5 days in Iceland: The Best Winter in Iceland Itinerary

Have you always dreamed of visiting a country filled with natural hot springs, powerful waterfalls, huge glaciers and too many volcanos? Iceland is the place for you! 5 days in Iceland in winter will not disappoint.

You will see the country covered with ice staying true to its name. Grab your waterproofs, warm layers and boots, you’re going on an adventure!

The best way to enjoy a winter trip to Iceland is to be prepared. We planned our 5 day travel itinerary in Iceland so that we could make the most out of the daylight in Iceland’s long winters. If you’re looking to spend 5 days in Iceland, then carry on reading!

Trusty rental car facing Skógafoss Waterfall (5 Days in Iceland Itinerary)

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Iceland is home to 32 volcanic systems which include around 130 volcanic mountains! The most recent eruption was Fagradalsfjall which started in March 2021 and ended in September 2021.

This 6-month eruption marks Iceland’s longest recorded activity in over 50 years. (You may have seen a few photos of this one on Instagram! Nature is beautiful!)

One of the more famous eruptions occurred back in 2010 when Eyjafjallajökull made the news for disrupting over 100,000 flights across the world! You may also notice the highways outside of Reykjavik are exceptionally quiet, this is because Iceland’s total population is only around 369,000 people!

If you’re from the UK, that’s less than the whole of Cardiff. These are a few interesting things to know before you begin your 5 day Iceland road trip.

Planning 5 days in Iceland in Winter Itinerary

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

There are a few things to consider when planning a 5 day Winter Iceland itinerary. It’s best to book in advance to get the best price – such as accommodation, tours and car rental. It’s also great to be prepared and get the right equipment for your Iceland trip!

Currency – Icelandic króna (compare to your own currency here)
Language – Icelandic
Cuisine – Icelandic Cuisine (yoghurt, soups, fish & meat)
Power Voltage – EU Plugs C & F (230V)
Payment – Very card-payment friendly, cash needed for public toilets

Helpful Links for your trip to Iceland!

Why should I visit Iceland?

Why not! Roughly 2 million tourists visit every year, and it’s Iceland’s incredible nature that keeps everyone coming back for more. Its vast, volcanic land is unlike any other trip you’ve ever been on. Waterfalls, geysers, volcanoes, black sand beaches….the list goes on.

There’s a reason why the likes of Star Wars and Game of Thrones used Iceland as a filming location, it’s a mystical place that everyone needs to experience in person!

Is Iceland worth visiting in Winter?

Absolutely! Iceland has just as much to offer in the winter as it does in the summer. Despite common belief, Iceland doesn’t get as cold as you would think.

If you visit Iceland in December, the average temperature across Iceland ranges from lows of -2 degrees Celsius and highs of +4 degrees Celsius. Although daylight is shorter in the winter than in the summer, plan your days accordingly and you will have an amazing 5 day winter trip to Iceland!

The long dark nights in Iceland increase the chances of seeing the famous northern lights/aurora borealis. This makes winter the best time to visit Iceland if you want to view the northern lights.

Are 5 days enough in Iceland?

You betcha, that’s why we have this awesome 5 day Iceland itinerary planned out for you! With 3 to 5 days in Iceland, you can cover many of the amazing sites Iceland has to offer, such as the Golden Circle, The Blue Lagoon, glaciers, black sand beaches and some incredible drives. 900 miles is pretty good in 5 days!

What to pack for Iceland in winter:

Documents:

Travel insurance – SafetyWing is great travel insurance to have for your 5 day Iceland trip!
Drivers licence (if renting a vehicle) & International Drivers Permit (IDP) when required, this depends on where your driver’s licence was issued. If travelling with a British licence, an IDP is not needed.
Passport & any printed documents for bookings

Essentials:

Ice cleats/crampons – Iceland has a lot of dangerous ice, we used these so much on our 5 day trip!
Amazon Basics Packing Cubes – The easiest way to pack your backpack or suitcase!
Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Saves buying plastic bottles of water all the time.
Anker Power Bank – The best way to make sure your phone is charged, especially when the cold air drains the battery!
Sony A6400 + Sony 18-135mm Lens – Capture the very best of Iceland behind a good camera and lens, we love our Sony camera!
GoPro Hero 12 – Capture all of the awesome action Iceland has to offer on a GoPro! We found ours nifty in the snow and near the waterfalls where cameras are a little risky to pull out.
Handwarmers – Keep your hands toasty when gloves aren’t cutting it, a few packs of hand warmers are handy to have.
Osprey Farpoint 40l Backpack – Dan’s favourite backpack goes everywhere with him, it packs all of the gear on this list and more.

