Iceland Road Trip 12 days

• Flybus Transfer upon arrival to your accommodation in Reykjavík
• Accommodation
• Breakfast
• Rental car including VAT, unlimited milage and CDW
• Two authorized drivers
• WiFi included with the rental car
• Detailed Itinerary
• Road map with the route and accommodation marked in
• 24/7 Emergency Services
• Flybus transfer to Keflavik international airport
• How to drive in Iceland Booklet
• Taxes, Service fee and VAT

• Optional Activities
• Fuel

Day 1. Arrival and Reykjavik City

Following your arrival at the airport, you will take a comfortable bus ride, with Wi-Fi Internet connection on board, to your accommodation in Reykjavik or to a nearby drop off point.

You have the option of upgrading to a private door-to-door airport transfer. You can also receive and return the rental car at the airport if you prefer that.

Enjoy the rest of the day in Reykjavik, which offers a great variety of things to do. See iconic buildings including the Perlan (the Pearl), the Alþingishúsið (where the Icelandic parliament is housed), and Hallgrímskirkja Church. If you don't have time to shop on Laugarvegur Street, don't worry; you can do that when you return from your adventure.

Highlights:
Gamla Höfnin (The Old Harbour)
Harpa Concert Hall
Perlan
Hallgrímskirkja Church
Laugavegur Shoppping Streat

Overnight:
Reykjavik city

Optional Extras:
Private Airport Transfers
Reykjavik City Card
Reykjavik Food Tour

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Day 2. A National Park - Geysers - The Golden Waterfall

Pick up your car in the morning and head out for a road trip adventure. Today you’ll follow a route known as the Golden Circle, where some of Iceland’s most precious natural gems can be found. First up is a visit to Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is a place of great importance from a geological and historical perspective, as well as a park of exceptional natural beauty. From Thingvellir National Park, continue to the Great Geysir geothermal area. The area hosts dozens of geysers and hot springs, the most powerful of which (Strokkur) erupts every 8 minutes or so with such force that the boiling hot water jets 15 to 20 meters into the air. Continue further to the Golden Waterfall, Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most majestic waterfall. When viewed in sunny weather, the mist layers many rainbows on top of one-another, giving the waterfall its beautiful crown. Before heading to your lodging for the night, visit the impressive volcanic crater, Kerið, and the town of Selfoss.

Highlights:
Þingvellir National Park
Geysir Geothermal Area
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerið Crater
Selfoss Town
Hella Town

Optional Extra:
Snorkeling

Driving Distance:
200 kilometers

Overnight:
Hella area

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Day 3. Waterfalls – Black Beaches and A National Park

After breakfast, continue your road trip along Iceland’s amazing south coast. Stop by the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall and, for an exciting new perspective, take a walk behind the waterfall to see the water crash over the cliff’s edge above. A little further, the powerful waterfall Skógafoss plunges 60 meters, creating quite a splash. Visit the Black Beach Reynisfjara, where huge basalt columns seem to rise from the ocean bed in mysterious formations, and the Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve. Stop at the charming small town of Vík before continuing over the desolate floodplains to Skaftafell National Park. This park, which is situated at the roots of Europe’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull), is a natural paradise and a national treasure. Svartifoss waterfall, with its dark lava columns and mesmerizing appeal, awaits your discovery in the lush area of Skaftafell.

Highlights:
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Skógafoss Waterfall
Reynisfjara Beach
Dyrhólaey Nature Reserve
Kirkjubæjarklaustur Town
Skaftafell
Vatnajökull Glacier
Svartifoss Waterfall

Optional Extra
Glacier Walk
Snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
LAVA Centre
Katla Ice Cave
ATV Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck

Driving Distance:
240 kilometers

Overnight:
Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Skaftafell area

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Day 4. Skaftafell – The Glacier Lagoon and Hofn Town

There is not much driving today. Spend half the day to continue your exploration of the Skaftafell National Park or join a glacier hike. After this rejuvenating stay in Skaftafell, continue driving along the roots of Vatnajokull glacier to the inspiring Jökulsarlon glacier lagoon. Here, massive ice blocks float in the lagoon and drift lazily towards the ocean. Short boat trips on the lagoon are operated for those eager for a closer scenic view. After a stop at the glacier lagoon, continue to the town of Höfn.

