If you are looking to explore Iceland and planning to drive its famous Ring Road in 7 days, you are in the right place. From exploring the wonderful Golden Circle and the Southern Coast to the remote East and Northern regions of Iceland, this itinerary will take you across the country and see all that Iceland has to offer in just a week.
Within this backpacking itinerary, you will find all the information you need to plan the most epic road trip in your life from the best places to visit, where to stay on the Ring Road, to how to get around, and where best to rent a car in Iceland.
Without further ado, here is the ultimate 7-day backpacking itinerary for Iceland's epic Ring Road. Let's begin by looking at all the places we will be visiting in this itinerary with the map below:
- 7 Days Iceland's Ring Road Itinerary Map
- 7 Days Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
- Iceland Travel Video
- When to Visit Iceland?
- How to Get to Iceland?
- How to Get Around Iceland?
- How Much Money Do I Need for 7 days in Iceland?
- Is it Safe in Iceland?
- Which tourist SIM card is best for Iceland?
- What to Pack for Iceland?
- Further Reading for Iceland
7 Days Iceland's Ring Road Itinerary Map
| ☀️ Day 1: | Reykjavik |
| ☀️ Day 2: | The Golden Circle |
| ☀️ Day 3: | The Southern Coast |
| ☀️ Day 4: | The Glacier Land |
| ☀️ Day 5: | The Eastern Region |
| ☀️ Day 6: | North Iceland |
| ☀️ Day 7: | Snæfellsnes Peninsula |
| ☀️ Day 8: | Drive to Reykjavik and Fly Back Home |
7 Days Iceland Ring Road Itinerary
Day 1: Reykjavik (2 nights)
Driving Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 50 km
Sleeping in: Reykjavik
Our Iceland's Ring Road itinerary begins in Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, and a perfect place to get your bearings on Iceland and how everything works as well as prepare all the things we need for our 7-day road trips such as food supplies and more.
Since you will be flying in Keflavík International Airport, the main airport located around 50 km away from Reykjavik, you are going to have to get your rental car straight from the airport and drive to the capital city.
As mentioned under our How to Get Around Iceland section, I highly recommend you rent your car from a reputable local company like Lotus Rental for an easy pick-up and return experience. B sure to book the car from their website prior to your arrival so you can hit the ground running when you arrive in Iceland.
- 6 Day - Around Iceland Adventure (6 days)
- Gems of Iceland with Northern Lights (6 days)
- Gems of Iceland with Whale Watching (6 days)
If you go with Lotus Car Rental, let them know your flight, date, and time of arrival and they will pick you up at the airport and bring you to their headquarter to get all the document in place and off you go with your rental car. Remember the location of the headquarter as you are going to have to return your car here before they bring you back to the airport.
When you get the car, take a video of the entire car to document the current condition just in case. I didn't have any problem with Lotus Car Rental but it is always a good precaution to take whenever you rent a car while abroad.
From the airport, it will take around 40 minutes before you get to Reykjavik. Use this time to get used to your car as you will be driving with it for the next week or so. Since you will be spending 2 nights in Reykjavik, you can retreat for the day and spend the next day exploring all the tourist attractions the capital city of Iceland has to offer.
On your way from the airport, you can also visit the famous Blue Lagoon and bathe in that iconic pastel-blue-colored water. It is pretty crowded at times and extremely pricey but there is no place quite like it.
You can buy the Blue Lagoon's entrance ticket here. Be sure to get it prior to your arrival to score a time slot you prefer. Since it is a popular activity to do in Iceland, expect to pay a premium price to get in.
If you just want to see the beautiful thermal area around the Blue Lagoon and walk around the pastel-blue-colored water without paying a dime, there is a section located right by the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon where you can stroll around for free which is something not many people know about.
You can do as I did and visit the Blue Lagoon to walk around the free area and go for a bath elsewhere, in other more remote and quiet hot springs which are plenty around the Golden Circle, the first region we will be exploring in Iceland.
One of the highlights of visiting Reykjavik is checking out the nordic style cathedral of Hallgrímskirkja, one of the largest churches in Iceland and the most recognizable landmarks in the country.
The entrance to the church is free and you can admire the minimalistic approach to interior design the Icelandic people have mastered over centuries.