Clothes:

Waterproof jacket & trousers – You can buy these in outdoor shops, perfect for putting over your clothes when it suddenly starts raining!
Gloves – A decent pair of gloves is always handy for colder climates! We recommend a mid-weight glove so you can still use your hands for day-to-day activities.
Waterproof hiking boots
Base layers & thermals (mens + womens) – keep warm by starting with a light layer closest to the skin.
Warm mid-layer (mens + womens) – a good mid-layer always helps to stay nice and toasty, even when you have a good jacket.
Beanie, Neck wrap/scarf/buff & gloves – Buffs are so helpful when the cold air is on your face and neck. Dan doesn’t leave the house without his in winter!
Swimming costume – for the blue lagoon & other lagoons.

Let’s get into the itinerary! So you’ve decided to plan a 5 day Iceland trip? All great Icelandic adventures will begin at Keflavík Airport (KEF), and you’ll be pleased to know that this airport is a perfect size!

It can be overwhelming arriving into a crazy huge airport that you’ve never been to before, and you’re trying to navigate your way to the exit as 50,000 flights land all at once. Iceland’s airport is super easy and you can follow signs to the exit to catch a shuttle bus or pick up your rental car.

If any of your devices are running low on power, you will also find a multitude of power outlets near the seating area in the centre of the airport (near the food court). Be sure to bring your European travel adapter!

Save the environment! Iceland has some of the world's purest drinking water. Like a lot of airports, KEF Airport has drinking fountains/bottle refill stations located near their washrooms, so be sure to fill up for free before you hit the road.

How to spend 5 days in Iceland in Winter: Our Iceland Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving & Dipping in The Blue Lagoon

Overview: Arrive in the morning, collect the rental car – 11:30am, Blue Lagoon – 12:00pm – 3:30pm, quick food shop Bonus – 4:00pm, check into hostel, explore Reykjavik (in the dark) and cook dinner at the hostel.

Arrive in the morning to make the most of your first day, there is lot to do in this 5 day Iceland Itinerary! We flew from Bristol at 7:20am, and landed in Reykjavik around 10:30 am (3-hour flight depending on conditions).

This cost us around £80 each return with EasyJet, taking only 1 carry-on backpack between the two of us and a personal backpack each.

We then walked a short 5 minutes out of the airport over to Blue Car Rentals, where we had already checked in online so we could collect the car keys from a contactless key box, easy right?

We arrived earlier than planned but they were kind enough to give us the car earlier at no extra charge. This was our first time renting a car on a trip, so it’s a great way to kick off our 5 day winter itinerary in Iceland.

Amy in the Blue Lagoon - 5 days in Iceland — Amy in the Blue Lagoon – 5 days in Iceland

Dan outside of the entrance to the Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Visit Blue Lagoon

Now we have the wheels, it’s time to hit the Blue Lagoon! The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa found on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland. It is the most popular attraction in Iceland, as well as being one of the Wonders of the World!

The Blue Lagoon is only a short 20-minute drive from Keflavik Airport (KEF), which makes it the ideal starting point for your 5 days in Iceland Itinerary.

Be sure to book your slot ahead of time online to avoid disappointment and to save money, booking is quick and easy and they give you a flexible entry time so don’t worry if your flight is running a little behind schedule!

Once you enter, you can stay as long as you want! Get your tickets directly from the website here – Blue Lagoon Website.

Prices for the Blue Lagoon start from 6,990 ISK (approx £40 each), book in advance to get a better price! Average prices when not booked in advance are 9,990 ISK (approx £58).

