Westfjords & Iceland Ring Road Road Trip - 14 Days

On a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours, everything is pre-arranged before you arrive. Your rental car, accommodation, and any booked activities are confirmed in advance, so when you land at Keflíavík Airport you can collect your keys and get on the road without any logistics left to sort out. All you need to manage is your own time each day.

Every trip comes with a detailed day-by-day itinerary created by our Reykjavík-based travel team, giving you a clear route, suggested stops, and things to do and see at each stage. You can follow it closely or adapt it as you go. The important thing is staying within reasonable distance of your accommodation each night, which is already booked for you throughout the trip.

Every car also comes with a portable Wi-Fi device (Mi-Fi), so navigation and staying connected are both covered from day one. If anything comes up during your trip, a 24/7 emergency helpline staffed by our local Reykjavík team is available throughout your journey. You can explore our full range of Iceland self-drive tours to find the right length and route for your trip, or read more about how car rental in Iceland works before you book.

Booking at least a few weeks before your travel date gives us enough time to confirm your preferred accommodation and finalize your itinerary. We are unable to accept bookings with less than one week’s notice.

For summer travel between June and August, booking several months ahead is strongly recommended. Accommodation in rural areas fills up quickly during peak season, and popular activity add-ons like glacier walks and whale watching can sell out well in advance. Booking early also lets you lock in your preferred car type and accommodation tier before availability narrows.

You only need a 5% deposit to secure your trip, with the balance due closer to your departure date. This low-deposit model means you can confirm your plans early without a large upfront commitment. If your plans change, our cancellation policy offers up to a 95% refund up to five days before arrival, with the retained 5% converted into a long-valid travel credit you can use on a future booking. See our how to book with us page for full details.

Most international driving licenses are accepted in Iceland. You need to be at least 20 years old to rent a standard car, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like 4x4s and vans, and you must have held a valid license for at least one year. You will also need to present a credit card in the main renter’s name when collecting your vehicle.

An International Driving Permit is only required if your license is not in Latin script, for example if it is in Arabic or Chinese characters. If you are unsure whether your license qualifies, our team is happy to advise before you book.

Iceland drives on the right, with speed limits and distances in kilometers. Roundabouts are common, especially around towns, and in rural areas you may encounter single-lane bridges, gravel roads, and sheep on the road. Our detailed itinerary includes route guidance for each day, and the portable Wi-Fi device means you can use live navigation throughout the trip. For a full overview of what to expect behind the wheel, see our guide to driving in Iceland and our page on car rental in Iceland.

Yes. Every self-drive trip can be extended with additional nights in Reykjavík or elsewhere along the route. If you have a particular interest or a region you want to spend more time in, we recommend getting in touch with our travel team before you book. This way we can advise on what’s possible, flag any additional costs, and make sure your preferences are built into the booking from the start. This means a smoother process and no amendment fees down the line.

The itinerary itself provides a well-tested route and daily plan, but the self-drive format gives you genuine flexibility to adjust your pace, linger at stops you enjoy, or take side routes as conditions allow. The structure handles the logistics so the day-to-day decisions remain yours.

If you are looking at a range of itinerary lengths or want to compare what is covered across different trips, you can browse the full Iceland self-drive tour collection or get in touch with our Reykjavík-based team through the contact page to talk through your options.

Optional activities are available to add during the booking process, and you will be shown exactly what is on offer for each day of your trip at checkout. Popular additions include glacier walks, whale watching, ice cave tours, lava cave explorations, horseback riding, and geothermal spa visits.

Adding activities through Iceland Tours at the time of booking means everything is coordinated with your itinerary and accommodation in advance, rather than arranging things independently on arrival. This is particularly worth considering for activities that require guides or have limited availability, since spots can fill up during peak season.

If you would like more activities built directly into the itinerary rather than added as extras, our 10-Day Active Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Self-Drive is structured with more activity inclusions as standard. You can also read more about planning your trip on our Iceland travel guide.

Iceland drives on the right, with steering wheels on the left side of the car. Speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour. The rules of the road broadly follow European conventions, but there are a few things worth knowing before you set off.

Roundabouts are very common throughout Iceland, particularly in and around towns. Traffic already in the roundabout has right of way, and if you are in the inner lane of a multi-lane roundabout, you also have priority over vehicles in the outer lane. In rural areas, you may encounter one-lane bridges, blind hill crests, and gravel roads on some secondary routes.

