Iceland Ring Road Northern Lights Self-Drive - 8 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.

Although Iceland’s weather can sometimes get in the way, it’s perfectly possible to have a safe self-drive trip in winter. The main roads are cleared regularly and there is good 4G coverage in most of the countryside if you need it.

That said, roads can sometimes close in winter if there are storms or heavy snowfall. When you book with Iceland Tours, you’ll get access to a 24/7 helpline while you’re in Iceland. Rest assured that help is at the end of the phone when you need it.

We’ll often contact you proactively if we think your trip will be affected by bad weather and adjust your plans accordingly. This means you’ll always stay safe and get the most out of your trip, no matter the weather.

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 8-day Ring Road and Northern Lights tour is specifically designed for winter travel, positioning you in prime aurora viewing locations around Iceland's entire coastline. Unlike summer Ring Road tours, this winter adventure takes advantage of Iceland's long darkness hours, giving you multiple opportunities to witness the Northern Lights dancing across rural skies far from city light pollution.

Your Iceland Tours itinerary strategically places you in countryside accommodations around the Ring Road - from Akureyri in the north to Höfn in the southeast and Vík along the south coast. Each location offers excellent Northern Lights viewing potential when conditions align. The complete clockwise Ring Road route means you'll experience Iceland's diverse winter landscapes while maximizing your chances of catching the aurora from different vantage points throughout the week.

This 8-day Ring Road tour covers Iceland's most spectacular attractions across all major regions. You'll witness the mighty Gullfoss waterfall plunging into a dramatic canyon, experience the erupting Geysir hot springs where Strokkur geyser shoots water skyward every 5-10 minutes, and walk through the historical and geological wonder of Þingvellir National Park where tectonic plates meet.

Your Iceland Tours itinerary includes the mystical Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where enormous icebergs drift in ethereal blue waters, plus Diamond Beach where ice chunks wash ashore like scattered jewels. You'll visit the powerful waterfalls Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss (where you can walk behind the cascade), the "waterfall of the gods" Goðafoss, and the magical Hraunfossar where water flows from beneath lava fields. The Lake Mývatn region adds volcanic wonders including Hverfjall crater, Dimmuborgir lava formations, and bubbling Námaskarð mud pools.

Lake Mývatn represents one of the highlights of your Ring Road adventure, offering an entire day dedicated to exploring Iceland's most geologically active and diverse region. This remarkable area showcases volcanic formations created by thousands of years of eruptions, including the dramatic Hverfjall crater where you can hike to the rim for panoramic views, and the otherworldly Dimmuborgir lava formations that feel like walking through a natural sculpture garden.

Your Iceland Tours itinerary includes the boiling mud pools and colorful steam vents at Námaskarð, plus the Krafla volcanic area where eruptions occurred as recently as 1975-1984. The lake itself features diverse duck species during warmer months, while the nearby Mývatn Nature Baths (available as an optional add-on) offer a chance to soak in geothermal waters surrounded by winter landscapes. This concentrated volcanic wonderland provides incredible photo opportunities and insights into Iceland's geological forces.

The Eastfjords section offers one of Iceland's most scenic and culturally rich experiences, taking you through dramatic fjord landscapes and charming fishing villages steeped in history. Your route includes Reyðarfjörður with its fascinating World War II history museum, and the unique town of Fáskrúðsfjörður where French street names reflect the area's maritime heritage from French fishing operations.

This remote region provides excellent opportunities to spot reindeer herds and Arctic foxes, especially during winter months when these animals move to lower elevations. The winding coastal roads offer spectacular mountain and fjord views, while the journey to Höfn positions you perfectly for the next day's glacier region exploration. Your Iceland Tours itinerary allows time to appreciate the Eastfjords' rugged beauty and authentic Icelandic culture away from the more crowded southern attractions.

Winter driving on this 8-day Ring Road tour requires extra caution but follows Iceland's best-maintained routes that are regularly cleared by snowplows. The Ring Road (Route 1) is Iceland's primary highway and receives priority for snow removal, making it accessible throughout winter with proper preparation and vehicle equipment. Your Iceland Tours package includes collision damage waiver, unlimited mileage, and 24/7 emergency helpline support for urgent matters.