You can expect to spend upwards of 3 hours here at the Blue Lagoon, you have a huge thermal pool, steam room, saunas and cave to explore. Included in the price is the use of a locker, welcome drink and natural silica mud face mask. Be prepared for the smell of sulphur too, you’ll notice it as you drive closer to the thermal pool!

Affordable supermarkets in Iceland for your food shopping:

Bonus – A budget-friendly supermarket chain that you will see many of all-around Reyjavik. Just look for the large, drunk-looking pig and you’ll be just fine.

Kronan – Not as cheap as Bonus, but you can find some well-priced reduced items towards the end of the day! We bagged fresh sandwiches reduced to 99 ISK each, which at the time was about £0.57p!

Day 2: The perfect stops on the Golden Circle

Thingvellir National Park, Geysirs, Gullfoss, Kerid Crater, Reykjavik and find a restaurant.

During winter, you can expect the average amount of daylight in Iceland to roughly be 4-5 hours per day. In December the sunrise is forecasted to start around 11:15am and sunset around 3:30pm. You can add one hour on either side as the sky will be light around 10:00am and be pretty dark by 4:30pm, so you want to base 5 days in Iceland around these times!

Thingvellir National Park - 5 day Iceland itinerary — Thingvellir National Park – 5 day Iceland itinerary

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a world-famous driving route in the south of Iceland, covering around 155 miles (250 kilometres) looping from Reykjavík into the southern uplands of Iceland and back.

The main points of interest that make up the Golden Circle are Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Springs and Gullfoss. While Kerid Crater isn’t officially a part of the Golden Circle, it’s en route back to Reykjavik and certainly deserves a visit on your 5 day Iceland winter itinerary!

1. Thingvellir National Park

Spend 2 hours here exploring the many sights in Thingvellir https://amzn.to/3T9ie1Cpark. As we arrived in the dark, we had to wait a little bit for the daylight to arrive!

Important tip: Ice Crampons/Cleats are so important here – we had to put them on to make it to most of the spots in the national park. The ice was so thick and slippery! Make sure you pick up a pair before you go to keep yourself safe from the ice!

(Þingvellir) – Translates to “Parliament Plains” in English.

Useful Information: Parking fee of 700 ISK per vehicle – Spend 2 hours here.

Things to do in Thingvellir National Park

Walk through the Almannagjá fault line – Almannagjá is a gorge within Þingvellir National Park, which clearly marks out the edge of the North American tectonic plate. You may also notice some familiar filming locations from Game of Thrones!

Öxarárfoss – A medium-sized waterfall about a 30-minute walk from the main car park. A short trail which is well worth doing as it takes you through the main sites of the park. During the winter months, we would recommend crampons for the ice as some of the pathways weren’t cleared and there was a slight incline! You’ll also see large amounts of ice build-up where the spray from the waterfall has frozen.

Althing Assembly Fields – The Althing is the national parliament of Iceland. It is the oldest legislature in the world that still exists today. It was founded in 930 at Thingvellir.

Silfra – Silfra is a rift formed in the divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates and is located in the Þingvallavatn Lake. In the summer months, it is extremely popular to dive here, not so much in the winter…

Þingvallakirkja (Þingvellir church) – Þingvallakirkja is thought to be one of Iceland’s first churches. The original church was consecrated in the 11th century, but the current wooden building dates from 1859. Inside you will find several bells which date from earlier churches, a 17th-century wooden pulpit and a painted altarpiece from 1834.

Aurora Borealis – If you’re lucky and the conditions are right, you just might see northern lights during the night hours. The national park isnt near any surrounding towns or cities, and having no light pollution makes for a perfect aurora spot.

2. Geysir Springs

Spend around 45 minutes here and have a look in the gift shop and restaurant area.

Useful Information: Free parking

What is a geyser? A geyser is a unique hot spring that is under pressure and erupts, sending a burst of water and steam into the air. When looking for things to do in Iceland, this one should be on your winter itinerary!

Putting the eggy-sulphur smell aside, the Stokkur geyser is Iceland’s most famous active geyser. It erupts every 5-15 minutes and reaches heights of 20 meters! Keep a close eye on the water activity before it bursts, it’s so fascinating to watch! The entire Geysir area is really interesting to walk around, all of the geysers come in different shapes and sizes

A geyser is a vent in the Earth’s surface that will periodically release a blast of hot water and steam.

