Snæfellsnes & South Iceland Self-Drive Tour - 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 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!