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South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 Days

The Golden Circle, the South Coast waterfalls and two nights by Jökulsárlón in a camper, with campsites chosen for every night.

5.0(1,117 guest reviews across our tours)
5 days · 4 nightsCamper + Platinum insurance15 May to 30 SeptemberStarts and ends at Keflavík Airport
Prefer hotels to campsites? See the hotel version: South Coast & Glacier Lagoon in 5 DaysWith a rental car and hotels with breakfast · From 104,700 ISK per person →

Trip at a glance

Best forTravellers with 5 days who want the South Coast and the glacier lagoons in a camper, without long drives
HighlightsÞingvellir, Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach
Total drivingAbout 950–1,050 km in 5 days, depending on where your glacier campsite is
Longest dayDay 4: about 255–325 km, 3.5–4.5 hours of driving
Start and endKeflavík Airport, any day of the week

What's included with us

Your own trip map, on web and phoneAfter booking you get a private map of your trip on icelandmap.is: each day's route, your campsites, fuel stations, toilets, places to eat and the extra stops below, ready on your phone before you land.
Lesser-known stops picked by localsEach day includes quieter places that most visitors drive past, chosen by our team and marked on your map.
A local team in IcelandWe are a local travel agency in Iceland. Message or call us before and during your trip; we answer in English and help if plans change on the road.
Day-by-day guideDriving times, road and weather notes, and where to stop for fuel and food each day.
One free date changeChange your travel dates once for free up to 30 days before arrival (subject to availability).
No booking feesThe price you see includes the camper, Platinum insurance, road tax and card fees.

Day by day

Open a day for stops and tips. Add tours to any day; the price updates in the booking box.
DAY1South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysArrival and the Golden CircleAbout 250 km, 3.5–4 hours of drivingOvernightHella areaDetails ▾Close ▴
Keflavík Airport – Þingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss – Hella area

Meet the rental team at Keflavík Airport; they take you to their nearby office, where you pick up your camper. Then drive to Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk between the North American and Eurasian plates. Continue to the Geysir geothermal area, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes, and on to Gullfoss waterfall. If you still have energy, stop at Kerið crater on the way south. You sleep in the Hella area, close to the start of the South Coast.

STOPS ON THE WAY
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysÞingvellir National ParkWalk through Almannagjá and see the rift valley. Parking fee applies.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysGeysir geothermal areaStrokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes. Café and toilets at the Geysir Centre.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysGullfoss waterfallTwo viewpoints; the lower path can be icy or closed in winter.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysKerið crater (optional)A short walk around a red volcanic crater. Entry fee.Guide →
Campsites for tonight: Hella campsite, Hvolsvöllur campsite, Skógar campsite. You choose and pay at the campsite.
Local tip: If your flight lands early in the morning, take a short rest stop in Reykjavík or at Þingvellir's service centre before the longer drive.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsUrriðafoss · Iceland's largest waterfall by volume, two minutes off the Ring Road by the Þjórsá bridge.Brúarhlöð · A narrow canyon where the Hvítá river runs between rock pillars, right beside road 30 between Flúðir and Gullfoss.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSilfra Snorkeling TourAbout 3 hours · age 12+ · drysuit and GoPro photos included+17,990 ISK pp
DAY2South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSouth Coast waterfalls and ReynisfjaraAbout 180–260 km, 2.5–4 hours of driving (depending on where your campsite is)OvernightSkaftafell / Kirkjubæjarklaustur areaDetails ▾Close ▴
Hella – Seljalandsfoss – Skógafoss – Sólheimajökull – Dyrhólaey – Reynisfjara – Vík – Skaftafell / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area

The South Coast's best-known stops are all along today's road. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss and look into the narrow gorge of Gljúfrabúi, then climb the steps beside Skógafoss. See the glacier tongue at Sólheimajökull, the sea arch at Dyrhólaey and the basalt columns at Reynisfjara. After lunch in Vík, the road crosses the lava fields of Eldhraun and the wide sands in front of Vatnajökull to your campsite between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and Skaftafell, where you stay two nights.

