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Just 5% deposit needed
Great value for money
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Trusted by travelers
South & West Iceland in a Week
7 days / 6 nights
- 4.9
- (14 reviews)
7 days, dozens of unforgettable sights
Travel style
Self-drive
Trip length
7 days / 6 nights
Vibe
In depth
Season
Summer (1 Apr–31 Oct)
Transport
Rental car
Starts from
Reykjavík
Tour code
SD04
On this tour you will...
- Roam black sand beaches on Iceland’s south coast
- Watch geysers erupt and hot springs bubble
- Immerse yourself in the pristine nature of national parks
- Hop between powerful and majestic waterfalls
- Dive into the diversity of the Snæfellsnes peninsula
- Stay at guesthouses and hotels all over the countryside
Top attractions
Why book a self-drive trip with SAMATRIP™?
- Start your tour on the date that suits you
- Secure your booking with just a 5% deposit
- Handpicked local accommodation options
- 24/7 emergency helpline in Iceland
- New rental cars with 2 drivers as standard
- Best Price Guarantee
Your 7-day self-drive itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Iceland
Day 2 – South coast and waterfalls
Enjoy the stunning scenery of the South Coast of Iceland on this day of exploration. The first two stops will be the spectacular waterfalls the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Take your chance to walk behind a waterfall at Seljalandsfoss. In Skógar, you could pop in for a visit at the Folk Museum to see how people in Iceland used to live centuries ago.
You could also take a dip in one of Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, Seljavallalaug. It is a naturally heated, thermal pool located in a beautiful hidden valley.
Another famous sight of the South Coast are black sand beaches. Go for a stroll and visit the little villages of Vík and Reynishverfi. Before arriving in Vík you could make a stop at the magnificent Dyrhólaey cape.
Please note that Dyrhólaey is closed during the nesting season, from 15 May to 23 June. Puffins disappear back to sea from mid-August.
Day 3 – Icebergs and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
Today you head east to visit one of the most popular and beautiful sights of Iceland. As you drive, you won’t miss the breathtaking views of Skaftafell, an oasis surrounded by glaciers and black sand, which offers many hiking possibilities.
Finally, you’ll arrive at your destination of the day, the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where enormous icebergs drift onto the water like shining diamonds. Capture some fantastic photos and marvel at the sight with a walk along the banks of the lagoon. Later, drive back to Vík/Kirkjubæjarklaustur for a second night
Day 4 – Gullfoss waterfall and Geysir area
Now it is time to visit some of the most interesting and famous areas in Iceland. At the geothermal area of Geysir the hot spring Strokkur ejects its water column high into the air every 5 to 10 minutes. There are also numerous small springs boil and bubble nearby.
You then only have a short drive to Gullfoss, which is one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. For a relaxing end to your day, you could visit Laugarvatn lake for a nice thermal bath at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa, composed of a series of interconnected baths and steam rooms. They complement each other to create a natural and unique spa experience.
Day 5 – Þingvellir National Park and Borgarfjörður
Start your day by visiting Þingvellir National Park which is considered one of the geological wonders of the world and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can see the effects of the tectonic plate movements which have opened various cracks and fissures in the Earth’s crust. Its importance is also historical as it was here that the Icelandic Parliament was first founded in the 10th century.
From Þingvellir, continue to the Borgarfjörður area and visit the Deildartunguhver hot spring. It is the biggest in Iceland in terms of water production per second. You could also pop by Reykholt and marvel at the Hraunfossar waterfalls, where the water flows out from beneath a lava field and into the river below.
Day 6 – Snæfellsnes peninsula
Today you will start your day by exploring the Snæfellsjökull National Park. Along the way you will drive through charming fishing villages as well as pass by the majestic Kirkjufell mountain.
You can explore the black sand beach of Djúpalónssandur, see the basaltic columns of Gerðuberg, the cliffs of Arnarstapi, and the hamlet of Búðir with its small wooden church surrounded by lava field. Then make your way back to Reykjavík for your last night in Iceland.
Day 7 – Departure
What’s included?
- Detailed itinerary
- Budget, Comfort, or Quality accommodation every night
- Continental breakfast every day
- Rental car of your choice for 9 days
- 2 authorized drivers as standard
- Unlimited mileage
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
- Collision damage waiver
- 24/7 emergency helpline when you’re in Iceland
- Carbon offsetting of your tour
- VAT, taxes & service fees
- Flights to Iceland
- Fuel & parking charges
- Food & drink, unless otherwise stated
- Attraction entrance fees, unless otherwise stated
- Personal travel insurance
FAQs about our self-drive trips
How does an Iceland self-drive trip work?
