South and West Iceland Northern Lights Road Trip - 7 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.

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.

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 Iceland 7 day winter tour is designed to showcase Iceland's most spectacular winter attractions across two of the country's most accessible regions! You'll experience the dramatic beauty of South Iceland's frozen waterfalls and glacial lagoons combined with the mystical charm of West Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula where Jules Verne set his famous novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Winter transforms Iceland into an otherworldly landscape with ice-covered waterfalls creating frozen columns and icebergs at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon taking on incredible blue hues in the crisp winter light. The tour includes the famous Golden Circle attractions plus the chance to hunt for the Northern Lights dancing across the dark winter skies. This Iceland Tours winter experience gives you seven full days to explore at a comfortable pace while roads remain well-maintained and accessible.

This Iceland 7 day winter tour provides excellent Northern Lights viewing opportunities throughout your entire week! Winter's extended darkness from September through March creates perfect conditions for aurora hunting with up to 19 hours of darkness in peak winter months. You'll stay in countryside locations away from Reykjavík's light pollution including the south coast near Vík and the Borgarfjörður region where clear skies offer unobstructed views of the night sky. The self-drive format gives you complete freedom to chase the Northern Lights whenever conditions are favorable - you can easily drive to optimal viewing spots or even step outside your accommodation when aurora activity peaks. Your Iceland Tours documentation includes information about how to check aurora forecasts yourself, allowing you to plan your Northern Lights viewing throughout your journey. The varied locations throughout your 7 day Iceland winter tour mean you'll have multiple chances to witness this incredible natural phenomenon across different landscapes.

This Iceland 7 day winter tour showcases attractions that are absolutely magical during the cold season! Frozen waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss create stunning ice formations and columns that you simply cannot experience in summer. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon becomes even more dramatic in winter as icebergs appear more vivid blue against the stark landscape and Diamond Beach features ice sculptures carved by winter storms. The Geysir geothermal area provides incredible contrast as steaming hot springs meet freezing air creating impressive vapor clouds. Snæfellsjökull glacier appears more imposing covered in fresh winter snow while the Snæfellsnes peninsula's dramatic coastlines showcase powerful winter waves. During certain periods ice caves may be accessible providing unforgettable underground glacier experiences. Your winter Iceland Tours adventure captures the raw power and beauty that makes Iceland's cold season so special.

This Iceland 7 day winter tour follows carefully planned routes along Iceland's most well-maintained roads ensuring safe and manageable winter driving! The main roads connecting all your destinations including the Ring Road and major routes to the Snæfellsnes peninsula are regularly cleared by snowplows and treated for ice. Daily driving distances are designed to be comfortable typically ranging from 2-4 hours with frequent stops at attractions. Iceland Tours provides you with a reliable rental car suitable for winter conditions and unlimited Wi-Fi to check road conditions. The 24/7 emergency helpline means support is always available if weather conditions change. Road closures due to severe storms are rare on these main routes but if they occur Iceland Tours will proactively contact you to adjust your itinerary. Your winter driving experience focuses on major highways and well-maintained access roads to attractions rather than challenging mountain passes or remote highland routes.

During your Iceland 7 day winter tour you can expect typical winter conditions that make Iceland beautifully dramatic! Winter temperatures in Iceland are milder than many expect with coastal areas averaging around 0-5°C (32-41°F) rather than extremely cold conditions. You'll experience shorter daylight hours ranging from about 4 hours in deep winter to 8-10 hours in early winter and late winter providing magical golden light during the day. Snow is common especially in inland areas and higher elevations creating the perfect winter wonderland atmosphere. Wind can be significant along the coast adding to the dramatic experience of viewing winter waves and waterfalls. Weather can change quickly so you'll want to pack layers and waterproof clothing. The winter landscape transforms familiar attractions into completely different experiences with ice formations and snow-covered mountains creating incredible photographic opportunities throughout your 7 day Iceland winter adventure.