Highlights:
Skaftafell
Vatnajökull Glacier
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Höfn Town

Optional Extra
The Glacier Lagoon - Amphibian Boat Tour
Glacier Kayak Adventure
Crystal Ice Cave
The Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Boat Tour

Driving Distance:
150 kilometers

Overnight:
Höfn area

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Day 5. The East Fjords and Egilsstaðir town

Continue north and enjoy the morning by driving through the East Fjords. The peaceful fjords and the small villages will give you great photo opportunities. After the tranquil fjord scenery, continue to Egilsstaðir town located by the mysterious Lake Lagarfljót, home of the Icelandic Loch Ness. The “lake worm” is said to be an enormous creature, only seen on rare occasions, so make sure to have your eyes wide open in case it decided to reveal itself. The lake is up to 130 meters deep, so there is plenty of space for the worm to hide in. Continue along the lakeside to Hallormsstaður village, surrounded by the lush Hallormsstaðaskógur forest. Return to Egilsstaðir for an overnight stay.

Highlights:
Djúpivogur Town
Stöðvarfjörður Fjord
Egilsstaðir Town

Driving Distance:
275 kilometers

Overnight:
Egilsstaðir area

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Day 6. The Eastern Fjords, Dettifoss Waterfall and the Wonders of Lake Mývatn

From Egilsstaðir, drive on to the amazing Lake Mývatn area and enjoy its stunning landscapes for the rest of the day. On the way to Lake Mývatn, make a detour to Dettifoss, the largest waterfall in Europe. You may want to visit the relaxing Mývatn Nature Baths in the afternoon or evening and bathe in the geothermal water.

Highlights:

Dettifoss Waterfall
Lake Mývatn

Optional Extra:
Mývatn Nature Baths

Driving Distance:
230 - 270 kilometers

Overnight:
Lake Mývatn or Húsavík area

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Day 7. A National Park, Ásbyrgi Canyon, Whale Watching Capital

Start the day by visiting sites at Mývatn that you did not have time to visit the day before. Continue to Húsavík, sometimes called “The Whale Spotting Capital of the World”. Húsavík was the first place in Iceland to offer successful Whale Watching cruises. The Whale Museum in Húsavík, is an educational information centre on marine wildlife. Head to Öxarfjörður Bay and visit Vesturdalur and Hljóðaklettar, the Echo Rocks, an extremely beautiful canyon, carved by the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum. The road to Hljóðaklettar may not be passable early spring / summer. This area offers many interesting hiking trails to explore the many wonders of Jökulsárgljúfur National Park. Ásbyrgi canyon is a strange and spectacular horseshoe shaped canyon, not to be missed. Return to Húsavík.

Highlights:
Hljóðaklettar Rock Formations
Ásbyrgi Canyon

Optional Extra:
Whale Watching from Húsavík

Driving Distance:
210 kilometers

Overnight:
Húsavík area

Note: During winter and early summer the road to Vesturdalur & Hljóðaklettar area is not be passable.

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Day 8. Akureyri City, the Capital of the North

Today you will visit the second largest city in Iceland, Akureyri. Before reaching Akureyri, you will come upon the Goðafoss waterfall, known as “waterfall of the gods.” Akureyri has plenty to offer visitors, and everyone should find something to their liking. After a visit to the city, you’ll head out to the countryside for some more experiences. Drive to Skagafjörður fjord, known for its agricultural prosperity and horse breeding. You may also want to visit the fascinating Glaumbær folk museum, which is housed in an old turf farm.

Highlights:
Goðafoss Waterfall
Akureyri Town
Glaumbær Folk Museum

Optional Extra:
Horse Riding
Forest Lagoon

Driving Distance:
230 kilometers

Overnight:
Skagafjörður area

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Day 9. Northwest Iceland – Charming Stykkishólmur Town

Take a leisurely drive through the Northwest region. One of the best-known horse farms in Iceland is located in this region, and a short horseback riding tour would be a great way to get to know the Icelandic horse. You might want to stop at Hvammstangi and walk down to the shore to see if you can spot any seals, - they are frequent visitors here and short tours are available should you want to go out to sea to look for them. Continue to the inspiring town of Stykkishólmur, a charming ocean-side town with a relaxing atmosphere.

Highlights:
Þingeyrarkirkja Church
Vatnsdalshólar Mounds
Stykkishólmur Town

Driving Distance:
270 kilometers

Overnight:
Stykkisholmur area

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Day 10. Stunning Scenery of Snæfellsjökull National Park

Explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula and the many small fishing hamlets situated around the peninsula. Spectacular rock formations, mountains, lava fields, and the magnificent Snæfellsjokull glacier that towers over the tip of Snæfellsnes peninsula are among the things to explore. The peninsula is sometimes referred to as “Iceland in miniature” because it offers so many of the things found all over Iceland. The Snæfellsjokull Glacier is the main attraction in Snæfellsnes National Park. It is said that the glacier has mysterious powers, and that people are drawn to the glacier by these powers. From the Snæfellsnes peninsula, head towards Borgarnes where you will find the Icelandic Settlement Centre, whose main objective is to present the fascinating sagas from the settlement times as well as a special exhibition of the famous Viking poet, Egill Skallagrímsson.