STOPS ON THE WAY
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSeljalandsfossThe path behind the waterfall is wet and closes when icy. Parking fee.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysGljúfrabúiA waterfall hidden in a gorge, a 10-minute walk from Seljalandsfoss. Waterproof shoes help.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSkógafossAbout 500 steps lead to the viewpoint at the top.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSólheimajökull glacierA short walk to the glacier edge. Do not go onto the ice without a guide.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysDyrhólaeySea arch and lighthouse. In May and June part of the area can close for nesting birds.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysReynisfjara black sand beachStay well back from the water: sneaker waves are dangerous here.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysVík í MýrdalThe last village with a supermarket and several restaurants before Kirkjubæjarklaustur.Guide →
Campsites for tonight: Skaftafell campsite (Vatnajökull National Park), Kirkjubær campsite (Kirkjubæjarklaustur). You choose and pay at the campsite.
Local tip: Fill up with fuel in Vík or Kirkjubæjarklaustur. There are long stretches without services east of Vík.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsKvernufoss · A waterfall in a small gorge about 15 minutes on foot from the Skógar museum. You can walk behind it. The path is icy in winter.Loftsalahellir · A cave in the cliffs between Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara, once used for local meetings, with a view along the coast.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSólheimajökull Glacier HikeAdds about 4 hours to day 2, a long day; better as an alternative to the day 3 hike.+14,424 ISK pp
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysKatla Ice Cave Tour from VíkAdds about 3 hours to day 2; better on day 4.+28,847 ISK pp
DAY3South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSkaftafell, Jökulsárlón and Diamond BeachAbout 120–250 km, 1.5–3.5 hours of driving (shorter from a campsite near Skaftafell)OvernightSkaftafell / Kirkjubæjarklaustur areaDetails ▾Close ▴
Skaftafell – Fjallsárlón – Jökulsárlón – Diamond Beach – back to your hotel

A day with short drives and time to walk. In the morning, hike from the Skaftafell visitor centre to Svartifoss, the waterfall framed by dark basalt columns. Then drive east to Fjallsárlón, a quieter glacier lagoon, and on to Jökulsárlón, where icebergs float from the glacier to the sea. Across the road, ice lies on the black sand of Diamond Beach. This is the day for a glacier hike or a kayak tour on the lagoon.

STOPS ON THE WAY
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSkaftafell Nature ReserveVisitor centre with toilets, café and trail maps. Parking fee.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSvartifossAbout 1.5 hours return on a well-marked uphill path.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysFjallsárlónA smaller lagoon where the glacier comes down to the water.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysJökulsárlón glacier lagoonSeals are often seen near the lagoon's mouth. Parking fee.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysDiamond BeachIce on black sand, on both sides of the river mouth. Keep away from the waves.Guide →
Campsites for tonight: Skaftafell campsite (Vatnajökull National Park), Kirkjubær campsite (Kirkjubæjarklaustur). You choose and pay at the campsite.
Local tip: Staying two nights here means no packing today, and you can return to Jökulsárlón in the evening light when most day tours have left.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsHofskirkja · The last turf church built in the old style (1884), at the farm Hof in Öræfi, a minute from the Ring Road.Breiðárlón · A quieter glacier lagoon west of Jökulsárlón, reached by a gravel track. Check the track before driving it. (Summer only (about June–September))
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysSkaftafell Glacier HikeBest add-on for day 3.+13,763 ISK pp
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysJökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Kayaking TourMay–September+18,500 ISK pp
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysVatnajökull Glacier Airplane Tour from SkaftafellAll year, weather permitting+32,900 ISK pp
DAY4South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysFjaðrárgljúfur, the coast again, and ReykjavíkAbout 255–325 km, 3.5–4.5 hours of driving (shorter from a campsite near Kirkjubæjarklaustur)OvernightReykjavíkDetails ▾Close ▴
Kirkjubæjarklaustur – Fjaðrárgljúfur – Vík – Reynisfjara or Dyrhólaey – Seljalandsfoss – Reykjavík

Drive back west. Walk the rim of Fjaðrárgljúfur, a deep, winding canyon near Kirkjubæjarklaustur, and break the drive in Vík. If the weather was poor on day 2, this is your second chance for Reynisfjara, Dyrhólaey or the waterfalls. In the evening you arrive in Reykjavík for a last night in the city, with its restaurants, bars and the old harbour.

