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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO ICELAND 💥
A trip to Iceland isn’t something you improvise. Between weather that changes in minutes, high prices, driving on snow and a thousand wonders to see, there’s a lot to plan ahead. But once you’re there, what a joy: waterfalls around every bend, glaciers, volcanoes, northern lights and hot springs in the middle of nature 😍.
Adeline and I did a 12-day road trip on the Ring Road, in March, to go all the way around the island. In this guide, I’ve gathered everything we learned to help you plan a trip to Iceland and visit Iceland stress-free: when to go, how many days to plan, what to see, how to get around, where to stay, what budget, and our practical tips.
For each topic, I give you the essentials here, and point you to our detailed articles if you want to dig deeper. Use the table of contents below to jump straight to what interests you 👇.
📚 Also read: Skógafoss · Seljalandsfoss · Fjaðrárgljúfur · Diamond Beach · Goðafoss · Hverir · Hverfjall and Dimmuborgir · Kirkjufell · Seyðisfjörður. And all our articles sorted by theme on our Iceland page.
OUR ICELAND GUIDE AT A GLANCE 📚
Here are all our articles about Iceland, organized by planning stage. If you only read one, start with our winter road trip in Iceland: it tells our itinerary day by day.
THE MAP OF OUR ICELAND ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 12-day road trip in Iceland 🇮🇸 on an interactive map: waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, hot springs and stopover towns, all the way around Route 1. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Iceland
12 days10 stops1 full loop of Route 1Dacia Duster 4x4 in winter
The stops, in order
- 1
Reykjavik
1 night
Arrival at Keflavík and car pick-up
- 2
Selfoss
1 night
Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið
- 3
Hof
2 nights
South coast waterfalls, Reynisfjara, ice cave and Diamond Beach
- 4
Reyðarfjörður
1 night
The Eastfjords and the pebble beaches of Hvalnes
- 5
Egilsstaðir
1 night
Seyðisfjörður, its blue church and its rainbow street
- 6
Mývatn
1 night
Dettifoss, Hverir and the Mývatn Nature Baths
- 7
Akureyri
1 night
Hverfjall, Dimmuborgir and Goðafoss
- 8
Bifröst
1 night
Glaumbær turf houses, Grábrók crater
- 9
Hvalfjörður
1 night
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell
- 10
Reykjavik
1 night
Fagradalsfjall volcano, Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
ICELAND IN A NUTSHELL 🇮🇸
- 🏙️ Capital: Reykjavik, home to a large share of the country’s roughly 390,000 inhabitants. Our ideas: things to do in Reykjavik.
- 🗣️ Language: Icelandic, but everyone speaks English.
- 💳 Currency: the Icelandic króna (ISK). Cards are accepted everywhere, even for a coffee.
- 🛂 Entry requirements: a valid ID card or passport is enough for French citizens (Schengen Area).
- ⏰ Time difference: -1h in winter and -2h in summer compared to France.
- ✈️ Flight: about 3h40 of direct flight from Paris to Keflavík, the international airport (not to be confused with Reykjavik’s). It’s all explained in arriving in Iceland.
- 🔌 Power outlets: the same as in France, no adapter needed.
- 📶 Phone: Iceland is part of the European Economic Area, so your plan generally works just like in France.
WHEN TO GO TO ICELAND? 📅
It all depends on what you want to experience. Winter (November to March) is the season of northern lights, ice caves, snowy landscapes and low prices. Summer (June to August) offers the midnight sun, the Highlands and hiking, but with many more people and much higher prices.
We went in March, and for us it was the best compromise: the magic of winter, about 10 hours of daylight for sightseeing, low prices and few people. All the details, month by month, are in our article when to go to Iceland, and our activity ideas for the cold season in Iceland in winter: what to do.
