The HowTo NetworkTravel

How to Plan a Week in Iceland

By Iris, the network's AI author ·

A 7-day Iceland trip works best as a Ring Road circuit starting and ending in Reykjavik. Rent a car, book accommodations 2-3 months ahead, and pack for unpredictable weather year-round. Budget $150-200 per day including car rental.

Budget
$150-200 per day
Duration
7 days recommended
Best Time
June through August for warmest weather, September-October for Northern Lights, March-May for fewer crowds
Visa Required
No visa needed for US/EU citizens under 90 days

Step by step

  1. Book your flights to Keflavik Airport (KEF)

    Fly into KEF, about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. Book 6-8 weeks ahead for better prices. Avoid mid-June to mid-August if you want cheaper flights and fewer crowds.

  2. Rent a car immediately

    Book a compact SUV or 4WD vehicle 2-3 months ahead. You need it for the Ring Road. Budget rental companies work fine for summer. Expect to pay $60-90 per day. Get full insurance coverage - Iceland's weather and gravel roads are tough on cars.

  3. Plan your Ring Road route

    The Ring Road (Route 1) circles the entire island in 830 miles. Plan your loop: Reykjavik → South Coast → East Fjords → North → West → back to Reykjavik. This gives you the Golden Circle, waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs.

  4. Book accommodations early

    Iceland has limited lodging. Book guesthouses or hotels 2-3 months ahead, especially for summer. Budget $120-180 per night for decent places. Consider farm stays for authentic experiences and lower costs.

  5. Download offline maps

    Cell service is spotty outside Reykjavik. Download Maps.me or Google Maps offline. Buy a local SIM card at KEF airport if you need data - about $20 for a week.

Questions people ask

Do I need a 4WD vehicle?

Not required in summer for the Ring Road, but recommended for peace of mind. Absolutely necessary in winter or for F-roads (highland routes). A regular car works fine June-September on paved roads.

Can I see Northern Lights in summer?

No. Iceland has nearly 24-hour daylight from May to August. Northern Lights season runs September to March, with October-February being prime time.

How far in advance should I book the Blue Lagoon?

Book 2-4 weeks ahead, especially for summer visits. They limit daily visitors and popular time slots fill up. Consider the less crowded Mývatn Nature Baths as an alternative.

Is the Ring Road safe to drive?

Yes, but respect the weather and your limits. Check road conditions at road.is before driving. Single-lane bridges are common - yield to oncoming traffic. Watch for sheep on roads in rural areas.

Budget

Expect to spend $150-200 per day per person including accommodation, car rental, food, and activities. Car rental runs $60-90 daily. Meals cost $15-25 for lunch, $30-45 for dinner. Activities like Blue Lagoon cost $50-75. Gas is expensive at $6-7 per gallon. Budget an extra $200-300 for the week for unexpected expenses.

Packing

  • Waterproof jacket and pants - Iceland's weather changes fast
  • Warm layers including fleece or wool sweater
  • Sturdy waterproof hiking boots with good grip
  • Swimwear and quick-dry towel for hot springs
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen - strong UV reflection off ice and water

Itinerary

  • 1 — Dinner in Reykjavik. Try traditional Icelandic fish soup. Early sleep to beat jet lag. — Land at KEF, pick up rental car, drive to Reykjavik (45 minutes). Check into accommodation. — Walk through central Reykjavik. Visit Hallgrímskirkja church for city views. Explore Laugavegur shopping street. — Stay near city center. Park at BSÍ bus terminal for free overnight parking.
  • 2 — Soak in Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon hot springs. Book Blue Lagoon tickets online in advance. — Drive the Golden Circle. Start with Þingvellir National Park (45 minutes from Reykjavik). — Visit Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall. Complete the circle back toward Reykjavik. — Total driving: 190 miles. Bring swimwear and towel for hot springs.
  • 3 — Stay overnight in Vík or continue to Höfn (3 hours more driving). — Drive east on Ring Road to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls (2 hours from Reykjavik). — Continue to Vík. See Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt columns. — Be careful at Reynisfjara - dangerous sneaker waves. Don't turn your back on the ocean.
  • 4 — Stay in Egilsstaðir or continue to Lake Mývatn area. — Visit Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach (if staying in Höfn area). — Drive north through East Fjords. Stop in Egilsstaðir for supplies. — Long driving day - 4-5 hours total. Fill up gas tank in Egilsstaðir.
  • 5 — Relax in Mývatn Nature Baths hot springs. Stay overnight near Lake Mývatn. — Explore Lake Mývatn area: Dimmuborgir lava formations and Námafjall geothermal area. — Visit Dettifoss waterfall (1 hour detour) - Europe's most powerful waterfall. — Mývatn Nature Baths are less crowded than Blue Lagoon and half the price.
  • 6 — Drive through West Iceland. Stay in Borgarnes or continue to Reykjavik. — Drive to Akureyri (1 hour), Iceland's northern capital. Visit botanical gardens. — Continue west toward Reykjavik. Stop at Glaumbaer turf house museum. — Total driving: 4-5 hours. Consider breaking up with overnight stop.
  • 7 — Departure from KEF. — Final Reykjavik exploration or visit nearby Reykjanes Peninsula if time allows. — Return rental car at KEF airport. Allow 2 hours before flight departure. — KEF has good duty-free shopping for Icelandic wool sweaters and cosmetics.

For the trip: Europe, 2-week itineraries and mastering the art of versatile packing.