This perfectly planned winter Iceland 7 day tour maximizes your time across both regions while accounting for shorter winter days! The itinerary strategically moves you from South Iceland's glacial wonders including Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and spectacular frozen waterfalls to West Iceland's Snæfellsnes peninsula with its mystical glacier and dramatic coastlines. You'll experience the famous Golden Circle attractions during winter when geothermal features create impressive steam clouds in the cold air. The Snæfellsnes peninsula portion showcases "Iceland in miniature" with diverse landscapes from lava fields to fishing villages all within a compact area perfect for winter exploration. Accommodation locations in Vík area and Borgarfjörður region provide excellent bases for Northern Lights viewing while keeping driving distances manageable during shorter winter days. This Iceland Tours winter itinerary ensures you experience the highlights of both regions without rushing despite the seasonal time constraints.

Your winter accommodations with Iceland Tours are carefully selected to provide comfort and warmth throughout your Iceland 7 day tour! You'll stay in well-positioned hotels and guesthouses that offer cozy refuges from winter weather while putting you close to major attractions. Accommodation categories vary by your selected package with Comfort and Quality levels including private bathrooms and heating systems perfect for cold nights. All accommodations include continental breakfast to fuel your winter adventures and most feature common areas where you can warm up and plan your Northern Lights viewing. Strategic locations near Vík for south coast exploration and in the Borgarfjörður region for Snæfellsnes peninsula access provide excellent bases for both sightseeing and aurora hunting. The countryside locations offer darker skies for Northern Lights viewing while still maintaining easy access to attractions and services throughout your winter Iceland Tours experience.

This Iceland 7 day winter tour provides excellent opportunities to enhance your adventure with seasonal activities that showcase Iceland's winter magic! Ice cave exploration during winter months allows you to venture inside glacier formations for an unforgettable underground experience with crystal blue ice walls and formations. Glacier hiking with crampons on accessible glaciers provides incredible perspectives of winter ice landscapes. Northern Lights photography tours can enhance your aurora viewing with professional guidance and equipment. Snowmobile tours on glacier surfaces offer thrilling winter adventures when conditions permit. Geothermal experiences like the Blue Lagoon provide perfect contrast to cold weather exploration. Horse riding on sure-footed Icelandic horses through winter landscapes creates magical memories. The self-drive format of your winter Iceland Tours package provides flexibility to arrange activities independently that match weather conditions and your interests throughout the week.

Winter transforms the south coast waterfalls into absolutely spectacular natural sculptures during your Iceland 7 day tour! Seljalandsfoss becomes partially frozen creating incredible ice curtains and formations while still maintaining its thundering power behind the falls. Skógafoss develops massive ice formations at its base where mist freezes instantly in cold air creating a winter wonderland atmosphere. The contrast between flowing water and ice formations provides incredible photographic opportunities as sunlight plays through ice crystals creating rainbow effects. Winter's low angle sunlight during shorter days casts dramatic shadows and golden light on both water and ice. The powerful sound of waterfalls becomes even more impressive in the crisp winter air while frozen spray creates unique ice sculptures that change daily. These winter waterfall experiences represent some of the most beautiful and dramatic scenes you'll encounter during your Iceland Tours winter adventure combining the raw power of Icelandic nature with the artistry of winter's ice formations.

This winter Iceland 7 day tour with Iceland Tours offers distinct advantages that create an unforgettable seasonal experience! Winter provides exclusive access to phenomena you simply cannot experience in summer including Northern Lights displays ice caves and the dramatic frozen landscape transformations that make Iceland feel like another planet. The 7-day duration allows sufficient time to experience both South and West Iceland's winter highlights while working within winter's shorter daylight hours. You'll avoid summer's crowds and experience Iceland's raw natural beauty in peaceful winter settings. The focused two-region approach means more time appreciating each location rather than rushing between distant areas in challenging winter conditions. Winter's dramatic weather and lighting create incredible photographic opportunities and atmospheric experiences impossible during other seasons. Plus winter travel often offers better accommodation availability and pricing compared to peak summer months. This Iceland Tours winter format provides the perfect balance of adventure and comfort allowing you to experience Iceland's magical cold season safely and thoroughly.