Iceland Discovery: Self-Launched 7-Day Ring of Fire Adventure
7 days · Iceland
Wingbuddy charges £1,540
No-markup version: ~£690 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Explore Iceland's most iconic landscapes independently — from the ethereal Blue Lagoon and thundering South Coast waterfalls to the Golden Circle's geysers and Reykjavik's colourful streets. This self-launched version of Wingbuddy's Iceland Discovery tour covers every highlight at a fraction of the group tour price. Book excursions directly via GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions, stay in well-rated guesthouses in central Reykjavik, and use the excellent Strætó public bus network and organised day-trip buses to get around. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Reykjavik & Northern Lights Hunt
Reykjavik
Fly into Keflavik International Airport and take the Flybus airport shuttle directly to central Reykjavik (~£22 each way, bookable at re.is). Check into your guesthouse or hostel in the city centre — Reykjavik has a great selection of budget-friendly options on Laugavegur and nearby streets. Spend the afternoon exploring the Hallgrímskirkja church, the harbour area, and grabbing a bowl of Icelandic lamb soup. In the evening, join a shared Northern Lights hunt tour departing from Reykjavik — book directly with Reykjavik Excursions or via GetYourGuide (typically £35–50 per person). Note: operators will usually offer a free repeat tour if conditions aren't favourable on the first night.
🚌Flybus shuttle from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik BSÍ Terminal (~£22, book at re.is)
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik — both central, social, and well-rated (~£30–45/night in a dorm, ~£70–90 for a private room)
- →Flybus airport shuttle from Keflavik to Reykjavik city centre (~£22)
- →Self-guided walk to Hallgrímskirkja church and the Tjörnin lake
- →Shared Northern Lights hunt tour — book via GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions (~£40)
Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa
Blue Lagoon, Reykjanes Peninsula
Head to the iconic Blue Lagoon geothermal spa — one of the world's most visited natural attractions. Book directly on bluelagoon.com well in advance as it regularly sells out. The Comfort entry package (~£65–80 per person) includes access, a silica mud mask, and a drink. You can take the direct Flybus shuttle from BSÍ terminal in Reykjavik, which includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon (~£22 return). Spend 2–3 hours soaking in the milky-blue mineral waters before heading back to Reykjavik for the evening. Grab dinner on Laugavegur street — try Sægreifinn (the Sea Baron) for legendary lobster soup at around £10.
🚌Flybus direct shuttle from BSÍ Terminal to Blue Lagoon and back (~£22 return, book at re.is)
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik (~£30–45 dorm / £70–90 private)
- →Blue Lagoon Comfort entry (silica mask + welcome drink included) — book direct at bluelagoon.com (~£70)
- →Flybus shuttle Reykjavik ↔ Blue Lagoon (~£22 return)
- →Evening stroll along Laugavegur and dinner at Sægreifinn
South Coast: Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach
South Shore — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara
Join a full-day South Coast group day trip from Reykjavik — these run daily and are bookable directly with Reykjavik Excursions, Gray Line Iceland, or via GetYourGuide (~£60–75 per person including transport). The route covers Seljalandsfoss waterfall (walk behind the curtain of water if trail conditions allow), the towering Skógafoss waterfall with its rainbow mist, and the dramatic black sand beach of Reynisfjara with its basalt column formations. The bus departs central Reykjavik around 9am and returns by early evening. Wear waterproof layers — Iceland's weather changes fast. Pack a packed lunch or buy at Skógafoss café.
🚌Shared South Coast day-tour bus from Reykjavik (~£60–75 per person, book via GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions)
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik (~£30–45 dorm / £70–90 private)
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall — walk behind the falls (trail-condition dependent)
- →Skógafoss waterfall visit and optional hike up the cliffside steps
- →Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt column sea stacks
- →Views of Mýrdalsjökull glacier
Reykjavik at Leisure
Reykjavik
A free day to explore Reykjavik at your own pace — or catch up on rest after the active days. Head to the Harpa Concert Hall for free architecture browsing, explore the National Museum of Iceland (~£15 entry), or wander the colourful streets of the city. If you want to splash out on the optional Lava Show (a live molten lava exhibition) it can be booked directly at lavashow.is (~£35–45 per person). This is also a great day to try traditional Icelandic food — skyr, hákarl (fermented shark if you dare!), or a hot dog from the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand (~£3). In the evening, consider a budget bar crawl on Laugavegur.