HOW MANY DAYS IN ICELAND AND WHAT ITINERARY? 🗺️
The Ring Road (Route 1), which loops around the island, is about 1,320 km (820 miles) long. To complete it without spending your days behind the wheel, plan 11 to 13 days: we did it in 12 days, and it was perfect. Here are a few guidelines:
- 📆 One week: focus on the south: Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, the south coast as far as Jökulsárlón, and Reykjanes. Our detailed itinerary: Iceland in 7 days.
- 📆 10 to 13 days: the full loop of the island on the Ring Road, with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
- 📆 Two to three weeks: the full loop without rushing, with the Westfjords or the Highlands in summer.
We did it counterclockwise: Golden Circle, south coast, East Fjords, North, Snæfellsnes, then Reykjanes. You’ll find our day-by-day itinerary, with our accommodation and prices, in our winter road trip in Iceland.
WHAT TO SEE IN ICELAND: OUR MUST-SEES ✨
Here are the places that made the biggest impression on us, region by region, with the articles where we tell you about them in detail.
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
The country’s most famous loop, an hour from Reykjavik: Þingvellir National Park and its rift between two continents, the Strokkur geyser, and Gullfoss waterfall, where a rainbow was waiting for us 🌈. Read: our article on the Golden Circle.
THE SOUTH COAST
Iceland’s postcard: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss (our favorite waterfall), the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon… and, at the very end, the Jökulsárlón lagoon and Diamond Beach. Read: our article on Iceland’s south coast, and our guide to Vík and the black sand beach of Reynisfjara.
JÖKULSÁRLÓN AND THE ICE CAVES
The best moment of our trip: a glacier hike followed by a blue ice cave, only accessible in winter 🧊. Read: our article on Jökulsárlón and the ice caves, and our comparison to choose your ice cave tour.
👉 Spots go fast in high season: book your ice cave on GetYourGuide.
THE EAST FJORDS
The wildest region on the Ring Road: snowy fjords, waterfalls with no one around, and the colorful village of Seyðisfjörður with its blue church and rainbow street. Read: our article on the East Fjords.
THE NORTH: DETTIFOSS, MÝVATN AND AKUREYRI
The most powerful waterfall in Europe, the Hverir geothermal site and its fumaroles, the Mývatn baths, Goðafoss and the lovely town of Akureyri. Read: our article on North Iceland in winter, and our guides to Dettifoss and Akureyri. And to get to the West, our stops are in from Akureyri to Reykjavik: what to see along the way.
THE SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA
Iceland in miniature: Kirkjufell mountain, isolated churches, the Lóndrangar sea stacks and the seals of Ytri Tunga 🦭. Read: our article on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
THE REYKJANES PENINSULA
Near the airport: Fagradalsfjall volcano, where we hiked to the craters, and the famous Blue Lagoon. Read: our article on the Reykjanes Peninsula and our Fagradalsfjall volcano hike.
THE WATERFALLS
They’re everywhere! We saw 18 during our road trip, from the snow-free south to the all-white north. Read: our ranking of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, and our tops of the most beautiful beaches, the most beautiful churches and the volcanoes and geothermal sites.
👉 Without a car, most of these places can also be visited on tours from Reykjavik: compare Iceland tours on GetYourGuide.
EXPERIENCES TO HAVE IN ICELAND ♨️
SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
We saw them four nights out of twelve, starting on the very first evening in Reykjavik, and even from a hot tub ✨. To see them, you need a dark night, clear skies and a bit of luck. All our tips are in our article on the northern lights in Iceland.
SOAKING IN A HOT SPRING
Soaking in 38°C (100°F) water outdoors, in the snow, is the ultimate Icelandic experience. We tried Sky Lagoon (our favorite), Blue Lagoon and the Mývatn baths: we compare them in our article Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon or Mývatn. 👉 Book your Sky Lagoon admission.
WALKING ON A GLACIER
With a guide and crampons on your feet, it’s an unforgettable experience, especially combined with an ice cave in winter. 👉 See glacier hikes.
