South Coast & Northern Lights Self-Drive - 3 Days

This 3 day Iceland winter itinerary is specifically designed to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights during a short visit. With 3 nights in Iceland, you'll have multiple opportunities to hunt for the aurora borealis in the dark winter evenings. The itinerary positions you away from Reykjavík's light pollution on at least one night, staying in the countryside where the skies are darker and Northern Lights viewing conditions are optimal. Winter in Iceland offers long dark nights, typically from September through March, providing extended viewing windows each evening. The flexibility of the self-drive format means you can venture out whenever conditions look promising, unlike fixed-schedule tours. Combined with visiting Iceland's most iconic winter attractions during the day, this 3 day Iceland winter itinerary delivers the complete Icelandic winter experience.

Yes, 3 nights in Iceland provides a reasonable chance to see the Northern Lights, though aurora viewing is never guaranteed as it depends on solar activity, weather, and cloud cover. Having multiple nights significantly increases your odds compared to single-night stopovers. This itinerary strategically includes countryside accommodation away from city lights, where viewing conditions are best. Many travelers successfully spot the Northern Lights during 3 nights in Iceland, especially during peak winter months (November through February) when nights are longest and darkest. The self-drive format gives you flexibility to check aurora forecasts and drive to optimal viewing locations on clear nights. If aurora viewing is your primary goal, consider that spending 3 nights in Iceland during winter offers better chances than summer visits when Iceland experiences midnight sun and Northern Lights aren't visible.

This 3 day Iceland winter itinerary focuses on Iceland's most accessible and spectacular winter attractions. You'll explore the Golden Circle including Þingvellir National Park dusted with snow, watch Strokkur geyser erupt against a winter backdrop, and marvel at Gullfoss waterfall which often freezes dramatically creating stunning ice formations. The itinerary offers flexibility to either explore more of the Golden Circle or venture along the South Coast visiting Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls transformed by winter ice, plus Reynisfjara black sand beach where winter storms create dramatic wave action. Optional additions include visiting the Blue Lagoon's steaming geothermal waters surrounded by snow-covered lava fields, a perfect contrast to winter weather. Every evening during your 3 nights in Iceland, you can hunt for the Northern Lights from your countryside accommodation or by driving to dark viewing spots recommended in your detailed itinerary.

Yes, this 3 day Iceland winter itinerary is designed with winter driving safety in mind, focusing on the most accessible and well-maintained routes. The Golden Circle and nearby South Coast attractions are served by roads that receive priority snow clearing and maintenance throughout winter. Your rental car will be appropriate for winter conditions, and we provide detailed driving guidance in your itinerary. That said, winter driving in Iceland does require extra caution including driving slower than in summer, watching for ice patches, and being prepared for changing conditions. If you're not comfortable with winter driving, consider our guided group tours instead where professional drivers handle the roads. The 3 nights in Iceland format means daily driving distances are short and manageable, typically 1-3 hours per day, reducing exposure to challenging conditions while still delivering incredible winter experiences.

This 3 day Iceland winter itinerary offers completely different experiences compared to the summer version. Winter highlights include Northern Lights viewing opportunities throughout your 3 nights in Iceland, frozen waterfalls creating dramatic ice formations, snow-covered landscapes transforming familiar sights, the possibility of exploring ice caves (available as optional additions), and the Blue Lagoon experience enhanced by snow and winter darkness. Winter days are shorter (4-5 hours of daylight in December/January) but the extended darkness is perfect for aurora hunting. The summer version offers midnight sun with nearly 24-hour daylight, green landscapes, puffin viewing opportunities, and ability to walk behind waterfalls without ice hazards. Choose this 3 day Iceland winter itinerary if you prioritize Northern Lights, winter landscapes, and ice formations over long daylight hours and summer activities.

The best time for this 3 day Iceland winter itinerary is between late September and late March when Northern Lights are visible and winter conditions transform Iceland's landscapes. Peak Northern Lights season runs November through February when nights are longest and darkest, providing maximum viewing opportunities during your 3 nights in Iceland. December and January offer the darkest conditions but also the shortest days (around 4-5 hours of daylight), while September, October, and March provide better balance with more daylight for sightseeing while still offering good aurora viewing chances. Weather tends to be most stable in February and March, though Northern Lights are visible throughout winter. Book well in advance for Christmas and New Year periods which are extremely popular. Consider that spending 3 nights in Iceland during deep winter (December-January) maximizes Northern Lights chances but requires comfort with very short days.

Absolutely! While this 3 day Iceland winter itinerary includes fantastic sightseeing, you can enhance your 3 nights in Iceland with optional winter activities available at checkout. Popular additions include Blue Lagoon admission for relaxing in steaming geothermal waters surrounded by snow-covered lava fields, ice cave tours to explore magical blue ice caves beneath Vatnajökull glacier (winter only), glacier hiking with crampons on ancient ice, snowmobiling across glacier surfaces, horseback riding through snowy landscapes on Icelandic horses, and guided Northern Lights tours for evenings when you want expert help finding the aurora. The short duration means you'll want to choose activities strategically, with most travelers adding 1-2 experiences. The Blue Lagoon fits perfectly on arrival or departure day, while ice cave tours make an unforgettable highlight if you have time for the longer journey to Southeast Iceland.

For your 3 nights in Iceland during winter, pack in layers focusing on warm, weatherproof clothing. Essential items include a waterproof winter jacket with hood, insulated layers like fleece or down, thermal base layers (top and bottom), waterproof pants, warm wool socks, waterproof hiking boots with good traction for icy conditions, warm hat covering ears, waterproof gloves, and scarf. For Northern Lights photography, bring a camera with manual settings, tripod, and extra batteries (cold drains them quickly). Winter in Iceland means temperatures typically range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F), but wind chill can make it feel much colder. The key is layering so you can adjust based on activity level and whether you're outdoors or in heated vehicles and buildings. Don't forget swimwear for the Blue Lagoon or other geothermal pools. This 3 day Iceland winter itinerary involves outdoor activities at each stop, so proper clothing is essential for comfort and safety.

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.