Other tourist attractions you should check out in Reykjavik are Rainbow Street, a colorfully-painted street with Hallgrímskirkja in the background, and Sun Voyager, a monument looking out over the ocean and the surroundings, providing a glimpse of what's to come.
Last but not least, be sure to check out the Icelandic Phallological Museum, an adult-only museum dedicated to, you guessed it, anything phallic-shaped. There are more than 200 pieces inside the museum, stretching across the animal kingdom from whales to horses and more. It's not for everyone but if you are looking for something unique to see in Reykjavik, it doesn't get more unique than this!
There are also a ton of awesome bakeries cafes you can indulge yourself in Reykjavik like the popular Brauð & Co, a local bakery known for their cinnamon buns, and the cozy Reykjavik Roasters that serve great coffee in a homey vibe, a perfect place to hide from the cold.
If you are looking for a place to get your cooking supplies for the road, you can check out Bonus, a local supermarket where you can get all kinds of things at an affordable price from fresh vegetables to snacks. You can always buy them along the Ring Road in towns and at gas stations but they will be more expensive.
After spending a day, relaxing and enjoying the tourist attractions in Reykjavik as well as preparing all the supplies you might need, it is time to retreat for the night and begin our road trip proper.
Day 2: The Golden Circle (1 night)
Driving Time: 4 hours
Distance: 307 km
Sleeping in: Hella
One of the first areas we will be visiting on this itinerary is the famous Golden Circle, a popular tourist route in Iceland, which is located in the southwestern part of the country, and it's approximately 300 km long with a ton of cool things to see and do.
One of the first places you should check out along the Golden Circle is Þórufoss, a broad 18 meters high waterfall located in the middle of nowhere which means that they will likely be fewer tourists here than most places along the Golden Circle.
The waterfall is not big when it comes to Iceland's standard but it is still very beautiful with a great opportunity for photos without people which is not so easy to come by given the rising amount of travelers visiting Iceland.
Trust me, it will get crowded the further we travel further along the Golden Circle so use this opportunity and enjoy this remote waterfall in solitude before we continue to our next destination.
Once you are done, continue along the Golden Circle and visit Öxarárfoss, a beautiful waterfall located right along the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which creates a rift valley and stunning landscape you can walk around in.
You can park your car at the Öxarárfoss Parking Lot #3 to check out the rift valley from above before walking along the walking trail to the waterfall. It is a longer way to get to Öxarárfoss but you will be able to see more along the trail than if you were to park in other parking lots.
You will be walking along a pretty easy flat trail that should take about 15 minutes to reach the waterfall. It is more of a stroll than a hike so anyone should be able to do it.
After Öxarárfoss, we will be visiting Geysir next which is one of the most popular landmarks along the Golden Circle. This is where it will get pretty crowded especially around the large active geyser as people wait for the explosive geyser eruption.
Thankfully, the geyser erupts very frequently and you should be able to witness a massive amount of water gushing sky-high around every 10 - 15 minutes. You do not need to bring a rain jacket for this as you are quite a distance from the geyser.
Spend around 30 minutes here before we head over to our next destination. Geysir is free to enter and there is a restaurant, toilets, and cafes located on site so you can spend a few minutes freshening up before we continue our journey.
Next up, we are visiting Gullfoss Falls, also known as the Golden Falls, one of our first sightings of the massive waterfall Iceland is renowned for.
This waterfall is truly epic and will literally take your breath away the moment you see it from the viewpoint. The waterfall cascades over two tiers, with a total height of 32 meters, and falls into a deep canyon.
During sunny days, visitors can often see a rainbow over the waterfall, creating a picturesque view. In fact, you can even see double rainbows here, especially around the time we are here, given the sky is open.
Spend around 30 minutes to an hour and walk all the way to the viewpoint over the waterfall itself and witness the true power of Gullfoss up close. You will likely get sprayed quite a bit here as you walk to the viewpoint but not by much. You can pack a raincoat just in case but I didn't have one and it was fine.
Once you are done at Gullfoss, it is time to bathe in the hot springs of Iceland, if you have not done so at the Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik. Along the Golden Circle, you will have 2 options you can choose from.