GETTING AROUND ICELAND: A CAR IS ESSENTIAL 🚗
To visit Iceland on a road trip, a car is by far the best option: public transportation is rare outside Reykjavik, and most sights are just minutes from the road. We had a Dacia Duster 4×4 rented from Blue Car Rental, the largest local rental company: clean, well-equipped car, studded tires in winter, debit cards accepted and no deposit.
- ❄️ In winter, get an SUV or a 4×4 with studded tires, and check the weather every morning. All our tips: driving in Iceland in winter.
- 💸 Since 2026, a per-kilometer tax is added to the rental (about 1,550 ISK per day with Blue Car Rental).
- 📋 Insurance: get full coverage (gravel, sand and ash, zero deductible). It’s all explained in our article renting a car in Iceland. Torn between a car and a van? Read our comparison van or car in Iceland.
👉 Book your car with Blue Car Rental as early as possible: prices climb fast, especially for summer.
RENTING A CAR IN ICELAND 🚗
To explore Iceland, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and hot springs at your own pace, and stop whenever a landscape catches your eye, without depending on organized tours 🏔️.
We drove all the way around Iceland on Route 1 in a 4×4, in the middle of March, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Iceland
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
Blue Car Rental
Iceland's largest local rental company
We rented our Dacia Duster 4x4 with them for the whole loop around the island: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€62013 days, full insurance · ~€48/day
- Tested on all of Route 1
- Insurance included, no deposit
- Free cancellation
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several Icelandic rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Gravel, sand and ashThe wind blasts gravel and sand onto the bodywork: make sure these protections are included.
- Check the roads every morningLook at road.is and safetravel.is before setting off: in winter, a road can close within a few hours.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted in Iceland. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Fill up whenever you canGas stations are rare in the East and North, and often self-service: bring a card with a PIN code.
- Hold on to the doorsIn strong winds, a door can be ripped off as it opens: park facing the wind and open gently.
WHERE TO STAY IN ICELAND? 🏡
Along the Ring Road, you mostly stay in guesthouses, country hotels and on farms. Accommodation is scarce and books up fast: this was our number one tip, book in advance. We paid an average of about €124 a night for two in March, often with breakfast included, and several had an outdoor hot tub.
Our absolute favorite: The Potato Storage, in Svínafell, at the foot of the glaciers, where we saw our most beautiful northern lights 😍. All our accommodation, stop by stop, is in our article where to stay in Iceland, and our most unusual stays in unique places to stay in Iceland.
WHAT BUDGET FOR A TRIP TO ICELAND? 💰
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Our 12-day road trip in March 2023 cost us €2,229 per person, all in: flights, car, gas, accommodation, activities and meals. Today, plan on more like €2,500 for the same trip in low season, and much more in summer.
Planning a trip to Iceland well starts with planning your budget. To save money: travel off-season, cook in the evening, shop at Bónus or Krónan, and book early. The item-by-item breakdown, 2026 prices and a budget calculator are in our article Iceland trip budget, and all our tips in Iceland on a budget.
OUR PRACTICAL TIPS FOR A TRIP TO ICELAND 🧳
MONEY AND PAYMENT
No need to exchange much money: cards are accepted everywhere. A card with no foreign transaction fees will save you money. Also make sure you know your PIN, which you’ll need at gas pumps. Read: how to pay in Iceland.
INTERNET AND APPS
A few apps will save the day: Vedur for the weather, Umferdin.is for road conditions, SafeTravel for alerts, Parka for parking and My Aurora Forecast for the northern lights. We cover them in our article on the must-have apps for Iceland. If your plan is limited, an eSIM like Holafly is a simple solution.
PACKING
Even in summer, pack warm layers and a waterproof windbreaker. In winter, a ski outfit, hat, gloves and good hiking boots are essential. And don’t forget your swimsuit for the hot springs! You’ll find our must-have gear at the bottom of the article.
SAFETY
- 🌬️ The wind is the real danger: don’t hesitate to turn back when the gusts are too strong.
