Iceland Self-Drive Tours

The best self-drive tour depends on how many days you have and what you want to experience. Iceland rewards every length of trip differently.

For most first-time visitors with 8 to 10 days, a Ring Road self-drive is the natural choice. It takes you through every region of the country and covers the landmarks Iceland is best known for. Our 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes self-drive adds the peninsula often called Iceland in miniature, giving you a more complete picture of the country at a comfortable, unhurried pace.

If you have 5 to 7 days, a South Iceland itinerary covers the Golden Circle, the south coast waterfalls, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, and black sand beaches without feeling rushed.

Whatever length you choose, every Iceland Tours self-drive package gives you a rental car, pre-booked accommodation, daily breakfast, a detailed day-by-day itinerary, and 24/7 local support from our Reykjavík-based team. See our full range of Iceland self-drive tours to find the right fit.

Yes, winter self-drive trips are popular and safe when approached with the right preparation. Major roads are cleared regularly and most popular routes remain accessible throughout the winter season.

Snowplows regularly clear the roads, especially near towns and popular attractions. Heavy snowstorms can occasionally affect specific routes. When you select your vehicle during booking, you can choose a 4x4 if you want extra confidence on winter roads. Our team monitors road and weather conditions during office hours and will do their best to contact you if a closure affects your planned route.

If you would prefer not to drive in wintry conditions, we also offer multi-day tours from Reykjavík, guided group tours, and privately guided tours where someone else handles the driving.

Driving the full Ring Road takes a minimum of 7 days if you want to see the main highlights without feeling rushed. Most travelers find 8 to 10 days gives a more comfortable pace with time to stop and explore each region properly.

If you have 10 to 14 days, you can add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords to your Ring Road route for a much deeper experience of the country.

For shorter trips of 4 to 6 days, a focused South Iceland itinerary covers the most iconic landscapes without the full Ring Road commitment. We offer self-drive packages from 3 days up to 19 days, and you can add extra days at checkout.

Iceland is a year-round destination for self-drive travel, and each season offers something different.

Summer (June to August) offers the best weather, the midnight sun, and the widest range of activities. Roads are at their most accessible and accommodation books up quickly, so booking several months ahead is strongly recommended.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) give you a good balance of daylight, quieter roads, and lower prices. September and October also bring the first real Northern Lights opportunities of the season.

Winter (November to February) is the season for Northern Lights, dramatic snow-covered landscapes, and ice caves. Days are short, so winter itineraries are designed to make the most of available daylight. Our winter self-drive packages include winter-ready vehicles and 24/7 local support.

Every Iceland Tours self-drive package includes the following as standard:

• Rental car of your choice, with unlimited mileage
• Basic liability insurance coverage
• Collision damage waiver
• Authorization for second driver
• Portable Wi-Fi device (Mi-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 will be able to choose your preferred rental car and accommodation level. You can see what vehicles are available on our car rental page.

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. Traffic already in the roundabout has right of way. In multi-lane roundabouts, vehicles in the inner lane also have priority over those in the outer lane.

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. You may also come across gravel roads, single-lane bridges, and blind summits in rural areas.

For a full overview of driving conditions, road types, and seasonal considerations, see our guide to driving in Iceland.

Most people will not need a permit to drive in Iceland. You need to have held your driver’s license for at least one year at the time of rental, and be at least 20 years old (or 23 years old to hire an SUV, van, or larger vehicle). You will also need to present a credit card in the main renter’s name when you collect your vehicle.

If your license is in a non-Latin script, such as Chinese or Arabic, you will need to apply for an International Driving Permit in your home country before traveling.

On a self-drive package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from three levels of accommodation:

Budget covers 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.

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 it means the highest-quality property available in that location.

Breakfast is included at all levels. Read more on our accommodation page. For travelers who prefer something closer to nature, we also offer self-drive camping tours.

Flights are not included. We keep them separate so you have the flexibility to book the best fares independently and travel from whichever departure point suits you.

