Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Winter Self-Drive - 10 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes winter tour represents Iceland Tours' ideal balance of complete country coverage with manageable daily distances during challenging winter conditions. Unlike shorter Ring Road tours that rush through regions, this extended itinerary allows you to fully appreciate Iceland's diverse winter landscapes - from glacier-topped mountains and frozen waterfalls to boiling geysers erupting from snow-covered ground.

The 10-day duration includes the complete Ring Road circuit plus the spectacular Snæfellsnes peninsula, often called "Iceland in Miniature," giving you access to attractions that shorter tours miss entirely. Your Iceland Tours package strategically positions overnight stays in optimal locations for Northern Lights viewing while ensuring comfortable daily driving distances. This tour combines Iceland's greatest hits with lesser-known gems, providing the most comprehensive winter Iceland experience possible in a manageable timeframe.

The Snæfellsnes peninsula addition transforms this from a standard Ring Road tour into a comprehensive Iceland exploration that showcases the country's incredible diversity. Your Iceland Tours itinerary dedicates a full day to exploring Snæfellsnes' dramatic coastline, including the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier and volcano that inspired Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

You'll discover unique attractions like the black pebble beach of Djúpalónssandur with its scattered shipwreck remains, the striking Gerðuberg basalt cliffs, and the charming hamlet of Búðir surrounded by dark lava fields. The volcanic Eldborg crater and dramatic coastal formations create photo opportunities impossible to find elsewhere in Iceland. This peninsula perfectly complements the Ring Road's inland attractions, giving you both coastal drama and volcanic wonders while maintaining the winter theme with snow-covered landscapes and potential Northern Lights viewing.

Lake Mývatn represents one of the absolute highlights of your 10-day Iceland Tours winter adventure, offering an entire region dedicated to volcanic wonders and geothermal activity that creates stunning contrasts against winter snow. Your itinerary includes the mesmerizing Dimmuborgir lava field labyrinth, featured in Game of Thrones, where dark volcanic formations create an otherworldly maze perfect for winter exploration.

The area showcases ancient Skútustaðir pseudo-craters formed by steam explosions when lava met water, plus the dramatic boiling mud pools and colorful steam vents at Námaskarð where Earth's geothermal power creates rainbow-colored mineral deposits. The nearby Krafla volcanic area, site of eruptions from 1975-1984, demonstrates Iceland's ongoing geological activity. Combined with the possibility of Northern Lights reflecting off the lake's surface, Mývatn offers Iceland's most concentrated volcanic wonderland enhanced by winter's magical atmosphere.

Your 10-day Iceland Tours adventure showcases Iceland's most iconic waterfalls transformed by winter conditions into spectacular frozen displays. The tour includes the mighty Gullfoss "Golden Falls," where glacial waters plunge dramatically into a canyon often adorned with ice formations, and the active Geysir geothermal area where Strokkur geyser shoots steaming water skyward every 5-10 minutes against a snowy backdrop.

You'll visit the powerful Skógafoss waterfall, one of Iceland's tallest at 60 meters, often creating rainbow mists in winter sunlight, and Seljalandsfoss where you can walk behind the frozen cascade. The impressive Goðafoss "waterfall of the gods" provides another winter spectacle along your route north. The Golden Circle's crown jewel, Þingvellir National Park, showcases the dramatic rift valley where North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, creating Iceland's most significant historical and geological site enhanced by winter's pristine snow cover.

This 10-day winter itinerary is expertly designed by Iceland Tours to balance comprehensive coverage with safe winter driving practices, featuring manageable daily distances and strategic overnight locations. The tour follows Iceland's best-maintained routes - the Ring Road and major regional highways - that receive priority snow clearing and are accessible with standard rental vehicles when proper winter precautions are taken.

Daily driving typically ranges from 2-4 hours between accommodations, allowing ample time for stops, photography, and flexibility around weather conditions. Your Iceland Tours package includes 24/7 emergency support, collision damage waiver, and proactive weather monitoring - the team will contact you if conditions require itinerary adjustments to ensure safety. The 10-day duration provides built-in flexibility for weather delays while still covering the complete route, making this Iceland's most comprehensive yet manageable winter Ring Road experience.

