Discover breathtaking Iceland on a self-drive getaway (2024)

Absolutely! In fact, Iceland is a popular road trip destination. Opting for a self-drive tour means that you can discover Iceland at your own pace, taking in the views as you go and stopping along the way.

A self-drive trip is the perfect way to experience Iceland if you like to have flexibility while travelling. This makes it the ideal choice, whether you prefer to explore at leisure, or pack in as much sight-seeing as possible.

You can find up-to-date information about visiting the Land of Fire and Ice on our Iceland Travel Update page.

With just one main road around the country, the Ring Road (or Route 1), getting around is easy. Iceland’s Ring Road loops around the island in a circle, allowing you to drive to the many different corners of the country.

If you decide to spend some time in Iceland’s central highlands, then you’ll need to upgrade your rental car to a 4x4 vehicle. With a jeep you can venture onto the unpaved F-Roads that wind their way into Iceland’s vast interior.

For a safe and enjoyable experience, we recommend doing a little pre-trip preparation. Check out these helpful guides to driving in Iceland for more advice:

• Guide to driving in Iceland
• Guide to winter driving in Iceland
  

This can vary based on how long you have to spend in Iceland and what you’d like to see and do during your tour. Choose the timeframe that works for you from our range of Iceland self-drive trips from 4 days to 21 days

Even with just 1 week in Iceland, it’s possible for you to tour the entire Ring Road on an express itinerary.

Or for a more leisurely experience, why not explore just one or two regions? For example, you could drive the must-see Golden Circle route from Reykjavík. Then head to South Iceland to discover more beautiful scenery at top spots like Reynisfjara black sand beach.

Extending your trip to 2 weeks in Iceland gives you more time in each location and means you’ll have shorter drives between stops. With an extra week, you could mix seeing Iceland’s top attractions with a few hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path excursions.

Get the ultimate self-drive tour experience in 3 weeks and traverse the Iceland south coast. You’ll pass glacier lagoons and dramatic fjords on the country’s east coast, en-route to Iceland’s remote north. From here go on to discover the wildlife of the Westfjords, and marvel at the beauty on the Snæfellsnes peninsula before you return to Reykjavík.

For tips on how long you may need in Iceland, and more ideas on what to do on your trip, check out these helpful blogs:

• How many days do you need in Iceland?
• How long does it take to drive around Iceland?
• 4 best ways to spend a week in Iceland
• Driving Iceland’s Golden Circle: all you need to know
  

The best road trip for you depends on where you’d like to go in Iceland, and what you’d like to do there. Before you decide on a tour, first think about how you’d like to balance your daily driving time with sightseeing opportunities.

No matter how you like to travel, you’ll find something to suit you in our range of tried-and-tested tours. Whether you’d prefer to explore Iceland one region at a time or take it all in at once on the road trip of a lifetime.

Find the right tour for you by browsing our range of Iceland self-drive packages. Each tour is curated by experts and includes a selection of handpicked must-see attractions and hidden gems. This way you can be sure that you’ll enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

For inspiration and advice, you can read about our travel consultants' top picks for the 5 best Iceland road trips.

If you still can’t find exactly what you are looking for then don’t hesitate to contact a travel expert. They will help to plan your ideal custom trip to Iceland.

When you book an Iceland self-drive tour with Nordic Visitor, your package includes a rental car complete with:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
• Basic liability insurance coverage
• Authorisation for 2 drivers
• Hand-marked route map
• Unlimited mileage
• Free in-car Wi-Fi
  

If you would like to add anything else, such as more listed drivers, your personal travel consultant will be happy to help you. Meanwhile, extras like child seats and insurance upgrades can be added at your rental pick-up point.

Thanks to its incredible natural beauty, Iceland draws fellow adventurers from around the world into Reykjavík and the countryside beyond. This means that you will find plenty of quality accommodation options outside of Iceland’s lively capital city.

The trick is to know the right places to stay along your route. Organise it well and you will drive a manageable amount each day, with time to enjoy spectacular scenery along the way.