- 🌊 At Reynisfjara, stay away from the waves: they can sweep someone away without warning.
- 🧊 Never walk on a glacier without a guide.
- 🚫 Off-road driving is banned, and you should never stop on the road for a photo.
And to go further, check out our 10 things to know before going to Iceland and the 12 mistakes to avoid in Iceland.
PLANNING A TRIP TO ICELAND: OUR CHECKLIST ✅
So you don’t forget anything, here’s the order in which we recommend booking everything. In Iceland, the earlier you plan, the less you pay!
- 1️⃣ Choose the season and length of your trip (when to go).
- 2️⃣ Book your flights to Keflavík.
- 3️⃣ Book your car, ideally at the same time as your flights: Blue Car Rental.
- 4️⃣ Book your accommodation stop by stop, especially on the south coast and in the East Fjords, where it’s scarce (where we stayed).
- 5️⃣ Book the activities that sell out: ice cave, glacier hike, hot springs (GetYourGuide).
- 6️⃣ Sort out internet there if needed, with a Holafly eSIM.
- 7️⃣ Download the apps and pack your bag (our apps).
OUR REVIEW OF A TRIP TO ICELAND 💭
Iceland is one of the most beautiful trips of our lives. Raw nature, landscapes that change around every bend, and that feeling of being alone in the world as soon as you leave the south coast. Our best moments: the ice cave, Sky Lagoon and all the hot springs, the Golden Circle, the seals of Ytri Tunga and, of course, the northern lights.
Yes, it’s an expensive country, and yes, the weather often decides for you. But with good preparation, a sturdy car and accommodation booked in advance, it’s an unforgettable trip. Our advice: plan well, stay flexible… and enjoy every minute 😍.
👉 What about you? What makes you dream the most about Iceland?
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT A TRIP TO ICELAND ❓
Here are the questions people ask most often when planning a trip to Iceland. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, and I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
November to March for the northern lights, ice caves and low prices; June to August for hiking and the Highlands. We went in March, an excellent compromise.
One week for the south, 11 to 13 days to do the full loop on the Ring Road. We did it in 12 days, and it was perfect.
Our 12-day road trip in March 2023 cost us €2,229 per person, all in. Plan on more like €2,500 today in low season, and considerably more in summer.
No, a valid ID card is enough for French citizens, as Iceland is part of the Schengen Area.
For a road trip, yes: it’s the best way to get around. In winter, get an SUV or a 4×4 with studded tires. We rented from Blue Car Rental.
The Golden Circle, the south coast and its waterfalls, Jökulsárlón and its ice caves, the East Fjords, Dettifoss and Mývatn in the North, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Yes, the Ring Road stays open, but you need a suitable car and to check the weather every day. We did it in March without a single road closure.
Yes, it’s one of the most expensive countries in Europe, especially for restaurants. Cooking in the evening and traveling off-season can save you a lot.
Yes, everywhere, even for a coffee or parking. No need to withdraw many krónur.
Anywhere, away from lights and under clear skies, from late August to mid-April. We saw them four nights out of twelve in March.
Sky Lagoon for the ocean view (our favorite), Blue Lagoon for the legendary setting, and Earth Lagoon Mývatn for peace and quiet in the North.
Yes, it’s one of the safest countries in the world. The real dangers come from nature: the wind, the waves at Reynisfjara and the glaciers.
WHERE TO STAY IN ICELAND 🏨
During our 12-day road trip in Iceland 🇮🇸, we slept in 9 different places, alternating between hotels and guesthouses, almost all booked on Booking. Changing accommodation every night is the best way to loop around the island without piling up hours of driving 🚗.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead: outside Reykjavik, accommodation is scarce and the best places go fast.
- 🍳 Breakfast included: very handy, because cafés and restaurants are rare on the road. We often used it to make our lunch sandwiches.
- 🛒 A kitchen in remote areas: around Jökulsárlón, the nearest supermarket can be more than an hour’s drive away. Do your shopping before you arrive.
