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5 DAY ICELAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: THE PERFECT SOUTH ICELAND ADVENTURE FOR FIRST TIMERS!

CRAVING A JAW-DROPPING SOUTH ICELAND ROAD TRIP?


You’ve come to the right place! We literally just spent a wonderful 5 days driving basically the entire length of Iceland’s rugged and raw South coast – and back!

I strangely had weird nerves before going. Nerves about driving in Iceland. I’d heard so much about Iceland’s crazy “four seasons in a day” weather and road conditions from pouring through forums, forums and more forums.

FYI – We went very early in October. Late enough in the year to see northern lights, early enough to try to avoid any snow.

Turns out, there was no need to worry! We went, we DID avoid all snow and we DID see northern lights. This trip turned out to be the most soul-soothing, magical getaway.

Here’s the itinerary we followed, slightly tweaked to perfection from our recent “on-the-ground” experience:


Planning your trip to Iceland?
Start here:

πŸ›©οΈ Skyscanner β†— to find the best flight deals to KeflavΓ­k Airport (KEF).
πŸ›οΈ Booking.com β†— to browse the best places to stay across Iceland.
🎟️ Viator β†— to book unforgettable tours, from northern lights to ice caves.
πŸ›‘οΈ Staysure β†— for easy, reliable travel insurance (UK travellers only).


5 DAY SOUTH ICELAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVAL, BLUE LAGOON, KERID CRATER & IGLOO STAY


ARRIVAL
Fly into KeflavΓ­k International Airport (KEF) early this morning. Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner β†—.

PICK UP RENTAL CAR
Outside arrivals, you’ll see an β€œAirport Shuttle” pick-up area for the on-site rental car companies, with free buses running roughly every 15 minutes.

That said, the area around KeflavΓ­k Airport is surprisingly small! Unless you’ve got heavy luggage or mobility issues, I’d skip the shuttle and walk straight to your rental car instead.

Ours (Alamo / Enterprise) was the furthest stop – and it was still only a 9 minute (650m) walk across a few car parks.

We waited way longer for the bus, and in hindsight, walking would’ve got us to the desk before the busload of other travellers rushed to the front of the queue.

πŸ’‘ Book your rental car on Booking.com β†—. Lowest prices we found, free cancellation until 24 hours before. Plus have all your bookings (car, hotels) in one convenient place.

πŸ’‘ We booked a car with Alamo (part of Enterprise) because of their brilliant customer reviews – we also had a great experience with them. Tbh, the staff we’re so laid back and chilled, and you get a full tank on pick-up. So handy.

πŸ’‘ Don’t book any additional insurance through Booking.com. It’s a random third party, nothing to do with the rental company. If you do want additional insurance, purchase it with your rental company when you check-in.


DRIVE TOWARDS SELFOSS (VIA GRINDAVIK)
Got the keys, all packed up and seatbelts on – your 5 day South Iceland road trip has begun, woohoo!!

Start making headway towards the South Coast. We’d suggest taking the slightly longer (+10 minute) route through Grindavik instead of heading up to Reykjavik. See route here.

Benefit 1: This way is a lot quieter with far less people on the road, with only a few small roundabouts to deal with.

Benefit 2: You’ll get to drive through the steaming lava fields affected by the most recent volcano eruption, seeing firsthand the green mossy fields suddenly turn to deep black! The road is now all smoothed out, so no worries there.

Driving towards Grindavik in Iceland, empty road with blackened steaming lava fields either side.
Driving through the blackened lava fields (still steaming!) on route to Grindavik from the airport is fascinating to see. Photo by Jordie.


SOAK IN THE BLUE LAGOON (OPTIONAL)
Benefit 3: 20 minutes from the airport, you’ll actually drive straight past Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon!

You could kickstart your Iceland adventure by soaking in the warm, milky-blue waters of this iconic Geothermal spa.

Grab refreshments at the swim up bar (non-alcoholic for the designated driver πŸ˜‰) and don’t be shy layering on the mineral-rich silica masks!!

A photo getting into the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, with a beautiful sunset and the Blue Lagoon bar in the distance
Pictured: Entering into the Blue Lagoon, Iceland.


