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 2-Week Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords
2-Week Ring Road Self-Drive Itinerary: Highlights of Iceland & the Remote Westfjords

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.

Where To Go in Iceland: the Best Sights and Activities Region by Region
Map of Where To Go in Iceland: the Best Sights and Activities Region by Region
Where To Go in Iceland: the Best Sights and 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 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, Reykjavik - 3-day itinerary
3 Days in Iceland: Blue Lagoon, South Coast, Reykjavik - 3-day itinerary

If you are short on time, or perhaps you are looking for an extended layover on your way from Europe to North America or vice versa, your options in Iceland are limited to closer to Reykjavik. Here is a 3-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
Chat icons Step 2
Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
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Securely book your trip
100% satisfaction guaranteed

Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Iceland
Travel specialist Guðmundur Óli Pálmason
active 2 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 suv's in 2004, I pursued a career...

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Travel specialist Èric Domínguez
active 3 hours ago

Èric Domínguez

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...

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Travel specialist Rinolda J
active 4 hours ago

Rinolda J

I've been living in Norway, Sweden, Nepal, Austria and most of my adult life I've spent here in Iceland. Once I met some outdoor people who had so much fun on a glacier that I decided to become...

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Travel specialist Emanuela Grieco
active 3 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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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.

Secure & easy booking

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.

100% satisfaction guarantee
Kimkim offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you are not fully satisfied with us, we’ll work with you to make it right.
kimkim trips are 100% climate neutral
A portion of every kimkim trip goes toward the removal of carbon from the atmosphere. Learn more
BBB A+ rated

Kimkim is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating.

Seller of Travel Registration number: CST #2136279-40.
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

Trip Reviews for Iceland

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Well planned 11 day venture
Iceland | Sep 18 - Sep 29, 2024

Marvin
Marvin S.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Oct 03, 2024

Eva planned a very impressive itinerary which we very much enjoyed. The glacier hike was most impressive and our guide was very patient with my wife’s initial hesitation about the venture which she enjoyed and now has a memorable event.

Local specialist: Eva Sigurðardóttir

Dear Kim Kim. Thank you for Emanuela. I have...
Iceland | Sep 19 - Sep 28, 2024

Charles
Charles C.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 29, 2024
Dear Kim Kim. Thank you for Emanuela. I have traveled to many countries and iceland has put all doubt to rest on which was my most memorable. From the first phone call with her to all of her updates and check ins during my trip I could not have had a BETTER experience. Every detail was meticulous. Her recommendations where to go and what to see were spot on. If I had a question before and during this trip to heaven she handled it with precision,immediately and well informed knowledge.... Read more

Dear Kim Kim. Thank you for Emanuela. I have traveled to many countries and iceland has put all doubt to rest on which was my most memorable. From the first phone call with her to all of her updates and check ins during my trip I could not have had a BETTER experience. Every detail was meticulous. Her recommendations where to go and what to see were spot on. If I had a question before and during this trip to heaven she handled it with precision,immediately and well informed knowledge. Every mile of this country was awe inspiring. Everything was gorgeous and immense. The sheer beauty was breathtaking and spiritual. I told her I will definitely be returning and was interested in living there as a commercial fisherman. Sure enough, Emanuela sent me all the information to start investigating a possible future there. The residents are all first class ,completely polite and helpful, along with a gratitude towards life I've never experienced anywhere. The entire country is the cleanest place I've ever seen.
Thank you From the bottom of my heart Emanuela. I promise you will be hearing from me again for my return in April and I've already shared your name and the company with everyone I met and will do so with my friends here in America.

Local specialist: Emanuela Grieco

great trip to Iceland
Iceland | Sep 22 - Sep 27, 2024

D
Diana C.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Sep 28, 2024
All activities and sightseeing stops were great. Hotels were all perfect for our needs. Rinolda was responsive both before and during our trip. Would recommend kimkim to others looking to go to Iceland or other locations. One small hiccup- the rental car company, Blue, charged us a ridiculous amount for 2 very, very tiny scratches on the car likely caused by pieces of gravel that hit our car during the trip. The amount of damage caused was extremely minor (maybe 2mm in length) and... Read more

All activities and sightseeing stops were great. Hotels were all perfect for our needs. Rinolda was responsive both before and during our trip. Would recommend kimkim to others looking to go to Iceland or other locations.

One small hiccup- the rental car company, Blue, charged us a ridiculous amount for 2 very, very tiny scratches on the car likely caused by pieces of gravel that hit our car during the trip. The amount of damage caused was extremely minor (maybe 2mm in length) and looked like normal wear and tear on a rental car to us, especially because many roads in Iceland aren’t paved and are gravel roads. Blue charged us nearly $900 for it to get assessed and fixed by their mechanic, and claims they will refund us the difference. We had no choice but to pay it. It was a shocking charge at the end of an otherwise great trip. I would not use blue rental car company again.

Hotel Review
Superior Category Accommodation With Private Bathroom and Breakfast

N/a- we didn’t actually stay here. Rinolda changed this part of our trip at our request. We didn’t end up staying here. The accommodations we did stay in in Reykjavik were great though.

Activity Reviews
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon
Iceland

Lovely time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Solheimajokull Glacier Hike
Iceland

Amazing, great guide, it was a challenge but fun!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Rinolda J