One is Secret Lagoon, another premium experience just like the Blue Lagoon but with fewer people and a nice view over the landscape around the area. It is also cheaper here than at the Blue Lagoon. If you want to visit the Secret Lagoon, be sure to buy the entry ticket from here.
Another option is to visit Hrunalaug Hot Spring, a more remote and natural experience where you will be bathing in the natural hot spring while being surrounded by real nature, away from the crowds.
The owner of the area decided to convert the hot spring into a place that accommodates tourists and with the entry price of 10 EUR (1,500 ISK) per person, you will get access to this natural hot spring for around 1 hour which is plenty of time to enjoy the place.
They also have a limited capacity of 10 people at one time and so you are guaranteed to have a nice and quiet time at Hrunalaug Hot Spring. You might also have to wait a little bit but if you want the ultimate experience of bathing in a natural hot spring in Iceland, it is definitely worth the wait.
By the time you are done at the hot spring, you should be approaching sunset soon so you can drive to Hella and spend a night there before we continue the next day.
If you want to witness the northern light as I did here, I highly recommend you stay in a place located outside of the town so that the artificial light won't interfere with your northern light experience. We spent a night at Hestheimar, which is a hotel located on a farm, far away from any towns, and we were able to witness our first northern light in Iceland here. It was incredible!
You can also use the Hello Aurora app which is an incredible app that will notify you if the northern light is being spotted around your area in real-time by other travelers.
It is pretty convenient and you will be able to see what others are seeing in different areas around Iceland. I highly recommend you download the app for this trip if you want to go northern light hunting in Iceland. It is available on both Android and IOS.
Day 3: The Southern Coast (1 night)
Driving Time: 2 hours
Distance: 124 km
Sleeping in: Vik
On our third day, we are going to explore the Southern Coast of Iceland which is considered to be the prettiest part of the country, packed with a ton of things to do, so much so that we are going to have to spend 2 days to traverse the length of the southern coast and visit all the highlights of this wonderful region.
And the first place we will be visiting along the Southern Coast is Seljalandsfoss, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland and one of my favorite places to visit although, the reason why I like this place might surprise you!
What sets Seljalandsfoss apart from other waterfalls in Iceland is the fact that you can walk behind the waterfall and see it from a pretty awesome perspective. The waterfall cascades over a cliff that used to be part of Iceland's coastline, and you can walk along a pathway that takes them behind the waterfall and out the other side.
This is the place where a waterproof jacket is highly recommended as you will be blasted by the powerful spray from the waterfall right on the get-go as you walk through, behind, and out from the other side of the waterfall.
This place is particularly great at sunset and if you do not mind backtracking your way here in the evening, it might be worthwhile to leave this for the end of the day. If not, visiting the waterfall in the morning is also pretty nice too.
Now, when I say Seljalandsfoss is my favorite place to visit, it is not the waterfall itself that I find most interesting, it is the hidden waterfall called Gljufrabui which is located not too far from Seljalandsfoss but it is hidden away in a cavern where you will have to hop on stones to get to.
As you make your way through the narrow opening in the rock face, wading through the stream gushing out from the cavern, you will come face to face with Gljufrabui.
Gljufrabui is around 40 meters high and it cascades down a narrow cliff face, surrounded by moss-covered rocks and greenery, creating a magical and serene atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else.
Once you are inside, you will be right below the waterfall, being blasted by the water spray of Gljufrabui so be sure to secure your camera and wear waterproof jacket. Get as many selfies as you can here before you make your way out the same way.
Gljufrabui is probably one of the most fun experiences I had in Iceland and if you want to do something challenging and fun while being rewarded with an incredible scene and experience, I can not recommend Gljufrabui enough!
You can park at the same parking lot for Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui but you will have to pay for the parking fee which is around 5 EUR (750 ISK) per car. Be sure to pay the parking fee and put the receipt on the front mirror before you check out the waterfall.
Next up, we visit Skógafoss, one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in Iceland, with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. You will also get sprayed here as you check out the waterfall from below so be sure to wear a waterproof jacket.
This is a waterfall where you can actually see the entirety of the massive cascade without obstruction. In fact, you can even get up close to the bottom of the waterfall if you don't mind braving the extreme water sprays.
