If you’re planning a trip to Iceland there is no better way to see the island than by taking a road trip. Many of Iceland’s best attractions are located in more remote areas that you won’t be able to see on a day tour, so renting a car will allow you to access them at your own pace. The season that you visit Iceland will play a role in what road trip routes are available to you, as will the length of your trip to Iceland.
In this article, we will introduce 6 of the top Iceland road trips, and the best rental cars for the routes. Some of these road trips will be short, and some long. Some will be suitable for a summer trip and others suitable for winter trips. Regardless of how long you are planning to stay in Iceland and what time of year you’ll be visiting, you’ll find some great local suggestions here.
- Related links: available rental cars in Iceland; Iceland car rental requirements
Table of content:
- Best 6 Iceland road trips quick review
- Route one: suitable for 12 hours to 3 days, famous attractions route
- Route two: suitable for 5 days, classic south coast + Iceland capital
- Route three: suitable for 7 days: South + West Iceland classic
- Route four: suitable for 7 days in winter: Northernligh hunting route
- Route five: suitable for 8 days: remote west Iceland
- Route six: suitable for 10 days: route 1 ring road full circle
Best 6 Iceland road trips overview
- 12 hours to 3 days: quick glance in a limited time
- 5 days classic road trip in South Iceland: best for first-time visitors
- 7 days in South Iceland and Snæfellsnes: good for one week and a first-time visit
- 7 days to see the northern lights: winter route for chasing the northern lights
- 8 days West Iceland road trip: a great option for second-time visitors with more time
- 10 days Route 1 Ring Road: a complete circle around the entire island
Route 1: 12 hours to 3 days: Iceland stopover road trip
Route
- KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik (for 12 hours to 1 day stopover time)
- KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Golden circle > KEF (for 2 to 3 days stopover time)
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Golden Circle
Best time to visit: ALL year, suitable for both summer and winter
Road conditions: The route uses only paved roads, so it is very easy to drive in the summer. It may become slightly slippery with snow in the winter months.
Types of travellers: Travelers with a limited time
Recommended rental cars: 2WD economy/compact – summer time (May to October), 4WDs are recommended for winter (November to April)
Daily itinerary: For this itinerary, you will begin at KEF airport, where you can collect your rental car and head straight to the infamous Blue Lagoon. Your second day will have you exploring the Golden Circle and heading back to the airport on the third day. Alternatively, you can push the Blue Lagoon to day three, depending on your flight times.
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > Golden Circle >Reykjavik
- Day 3: Reykjavik > (Blue Lagoon)>KEF airport
Road trip features: This road trip itinerary may be short, but will still allow you to see some great attractions. First, you will visit the Blue Lagoon, which is an outdoor geothermal spa located in a lava field near Reykjavik. You will also drive the Golden Circle, where there are three main spots to visit. These include Thingvellir National Park, The Geysir Geothermal Area and Gullfoss Waterfall.
Route 2: 5-day Iceland south coast road trip
Route
KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Golden circle > South coast > Reykjavik > KEF airport
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South coast attractions – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Vik, Skaftafell, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Höfn
Best time to visit: ALL year, suitable for both summer and winter
Types of travelers: First-time Iceland travelers
Road conditions: This itinerary will use mainly paved roads, so they are easy to drive all year round. Roads can become slightly slippery due to snow in the winters.
Recommended rental cars: 2WD economy/compact– summer time (May to October), 4WDs are recommended for winter (November to April)
Daily itinerary: For this 5-day itinerary, you will begin at KEF airport, where you will pick up your rental car. It is similar to the previous itinerary except you will have the opportunity to visit some amazing locations on Iceland’s southern coast. You can also choose to visit the Blue Lagoon on the first or last day depending on your flight times.
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > Golden Circle
- Day 3: South coast day 1 > Höfn
- Day 4: Höfn >South coast day 2 > Reykjavik
- Day 5: Reykjavik> (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Road trip features: Some of the main features of this road trip include the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and the attractions around the Golden Circle like Thingvellir National Park where you can swim between two continents on a snorkelling tour! You will also visit the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. On the second half of your trip, you’ll have the opportunity to see more amazing waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, plus visit the towns of Vik and Höfn. And to top it all off you can visit glaciers, ice caves, and the beautiful Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
Route 3: 7-day Iceland classic south coast + Snæfellsnes
Route
KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes> Golden circle > South coast > Reykjavik > KEF airport
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South coast attractions – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Vik, Skaftafell, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Höfn, Snæfellsnes attractions including lava fields, waterfalls, Kirkjufell mountain, plus villages Hellnar and Arnarstapi
Best time to visit: ALL year, suitable for both summer and winter
Types of travelers: First-time Iceland travelers
Road conditions: The road conditions on this route are suitable for all seasons as they will be almost entirely paved, including on the Snæfellsnes. You will have no issues driving the roads in the summer, but they could become slippery with snow in the winter.
