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Ring Road in 8 Days

The whole circle of Iceland in 8 days, with a night in Vík to break up the South Coast: waterfalls, Jökulsárlón, the East Fjords, Mývatn and Akureyri, with car, hotels and a day-by-day route.

5.0(1,117 guest reviews across our tours)
8 days · 7 nightsCar + hotels + breakfastAll year (best May to September)Starts and ends at Keflavík Airport

Trip at a glance

Best forTravellers with just over a week who want the whole circle, with a calmer South Coast than the 7-day trip
HighlightsGullfoss, Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón, Stokksnes, Dettifoss, Mývatn, Goðafoss, Akureyri
Total drivingAbout 1,600 km in 8 days
Longest dayDay 7: about 390 km, 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 hotels, 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 hotels, car, breakfast, taxes 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.
DAY1Ring Road in 8 DaysArrival and the Golden CircleAbout 250 km, 3.5–4 hours of driving · 1 optional tourOvernightHella areaDetails ▾Close ▴
Keflavík Airport – Þingvellir – Geysir – Gullfoss – Hella area

Pick up your car at Keflavík Airport and 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
Ring Road in 8 DaysÞingvellir National ParkWalk through Almannagjá and see the rift valley. Parking fee applies.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysGeysir geothermal areaStrokkur erupts every 5–10 minutes. Café and toilets at the Geysir Centre.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysGullfoss waterfallTwo viewpoints; the lower path can be icy or closed in winter.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysKerið crater (optional)A short walk around a red volcanic crater. Entry fee.Guide →
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 stopsBrúarhlöð · 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)
Ring Road in 8 DaysSilfra Snorkeling TourOnly with an early arrival.+17,990 ISK pp
DAY2Ring Road in 8 DaysSouth Coast waterfalls and VíkAbout 140 km, 2 hours of driving · 4 optional toursOvernightVík areaDetails ▾Close ▴
Hella – Seljalandsfoss – Gljúfrabúi – Skógafoss – Sólheimajökull – Dyrhólaey – Reynisfjara – Vík

A slow day with short drives and time to walk. Walk behind Seljalandsfoss and into the gorge of Gljúfrabúi, then climb beside Skógafoss and find Kvernufoss in its hidden canyon. Look at the glacier tongue of Sólheimajökull, see the sea arch from Dyrhólaey and the basalt columns of Reynisfjara, and end the day in Vík.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysSeljalandsfossParking fee. The path behind closes when icy.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysGljúfrabúiA waterfall hidden in a gorge, 10 minutes' walk from Seljalandsfoss.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysSkógafossAbout 500 steps to the top.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysSólheimajökullA 20-minute walk to the glacier edge. Only walk on the ice with a guide.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysDyrhólaeyPart of the area can close for nesting birds in May and June.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysReynisfjara black sand beachSneaker waves are dangerous here: stay well back from the water.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysVík í MýrdalSupermarket, restaurants and fuel.Guide →
Local tip: This is the day for a glacier hike on Sólheimajökull or the Katla ice cave tour from Vík.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsGljúfrabúi · A waterfall inside a narrow canyon, five minutes' walk from Seljalandsfoss. Wear waterproofs and good shoes.Kvernufoss · 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.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
Ring Road in 8 DaysSólheimajökull Glacier HikeDay 2 is short, so there is time for a glacier hike.+14,424 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysKatla Ice Cave Tour from VíkDay 2 is short, so this fits well.+28,847 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysZipline in Vík+13,900 ISK pp
DAY3Ring Road in 8 DaysSkaftafell, Jökulsárlón and HöfnAbout 275 km, 3.5–4 hours of driving · 3 optional toursOvernightHöfnDetails ▾Close ▴
Vík – Fjaðrárgljúfur – Skaftafell – Fjallsárlón – Jökulsárlón – Diamond Beach – Höfn

