Bryan LimWelcome to the Land of Fire and Ice, where Iceland’s dramatic landscapes range from volcanic fields to majestic glaciers. If you’re planning a Ring Road trip, one common question is whether to travel clockwise or anticlockwise. The best approach is to base your route on the weather forecast.
When I explored the Ring Road, I chose an anticlockwise direction due to pre-booked accommodations. Along the way, I experienced varying weather conditions — a typical Icelandic adventure.
Also read: 12 Airbnbs in Iceland for When You Finally Make That Trip
The Ring Road covers around 2500km, including all the detours for attractions along the way. This amount will increase significantly if you plan to cover North-East Iceland, specifically Ísafjörður. Route 1 is the main highway to be on for this round island drive. South Iceland is notorious for sand storms and
Route 1 is the main highway to be on for this round island drive. South Iceland is notorious for sand storms, so remember to check the forecast before travelling. Many roads are closed during winter, even during shoulder months. I encountered one road closure (F570) due to snow conditions at Snæfellsjökull in September. North Iceland is generally colder than other parts.
Accommodation
Airbnb cottages at Egilsstaðir
For my 10-night Iceland trip, I stayed in Airbnb apartments for 9 nights, which was a great way to save money and enjoy the flexibility of having a fully equipped kitchen. The average cost per night for one person was around US$40, making it a budget-friendly option.
While there are fewer Airbnb options outside of Reykjavik, booking early is still essential to secure the best deals. If you’re unable to find an Airbnb, consider guesthouses or hotels, though these options might be more expensive. For a more adventurous experience, renting a camper van is a great alternative. These vans typically come with cooking essentials and bedding, making them a convenient and cost-effective choice for travellers.
Transport
Icelandair is a popular choice for flights to Iceland, often offering competitive prices when booked in advance. I was able to secure a round-trip ticket from London for approximately US$180, including 23kg of checked luggage. However, it’s important to note that prices can fluctuate, so it’s always a good idea to compare options and book your flights well in advance.
Renting a car is highly recommended for exploring Iceland’s diverse landscapes. By renting a car at Keflavik International Airport, you’ll have the freedom to create your own itinerary and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. I personally had a positive experience with Blue Car Rental, which provided a modern and well-maintained vehicle.
When choosing a car, consider the type of road you plan to drive on. For those venturing onto F-roads, which are unpaved roads that lead to remote areas, a 4WD vehicle is essential. While these vehicles may cost a bit more to rent, they offer greater flexibility and access to Iceland’s stunning natural wonders.
Most gas stations in Iceland accept credit cards, making it convenient to pay for fuel. However, it’s worth noting that some unattended stations may require a 4-digit PIN. European credit and debit cards typically work at most gas stations, but Singaporean cards might need a prepaid option.
In terms of gas station choice, N1 is a common option throughout Iceland but tends to be slightly more expensive. If you’re looking to save on fuel costs, consider using Orkan, which often offers more competitive prices.
Groceries
Grab one of these Icelandic yoghurts
When staying in places with cooking facilities or travelling in a camper van, you’ll need to stock up on groceries. Bónus is a popular and budget-friendly option, but their opening hours typically extend to 8-9 PM. Krónan offers a wider selection of fresh meat and similar opening hours. For 24/7 convenience, Hagkaup is the most expensive option but always open. To save time, consider using a grocery delivery service or planning your shopping trips around the supermarkets’ opening hours.
Mobile Card
If you are travelling along the Ring Road, I highly recommend Síminn prepaid. It has one of the best signal coverages in Iceland. I was connected under 4G/3G for more than 95% of the time, making me wonder how well Icelandic lines are laid all over this sparsely populated country. Prepaid lines in the US and UK usually do not have good connections outside of cities. The starter pack now offers 5 GB of data and 50 texts for $21 USD. I ended up not using the SMS or talk-time, but well, it was meant for emergencies.