We know that it can be a big task to find, research and book all the accommodation for your trip. That’s why we take the hassle out of planning your tour and make all of the arrangements on your behalf.

All of our chosen hotels and guesthouses are handpicked for their high levels of comfort, handy locations, and friendly atmosphere. We carefully vet each one and visit them ourselves to ensure that you will have an enjoyable stay.

Your personal travel consultant will make sure that your accommodation is conveniently located along your route. This way you'll get a good balance between time spent driving and sightseeing. And they also know the best places to stay for your needs.

Travelling to Iceland with kids? We know the best child-friendly lodgings in Iceland. Or perhaps you are booking an Iceland honeymoon or a romantic trip for two? We will arrange charming hotels that you’ll both love. All you have to do is ask.

In short, we make your whole experience hassle-free and seamless. You can also add extra nights to your tour if you want to spend more time in a particular location.

Normally, before you go on a road trip you need to do lots of research on the area and what you can do there.

Thankfully, you can remove all of this stress by choosing to book with Nordic Visitor. Our self-drive tours have been tried-and-tested by Iceland experts so that you can simply take the wheel and enjoy the journey.

When you book with us, you’ll also get your own Reykjavík-based travel consultant. They will recommend the best places to visit based on your interests, and will answer your questions about travelling to Iceland.

Not only that, but you’ll also receive a personalised map with the top places to eat and en-route highlights marked on it by hand. With this insider knowledge at your fingertips, you can discover the best of Iceland on a seamless driving experience.

As well as personal recommendations, your tour includes stays at quality hotels and a rental car, complete with insurance, as standard.

Check out these popular Iceland trips for tour inspiration. You can also read these handy blogs for travel tips and activity recommendations:

• Iceland travel tips: how to explore Iceland
• 18 top things to do in Iceland
  

The answer to this really depends on what experience you are looking for. If you would like to see Iceland independently, then a self-drive tour is best.

With a rental car, you’ll have the opportunity to stop for photos and go to viewpoints whenever you like. By opting for a self-guided tour over a small group tour, you won’t be bound by time limits, and you’ll be able to choose whichever excursions and restaurants suit you.

On the other hand, if you’d rather sit back and let an expert tour guide show you the sights, then a guided small group tour of Iceland could be ideal. This may be especially true if you are travelling to Iceland solo or don’t feel comfortable driving.

On a guided group tour, you’ll get to experience the sights in the company of like-minded travellers. We only partner with reliable local suppliers and promise that your tour group will always be small. This way you receive the best and most personal service.

Alternatively, you could opt for a privately guided Iceland tour. This would see you, or you and your chosen travelling party, accompanied by an expert local guide, meaning that you can set the pace. This way of exploring blends the advantages of guided travel with the pros of an independent tour.

A private tour is ideal for a family trip, as you and your kids will have your own personal guide to answer your questions about Iceland.

Take a look at these classic holidays to Iceland for top recommended routes and itineraries.

There isn’t really one particular best month to see the northern lights. That said, the best time of year for spotting the aurora borealis in Iceland’s skies is winter, from October to March.

Travelling in winter is key to seeing the northern lights in Iceland. This is because the nights are at their longest and darkest. As a result, the colours of the aurora borealis stand out more, compared to when the night skies are light in summer.

Whenever you visit between October and March, be prepared to stay up late to increase your chances of seeing the northern lights. The best time of day to see the aurora borealis tends to be from 11 PM to 2 AM.

For the most vibrant sightings, head out of town away from light pollution. This means that a self-guided road trip is a great way to travel in Iceland if you’d like to see the northern lights. Simply check your aurora forecast app for predicted sightings, hop in the car and head to a beautiful viewing spot of your choice.

There are a number of ways that you can chase the aurora, including going on a dedicated northern lights tour in Iceland. Alternatively, add an aurora borealis excursion to your winter road trip, or simply go in search of the lights for yourself.

It’s worth remembering that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, meaning that sightings can’t be guaranteed on your trip. That said, Iceland has plenty of other natural wonders for you to marvel at, from volcanoes to dazzling glaciers.