STOPS ON THE WAY
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysKirkjubæjarklausturFuel, a shop and a short walk to Systrafoss waterfall.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysFjaðrárgljúfur canyonA path along the rim with viewpoints, about 1 hour return. It can close in spring to protect the ground.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysVík í MýrdalLunch stop. The Lava Show is in Vík if you want to add it.Guide →
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysReykjavíkPark at or near your hotel; street parking in the centre is paid.Guide →
Campsites for tonight: Reykjavík Campsite (Laugardalur). You choose and pay at the campsite.
Local tip: This is the longest drive of the trip. Leave by 9 am.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsKirkjugólf · Flat-topped basalt columns that look like a church floor, a few minutes' walk from the road in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.Systrafoss · A waterfall right above Kirkjubæjarklaustur. In summer you can walk up beside it to the lake Systravatn.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysZipline in Vík+13,900 ISK pp
DAY5South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysA lava cave or lagoon on the way to the airportAbout 50–130 km, 45 minutes to 2 hours of drivingOvernightEnd of tripDetails ▾Close ▴
Reykjavík – (Raufarhólshellir) – (Blue Lagoon) – Keflavík Airport

Your last day depends on your flight. The direct drive from Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport takes about 45 minutes. With time to spare, walk into Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, 35 minutes east of the city, or relax in the Blue Lagoon, 20 minutes from the airport. Return the camper at Keflavík Airport.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel (optional)Guided visits only; see the add-ons.
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysThe Blue Lagoon (optional)Book a time slot in advance. Volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula can close it at short notice.Guide →
Local tip: For an early-morning flight, skip the extras: Reykjavík to the airport is about 50 km. Allow at least 2.5 hours at the airport, plus time to refuel and return the camper.
Local tip: lesser-known stopBridge between continents · A footbridge over a fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates, a short detour on the way to the airport.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysRaufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour35 minutes east of Reykjavík; fits day 5 with an afternoon or evening flight.+8,900 ISK pp
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysBlue Lagoon Comfort admissionEntry, towel, silica mask and a drink · choose Comfort or Premium+18,990 ISK pp
South Coast & Jökulsárlón by Camper in 5 DaysBlue Lagoon Premium admissionComfort plus bathrobe, slippers and a second mask · choose Comfort or Premium+21,990 ISK pp
Driving distances and times are rounded estimates from main-road distances, without stops. Tour prices are per person.

Campsites

Campsite fees are not included in the price. Guests choose and pay for their campsite each night. The campsites below are in the right area for each night, and all are on the trip map.

  • Night 1: Hella area: Hella campsite, Hvolsvöllur campsite, Skógar campsite
  • Night 2: Skaftafell / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area: Skaftafell campsite (Vatnajökull National Park), Kirkjubær campsite (Kirkjubæjarklaustur)
  • Night 3: Skaftafell / Kirkjubæjarklaustur area: Skaftafell campsite (Vatnajökull National Park), Kirkjubær campsite (Kirkjubæjarklaustur)
  • Night 4: Reykjavík: Reykjavík Campsite (Laugardalur)
Most have toilets, showers (sometimes for a small fee), cooking areas and electricity for campers. Most campsites do not take bookings: arrive, find a spot and pay at reception or in an app. In July and August, arrive by early evening. Campsite fees are not included in the price.

Your camper

  • Fiat Doblo Maxi Camper, automatic (2 travellers). Our standard choice: small, easy to drive and cheap on fuel, with a bed in the back and cooking gear.
  • Fiat Scudo Camper van, automatic (2 travellers who want more room). A larger van with more space inside and for luggage.
  • Dacia Duster 4x4 with pop-up rooftop tent, automatic (2 travellers). A 4x4 with a tent on the roof that opens in minutes. From 21 May only.
  • Platinum insurance with zero self-risk (includes gravel, sand and ash protection)
  • Unlimited kilometres
  • Bedding for 2 (sleeping bags and pillows), cooking set, camping chairs and table
  • Meet at Keflavík Airport; the camper office is nearby
  • 24% VAT and the daily road tax
  • 1–2 travellers per camper. Three or more: ask us and we book two campers.

