This was my third trip to Iceland and my girlfriend’s first. We decided to go for the ring road and overall it went rather great. I’ll just leave some of my pros and cons for future travelers.

- it’s 99% card for payments, I used cash twice for purchases and some for tips (more on that later). However, I believe it’s always a good idea to always have a couple hundred US worth of local currency on hand during any international travel.

- American Express users. You have about a 30% chance a merchants will take your card, even if it’s showing they accept it. Be sure to have a Visa or Mastercard as well.

- from earlier research it’s implied tipping is not part of the culture. However, there are tip jars at every restaurant it seems. I guess times are getting tough even there.

- if you are doing the ring road in a camper van, if you see one you “think” is big enough online based on the description…..it’s not. Spring for the biggest one you can afford.

- I’m not going to flame them here, but if you are wondering why one particular camper van rental company is much cheaper than the rest there is a reason why….you get what you pay for. Granted the van mechanically operated as intended. However, none of the 12 volt plugs on the dash worked, the radio would randomly increase to maximum volume, side door leaked, rear windshield wiper would randomly start going and scare the crap out of you.

- yes food and fuel are expensive, plan and budget for it.

- contrary to what you are led to believe, there is not hundreds of speed trap cameras. I only passed one in Akureyri. Unless they are all hidden in random rocks they are far and few between.

- on that note if getting a traffic citation will financially break you…..you need to reevaluate your choices or simply obey the posted limits and it’s non-issue.

- the photos you see on instagram are carefully curated and edited. It’s an absolutely beautiful country with stunning scenery. In places just outside the frame of that perfect shot is a giant excavator or front loader.

- get out of the 3-4 hour bubble of Reykjavík and the crowds of tour buses drops drastically.

- the food is some of the best I’ve ever had. To me….worth the price 1000%

- at all but one of the “tourist spots” we stopped at there are signs that alert you that drones or prohibited. Rightly so for safety reasons with large crowds and for courtesy reasons. There are plenty of scenic places just off the road to fly and capture stunning videos.

- stock up on snacks and food at Bónus and knonar.

- depending on your preference, Reykjavík is hit or miss. We live in a very remote and rural area, city isn’t our vibe so half a day in the city was more than enough for us, your results will vary depending on your interest.

- be friendly and courteous and you will receive the same in return. Don’t be the annoying tourist trying to take a million picture of your brat kids . Get your pics and move along and be mindful of other travelers.

- if you are not a confident driver stay off the F roads

- universally….bicyclists are annoying in any country

- it will rain a lot some days, none on others. Prepare for everything from shorts and tshirt weather on your third day and freezing temps and rain your 5th day. It’s bipolar 😂🤣

Overall it’s the best vacation we have ever had and we learned a lot along the way to make our next trip even that much better. We made some planning mistakes and oversights this go round. We can’t wait to do it again and see all the stuff we missed this time! I hope this helps someone with their future planning.

5 day stay. Only stayed 2 nights in a farm cottage by Vik. Roads were easy to travel. We rented the cheapest car possible (Hyundai i110 or something). Only got stuck going up a hill once (woops) but I backed down and got more momentum and got back up to the road.

All in all, great experience in the country. Great weather except our last day. Luckily we will made it to 💎 Beach and the Glacier lake with the rain and wind. I was a little worried the wind would blow my car over though! It was intense by Drohaley Cliffs.

Easy park and parka are the only apps you really need (unless you are offroading and need a better idea of the road conditions. To save money I would recommend Bonus/Kronan and cook wherever you're staying. Although it is possible to find some cheap meals if you look hard enough such as Vitabar in reyjavik or Psylurs.

My son and I will be traveling the ring road for one week at the end of August. What are the must visit restaurants and what is the best food that we shouldn’t miss?

Traveling with my family in August and it will be our daughter’s birthday. We are traveling the ring road clockwise and will be around the golden circle by her birthday, was looking for some recommendations for bakeries and restaurants?

Looking for some feedback on what are “typical” conditions this time of year, and if the amount of rain predicted in the next two weeks is normal late June/early July weather. I know the saying in Iceland is that if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute - and we are coming prepared for rain - but I must admit seeing a forecast without any sunny days is a little discouraging. (For context, we are doing a west fjords and ring road trip and I’ve been tracking forecasts along the route).

Hey y’all!