STOP OFF IN SELFOSS TOWN
Self-catering? Stock up at KrΓ³nan Selfoss supermarket. It has way more choice than in the town of Hella (today’s final stop), which only has a small convenience store.

Inside the Kronan Selfoss supermarket. Man looking at bananas and a young toddler pushing the child friendly miniature trolleys.
As you can see, the KrΓ³nan supermarket in Selfoss is huge and has so much choice! Photo by Jordie.

GRAB A COFFEE IN SELFOSS OLD TOWN
Selfoss is a pretty standard town overall but the Old Town is cute, centred on a small, colourful square dotted with local boutiques and cosy cafΓ©s.

Konungskaffi being one of them, where we stopped for a delicious (but expensive!!) coffee and cake.

We loved watching the locals live their best chilled life: sitting, chatting and knitting. So chilled in fact, there was even a fluffy cat snoozing away on the banquette!

Additional things to do in Selfoss:
– Hungry? Head to the food hall in the Old Diary Building for a taste of Thai, Mexican, Icelandic, Italian and more.
– Love Skyr yoghurt? Don’t miss the Skyrland Experience.

Young toddler looking away and about to play on the colourful hopscotch in the Old Town of Selfoss Iceland.
Little man playing on the hopscotch in Selfoss Old Town. Photo by Jordie.
Colourful Icelandic storefronts in Selfoss Old Town district
Colourful Icelandic storefronts in and around Selfoss Old Town. Photo by Jordie.


KERID CRATER
It’s time for a bit of sightseeing, don’t you think? Luckily, KeriΓ° Crater is just a 20 minute drive from Selfoss, making it an easy stop to tick off while you’re in the area.

You’ll arrive at a small sealed car park (space for around 30–40 cars) right next to the crater, although you can’t actually see it from the parking area.

Entry is paid at a small blue, manned kiosk just before the crater. It costs 600 ISK per adult (around Β£3.50 / €4 / $5), and both cash and card are accepted.

You can then follow the dirt path all the way around the rim, taking around 15 minutes. The path starts off paved and then becomes unpaved, but it’s an easy walk overall.

On your 2 days in Iceland itinerary, one thing you cannot miss is seeing the incredulous Kerid Crater on a guided Golden Circle tour!
About halfway into walking the rim of Kerid Crater.


STAY IN HELLA TOWN
Reach the small town of Hella, your base for the evening. Grab a few delicious snacks (muffins, doughnuts etc) from the quirky / retro American SchoolBus cafe just before you enter the town. They do the best calorific hot chocolate.

It’s actually right next to Caves of Hella experience too.

Exterior shot of the retro yellow American School Bus cafe just outside of Hella town in South Iceland.
You’ll spot the iconic American SchoolBus cafΓ© on your right-hand side on your way into Hella. Photo by Jordie.
Inside the retro yellow American School Bus cafe just outside of Hella town in South Iceland.
It’s very important you stop and have a delicious hot drink there! Photo by Jordie.
Inside the fully transparent dome area inside an Aurora Igloo in Hella Iceland. Featuring central double bed with bedside tables and soft lighting either side.
Inside the Aurora Igloo South’s transparent dome. Photo by Jordie.

WHERE TO STAY IN HELLA (1 NIGHT) πŸ’€
We’ve recently stayed at Aurora Igloo South in Hella and highly recommend for a one-night stay.

For optimal comfort, you won’t regret choosing the Igloo Dome with Private bathroom.

For even more info, read our Aurora Igloo South review post here β†—

DAY 2: SELJALANDSFOSS, GLJÚFRABÚI & SKΓ“GAFOSS WATERFALLS, REYNISFARA BLACK SAND BEACH & VIK


SELJALANDSFOSS & GLJÚFRABÚI WATERFALLS
From Hella, drive 28 minutes to Seljalandsfoss waterfall. There’s also a second, more hidden waterfall here, GljΓΊfrabΓΊi, just a 9 minute (650m) walk further along from Seljalandsfoss, tucked into the cliff face.

Seljalandsfoss is easy to access from the car park and you can walk right behind the waterfall. The powerful spray gets you a little bit, but don’t worry you don’t get soaked. From there, follow the clearly marked path to reach GljΓΊfrabΓΊi.

