Traveling in Iceland, a country of breathtaking natural beauty, offers an incredible journey through an easy and comfortable road network. If you plan to explore this magical land for 9 days, one Road trip by car or even better by camper van is the ideal choice.
Iceland was our first trip as a couple in July 2017. We organized everything ourselves, made mistakes of course, but also followed right choices which we will analyze in both our 2 Iceland articles. Our travel experience in Iceland will stay in our hearts forever. It is a very special country, with contrasts that take your breath away and it is undeniably a destination that everyone owes it to themselves to visit once in their life.
Is it an expensive trip?
Starting with the plane tickets, these will cost you as much as most northern European trips. We had flown via London with Ryanair at a cost of €250/person round trip. Accommodation, food in Iceland, car rental are expensive. However, there are ways to limit the costs of this trip. The positive thing is that most attractions are completely free, as they are natural attractions that you will simply come across on the road and stop to admire. Any other activity (diving in Silfra, ice cave tour, visiting the Blue Lagoon, whale watching, etc.) costs quite a bit. Depending on your budget and your taste, you will decide which of these activities are meant for you. Take a look here for the activities you can do in Iceland and how much they cost.
Ring Road (Hringvegur)
The ideal way to explore Iceland is to rent a camper van. Unfortunately, we rented a car and suffered a lot with the kilometers we had to travel. You should better rent a camper van with the best facilities and follow the route that covers the entire country of Iceland that is called the “Ring Road” (Hringvegur in Icelandic), with a total length of about 1,332 kilometers. It is a circular road that goes around the entire island, connecting towns, villages and natural attractions.
Golden circle
Golden Circle is a relatively short route that connects three main attractions in southern Iceland: Geysir, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park. It is therefore a shorter route, ideal for day trips from the capital Reykjavik or for short trips. During your road trip in Iceland you can integrate the Golden Circle into your Ring Road trip by adding it to your itinerary, depending on the time you have available and your interests.
Rent a car in Iceland
For car rental in Iceland, we searched carefully here and finally, we chose an automatic Renault Megane at the price of €360 for 9 days.
The most important is the additional car insurance premiums which are considered necessary, as the roads in Iceland, despite their good condition, have many cobblestones. So, it is good to choose the €110 Gravel Protection insurance to have peace of mind. We picked up the car and delivered it to Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport.
Food-Water
In general, restaurants are very expensive in Iceland. We only dared to go to one, without trying anything particularly different and of course it wasn’t worth the money. So we ended up shopping only at supermarkets, mostly cooked meals (as they had kitchens with endless options), all delicious and at very reasonable prices, or sometimes we ended up cooking. Our purpose was to see the country of Iceland and not to leave our entire budget on restaurants. We loved the Bonus supermarket (chain with the pink pig) for its huge variety, good prices and delicious options in its kitchens. Iceland’s water is crystal clear and drinkable anywhere you come across. So you don’t have to spend money on bottled water. Get 2-3 bottles in the beginning. You will have bottles left to fill them from nature.
What season should I travel to Iceland?
The best time to visit Iceland depends on your preferences and the activities you want to do. Depending on the season, Iceland offers different experiences:
Spring (March – May)- Summer (June – August): Spring is a transitional season with increasing days and blooming meadows. Temperatures are rising, but you may still experience cold. Summer offers long hours of light and temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. It is the best time to explore nature, walk the trails, and enjoy the hot springs.
Autumn (September – November) – Winter (December – February): Autumn offers a unique color to the landscape and is suitable for photography lovers. Temperatures are cooler, ranging from about 5°C to 15°C. Winter is the right time to enjoy the spectacle of the Northern Lights. Temperatures are low, and you may be faced with snow.
The choice of season depends on what experiences you want to get from your trip to Iceland. If you are interested in nature and hot springs, summer is ideal. If you want to see the Northern Lights, winter is the best choice. We visited Iceland in July 2017, since we wanted to enjoy as many activities in nature as possible, without “dying” from the cold.
Icelandic horses
In Iceland, it is possible to meet horses free in nature, as horses are an important part of the country’s culture and nature. Icelandic horses are known for their shorter stature and resilience in harsh weather conditions. In various areas of Iceland, it is possible to find herds of Icelandic horses grazing freely in the landscape.
It is common to see horses roaming free, especially in rural areas. In addition, there are tours and tourism activities in Iceland that provide the opportunity to explore the countryside on Icelandic horses. You can ride in different landscapes, such as plains, rivers and mountains, extremely enjoyable for those who love nature and grave for a close contact with horses. To book this unique activity, click here.
Some TIPS for a Road Trip in Iceland during summer:
- In July you will enjoy the favorable weather conditions and the incredible natural beauties of Iceland.
- Bring warm clothes, since weather is unpredictable.
- Rent a 4×4 wheel car to face all the diffculties of the road.
- Check weather conditions before you move.
- Take as many pictures of the incredible nature, always with respect toward the environment.
Read in detail our experience from 9 day Road Trip in Iceland.
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