What makes Skógafoss even more unique is the fact that you can climb up a staircase next to the waterfall that will lead you to a viewing platform where you will be able to get a closer look at the cascading water from above as well as the surrounding areas.
Spend around an hour, checking out the waterfall from both the top and the bottom before we continue our journey along the southern coast of Iceland.
After you are done, it is time to make your way to Solheimasandur Plane Wreck, the site of a US Navy DC-3 airplane crash that occurred in 1973, and has been left untouched since the accident. It is a popular place for travelers to visit and take photos of the plane wreck against the barren landscape of its surroundings.
To get there, you can either hike approximately 4 kilometers from the parking lot which should take about 1 hour to reach the site, or you can take a shuttle service operated near the parking lot which will take about 5 minutes to get to and cost around 20 EUR (2900 ISK) per person.
The shuttle service runs in rounds of about 30 minutes between each trip and you can get on one and spend around 30 minutes before you get on another one back to the parking lot.
I opted in for the walk instead since I think the price is way too expensive for something you can do for free. The walk is long but simple and flat, although there is not much to see along the way except the empty barren land. If you want to save time, then by all means, go for the shuttle but if you want to save money, go for the walk instead.
Once you are there, you can take photos of the plane and its surrounding and make your way back to the parking lot. The whole hike should take about 2.5 hours so be sure to spare some time for this activity.
Continue your way along the southern coast and check out Dyrhólaey Viewpoint and Hálsanefshellir Cave along the way before you reach Vik, a town where we will be spending the night. For Hálsanefshellir Cave, be sure to watch out for the tide as it can change very quickly without notice and sadly, many tourists have lost their lives because of it.
Before ending the day, be sure to also check out the Black Sand Beach in Vik, as well as Vík i Myrdal Church and the view of the town and its surrounding from above. You can also stock up on some more supplies at Kronos Supermarket before we travel the Ring Road further.
Day 4: The Glacier Land (1 night)
Driving Time: 3.5 hours
Distance: 279 km
Sleeping in: Hofn
We are entering Iceland's glacier land now as we are on our day 4 around the Ring Road. Today, we will be driving past Vatnajökull national park, home to Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe by volume, so expect to see a ton of glaciers today.
But before that, we are going to stop at Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon and check out its incredible canyon and lush mossy green surroundings. The canyon is about 2 kilometers long and up to 100 meters deep, with a meandering river flowing through its base.
The walls of the canyon are made of columnar basalt and you will be able to witness the stunning geological display as you hike along one of the many hiking trails that will take you up the canyon, and along the ridge, before you arrive at the viewpoint where you will be able to see Fjaðrárgljúfur in its entirety from above.
It's important to note that the canyon is a delicate natural environment and visitors should be respectful of the area. It's recommended to stay on designated trails and avoid climbing or damaging the canyon walls.
It should take about 45 minutes to an hour to hike to the viewpoint and back to the parking lot so be sure to spare some time for Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon before we continue our journey across the glacier region of Iceland.
As we approach Vatnajökull national park, be sure to stop by Skaftafell and hike to Svartifoss, a 20 meters high waterfall tumbling down the center of a dramatic 3D wall of volcanic basalt columns, which is something you don't see every day.
From the parking lot, where you have to pay for around 5 EUR (750 ISK) per car, you are going to have to hike along a simple hiking trail to reach Svartifoss which can take around 1 - 2 hours to complete a roundtrip, so be sure to spare some time for the hike.
If you have the time, you can also go and hike Múlagljúfur Canyon which is one of the prettiest hikes you can do in Iceland. To get there, you will have to take the gravel road here which has no signage whatsoever and you will have to go off-road for a little bit before you arrive at the parking lot. A regular non-4WD car should be able to do it as long as you drive slowly.
From the parking lot, you will have to hike for around 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint where you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the canyon and an epic waterfall. The roundtrip hike should take about 1 hour.
Next up, we can drive to Jökulsárlón, a glacier lagoon where you can see just how epic and massive the glaciers are at Vatnajökull national park. No wonder why this place is considered to be the largest glacier in Europe by volume.
From the viewpoint at Jökulsárlón, you will be able to see the lagoon from above with icebergs, seals, and all the incredible birds living around the lagoon as well as the glaciers stretching out as far as the eyes can see.
