Self-Drive Trips of Iceland's Ring Road

work with local specialists to plan your custom itinerary

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Iceland is best enjoyed at your own pace, and a self-driving tour lets you spend the time where you want. With 1 week or more you can tackle the full Iceland Ring road, or spend some time focusing on the highlights in a few regions, such as the West, South Coast, remote Westfjords, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or Interior. 

Summer brings large crowds to the south coast, and we recommend spending your time exploring more remote regions and small villages far from the crowds where you can enjoy Iceland on your own terms. 

Our local specialists will help you put together the perfect plan for your interests, arranging all details and crafting a detailed driving itinerary for each day of your trip.

Want to explore the best that Iceland has to offer? Get started by describing your ideal trip and we'll connect you with a local specialist to plan out the details.

Iceland Travel Insights

Explore Iceland on a road trip of a lifetime
Map of Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords - 14 Days
Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords - 14 Days

With two weeks in Iceland, you can complete the entire Ring Road and add incredible detours. This grand tour will take you to all the best places giving you plenty of time to hike, explore, and soak it all in. This 14-day itinerary covers all the major regions except the highlands, which you can see with a couple more days or by spending less time in some of the areas below.

Iceland
Map of Where To Go in Iceland: The Best Sights & Activities Region by Region
Where To Go in Iceland: The Best Sights & Activities Region by Region

Don't just stick to the Golden Circle and South Coast. You may see some great sights, but you'll spend a lot of time in lines and waiting for people to get out of your pictures. To see a side of Iceland that fewer travelers see, spend some time in Snaefellsnes, the Westfjords, or the North of the country. You'll appreciate more of Iceland's beauty and culture than you can by sticking to the most-visited areas.

Colorful sunset on Reynisfjara black sand beach, Iceland
Map of 1 Week in Iceland - 4 Unique Road Trip Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Iceland - 4 Unique Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

With seven days in Iceland, hit the road and explore the incredible wonders farther afield from Reykjavik. Explore a variety of landscapes: volcanoes and lava fields, green pastures and farmlands, scenic vistas above fjords, beaches of every color, glaciers and ice caves, and the rugged interior. Here are our recommended drives, an option for all travelers and seasons.

Walk behind Seljalandsfoss on the South Coast
Map of 3 Days in Iceland: Blue Lagoon, South Coast & Reykjavík - 3 Days
3 Days in Iceland: Blue Lagoon, South Coast & Reykjavík - 3 Days

If you're short on time or looking for an extended layover on your way from Europe to North America or vice versa, your options in Iceland are limited to those closer to Reykjavík. Here is a three-day itinerary that will still let you experience some of the spectacular beauty of Iceland.

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
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Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
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Securely book your trip
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Iceland
Travel specialist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
active 9 hours ago

Guðmundur Óli Pálmason

Born in Reykjavík, Iceland in 1978, from a young age I was already travelling all over Iceland with my parents. After a short stint as a driver guide on modified SUVs in 2004, I came back to it...

read more...
Travel specialist Èric D
active 5 mins ago

Èric D

A while ago I was lucky enough to get a job in Iceland, and I must admit, I was completely unaware of what was ahead of me when I first set foot in the country. Working in the tourism industry...

read more...
Travel specialist Othman A
active 1 day ago

Othman A

I lived in Iceland for a time where I worked as guide. This allowed me to travel all around the country and discover many stunning places, even in the most remote areas. Travelling is, I think, a...

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Travel specialist Emanuela Grieco
active 14 hours ago

Emanuela Grieco

I am an Italian Travel Designer mostly based in Iceland. Traveling has been my passion since I was young, being always fascinated by other cultures and people. In 2005, after living and...

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Trip Reviews for Iceland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Incredible first trip to Iceland with a wonderful guide
Iceland | Nov 14 - Nov 19, 2025

Sharon
Sharon M.
Portland, OR | Reviewed on Dec 02, 2025
I had the most wonderful first visit to Iceland, with my guide, Gummi. The airport pickup was seamless and we immediately headed out west. I had asked that we take our time and really get to spend as much time needed everywhere, and that’s exactly how it went. The first hotel he had chosen turned out to be a great destination - great food in an area where there weren’t many options, and locals enjoying music in the lobby on a Saturday night. Also - the skies managed to clear up for a viewing... Read more

I had the most wonderful first visit to Iceland, with my guide, Gummi. The airport pickup was seamless and we immediately headed out west. I had asked that we take our time and really get to spend as much time needed everywhere, and that’s exactly how it went. The first hotel he had chosen turned out to be a great destination - great food in an area where there weren’t many options, and locals enjoying music in the lobby on a Saturday night. Also - the skies managed to clear up for a viewing of the Northern lights. After spending two days out west, we headed to the North for two - seeing the geological sites of interest, but also visiting the towns of Husavik and Akureyri. On the way back to Reykjavik, seeing more of the natural wonders, stopped at a wonderfully situated geothermal spa. Gummi not only created a wonderful itinerary for me, but personally shared with me background on the history, language, and natural history of Iceland. He was a great conversationalist and we also enjoyed some music along the way. I hope to come back some day and have him show me other parts of Iceland I couldn’t fit into this trip.

