Best of Iceland — Self-Launched: Ring Road Adventure
7 days · Iceland
G Adventures charges £2,200
No-markup version: ~£740 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Iceland's most iconic landscapes — geysers, glaciers, waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and the Golden Circle — done independently at a fraction of the group tour price. This self-launched version follows the same route from Reykjavik up to Akureyri, east to the fjords and Höfn, and back via the South Coast, swapping private minivan transfers for a rented campervan or shared shuttle buses, and boutique hotels for well-rated guesthouses and hostels. Iceland is one of the world's most self-launched-friendly destinations — roads are well-signed, attractions are clearly marked, and nearly every activity can be booked direct or via GetYourGuide. Costs below are estimated per person based on two people sharing a rental car/campervan; solo travellers should budget slightly more for transport.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Take the Flybus or Reykjavik Excursions airport shuttle to central Reykjavik (~£20-25 one way) — no need for a private transfer. Check into your hostel or guesthouse in the city centre. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring Laugavegur street, the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, and the harbour area. Grab a hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (a Reykjavik institution, ~£4) and pick up a local SIM card. Book any optional activities for the week ahead tonight.
🚌Flybus airport shuttle Keflavík → Reykjavik ~£20-25 one way. Book at re.is or on arrival.
🛏Reykjavik hostel dorm (e.g. Hlemmur Hostel, KEX Hostel) ~£30-40/night, or budget guesthouse private room ~£60-80/night
- →Arrive and settle in at Reykjavik hostel or guesthouse
- →Walk Laugavegur shopping and dining street
- →Visit Hallgrímskirkja church (tower entry ~£8)
- →Explore the Old Harbour and Harpa Concert Hall (free, exterior)
- →Hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (~£4)
- →Pre-book optional activities for the week (whale watching, glacier hike, etc.)
Reykjavik to Akureyri — North Iceland
Akureyri
Head north to Akureyri, Iceland's second city. The most budget-friendly option is the Strætó long-distance bus (route 57, ~£35-45 one way) which runs in summer, or join a shared day-tour shuttle. Alternatively, if you've hired a campervan or rental car (~£50-70/day split between 2), take the scenic Route 1 ring road north, stopping at Borgarnes and the Snæfellsnes peninsula viewpoints. Arrive in Akureyri in the afternoon — explore the botanical garden (free), the charming downtown with its heart-shaped traffic lights, and the colourful timber houses. Optionally pre-book a whale-watching tour from Akureyri Harbour (~£55-65 via North Sailing or Gentle Giants — book direct for best price).
🚌Strætó bus route 57 Reykjavik → Akureyri ~£35-45. Or rental car/campervan ~£50-70/day (split between travellers).
🛏Akureyri Backpackers hostel dorm ~£28-35/night, or Guesthouse Akureyri private room ~£65-80/night
- →Travel north to Akureyri via Strætó bus or rental car on Route 1
- →Stop at Borgarnes Settlement Centre area en route (optional, free exterior)
- →Explore Akureyri Botanical Garden (free)
- →Walk Akureyri's colourful downtown and harbour
- →Optional: Whale-watching tour from Akureyri Harbour ~£55-65 (book direct with North Sailing or Gentle Giants)
Goðafoss, Mývatn, Dimmuborgir & Dettifoss
Borgarfjörður Eystri (Bakkagerði)
An epic day of natural wonders driving east from Akureyri on Route 1. Stop first at Goðafoss ('Waterfall of the Gods') — free to visit, short walk from the car park. Continue to Lake Mývatn, a geothermal wonderland. Explore the extraordinary lava formations of Dimmuborgir (free entry, self-guided walking trails) and the bubbling mud pools and fumaroles of Námaskarð/Hverir (free). Don't miss a soak at the Mývatn Nature Baths (~£35, a cheaper and less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon). Drive northeast to Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall — the west bank approach (Route 862, paved) offers the most dramatic views (free). End the day driving south towards Borgarfjörður Eystri (Bakkagerði) for a night in a local guesthouse — one of Iceland's most scenic and remote villages.
🚌Self-drive rental car/campervan on Route 1 and Route 862. Approximately 220km driving. No public bus covers this route efficiently.
🛏Álfheimar Guesthouse or similar local guesthouse in Borgarfjörður Eystri ~£70-90/night (private room with shared/en-suite bathroom)
- →Goðafoss waterfall stop (free)
- →Dimmuborgir lava formations self-guided walk (free)
- →Námaskarð/Hverir geothermal mud pools (free)
- →Mývatn Nature Baths soak (~£35, book online in advance)
- →Dettifoss waterfall (free, west bank via Route 862)
- →Arrive Borgarfjörður Eystri — explore the puffin cliffs at Hafnarhólmi (free, seasonal)
Eastern Fjords Drive to Höfn
Höfn
Bid farewell to the remote east and drive south along one of Iceland's most scenic stretches — the Eastern Fjords (Austurland). The coastline road winds dramatically through narrow fjords, tiny fishing villages, and cascading waterfalls tumbling straight into the sea. Stop at Djúpivogur village for lunch and to see the quirky Eggin í Gleðivík egg sculptures on the harbour (free). Continue south with sweeping views of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier. Arrive in Höfn — a small lobster fishing town (their langoustine is world-famous — budget ~£15-25 for a lobster soup or roll at Humarhöfnin or Hafnarbuðin). Check into your guesthouse and rest up for a big glacier day tomorrow.
