Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Iceland
Picture yourself driving Iceland's Ring Road at your own pace, walking behind Seljalandsfoss, and checking out ice caves in Vatnajökull that look like something from another planet. The Blue Lagoon's great for unwinding, Strokkur geyser goes off every few minutes which never gets old, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula is dramatic in that very Icelandic way. Your car, Iceland's roads, pure freedom.
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I don’t think I want to travel any other way after traveling with TourRadar. The itinerary covered every major aspect of Iceland in terms of sites, culture, adventure, topography and history. Receiving the itinerary ahead of time gave me the ability to review each day and also compare with friends who had previously been to Iceland and made suggestions of things to do and places to go. TourRadar covered all the suggestions and then some. Arriving in Iceland was a breeze because all arrangements had been done by TourRadar. I picked up my car which took about 5 minutes because everything had already been handled. My hotels were set for the entire trip. The first day I got to enjoy Reykjavík and adjust to the time difference. Each day was a new adventure and travel was easy - I input the recommended location and off I drove on a leisurely journey to each destination. There was enough time built in each day to also scout out places and suggestions by TourRadar or just things that caught my eye along the way. If I had been part of a bus tour, I wouldn’t have been able to stop wherever and whenever I wanted nor would I be able to linger a little longer than the bus driver allotted without being left behind. There was no pressure which made the trip even more enjoyable. I watched bus after bus hurtle down the road at high speeds and wondered how the people could possibly be enjoying themselves. With TourRadar, it wasn’t just about getting to the next location but enjoying the ride along the way.
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-DriveEverything was arranged perfectly! From picking up the rental car, to the accomodations, to the itinerary. There was plenty of time between the suggested stops to explore any hikes or views we wanted to see. The suggested itinerary hit all the hot spots with lots of good suggestions for restaurants and alternate stops. It was well paced and so smooth. I can't imagine having to make arrangements for a different hotel every night or even when and where to stop. I thoroughly enjoyed this calm, relaxing vacation. The more I remember it the more I appreciate the calm journey that Marina travel planned for us. I can't imagine a better Iceland trip. Thank you Marina travel!
12 Days Self-drive | Everything you must see in Iceland Ring Road TourAmazing tour, easy to understand, cute little hotels, fabulous sights.
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
Our traveler's Moments
- Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - 6-Day Self-Drive
- 7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
- Iceland Expedition: Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon, and Reykjavík | Group Tour and Self-Drive Road Trip
- 5 Days Self-Drive | Golden Circle, South Coast (Winter)
- 7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
- 12 Days Self-drive | Everything you must see in Iceland Ring Road Tour
- 9 Days Self-drive | Ring Road & Golden Circle Complete Iceland Tour (Winter)
10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive Iceland tour packages
Compiled by
NadineIceland travel expert at TourRadar
- Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
- 12 Days Self-drive | Everything you must see in Iceland Ring Road Tour
- 7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
- Icelandic Ring: Where Magic Becomes Reality
- Icelandic Adventure: Geysers, Waterfalls & Mysterious Fjords
- 5 Day - Fire & Ice
- Icelandic In-depth In 8 Days
- Lights of Iceland - fly & drive
- Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - 6-Day Self-Drive
- 11 Days Self-drive | Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Tour
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
“The itinerary covered every major aspect of Iceland in terms of sites, culture, adventure, topography and history.”
Shirley, traveled in June
You'll drive to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall, then check out the steaming fumaroles at Námaskarð near Lake Mývatn and walk behind Seljalandsfoss on the south coast. At Thingvellir National Park (a UNESCO site), you can see where tectonic plates meet and watch Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes.
Duration 9 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Vatnajokull National Park, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, JokulsarlonSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish Operator Snaeland Travel From
- US$1,599
12 Days Self-drive | Everything you must see in Iceland Ring Road Tour
“Iceland is unique and beautiful, full of contrasts, wildlife and natural beauty.”
Janet, traveled in April
Your Iceland adventure begins in Keflavik with your chosen vehicle - from Skoda Octavia for couples to Toyota Landcruiser for families. The route includes Kirkjufell Mountain, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and the Golden Circle.
Duration 12 days Destinations Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi, Búðir, Kirkjufell Mountain, Reykholt, Hraunfossar, HvitserkurSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Marina Travel From $3,868
10% off- US$3,481
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
“Amazing tour, cute little hotels, fabulous sights.”