🚌Walking / city bus (Strætó app, ~£3 per journey)
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik (~£30–45 dorm / £70–90 private)
- →Harpa Concert Hall self-guided visit (free exterior/lobby)
- →National Museum of Iceland (~£15)
- →Optional: Lava Show live molten lava exhibition (~£40, book at lavashow.is)
- →Hot dog from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur — a Reykjavik institution (~£3)
Golden Circle: Geysers, Waterfalls & National Park
Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Friðheimar
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most famous day route and is easily done on a shared group day trip (~£45–60 per person via GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions). Key stops include Þingvellir National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly divide — the erupting Strokkur geyser at Geysir geothermal area (bursts every 5–10 minutes), and the thunderous Gullfoss double waterfall. Many tours include a stop at Friðheimar, a working greenhouse farm where you can try tomato soup and freshly baked bread (~£15, or included on some tours). Book your tour the night before via GetYourGuide for flexibility.
🚌Shared Golden Circle day-tour bus from Reykjavik (~£50 per person, book via GetYourGuide or Reykjavik Excursions)
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik (~£30–45 dorm / £70–90 private)
- →Þingvellir National Park — walk the tectonic rift and UNESCO site
- →Geysir geothermal area — watch Strokkur erupt every 5–10 minutes
- →Gullfoss double waterfall visit
- →Friðheimar greenhouse farm visit and tomato soup lunch (~£15)
Reykjavik: Street Art, Sky Lagoon & Mount Esja
Reykjavik
A final full day to enjoy Reykjavik and its surroundings. Start the morning with a self-guided street art walk along Laugavegur and Rainbow Street — the city has an incredible outdoor mural scene, all free to explore. If you're feeling active, catch bus 15 from the city centre to hike Mount Esja (~£4 return bus, free hike) for panoramic views over Reykjavik and the fjord. In the afternoon or evening, treat yourself to the Sky Lagoon geothermal spa (~£55–70, book at skylagoon.com) — a newer, slightly more affordable alternative to the Blue Lagoon with stunning ocean views. Finish with a farewell dinner in the city.
🚌Strætó city bus to Esja trailhead (Bus 15, ~£4 return) / walking in city centre
🛏Kex Hostel or Oddsson Hostel, Reykjavik (~£30–45 dorm / £70–90 private)
- →Self-guided street art walk on Laugavegur and Rainbow Street (free)
- →Optional: Mount Esja hike for city panoramas (bus ~£4 return, hike free)
- →Sky Lagoon geothermal spa with ocean views (~£60, book at skylagoon.com)
- →Farewell dinner on Laugavegur
Departure Day
Reykjavik → Keflavik Airport
Check out of your accommodation and take the Flybus shuttle back to Keflavik International Airport (~£22). The Flybus picks up from BSÍ Terminal and several central hotels — book your departure transfer in advance at re.is and allow at least 2.5 hours before your flight. If you have time before your transfer, grab a final Icelandic breakfast at one of Reykjavik's cosy bakeries — Brauð & Co on Frakkastígur is a local favourite. Safe travels!
🚌Flybus shuttle from Reykjavik BSÍ Terminal to Keflavik Airport (~£22, book at re.is)
- →Final Icelandic breakfast at Brauð & Co bakery (~£8)
- →Flybus shuttle from Reykjavik BSÍ to Keflavik Airport (~£22)
Self-launched vs. Wingbuddy
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Wingbuddy | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£690 | £1,540 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £850 per person (55%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Wingbuddy-style trips? Check them out here.~£690
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 Iceland Discovery: Self-Launched 7-Day Ring of Fire Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £690 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 Wingbuddy?+
Yes — Wingbuddy charges around £1,540 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £690 — a saving of roughly £850 (55%) 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, culture, hiking 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?
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