Highlights:
Djúpalónssandur
Snæfellsjökull Glacier
Lóndrangar Rock Formations
Arnarstapi Village
Hellnar

Driving Distance: 230 kilometers

Overnight:
Borgarfjörður area

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Day 11. Borgarfjordur district - Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik

Continue traveling through Borgarfjörður district and stop at the hot spring area of Deildartunguhver. There you will find the Krauma baths with numerous hot & cold tubs and stem baths heated with the geothermal water originating from the Deildartunguhver hot spring. Head further inland to see the beautiful Hraunfossar waterfalls,where the water creeps from underneath the lave fields into the Hvítá River. On your way to Hraunfossar you will find the historic Reykholt the former home of Snorri Sturluson a great writer, poet and chieftain in Iceland who was assassinated by the order of the Norwegian king in 1241. Make the waterfalls your turnaround point and head back towards Reykjavik. If you would like to visit the Blue Lagoon drive through Reykjavik and continue towards the amazing Blue Lagoon. Here you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the mineral rich waters and apply some of the silica mud to rejuvenate and your soften skin. At the Blue Lagoon, you can enjoy a stroll, dine at the Lava Restaurant, get a massage, and visit the Blue Lagoon Café. It's a great place to collect your thoughts after your days exploring Iceland. Head back to Reykjavík and drop off the car.


Highlights:
Borgarnes-Town
Reykholt Town
Hraunfossar Waterfalls
The Blue Lagoon

Optional Extra:
Krauma Baths
The Blue Lagoon Spa

Driving Distance: 180-280 kilometers

Overnight:
Reykjavik

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Day 12. Back Home

On your last day in Iceland, a comfortable Wi-Fi connected bus will transfer you from your accommodation to the airport.

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This tour can be customized to your specifications and needs, so if you have any special requests, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be more than happy to help you arrange the perfect Icelandic vacation.

How do I book and what is the process?
There are several factors that determine the tour price:
• Time of the year you plan on visiting
• Number of people travelling together
• Type of car Car Info (Only applicable with self drive trips)
• Accommodation type (we offer 2 categories of accommodation or you can choose mixture of both)
• Optional Activities (Various optional activities are available with each trip)

There is a special Price Calculator button with every self-drive tours and private guided tours where you can enter your choice of type of accommodation, car, number of people and your arrival date. The Price Calculator will calculate and display the price according to your specifications. This way you can see how different choices in car and accommodation types affect the price of the package.

Once you are confident about your trip selection proceed to press the book now tab. Here you will fill in the required information and proceed through the booking process.

We require a 15% deposit at the time of booking. Full payment is due 5 weeks prior to arrival.

Once a booking is made an automatic e-mail is sent informing you that the order has been placed and is currently being processed by the IcelandRoadtrip.com team. You will then be contacted with by one of our trusted travel agents with further details.


Winter version of this tour: RT16 - Iceland Circle, Scenic Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Northern Lights - 10 days

This tour is also available as a private guided tour: PT01 - Iceland Circle and the scenic Snæfellsnes Peninsula - 10 days


*FAQ*

We are arriving very early. What is the check in time?
Check in time is usually between 14:00 - 16:00 for accommodation in Iceland. The only way to secure an early check in is to book the night before as well. However if a room is ready you should be able to check in early.

Where to eat during the tour?
In the small towns around Iceland you will find restaurants, bakeries and cafes where you can get something to eat. If you are going to the highlands we recommend purchasing something to take with you as there are very limited options for meals in the remote highland areas.

Are there any hidden charges?
There are no hidden charges or fees you should be aware of. Note that fuel and meals other than breakfast are not included.

What type of car is recommended?
During summer (May - September) any type of vehicle is sufficient for this tour. In winter between mid September – mid April we recommend a 4x4 vehicle as there is a chance of some snow or ice on the road. The cars are equipped with good winter tires during winter.

Do I need an international driver’s license?
No you do not need an international drivers license but you need a valid driver’s licence, which you will have held for at least two years. Travellers from overseas will need a licence issued in their country of residence along with an English translation (where appropriate). Some form of picture Identity is required, e.g. Passport, ID card etc. A valid credit card is also required.

How far is it between gas stations?
Gas stations can be found in almost all towns around Iceland so running out of gas is not a likely scenario. However before going to the highland areas we recommend filling up the tank as there are no gas stations in the highlands.

Do hotels and guesthouses offer Wi-Fi internet connection?
Most hotels and guesthouses in Iceland do provide free access to Wi-Fi internet. Some hotels and guesthouses do charge a small fee for access to the internet.

For more practical information please visit our Travel Guide