See the best of Iceland in its winter costume
This 6-day self-drive vacation package is the perfect way to experience the Land of Fire and Ice during the wintertime. On this tour, you’ll visit the most popular places in the southwest, such as Snæfellsnes, Reykholt, Gullfoss, the Geysir area, and the Þingvellir National Park.
Enjoy the lively culture and nightlife of Reykjavík, and relax in quiet, comfortable country hotels. And on a clear night, you may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights swirling and dancing across the sky in dramatic shapes and colors.
On this tour you will...
Roam black sand beaches on the south coast
Explore the waterfalls and hot springs of West Iceland
Have the chance to hunt down the Northern Lights
Experience the Snæfellsnes peninsula, ‘Iceland in Miniature’
Get behind the wheel and set the pace of your road trip
Stay in Reykjavík and countryside hotels
Top attractions
Why book a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours?
Start your tour on the date that suits you
New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Handpicked local accommodation options
Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
Best Price Guarantee
Your 6-day self-drive itinerary
Your memorable adventure in Iceland begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. Once you pick up your rental vehicle, head for Reykjavík and your exciting first night in Iceland.
Highlights
Extra activities
Now it is time to visit some of the most interesting and famous areas in Iceland. At the geothermal area of Geysir the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. There are also numerous small springs boil and bubble nearby.
Afterwards you only have a short drive to Gullfoss, which many regard as Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall. Along the way you can stop at Laugarvatn lake for a nice thermal bath at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, composed of a series of interconnected baths and steam rooms. They complement each other to create a natural and unique spa experience.
On your way along the south coast you will pass the Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It is special as a cavern allows you to walk behind the water curtain. A little further down the road you’ll come across Skógafoss, one of the highest waterfalls in Iceland.
At Skógar, you will find a Folk Museum showing how people used to live in Iceland centuries ago. To end the day, don’t miss the famous black sand beaches of the south coast. Go for a stroll and visit the little village of Vík as well as Reynishverfi. After Vík drive back to Selfoss for a second night.
Start your day by visiting Þingvellir National Park, which is considered one of the geological wonders of the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the Earth’s crust. Its importance is also historical as it was here that the Icelandic parliament was first founded in the 10th century.
From Þingvellir, continue to the Borgarfjörður area and visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring. It is the biggest in Iceland in terms of water production per second. You could also pop by Reykholt and marvel at the Hraunfossar waterfalls, where the water flows out from beneath a lava field and into the river below.
Today you will start your day by exploring the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Along the way you will drive through charming fishing villages as well as pass by the majestic Kirkjufell mountain.
You can explore the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur, see the basaltic columns of Gerðuberg, the cliffs of Arnarstapi, and the hamlet of Búðir with its small wooden church surrounded by lava field. As you make your way back to Reykjavík, there are many places to stop for a visit or a fantastic photo.
After 5 amazing days in Iceland, your journey comes to an end today as it is time to go back home. Drive back to Keflavík Airport to return your vehicle and catch your flight home. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to squeeze in a few last activities in Reykjavík, for a final taste of what this colorful capital city has to offer.
What’s included?
Detailed itinerary
Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Rental car of your choice for 7 days
2 authorized drivers as standard
Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
Unlimited mileage
Collision damage waiver
24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
VAT, taxes & service fees
Flights to Iceland
Fuel & parking charges
Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
Personal travel insurance
FAQs about our self-drive trips
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.
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.
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 your travel documents to you.
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.
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.
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