During summer, sheep roam freely and often wander onto the road, so be prepared to slow down and give way when you encounter them. In East Iceland during winter, you may also encounter reindeer. Your trip comes with a portable Wi-Fi device for navigation, and our detailed itinerary notes specific things to watch for on each leg of the route.

If you are planning a winter trip, our local team monitors road and weather conditions and is reachable 24/7. For a comprehensive overview of driving conditions, road types, and seasonal considerations, see our guide to driving in Iceland.

One good thing to know is that some attractions in the Westfjords are only accessible via gravel roads. These are generally not a problem, but you should drive more slowly and look out for potholes.

You might find it easier to navigate the gravel roads in a larger car such as a jeep. That way you’ll be higher up off the road for a better view, and will have better suspension for a more comfortable ride.

• See what kind of rental cars are available in Iceland.
• Get the lowdown on driving with our ultimate guide to renting a car in Iceland.

Once you have paid your deposit, we begin finalizing your accommodation, rental car, and any booked activities. As soon as confirmation is received from all partners, we will email you to let you know your travel documents are ready to access in our booking portal.

We aim to have everything confirmed within a few weeks of receiving your booking. During busy periods this may take a little longer, but you will always receive your complete documents before your departure date. Your documents include your full day-by-day itinerary, accommodation details, rental car pickup information, and contact details for our 24/7 in-Iceland helpline.

If you have questions about your booking at any point before your trip, you can reach our Reykjavík-based team through the contact page. Iceland Tours has been organizing Iceland trips for over 40 years, and our local team is available to help with any questions about your itinerary or preparations.

Your rental car can be collected from the arrivals hall at Keflavík International Airport. Your travel documents will confirm the name of the car rental company and advise you to proceed to their service desk in the arrivals hall. Have your driver’s license and credit card in the main renter’s name ready when you arrive.

Rental car desks at Keflavík operate at different hours depending on the provider. If your flight arrives outside standard desk hours, the rental company will typically have made arrangements given your expected arrival time. Your travel documents will include a contact number if you need assistance on arrival.

Your car comes with unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, and authorization for a second driver as standard, along with the portable Wi-Fi device included with every trip. If you are planning to spend extra days in Reykjavík before your self-drive begins, you also have the option to collect your car from the city rather than the airport. See question 9 for details.

Yes. If you prefer to pick up your rental car in Reykjavík rather than at Keflíavík Airport, simply let us know in the special requests field during checkout and we will arrange it for you.

This is a practical option if you are arriving early and want to spend time in the city before your self-drive itinerary begins. Reykjavík has a lot worth exploring, from the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church and the waterfront Harpa concert hall to the city’s well-regarded restaurant scene. Our downtown Reykjavík and Reykjavík attraction pages are a useful starting point for planning those extra days.

If you request different pick-up and drop-off locations, for example collecting in the city and returning at the airport or vice versa, a one-way fee of around ISK 7,900 (approximately EUR 60) applies. This is paid directly to the rental company when you collect the car.

Every Iceland Tours self-drive package includes the following as standard: a rental car of your choice with unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, authorization for a second driver, and a portable Wi-Fi device. Accommodation at your chosen level is booked for every night of the trip, and continental breakfast is included daily. You also receive a detailed day-by-day itinerary built by our local travel experts, along with access to a 24/7 emergency helpline staffed by our Reykjavík-based team throughout your trip. Carbon offsetting of your tour is included, and all VAT, taxes, and service fees are covered.

What is not included: international flights, fuel and parking, personal travel insurance, the Iceland Road Tax (a small charge collected at pickup), food and drink beyond breakfast, and attraction entrance fees unless otherwise stated on your specific tour page.

Iceland Tours has been organizing self-drive trips in Iceland for over 40 years and is Travelife-certified for sustainable operations. When you book a package with us rather than piecing together a trip independently, every element of the logistics is handled in advance by people who know the country well, so you can focus on the trip itself. See our accommodation page and car rental page for more detail on what is available at each level, and visit our why book with us page for a full overview of what sets Iceland Tours apart.

When you book a self-drive package with Iceland Tours, you choose from three accommodation levels: Budget, Comfort, or Quality. All three include continental breakfast every day.

Budget accommodation is guesthouses and country hotels with shared bathrooms, a practical and affordable choice that still puts you in well-located, locally run properties.

Comfort moves to a selection of hotels, guesthouses, and country and farmhotels with private bathrooms, offering a comfortable step up in quality and facilities.