Hotel Review
Hotel Búðir
Búðir

Incredible location, wonderful restaurant, local cultural experience

Authenticity & Character
Attended a concert in the lobby with a well known Icelandic singer and enjoyed the locals singing along with the tunes they knew
Location
Views of the water and mountains, close to a beautiful church, great rooftop for watching the Northern Lights
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Warm and charming room
Local specialist: Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Guðmundur Óli
Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Dec 02, 2025

Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review Sharon. I know you're still travelling.
This was such a fun trip, and I'm glad to read it met your expectations.
I hope the seminar was good too. and that you're having great travels.
I do definately hope to see you in Iceland again, there's still so much ro see and do :)
All
the best
Gummi

A wonderful Iceland trip !!
Iceland | Oct 30 - Nov 4, 2025

venita
venita b.
Singapore | Reviewed on Nov 30, 2025
Emanuela was in touch and quick in responding from the start of doing my bookings to the end of my trip. It was very reassuring having someone assist in every aspect and make my solo journey manageable despite my torn meniscus of my knee. Only part of the trip was the hotel which I expected to be better but overall it’s not too bad and very near the pick up points. What stood out of the whole experience was the exceptional details of the trip provided plus the guide even on what to pack-... Read more

Emanuela was in touch and quick in responding from the start of doing my bookings to the end of my trip. It was very reassuring having someone assist in every aspect and make my solo journey manageable despite my torn meniscus of my knee. Only part of the trip was the hotel which I expected to be better but overall it’s not too bad and very near the pick up points.

What stood out of the whole experience was the exceptional details of the trip provided plus the guide even on what to pack- and I was so well prepared due to that.

I would highly recommend Kim Kim and specialtiy Emanuela if anyone wants to plan their trip.

Thank you so much for an amazing experience

Activity Reviews
Ice cave tour and back to Reykjavik - Day 2
Ice cave tour and back to Reykjavik - Day 2
Iceland

A once in a lifetime experience with no guarantee the next group will see the same ice cave . This trip was suitable for anyone and if I who is asthmatic and had a torn meniscus of my knee can do it, so can anyone. A tip though, if you are claustrophobic, just doing the glacier walk is sufficient .

Quality of Experience
amazing view, easy walk and breath taking scenery
Guides, Drivers and Staff
A very good guide - amazing how he maneuvered the giant jeep towards the glacier
Transport
Northern Lights Group Tour
Northern Lights Group Tour
Reykjavík

The northern lights were kind of disappointing as I expected to see more but the tour guide on two different occasions were relentless in chasing them and I got to see a small portion which is better than nothing! Kudos to the tour guides !

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco
Emanuela
Emanuela Grieco
Local specialist in Iceland | Replied on Dec 03, 2025

Hi Venita,
So great to hear that you had a fabulous time in Iceland, after all teh attention to the planning we did together.
Glad that you appreciated all the attention I put into creating the perfect tip for you and the extra services I provided.

Thank you for your heartwarming review. It just made my day!
All the best to you!
Emanuela

Veronika planned the perfect trip for me and ...
Iceland | Jun 22 - Jun 26, 2024

L
Liz S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2025
Veronika planned the perfect trip for me and my partner. It was the perfect pace, the activities from the Blue Lagoon to Glacier tour were stunning experiences. The locations she found for us to stay were breathtaking. I honestly couldn't have done it without her help and expertise. My partner and I are dying to return and would use Veronika and KimKim again in a heartbeat. Read more

Veronika planned the perfect trip for me and my partner. It was the perfect pace, the activities from the Blue Lagoon to Glacier tour were stunning experiences. The locations she found for us to stay were breathtaking. I honestly couldn't have done it without her help and expertise. My partner and I are dying to return and would use Veronika and KimKim again in a heartbeat.

Hotel Reviews
Signature by Vík Apartments
Vik

It was stunning. The bath, the views of the ocean, the dinner at the connected hotel. It was romantic and relaxing and so comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Muli
Reykjavik

The staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. The location was a short trip to the city center and the stay was great for the smaller hotel stay of our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Katla Ice Cave
Katla Ice Cave
Iceland

This was such an amazing experience, the tour guide was fantastic and knowledgable. The trip out was a bit long but once you get there being able to walk on a glacier is breath taking. They were very careful about safety.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Veronika Turskytė

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.