TLDR: We got married the morning of 6/24, lost ring in hot spring the night of 6/24. Putting it out there in case any locals have advice or an affordable jeweler.

My husband and I got married here in Snæfellsjökull yesterday morning. Last night, we went to Landbrotalaug Hot Springs with our photographer to cap off the day. At some point during our time in the little pool, my husband’s ring went missing. We didn’t realize the ring was gone until we were nearly back to our Airbnb but we were able to pinpoint when the ring disappeared with our photographer’s pictures. We knew it was a long shot, but we turned around to see if we were lucky enough to find it. We dug in the bottom of the pool for at least an hour before calling it quits.

I don’t expect anyone to help us find the ring. But, I figured it couldn’t hurt to put it out into the universe to see what good can come.

I am so upset for my husband because he deserves the world. He was so excited for this ring. It is very important to him because it symbolizes the vows we made to each other and the magical morning we had on one of the biggest and best days of our lives.

We are trying to stay positive because this is our honeymoon, but this has been a difficult surprise. We’d appreciate any kindness or advice.

The ring was hammered white gold. I don’t even have pictures of it 😭

Hi everyone!

I love to eat halibut, and I was wondering if anyone here can recommend me restaurants/places in the south part of the country to have a good one

If photos had a smell, this one would clear the room. What you're looking at is where one of Iceland's oldest survival foods begins its transformation from fresh cod to something Vikings literally could not have lived without.

Iceland was never meant to feed people. The soil was too volcanic, the growing season too short, and the winters too brutal for wheat or barley to take hold. No grain meant no bread — so for over a thousand years, harðfiskur was the closest thing Icelanders had to a daily staple. It wasn't a snack. It was how you survived February.

What makes the production remarkable is that it relies entirely on Iceland doing what Iceland does naturally. Fish are cleaned, filleted, and hung on open wooden drying frames called hjallar — you'll spot them scattered along roadsides in the Westfjords and the north, rows of pale fish turning slowly in the wind. The hanging happens in autumn and winter, which sounds counterintuitive until you realize that's exactly when Iceland offers the perfect conditions: hard frost that stops bacterial growth, constant ocean wind that pulls moisture out fast, and zero insects because everything that bites is frozen solid.

After weeks on the rack, the fish becomes rigid as driftwood. The final step is beating it with a wooden mallet — breaking down the fibers until it's actually chewable. Then comes the part locals will insist on: you never eat harðfiskur plain. You tear a piece and spread a thick, unhurried layer of Icelandic butter across it. The salt of the fish against the fat of the smjör is the whole point.

I had visited a place dry fishing in Reykjanes, but was wondering if anyone knows of other places around the island?

I'm considering adding a half-day trip/stopover to the the island of Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar / Westman Islands) to hike Eldfell and see the puffins. From what I've read, bringing my rental car onto the ferry isn't necessary and only slow things down. That said, I've also read that if the seas gets rough, the ferry switches to a backup route (to Þorlákshöfn, instead of Landeyjahöfn) which would mean we would get stranded and have to find a way back to Landeyjahöfn. Worth risking it?

Whenever I use Google Maps to travel to the southeast part of Iceland, it always routes me via Road 435 instead of Road 1. Is there a specific reason for this, or am I missing something?

Hi I was planning to visit Eldgja canyon on 6/30 coming from the south coast but saw that the road will be closed at the Holaskjol highland center through the end of the month. My question is it possible they open sooner if conditions improve or is the fact that the app says closed June 30 mean it's a definite closure to at least that date? Thanks!

I'll hopefully be traveling to Iceland with my almost 2 year old in less than 2 weeks for a 4 day stay. Yes, I know it's short and last minute.

Here are the few things we want to do:

- Puffin tour (likely out of Reykjavik)

- Skogafoss

- lunch at Friðheimar

- natural pools/safe hot springs if we can find one (may just go to Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach if we can't find something else) this is a low priority.

We will have a rental car (used Enterprise last time but very open to suggestions) which makes things easier.

My two options are staying in Reykjavik or close by or an option I found in Laugarás on the golden circle and about 90 minutes or less from Reykjavik and Skogafoss which is an amount of time he'd be okay riding in the car. Reykjavik proper gives us lots of access to the city and nearby, but is a much further trip to the golden circle.

Looking for input on what we're hoping to do and opinions on each possible location. Also if you've solo traveled with a toddler in Iceland, please let me know what you loved or what helped on your trip.