- ♨️ A hot tub: after a day in the cold and wind, it’s pure bliss. Several of our places had one.
- 🌌 Away from the lights: in winter, a place in the countryside gives you a better chance of seeing the northern lights right from your door.
- ✅ Free cancellation, to stay flexible if the weather forces you to change your itinerary.
HOTEL OR GUESTHOUSE IN ICELAND?
Both have their advantages. A guesthouse is often cozier, sometimes with a kitchen to cook your own meals. A hotel is more convenient for a one-night stop, with a reception desk, a restaurant and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, your budget and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN ICELAND?
Iceland isn’t a cheap destination, and accommodation is one of the biggest items in the budget. We paid between €78 and €162 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,366 for 11 nights, or about €124 a night on average (that was in 2023, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip that still welcome travelers, in the order of our itinerary.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Iceland
GuesthouseHotel
-
HotelReykjavik201 Hótel (Kópavogur)
Right next to the capital, handy for the first and last night of the road trip.
- Double room
- Breakfast included
- Close to Reykjavik
- Guesthouse
SelfossLambastaðir Guesthouse
A quiet guesthouse, perfect for sleeping after a day on the Golden Circle.
- Hot tub and sauna
- Breakfast included
- After the Golden Circle
- GuesthouseOur favorite
SvínafellThe Potato Storage
Our absolute favorite of the trip: an exceptional place at the foot of the glaciers.
- Our best place to stay
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Close to Jökulsárlón
- Hotel
EgilsstaðirHótel Eyvindará
A quiet hotel on the edge of Egilsstaðir, with a hot tub to unwind.
- Hot tub
- Breakfast included
- Near Seyðisfjörður
- Hotel
MývatnVogafjós Farm Resort
A farm on the shores of Lake Mývatn, chosen for watching the northern lights.
- Ideal for the northern lights
- On-site restaurant
- Breakfast included
- Hotel
AkureyriCentrum Hótel
Right in the town center, a stone's throw from Akureyri church: you can do everything on foot.
- Town center
- Breakfast included
- Superior room
- Hotel
BifröstHraunsnef Country Hotel
A country hotel in the middle of nowhere, with a hot tub and a restaurant.
- Hot tub
- On-site restaurant
- Breakfast included
- Guesthouse
HvalfjörðurHótel Laxárbakki
A stop on the edge of the fjord, ideal after a day on Snæfellsnes.
- Hot tub
- On-site restaurant
- Heading back to Reykjavik
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” And in Iceland even more than elsewhere, because the cold, wind and rain can quickly ruin a day if you’re poorly equipped 🥶. That’s why you’ll find below the travel accessories we had in our bags. Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where everything costs much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Iceland in the middle of winter 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Iceland?
What we had in our bags for 12 winter days. Good news: the outlets are the same as in France, no adapter needed.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
Cold & snowHeat Holders thermal socks
The ones we took: to keep your feet warm on walks in the snow.
- Essential
Cold & snowThermal underwear
Thermal leggings and T-shirt under your clothes: the basics for facing the Icelandic wind.
- Essential
Cold & snowWarm gloves
A pair of ski gloves against the wind, and a thin pair for taking photos.
- Essential
Cold & snowBeanie and neck warmer
The wind is often strong, especially near the waterfalls and on the black sand beaches.
- Essential
Cold & snowWaterproof hiking boots
Icy trails, snow and waterfall spray: dry feet all day long.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
The cold drains batteries fast: your phone lasts until evening.
- Recommended
Baths & waterWaterproof phone pouch
To take photos in the hot baths with no risk to your phone.
- Recommended
Baths & waterMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: handy for baths and hot springs.
- Recommended
Baths & waterWater bottle
Tap water is excellent in Iceland: no need to buy bottles.
- Bonus
Travel & securityEmergency blanket
Keep it in the car, in case a closed road forces you to wait.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
THANKS FOR YOUR FEEDBACK 
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