Exploding geysir in Thingvellir National Park

3. Gullfoss

– Spend 45 minutes

In Icelandic, “Gullfoss” translates to “Gold Waterfall”.

Useful Information: Free Parking

“Gull” = Gold

“Foss” = Waterfall

The water in Hvítá river starts as ice in the glacier Langjökull, before falling 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages in an epic example of nature’s pure power.
Note that in winter, some of the trails to viewing platforms are closed off, such as the lower one that takes you right up to the water. All of the upper viewing levels were open!

4. Kerið (Kerid) Crater

Useful Information: 400 ISK entry per person

– Spend 1 hour here

Kerid Crater is a volcanic crater lake that has formed on top of the Grímsnes area in south Iceland. It also goes by the name of “Eye of the World” for its resemblance to that of a human eye from an aerial view.
Kerid Crater is approximately 3,000 years old! Thought to be roughly half the age of the surrounding volcanoes in the area.
It is distinguishable from it’s red rock, as opposed to the normal black volcanic rock.

Day 3: South Coast of Iceland

Hallgrimskirkja + pastries, Seljalandsfoss + Gljufrabui, Skogafoss, Dyrhólaey, Reynisdrangar + Black Sand Beach and cooked dinner!

Admire Hallgrimskirkja Church

(7:00am) Breakfast outside of the Hallgrimskirkja Church – Today is going to be yet another action-packed day, what better way to kick start it than with a delicious breakfast? We walked 5 minutes up the road from Kex Hostel to an amazing bakery called Braud & Co. Here, we picked up some incredible Cinnamon buns. They have regular pastries, and vegan ones too!

Braud & Co is located near to the famous Hallgrimskirkja church, it will be dark at this time of day but it is still impressive nonetheless. Grab a hot cinnamon bun and take in the stunning views, it’s nearly time to hit the road!

(7:45am) Leaving from Reykjavik, you will drive approximately 1 hour 45 minutes South East on the renowned Route 1 (Þjóðvegur 1) ring road! Once the daylight begins to illuminate the sky, you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery you will likely see along a major motorway.

Seljalandsfoss (Waterfall)

Useful Information: Parking is 700 ISK which is payable at a machine by card. No entry fee for the waterfall. Free toilets are available onsite, as well as a cafe food truck.

Seljalandsfoss – “Selling the land of waterfalls”

If you’re visiting Seljalandsfoss in December, you will want to arrive around 10am when the sun is starting to rise. A great way to start day 3 out of your 5 days in Iceland is to visit an amazing waterfall that you can walk behind!

Seljalandsfoss has a height of 60m, with its water originating from the volcano glacier Eyjafjallajökull. We highly recommend wearing waterproof clothing, as well as bringing either a GoPro or a waterproof case for your phone/camera as the waterfall spray is quite heavy!

It was one of our favourite things to do in Iceland and made its way onto our 5 day travel itinerary in Iceland.

Gljufrabui – “one who lives in a canyon”

Gljufrabui (Waterfall)

Gljufrabui is another waterfall just North of Seljalandsfoss. This is only a short 10 minutes around the corner and should not be missed! This 40m waterfall offers a much different experience to any other on this road trip.

To access it you have to walk through a narrow canyon to see the wondrous water plummet into the small pool below. Gljufrabui translates to “one who lives in a canyon”, come and check it out in person to see why!

These waterfalls are very accessible by car from Route 1, they are so close they can be seen from the road. You should expect to spend around 1 hour here between the two waterfalls.

Look out! Along the drive to Skogafoss, be sure to keep an eye out for world famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano. On a clear day, you just might be able to see it! (Yes, this is the one that caused disruption across the world and affected 100,00 flights).

Skogafoss (Waterfall)

A short 25-minute drive brings you to the much anticipated Skogafoss. You should aim to arrive here at 11:30am-12:00pm. Skogafoss is a must-visit on your 5 days in Iceland and it definitely deserves a spot on your Iceland Itinerary any time of year.