Young blonde woman looking back and smiling excitedly from behind Seljalandsfoss Waterfall in South Iceland.
It’s quite something to marvel Seljalandsfoss this close. Photo by Jordie.

The car park here is fairly large but spaces are tight and at weird angles. By around 11am people often start waiting for spots, so get here early as you can, it’s a tourist hotspot!!

Parking costs 1000 ISK, with no time limit. Pay at the machine or via the QR code (you’ll need your car registration).

Good to know: there are free public toilets, a food stall and a small gift shop just before the waterfall.

A young blonde mother smiling whilst carrying her toddler in front of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall along Iceland's south coast.
Me and my little monkey at Seljalandsfoss. You can just make out people behind the waterfall. Photo by Liam.
The powerful Seljalandsfoss waterfall along the South Coast of Iceland
You can feel the spray even from here! Photo by Jordie.


SKΓ“GAFOSS WATERFALL
Drive 25 minutes on to SkΓ³gafoss, another absolute showstopper of a waterfall!

Parking is 1000 ISK in the main designated car park. From there, you’ve got two options: walk straight to the base, or climb the staircase on the right for views from above.

The walk to the base is easy, but expect wet feet! It starts as gravelly puddles and quickly turns into a shallow pool near the falls, so waterproof shoes are a good shout.

Approaching the powerful Skogafoss waterfall on ground level in Iceland
Approaching the base of SkΓ³gafoss, another one of Iceland’s most show-stopping waterfalls! Photo by Jordie.


REYNISFJARA BLACK SAND BEACH
Drive 30 minutes to Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, one of Iceland’s most iconic stops, known for its jet-black volcanic sand, towering hexagonal basalt columns and dramatic sea stacks. In summer, it’s also a puffin hotspot. The turning is on the right just before the town of VΓ­k.

There are two clearly signposted car parks here, P1 and P2. Although P2 is slightly closer, park at P1. It’s larger, sealed, right by the cafΓ© with free toilets and gives easy access to the beach.

You pay for parking at the digital screens outside the cafΓ©.

From P1 car park, the basalt columns are immediately to your left as you step onto the beach. Access is straightforward, with a clear path and even an accessible ramp down. There’s also a huge cave set in the cliff face to explore.

πŸ’‘ Important: Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most dangerous beaches due to powerful, unpredictable β€œsneaker waves.”

There’s a warning board at the entrance showing red, orange or green conditions for the day. Keep a safe distance from the shoreline and you’ll be absolutely fine.

Young toddler playing on the infamous Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach on the south coast of Iceland. He is in the foreground with the infamous hexagonal basalt columns in the background.
Little man wasn’t fussed about the 1000+ year old basalt columns, playing in the black sand was far more interesting. Photo by Jordie.
A close up of the infamous hexagonal basalt columns at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach in Iceland.
The basalt columns at Reynisfjara.
Photo by Jordie.


PIT STOP IN VIK TOWN
You’re in for a treat – the quick drive between Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach and Vik town is incredibly scenic!

VΓ­k is a handy little stop to stretch your legs, grab lunch or stock up. The KRΓ“NAN supermarket here is large, with free public toilets and a cafΓ© inside. There’s also a pink Orkan petrol station just up the road for an easy re-fuel.

Architecturally, VΓ­k still has that industrial Iceland feel, but it’s the first place that felt properly residential to us, with little pockets of homely houses. It’s spread out, quiet and surprisingly chilled.

Before you leave, don’t skip getting the classic photo shot of VΓ­k’s red-roofed Myrdal church overlooking Vik town and sea. Park here in the small free car park beside the church and walk up the hill next to it for the best view.

The iconic photograph of from atop a hill in Vik, capturing the red-roofed  Myrdal Church, town below and ocean beyond at sunset.
The iconic photograph from atop a hill in Vik, capturing the red-roofed Myrdal Church, town below and the ocean beyond. Photo by Jordie.


THE DRIVE TO JΓ–KULSÁRLΓ“N AREA
Pop on your favourite carpool karaoke playlist: it’s a 2.5 hour drive to JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon, the furthest point on this South Coast stretch. With an early boat tour tomorrow, staying nearby tonight makes life so much easier.