Day 1: Reykjavik
Get on an earlier flight, either connecting from Europe or North America and try to reach before 3pm. That leaves you with a night to explore Reykjavik and start off fresh the next day. Do not miss out Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, which is one of Europe’s best hot dog stands. Visit Hallgrímskirkja at night, as it is one of Reykjavik’s most outstanding landmarks.
Spend the night at Reykjavik.
Hallgrímskirkja
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Start the day by heading to Þingvellir National Park where the Earth’s tectonic plates meet. You have the option to go diving in between the plates at Silfra.
This is the only place in Iceland where I had to pay for parking, except for city areas. It costs ISK500 for up to 24 hours of parking access around the national park. I consider Iceland to be overwhelmed by tourism when parking fees are introduced at natural attractions. Continue on to Geysir and Strokkur where there are geothermal eruptions every few minutes. End the day by witnessing the impressive Gullfoss, add in Kerio Crater Lake if you still have some daylight left. There are plenty of shops and restaurants around. I chose to stay at Eyrarbakki which is about 15 minutes away by car from Selfoss because I found a
Continue on to Geysir and Strokkur where there are geothermal eruptions every few minutes. End the day by witnessing the impressive Gullfoss, and add in Kerio Crater Lake if you still have some daylight left.
There are plenty of shops and restaurants around. I chose to stay at Eyrarbakki which is about 15 minutes away by car from Selfoss because I found a cosy Airbnb loft there.
Spend the night at Selfoss or Eyrarbakki.
Always have an umbrella or raincoat/waterproof jacket with you in Iceland
Gullfoss
Strokkur erupting behind me
Day 3: More waterfalls and black beach
Continue on Route 1 and head to Seljalandfoss where you can take the trail that leads to the back of the waterfall.
There is a nearby waterfall named Gljúfrafoss, which is about 400 metres away. It is much less touristy and definitely worth the walk from Seljalandfoss. There is an opening in the rocks where you can walk into the waterfall itself. It is a perfect for an Insta-worthy shot but be prepared to get wet.
Complete the waterfall hat-trick by visiting Skogafoss. You have the option to head to the famous Sólheimasandur plane wreck to see the US airplane that crash-landed there in 1973. But the road has been closed recently, and the only option is to park the car off Route 1 and take the 8km round trip to the plane wreck by foot.
End the day with the gorgeous sunset at Reynisdrangar which is famous for the basalt sea stacks and black sand beach. There is a nice spot in Vik where the church is located to catch a nice view of the town.
Spend the night at Vik.
Seljalandfoss
Gljúfrafoss
Skogafoss
Top of Skogafoss
Reynisdrangar
Sunset at Reynisdrangar
View of Vik from the church lookout
Day 4: Skaftafell National Park And Glacier Lagoon
The Airbnb host at Vik highly recommended us to head to Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. It became one of the most beautiful places of my trip.
Both amateur and expert hikers will love Skaftafell National Park. It is located in the southern part of the magnificent Vatnajökull Glacier. There are plenty of hiking routes available, ranging from 2 hours to over 10 hours. Those that want to do some serious exploring can spend an additional night there.
Carry on to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon where you can witness one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. Hofn is known as the lobster capital of Iceland. From here, there is a beautiful view of the Vatnajökull Glacier.
Spend the night at Hofn.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Day 5: Eastern Fjords
The fantastic driving scene through the eastern fjords starts shortly after leaving Hofn. The number of cars and people reduce drastically as you continue eastwards because most people would have u-turned back to Reykjavik.
You will be weaving in and out of the dramatic coastline with black sandy beaches. There are chances of reindeer crossing the roads so look out for them.
Be sure to visit Seydisfjordur for its beautiful town, it is just located 30 minutes away by car from the capital of East Iceland, Egilsstaðir. I caught my first aurora in a farm cottage near Egilsstaðir that was booked through Airbnb, and it was phenomenal.
Spend the night at Seydisfjordur or Egilsstaðir area.
Seydisfjoudur
Stop whenever you like along the Eastern Fjords; every stop is beautiful
The dramatic coastline
Aurora just right outside the cottage
Relationship goals!