These impressive falls boast a height of 60m, and a width of 25m. On a sunny day, you can expect the light to refract through its powerful spray to create either a single or double rainbow. Skogafoss is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls and is a must-see on this 5 day Iceland road trip.

Skogafoss also has a long set of stairs that bring you to a viewing platform on top of the falls. Not only is it a good stretch for the legs during a long day of driving, but it also gives you a fantastic view over the surrounding area.

There is an Icelandic legend connected to Skogafoss; many believe that if you venture behind the falls you can find a chest of gold and luxury treasures. It is thought that Þrasi Þórólfsson, the Viking Settler at Skógar hid the treasure-packed chest in the year 900, and whoever found it first would be made rich from the shiny gold! Sadly we had no such luck…

Parking here is free, and much like the last stop, it is easily accessible from Route 1. You can expect to spend around 1 and a half hours here, including photo opportunities walking to the top of the falls and back and having food. We decided to sit in the car and eat our lunch in front of this gentle giant, one of the best views while eating lunch to this day.

There is a toilet block accessible from the car park which charges 200 ISK in cash. This is unmanned and runs solely on goodwill so be sure to bring change!

Dyrhólaey

Approximately a 30-minute drive from Skogafoss you will arrive at Dyrhólaey. Arrive at 1:30pm! This place was extremely windy so prepare accordingly (I’m talking ‘car shaking’ strength wind).

Take in the amazing views of the Icelandic coastline as the black sand beaches seem to stretch for an eternity. What’s incredible about Dyrhólaey is that it’s a large arch of volcanic rock that has formed in the sea!

Walk around the lighthouse and enjoy the 360 panoramic views Iceland has to offer!

Expect to spend around 30 minutes here.

Tip – No toilets

Black Sand Beaches (View from Dyrhólaey)

Reynisfjara (Black Sand Beach)

Useful Information: Toilets cost 200 ISK per person

No great trip to Iceland is complete without visiting a black sand beach, and Reynisfjara is the most famous due to its fascinating lava rock formation. The Reynisfjara rock formations were created by flowing lava from a nearby volcano. As the lava cooled off, it formed these spectacular columnar stacks!

This is the last spot of the day, so spend as much time as you like! We watched the sunset here even though it was cloudy, raining and very windy!

Important note: Reynisfjara is known for fatalities due to powerful waves being disguised as small waves, as they crash they ‘creep” and sadly take people out to sea. Please be cautious when visiting this beach, you will see information on this upon arrival.

Yoda Cave

(Optional if you happen to be running ahead of schedule)

We sadly ran out of time on this day, but should there have been an extra hour or so of daylight we would have loved to have visited this natural phenomenon known as Gígjagjá (The Yoda Cave). When you see a photo, you will know exactly what we are on about. It is thought that this amazing cave was formed by an underground volcanic eruption in the glacier.

Another fun Star Wars-related fact just some miles east of this cave at Reynisfjara they filmed the opening scene to Rogue One where the film takes place on the planet Eadu.

Day 4: South East Coast of Iceland

South East Coast of Iceland Winter Itinerary Iceland in December:

Hit the road at 7:15am (2.5hr drive)
Arrive at Diamond beach @ 9:45 (Spend 45 mins)
Arrive at Glacier Lagoon @ 10:30am for 45 mins
Drive to Glacier @ 11:15am (1 hr drive)
Arrive at Glacier @ 12:15pm (spend 1 hour)
Head to Skaftafell @ 1:15pm (20 min drive)
Start hiking to Svartifoss @ 1:45pm (2hrs total)
Hit the road @ 4pm back to Vik (1hr45min drive)
Arrive at The Soup Company @ 6pm!

(7:15am) From Reykjavik you will start your day with a 2 and a half-hour drive South-East, beginning with Diamond Beach and Glacier Lagoon.

Originally, we didn’t plan to do this on our 5 day Iceland road trip as it added a couple of hours of extra driving to our already busy itinerary. However, after chatting with some really lovely Singaporeans staying in our hostel we very quickly changed plans, and it truly is like anything else on this planet. You won’t regret it!

