What type of vehicles are typically provided for self drive tours?

The cars you'll get depend on how many people are traveling with you. In Iceland, if you're traveling solo or as a pair, you'll get an automatic Volkswagen Polo. Groups of 4-5 get a Toyota RAV4 4x4 automatic. If you're doing the Portugal Discovery tour, you'll drive cars like the VW Polo that come with unlimited miles and road assistance. One of our travelers recently mentioned that "The highways in Portugal may be the best in the world" - making it a really easy country to drive through.

What kind of accommodations can I expect on a self drive tour?

You'll stay in good 3-star hotels where you'll have your own bathroom and breakfast included each morning. For example, if you're doing the Iceland Ring Road tour, you'll spend nights at places like Hotel Borgarnes, Hotel Akureyri, Hotel Herad, and Fosshotel Baron in Reykjavik. All the hotels are picked because they're in great spots for exploring and many have nice views too. One of our travelers told us "the accommodations were clean and comfortable."

How flexible are self drive tour itineraries?

You can be pretty spontaneous with these tours. We'll give you an e-itinerary with maps and suggestions, but you can go at your own pace and take detours when you want. Take Iceland's Ring Road - if you want to spend extra time watching the icebergs at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon or go whale watching in Akureyri, you can. A recent traveler told us, "The itinerary allowed enough flexibility for us to detour at will and still visit key sites."

How much driving time should I expect per day on a self drive tour?

Most days you'll drive between 2 and 5 hours, which leaves plenty of time to stop and explore. In Spain's Down South tour, for example, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Seville to Cordoba (140km), while Madrid to Cordoba is a longer 4-hour drive (400km). Our travelers like this setup because, as one put it, it "gives you the ability to stay on your own schedule" and "stop while on the road to explore."

What additional costs should I budget for on a self drive tour?

You'll need to cover gas, parking, entrance fees to attractions, and most of your meals except breakfast. Some activities cost extra - like visiting the Blue Lagoon or going on glacier hikes. On Iceland's Ring Road, you might want to try things like whale watching in Húsavík or snowmobiling on Langjökull glacier, which aren't included in the basic tour price. If you want WiFi or GPS in your car, these usually cost a bit extra too.

Road Trip & Self-Drive Tours & Trips

10 best Road Trip & Self-Drive tour packages

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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
4.8 (5 reviews)
"The itinerary covered every major aspect of Iceland in terms of sites, culture, adventure, topography and history."
Shirley, traveled in June
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell,Svartifoss,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Grundarfjordur,Thingvellir National Park,Haukadalur,Geysir,Gullfoss+30 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Snaeland Travel
From
US$1,652per person
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
4.3 (3 reviews)
"The car was ideal to suit our needs, and the hotels were lovely. There is excellent value for money, and I would use this operator again."
Renee, traveled in April
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Heraklion, Knossos, Chania, Elafonisi, Rethymnon,Agios Nikolaos,Elounda,Spinalonga,Sitia+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Greek Islands Crete
Operated in
English
Operator
Destination Services Greece
10% Off
From $616
US$555per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Best of Croatia 11 Days, Self-Drive
4.5 (8 reviews)
"The Country is beautiful and the people very receptive. The hotels selected were very good."
Barbara, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Zagreb, Opatija, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar,Split,Dubrovnik+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Adriatic
Operated in
English
Operator
Gulliver Travel
15% Off
From $1,551
US$1,318per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Top Gear Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Saigon on Chi Minh Trail
5.0 (11 reviews)
"Mountain roads, trails, water crossings, culture, villages and cities, this tour had some of everything."
JasonDickson, traveled in January
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Hanoi, Mai Chau, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park,Khe Sanh,Hue,Hoi An,Quy Nhon,Nha Trang,Mui Ne,Ho Chi Minh City+7 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern Vietnam
Operated in
English
Operator
DNQ Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,990per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Complete Iceland Circle - 8-Day Self-Drive
5.0 (4 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell,Svartifoss,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes,Thingvellir National Park,Haukadalur,Geysir,Gullfoss+23 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Snaeland Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,446per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
10-Day Australia Starter Package - Private
4.4 (5 reviews)
"It was freaking amazing!"
Samantha, traveled in October
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Melbourne, St Kilda, Sydney, Bondi Beach, Bondi, Cairns,Palm Cove,Fitzroy Island,Daintree National Park+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
East Australia
Operated in
English
Operator
Vio Travel
15% Off
From
US$1,448per person
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Road Trip & Self-Drive
Andalusia Essentials, Self-drive
4.3 (3 reviews)
"Granada and Seville are truly amazing places to visit and so is Cordoba."
Keith, traveled in September
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Malaga, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Granada, Cordoba,Seville,Jerez+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Destination Services Spain
10% Off
From $1,034
US$931per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
4.8 (6 reviews)
"Iceland's beauty speaks for itself. THAT KIND OF SERVICE IS EVERYTHING."
Chelsea, traveled in November
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+18 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $2,433
US$2,189per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Best of Andalusia, Self-drive
4.0 (2 reviews)
"The Alhambra in Grandada (not included, book in advance) was the highlight of the tour."
Richard, traveled in May
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Seville, Cordoba, Granada
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern SpainAndalucia+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Destination Services Spain
10% Off
From $726
US$653per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
6 Days Self-drive | Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour (Winter)
4.8 (5 reviews)
"All the tours and hotels were all nicely arranged and everything ran on time, which was awesome."
Trisha, traveled in July
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vik+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $1,673
US$1,506per person
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
5.0 (1 review)
"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,Gullfoss,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+15 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From
US$3,007per person
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
8 Days Self-drive | Around Iceland Ring Road Tour (Summer)
5.0 (1 review)
"Marina Travel makes the difference. The communication with them was more than excellent."
Ana, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Hvitserkur, Akureyri,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Hverarönd,Godafoss,Egilsstadir,Djupivogur,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Fjadrargljufur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park,Reykjavik+17 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From
US$3,548per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Sicily Explorer: 11 Days from Palermo to Palermo, Self-Drive
4.8 (6 reviews)
"The breathtaking landscapes and the rich, authentic Sicilian cuisine make for an unforgettable experience."
Lucas, traveled in May
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Palermo, Taormina, Mount Etna, Syracuse, Marzamemi, Noto,Ragusa,Modica,Agrigento,Marsala,Trapani,Erice+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Sicily South Italy
Operated in
English
Operator
TUI Italia
10% Off
From $2,300
US$2,070per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
A 5 Day Tuk Tuk Adventure in beautiful Chiang Mai (IDP Category A required)
4.9 (18 reviews)
"fantastic family adventure holiday."
Jamie, traveled in June
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Chiang Mai, Mae Wang, Doi Inthanon
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Northern ThailandChiang Mai+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Tuk Tuk Club
10% Off
From
US$805per person
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Price based on Shared Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Best of Sardinia, Self-Drive
4.0 (2 reviews)
"Good car (Avis). Good quality hotels (although Hotel Santa Gilla a bit out of the way)."
Roger, traveled in May
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Cagliari, Villasimius, Oristano, Is Arutas, Alghero,Stintino,Porto Cervo,Baja Sardinia,La Maddalena,Olbia+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Sardinia
Operated in
English
Operator
TUI Italia
10% Off
From $1,307
US$1,176per person
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Price based on Private Double Room
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