Without a doubt, Iceland is the one of the most awe-inspiring and unique places on earth. A place where fire and ice meet mountain and ocean.
We were lucky enough to spend 14 days traveling through this breathtaking country: exploring geothermal hot springs, traversing towering glaciers, climbing dormant volcanoes and seeing countless waterfalls.
The best part was we were able enjoy so much of what Iceland has to offer by planning our own self-guided road trip along Iceland’s famous Ring Road by camper van.
In this Iceland travel guide, we outline our day-to-day itinerary, breakdown our costs and share our overall experiences, so you can plan your very own incredible Icelandic adventure!
1. When to Visit Iceland
The first and ultimately most important question to ask is “When is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?“
The summer months, June, July and August, are peak season for tourism due to the long hours of sunlight (known as “midnight sun”) and mild climate.
The winter offers a completely different experience – you can escape the hordes of people and the possibility of seeing the northern lights is significantly greater. And, if you’re on a budget, this time of year typically offers cheaper prices.
- The best time to visit Iceland is during shoulder season of late August through September.
My wife and I travelled throughout Iceland in 2016 from late August to mid-September. We were blessed with warm weather and a nearly rain-free journey. The crowds were still somewhat present, but, if we got lucky (which we did!), we’d have some places all to ourselves.
In my opinion, this time of year offers the best of both seasons.
2. How to Get Around Iceland
The next important question anyone visiting Iceland needs to ask is “How Do You Get Around in Iceland?”
Well, in the capital city of Reykjavik, walking and public transit are great options to explore. Taxis are very expensive and costs can quickly add up. Tour groups also operate out of the major cities and regularly schedule busses to and from major landmarks and attractions.
Explore Iceland by Car or Camper Van
By far, the best way to explore all of Iceland is by renting and driving a car or camper van. The main road that encircles Iceland is Route 1, also known as Ring Road. Many famous landmarks are located along this iconic highway as are most accommodations.
But driving around the country and staying at hotels can be challenging. Hotel vacancies can be limited during peak seasons and checking-in and out of hotels everyday can limit precious sightseeing time.
That’s is why I highly recommend exploring Iceland via camper van! Here are my reasons why it’s great:
- It provides both your means of transportation AND accommodation.
- You can prepare and cook meals in a camper van which saves you so much money especially on longer stays.
- You’ll have greater flexibility with your travel plans since you can just pack up and drive to any spot you want, whenever you want.
- Campground locations are fairly extensive around Iceland and are relatively low cost.
- There is the option to park and sleep in designated areas for free! (aka. Boondocking)
Camper Van Rental Companies
There are several camper van rental companies that operate year-round in Iceland. However, I found Go Campers matched our needs perfectly.
They had a wide selection of compact, family-friendly, and off-road vehicle options. Although it was just the two of us (my wife and I), we booked the Go BIG camper 5-pax, mostly for the extra space (my wife is a tad claustrophobic…) and ability to stand while using the indoor kitchen/sink.
Pro-Tip: Learn how to drive manual transmission! Most vehicles are manual and are considerably cheaper to rent than their automatic counterpart.
3. Day-to-Day Itinerary
Iceland is filled with so many awe-inspiring, natural wonders.
Throughout our visit, every day was packed with new sights, pure thrills and moments of sheer reflection – each day was truly unique.
See our full day-to-day itinerary, including detailed maps and locations, by checking out Experience Iceland: A 14 Day Itinerary & Travel Guide Around Ring Road.
4. What to Bring to Iceland?
To travel around Iceland, with it’s unpredictable weather and contrasting landscapes, a robust packing list is absolutely essential and includes the proper outdoor clothes, campervan supplies and electronics.
Clothing and Shoes:
- A waterproof outer layer (jacket + pants)
- A warm and compact jacket
- Full body mid layer (fleece)
- Full body base layer (Merano wool)
- Toque or warm hat
- Gloves
- Wool socks
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Bathing suit + Water shoes
- Quick dry towel
Outdoor Gear:
- Head lamp
- Carabiners (small and large)
- Insulated water bottle
- Daypack + waterproof cover
- Dry bag/stuff sacks
- First-aid kit
Electronics:
- Camera
- Tripod + Selfie stick
- Waterproof phone case
- Battery bank
- AC/DC converter (sometimes included with campervan)
- Auxillary cable to connect to car audio
- Portable speaker
Campervan Considerations:
- Soft case luggage (backpack or duffle bag)
- Duct tape (small roll)
- Ziploc bags (multiple sizes)
- Printed maps/driving directions
5. Cost Breakdown
Iceland can be a very expensive country to visit and planning an epic, all-encompassing trip could be highly costly.
However, Chetna did an amazing job researching prices for flights, hotels, car rentals and tours so that we could enjoy the best of Iceland and not break the bank. Be sure to shop around for deals and find which price-points work within your budget.
Below is a total cost breakdown of our trip in 2016 with prices listed in Icelandic Króna and Canadian Dollars.
| Item | Description | Cost (ISK) | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Flight |
YYZ-KEF-YYZ |
– |
$1292 |
|
Hotel |
Reykjavik Hostel Village (1 night) |
– |
$125 |
|
Hotel |
Storm Hotel (1 night) |
– |
$330 |
|
Campervan |
Go BIG Camper 5-pax |
– |
$3423 |
|
Activity |
Blue Lagoon Spa + Luggage Fee ($1650 ISK) + Shuttle |
– |
$250 |
|
Activity |
Lake Mývatn Nature Baths |
$8700 |
$80 |
|
Tour |
Inside The Volcano |
– |
$941 |
|
Tour |
Glacier Guides: Glacier Explorer – Half Day Glacier Hike |
– |
$358 |
|
Tour |
Gentle Giants: GG2 Big Whale Safari & Puffins |
$36800 |
$384 |
|
Tour |
Vatnshellir Cave Tour |
$6500 |
$70 |
|
Activity |
Kerið Crater Lake |
|
$8 |
|
Activity |
The Volcano House |
$3980 |
$43 |
|
Tour |
Silfra Snorkelling Day Tour |
– |
$403 |
|
Groceries |
Campervan Meals + Fast Food |
– |
$800 |
|
Restaurants |
9 Meals in Restaurants |
– |
$1080 |
|
Lodging |
Campgrounds |
$22400 |
$244 |
Iceland was a trip of a lifetime. We will probably never visit a place that will impact us so much or change how we perceive the natural world.
Iceland is a special place we will carry forever in our hearts and we hope you do too.
Are you planning to visit Iceland? What are you most excited to see and experience? Let us know in the comments below!
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