Quality represents the best available accommodation in each area from our selection. This typically means four-star hotels or superior rooms at three-star properties, though in more remote parts of Iceland, where the options are naturally more limited, it means the highest-quality property available in that location. Breakfast is included at all levels.

All accommodations are handpicked by our team and pre-booked before your trip begins. In rural Iceland, accommodation options are more limited than in the cities, which is one of the reasons booking ahead matters. Securing your places early as part of a package means you are not left searching for availability in remote areas during peak season. For travelers who prefer something closer to nature, we also offer Iceland self-drive camping tours. Read more about all accommodation options on our accommodation in Iceland page.

Iceland’s weather can change quickly regardless of the time of year, so packing for multiple conditions is the right approach even in summer. The essentials are: waterproof walking boots, waterproof trousers, thermal underlayers, fleeces or warm sweaters, a waterproof rain jacket, a warm outer jacket, and a hat, scarf, and gloves. Sunglasses are useful year-round. Swimwear is worth packing since hot springs and geothermal pools appear throughout the country, and lip balm and moisturizer will be appreciated given the wind.

For practical self-drive needs, your car comes with a portable Wi-Fi device so a phone mount for navigation is useful. A portable power bank is handy for longer days out. If you are visiting in winter, ice scrapers are typically provided with the car, but dressing in proper thermal layers for time spent outside makes a real difference.

For a full seasonal packing guide covering everything from summer hiking to winter driving, see our Iceland packing list. The Iceland in winter guide and our Iceland winter weather and packing article are also useful if you are traveling in the colder months.

Carbon offsetting is already included as standard with every Iceland Tours package. We have partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon footprint of the tour itself, so there is nothing extra you need to do or pay.

Iceland Tours is Travelife-certified, meaning our operations are independently assessed against sustainability standards covering environmental, social, and supply chain criteria. This certification reflects a commitment to responsible travel that goes beyond carbon offsetting, including how we select local accommodation and activity partners.

Carbon offsetting for international flights to and from Iceland is not included in the tour package, but your airline may offer offset options at the time of booking, or you can arrange this through a local or national environmental fund. For more on how we approach sustainable travel, see our sustainability policy and our article on responsible and sustainable travel in Iceland.

The Westfjords are absolutely Iceland's most remote and pristine region making them totally worth the extra time on this Iceland 14 day tour! This spectacular region offers some of Iceland's most impressive and untouched landscapes with rugged coastlines and deep fjords and authentic fishing villages. You'll experience the remarkable Látrabjarg cliffs which are 450 meters high and 14 kilometers long providing home to millions of seabirds including puffins during summer months. The mighty Dynjandi waterfall is considered the jewel of the Westfjords with eight cascades flowing down steep cliffs. While the region can get busier during summer especially when cruise ships visit it still offers that authentic "edge of the world" feeling with landscapes so wild and pristine they'll create unforgettable memories. The Westfjords give you experiences and scenery you simply can't find anywhere else in Iceland!

This Iceland 14 day tour follows a perfectly planned clockwise route! You'll start by heading to the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula where you'll explore Kirkjufell mountain and the mystical landscapes before continuing to the Westfjords. The route takes you from Snæfellsnes to spectacular Látrabjarg cliffs then to charming Ísafjörður giving you the complete Westfjords experience. While the Westfjords include some gravel roads and more remote driving the incredible landscapes make it completely worthwhile and we recommend 4WD vehicles for maximum comfort. After exploring the wild beauty of places like Ísafjörður and Látrabjarg you'll continue your clockwise journey around the Ring Road through Akureyri and the Diamond Circle then the eastern fjords and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon before finishing with the famous south coast attractions.

The ferry connection runs from Stykkishólmur to Brjánslækur and provides a scenic transition during your Iceland 14 day tour! This journey takes you across the stunning Breiðafjörður bay with countless small islands dotting the water and maybe you'll spot seals or seabirds along the way. The ferry timing varies by season with different departure schedules throughout the operating period. During the crossing you'll see incredible coastal scenery and might pass beautiful Flatey island. The ferry provides a relaxing break from driving while offering spectacular views of this unique Icelandic seascape before you continue your Westfjords adventure.

