South Iceland & Blue Lagoon Self-Drive Adventure - 5 Days

On a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours, you’ll be at the wheel of the rental car of your choice and free to go pretty much where you want, whenever you want.

We provide a detailed itinerary to help you plan your route and where you want to stop along the way. But it’s up to you whether you want to stick to it or go your own way. If you do take detours, make sure that you aren’t too far from your accommodation on any given night.

That said, it’s a good idea to stick to the suggested itinerary if you’ve never visited Iceland before. Created by our Reykjavík-based travel experts, it contains plenty of things for you to and see and do on each leg of your trip. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short on ideas!

You also get unlimited in-car Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected and use maps on your phone for navigation.

It’s best to book your trip at least a few weeks before you travel. This gives us enough time to organize your preferred accommodation and itinerary. For this reason, we’re unable to accept bookings with less than 1 week’s notice.

In the summer, which is the most popular time of year, booking a few months ahead is a good idea. In certain parts of the countryside, accommodation options are more limited and can be booked up well ahead of your trip.

You have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like jeeps and vans. You’ll need to have held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year and present a credit card when you collect your car.

You don’t need an International Driving Permit unless your license is not in Latin script (for example, Arabic or Chinese).

Find out more about car rental in Iceland.

Yes! It’s possible to add extra activities or extend your trip with additional nights in Reykjavík or the countryside. Check the itinerary above to see what activities are available on what day.

Of course you can add extra adventures! We want you to be able to get the absolute most out of your trip to Iceland, so you can pick optional extra activities at checkout. You’ll be shown exactly what’s on offer for each day of your trip.

And if you feel like you just don’t have enough time to fit it all in, you can also add extra days.

The rules of the road in Iceland are similar to most other countries, although there are some local quirks that you might not be familiar with.

Iceland drives on the right and steering wheels are on the left side of the car. Distances and speed limits are given in kilometers only.

Roundabouts are very common in Iceland, especially in towns. If you’re not familiar with these, make sure you understand how to give way (yield) to other traffic.

In the countryside, you might encounter sheep on the road, or even reindeer in East Iceland. You may also come across gravel roads, single-lane bridges, and blind summits.

For all the info on how to handle these, see this guide to driving in Iceland.

Once you’ve paid your deposit for your trip, we’ll finalize bookings for your accommodation, rental car, and any activities. As soon as we receive confirmation of everything, we’ll email you, letting you know your travel documents are available in our portal.

We aim to finalize everything within a few weeks of receiving your booking request, but in busy periods this might take longer. That said, you’ll always receive all of your documents before your departure date.

You’ll be able to pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport from the arrivals hall. Before your trip, we’ll send you information about where to go in the terminal to collect your keys.

Make sure you have your driver’s license and credit card ready when you collect your vehicle.

If you land late at night, you can use the out-of-hours phone at the pick-up desk to contact someone who will be able to help you.

You also have the option to collect your rental car in Reykjavík, if you’re planning to spend some extra days in the city before your trip starts. If you’d like to do this, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.

Yes, you can easily collect your rental car from Reykjavík instead of Keflavik Airport.

During the booking steps on our website, just let us know you'd prefer your pick-up/drop-off location to be in the city centre. We'll take care of it for you, no problem.

Just a quick heads-up: if you request different pick-up and drop-off locations (e.g. collect from the airport, drop off in the city, or vice versa) there's a one-way fee of around ISK 7.900 ISK (EUR 60). You'll pay this directly to the rental company when you pick up the car.

All of our self-drive tour packages include the following as standard:

• Rental car of your choice, with unlimited mileage
• Basic liability insurance coverage
• Collision damage waiver
• Authorization for second driver
• Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
• Accommodation level of your choice
• Breakfast every day
• Detailed itinerary crafted by local travel experts
• 24/7 helpline in Iceland, just in case you need it

When you book your vacation on our website, you’ll be able to choose your preferred rental car and accommodation level.

You can see what vehicles are available on this car rental page.

On a self-drive package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from 3 levels of accommodation:

• Budget – Guesthouses and country hotels, with shared bathrooms
• Comfort – Hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars, with private bathrooms
• Quality – Hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars, with private bathrooms

Each accommodation level offers different types of rooms. We’ve described them below to help you choose the best one for you. Just keep in mind that not every hotel has all these room types available.

• Single room: one single bed in a room, perfect for solo travelers.
• Double room: a full-sized double bed for 2 people.
• Twin room: a room with 2 single beds that fit 1 person each.
• Triple room: these vary in size and layout, but are designed to fit 3 adults. Triple rooms feature a combination of double, single or sofa beds, depending on the hotel.

No matter which accommodation level you pick, breakfast is included. Read more about the differences between the levels on this accommodation page.

Feel like getting closer to nature? Check out these self-drive camping tours.

In Iceland, you can expect all weathers no matter what time of year you visit. With that in mind, it’s good to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay cozy, warm, and dry.

Here’s a packing list to help you get ready for your trip:

• Tough, waterproof walking boots
• Thermal underlayers
• Sweaters or fleeces
• Waterproof raincoat
• Warm winter jacket
• Scarf, hat, and gloves
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear (for pools and hot springs)
• Lip salve and moisturizer

For more tips on what to bring with you, see this Iceland packing list.

No worries! Iceland Tours is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We've teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.

Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.