Cross the moss-covered lava fields of Eldhraun and walk along the rim of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. In Skaftafell, walk to Svartifoss, the waterfall framed by basalt columns. Stop at the quieter Fjallsárlón lagoon, then reach Jökulsárlón, where icebergs float out to sea, and Diamond Beach across the road. End the day in Höfn.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysFjaðrárgljúfur canyonAbout 1 hour return along the rim. It can close in spring.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysSkaftafell and SvartifossAbout 1.5 hours return from the visitor centre. Parking fee.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysFjallsárlónThe glacier comes down to the water.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysJökulsárlón glacier lagoonSeals are often seen near the lagoon's mouth. Parking fee.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysDiamond BeachIce on black sand. Keep away from the waves.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysHöfnLangoustine restaurants by the harbour.Guide →
Local tip: Fill up in Kirkjubæjarklaustur: there is no fuel between there and Höfn except at Skaftafell.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsKirkjugólf · Flat-topped basalt columns that look like a church floor, a few minutes' walk from the road in Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
Ring Road in 8 DaysJökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon KayakingAdds about 2 hours to a long day.+18,500 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysVatnajökull Ice Cave Tour from JökulsárlónAdds about 3 hours, so day 3 becomes long.+23,900 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysSkaftafell Glacier Hike | 3-Hour Easy Walk on FalljökullBest add-on for day 3.+13,763 ISK pp
DAY4Ring Road in 8 DaysStokksnes and the East FjordsAbout 270 km, 3.5–4 hours of driving · 1 optional tourOvernightEgilsstaðirDetails ▾Close ▴
Höfn – Stokksnes – Eystrahorn – Djúpivogur – Stöðvarfjörður – Fáskrúðsfjörður – Egilsstaðir

Start at Stokksnes, where the black dunes lie below the Vestrahorn mountain. Follow the coast past Eystrahorn to Djúpivogur, then through the East Fjords and their small fishing villages, with a stop at Petra's stone collection in Stöðvarfjörður. You sleep in Egilsstaðir.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysStokksnes and VestrahornEntry fee at the Viking Café.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysEystrahornParking at Hvalnes lighthouse.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysDjúpivogurThe egg sculptures by the harbour.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysStöðvarfjörðurPetra's Stone Collection, open in summer.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysFáskrúðsfjörðurA village with French history.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysEgilsstaðirShops, restaurants and fuel.Guide →
Local tip: In summer, the gravel road over the Öxi pass from Djúpivogur saves about 70 km, but it is steep and closed in winter. Vök Baths near Egilsstaðir are open in the evening.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsEggin í Gleðivík · 34 granite eggs along the harbour in Djúpivogur, one for each bird species that nests nearby.Teigarhorn · A protected nature reserve near Djúpivogur known for its zeolite crystals. Look, but leave the stones.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
Ring Road in 8 DaysVök Baths Admission+7,690 ISK pp
DAY5Ring Road in 8 DaysDettifoss and MývatnAbout 230 km, 3–3.5 hours of driving · 3 optional toursOvernightMývatnDetails ▾Close ▴
Egilsstaðir – (Stuðlagil) – Möðrudalur – Dettifoss – Hverir – Mývatn

Drive over the highland plateau at Möðrudalur to Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. In summer, you can add a detour to the basalt canyon of Stuðlagil. In the afternoon, walk among the steaming mud pots at Hverir before you reach Lake Mývatn and the Earth Lagoon.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysStuðlagil canyon (optional, summer)About 60 km extra and a walk of 1–2 hours.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysDettifossRoad 862 can close in winter.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysNámafjall and HverirStay on the marked paths; the ground is hot.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysLake MývatnMidges in June and July.Guide →
Local tip: The Earth Lagoon is quieter in the evening. Book a time slot.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsSelfoss (by Dettifoss) · A wide waterfall about 1 km upstream from Dettifoss, on a path from the same parking area. Many visitors turn back before it.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
DAY6Ring Road in 8 DaysMývatn, Goðafoss and AkureyriAbout 100 km, 1.5 hours of driving · 3 optional toursOvernightAkureyriDetails ▾Close ▴
Mývatn – Hverfjall – Dimmuborgir – Skútustaðagígar – Goðafoss – Akureyri