While here, you can also take a motor boat around the lagoon and experience the place up close and personal or you can walk up to the top of a hill and simply relax and enjoy the view of the moving icebergs before we head over to our next destination.
Not too far from Jökulsárlón, you will also find the famous Diamond Beach, a beautiful black sand beach named after the sparkling ice chunks that wash up on its black volcanic sand shore, creating the appearance of glistening diamonds.
You can walk along the beach and admire the beautiful and unique landscape of ice chunks of different shapes and sizes. The contrast of the black sand and sparkling ice creates a truly unique and mesmerizing experience you won't find anywhere else.
Once you are done, you can drive to Hofn, another small quiet town where you will be spending the night before we reach the east coast of Iceland.
Day 5: The Eastern Region (1 night)
Driving Time: 5 hours
Distance: 363 km
Sleeping in: Egilsstaðir
Now, we are entering the remote region of Iceland. From here on out, there will be longer driving hours, and fewer stops to make, but as equally impressive so buckle up as we explore the beautiful eastern region of Iceland.
First and foremost, you can stop at Stokksnes and take photos of the iconic mountain which is quite beautiful, especially at sunrise. With low tide, you will be able to capture the mountain as it is symmetrically mirrored from the calm shallow water of the beach.
Since the mountain is located on private land, you are going to have to pay the entrance fee of around 900 ISK (6 EUR) per person which is a shame but if you are looking for a great photo spot, you just can't beat Stokksnes.
After that, we are going to drive to Egilsstaðir, the place we will be spending the night today, and I got to warn you. The road from here to Egilsstaðir is probably the worst section out of the entire Ring Road.
Around 50% of the road we will be driving today is a dirt road which will significantly delay our driving time, especially the Skriðdals- og Breiðdalsvegur section between Breiðdalshreppur and Skridhuvatn Lake.
And since this section of the road will take you through a mountain pass, the weather can be quite extreme up here. You should be able to drive through this section with a regular car but try to drive slowly as it is not uncommon to see lines of potholes along the dirt road.
Before reaching Egilsstaðir, be sure to stop at Litlanesfoss and check out the towering waterfall framed by massive, hexagonal basalt columns, which can be reached by a hiking path that will take you about half an hour, one way. You can also hike even further and visit Hengifoss, another dramatic waterfall to check out. The whole roundtrip hike to both waterfalls should take about 1.5 hours to complete.
Once you are done, drive to Seydisfjordur passing Egilsstaðir, and visit some of the tourist attractions in a town like the Rainbow Road, Seyðisfjarðarkirkja church, and Gufu waterfall, a small waterfall located nearby.
If you are there during the right time, between May and August, you might be able to see the Atlantic Puffins in their natural habitat at Borgarfjarðarhöfn as they are readying themselves for the nesting season.
You can also visit Lindarbakki and its traditional grass-covered homes as well as stroll around the quiet village on your way to see the puffins. Once you are done, you can go back to Egilsstaðir and retreat for the day.
Day 6: North Iceland (1 night)
Driving Time: 6 hours
Distance: 441 km
Sleeping in: Akureyri
Now, we are entering Northern Iceland, another awesome region with some of my favorite places in Iceland like Akureyri and Hverir Geothermal Area, all of which we will be visiting today. We will be driving quite a lot today so be sure to start your day as early as you can.
Right off the bat, we will be visiting Stuðlagil Canyon, a natural wonder known for its massive and striking black basalt columns that are a whole lot larger than they are in photos.
Again, to reach the canyon, you are going to have to drive on a dirt road which can be done with a regular car but the road between the Hvíta New York Bridge to the canyon parking lot is not in the best of condition so be sure to drive slowly.
Many people park their cars at the bridge and walk but the walk from the bridge just to the parking lot is unnecessarily long and since you are going to have to hike another 30 minutes to get from the parking lot to Stuðlagil Canyon, I think it is best you just drive all the way to the actual parking lot.
Once you are there, be sure to climb the basalt columns and take photos of yourself by the river, down at the bottom so that you can capture the true scale of these massive volcanic columns.
Also, don't forget to stop by Stuðlafoss Waterfall as you hike to the canyon. Spare around 2 hours for the place before we head back to the main road and continue our journey around Northern Iceland.