The drive is anything but dull! Leaving VΓ­k, the landscape feels wild and barren, with endless lava fields and ancient moss-covered mounds stretching out around you.

About an hour in, you’ll pass through KirkjubΓ¦jarklaustur, a tiny but ridiculously scenic village backed by mossy mountains and waterfalls. There’s a petrol station here, and a couple of cafΓ©s if you need a quick re-fuel!

Approaching the scenic village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur on your South Coast road trip in Iceland. Colourful unassuming buildings in the foreground with large mossy green mountains with tumbling waterfalls in the background.
Now, isn’t that a sight for sore eyes! Approaching the little village of KirkjubΓ¦jarklaustur with some big scenery! Photo by Jordie.


From here onwards, the remaining 1.5 hours has INSANE scenery. Towering mountains rising up from flat plains, streaked with waterfalls (some frozen mid-flow in colder months). On a blue-sky day especially, it’s literally unreal πŸ‘‡πŸΌ

The incredible glacier mountains you will see driving along Iceland's South Coast towards Jokularson.
If I got Β£1 every time I said “WOW” from the scenery on this drive, I’d have paid off my mortgage by now! Photo by Jordie.
If you catch it on a blue skied day, you’re in for a treat! Photo by Jordie.


Keep an eye out for sheep wandering across the road too. (Told you the drive wouldn’t be boring) πŸ˜‰

Settle into your accommodation nearby and get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s early start.

The insane sweeping ocean views seen from a cosy apartment at EKRA Glacier Lagoon on the south coast of Iceland.
Even from our corner apartment, the sweeping views at EKRA Glacier Lagoon were stunning! Photo by Jordie.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR JOKULARSON (1 NIGHT) πŸ’€
We stayed at EKRA Glacier Lagoon, perched atop small residential hill with insane sweeping sea views, even from our corner apartment!

Large modern rooms and a super convenient 11 minute drive from Jokularson Glacier Lagoon, where your tour is tomorrow morning. We sat outside watching the northern lights here too!

Psst! Another fabulous nearby alternative is HΓ³tel JΓΆkulsarlon.

DAY 3: JΓ–KULSÁRLΓ“N GLACIER LAGOON, FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR VIEWPOINT & TINY GLASS LODGE


BOAT TOUR ON JΓ–KULSÁRLΓ“N GLACIER LAGOON
From your accommodation, it’s an easy 11 minute drive to JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n Glacier Lagoon for the “Amphibian Boat Tour” (around 30–40 minutes long).

A young blonde mother and young toddler looking out to Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon, south coast of Iceland. The lake and sky are bright blue.

PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS EARLY
Book the earliest 9.20am tour if you can. It’s noticeably quieter and far more peaceful first thing. From around 10.30/11am, the tour buses arrive and it gets busy fast.
Book your Amphibian Boat Tour direct here β†—

Check in 20 minutes before departure at the ticket office and show your e-voucher on your phone.

PARKING / FACILITIES AT JΓ–KULSÁRLΓ“N
There’s paid parking on both sides of the road, costing 1000 ISK (roughly Β£6), payable at the kiosks.

We recommend parking here on the ocean side, as it’s right by the famous Diamond Beach and generally easier. From there, it’s just a short walk under the bridge to reach the lagoon and ticket office.

The car park on the lagoon side is tighter and tends to get chaotic by mid-morning.

At JΓΆkulsΓ‘rlΓ³n, there’s free toilet facilities and food trucks.

A young toddler looking away on an amphibian boat tour at Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon, south coast of Iceland. The lake and sky are bright blue, distant giant white glaciers and the toddler is wearing a bright orange lifejacket looking away.
Our little man loved cruising the Glacier Lagoon and seeing the huge icebergs! Photo by Jordie.
Young toddler boy looking at the Amphibian Boat Tour boat at Jokulsarlon Glacier lagoon.
And watching the boat drive towards the lagoon even more! Photo by Jordie.


DIAMOND BEACH
After your tour, head down to Diamond Beach (next to the car park) before you leave. It’s literally a 1 minute walk.

Just to manage expectations, we visited at the start of October and the huge β€œdiamond” icebergs we expected to be scattered across the sand were few and fairly small.

