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-DriveAmazing tour, easy to understand, cute little hotels, fabulous sights.
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)Marina Travel makes the difference. They send me the itinerary with all the details. The communication with them was more than excellent.
8 Days Self-drive | Around Iceland Ring Road Tour (Summer)
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- Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
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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$1,666
Drive Iceland's famous Ring Road and see some of the country's great spots, starting with Reynisfjara's black sand beaches before heading to the powerful Dettifoss waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park. You'll wind through the East Fjords with stops in Djúpivogur, then check out Lake Mývatn's geothermal areas.
Duration 8 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$1,458
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
- US$863
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
Duration 8 days Destinations Keflavik, Gullfoss, Vik, Reynisfjara, Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park, Hofn, Jokulsarlon, Egilsstadir, MyvatnSee all destinations Age Range Ages 25+ Operator On The Go Tours From $4,680
20% Off- US$3,744
Duration 8 days Destinations Reykjavik, Vik, Hofn, Akureyri, Borgarnes Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
20% Off- US$3,096
This self-drive tour takes you through Iceland's Golden Circle, starting at Thingvellir National Park where you'll see the rift between tectonic plates, then on to watch Strokkur geyser shoot water 30 meters high. You'll soak in the Secret Lagoon near Selfoss and drive to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
Duration 6 days Destinations Keflavik, Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss, Secret Lagoon, Selfoss, Seljaland, EyjafjallajokullSee all destinations Age Range Ages 25+ Operator On The Go Tours From $2,565
20% Off- US$2,052
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.