Topaz, traveled in July
Duration 7 days Destinations Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Kirkjufell Mountain, Arnarstapi, Hellnar, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, GullfossSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Marina Travel From
10% off- US$2,516
Duration 8 days Destinations Selfoss, Thingvellir National Park, Haukadalur, Gullfoss, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Skaftafell, Svartifoss, Jokulsarlon, DjupivogurSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
10% off- US$1,484+$1,792 upfront costs
Duration 6 days Destinations Keflavik, Selfoss, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Haukadalur, Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir National Park, SnæfellsnesSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Worldee From
10% off- US$883+$968 upfront costs
Your rental car opens up Iceland's South Coast, from Thingvellir's historic parliament site to the Blue Lagoon's thermal waters. Visit Reynisdrangar's black beaches, Jökulsárlón's glacier lagoon, and Dverghamrar's basalt columns on your schedule.
Duration 5 days Destinations Thingvellir National Park, Laugarvatn, Geysir, Gullfoss, Eyjafjallajokull, Skogafoss, Solheimajokull, Reynisdrangar Cliffs, Vik, SvartifossSee all destinations Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Arctic Adventures From
10% off- US$1,350
Duration 8 days Destinations Reykjavik, Geysir, Gullfoss, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik, Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, SvartifossSee all destinations Age Range Ages 1-10 Operator Expeditions Gateways From $4,198
2% off- US$4,114
What our customers ask about Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips in Iceland
When is the best time to do a Self Drive tour in Iceland?
The timing of an Iceland Self Drive tour depends largely on what you want to see. Summer months (June-August) bring endless daylight and clear roads making it easier to reach places like the East Fjords and Troll Peninsula. Winter (October-March) draws visitors hoping to see the Northern Lights particularly around Lake Myvatn and Vatnajökull. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The wintertime in Troll Peninsula offers amazing Northern Light viewing while spring and summer bring endless daylight and juicy berries in the hills." The Icelandair Hotel Akureyri serves as a convenient base year-round.
What type of vehicle is recommended for an Iceland Self Drive tour?
The choice of vehicle depends on when you travel. Winter driving (November-March) requires 4x4 vehicles such as the Skoda Octavia Combi 4x4 or Toyota Landcruiser especially on the Ring Road and in highland regions. Summer travelers (April-October) can use standard cars like the Volkswagen Polo or Kia Ceed Sportswagon on most routes. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Our Toyota RAV4 4x4 handled the winter conditions perfectly especially around Vatnajökull National Park." All rentals include Premium Protection Insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance.
How much driving time should I expect each day on an Iceland Self Drive tour?
Most routes involve 2-6 hours of driving per day. The Golden Circle route from Reykjavik takes about 3 hours while the scenic East Fjords route between Höfn and Egilsstaðir requires roughly 5 hours. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The drive from Akureyri to Lake Mývatn was a comfortable 2 hours with plenty of time for stops at Goðafoss waterfall and staying at the Fosshotel Mývatn." Factor in extra time for photo stops and changing weather.
What are the must-see highlights on an Iceland Self Drive tour?
Key stops include the Golden Circle with its three main sights: Þingvellir National Park Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. The South Coast features dramatic waterfalls like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss while the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon draws crowds year-round. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon was absolutely breathtaking - seeing those bright blue icebergs float by while staying at Hotel Höfn was unforgettable." Other notable spots include Lake Mývatn's geothermal fields the East Fjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula's coastline.
How difficult is driving in Iceland during winter months?
Winter driving from November to March requires careful attention and good preparation. While the Ring Road and major highways receive regular maintenance weather can shift quickly. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Winter driving around Kirkjubæjarklaustur required our full attention but the Skoda Octavia 4x4 handled beautifully and the cozy Hotel Kría in Vík provided a perfect refuge." Daily road condition checks and following rental company safety guidelines are essential.
How far in advance should I book an Iceland Self Drive tour?
Plan to book 6-8 months before your trip particularly for peak seasons: summer (June-August) and Northern Lights viewing (September-March). Popular hotels including Hotel Höfn and Fosshotel Núpar often sell out early. A TourRadar traveler suggested: "We booked our Ring Road tour 7 months ahead and got all our preferred hotels including the Icelandair Hotel Akureyri." Most successful trips are booked around 441 days in advance.