reason for this; there are too many places to pick from. The length of your stay might influence your itinerary. In this case, I’m assuming you are traveling to Iceland on your own by doing an “Iceland Self-Drive Tour”. This itinerary will allow you to do it yourself! I’d recommend at least a week, but there are so many possible stops on the way that you might want to consider staying a bit longer. If it’s possible, 10 days would be even better so you can have extra time to relax, go for a longer hike and enjoy many more hidden secrets!
Day 1: Reykjavik & the Blue Lagoon
The chances that you will be landing in Reykjavik are quite high! While you’re there, you might want to make the most of the Icelandic capital. You simply need to walk around Reykjavik to enjoy the views – colorful houses everywhere! Whether you’re on a budget or not, there are plenty of options – read more about where to stay in Reykjavik.
Reykjavik is the perfect stop for foodies who like to experience the food scene (you can expect a lot of fish, seafood, and lamb). Then, once you’re there you might want to go whale watching and why not see the puffins.
The famous Blue Lagoon is the perfect spot to relax as it offers an amazing (and natural) spa experience!
Iceland Self Drive Tours
Iceland Self Drive
Day 2: The Golden Circle
The Golden Circle includes three major stops; Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal area, and waterfalls (Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss).
I’d recommend you check out the active geyser Strokkur as it constantly erupts (every 5 to 10 minutes).
Iceland Driving Route
Day 3: Solheimasandur Plane Wreck
As you finish to enjoy the marvelous scenes of Day 2, you can start driving in the direction of Solheimasandur Plane Wreck.
This plane wreck is of the most famous places to visit in Iceland. The plane crashed back in 1973. To get there, you’ll have to park your car and then walk to the site (it takes around 1h30 for the round-trip).
Self Drive Around Iceland
Day 4: Skaftafell & Vatnajokull National Park
Picture rivers, glaciers and geothermal activity; and you’re there! Skaftafell is in Vatnajokull National Park (it’s basically the Southern part of the park). You can find tons of different landscapes in one place; from craters to lakes. Ideal for hiking, you’ll have many options to chose from.
Iceland backpacking trip
Day 5: Eastern Fjords
From hiking Borgarjdordur to puffin watching in Papey Island, your road-trip is about to get twisty! You might want to check out Hengifoss Waterfall and Seyðisfjörður.
Iceland Road-Trip Guide
Day 6: Godafoss Waterfall
Godafoss is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. You simply need to google it to fall in love as it looks absolutely stunning!
Iceland Driving Trip
Day 7: Western Fjords & Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall
In the North West, you must see Fjallfoss, which is another impressive waterfall. Then, as you slowly get back to Reykjavik, you might want to stop around Kirkjufell mountain and spot another beautiful waterfall; Kirkjufellsfoss.
Trip to Iceland Blog
Chasing the Northern Lights:
Iceland also rhymes with Northern Lights! The best time to see them would be from September to mid-April. Basically, the darker the night is and the longer you stay, the higher your chances are to see them!
Tick Off Your Bucket List in Iceland:
Did you know that you could probably tick many items off your bucket list in Iceland? I’m thinking of hiking a glacier, snorkeling between continents, and exploring ice caves! You must check out these trips in Iceland and turn your dreams into reality!
Iceland Road Conditions:
Driving around Iceland can be a fun adventure if you are prepared for the best… and for the worse! You can look at this website to be aware of the road conditions while you’re in Iceland!
Iceland Car Rental Tips:
- Make sure your car is snow and gravel friendly! Driving around Iceland could be challenging!
- Taking the smallest car might not be the smartest idea (especially if you have all your adventurous travel gear with you). Make sure your Iceland driving tour is backpacking friendly!
- If you’re planning on renting a campervan, it may be wiser as you won’t have to spend money on accommodation which could mean you’re going to have the perfect Iceland driving trip.
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BEFORE YOU GO TO ICELAND
☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.
☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.
☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.
☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!
☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.
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