Next up, we will be visiting Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe, with an average water flow of 193 cubic meters per second and probably one of the most epic waterfalls you will ever see in your life.
Out of all the waterfalls I saw here, this one really blew my mind away completely. The scale of this waterfall is just insane! The sheer volume of water cascading down the cliff is truly remarkable, creating a captivating and spellbinding display that took my breath away for a full five minutes, not literally, of course 😂.
From the parking lot, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the waterfall and once you arrive, you will be able to see the true scale of Dettifoss from the viewing platform above.
You can walk down to the viewing platform below to get a closer look at the massive water flow that gushed off its 44 meters height across its broad 100 meters length. Dettifoss is truly quite a sight to behold and really makes traveling all the way to Northern Iceland worthwhile.
After Dettifoss, you can continue west and visit Hverir Geothermal Park, an incredibly active geothermal area where you can find bubbling pools of mud and steaming fumaroles emitting sulfuric gas that will make you smell like rotten eggs the entire day.
Set against the reddish-orange landscape, with all the steam being emitted around the area, Hverir Geothermal Park is truly a sight to behold. In fact, you can even see the steam miles away before you even arrive in Hverir.
To visit Hverir, you are going to have to pay for the parking space since it is located on private land which is around 700 ISK (5 EUR) per car. You can easily pay it online with a QR code right from the machine.
While you are visiting Hverir, you can also explore more of Myvatn and check out places like Grjótagjá, an ancient lava cave, Krafla, a volcanic crater, and Hverfjall volcano located not too far from Hverir.
Stop by Goðafoss, another beautiful waterfall to see in Northern Iceland as you make your way to Akureyri where we will be spending the night. To get to Akureyri, you can either go through a toll tunnel which will cut the travel time by 30 minutes but cost about 10 EUR (1650 ISK) per trip. You can pay the toll online here.
Or better, you can take the scenic route around the mountain for free. Be sure to turn right at this junction if you wish to go with the scenic route. The road is good and the view is beautiful. It just takes a bit longer.
Once you arrive in Akureyri, you can explore its cute little town by visiting places like Akureyrarkirkja Church, explore its quirky city center, and check out the view of Akureyri from across the lake from the parking lot here on your way to the town.
Out of all the towns and cities in Iceland I have visited, Akureyri is probably my favorite of all. This place feels like a proper city with a lively city center, cozy cafes, and restaurants to indulge myself in, and a ton of awesome things to do.
I wish I had more time to stay longer here, to be honest. Once you are done exploring Akureyri, retreat for the night and get a good rest as we will be driving a pretty long distance tomorrow.
Day 7: Snæfellsnes Peninsula (1 night)
Driving Time: 6 hours
Distance: 441 km
Sleeping in: Grundarfjörður
On our 7th day, we are going to have to drive across Northern Iceland to Snæfellsnes Peninsula which is probably the longest driving day for this itinerary, taking around 6 hours with very few stops so be sure to prepare for the long drive.
Along the way, be sure to check out the unique-looking rock formation of Hvítserkur which is located on the northern top of Iceland. You are going to have to drive along a dirt road again for about an hour this time. 4WD is not needed to reach Hvítserkur as long as you drive slowly.
Once you arrive at the Hvítserkur parking lot, you will have to walk for around 5 minutes to reach the rock formation where you will be able to see Hvítserkur standing tall right by the beach.
You can hike down to the bottom and check out the rock up close but please do it carefully as it is pretty steep and the trail is not exactly well-leveled. Slowly make your way down and you should have no problem with it.
Spend a few minutes here before making your way back to the main road and stop by Kolugljúfur Canyon, another beautiful canyon located not too far from the main road. Check out the beautiful waterfalls there before we continue our journey to Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
After 6 hours, you should arrive in Grundarfjörður where we will be spending our last night in Iceland. While you are settling in, you can also check out the iconic Kirkjufell mountain from Kirkjufellsfoss viewpoint which is a popular spot for photos.
If you have time to spare, you can also check out Búlandshöfði View Point, Svörtuloft Lighthouse and its beach, and the incredible rock formation of Gatklettur or you can leave these places for the next day, given your flight out is in the evening.