Direct flights to Iceland are available from major hubs across Europe and North America, including London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, New York, Boston, and Toronto. Once you have an idea of your travel dates, searching for flights early tends to give you the best options.

First, browse the Iceland self-drive packages on this page. Use the filters to narrow your search by season, duration, and attractions. You can use the heart icon on any package to save favorites for easy comparison.

Once you have found the right trip, follow the steps on the package page to complete your booking. On our website you can select your dates, add extra days in Reykjavík, pick your preferred rental car and accommodation level, add extra activities, and secure your booking with just a 5% deposit.

If you have questions or want to discuss customization before booking, get in touch with our team first. We can advise on what is possible and make sure any changes are built into your booking from the start, which avoids amendment fees later. Use the live chat in the bottom-right corner of any page, or contact us directly.

Yes. For most popular Ring Road itineraries, we offer both summer and winter versions, so you can choose the season that suits you. Within each season, you can start your trip on any date that works for your schedule. Simply select your preferred start date when booking online.

Yes. When you book a self-drive tour, you can choose your rental car and accommodation level, and add extra days in Reykjavík at the start or end of your trip.

If you want to customize further, we recommend getting in touch with our team before you book. This way we can advise on what is possible, let you know about any additional costs, and ensure your preferences are included from the start. Discussing changes in advance avoids amendment fees and makes the booking process smoother for everyone. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Booking at least a few weeks before your travel date gives us enough time to confirm your preferred accommodation and finalise 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 can sell out well in advance. You only need a 5% deposit to secure your trip, so there is no reason to wait.

In Iceland, you can expect all weathers no matter what time of year you visit. Here is a packing list to help you get ready:

• Tough, waterproof walking boots
• Waterproof trousers
• 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.

For summer Ring Road trips, a standard car is sufficient. The Ring Road and most major tourist routes are paved and well-maintained during the summer season.

A 4x4 is recommended for winter travel, when road conditions can be more challenging. It is also required for F-roads and highland routes, which are off-limits to standard vehicles and only open in summer.

If you are unsure which vehicle is right for your trip, our car rental page has a full overview of the options available, and our team is happy to advise when you book.

It depends on what you want to see. For the full Ring Road, most travelers find 7 to 8 days gives enough time for the main highlights. If you want a more relaxed pace with time to linger, 10 days is ideal.

With 10 days you can also add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to your Ring Road, giving you a complete picture of western Iceland as well as the full circle. If you have 12 days or more, you can extend further into the Westfjords. We offer self-drive packages from 3 days up to 19 days, and you can add extra days at checkout.

The most popular time is May to September, when daylight is long, all roads are open, and the full range of summer activities is available. June, July, and August offer the best weather but also the most visitors, so booking accommodation early is essential. See our guide to Iceland in summer for more detail.

October to April suits travelers looking for Northern Lights, fewer crowds, and the dramatic atmosphere of Iceland in winter. A 4x4 is recommended for winter travel and our winter self-drive packages are designed specifically for this season with appropriate vehicles and local support included.

Spring and early autumn offer a good middle ground: better weather than deep winter, lower prices than peak summer, and a real chance of seeing the Northern Lights in September and October.

Our Ring Road self-drive itineraries head north first, circling the country clockwise before returning along the south coast. There are a few practical reasons for this.

Starting with the long drive to Akureyri on Day 2 means tackling the biggest driving day while you are fresh. The north also tends to be quieter earlier in the week, and the route through Borgarfjörður and Skagafjörður gives you a gentle introduction to the Icelandic countryside before the more dramatic landscapes arrive.

The other advantage is that the south coast and Golden Circle come at the end of the trip, on Days 6 and 7. These are Iceland's most iconic attractions – Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Gullfoss and Þingvellir National Park – and experiencing them as a finale rather than an opening means you arrive with context. After six days on the road, you understand the scale of the country, which makes the south coast feel even more impressive.

That said, there is no wrong direction. If you have more time and want to add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula to your Ring Road, our 10-day Ring Road and Snæfellsnes self-drive heads west first before continuing clockwise, giving you the best of both approaches.