The Eastfjords section of your Iceland Tours adventure offers one of Iceland's most scenic and culturally rich winter experiences, featuring dramatic fjord landscapes and authentic fishing village culture enhanced by winter's serene atmosphere. Your route includes the historically significant Reyðarfjörður with its fascinating World War II museum, and Fáskrúðsfjörður where French street names reflect the area's maritime heritage from 19th-century fishing operations.

Winter transforms the Eastfjords into a wildlife viewing paradise - you'll have excellent opportunities to spot reindeer herds that migrate to lower elevations during cold months, plus potential Arctic fox sightings in this remote region. The winding coastal roads provide spectacular mountain and fjord panoramas, while the journey through these authentic fishing communities offers insights into traditional Icelandic life. The Eastfjords' relative isolation also creates excellent Northern Lights viewing conditions away from any light pollution.

This comprehensive 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes tour offers significantly more thorough exploration than shorter Iceland Tours packages, providing the optimal balance between complete coverage and comfortable pacing for winter conditions. While 7-8 day Ring Road tours require rushing through regions or skipping attractions, this extended itinerary allows proper time to appreciate each area's unique character and winter beauty.

The critical addition of Snæfellsnes peninsula sets this tour apart from basic Ring Road packages, adding coastal drama, volcanic formations, and cultural sites that shorter tours cannot accommodate. You'll experience Iceland's full diversity - from the volcanic highlands of Mývatn to the coastal villages of the Eastfjords to the glacial wonders of the southeast. The 10-day duration also provides better Northern Lights opportunities across multiple regions and weather patterns, while extra time allows for spontaneous discoveries and weather flexibility essential for safe winter travel.

Your 10-day Iceland Tours package includes strategically selected accommodations positioned for optimal Northern Lights viewing while providing comfort after winter exploration days. You'll stay in countryside locations including the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Akureyri area, Lake Mývatn region, Eastfjords, and south coast - each offering different aurora viewing advantages and minimal light pollution.

The extended itinerary means multiple nights in prime Northern Lights locations, significantly increasing your chances of witnessing spectacular displays. Mývatn's high altitude and clear skies, the Eastfjords' remote positioning, and south coast locations near glacier lagoons all provide excellent aurora viewing potential. Your accommodations range from Budget to Quality levels, all featuring continental breakfast and countryside positioning that places you perfectly for stepping outside to witness the dancing lights whenever solar activity permits.

This self-drive format provides excellent flexibility to enhance your 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes adventure while maintaining the core itinerary that ensures optimal winter routing. Your Iceland Tours package already includes numerous suggested stops and activities - from visiting the preserved turf farmhouse museum at Glaumbær to exploring the various volcanic formations at Mývatn to hiking opportunities at Skaftafell surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains.

The tour's comprehensive nature means you're positioned near many optional experiences throughout your journey - you might choose to spend extra time at specific attractions, explore additional hiking trails where conditions permit, or pursue spontaneous wildlife viewing opportunities for reindeer and Arctic foxes. The 10-day duration includes natural flexibility for weather adjustments and personal preferences, while Iceland Tours' 24/7 support ensures any modifications maintain the tour's strategic flow and accommodation schedule.

This comprehensive 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes tour operates during Iceland's winter season, typically November through March, when you can combine complete country exploration with Northern Lights viewing opportunities. Peak booking time aligns with Northern Lights season - November through February offers the longest darkness hours but also the most challenging weather, while late February through March provides a good balance of aurora potential and improving road conditions.

Iceland Tours recommends booking this popular winter itinerary well in advance, especially for travel during peak aurora season when accommodation availability becomes limited in remote regions like the Eastfjords and Mývatn area. Early booking ensures access to optimal rental vehicles equipped for winter conditions and preferred accommodation levels across all regions. The 10-day comprehensive nature means this tour requires more advance planning than shorter packages, but provides the most thorough winter Iceland experience possible with excellent Northern Lights opportunities throughout the complete Ring Road circuit plus unique Snæfellsnes attractions.