A short driving day. Walk up to the rim of Hverfjall crater, among the lava towers of Dimmuborgir and around the pseudo-craters at Skútustaðir. On the way west, stop at Goðafoss, the waterfall of the gods, and spend the afternoon in Akureyri, the largest town in the north. With an early start, you can add whale watching from Húsavík.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysHverfjall craterA steep 20-minute climb.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysDimmuborgirMarked paths. Parking fee.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysGrjótagjáWarm water in a small cave; no bathing.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysGoðafossViewpoints on both sides.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysAkureyriBotanical garden, swimming pool and restaurants.Guide →
Local tip: Akureyri's swimming pool, with water slides and hot tubs, is one of the best in Iceland.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
Ring Road in 8 DaysHúsavík Whale WatchingHúsavík is 1 hour from Mývatn.+14,036 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysGeoSea Geothermal Sea BathsIn Húsavík.+7,490 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 DaysWhale Watching AkureyriAbout 3 hours · all year+14,500 ISK pp
DAY7Ring Road in 8 DaysThrough the north to ReykjavíkAbout 390 km, 5 hours of drivingOvernightReykjavíkDetails ▾Close ▴
Akureyri – Glaumbær – Kolugljúfur – Borgarnes – Reykjavík

The longest drive of the trip, back south along Road 1. Break it at Glaumbær, a farm with turf houses, at the narrow Kolugljúfur canyon and at Grábrók crater near Bifröst. Stop in Borgarnes before the last hour to Reykjavík, where you spend your last evening in the city.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysGlaumbær turf housesMuseum open in summer; the houses can be seen from outside all year.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysKolugljúfur canyonA short detour from Road 1.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysBorgarnesFuel and the Settlement Centre.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysReykjavíkPark at your hotel and explore on foot.Guide →
Local tip: In winter, Holtavörðuheiði between the north and Borgarnes can close in storms. Check road.is before you leave Akureyri.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsVíðimýrarkirkja turf church · A turf church from 1834 just outside Varmahlíð, right beside the road.
DAY8Ring Road in 8 DaysReykjavík, the Blue Lagoon and the airportAbout 50 km, 45 minutes of drivingOvernightEnd of tripDetails ▾Close ▴
Reykjavík – (Blue Lagoon) – Keflavík Airport

Spend the morning in Reykjavík: Hallgrímskirkja, the harbour and the shopping streets around Laugavegur. On the way to the airport, relax in the Blue Lagoon, 20 minutes from Keflavík.

STOPS ON THE WAY
Ring Road in 8 DaysReykjavíkMost sights are within walking distance of the centre.Guide →
Ring Road in 8 DaysThe Blue Lagoon (optional)Book a time slot in advance.Guide →
Local tip: Allow at least 2.5 hours at the airport before your flight, plus time to refuel and return the car.
Local tip: lesser-known stopsKvika footbath · A small hot footbath by the sea near Grótta lighthouse in Reykjavík. Best around sunset.
ADD A TOUR THIS DAY (OPTIONAL)
Ring Road in 8 DaysBlue Lagoon Comfort admissionEntry, towel, silica mask and a drink · choose Comfort or Premium+18,990 ISK pp
Ring Road in 8 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.

More you can add

These have no fixed price yet. To add one, write it in the wishes box when you book. We add it and confirm the price with you before we charge anything for it.

Extra night in ReykjavíkAny day · Priced on request.

Hotels

Hotels as listed or similar. If a listed hotel is full, we book one of the same standard in the same area and tell you before we confirm.