Diamond Beach

– Spend 45 mins here

Diamond Beach is a one-of-a-kind destination that should definitely be on your Icelandic road trip itinerary. Try to arrive here for sunrise to start the day! Diamond Beach is created by fragments of glacial ice breaking free from the glacier, drifting down the river into the ocean, and then washing ashore where they lay beautifully against the black sand. This is how Diamond Beach gained its name, the Ice glistens in the sunlight just like real diamonds.

Parking is free here, enjoy!

Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón)

– Spend 45 mins here

Jökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon in the southeast region of Iceland. The lagoon is scattered with luminous blue icebergs that have broken away from Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, which later form smaller chunks of ice and wash up on Diamond Beach. Keep your eyes peeled, you’ll be sure to see seals hunting for fish here!

If you only have 5 days in Iceland the Glacier Lagoon is worth the drive around part of the ring road.

This area is truly amazing and we couldn’t get enough of it! Once the sky had started to clear, the mountains behind the Glacier became more and more prominent. If you stand under the bridge, you can watch the current of the water carry icebergs into the Atlantic Ocean.

Toilets and parking are available for free here, enjoy!

Pieces of glacial ice drifting towards the sea

Svínafellsjökull Glacier

Svínafellsjökull is an outlet glacier that is below the Vatnajökull glacier, which happens to be the largest ice cap in Europe. It is one of Iceland’s most popular places for glacier hiking due to its incredible formations and excellent views.

After parking for free in the designated car park, we walked for approximately 20 minutes until we were greeted with breathtaking views. Coming here just to listen to the glacier ice crack in the distance is worth it alone.

Be sure to come along with a tour guide if you plan to get close to the ice, doing so without the correct equipment or knowledge can be extremely dangerous and fatal. The glacier is massive and can be enjoyed from a distance.

Note: No toilets are available at this location.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier - 5 day Iceland itinerary — Svínafellsjökull Glacier – 5 day Iceland itinerary

Skaftafell National Park with Svartifoss waterfall

Useful Information: Parking costs 700 ISK per vehicle which is payable at the card machines in the car park, toilets are available for free! The drive back to Vik is around 2hrs so keep this in mind.

This loop-trail takes around 2hrs with stopping and picture opportunities.

Stretch your legs and pack snacks, you’re about to start a 4km trail! And after all of the driving this week, I think your body deserves it. We found that the trail to Svartifoss is well-maintained and mainly consists of gravel and pavement.

However, with the wintery conditions, it was icy so we would recommend bringing along your crampons/ice cleats for better traction. It’s a trail that changes in the winter, so it’s a great opportunity to visit on your 5 days in Iceland winter trip.

After you’ve passed the Skaftafell visitors centre it’s pretty much all incline to the waterfall, with the exception of a few dips up and down along the way. You’ll also pass a few more waterfalls before reaching Svartifoss, talk about bang for your buck!

How was Svartifoss Formed? Did you know that the basalt columns that Svartifoss flows over were formed when lava from an eruption cooled down at an incredibly slow pace, causing the molten rock to crystallise.

The Soup Company (Optional but delicious)

We finished off our last adventure day with a few bowls of delicious soup from The Soup Company. Just when you didn’t think homemade soup could get any better, they offer you a free refill of soup and bread, included in the price! It’s safe to say we did not leave feeling hungry anymore.

We definitely recommend eating at a restaurant at least once on your Iceland itinerary! Don’t let the prices put you off. It was a really inviting and warm atmosphere after a long day of driving and adventuring. Amazing service and the food is delicious!

We opted for the vegan option, which at the time was an Indian winter soup. Very hearty with perfect flavour and topped off with sunflower seeds.

This cost 1,890 ISK per person, which is around £10. This includes the second serving of soup and bread. If you don’t think you can handle both portions we did see two people sharing one soup.

They are well known for their “Red Hot Lava” soup, which is a spicy meat soup served in a black bread bowl. This costs 2,690 ISK which is around £15, how often do you get to eat soup in a black bread bowl?!

The Soup Company - Vegan options in Iceland — The Soup Company – Vegan options in Iceland

Day 5: Travel day

Checkout, hit the road, fuel up and return the vehicle, walk over to the airport and fly home!