It really does depend on the season. The beach tends to be at its most dramatic between November and March, when larger chunks of glacier ice are regularly washing ashore.

© All copyrights reserved by Unsplash. This is NOT what it looked like when we visited 🀣


FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR SCENIC VIEWPOINT
Time to begin the journey back along the South Coast! 1 hour into the drive, stop off at the idyllic FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon.

WALKING FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR CANYON
The walk itself is short and very manageable. It’s mostly gravel with some gentle elevation gain, and takes around 45–60 minutes return from the car park.

It’s an easy out-and-back route with many viewpoints along the way, each one genuinely breathtaking. The landscapes on the drive up are incredible too.

A young blonde mother and her toddler son at the idyllic FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon on Iceland's South Coast.
This stunning view at FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon is only one of the first viewpoints! Photo by Liam.


PARKING AT FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR
FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon parking costs 1000 ISK (around Β£6), the car park is large and gravelly, plenty of space. Pay via the Parka app, or online at parka.is.

TOILETS AT FJAÐRÁRGLJÚFUR
There’s a free small toilet block just before the walk starts.

View from the FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon walking path looking back at the car park in the distance.
Looking back at the (very distant) car park from the FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur Canyon trail, giving you a good idea what the trial path is like. Gentle gravelled path, great for walking – not for prams! Photo by Jordie.


DRIVE ALONG THE SOUTH COAST
The rest of today is about making your way back along the South Coast towards the Golden Circle area. From FjaΓ°rΓ‘rgljΓΊfur, it’s a 2 hour 50 minute drive to our recommended stay for tonight, Tiny Glass Lodge β†—.

You can either head straight there or break up the drive with a few final stops. VΓ­k is again your best pit stop for toilets, fuel and food if needed.

The Orkan petrol station in Vik, South Iceland. The stations are self-service and very easy to use.
The self-service Orkan petrol station in VΓ­k. It’s super easy to use, and budget friendly too. Photo by Jordie.
The Orkan petrol station in Vik, South Iceland. The stations are self-service and very easy to use.
Liam modelling my point perfectly!
Young blonde toddler boy looking out at the stunning Icelandic countryside, seen from inside the Tiny Glass Lodge in Selfoss, Iceland.
We stayed in the “Hekla”, the first Lodge you come to at Tiny Glass Lodge. Photo by Jordie.
A blonde woman soaking in a private outdoor hot tub at night time with a dazzling northern lights display above. Location is Tiny Glass Lodge Experience The Nature complex in Selfoss Iceland.
The northern lights dancing above our private outdoor hot tub at Tiny Glass Lodge.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR SELFOSS (1 NIGHT) πŸ’€
Indulge in an extra special stay at Tiny Glass Lodge, in 1 of 4 beautifully designed, luxury glass lodges set in open countryside.

They’re immaculate, equipped with everything you could possibly need (even a washer / dryer!) and – the best part – a private outdoor hot tub!

If conditions are right, it’s an incredible place to see the northern lights clearly too.

For even more info, read our Tiny Glass Lodge review post here β†—

DAY 4: GOLDEN CIRCLE, GULLFOSS, GEYSIR, ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK & REYKJAVIK


EXPLORE THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

STROKKUR GEYSER
Start today’s Golden Circle loop with a 30 minute drive to Strokkur Geyser. The site is very well set up for visitors, with a maintained car park and a large, modern visitor building right beside it. Inside you’ll find free toilets, bakery, restaurant and a surprisingly good gift shop!

From the car park, it’s a short walk over to the geothermal area where Strokkur erupts every few minutes. It’s one of those natural sights that never gets old.

Warning – Prepare for a lovely lingering scent of Sulphur! πŸ‘ƒπŸΌ

Strokkur Geyser mid explosion, a top sight to see along Iceland's infamous Golden Circle route.
Took a few attempts (I kept missing it 🀣), but managed to get “THE SHOT” of Strokkur Geyser mid-explosion!


GULLFOSS WATERFALL
From Strokkur, it’s an easy 11 minute drive to the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall. The car park here is large and free, with access to free toilets inside the visitor centre.

Gullfoss is big, dramatic and incredibly easy to access from the parking area. You can follow the paths to different viewpoints for slightly varied angles of the falls.

