Iceland Ring Road Tours
The Ring Road, or Route 1, runs for 1,332 km around the entire island of Iceland and passes through every major region. Our Ring Road tour packages include pre-booked accommodation and a detailed daily itinerary, so the planning is handled before you arrive.
Choose a self-drive tour for independence, or join a guided group if you’d prefer a local expert to handle the driving and navigation. A 24/7 support line is available throughout your trip.
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Use promo code SAVE10 to save 10% on select Ring Road self-drive and guided group tours with travel dates through October 2026. Circle Iceland and experience the country's most spectacular sights. Offer ends soon!
- Extensive selection of Iceland Ring Road itineraries
- Self-drive, guided group, or private tour options
- Book with just 5% deposit
- 24/7 local support throughout your trip
About our Iceland Ring Road tours
Our Ring Road itineraries cover all four regions of Iceland: the waterfalls and glacier lagoons of the South Coast, the lava fields and geothermal areas of the North, the quiet fjords of the East, and the lava flows and peninsulas of the West. Most tours complete the full loop; shorter options focus on the south and west for travellers with less time.
Tours range from six days to two weeks and come in several travel styles. Self-drive tours give you control over pace, with the car and accommodation pre-booked. Guided group tours run on a fixed schedule with a driver-guide managing logistics throughout. Camping tours are available for travellers who want extended time on the road at a lower cost.
Longer itineraries can include the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords, adding regions that most standard Ring Road routes bypass.
What is the Ring Road?
The Ring Road, also known as Route 1, is Iceland’s main highway. It runs 1,332 km (828 miles) around the island’s perimeter and connects all major regions. Most Iceland multi-day tours use it as their primary route.
The road is paved and maintained throughout, with regular fuel stations, accommodation, and services along the way. It is open year-round, though conditions in the north and east can be challenging in winter. All our self-drive tours include route notes and road condition guidance; winter packages include 4x4 vehicles as standard.
Top sights on the Ring Road
The South Coast accounts for most of the Ring Road’s most-visited sights: Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. North Iceland is defined by the geothermal zone around Lake Mývatn, which includes the Námaskardð mud pools and the Krafla caldera, as well as Goðafoss waterfall and Húsavík for whale watching. The Eastfjords are quieter, with winding coastal roads and the distinctive town of Seyðisfjörður. Longer itineraries that include West Iceland also pass Kirkjufell, Snæfellsjökull National Park, and Hraunfossar waterfalls.
Self-drive vs. guided tour
On a self-drive Ring Road tour, you drive at your own pace with accommodation and a rental car pre-booked for each night. You receive a day-by-day itinerary, route notes, and offline-capable maps before you depart, and a 24/7 support line is available if conditions change. Self-drive suits couples and small groups who want to decide on the day how long to linger at each stop.
Guided Ring Road tours run with a local driver-guide who handles driving, navigation, and daily logistics. Groups are small, up to 16 passengers, and tours follow a fixed schedule. This works well for solo travellers, those who prefer not to drive in Iceland, and anyone who wants local context on the geology and culture along the route. Private guided options are also available for a more tailored itinerary.
Top Ring Road tour packages
Iceland Ring Road: Complete Self-Drive — 8 Days
Eight days covering the full Ring Road loop with pre-booked accommodation and rental car. Suggested stops at the main sights in all four regions. A practical starting point for first-time visitors who want to circle the island independently.
Westfjords and Iceland Ring Road Self-Drive — 14 Days
Fourteen days combining the complete Ring Road with a detour into the Westfjords, adding Látrabjarg bird cliffs and Dynjandi waterfall. The extra time allows a more relaxed pace across the full route.
Iceland Ring Road Guided Small Group — 10 Days
A 10-day guided group tour with a maximum of 16 passengers. Covers the Golden Circle, Lake Mývatn, the Eastfjords, and the South Coast, with a driver-guide handling all logistics throughout.