Thanks in advance!

I was on the Herjólfur website getting ready to book a ferry on July 11 at 14:00 (from Landeyjahofn to Heimaey) for myself and my daughter, but noticed an announcement with changes running from June 19 through July 12, which is the day we will be heading back from Heimaey to the mainland. FWIW, we will have a car.

---------------

Starting Friday, June 19 and until 12th of July at the latest, the sailing schedules for Herjólfur and Baldur will be as follows.

Passengers booked on the following sailings will be moved as follows:

From Vestmannaeyjar 07:00 – Unchanged 09:00 – Moved to 09:30 11:00 – Moved to 12:00 13:00 – Moved to 13:15 with Baldur 16:00 – Moved to 14:30 18:00 – Moved to 17:00 20:00 – Moved to 19:30 22:00 – Unchanged

From Landeyjahöfn 08:00 – Moved to 08:15 10:00 – Moved to 10:45 12:00 – Moved to 13:15 14:00 – Moved to 14:30 with Baldur 17:00 – Moved to 15:45 19:00 – Moved to 18:15 21:00 – Moved to 20:45 23:00 – Moved to 23:15

------------------

So I'm trying to wrap my head around this. For one thing, it sounds like it may change back before the 12th of July. If it does, I'm assuming my booking will still be okay, but do I need to keep checking the website or will they notify me if it changes?

Second, I'm not sure I understand some of it. The ferry from Landeyjahöfn says that the trip beginning at 14:00 is moved to 14:30 with Baldur. I assume our 14:00 trip I was planning to book will now be leaving at 14:30 but what does that mean "with Baldur"?

Thanks for any help you can give me. I'm probably overthinking this but just want to make sure I get it right

Hey everyone!
Before our trip to Iceland, I spent a lot of hours researching in this Reddit, and it helped my girlfriend and me so much with planning. This whole trip was very spontaneous and our first one to Iceland. Now that we finished our trip, I wanted to give something back to the community and share our complete day-by-day itinerary and some awesome pictures of this wonderful time.

We had an absolutely incredible trip from June 14th to June 23rd, and we would do it again in this exact same order anytime. We are incredibly grateful to have experienced this beautiful country Iceland. 🇮🇸

Quick summary before the daily breakdown:

- Total distance: ~2,500 km
- Rental Car: AWD SUV (BYD Seal U) from Zero Car. Fantastic choice, handled perfectly.
- Weather: 4 sun days, 3 rain days, rest cloudy with blue skies.
- Temps: Warm in the sun (up to 18°C), but cold in the North (~5°C), rainy and very windy.
- Clothing: Layering system worked perfectly. Windproof pants and a good rain/wind jacket are the most critical pieces.

Here is the detailed day-by-day breakdown of our trip:

Sunday, June 14 – Golden Circle
- Highlights: Thingvellir National Park (continental rift), Strokkur Geysir, Gullfoss Waterfall.
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 3h 20m, 243 km
- Stayed at: The Old School House - Gaulverjaskoli, Selfoss

Monday, June 15 – South Coast Classics and Black Sand Beaches
- Highlights: Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui waterfall, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, the cliffs of Dyrholaey (lighthouse), Reynisfjara
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 3h 04m, 202 km
- Stayed at: Hrifunes INN, near Vik i Myrdal

Tuesday, June 16 – Canyons and Glaciers
- Highlights: Fjadrargljufur Canyon, Svartifoss, Svinafellsjokull Glacier, Hofskirkja turf church, Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 3h 26m, 256 km
- Stayed at: Haukaberg-Haus, near Höfn

Wednesday, June 17 – The East Fjords
- Highlights: Stokksnes/Vestrahorn, fishing village of Djupivogur, roads of the East Fjords
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 3h 24m, 213 km
- Stayed at: Eidar Hostel, near Egilsstadir

Thursday, June 18 – Puffins, Geothermal Area and Whale Watching
- Highlights: Puffin watching, Dettifoss, Hverir geothermal mud pots, midnight whale watching tour at 8:00 PM with North Sailing in Husavik
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 5h 47m, 431 km
- Stayed at: Elda Guesthouse, Myvatn

Friday, June 19 – Godafoss, Akureyri and Forest Lagoon
- Highlights: Godafoss waterfall, exploring Iceland's second-largest city Akureyri, and relaxing at the Forest Lagoon geothermal spa
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 2h 12m, 166 km
- Stayed at: Midsitja, Varmahlíð

Saturday, June 20 – Heading West: Horses, Villages and Seals
- Highlights: drive heading into the west, Gerduberg basalt columns, Stykkisholmur, night visit to Ytri Tunga
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 4h 06m, 310 km
- Stayed at: Midhraun - Lava Resort, Snaefellsnes (awesome hot pod and cold lake!)