  • Night 1: Hotel in the Hella area or similar
  • Night 2: Hotel in the Vík area or similar
  • Night 3: Hotel in or near Höfn or similar
  • Night 4: Hotel in or near Egilsstaðir or similar
  • Night 5: Hotel at Lake Mývatn or similar
  • Night 6: Hotel in or near Akureyri or similar
  • Night 7: Hotel in central Reykjavík or similar
Double or twin rooms. 1 traveller: a double room for single use. 3 travellers: a triple room or a double with an extra bed, subject to availability. 4 travellers: two double rooms. Breakfast: included every morning.
BudgetGuesthouses and simple hotels, some with shared bathrooms
Comfort3-star hotels with private bathroom
Superior4-star and boutique hotels where available

Your rental car

  • 1–2 travellers: compact car with automatic gearbox (Toyota Yaris or similar). 3–4 travellers: Kia Sportage or similar.
  • 1–2 travellers: 4x4 SUV with automatic gearbox (Suzuki Vitara or similar). 3–4 travellers: Kia Sportage 4x4 or similar.
  • Larger 4x4 or a 4x4 in summer at extra cost. 7-seat 4x4 and 9-seat van for groups on request.
  • Picked up and returned at Keflavík Airport
  • Unlimited kilometres
  • CDW, super CDW (SCDW), theft protection (TP) and gravel protection (GP)
  • Pick-up and return at Keflavík Airport
  • 24% VAT

Included

  • 7 nights in hotels or guesthouses at your chosen level, with breakfast
  • Rental car for 8 days, picked up and returned at Keflavík Airport
  • Car insurance as described above
  • Day-by-day route with stops, driving times and local tips
  • Trip map on icelandmap.is with fuel stations, toilets, restaurants 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
  • Fuel
  • Parking fees at sights (for example Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Jökulsárlón and Dimmuborgir) and in Reykjavík
  • Entry fees (for example Kerið and Stokksnes)
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Optional tours and lagoon entry, unless you add them
  • Travel insurance

How it works

1Choose and bookPick your date, travellers, hotel level, car and tours. You see the full price before you book, and pay a 20% deposit by card.
2We confirmWe book every hotel, the car and your tours, and confirm by email within 24 hours.
3Get your travel packVouchers, your route map 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

May to September for long days and open roads.

From October to April the car is a 4x4. Daylight is 4–6 hours in December and January, and day 7 has about 5 hours of driving, so in winter we recommend the 10-day Ring Road. Roads in the north and east can close in storms; check road.is and vedur.is every morning.

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

Should we choose 7 or 8 days for the Ring Road?

If you can, choose 8. The extra night in Vík turns the longest day of the 7-day trip into two easy days on the South Coast, with time for a glacier hike or the ice cave. For a slower trip with Snæfellsnes, see our 10-day Ring Road.

Can we do this trip in winter?

It is possible, with a 4x4 included from October to April, but daylight is short and northern roads can close. For winter we recommend the 10-day Ring Road or our 7-day Northern Lights trip.

Which way round do we drive?

Counter-clockwise: the Golden Circle and South Coast first, then the East Fjords, Mývatn and Akureyri, and back to Reykjavík for the last night, close to the airport.

Which hotels will we stay in?

You choose Budget, Comfort or Superior. We book hotels in the Hella area, Vík, Höfn, Egilsstaðir, Mývatn, Akureyri and Reykjavík, and send the names with your confirmation.

Can we add a second driver or Wi-Fi?

Yes. Tick them in the booking box and the price is added for the whole trip. You can also add tours to each day, or ask us for extra nights.

Reviews

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See also

SELF-DRIVE · 7 DAYS · ALL YEARRing Road in 7 DaysFrom 139,000 ISK per person

Want to change something?

Add a night, swap a hotel or fit the trip around your flights. We are a local travel agency in Iceland and plan every self-drive trip by hand.

Ask a local
Price per personFrom 161,800 ISK per person