Today is the day you will be heading home, unfortunately, but you get to leave with some unforgettable memories that you’ve gained over 5 days road tripping the south coast of Iceland.

The journey from Vik back to Keflavik airport is the longest single journey you will drive in one go, so make sure to be well-rested before you leave and pace yourself. Remember, weather conditions in Iceland are unlike most other countries and are generally fast-changing and unpredictable. Double-check on Road.Is.

This route is 140 miles (225km) long and should take around 3 hours, with the average speed limit being 90km/h.

Don't forget to fuel up - At this point, your next stop will be the rental company to return your vehicle. If you haven’t already fueled up (as almost all rental companies require that you return the vehicle with a full tank), there is an Olis petrol station virtually next door the testing centre, perfect! Address for Olis Petrol Station: Aðalgata 62, 230 Reykjanesbær, Iceland

Now that you have your Iceland winter itinerary, there are probably a few more things you want to know. Read on to find out where to stay in Iceland and how to rent a car in Iceland.

How to get around for 5 days in Iceland in Winter

Now you have made it to the land of Fire and Ice, how are you going to get around this magnificent island? We will show you how to travel to Iceland in the winter.

Our chosen method of transport for our trip, (which you may know if you’ve read our Iceland itinerary above) was a rental car. We chose a rental car because it gives you the ultimate freedom for any trip, and it was super convenient to arrange and within 5 minutes walking distance from the airport.

Sounds good so far right? Winter in Iceland is short so your days are going to be jam-packed if you want to experience so much in your Iceland itinerary.

What do I need to know about renting a car in Iceland in Winter?

Useful Tip: Iceland drives on the right hand side of the road, the same as mainland Europe and the US.

It’s important to mention when driving in any foreign country that you must be a safe and confident driver, especially for a country like Iceland. The weather changes very fast and is unlike most countries. High winds, snow or sand storms, heavy rain and icy roads are just a few conditions to note.

Familiarise yourself with the local road laws and be sure to check daily conditions before heading out with Icelands updated open or closed roads: Road.Is It’s very helpful if you’re driving each day and will keep you safe on your Iceland winter itinerary 5 days.

How to rent a car in Iceland

Blue Car Rental – Blue Car Rental Website

Fantastic customer service, easy contactless collection and on the road within minutes!

Overview:

Dacia Duster 4X4 (used model)
5 days car rental = £290 (the most expensive part of our trip)
Excess/Liability = £0
Pick-up = 5 minutes
Drop-off = 5 minutes
Distance covered = 750 miles / 1200km
Diesel fuel cost = £105

Driving 5 days around Iceland is exciting, and you want to be fully equipped from the beginning. As it was winter time we opted for a 4X4 so we would be prepared for most conditions (off-roading is illegal in Iceland, so be sure to stick to the main roads). The Dacia Duster soon became our best bud on this trip.

We chose Blue Car Rental because of their great customer reviews, and the option to opt for the liability waiver bringing the excess down to £0 (not all companies do this, and it’s a great piece of mind given the driving conditions and weather).

When looking for rentals in Iceland, we were instantly confused by all of the additional protection you can add for an added fee. At first, we thought these were mainly a way to get extra money, but after doing some quick research it soon became clear these are in place due to their fast-changing weather conditions.

Usually, if you needed to claim for any of these damages there would be an excess to pay, but as mentioned above, we paid a little extra each day to make the excess £0 for a worry-free trip!

How to rent a car in Iceland (Iceland Itinerary)

Dan collecting the keys to the rental car

Rental terms explained:

SAAP = Sand and Ash

Sand and Ash damage can occur during a high wind storm, especially on the south coast, where the wind is so strong it causes the sand to scratch the paintwork on vehicles. We did experience some extremely high winds when parked along the coast so it was useful to have even though we didn’t need to claim.

GP = Gravel Protection

Gravel damage can happen when driving past oncoming traffic or behind other vehicles on the highway. With there being a lot of volcanic mountain roads leading off of the highway we found there can be large amounts of loose gravel being thrown around, especially when a truck passes you!

TP = Third Party

CDW = Collision Damage Waiver

SCDW = Super Collisions Damage Waiver

If you have any questions, please let us know!