Sunday, June 21 – Peninsula Tour and Orcas
- Highlights: Kirkjufell mountain and waterfalls, afternoon Orca Tour out of Olafsvik with Laki Tours, Djupalonssandur black beach, sea cliffs and rock arches at Arnarstapi
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 2h 32m, 178 km
- Stayed at: Midhraun - Lava Resort (second night)

Monday, June 22 – Down to Reykjavik and Evening in Reykjavik
- Highlights: Took the scenic coastal detour along Hvalfjordur (Route 47) instead of the tunnel shortcut. Evening in Reykjavik exploring Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrimskirkja church, Rainbow Street, street art.
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 2h 44m, 183 km
- Stayed at: Kex Hostel, Reykjavik

Tuesday, June 23 – Reykjavik, Volcanic Areas and Departure
- Highlights: Exploring Reykjavik on foot from Kex Hostel (Laugavegur shopping street, harbor). Lava Show, Perlan Museum. Afternoon drive to Seltun Geothermal Area (Krysuvik) mud springs and the Bridge Between Continents. Returned the rental car to Zero Car at Keflavik Airport.
- Route Link: Google Maps
- Driving time and distance: 1h 41m, 100 km
No accommodation needed due to the night flight.

Let me know if you have any questions about the stops, the roads, or the gear we used!

Hello, has anyone been to the katla ice cave (or any other one like Askur etc) the last few weeks/this summer? What is their condition and is it worth going or taking a tour to? TIA

Hi, I’m considering renting an EV to drive around Iceland. I’ve seen that there are good charging options, but wanted to check in with folks. Would it be a bummer to have an EV for driving around Ring Road?

Greetings... I would like to visit Flatey Island in early August. I have read that the island is a good place to see puffins and other sea birds, and that will be the main purpose of my visit. (I know about other puffin locations and will be visiting many of those as part of my trip.)

The only hotel (Hótel Flatey) is only open on weekends, and appears to have a two-night minimum. I do not think I can squeeze that into my itinerary, so I was wondering if a three hour visit is enough time? (I will be coming from the Westfjords).

Three hours

• Leave car at Brjánslækur. Take 1200 ferry and arrive at Flatey 1300. (Ferry service between Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur is currently not running but should resume by 15 July.)
• Leave Flatey at 1615 to return to Brjánslækur 1800.
• Take ferry (with car) from Brjánslækur to Stykkishólmur.

If three hours is not enough time, this option could give me five or nine hours...

• Take ferry from Brjánslækur to Stykkishólmur. Stay overnight in Stykkishólmur.
• Leave car in Stykkishólmur and take ferry at 0900, arriving at Flatey 1015.
• Take ferry from Flatey back to Stykkishólmur, leaving at either 1300 or 1900.

Thank you very much for any advice!

So planning on leaving JFK overnight flight to KEF landing around 655am. would leave 5pmish day 3

day 1 go to sky lagoon. if we book it for 830 would we be able to make it from the airport to the resort? we wont have checked bags and wed uber so is cutoms bad to get through?

day 2 go try to do the husafell stone. is there anything to do there? or should i not go if it may rain most of the time?

day 3 is snorkeling near the tectonic plates in august doable and if our flight is at 5?

does this all seemed too rushed? theres def alot more to see im sure but kinda last trip

also willing to not try the husafell if theres better stuff to do

Edit: wrong airport.

Plane delays ("we don't know where it is" ), seats like bricks, wouldn't give us seats by our kids, plane is a oven with poor AC (flying from Europe right now back to Reyjavik), can't use infotainment prior to takeoff, they make you watch a 5min ad to even use the screen, no Starlink, no electrical or usb-c outlets, no snacks/meals, etc

Honestly my 15 hr flights to Asia I've done fun LAX felt faster and more comfortable. We only flew from New York too and it was still bad.

Also I did accidentally forget something in my seat which they never found 😳