On a self-drive trip with SAMATRIP™, you’ll be at the wheel of the rental car of your choice and free to go pretty much where you want, whenever you want.
We provide a detailed itinerary to help you plan your route and where you want to stop along the way. But it’s up to you whether you want to stick to it or go your own way. If you do take detours, make sure that you aren’t too far from your accommodation on any given night.
That said, it’s a good idea to stick to the suggested itinerary if you’ve never visited Iceland before. Created by our Reykjavík-based travel experts, it contains plenty of things for you to and see and do on each leg of your trip. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short on ideas!
You also get unlimited in-car Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected and use maps on your phone for navigation.
When should I book my trip?
It’s best to book your trip at least a few weeks before you travel. This gives us enough time to organize your preferred accommodation and itinerary. For this reason, we’re unable to accept bookings with less than 1 week’s notice.
In the summer, which is the most popular time of year, booking a few months ahead is a good idea. In certain parts of the countryside, accommodation options are more limited and can be booked up well ahead of your trip.
Can I drive in Iceland and what kind of license do I need?
You have to be at least 20 years old to rent a car in Iceland, or 23 years old for larger vehicles like jeeps and vans. You’ll need to have held a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year and present a credit card when you collect your car.
You don’t need an International Driving Permit unless your license is not in Latin script (for example, Arabic or Chinese).
Find out more about car rental in Iceland.
Can I customize this self-drive trip?
Yes! It’s possible to add extra activities or extend your trip with additional nights in Reykjavík or the countryside. Check the itinerary above to see what activities are available on what day.
Can I add extra activities to my package?
Of course you can add extra adventures! We want you to be able to get the absolute most out of your trip to Iceland, so you can pick optional extra activities at checkout. You’ll be shown exactly what’s on offer for each day of your trip.
And if you feel like you just don’t have enough time to fit it all in, you can also add extra days.
How do you drive in Iceland?
The rules of the road in Iceland are similar to most other countries, although there are some local quirks that you might not be familiar with.
Iceland drives on the right and steering wheels are on the left side of the car. Distances and speed limits are given in kilometers only.
Roundabouts are very common in Iceland, especially in towns. If you’re not familiar with these, make sure you understand how to give way (yield) to other traffic.
In the countryside, you might encounter sheep on the road, or even reindeer in East Iceland. You may also come across gravel roads, single-lane bridges, and blind summits.
When will I receive my travel documents?
Once you’ve paid your deposit for your trip, we’ll finalize bookings for your accommodation, rental car, and any activities. As soon as we receive confirmation of everything, we’ll email your travel documents to you.
We aim to finalize everything within a few weeks of receiving your booking request, but in busy periods this might take longer. That said, you’ll always receive all of your documents before your departure date.
When and where can I pick up my rental car?
You’ll be able to pick up your rental car at Keflavík International Airport from the arrivals hall. Before your trip, we’ll send you information about where to go in the terminal to collect your keys.
Make sure you have your driver’s license and credit card ready when you collect your vehicle.
If you land late at night, you can use the out-of-hours phone at the pick-up desk to contact someone who will be able to help you.
You also have the option to collect your rental car in Reykjavík, if you’re planning to spend some extra days in the city before your trip starts. If you’d like to do this, please let us know in the ‘Special requests’ box at checkout.
Can I collect my rental car from Reykjavík city centre?
Yes, you can easily collect your rental car from Reykjavík instead of Keflavik Airport.
During the booking steps on our website, just let us know you’d prefer your pick-up/drop-off location to be in the city centre. We’ll take care of it for you, no problem.
Just a quick heads-up: if you request different pick-up and drop-off locations (e.g. collect from the airport, drop off in the city, or vice versa) there’s a one-way fee of around ISK 8,790 ISK (EUR 60). You’ll pay this directly to the rental company when you pick up the car.
What’s included with your self-drive trips?
All of our self-drive tour packages include the following as standard:
- Rental car of your choice, with unlimited mileage
- Basic liability insurance coverage
- Collision damage waiver
- Authorization for second driver
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
- Accommodation level of your choice
- Breakfast every day
- Detailed itinerary crafted by local travel experts
- 24/7 helpline in Iceland, just in case you need it
When you book your vacation on our website, you’ll be able to choose your preferred rental car and accommodation level.
You can see what vehicles are available on this car rental page.
What kind of accommodation is included?
