Iceland Ring Road Guide

If you are looking for an epic road trip, this won´t dissapoint you. Ring Road or Route 1 it´s a 1.332 km road that rounds around the island passing near most of the popular tourist attractions. It´s famous between travellers that want to discover one of the places withe most amount of waterflls and volcano activity in the world. All around the way you will get captivated by the amazing landscape. The best option and most popular way to do this road trip is renting a camper van. It gives you flexibility to stay wherever you like and save money on accommodation since it´s so expensive.

What is the starting and finishing point?

Hallgrímskirkja Church, Reikyavik

The only international airport in Iceland is located in Keflavik, 50 km. away from Reikyavik. Some campervan rentals have office at the airport or at Reikyavik. Picking and dropping your car at airport will be more expensive. If you decide to rent your car or campervan at the airport you will still have to reach Reykiavik to get to Route 1. Cheaper rental cars have office outside Reikyavic so you must reach them by local buses but it worth it.

Buses from aiport to Reikyavik run every 30-40 min. and take around 45 min. You can buy your ticket at the airport or book it online at Flybus www.re.is/flybus for $2.500 ISK one way or $4.000 ISK return.

On the ring round you can go whatever side you prefer but counterclockwise seem to be the most popular way maybe because most tourist spots are in the south part.

Best time to go?

Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake

The road trip can be done all year round but you have to consider that weather and daylight can be extreme. Winter is colder but cheaper since it´s low season. Snow landscape will be amazing but you only got 4-5 hrs of daylight.

Summer has midnight sun but it´s more expensive since it´s high season

Spring: April and May (0º – 10º C)

Summer: June, July and August (10º – 15º C)

Autumn: September and October (0º – 10º C)

Winter: November, December, January, February and March (-5º – 5º C)

Northern Lights are best seen from September to April since it´s full dark nights. You must consider that even in those dates not every day is possible to see them perfectly.

How much  time does it takes?

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon

An average itinerary would be around 7 days. Minimum suggested would be 5 days and you would certainly be rushing. 10 days would be a good amount if you want to visit more spots or spend more time. There are more places to visit than what you can cover on a single trip. You must consider that just driving around the ring road would be 1.332 kms so its almost 200 kms a day in a 7 day itinerary without considering everything else you will be doing every day.

How much does it cost?

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world.

-Campervan Rental: From $94 USD / Day (Sep-May) – From $143 / Day (Jun-Aug)

-Gas: $2 USD / Liter ($300 USD average Ring Road)

-Camping: $14 USD / Night

-Food: $10 – $20 / Day (cooking your own)

-Kefliavik – Reikyavik Bus: $23 USD One Way – $37 USD Round

-Internet Mobile: $16 USD (1 GB)

Where can I rent a camper van? – what´s included?

The cheapest and most popular rental between young backpackers it´s Kuku Campers. The office it´s located in Flatahraun, 10 km from Reikyavic center. You can take the public bus at Hlemmur Bus Station. There are two options. Take bus Nº1 and get off at Hraunbrun Bus Station where you can walk to Kuku Camper. The other option is taking bus Nº 3 to Mjodd Bus Station and then take Bus Nº 21 to Alftanesvegur Bus Station where you walk a few meters.

Bus tickets cost $440 ISK ($4 USD) and you can pay with the exact change on buses, on 10-11 supermarkets and some bus terminals

Depending on what are your plans on iceland, what campervan you should rent. The cheaper campervans (4×2) are suitable just for the main road and they are not even insured for certain offroads. If you are more adventurer you can rent a 4×4 car for a higher price.

Every campervan includes all the basic you need for your trip and the extras can be rented separately

Included:

Gas stove, pot, pan, plates, bowl, cups, cutleries and cleaning tools. FM Radio, CD player and 12V cigarette lighter.

Not Included:

Gas and bedding

How is living in a campervan? – How is the trip?

Ice Beach

The journey it´s not luxury at all. You barely have space to sleep and move inside your campervan but the experience and landscape is so amazing that it totally worth it. As you start riding, you will want to stop every 10 minutes to take pictures and enjoy the view. In iceland you can park your campervan on any public place for free as long as you stay just 1 night. If you want to stop at a camping place, you will have to pay but it´s a good option because you can have a shower and a place to eat or rest as you need. The island is really well prepared so on most tourist spots you will find toilets and tables to eat. The weather can be really hard so that could be complicated to cook or do other stuff but it´s all part of the experience.

Tips and Suggestions

1.- Bring not perishable food (if you can) from your previous country since food is extremely expensive

2.- People leave at the campervan office the food or gas they didn´t used so check what items can you take and just buy what is extremely necessary

3.- Buy a simcard (vodafone works good) to check maps and stay connected

4.- Select the places you want to visit and make a minimun itineary so you dont waste time while on the road

5.- Give yourself some extra time since the weather is umpredictable and may ruin your plans