Day 6 and 7: Myvatn Area And Akureyki
Dettifoss
Time for huge waterfalls as you progress northwards toward Akureyki. Visit Dettifoss which has the largest volume of water flowing through in Europe; there is a side visit to Selfoss (not the city) from the same parking area. There are two sides of Dettifoss which are accessible by two different roads off from Route 1.
When you have seen enough waterfalls, proceed to Myvatn geothermal area for Hveraröndor Hverir (mud pots) and nature baths. The mud pots have very strong sulphur smell and the surrounding gives you the feeling of being on Mars. Myvatn Nature Baths is much less touristy than Blue Lagoon and also costs lesser. Lake Myvatn is a perfect place to see the aurora borealis because the lake shows the reflection if there are aurora activities. This is absolutely beautiful on camera.
Hveraröndor Hverir
After staying and moving every day, consider spending two days at Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. It is the second largest city after Reykjavik with plenty of things to do. There are many nice restaurants here that serve authentic Icelandic food but they are much cheaper than in Reykjavik. Bautin has good reviews and I can vouch for it personally. The botanical garden is a nice place, especially in summer when everything is in full bloom. Akureyrarkirkja is the church designed by Guðjón Samúelsson which sits on top of a hill in the city. The same guy designed the famous Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavik. Book a whale-watching tour in Akureyri or Husavik which guarantees more than 99% chance of whale sighting.
Also read: 4 Days in Iceland – Best Places to Go and Things to Do
Spend two nights at Husavik or Akureyri, or one night at each place for the experience.
Akureyri
Aurora nights over Akureyri
Whale you eat me?
Try Bautin restaurant while you are in Akureyri.
Day 8: Seal watch and lots of F-roads
Take a long drive to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with plenty to see along the way. The Vatnsnes peninsula has a few spots for seal-watching and one of the best is at Osar. Be prepared to get the car muddy because of the gravel mud roads for most parts of this peninsula. There are water sprays with brush heads at gas stations to make your job of cleaning the car much easier after.
Spend two nights at Stykkishólmur or Grundarfjörður to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Both towns are equally unique in their own ways.
Always stop for shots because Iceland is really beautiful among the nothings
Do not miss out the close encounters with these Icelandic horses. You can see them just right off Route 1 in the farms
Day 9: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Depending on where you stay, you can do the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in an anti-clockwise or clockwise manner. Visit Kirkjufell, the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Along the same road, you can get to Kirkjufellsfoss and take that trademark waterfall plus mountain postcard shot.
Kirkjufellsfoss with Kirkjufell in the backdrop
Afterwards, proceed to Snæfellsjökull National Park where the magnificent Snæfellsjökull Glacier lies. The road leading up to the glacier is usually open during summer but it was impassable due to the icy pass, even in September. From the high point near the summit, there are good views of the nearby towns. This active volcano provided the setting for Jules Vernes’ famous Journey to the Center of the Earth.
At the foot of Snæfellsjökull lies Djúpalónssandur, the sandy beach which was once home to fishing boats. Hellnar and Arnarstapi are both old fishing towns which have walking trails between them right beside the coast. Talk a walk and you will not be disappointed. For photographers, do not miss out the black church in Budir where you have the snow mountains as the backdrop. Head back to the lodging town and be prepared for the drive back to Reykjavik.
The road ahead was covered with snow
Hotel Hellnar with Snæfellsjökull Glacier in the background
Budir Church
Day 10: Reykjavik
You have the option to head to Langjokull Glacier for a detour before heading back to Reykjavik or reach Reykjavik early to spend the remaining time there. Take a leisure walk around the city centre and soak up the local vibes. Consider visiting Harpa which is the concert and meeting hall and it has a unique design.
Harpa from the harbour
The Sun Voyager is a good place to take pictures of the aurora borealis because the icon serves as a good foreground.
I couldn’t forget the geomagnetic storm that was raging in my last night at Reykjavik!
This is my itinerary so far, so readers feel free to amend it to suit your needs. Meanwhile, I hope this post will be helpful to future travellers planning their Iceland trip.
Contributed by The More I Travel
