The ultimate Iceland winter road trip
On this epic 10-day Iceland winter adventure, drive the Ring Road and take in the country’s incredibly diverse landscapes. See glacier-topped mountains, frozen-solid waterfalls, and boiling water erupting from the ground!
This tour will take you to Iceland’s North and Eastfjords, including the unmissable Lake Mývatn area. There you’ll find the Dimmuborgir caves, filled with naturally hot water, as featured in Game of Thrones.
On this tour you will...
Explore the Golden Circle in its winter costume
Follow the south coast route to glacier country
Circle the Snæfellsnes peninsula with its epic coast
Wind through the picturesque Eastfjords region
See active geysers gushing and hot springs bubbling
Marvel at gigantic, powerful waterfalls
Top attractions
Why book a self-drive trip with Iceland Tours?
Start your tour on the date that suits you
24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard
Handpicked local accommodation options
Best Price Guarantee
Your 10-day self-drive itinerary
Your memorable Icelandic adventure begins the very moment you arrive at Keflavík Airport. You will pick up your rental vehicle and drive to the capital, Reykjavík, for your first night in Iceland.
Highlights
Extra activities
Today you’ll drive around the stunning Snæfellsnes peninsula. You‘ll discover sites such as Eldborg volcanic crater, the Gerðuberg cliffs, and the quaint hamlet of Búðir. You can also stop by Djúpalónssandur and its historical shipwreck remains. Don‘t miss the views up the famous and majestic Snæfell volcano and surrounding glacier.
From Stykkishólmur, you will head toward the fjord of Borgarfjörður. This area is characterized by vast lands, sweeping views of the Langjökull glacier, and magnificent waterfalls. All set against a rich cultural background straight out of an Icelandic saga.
Today’s itinerary takes you to North Iceland. You’ll drive through farm fields and the Skagafjörður region known for Icelandic horse breeding. In fact, you are sure to spot several beautiful and fluffy horses in the fields as you drive to Akureyri. We recommend taking some time to visit the museum at Glaumbær, one of the few turf farmhouses that has been properly preserved in Iceland.
There are more natural wonders on the program today! Your first stop is at the impressive Goðafoss waterfall, known as “the waterfall of the gods,” before heading onwards to the Mývatn area. Along the way, you can visit several awe-isnpiring sites such as Dimmuborgir, a mesmerising lava field labyrinth, and the ancient pseudo-craters of Skútustaðir.
This morning you continue your journey to East Iceland. You might like to visit the amazing boiling mud pools and steam vents of Námaskarð, before stopping by the Krafla area, where a series of volcanic eruptions took place from 1975 to 1984. You’ll then travel on to the village of Egilsstaðir. If you are lucky you might see some of the local wildlife, including reindeer and arctic fox.
Explore the Eastfjords starting with Reyðarfjörður, where you’ll find a quaint and interesting World War II museum. You’ll then drive to Fáskrúðsfjörður. With its French heritage, you’ll be able to spot French street names. Later, you’ll follow the coast south to reach Höfn.
Your next stop is Iceland’s scenic south-east. You‘ll first pass by various outlet glaciers belonging to Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest ice cap. You’ll then arrive at the stunning Jökulsárlón, a lagoon famous for its bogging icebergs. This exceptional sight sits at the foot of Iceland’s highest mountain, Hvannadalshnúkur.
Skaftafell is another must-see area. This oasis, surrounded by glaciers and black sand plains, offers a broad range of options for impressive hikes. Continue through the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the Eldhraun lava field, and the Mýrdalssandur plain before arriving in the Vík area.
Today, you will take in some of the top highlights of the south coast. Start the morning by admiring the powerful Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.
Later, marvel at the attractions of the famous Golden Circle. First, the imposing Gullfoss waterfall, followed by the steaming power of Geysir. Here you can witness the Strokkur geyser propel warm water in the air every 5-10 minutes. Last but not least, the Þingvellir National Park. This is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, creating this impressive landscape.
You‘ll end the day in Reykjavík for your last night in Iceland.
It is now time for you to say goodbye to Iceland and fly home after an amazing journey through some of the world’s most picturesque landscapes. Drive back to Keflavík Airport and return your rental car. If your flight is later in the day, you might want to enjoy a last stroll around Reykjavík or visit one last museum or attraction in the city.
What’s included?
Detailed itinerary
Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
Continental breakfast every day
Rental car of your choice for 9 days
2 authorized drivers as standard
Unlimited mileage
Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
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
Customer reviews
Read what real customers had to say about Iceland Ring Road Winter Adventure with Snæfellsnes.
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.