Iceland travel guide: Reykjavík, the Ring Road and how to get around
Iceland is a country of waterfalls, black beaches, lava fields and geothermal pools, with one small capital and very few towns. A short trip works best as a few nights in Reykjavík plus day trips or a loop by car. The one thing to know is that distances are long, weather changes fast and nothing is cheap, so plan the days around the road.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay three or four nights in Reykjavík, then do the Golden Circle and the south coast as day trips, or hire a car for a few days on the road.
- How long
- Four days covers Reykjavík and one or two day trips. A week lets you drive the south coast to Vík and the Snæfellsnes peninsula. The full Ring Road needs eight to ten days.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long light and open roads. September to March for northern lights and ice caves, with short days and harder driving.
- Getting around
- There are no trains. You drive, take tours or use buses, which are slow and thin outside summer. Reykjavík itself is walkable.
- Money
- The Icelandic króna (kr). Cards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, including petrol pumps and small kiosks.
- Book ahead
- Rental cars, ice cave and glacier tours, the Blue Lagoon and rooms outside Reykjavík in summer.
Best cities to visit in Iceland
Reykjavík
A small, colorful harbor capital of cafes, swimming pools, galleries and a famous church tower. It suits couples and friends who want a relaxed base with nature on the doorstep.
Give it 3 to 4 days
Beyond the cities
The Golden Circle
Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall, all within a couple of hours of Reykjavík. It is the standard day trip, easy by tour or hire car.
The south coast
Waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, black sand beaches and glacier views run east toward Vík. It is about two and a half hours each way to Vík, so a night out is better than a rushed day.
Snæfellsnes peninsula
Fishing villages, lava coast, a glacier-topped volcano and the mountain Kirkjufell on one loop. It is about two hours by road from Reykjavík and fits a long day or an overnight.
Akureyri and the north
The main town of the north, with whale watching, Lake Mývatn and Goðafoss nearby. It is a long drive from Reykjavík, so most visitors fly or add it to a Ring Road trip.
Iceland itineraries
- Four days: Reykjavík and the Golden Circle
Three nights in Reykjavík for the harbor, the old town and a swimming pool or geothermal bath. Use one day for the Golden Circle by tour or hire car, and keep one evening free in case of weather.
- Seven days: Reykjavík, the south coast and Snæfellsnes
Two nights in Reykjavík, two on the south coast near Vík, one back near the capital and two for Snæfellsnes. A hire car makes this simple, and the roads are paved in summer.
- Ten days: the Ring Road
Drive the full loop, about 1,300 km, with nights on the south coast, in the east fjords, around Mývatn and Akureyri, and back through the west. Plan two or three hours of driving a day, plus stops.
Best time to visit Iceland
June to August is the main season. Days are very long, mountain roads begin to open and the weather is as mild as it gets, though still changeable. It is also the busiest and dearest time, so book cars and rooms well ahead.
September to March is the time for northern lights, ice caves and quieter sights. Days are short, storms are common and roads can close, so keep plans flexible and check road and weather reports each morning. April and May are quieter, with rising light and some roads still closed.
How to get around Iceland
- Hire carThe easiest way to see the country. The Ring Road is paved, but winter brings snow, ice and strong wind, and rough mountain roads (F-roads) need a four-wheel-drive and are open only in summer. Off-road driving is banned.
- ToursDay tours leave Reykjavík for the Golden Circle, south coast, Snæfellsnes and glaciers. They suit a short trip or winter, when you may not want to drive.
- BusesLong-distance buses link main towns, mostly in summer, with limited winter service. They are slow for a short trip. Coaches from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík take about 45 minutes.
- FlightsDomestic flights run from Reykjavík's city airport to Akureyri and a few other towns. They save a day of driving in the north.
- Road and weather checksCheck safetravel.is and road.is for conditions and wind before every drive. Reduce speed where the pavement turns to gravel and watch for sheep on the road.
What to book before you go
These are the ones that sell out across Iceland. Each city guide has its own list.
- Hire car1 to 3 months ahead
Summer supply is tight, and four-wheel-drives sell out first.
- Ice cave, glacier and northern lights tours2 to 4 weeks ahead
Small groups fill up, and weather can move a tour to another day.
- The Blue Lagoon and other geothermal baths1 to 3 weeks ahead
Entry is by timed slot, and popular slots sell out.
- Rooms outside Reykjavík in summer2 to 4 months ahead
Towns on the south coast and in the north have few beds.
Money, tipping and practical things
- CurrencyThe Icelandic króna (kr). Iceland is not in the EU or the euro area.
- Cards and cashCards and phone payments are taken almost everywhere, and automated petrol pumps need a card with a PIN. You rarely need cash.
- TippingService is included in bills and tipping is not expected.
- Tourist taxesIceland charges a small nightly tax on accommodation, set nationally and usually included in the price shown. Check your booking for how it appears.
- EntryIceland is in the Schengen area though not the EU, so the same rules apply. Non-EU visitors are registered at the border by the EU's Entry/Exit System. Whether you need a visa, and an ETIAS travel authorization once it starts, depends on your passport: check the EU's official site, travel-europe.europa.eu, before you book.
- PlugsType C and Type F sockets at 230 volts. Most UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tap waterTap water is safe and good, and hot water can smell of sulphur. Bring a refillable bottle.
What to skip in Iceland
- Cramming the Ring Road into a few days
It is about 1,300 km before any stops. Pick the south coast or Snæfellsnes for a short trip and keep the loop for a week or more.
- Driving to a sight regardless of the forecast
Wind, ice and storms close roads. Check safetravel.is each morning and have a swimming pool or museum as a fallback.
- Eating every meal out
Restaurant prices are high. Use supermarkets, bakeries and hot dog stands for some meals, and choose one good dinner.
Iceland: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Iceland?
Four days is enough for Reykjavík and one or two day trips. A week lets you drive the south coast and Snæfellsnes, and eight to ten days is the usual time for the Ring Road.
What are the best places to visit in Iceland?
Reykjavík, the Golden Circle, the south coast waterfalls and black beaches, and the Snæfellsnes peninsula are the most popular. Lake Mývatn and Akureyri are the usual choices in the north.
Is Iceland expensive for tourists?
Yes. Food, rooms, cars and tours cost more than in most of Europe. Self-catering some meals, traveling out of peak summer and sharing a car all help.
What is the best time to visit Iceland?
June to August for the longest days and open roads. September to March for northern lights and ice caves, with short days and harder driving.
Do you need a car in Iceland?
For the south coast, Snæfellsnes or the Ring Road, a car is the easiest way. For a short trip, tours from Reykjavík cover the main sights without driving.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland?
Often, from around September to March, on dark clear nights away from city lights. Nobody can promise them, so give yourself several nights.
Which currency does Iceland use?
The Icelandic króna (kr), not the euro. Cards work almost everywhere, so most visitors carry little or no cash.