Northern Lights Ring Road Guided Tour — 8 Days
A winter guided tour following the Ring Road with aurora viewing as a focus. Accommodation is chosen away from town light pollution, and the guide monitors conditions throughout the trip.
Iceland Ring Road Private Tour — 6 Days
A privately guided six-day tour with a dedicated guide and vehicle. The schedule can be adjusted around your interests and pace, without the fixed departure times of a group tour.
Camping Along Iceland’s Ring Road — 7 Days
A seven-day self-drive camping tour with rental car and equipment included. Covers the Ring Road’s main sights with nights at designated campsites. A lower-cost option for travellers comfortable with a more independent approach.
- All Ring Road packages include pre-booked accommodation and a detailed itinerary
- Self-drive, guided group, private, and camping options available
- Book from just a 5% deposit
- 24/7 local support available throughout your trip
FAQs about Iceland Ring Road tours
Common questions about planning a Ring Road tour in Iceland, covering duration, timing, what’s included, and how each travel style works.
A recommended itinerary for a self-guided trip follows Route 1, prioritizing the South Coast and the Lake Mývatn area. Plan to allocate extra time to the South and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for the most scenic Iceland road trip.
On the South Coast: Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. In the North: Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss. In the Eastfjords: Seyðisfjörður and the surrounding fjord scenery. In the West: Snæfellsjökull National Park and Kirkjufell. The Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss — is also on most Ring Road itineraries.
Summer (June to August) gives the longest days, the best road access, and the widest range of activities. Spring and autumn offer fewer visitors with reasonable conditions on most of the route. Winter tours are available and include the chance to see the Northern Lights, but require a 4x4 vehicle and some flexibility around weather.
The length of Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is approximately 1,332 kilometers (828 miles), encircling the country's diverse landscapes.
While the drive takes only 17 to 20 hours without stopping, most travelers spend seven to 10 days completing their Iceland Ring Road itinerary to allow for sightseeing.
Yes, you can book a fully organized guided Ring Road tour or a small group tour, where an expert driver and guide handles all transportation logistics.
With Iceland Tours, you can easily book your Ring Road tour online by picking an itinerary, customizing the accommodation and car, and adding activities. We confirm all arrangements for you, removing the hassle of booking individual hotels on your own.
Yes, Iceland Tours allows you to fully customize your Ring Road trip online by choosing your accommodation level, rental car, and adding extra days or popular activities like the Blue Lagoon. This flexibility ensures your self-drive tour itinerary perfectly suits your schedule and interests.
It is best to confirm your Ring Road vacation package with Iceland Tours first, as start dates vary by tour type, especially for guided trips. Secure your booking online, and then proceed to book your flights once you receive confirmation.
Pack waterproof and windproof outer layers, thermal base layers, and sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots. A swimsuit is useful for hot springs along the route. In winter, add an extra insulating layer and gloves.
Our Ring Road self-drive itineraries head north first, circling the country clockwise before returning along the south coast. There are a few practical reasons for this.
Starting with the long drive to Akureyri on Day 2 means tackling the biggest driving day while you are fresh. The north also tends to be quieter earlier in the week, and the route through Borgarfjörður and Skagafjörður gives you a gentle introduction to the Icelandic countryside before the more dramatic landscapes arrive.
The other advantage is that the south coast and Golden Circle come at the end of the trip, on Days 6 and 7. These are Iceland's most iconic attractions – Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gullfoss and Þingvellir National Park – and experiencing them as a finale rather than an opening means you arrive with context. After six days on the road, you understand the scale of the country, which makes the south coast feel even more impressive.
That said, there is no wrong direction. If you have more time and want to add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to your Ring Road, our 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes self-drive heads west first before continuing clockwise, giving you the best of both approaches.
The Ring of Fire is a term sometimes used for Ring Road itineraries that focus on Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, including the geothermal areas around Lake Mývatn, the Krafla caldera, and the lava fields of the south. Our Ring Road tours all pass through these areas as part of the standard route.