The powerful Gullfoss Waterfall, one of the main stops along Iceland's famous Golden Circle route.
You must see Gullfoss in real life to appreciate the sheer scale of it! Photo by Jordie.


ÞINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK
Finish the Golden Circle at Þingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. It’s a slow 50mph drive through open landscapes to get there, so allow time and enjoy the scenery.

Þingvellir is wide, expansive and historically significant, but most visitors come to see Silfra – where the visible rift between the plates.

Want a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Join this tour to Snorkel between the tectonic plates β†—

Β 


SETTLE IN REYKJAVIK
From Þingvellir National Park, your final drive (about an hour away) takes you into ReykjavΓ­k, where you’ll spend the night.

Use the rest of the day to get your first glimpse of Iceland’s colourful capital.

Wander its quirky streets, browse the cafΓ©s and bars and make sure to see HallgrΓ­mskirkja Cathedral rising above the city at the end of SkΓ³lavΓΆrΓ°ustΓ­gur Rainbow Street.

Note: It’s quite funny how suddenly busy the roads get as you approach ReykjavΓ­k. After four days of quiet countryside driving you start wondering where all the Icelanders are… turns out, they’re all here! 🀣

Passing the colourful quirky shops on Iceland's SkΓ³lavΓΆrΓ°ustΓ­gur Rainbow Street in Reykjavik city centre.
Passing quirky, colourful shops walking up SkΓ³lavΓΆrΓ°ustΓ­gur Rainbow Street in Reykjavik. Photo by Jordie.
Photo by Jordie.
The Reykjavik EDITION hotel
Outside The Reykjavik EDITION. Photo by Jordie.

WHERE TO STAY IN REYKJAVIK (1/2 NIGHTS) πŸ’€
Choose a hotel with free private parking. If you’re confident to drive into the city, a great option is The Reykjavik EDITION, a stylish / luxe hotel set along the northern harbour.

Centring around a wellness concept, has its own renowned EDITION Spa on-site and is guaranteed to make your Reykjavik stay extra special.

DAY 5: REYKJAVIK, SKY LAGOON & AIRPORT BOUND


SLOW MORNING IN REYKJAVIK
Spend the early part of this morning exploring more of ReykjavΓ­k. Want a guided experience? Consider this 2 hour Reykjavik Walking Tour (Walk with a Viking) β†—

SKY LAGOON GEOTHERMAL SPA
After checking out of your accommodation, take the short 15 minute drive to Sky Lagoon, located just outside ReykjavΓ­k.

Β© All photo copyrights reserved by Sky Lagoon Iceland.

Sky Lagoon is designed around the concept of “Where sky meets the sea”, with a stunning infinity-edge lagoon overlooking the North Atlantic.

Facilities include spacious changing rooms, a swim-up bar, relaxation areas and a “7-Step Ritual” spa experience.

This traditional Icelandic wellness journey includes a sauna with ocean views, cold plunge, body scrub, steam room and more. The perfect way to unwind and reflect on the past five days before heading home.

Book your Sky Lagoon entry ( with 7-Step Ritual) here β†—

Β© All photo copyrights reserved by Sky Lagoon Iceland.


AIRPORT BOUND
If you an afternoon flight tomorrow, you could easily stay a second night in ReykjavΓ­k, dropping off your hire car in the morning before immediately checking-in.

Got an early flight? Drive to KeflavΓ­k Airport (KEF) now, drop off your hire car and stay at one of the nearby airport hotels. We stayed at Aurora Hotel at KeflavΓ­k International Airport.

It’s a little dated and fairly simple, but the location is unbeatable. It’s literally a 5 minute walk to Departures (see here), making that early morning flight incredibly easy.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 5 DAY SOUTH ICELAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY


And there you have it. A solid blueprint for any first-timer exploring Iceland’s dramatic South Coast, even squeezing in a short stint in ReykjavΓ­k along the way!

Over 5 epic days you’ll tick off thunderous waterfalls, jaw-dropping landscapes, geothermal wonders, colossal glaciers and stay in not one, but TWO types of igloo hotel.

We really hope this itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable Iceland adventure. If you end up following it, please do get in touch. We’d LOVE to hear all about your epic trip! 🀘🏼


A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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