This comprehensive 5 day Iceland itinerary covers Iceland's most iconic attractions across the Golden Circle and South Coast. Your adventure includes walking behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall, witnessing Strokkur geyser's powerful eruptions, exploring Þingvellir National Park where you can walk between tectonic plates, and marveling at the golden cascade of Gullfoss waterfall. The tour also features an exhilarating ice cave exploration at Kötlujökull glacier with professional guides, relaxation at the geothermal Laugarvatn Fontana spa, and a rejuvenating experience at the world-famous Blue Lagoon. You'll discover Skógafoss waterfall, explore the volcanic black sand landscapes of Vík, and enjoy the charming capital city of Reykjavík.

Your Blue Lagoon experience includes Comfort admission with several premium amenities. You'll receive a complimentary towel rental, a natural silica mud mask to enhance your spa experience, and one refreshing drink from the in-pool bar while you soak in the milky blue geothermal waters. The Blue Lagoon visit is perfectly timed on day 4 as a relaxing conclusion to your adventure-packed days exploring glaciers and waterfalls. The volcanic minerals in the water are known for their skin-soothing properties, making this an ideal way to unwind after your South Coast explorations.

The Katla Ice Cave "Under the Volcano" tour is included in your package and takes place on day 3 near Vík. You'll join an epic group tour in a specialized 4X4 jeep to reach the Kötlujökull glacier. Professional guides will provide you with crampons and safety equipment before leading you across the glacier's surface to reach a magical natural ice cave. Inside, you'll witness stunning blue-tinted ice walls formed by centuries of glacial activity. This guided experience lasts approximately 2.5-3 hours and requires moderate physical fitness. The tour operates year-round, though ice formations vary seasonally, ensuring each visit offers unique frozen sculptures and formations.

Iceland Tours offers three accommodation tiers to suit different budgets and preferences. Budget accommodations are guesthouses and country hotels with shared bathroom facilities. Comfort accommodations are hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars with private bathrooms. Quality accommodations are hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars with private bathrooms, or superior/plus rooms in 3-star properties. All accommodation levels include continental breakfast daily and are handpicked by local experts for their quality and convenient locations near your route. On nights 2 and 3, you'll stay in the Selfoss/South Coast area to minimize driving times to attractions, while nights 1 and 4 are spent in Reykjavík for easy city exploration.

Your 5 day Iceland itinerary includes a rental car of your choice for 4 days, featuring new vehicles with unlimited mileage and collision damage waiver insurance. Two authorized drivers are included as standard, allowing you to share driving responsibilities. The vehicles come equipped with unlimited in-car Wi-Fi for navigation and communication. While fuel and parking charges aren't included, the package provides a detailed itinerary to help guide your journey. Drivers must be at least 20 or 23 years old depending on vehicle category, with a valid driver's license held for minimum one year. An international driving permit is only required if your license isn't in Latin script.

The daily driving distances are designed to maximize sightseeing while minimizing time behind the wheel. Day 1 involves a short airport-to-Reykjavík drive (45 minutes). Day 2's Golden Circle route covers approximately 300km with multiple stops at Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, plus time at Laugarvatn Fontana spa. Day 3 features South Coast exploration from Selfoss to Vík and back, covering around 350km including stops at Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and the ice cave adventure. Day 4 is a relaxed drive back to Reykjavík via Hveragerði and the Blue Lagoon (approximately 150km). All routes follow well-maintained Ring Road sections with clearly marked attractions and excellent road infrastructure.

This 5 day Iceland tour offers flexibility within its self-drive format, allowing you to spend extra time at locations that interest you most. The itinerary mentions "Extra activities" available on certain days, though specific add-on options vary and should be confirmed directly with Iceland Tours when booking. The flexible self-drive nature means you can adjust your pace at attractions and explore additional stops along your route. Since the core itinerary is already optimized for the best experience with major activities like the ice cave tour and Blue Lagoon included, any additional activities would complement rather than replace the main attractions. Contact Iceland Tours directly to discuss specific customization options and available add-ons for your travel dates.

Pack layered clothing suitable for variable weather conditions, including waterproof outer layers, warm insulating layers, and comfortable base layers. Essential items include waterproof hiking boots with good grip, warm hat and gloves, waterproof jacket and pants, and swimwear for the Blue Lagoon and Fontana spa. For the ice cave tour, warm clothing is crucial as glacier temperatures remain near freezing year-round. Other recommended items include a camera with extra batteries (cold drains power quickly), sunglasses for glacier glare, and a daypack for carrying essentials during activities. Crampons and safety equipment for the ice cave are provided by the tour guides.

This 5 day Iceland tour operates from April 1st through October 31st. Summer months (June-August) provide the warmest weather, longest daylight hours, and easiest driving conditions, making them ideal for first-time visitors. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer fewer crowds, dramatic lighting for photography, and moderate weather conditions. The shoulder seasons can still provide excellent touring conditions while avoiding peak summer crowds. The Blue Lagoon and geothermal attractions are equally magnificent throughout the operating season, while waterfalls take on different characteristics with seasonal flow variations. Since this tour includes the ice cave experience, you'll enjoy this unique glacier adventure regardless of which month you choose within the available season.

Iceland Tours provides comprehensive 24/7 emergency helpline support throughout your stay in Iceland, ensuring assistance whenever needed. Before departure, you receive a detailed PDF itinerary with attraction descriptions to help guide your journey. Your booking is secured with just a 5% deposit and comes with the Best Price Guarantee. The tour is carbon offset through our partnership with Icelandic environmental funds, and all VAT, taxes, and service fees are included in the upfront pricing for complete transparency. This popular South Coast route visits Iceland's most iconic attractions, so you can expect to share these spectacular sights with other travelers, especially during peak times.