Day 8: Drive to Reykjavik and Fly Back Home
Driving Time: 4 hours
Distance: 293 km
Depending on the time of your departure flight, you can either spend the day driving back to Reykjavik, enjoy the cafes and restaurants one last time in the city before returning your car or you can explore the rest of Snæfellsnes Peninsula before heading back to Reykjavik.
Just be aware of your flight time and drive back in time to be at the car rental headquarter 3 - 4 hours prior to your departure and the rental company should be able to take you to the airport after you return the car. And that is it for this 7-day Iceland's Ring Road itinerary. Congratulations!
When to Visit Iceland?
In my opinion, the best time to visit Iceland is between late May to early September when you will generally experience good weather, longer days, and a higher chance of clear days which will allow you to enjoy the outdoors more.
If you want to see the northern lights in Iceland, I highly recommend you visit Iceland in September which is exactly what I did for my trip. Out of the 10 days I stayed, there were 3 - 4 clear days where I was able to witness the northern lights without problems. Although the weather can get pretty cold at times in September, it is not unmanageable and if you want to catch 2 birds with one stone in Iceland, September is the way to go.
That said, due to its proximity to the arctic circle and its island topography, it is not uncommon to see a few days of freak weather in Iceland even at the best of times as I learned the hard way when I was stranded in Hofn for 3 days due to road closure and hurricane-speed wind. All that happened in September and so if you can spare some time, be sure to add a few buffer days to your trip just in case.
Technically, you can also visit Iceland in winter and things like accommodation are going to be cheaper but the days are short and if you are not experienced in driving a car under extreme conditions, I wouldn't recommend it.
How to Get to Iceland?
From the US, there are several direct flights from the US to Keflavík International Airport, the main airport in Reykjavik, operated by airlines like Icelandair and Fly Play from big cities like New York, Boston, and Seattle but you can also find plenty of transit flights that will take you to Iceland at a cheaper price. You can browse through great direct flights from here.
From Europe, you can find plenty of flights flying from major European hubs like Rome and Berlin to Iceland via either Fly Play or low-cost airlines like Wizz and Ryanair that will take you to Iceland in no more than 5 hours.
From Asia, you can fly into cities in Europe like Rome via middle eastern airlines like Emirates or Qatar, and then fly to Iceland via low-cost airlines like Wizz Air. The journey can take between 16 - 20 hours depending on the transit time. Keep in mind that you are going to have to do the transit of the Europe-to-Iceland leg yourself.
To find a cheap flight to Iceland, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule so you can compare and pick the best one.
How to Get Around Iceland?
By Rental Cars: There is no way around it. The best way to explore Iceland is to rent a car and drive the ring road yourself. With your own cars, you will be able to stop wherever you want (in a designated area of course), whenever you want, and you are going to want to do it once you see the landscape that awaits. Trust me!
The best way to rent a car in Iceland is to pick the local rental car companies over international brands like Hertz and Sixt since most of the global policies these companies provide are not well suited for the extreme weather in Iceland and even a single scratch can land you a hefty fine.
I recommend you rent a car with Lotus Rental, an excellent local car rental company with a large fleet of cars you can choose from, from a small car like Toyota Yaris to a full-on 4WD jeep with the price ranging from 120 EUR per day to over 240 EUR depending on the type of car you pick.
The company also provide a favorable insurance option that will help you avoid hefty fine after returning the cars due to minor scratches which can easily happen along the way with all the sand, ashes, and gravel roads you will be putting the cars through.
You will also get certain benefits by renting a car with Lotus Rental Car like the discounted gas price at N1 gas stations, which is one of the most widely available gas stations in the country. You will also get unlimited mileage which is essential for driving long distances like this ring road itinerary. Best of all, deposits are not required to rent a car here.
I rented a Toyota Yaris (automatic) (which is all you need for this itinerary) with Lotus Rental together with their Gold Insurance plan which offers gravel, sand, and ashes protection for around 700 EUR for 10 days, and we didn't get a single fine afterward.
The pickup and return service were swift and stress-free. We were picked up at the airport by them and they took us to their headquarters located not too far from there. In 20 minutes, we were already on the road driving ourselves to Reykjavik. When we returned the car at the headquarter, it only took a few minutes for us to complete the return process and they were dropping us off back at the airport in no time.