Recommended rental cars: 2WD economy/compact– summer time (late May to September), 4WDs are recommended for winter (October to early May)
Daily itinerary: This itinerary is the perfect way for first-time visitors to tour the entirety of South Iceland plus Snæfellsnes. You will begin and end at KEF airport, where you can pick up and drop off your rental car. Over the 7 days, you will visit the Snæfellsnes peninsula and South Iceland’s most popular attractions and villages. You can choose to visit the Blue Lagoon on either the first or last day of your trip depending on your flight times.
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Day 3: Snæfellsnes peninsula > Golden Circle
- Day 4: Golden Circle > South coast day 1
- Day 5: South coast day 2 > Hofn
- Day 6: Hofn > South coast day 3 > Reykjavik
- Day 7: Reykjavik > (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Road trip features: This road trip is perfect for first-time visitors who have a week to spend in Iceland. You will get the opportunity to visit all of South Iceland’s best attractions including the beautiful Snæfellsnes peninsula to the Northwest of Reykjavik. Your trip will begin in the capital, and you’ll spend the first few days checking out Snæfellsnes with its glaciers, black sand beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, and the stratovolcano Snæfellsjökull.
The second half of your trip will take you around the Golden Circle and down to explore the south coast. You’ll visit some of the epic waterfalls including Snæfellsjökull and Seljalandsfoss as you make your way around Eyjafjallajökull glacier. You’ll then visit the town of Vik, and you can stop by Reynisfjara, the gorgeous black sand beach. Next, you’ll move east to Vatnajökull National Park and see the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon before making your way back to the capital.
Route 4: 7-day northern lights Iceland route: going north or south
Route
- GO South = KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes > Golden Circle > South coast > Reykjavik > KEF airport
- GO North = KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > North Iceland > passWest Iceland> Golden circle > Reykjavik > KEF airport
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Golden Circle,
South coast attractions – Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond beach, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Vik, Skaftafell, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Höfn
OR
North Iceland attractions–Akureyri, Lake Myvatn – Grjotagja Cave – Dettifoss Falls, Husavik & Godafoss waterfall
Best time to visit: WINTER only (late September – Mid March)
Types of travelers: Northern light hunter
Road conditions: Although this route will involve mostly paved roads the conditions can be variable since you’ll be visiting in the winter. There is likely to be heavy snow and icy roads on this route.
Recommended rental cars: 4WD SUVs are highly recommended
Daily itinerary: You have two options for this itinerary to see the northern lights. You can either go south, and enjoy Iceland’s south coast, or head north and experience enjoy Lake Mývatn and other activities in the northern area of Iceland. For both routes, you can choose to visit the Blue Lagoon on either the first day or the last day depending on your flight times.
Southern route:
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Day 3: Snæfellsnes peninsula > Golden Circle
- Day 4: Golden Circle > South coast day 1
- Day 5: South coast day 2 > Höfn
- Day 6: Höfn > South coast day 3 > Reykjavik
- Day 7: Reykjavik > (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Northern route:
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > North Iceland
- Day 3: North Iceland day 2
- Day 4: North Iceland day 3
- Day 5: Heading back to Reykjavik (passing by west Iceland)
- Day 6: Golden Circle one-day tour (a buffer day, in case of extremely bad weather)
- Day 7: Reykjavik> (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Road trip features
Southern Route:
If you’re looking for a trip that features the largest diversity of landscapes then you’ll love Southern Iceland and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Plus, you’ll still have the opportunity to see the northern lights that you came for. This itinerary will begin at KEF airport, as all our itineraries do. You’ll start by visiting the areas around Reykjavik and then heading to the Snæfellsnes peninsula where you can visit the Djúpalónssandur black pebble beach. Stay in a hotel on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (the more remote the better) for the best chance to glimpse the northern lights.
Next, you’ll tour the Golden Circle before heading south the check out the glaciers of the south. Don’t miss Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach, where iceberg fragments make the beach look like it’s covered in diamonds.
Northern Route:
The northern route is more isolated, and therefore less frequented. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive. The landscapes of the north are more dramatic, and you’ll have more of the attractions to yourself, especially in the winter. You’ll also have the best opportunity to glimpse the northern lights. This itinerary also begins at KEF airport and gives you a day or two to explore around the capital, Reykjavik, before heading north. You will then take the Ring Road up towards Akureyri, which is often called the capital of North Iceland. From there, get ready to experience the black pillars of the lava field called Dimmuborgir and the impressive Dettifoss Falls. You can also visit the Námaskarð hot springs near Lake Mývatn. There are more waterfalls and geothermal spots in the area that you can visit before heading back towards Reykjavik and taking a tour of the Golden Circle.
Route 5: 8-day West Iceland: remote route
Route: KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes > Westfjords> Reykjavik > KEF airport
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Snæfellsnes attractions–lava fields, waterfalls, Kirkjufell mountain, villages Hellnar and Arnarstapi, Westfjords attractions: Holmavik, Ísafjörður, Djúpavik, Bolungarvík, Suðureyri, and Flateyri, Látrabjarg, Dynjandi waterfall
Best time to visit: SUMMER (late May to August)
Types of travelers: Second-time Iceland travelers
Road conditions: Different from our other Iceland itineraries there are many gravel roads in the Westfjords, so you will need to have a sturdy vehicle in order to drive there. Some of the roads may be closed entirely in the winter due to poor road conditions. Other parts of the itinerary will have mostly paved and maintained roads.