Road conditions can change rapidly in winter, so flexibility is essential. Iceland Tours monitors weather conditions during business hours and will contact you proactively if adjustments are needed to ensure safety. For urgent assistance outside business hours (such as on weekends), you can contact the 24/7 helpline. Daily driving distances are planned to be manageable even in winter conditions, typically 2-4 hours between destinations with plenty of stops for sightseeing. The dramatic winter landscapes, snow-covered mountains, and frozen waterfalls make every mile spectacular, turning driving into part of the adventure rather than just transportation.

Your 8-day Ring Road tour includes strategically selected accommodations in countryside locations that maximize Northern Lights viewing opportunities while providing comfort after days of winter exploration. You'll stay in charming hotels and guesthouses in towns like Akureyri (north Iceland's capital), the Lake Mývatn area (excellent for aurora viewing due to minimal light pollution), Egilsstaðir in the Eastfjords, Höfn near Vatnajökull glacier, and Vík along the dramatic south coast.

Each accommodation location offers different Northern Lights viewing advantages - from the Mývatn area's minimal light pollution to the south coast's dramatic backdrop of glaciers and black sand beaches. Your Iceland Tours package includes Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation levels, all featuring continental breakfast and strategic positioning away from major cities' light pollution. Many properties have outdoor areas perfect for aurora watching, and rural locations mean you can often spot the Northern Lights right from your accommodation.

This winter Ring Road adventure offers a completely different but equally spectacular experience compared to summer tours, with unique advantages for travelers seeking Iceland's most dramatic seasonal beauty. While summer tours benefit from midnight sun and easier driving conditions, winter tours provide exclusive access to Northern Lights viewing, frozen waterfalls draped in icicles, snow-covered volcanic landscapes, and a magical atmosphere that transforms familiar attractions into winter wonderlands.

The 8-day winter duration allows for more leisurely exploration despite shorter daylight hours, giving you time to fully appreciate each region's winter character. Iceland Tours' winter itinerary includes the complete Ring Road experience, letting you witness Iceland's seasonal contrasts - from steaming geothermal areas against snow-covered surroundings to the pristine beauty of glacier lagoons in their winter setting.

Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon reaches peak beauty during winter months when your Iceland Tours adventure visits this crown jewel of the Ring Road. Winter transforms the lagoon into an even more surreal landscape - the contrast between bright white icebergs and deep blue glacial water becomes more dramatic, while surrounding snow-covered mountains create a pristine arctic atmosphere impossible to experience in summer.

The nearby Diamond Beach showcases ice chunks polished to crystal clarity against black volcanic sand, creating stunning photo opportunities in the soft winter light. Your daytime visit allows you to fully appreciate these spectacular ice formations and the dramatic landscape surrounding Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. The winter setting provides a sense of being in one of Earth's last wilderness frontiers.

Absolutely! This self-drive format provides excellent flexibility to enhance your 8-day Ring Road adventure with spontaneous discoveries and optional experiences. You can add activities like soaking in the Mývatn Nature Baths' geothermal waters or exploring the region's accessible volcanic features at your own pace.

The tour's comprehensive routing allows for spontaneous Northern Lights chasing - if aurora forecasts are favorable, you can extend evening drives to optimal viewing locations or adjust your schedule for early morning displays. You might choose to spend extra time at key attractions or add extra nights in Reykjavík at the tour's end. The 24/7 helpline is available for urgent matters to ensure you stay safe during your journey.

For the best Northern Lights opportunities on this 8-day Ring Road tour, plan your visit during the prime November and February-March window when Iceland experiences substantial darkness hours combined with more manageable road conditions. This timing offers excellent chances for aurora viewing while maintaining better accessibility around the complete Ring Road circuit.

Iceland Tours recommends booking this popular winter itinerary well in advance, especially for travel during Northern Lights season when accommodation availability is limited in countryside locations. The complete Ring Road circuit requires strategic planning for winter road conditions, making early booking essential for securing optimal accommodations and rental vehicles equipped for winter driving. The 8-day duration provides multiple opportunities to experience clear skies somewhere along the route, significantly increasing your chances of witnessing spectacular Northern Lights displays across Iceland's diverse landscapes.