On a self-drive package with Iceland Tours, you can choose from 3 levels of accommodation:
- Budget – Guesthouses and country hotels, with shared bathrooms
- Comfort – Hotels or guesthouses of around 3 stars, with private bathrooms
- Quality – Hotels or guesthouses of around 4 stars, with private bathrooms
Each accommodation level offers different types of rooms. We’ve described them below to help you choose the best one for you. Just keep in mind that not every hotel has all these room types available.
- Single room: one single bed in a room, perfect for solo travelers.
- Double room: a full-sized double bed for 2 people.
- Twin room: a room with 2 single beds that fit 1 person each.
- Triple room: these vary in size and layout, but are designed to fit 3 adults. Triple rooms feature a combination of double, single or sofa beds, depending on the hotel.
No matter which accommodation level you pick, breakfast is included. Read more about the differences between the levels on this accommodation page.
Feel like getting closer to nature? Check out these self-drive camping tours.
What do I need to pack for a self-drive trip?
In Iceland, you can expect all weathers no matter what time of year you visit. With that in mind, it’s good to make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay cozy, warm, and dry.
Here’s a packing list to help you get ready for your trip:
- Tough, waterproof walking boots
- Thermal underlayers
- Sweaters or fleeces
- Waterproof raincoat
- Warm winter jacket
- Scarf, hat, and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear (for pools and hot springs)
- Lip salve and moisturizer
Can I carbon offset my tour?
No worries! SAMATRIP™ is already offsetting the carbon footprint of your tour package. We’ve teamed up with an environmental fund in Iceland to cover the carbon offset for all our tours.
Carbon offsetting for international flights is not included, but we suggest checking with your airline or through a local environmental fund for options.
Choose your accommodation level
Stay in well-located hotels and guesthouses that are highly rated by visitors and handpicked by experts.
Budget
Comfort
Quality
Choose your rental car
Included as standard:
- Collision damage waiver
- 2 authorized drivers
- Unlimited in-car Wi-Fi
Toyota Aygo (manual)
Toyota Yaris (manual)
Toyota Yaris (automatic)
Volkswagen Golf (manual)
Volkswagen Golf (automatic)
Kia Niro (automatic)
Dacia Duster (manual)
Renault Captur (automatic)
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (automatic)
Kia Sportage (manual)
Kia Sportage (automatic)
Toyota Land Cruiser (automatic)
Volkswagen Caravelle (manual)
Volkswagen Caravelle (automatic)
- Extra nights
- Please note that your rental car is not included in the cost of any additional nights. Get in touch if you would like to extend your rental car period.
- Your room choices
- The maximum number of rooms you can book online is 4. If you need more rooms, please email info@samatrip.is
- Your activities and day tours
FlyOver Iceland (Duration: 2 Hours – €40.00 p.p.)
Sky Lagoon Saman Pass (€84.00 p.p.)
The Reykjavík Food Walk (€125.00 p.p.)
Inside the Volcano tour from Bláfjöll (€342.00 p.p.)
Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavík (€91.00 p.p.)
Horse Riding from Reykjavík (€118.00 p.p.)
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel (€59.00 p.p.)
Mega Zipline in Hveragerði (€62.00 p.p.)
Fjallsárlón Zodiac Boat Tour (€73.00 p.p.)
Skaftafell Blue Ice Glacier Walk (€140.00 p.p.)
Snowmobiling on Langjökull (Meet at Gullfoss – €223.00 p.p.)
Secret Lagoon (Gamla laugin – €29.00 p.p.)
Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Spa (€38.00 p.p.)
Snorkeling at Silfra (€161.00 p.p.)
Krauma Geothermal Baths (€52.00 p.p.)
Vatnshellir Cave Tour (€38.00 p.p.)
FlyOver Iceland (Duration: 2 Hours – €40.00 p.p.)
Sky Lagoon Saman Pass (€84.00 p.p.)
The Reykjavík Food Walk (€125.00 p.p.)
Inside the Volcano tour from Bláfjöll (€342.00 p.p.)
Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavík (€91.00 p.p.)
Horse Riding from Reykjavík (€118.00 p.p.)
- Traveler information
Please let us know if someone in our team helped you with your booking.
Terms & conditions
Before making a reservation at SAMATRIP™, we encourage you to read these terms and conditions carefully, as they constitute a contract agreement between SAMATRIP™ and you, from the time the booking is made. The person who makes the booking accepts these conditions on behalf of all the people in the group and is responsible for all payments due.
By submitting a booking you confirm to us that you comply with these arrangements.
Payment
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