Snæfellsnes & South Iceland Self-Drive Tour - 5 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.

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.

This Iceland 5 day tour is absolutely perfect for travelers who want maximum impact in minimal time! You'll experience Iceland's most iconic attractions including the world-famous Golden Circle with Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss waterfall plus the spectacular south coast with its powerful waterfalls and black sand beaches. The magical Snæfellsnes Peninsula adds that incredible "Iceland in miniature" experience with Kirkjufell mountain and the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier. Unlike longer tours that require a full week or more this 5 day Iceland tour gives you the perfect introduction to Iceland's diverse landscapes without taking too much time off work or away from other travel plans. You'll return home with incredible photos and memories while still having time and budget for other adventures!

This perfectly planned 5 day Iceland tour gives you the best of three incredible regions! The Golden Circle showcases Iceland's geological wonders including historic Þingvellir National Park and the famous geothermal area where Strokkur geyser performs its incredible show every few minutes. The south coast brings you face-to-face with thundering waterfalls and striking black sand beaches that showcase Iceland's raw natural power. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula adds that magical "Iceland in miniature" experience with diverse coastal formations and charming fishing villages. Each day is carefully planned to maximize your time while keeping driving distances manageable. The compact 5-day format means you'll experience incredible variety without the marathon driving sessions of longer Ring Road tours.

Kirkjufell mountain is absolutely Iceland's most photographed peak and including it makes this 5 day Iceland tour truly complete! This 463-meter cone-shaped mountain creates the perfect composition with Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, and you'll instantly recognize it from Game of Thrones. The entire Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers incredible diversity in a compact area with the mystical Snæfellsjökull glacier that inspired Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" plus striking coastal formations like the black pebble beach at Djúpalónssandur and the towering Gerðuberg basalt columns. The peninsula gives you that complete Iceland experience with charming villages like Búðir and Arnarstapi plus the golden beach at Ytri Tunga where seals love to hang out. It's the perfect finale that shows you a totally different side of Iceland!

This Iceland 5 day tour offers amazing opportunities to add exciting activities throughout your journey! The south coast offers glacier hiking experiences and ice cave exploration during certain seasons. Snæfellsnes Peninsula activities include exploring Vatnshellir lava cave which takes you underground into ancient lava tubes or whale watching tours from Ólafsvík. You could also add horseback riding on Icelandic horses or visits to geothermal pools like the Secret Lagoon. During your Golden Circle exploration, you might add visits to local attractions or additional geothermal experiences. Your accommodations are arranged when you book giving you flexibility to add activities that match your interests during your 5 day Iceland tour while keeping the pace comfortable.

This Iceland 5 day tour is designed with comfortable daily driving distances that maximize sightseeing time! Each day typically involves 2-4 hours of scenic driving spread throughout the day with plenty of stops at incredible attractions. The Golden Circle day includes about 3 hours of driving around the classic route with stops at Þingvellir and Gullfoss waterfall. South coast days feature beautiful coastal driving with constant photo opportunities at waterfalls and beaches. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula day includes gorgeous coastal driving but you'll be stopping frequently for exploration and photography. The longest single drive might be getting to or from the peninsula which takes about 2 hours, but the scenery is absolutely stunning the entire way. Your 5 day Iceland tour keeps driving manageable while ensuring you see all the highlights!

This Iceland 5 day tour operates during Iceland's optimal travel season when you'll have extended daylight hours and the most predictable weather conditions! Summer months offer up to 19 hours of daylight which means you can explore attractions from early morning until late evening with gorgeous golden light. You'll experience Iceland's famous lupine flowers painting the countryside purple and have the best chances to see puffins along the coastlines. The weather is much more stable with temperatures around 10-15°C and minimal risk of road closures. Spring and fall shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and unique seasonal beauty with incredible skies and changing landscapes. The operating season gives you flexibility to choose timing that matches your preferences for weather, crowds and seasonal highlights.

This Iceland 5 day tour offers distinct advantages over longer Ring Road journeys! You'll experience Iceland's most iconic and accessible attractions without the extensive driving sessions that come with circling the entire country. The focus on three incredible regions means you can really appreciate each area instead of just checking attractions off a list. You'll have more time for optional activities and exploration because you're not constantly driving to distant locations. The proximity to Reykjavík means you can enjoy the capital's restaurants and culture plus you'll never be too far from services if needed. For travelers with limited time or those wanting their first taste of Iceland this 5 day Iceland tour provides maximum impact with minimum travel commitment.

Your accommodations are carefully selected and arranged when you book to guarantee excellent locations throughout your Iceland 5 day tour! You'll stay in well-positioned hotels and guesthouses that put you close to major attractions while offering authentic Icelandic hospitality. During the south coast portion, you might stay in charming countryside locations with easy access to waterfalls and black sand beaches. When exploring Snæfellsnes Peninsula you could stay in picturesque coastal towns with incredible views. Budget category accommodations feature shared facilities, while Comfort and Quality categories include private bathrooms. Breakfast is included with all accommodation categories to fuel your daily adventures. The variety of locations means you'll experience different aspects of Icelandic culture from countryside charm to coastal village life while always having comfortable places to rest.

The south coast portion of your Iceland 5 day tour showcases some of Iceland's most powerful and photogenic natural wonders! You'll witness thundering waterfalls where glacial rivers plunge over ancient cliffs creating rainbow mists on sunny days. The striking black sand beaches demonstrate the raw volcanic forces that shaped Iceland with their otherworldly beauty and crashing Atlantic waves. Glacier-topped volcanoes create incredible backdrops for photography while rugged valleys offer hiking opportunities through landscapes that feel like another planet. The south coast perfectly demonstrates why Iceland is called the "Land of Fire and Ice" with its combination of volcanic formations and glacial features. Each stop offers unique photo opportunities and unforgettable experiences that capture the essence of Iceland's natural power.

This Iceland 5 day tour format transforms rushed day trips into a proper Iceland adventure! Instead of cramming the Golden Circle into one exhausting day and the south coast into another you'll have time to truly appreciate each incredible location. You can watch multiple Strokkur eruptions and really explore the geological wonders rather than just taking quick photos. The multi-day format allows you to experience these regions during different times of day when lighting and crowds create totally different atmospheres. You'll stay overnight in different areas, which means shorter drives to attractions and more time for actual exploration. Plus, you can add activities like glacier hiking or cave exploration that aren't possible on rushed day tours. This 5 day Iceland tour gives you that perfect balance of efficiency and depth that creates lasting memories rather than just checked boxes!