Included

  • Camper for 5 days with Platinum insurance (zero self-risk)
  • Bedding, cooking set, camping chairs and table
  • Day-by-day route with stops, driving times and local tips
  • Campsite suggestions for every night, marked on your trip map
  • Trip map on icelandmap.is with fuel stations, toilets, supermarkets, campsites and stops along the way
  • Lesser-known stops chosen by our local team, marked on your trip map
  • Help from our local team before and during your trip

Not included

  • Flights
  • Campsite fees (paid at each campsite)
  • Fuel
  • Food
  • Parking fees at sights
  • Entry fees
  • Optional tours and lagoon entry, unless you add them
  • Extra driver
  • Travel insurance

How it works

1Choose and bookPick your date, travellers, camper and tours. You see the full price before you book, and pay a 20% deposit by card.
2We confirmWe book your camper and your tours, and confirm by email within 24 hours.
3Get your travel packCamper voucher, your route map with campsites and the day-by-day guide, by email and on your phone.
4Drive, with us on callA local is a message away if the weather or your plans change.

Seasons and driving

June to August; May and September are quieter and cheaper, with cooler nights. Most campsites in Iceland open from mid-May or June to mid-September. Nights are cool even in summer.

Payment and cancellation

  • Book at least 14 days before arrival
  • 20% deposit when you book
  • Balance due 45 days before arrival. Bookings made less than 45 days before arrival are paid in full.
If you cancelCancellation fee
More than 30 days before arrival10% of the total price (you get half of your deposit back)
30 to 15 days before arrival50% of the total price
14 to 8 days before arrival75% of the total price
7 days or less before arrival, or no-show100% of the total price
  • One free date change up to 30 days before arrival, subject to availability.
  • We recommend travel insurance that covers cancellation (illness, flight changes).

Good to know

Can we park the camper anywhere for the night?

No. In Iceland it is not allowed to sleep in a camper, van or rooftop tent outside campsites, except on private land with the owner's permission. Each night of this trip has campsites in the right area, and they are all on your trip map.

Do we need to book campsites?

Most campsites in Iceland do not take bookings: you arrive, find a spot and pay at reception or in an app. In July and August, arrive by early evening. We tell you which campsites on your route can be booked ahead.

How much do campsites cost?

Campsite fees are not included. Most charge per person per night, plus a small fee for electricity and the national accommodation tax, and you pay at each campsite. We give you the current prices for the campsites on your route when you book.

What is in the camper?

The Fiat Doblo and the Fiat Scudo come with a bed, a cooking set, 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows, camping chairs, a table, a light and a cooling box. With the rooftop tent 4x4 you get the tent, sleeping bags and pillows, and we add a cooking set and 2 chairs. Showers and toilets are at the campsites.

What happens if we damage the camper?

Platinum insurance is included, with zero self-risk. That means you do not pay anything for damage covered by the insurance, including gravel, sand and ash damage. Damage from driving on closed or F-roads, or through rivers, is never covered.

Are the roads OK for a camper?

Yes. The route follows paved main roads, and the campers are not allowed on highland F-roads. A few optional detours are on gravel; drive them slowly or skip them.

Is it cold at night?

Even in July, nights are often 5–10 °C, and colder in May and September. Bring warm layers and a hat to sleep in. Many campsites have electricity, so you can charge your phone and use a small heater if the camper has one.

Is there a hotel version of this trip?

Yes. The same route with hotels and breakfast and a rental car is our South Coast & Glacier Lagoon in 5 Days. You can compare both on the trip pages.

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See also

Want to change something?

Add a night, change a campsite or fit the trip around your flights. We are a local travel agency in Iceland and plan every trip by hand.

Ask a local
Price per personFrom 68,500 ISK per person