Recommended rental cars: 4WDs are highly recommended
Daily itinerary: This daily itinerary is a more remote route for travelers who have more time to spend in Iceland and want to go somewhere off the beaten path. You’ll be spending most of the time in the Westfjords area and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, so it’s best for people who have visited before since it won’t include the Golden Circle or South Iceland. As with our other itineraries, you can visit the Blue Lagoon at the beginning or end of your trip. It’s your choice.
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Day 3: Snæfellsnes peninsula > Westfjords
- Day 4: Westfjords day 2
- Day 5: Westfjords day 3
- Day 6: Westfjords 4 > Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Day 7: Snæfellsnes Peninsula > Reykjavik
- Day 8: Reykjavik> (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Road trip features: Explore the cultural, remote territories of the Westfjords on this 8-day road trip itinerary. Your first few days will take you around Reykjavik, to the Blue Lagoon, and up to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where you can visit Kirkjufell mountain, take a Viking sushi boat trip, and visit some of the quaint fishing villages like Arnarstapi. From the Snæfellsnes peninsula, you’ll head northwest to spend 4 fantastic days exploring the Westfjords. Your first stop once you reach the West Fjords is Holmavik, where you will stay the night. From there you’ll pass the amazing fjords as you drive past some of the most historic homes in Iceland, including the abandoned village of Djúpavik. You will also have the opportunity to head out on a kayak tour for the chance to see Icelandic wildlife like dolphins, seals, whales, and tons of seabirds.
Speaking of seabirds, the next stop on the cliff of Látrabjarg is where you can see puffins (as long as you’re there between April and August. There are also many museums to visit in the Westfjords area including the Jón Sigurðsson museum and Ósvör Maritime Museum. After that, you will start making your way back towards Reykjavik, with the opportunity to stop and go lava tubing in Viðgelmir cave.
Route 6: 10-day Route 1 Ring Road: a complete circle around the island
Route
KEF airport > Blue Lagoon > Reykjavik > Snæfellsnes > Golden Circle > South coast > Reykjavik > KEF airport
Main attractions: Blue Lagoon, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Golden Circle, Attractions along the Ring Road
Best time to visit: ALL year, suitable for both summer and winter
Types of travelers: First-time Iceland travelers
Road conditions: This route will mainly use the Route 1 Ring Road, which is a paved road that is accessible year-round. There may be some slippery patches in the winter due to snowfall.
Recommended rental cars: 2WD economy/compact– summertime (late May to September), 4WDs are recommended for winter (October to early May)
Daily itinerary: This itinerary gives you the opportunity to experience many of the best attractions Iceland has to offer in one trip. You will take the Route 1 Ring Road around the whole island with a small detour to visit the Snæfellsnes Peninsula if you are visiting in the summer. You can choose to visit the Blue Lagoon at the beginning or end of your trip depending on the time of your flight.
- Day 1: KEF airport > (Blue Lagoon) > Reykjavik
- Day 2: Golden circle
- Day 3: South coast
- Day 4: South coast
- Day 5: East Iceland
- Day 6: East + North
- Day 7: North Iceland
- Day 8: North to Snæfellsnes Peninsula (in the summer) / North Iceland (stay in North Iceland if visiting in the winter)
- Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavik (in the summer) / North Iceland to Reykjavik (a buffer day for visitors in the winter)
- Day 10: Reykjavik> (Blue Lagoon) > KEF airport
Road trip features: If you have the time to spend 10 days in Iceland then this is the perfect itinerary to see some amazing locations. You’ll begin your trip from KEF airport and start by spending your first two days around Reykjavik and the Golden Circle. Make sure to check out the geothermal areas, geysers, and Gullfoss waterfall. Next, you’ll head down to the south coast where you can visit more waterfalls, hike the Sólheimajökull glacier or check out the ice caves of Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
From here you’ll cross the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon on your way towards the Eastfjords where you’ll go through many fishing villages and beautiful coastal areas. Then you’ll head north towards Lake Mývatn which is home to many natural hot springs and the most popular volcano in Iceland, Krafla. You can also visit the most powerful waterfall in Europe, Dettifoss Falls before heading towards Akureyri and then down to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula before making your way back to Reykjavik.
The top 6 seasonal road trips in Iceland
No matter what time of year you’re planning to visit Iceland, or how much time you have for your trip, you can have an incredible experience by taking one of these 6 seasonal road trips. From seeing the northern lights to a cultural experience in the Westfjords, Iceland is waiting for you. Always make sure to book your rental car online and in advance, especially if you’re planning on visiting in the summer. If you need any help choosing a route or booking a rental car feel free to reach out to us via email at hertz@hertz.is. Book your rental car with Hertz Iceland today to receive an instant discount.