If you are looking for a reliable local car rental company to rent a car from. I highly recommend you give Lotus Rental a go. You can reserve the car with the link below:
By Tours: Together with driving yourself, you can also visit other remote areas in Iceland with an organized tour. Activities like exploring the ice caves, glacier hikes, and going whale-watching can not be done without an organized tour and so if you plan to do these types of activities, be sure to check out all the tours in Iceland here.
How Much Money Do I Need for 7 days in Iceland?
From this 7 days itinerary, we can calculate approximately how much money you will be spending here as follows:
Accommodation: For 8 nights in Iceland, you can expect to pay around 800 EUR for up to 2 people of accommodation considering you are staying in budget guesthouses or hostels.
Food: For 7 days, 3 meals a day in Iceland, you can expect to pay around 160 EUR for food considering you buy groceries and cook yourself. It will be significantly more expensive if you eat out as food is rather pricey in Iceland.
Transportation: For this itinerary, you can expect to pay around 800 EUR for transportation, 700 EUR for car rental, and 100 EUR for gas.
Activities: Depending on how much you want to do in Iceland, you can expect to pay approximately 61 EUR for this itinerary, mostly on parking in privately owned areas.
Total Budget for 7 days in Iceland: 1,821 EUR
Is it Safe in Iceland?
In Iceland, the only thing you have to keep an eye out for is the weather which can be pretty extreme at times and may result in road closure that can affect your trip drastically.
For your safety, watch out for traffic warnings and road closures on Road.is, a website that keeps track of road closures and weather warnings across the island. Check it every morning before you embark on the journey.
When it comes to driving safely in Iceland, avoid the F-road if you did not rent a 4WD. The F-road is a network of unpaved roads that will take you deeper into the wilderness of Iceland but you will have to make sure that you have a 4WD and you know how to drive off-road.
Do not stop along the road since most roads in remote areas come in only one lane and you will be essentially blocking the way. There will be designated resting stops spread out along the Ring Road so if you want to stop, do it there.
Stick to the 90 km/h speed limit along the Ring Road and the 60 km/h speed limit in urban areas since speed cameras are everywhere in Iceland and you might find yourself with a hefty fine at the end of your trip because of it.
Which tourist SIM card is best for Iceland?
There are 3 major carriers in Iceland, Síminn, Vodafone, and Nova, that offer prepaid sim cards tourists can buy while they are traveling in Iceland. These sim cards should provide enough coverage for you to use for navigation along the Ring Road of Iceland. You can also buy an esim which is something I recommend as it is extremely convenient and can be done prior to your arrival in Iceland.
If you have a smartphone that supports esims, I highly recommend you take a look at these esims. They have a variety of data packages, price points, and durations for you to choose from.
The setup is fast and instant and you can buy it prior to your trip so you don't have to scramble your way to get one at the airport after a long flight. The data speed is also equivalent to what you get with a local sim card with 4G speed across the entire country.
Or if you are traveling to Iceland as part of a bigger Europe trip, I highly recommend you get the regional Eurolink esim which will give you access to data from over 39 countries across Europe. I have personally used this esim on my 3-months trip around Europe and it has worked wonders.
For more information on esims in Iceland, click here: Check Iceland's Available eSim.
What to Pack for Iceland?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Iceland:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Iceland
I hope you found this Iceland travel guide useful. If you want to read more about Iceland, here is a selection of articles you might like:
- Have only 5 days in Iceland? Here's a perfect itinerary for you: 5 Days In Iceland: A Perfect Itinerary.
- Looking for a great day trip to make from Reykjavik? You can explore the best of Iceland and drive around the Golden Circle with our One Day Iceland's Golden Circle Itinerary.
- Every trip to Iceland begins in Reykjavik, and if you plan to spend a day there, be sure to check out the 11 Best Things to Do in Reykjavik.
- Planning to drive a car around Iceland? Here are the 13 Important Things to Know Before Driving in Iceland.
- First time visiting Iceland, but not sure where to begin? Check out: 10 Best Places to Visit in Iceland.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
- To see all the articles about Iceland, visit the Iceland Travel Guide page.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide, Western Europe Travel Guide, Southern Europe Travel Guide, or Central Europe Travel Guide pages.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.