🚌Self-drive rental car/campervan on Route 1 through the Eastern Fjords. Approximately 260km.
🛏Guesthouse Hvammur or Höfn Hostel ~£35-45 dorm / ~£75-95 private room
- →Scenic Eastern Fjords coastal drive on Route 1
- →Stop at Djúpivogur harbour and Eggin í Gleðivík egg sculptures (free)
- →Views of Vatnajökull glacier en route (free)
- →Langoustine/lobster lunch or dinner in Höfn (~£15-25)
- →Explore Höfn harbour and seafront (free)
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Diamond Beach & Skaftafell
Vík
The most visually spectacular day of the trip. Drive west from Höfn to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon — entry to walk the shoreline is free, and you'll see icebergs calving off the glacier and floating towards the sea, often with seals lounging on top. Just across the road is Diamond Beach, where translucent ice chunks wash up on black sand (free). For an up-close glacier experience, book a guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull through Local Guide of Vatnajökull or Icelandic Mountain Guides (~£65-85, bookable direct or via GetYourGuide) — this covers the Skaftafell/Vatnajökull National Park area. Alternatively, walk the free maintained trails in Skaftafell up to Svartifoss waterfall (stunning basalt column waterfall, free). Continue west to Vík for the night.
🚌Self-drive rental car/campervan on Route 1 westward. Approximately 180km Höfn to Vík.
🛏Puffin Hostel Vík or Guesthouse Carina ~£35-45 dorm / ~£85-100 private room
- →Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon shoreline walk (free)
- →Diamond Beach — ice on black sand (free)
- →Optional: Zodiac/amphibian boat tour on Jökulsárlón (~£45-55, book via GetYourGuide or direct)
- →Skaftafell: hike to Svartifoss waterfall (free, ~3km round trip)
- →Optional: Guided glacier hike on Vatnajökull glacier (~£65-85, book in advance)
- →Drive to Vík and explore the black sand beach at Reynisfjara (free — respect the warning signs about sneaker waves)
Golden Circle — Seljalandsfoss, Þingvellir, Geysir & Gullfoss
Reykjavik
Iceland's iconic Golden Circle day, covering the south coast waterfalls and the three unmissable Golden Circle sites. Start at Seljalandsfoss (free) — walk behind the curtain of water for a unique perspective, but expect to get wet! A short drive brings you to the equally impressive Skógafoss (free). Then head inland to Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can walk the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates (free entry, ~£5 car park fee). Continue to the Geysir geothermal area (free) to watch Strokkur erupt every 5-10 minutes. Finish at Gullfoss, one of Iceland's most powerful and beautiful waterfalls (free). Return to Reykjavik for your final night — consider a budget dinner on Laugavegur street or pick up groceries from Bónus supermarket (~£8-12).
🚌Self-drive rental car/campervan on Route 1 and Golden Circle roads. Approximately 230km loop back to Reykjavik. If car-free, full-day Golden Circle bus tour from Reykjavik ~£45-55 via Reykjavik Excursions or Gray Line — note this won't cover Seljalandsfoss separately.
🛏Back to Reykjavik: hostel dorm ~£30-40/night, or budget guesthouse private room ~£60-80/night
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall — walk behind the falls (free)
- →Skógafoss waterfall (free)
- →Þingvellir National Park — tectonic rift walk (free, ~£5 parking)
- →Geysir geothermal area — watch Strokkur erupt (free)
- →Gullfoss waterfall (free)
- →Return to Reykjavik — final evening on Laugavegur
Reykjavik — Final Morning & Departure
Reykjavik
Return your rental car at Reykjavik or Keflavík (confirm drop-off location when booking). Spend a final morning in Reykjavik — visit the National Museum of Iceland (~£15) for a deep dive into Viking and Icelandic history, or browse the flea market at Kolaportið (weekends only, free entry). Grab a classic skyr and pastry from Sandholt Bakery. Head to the airport via Flybus (~£20-25) in time for your departure. Iceland — you've earned every windswept, waterfall-soaked memory.
🚌Flybus to Keflavík Airport ~£20-25. Book at re.is.
🛏Check-out day — no accommodation needed
- →Return rental car (if applicable)
- →National Museum of Iceland (~£15, optional)
- →Kolaportið flea market — weekends only (free entry)
- →Final coffee and pastry at Sandholt Bakery or similar (~£6-8)
- →Flybus back to Keflavík Airport (~£20-25)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£740 | £2,200 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,460 per person (66%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£740
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of Iceland — Self-Launched: Ring Road Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £740 per person for 7 days in Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £740 — a saving of roughly £1,460 (66%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, culture trip through Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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