Do I need a car to travel Iceland?

No! If you’re not comfortable driving a car in winter in Iceland, you really don’t have to. There are many tours in Iceland that can take you to the best locations in Iceland and if you’re travelling solo, this is most likely the cheaper option! You can use GetYourGuide to find many tours including a shuttle bus from the airport, Golden Circle, Northern Lights and even the South Coast.

Having a car gives you a lot of freedom and the ability to write your own itinerary, such as this one. It’s completely your choice! You will enjoy 5 days in Iceland either way!

Where to stay in Iceland: (Winter Edition)

Now a lot of people say that Iceland is too expensive to travel to, but this isn’t totally the case! This is solely down to the decisions that are made during the booking process and how you can chop prices along the way. Choosing your accommodation can really make or break your trip budget.

There are many different types of accommodations that you may be interested in! Campervans are popular in Iceland to drive around the ring road, but they may be a little cold in the winter. There are also Airbnb’s, hostels, a variety of hotels and of course standard camping. If you’re really on a budget, check out Couchsurfing!

For this 5 day Iceland trip we chose to stay in hostels, spending 2 nights in Reykjavik at Kex Hostel, and 2 nights in Vik at The Barn.

Kex for 2 nights for 2 people = £82 (2 X single beds in a dorm) – Find the Hostelworld link here!

The Barn for 2 nights for 2 people = £94 (1 X double bed in a dorm) – Find the Booking.com link here!

Both hostels had parking available, kitchens for cooking and fridges for food storage! Kex Hostel was in a great location for exploring Reykjavik and The Barn in Vik is only accessible if you’re driving through the South Coast.

Kex Hostel - where to stay in Iceland — Kex Hostel – where to stay in Iceland

Is Iceland expensive?

Well, yes and no. Petrol is actually a very similar price to the UK now and car rentals may be a similar price too. A lot of restaurants can be quite pricey but there are usually some options under £10.

The Blue Lagoon is expensive, however, it’s one of the main attractions in Iceland, so it definitely helps limit the number of people in the lagoon. Groceries / Supermarkets are around average, although we can’t speak for any non-vegan items or alcohol!

Iceland can be done on a budget, but the budget is higher than the average European country. For 5 days in Iceland, you can only try your best!

Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? (Aurora Borealis in Iceland)

Yes!! Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Aurora Borealis. You can see them on most dark nights provided there is minimal light pollution and a clear sky. If you watch closely enough you’ll even see shooting stars, how magical!

A lot of people visit Iceland just to see the northern lights and there are many tours you can do with guides that help you find them. Here’s a tour on GetYourGuide – From Reykjavik: 3-5 Hour Northern Lights Mystery Tour.

Is Reykjavik a good base for my Iceland trip?

Reykjavik is the best place to base yourself in Iceland. If you only have 3 days in Iceland or even up to 1 week, Reykjavik will have the most options for you. There are many hotels, restaurants and tour guides ready to make your stay amazing! Just make sure you have a great winter Iceland itinerary!

Can I spend 1 week in Iceland?

With 7 days in Iceland, you could complete a full trip around the famous Ring Road, also known as ‘Route 1’. You perhaps wouldn’t have enough time to cover absolutely everything Iceland has to offer, but making it around the whole of the island is quite an achievement!

Is 3 days enough in Iceland?

With 3 days in Iceland, you can certainly experience a good taster of what Iceland has to offer. You won’t want to stray too far from the capital, Reykjavik, but you could easily accomplish the Golden Circle in 1 day, and spend the rest of your time soaking in The Blue Lagoon and wandering around the streets of Reykjavik. With a planned Iceland Itinerary, you can make the most out of your 3 to 5 days in Iceland.

Can you see Puffins in Iceland?

The best time to see Puffins in Iceland is during their mating season, which is roughly late May to early September. These magnificent birds spend the rest of the year roosting out at sea. Iceland becomes home to 8-10 million Atlantic puffins, that’s 60% of the world’s population of Atlantic puffins!

So if you visit during these months and know where to look, there’s a high chance you will see them. It’s possible to see them on a 5 days in Iceland trip, but not in the winter season.