All the waterfalls, the incredible glacier lagoon and the black sand beach are a must-see.
Staff review:Thorsteinn Mar
Reviewed September 1, 2018
Looking for a quick getaway that won’t break the bank? The budget-friendly, great value South Iceland Express Road Trip allows you to explore the very best Iceland has to offer in just 5 days.
But don’t expect to be rushed. With the freedom to travel at your own pace by car, you can explore dramatic landscapes sculpted by ancient glaciers and volcanoes, hunt for the elusive northern lights or bask in the midnight sun (depending on the time of year!) and visit the incredible sites – including the famous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – along Iceland’s South Shore, all in your own time.
Do you want to add ice caving, snowmobiling, ATV rides or other exciting activities to your itinerary? Go for it! You can easily book your day tours or activities in advance or if you are feeling spontaneous, book them directly in your Iceland Travel Companion App along the way. It’s that easy!
What’s in it for you?
- Flexible stress-free travelling. With a comprehensive map and your own vehicle, drive at your own pace and choose your own stops and activities along the way.
- Digital itinerary with the Iceland Travel Companion App pre-installed on a tablet.
- An electronic version of the Iceland Travel Road Guide. Prior to your arrival, we will send you an electronic version of our Iceland Travel Road Guide. You can start preparing yourself for your upcoming Iceland trip and be prepared for your Iceland adventure.
Highlights
- Explore all Iceland‘s main attractions in the Golden Circle and along the South Shore. If you’re lucky and travelling between September and April, you might even spot the northern lights along the way.
- See all that Reykjavik city has to offer with two overnights in the ‘Capital of Cool’
- Enhance your trip by adding one of our discounted activity add-on packages to create the perfect vacation that suits your interests.
What to bring:
Learn more about what to pack for you Iceland adventure here.
**Please note that the package price is based on 4 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 5 an additional supplement will be necessary unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 4-day rental is up and use our Flybus departure transfer.
Included
- 2 nights in Reykjavik, including breakfast (except arrival day)
- 2 night in countryside hotels, including breakfast
- Rental car for 4 days with unlimited mileage, CDW, theft protection and VAT**
- GPS system with car and additional authorized driver
- Fuel Discount Card
- Car pick-up/drop-off at Keflavik international airport
- Airport Service Charge
- Customer Care Service during office hours
- Emergency phone line open 24 hours, including weekdays and public holidays
- Service fee and taxes
- Tablet with a new travel app called Iceland Travel Companion (picked up at Keflavik airport with your car rental). The app includes:
- Thousands of points of nature sites, historic places, and road side services that can be filtered to suit your interests
- Highlight section for each day of the tour
- Your hotel bookings with check-in and check-out dates
- Safety guidelines and the apps of the Icelandic Meteorological Office and The Icelandic Road Administration
- A map view of the Iceland road trip
- Iceland Travel Road Guide about Iceland in English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and French
**Please note that the package price is based on 4 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 5, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 4-day rental is up and use our FlyBus departure transfer.
Not included
- Breakfast on arrival day
- International airfare
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Gasoline/petrol
- Admissions and activities
- Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary
- Guaranteed early check-in (check-in time for most hotels in Iceland is 1400 (2:00 pm)
- Guaranteed late check-out
- Any service not specifically listed under “included”
Important
- Due to high demand, accommodation in Reykjavik for New Year’s Eve cannot be guaranteed.
- Must be 21 years of age to rent a car, 23 years of age to rent car cat. 5.0 or higher.
- Please note: The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Please note that this package can only be booked online.
- Our road trip packages are designed by our team of travel experts. They are created for people like you who want to experience the very best of what Iceland has to offer. To get the best value Iceland Travel has to offer, book our road trips online. Please note that changes to the packages will incur a service fee.
- With our exclusive road trip app, you don’t have to worry about missing out and you will always find your way to your hotel after a full day of traveling. It is easy to book day tours and activities in the app when you are on the road.
- Please note that changes to the packages will incur a service fee. Your Iceland Travel Companion app will also not reflect the changes.
- Learn about packing essentials for your trip to Iceland here.
Day 1
Highlights: Reykjavik
Optional Tours: Reykjavik Food Walk Whale Watching from Reykjavik Perlan – Glaciers and Ice Cave Exhibition Northern Lights Boat Tour
Arrival
Approximate distance: ca100km / 62miles
Arrival in Iceland – The world’s northernmost capital city
Once you have landed at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, please pick up your luggage and head through customs. Collect your rental car at the airport, make sure you receive a tablet with protective case and chargers, and proceed to your hotel in Reykjavik. The rest of the day is yours to rest and use at your own leisure.