The Westfjords portion of your Iceland 14 day tour focuses primarily on incredible sightseeing and natural attractions! You'll experience some of Iceland's most spectacular landscapes including the dramatic Látrabjarg cliffs where millions of seabirds nest during summer and the stunning Dynjandi waterfall with its eight-tiered cascade. The region offers incredible photography opportunities with pristine fjords and authentic fishing villages like Ísafjörður. While we focus mainly on the outstanding natural sightseeing in our itinerary there are local tour operators in places like Ísafjörður that offer activities such as kayaking and hiking tours if you're interested in adding adventure elements. The Westfjords experience is primarily about connecting with Iceland's most remote and beautiful landscapes through incredible scenic drives and natural attractions.

The routing from Reykjavík to the Westfjords is perfectly planned for your Iceland 14 day tour! On day 2 you'll start in Reykjavík and drive around the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula staying overnight on the peninsula to experience this "Iceland in miniature" region. Day 3 takes you from Snæfellsnes to the Westfjords where you'll begin exploring this incredible remote region. This pacing allows you to properly experience the Snæfellsnes Peninsula before tackling the more remote Westfjords portion of your journey. The two-day transition gives you time to adjust to Iceland's landscapes and driving conditions while building up to the most spectacular and wild regions of your tour.

Ísafjörður is the charming "capital" of the Westfjords and offers a totally different experience from anywhere else in Iceland! This picturesque town sits beautifully at the tip of Skutulsfjörður fjord surrounded by towering mountains and connected to the outside world by winding mountain roads. The colorful wooden houses and narrow streets give it an authentic Nordic fishing village atmosphere. Ísafjörður has incredible cultural heritage with museums and local restaurants serving fresh seafood caught right from the surrounding fjords. While local operators offer activities like kayaking and hiking the town atmosphere can vary significantly depending on whether cruise ships are visiting that day. The town serves as your base for exploring the wider Westfjords region and provides authentic Icelandic small-town character.

This epic Iceland 14 day tour covers approximately 3,055 km (1,900 miles) of driving through some of Iceland's most spectacular terrain! Most days involve 2-4 hours of driving between destinations giving you ample time for sightseeing and photography. The longest driving day distance-wise is day 5 from Ísafjörður to Hrútafjörður which includes navigating some of the more remote Westfjords roads but rewards you with incredible scenery. The Westfjords portion includes more winding roads and some gravel sections but the landscapes make every kilometer worthwhile. After the Westfjords you'll continue clockwise through Akureyri and the Diamond Circle then the eastern fjords and Jökulsárlón before finishing with the south coast. Your Iceland 14 day tour means you're never rushed and can take detours or spend extra time at places that capture your imagination!

Accommodations throughout this Iceland 14 day tour are carefully selected and arranged when you book to guarantee availability even in remote regions! All accommodations include breakfast to start your days of exploration properly. In the Westfjords you'll stay in charming guesthouses and small hotels that provide comfortable rooms. Comfort and Quality category accommodations feature private bathrooms while Budget category accommodations have shared facilities. Due to the remote nature of the Westfjords accommodation options are more limited than other parts of Iceland but that's part of the authentic experience. Places like Ísafjörður offer hotels with local character while smaller villages provide cozy guesthouses run by local families. As you continue your clockwise Ring Road journey you'll stay in well-located accommodations near major attractions like Akureyri and along the south coast providing comfortable bases for each day's adventures.

This Iceland 14 day tour operates during the warmer months when Iceland's main roads are most accessible, especially in the remote Westfjords region. Summer months offer extended daylight hours perfect for exploring all the spectacular landscapes and taking stunning photos during the long bright days. During the operating season you'll have access to the recommended roads in our itinerary and the best chance to see puffins at Látrabjarg cliffs plus optimal weather conditions for the more remote Westfjords driving. The extended daylight means you can explore from early morning until late evening, maximizing your sightseeing opportunities. The summer season provides the most reliable conditions for accessing the Westfjords and completing the full clockwise Ring Road experience safely and comfortably.

This Iceland 14 day tour gives you the ultimate Iceland experience by combining every major region in perfect clockwise sequence! You'll start with the magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula before spending 3 incredible days exploring the wild Westfjords including Dynjandi waterfall and Látrabjarg cliffs and authentic towns like Ísafjörður that most visitors never experience. Then you'll continue your clockwise Ring Road journey experiencing all the famous attractions starting with Akureyri and the Diamond Circle in northern Iceland followed by the eastern fjords and spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon before finishing with the south coast waterfalls and black sand beaches. This timing allows for proper exploration of the remote Westfjords plus the complete Ring Road experience giving you a comprehensive picture of Iceland's diverse landscapes and cultures. It's the perfect balance of well-known highlights and authentic wilderness adventures!