Check out this handy blog for information on the best times and places to see the northern lights in Iceland. For even more tips and advice, read our Iceland northern lights guide.

The best time of year to visit Iceland depends on where you would like to go and what activities you plan on doing.

Iceland undergoes distinct seasonal changes, so you will have a different experience in summer, compared to visiting in winter. This simply means that there are more reasons to return to Iceland in the future!

In summer the temperature is milder and you’re likely to get better weather conditions. This is ideal for sight-seeing in Iceland’s more remote regions and for activities like glacier hiking.

The long daylight hours in summer also mean that you can pack more into each day. Self-drive tours give you the flexibility to take advantage of the longer days, allowing you to explore well into the evening. Imagine admiring the midnight sun while bathing in one of Iceland’s secluded hot springs.

Meanwhile, autumn and winter in Iceland offer a different set of experiences. Contrast exploring late into the night under the midnight sun, with dark winter nights spent chasing incredible displays of the northern lights.

Although winter does bring some additional challenges, such as colder weather and trickier road conditions, we think the rewards are worth it. You can enjoy soaking up the festive atmosphere around Christmas and New Year, or try activities like snowmobiling on a glacier.

For more detailed information about the seasonal changes to the weather and daylight hours, check out these guides:

• Iceland's climate and weather conditions
• Iceland's time and daylight hours
  

Yes, you can choose the arrival date that suits you best, based on the trip and time of year. Each tour has an online availability calendar, so once you have decided on the right trip for you, simply select your preferred start date.

Summer self-drive tours in Iceland are possible from April to October. Please note, tours that venture to remote regions, including the highlands and Westfjords, have a shorter season.

Meanwhile, you can begin winter tours anytime you like between October to April. But bear in mind that Christmas and New Year tour departures are only available to start on a limited number of days before Christmas Eve.

For exact dates, please check the online availability calendar for the tour you are interested in.

Yes, of course. All of our self-drive tour packages are carefully planned to give you a wonderful experience in Iceland. That said, they can also be easily tailored to suit your needs.

When booking your tour online, you can choose from a variety of ways to customise your trip.

Opt to extend your stay in Iceland by adding extra nights before or after your trip. Or, consider treating yourself to an accommodation upgrade.

At this point, you can also add expert-curated activities to your trip. You can choose from guided excursions, like ice caving or horse riding. Alternatively, for an altogether more relaxed experience, go for a luxury spa session at the Blue Lagoon.

Get in touch with us if you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, or would like to talk to an expert about creating the ultimate Iceland tour for you.

We recommend checking what flights are available before you book your tour. However, it’s best to hold off on confirming your flights until after your dedicated travel consultant has been in touch.

You will normally hear from your dedicated travel consultant 2 working days after making your booking online. By waiting until you have been introduced to your travel consultant, you can then get your flights to match up with your personal itinerary.

And, of course, if you have any questions, you can ask your consultant for advice.

Iceland is famous for its ever-changing weather, so it’s best to be prepared for all conditions.

Make sure to pack warm layers and waterproofs, whether you are travelling in summer or winter. That way, come rain or shine, you can get out and about to enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty.

Your self-drive tour will take you to a range of iconic attractions where short walks are necessary to make the most of your visit. So, as well as warm and waterproof layers, be sure to bring sturdy walking boots or shoes with a good grip for hiking.

During winter, you’ll need to wrap up warm as temperatures can drop below freezing. Whereas in the summer, milder weather means that you should bring sunscreen and some lighter layers.

If you’d like to visit any hot springs or geothermal pools, like the renowned Blue Lagoon, remember to bring swimwear and sandals.

Below you’ll find a basic all-season packing list for your self-drive tour of Iceland. For more information on what to pack according to the season, read our Iceland packing guide.

• Walking boots or shoes with good grip
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm hat, scarf and gloves
• Warm hiking socks
• Rucksack
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Quick-drying travel towel

You can also check out this blog on what to pack for your trip to Iceland for further tips and advice.