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 2
Highlights: Gullfoss Geysir Thingvellir National Park Laugarvatn Fontana Nature Baths Kerid
Optional Tours: Snowmobile tour on Langjokull Glacier from Gullfoss The Cave People Into the Blue – Snorkeling
Explore The Famous Golden Circle
Approximate distance: ca190km / 118miles
National Park with Geological Wonders (UNESCO) – Spouting Geysers
Today you‘ll visit the must-see sites in Iceland.
Start with the UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park, famous for its history and geological wonders. Continue to Geysir Hot Spring Area, with its collection of bubbling pools and spouting geysers. Then drive onwards to the majestic, two-tiered Gullfoss (Golden Falls). Bathe in the Secret Lagoon or Laugarvatn Fontana Baths, or why not try horseback riding? Afterwards, take a pit stop at Fridheimar greenhouses to see how food is grown in Iceland and sample the fresh local cuisine.
Overnight in Fludir area.
Day 3
Highlights: Eyjafjallajokull Seljalandsfoss Skogafoss Vík Skogar Museum Reynisdrangar Cliffs
Optional Tours: Fast-track Ice Cave Tour Snowmobiling on Myrdalsjokull Glacier (from Basecamp) Icelandic Lava Show
Eyjafjallajokull & Surroundings
Approximate distance: ca290km / 180miles
Looming volcanoes – Black-Sand Beaches – Thundering Waterfalls – Sea Cliffs & Stone Arches
This day is chock-full of selfie-worthy destinations!
Drive along the scenic southern coast and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano which erupted and disrupted air traffic in the northern hemisphere for weeks in 2010. A stop at LAVA center in Hvolsvöllur is highly recommended.
Continue onwards and explore the beautiful Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls and Myrdalsjokull glacier, which covers the powerful Katla volcano. Here it’s possible to explore an ice cave, go snowmobiling or glacier hiking on the glacier, and get envy-worthy photos of southern Iceland’s epic coastline. Stop by the peaceful seafront village of Vik to grab a meal and explore a dramatic stretch of coastline photogenically poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and world-famous black sand beaches.
Overnight again in the Fludir area.
Day 4
Highlights: The Blue Lagoon Reykjavik Bridge Between Continents Gunnuhver Viking World Krysuvik
Optional Tours: Standard Lava Tunnel Tour (from Basecamp) The Reykjavik Beer Tour Icelandic Sagas: The Greatest Hits
The Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark & Reykjavik
Approximate distance: ca180km / 112miles
Geothermal Activity and the World Famous Blue Lagoon
It’s your last day and there’s still so much to see and do. It’s entirely up to you!
Drive to the Reykjanes Peninsula and the famous Blue Lagoon for a relaxing dip in the pleasantly warm geothermal waters, rich in silica and minerals that are great for the skin. We recommend you book your entrance to the Blue Lagoon online well in advance.
Explore the Mars-like landscapes of Reykjanes Peninsula – a UNESCO Global Geopark – and its fishing villages, lighthouse and the colorful geothermal area of Krysuvik. Or simply head to your hotel, relax or explore Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world.
Between the months of September and October, we recommend a northern lights tour by boat. From May through July, why not try an ATV ride under the midnight sun?
Overnight in Reykjavik.
Day 5
Highlights: Reykjavik Viking World The Blue Lagoon Grindavík Lighthouses Bridge Between Continents Kleifarvatn Gunnuhver
Departure
Approximate driving distance: 50 km/31 miles
Return to Keflavik International Airport**
We recommend leaving your hotel approximately 3 hours prior to the departure of your international flight.
If your flight departs late in the afternoon, we recommend spending the morning either exploring the city of Reykjavik or explore the Reykjanes Peninsula. Several natural wonders such as Gunnuhver hot spring, the Bridge Between Continents, Reykjanesta cliffs and Reykjanesviti lighthouse can be found in close proximity to Keflavik International Airport. You could also use the time to visit the famous Blue Lagoon or Viking World Museum before heading to the airport.
**Please note that the package price is based on 4 x 24-hour rental days starting at the time of rental. If your flight arrives early on day 1 and departs late on day 5, an additional supplement will be charged unless you choose to return the car in Reykjavik when the 4-day rental is up and use our Flybus departure transfer.
