5 days - from $1,340
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit the must-see attractions of the Golden Circle
- See impressive waterfalls and gleaming glaciers
- Feel the power of the thundering waterfall Gullfoss
- Photograph jagged basalt columns and sweeping black sand beaches
Day 1 Reykjavik Airport - Hveragerdi
Driving distance: approx. 100-130 km/62-81 miles
Pick up your car at the airport and start your Iceland experience! From Keflavik International Airport, we recommend driving the southern coast of the Reykjanes peninsula, towards your first overnight stay in the charming village of Hveragerdi. This village is one of the few sites in the world located directly on top of a geothermal area and, because of its many greenhouses heated by hot water from nearby springs, it is often called the “flower village.“ Depending on your arrival time in Iceland, it may be ideal to stop and visit the renowned Blue Lagoon where you can relax in the geothermal waters (Important: admission to the Blue Lagoon needs to be booked in advance).
Overnight: Hveragerdi
Meals included: None
Day 2 Hveragerdi - Vik
Driving distance: approx. 215 km/134 miles
Drive along the scenic South Shore and the area near the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano whose massive 2010 eruption caused air traffic around the world to be cancelled. We recommend a stop at the interactive LAVA Centre where you’ll learn about the powerful volcanic and tectonic forces that shaped both Iceland and Earth. Continue to see the majestic Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls and Myrdalsjokull glacier.
Stop by the seafront village of Vik to explore a dramatic stretch of coastline poised between glacier-topped mountains, rugged sea cliffs and black- sand beaches. Dyrholaey is a rocky headland characterised by a black lava arch. Every year thousands of sea birds and puffins nest here during the summer (mid-May and early August).
Overnight: Vik
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Please note that Dyrholaey is closed during nesting season, from about the middle of May until late June.
Day 3 Vik - Thjorsardalur Valley - Golden Circle
Driving distance: approx. 285 km/177 miles
Explore Thjorsardalur valley and its contrasting landscapes of birch woods, sandy lava fields, rivers and waterfalls. The impressive Mt. Hekla volcano towers over the region. This valley is also where you can visit the excavated site of a Viking age farm that had been destroyed by one of Hekla‘s eruptions. Continue to the amazing sites of Gullfoss waterfall, considered to be the most beautiful in Iceland and the Geysir hot spring area. Geysir is an active geothermal field with many bubbling steam vents and spouting hot springs, including the famous Strokkur geyser.
Take time this afternoon to visit one of the many baths or lagoons in the area and relax in the geothermal waters.
Overnight: Golden Circle
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Golden Circle - Thingvellir - Borgarfjordur - Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 300 km/187 miles
Visit Thingvellir National Park, site of the ancient Icelandic Viking parliament and a jewel of nature. Here you can enjoy many walking trails that take you to historic points of interest as well as see the rift between the continents. Then travel via either Hvalfjordur fjord or the Kaldidalur highland track (Open June-August, 4WD needed), to the beautiful Borgarfjordur region and Reykholt, home of the 13th-century Saga author Snorri Sturluson.
As you head towards Reykjavik in the afternoon, you may wish to take in two more impressive waterfalls. Hraunfossar, the Lava Falls, that appear as though glacial water is bursting through lava formations and witness the brilliantly blue waters of Barnafoss falls.
Overnight: Reykjavik
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 Reykjavik
Driving distance: approx. 50 km/30 miles
Return the car back to Keflavik International Airport today. If you have time and missed it the first day, travel via the Blue Lagoon as it is on your way to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
- 1 night in 3 star (comfort class) or 4 star (quality class) accommodation in Reykjavik
- 3 nights hotels or guesthouse accommodation (quality class) and guesthouse or farmhouse accommodation (comfort class) outside Reykjavik
- 4 day car hire
- Unlimited kilometres, Collision Damage Waiver and Theft Protection
- Additional authorised driver
- Airport Service Charge for car pick up and drop off at Keflavik International Airport
- Complimentary unlimited in-car wi-fi
- Emergency phone line open 24 hours
- Customer care service during office hours; services of local representatives.
- Access to Travel Companion App*. The app includes:
- Approximately 1500 star points, points of interest, tours and activities in the area, including 35 points of interest with an audio guide
- Access to your travel documents, create a personalised map links to electronic versions of the Iceland Travel Road Guide in different languages which covers interesting places as well as safety tips; Your hotel bookings with check-in and check-out dates
*The Travel Companion app is designed for easy use with your personal phone, tablet or computer
- 4 Icelandic-style Breakfasts
Driving route enables sightseeing at:
- Hveragerdi village. Also known as the Flower Village
- Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss
- Glaciers Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull
- Vik Village: Dyrholaey cliff and black sand beaches
- Gullfoss waterfall
- Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
- Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths
- The hot springs at Geysir
- Thingvellir National Park
- Borgarfjordur region
| Quality Class Hotels | ||
|---|---|---|
Economy 2wd (automatic) Compact 2wd (manual) Intermediate 2wd (automatic) Intermediate 2wd (hybrid automatic) Medium 4wd (automatic) Large 4wd (automatic) | ||
Double/Twin Double/Twin Double/Twin Double/Twin Double/Twin Double/Twin | ||
1 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | $1,520 $1,565 $1,620 $1,620 $1,780 $2,070 | |
1 Jun 2025 - 24 Jun 2025 | $2,000 $2,040 $2,120 $2,120 $2,300 $2,650 | |
25 Jun 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 | $2,210 $2,290 $2,390 $2,390 $2,710 $3,280 | |
27 Aug 2025 - 30 Sep 2025 | $2,000 $2,040 $2,120 $2,120 $2,300 $2,650 | |
| Price per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) |
You can customise your self-drive adventure by choosing your accommodation level and preferred rental car. In addition to this, you can enquire with us about adding optional excursions and sightseeing to experience the many wonders of the Icelandic nature and culture.
Quality Class: Our quality self-drive holidays allow you to spend your days exploring rural Iceland, knowing your nights will be spent in the most comfortable accommodation each area has to offer. Throughout the tour you‘ll stay in quality guesthouses and hotels where all rooms have a private facilities. Your final night will be in a 4 star hotel in Reykjavik.
Comfort Class: Our comfort self-drives offer you the chance to travel around Iceland in a carefree spirit, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. During your stay you‘ll be located in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik.
Ask about the wonderful sightseeing and experience bundles you can add to your self drive itineraries:
THE WELLNESS SEEKER: Partake in the relaxing past time of Iceland. This bundle gives you entrance to 3 different thermal bath experiences: Hvammsvik Natural Geothermal Hot Spring (including bathing fee and towel rental) - Sky Lagoon in the Reykjavik area (includes bathing fee and towel rental) - Fontana Geothermal Steam Baths in Laugarvatn, South Iceland (includes bathing fee and towel rental).
THE ADVENTURER: Get up close to nature with this bundle that includes: Glacier Wonder walk on Solheimajokull (including 3.5 hours, glacier gear and safety equipment) - Snowmobiling on Langjokull (including guided 1-1.5 hour glacier walk, glacier gear and safety equipment).
