Iceland Geysers, Glaciers & Fjords — Self-Launched Ring of the South
8 days · Iceland
G Adventures charges £4,250
No-markup version: ~£1,480 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, budget-friendly version of G Adventures' 8-day National Geographic Family Journey around Iceland's south and Golden Circle. Using Reykjavík as a base plus a couple of nights in Hveragerði and Vík, you self-drive (or use public/Strætó buses and shared tours) to the same big-hitters: Perlan, whale watching on Faxaflói Bay, the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel, Icelandic horse farms, the Golden Circle, the geothermal rye bakery at Laugarvatn, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, black-sand beaches and the Westman Islands ferry to Heimaey. All activities are independently bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook, the Herjólfur ferry or direct with operators, and accommodation is hostel/guesthouse level rather than hotels. Costs are approximate and assume a self-drive rental split between two people.
Day-by-day
Arrive Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Fly into Keflavík (KEF) and take the Flybus or Airport Express coach to Reykjavík's BSÍ bus terminal (~£22 one way, ~45 min) instead of a private transfer, then walk or hop the local Strætó bus to your hostel. Settle in, pick up your rental car if you're self-driving (book a small economy car for the week, roughly £280-£350 split between two), and do a free evening wander down Laugavegur and around the Old Harbour. Grab a cheap hot dog at Bæjarins Beztu (~£4) and stock up on breakfast supplies at Bónus supermarket.
🚌Flybus/coach from KEF to BSÍ ~£22; local buses ~£3 per ride
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in central Reykjavík (dorm or private budget room), ~£45-£60/night
- →Flybus transfer to Reykjavík
- →Evening walk along Laugavegur and Old Harbour
- →Bæjarins Beztu hot dog
Perlan, Whales & Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Start at Perlan's Wonders of Iceland exhibition — pre-book a ticket online (~£32) to see the volcanic and geothermal displays plus the ice cave. Lunch on a classic Icelandic hot dog, then join an independent whale-watching tour from the Old Harbour on Faxaflói Bay — book via GetYourGuide or direct with Elding (~£75-£90, ~3 hrs, minke and humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises in season). Afternoon free: climb Hallgrímskirkja tower (~£8) or walk the waterfront. Note the operator charges for the tour; you're simply skipping the guided commentary surcharge and paying direct.
🚌Walking and local buses (~£6)
🛏Same Reykjavík hostel/guesthouse
- →Perlan Wonders of Iceland (~£32)
- →Whale watching from Old Harbour (~£80)
- →Hallgrímskirkja tower (~£8)
Lava Tunnel, Icelandic Horses & Hot Springs
Hveragerði
Self-drive (or take a Strætó Route 51 bus, ~£12) south to Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel and book a guided cave walk direct with the operator (~£30). Next, book a farm visit and short ride at an Icelandic horse farm near Hveragerði — many farms offer 1-1.5 hr tölt rides for ~£55-£70 direct. Homemade farm lunch (~£15). In the afternoon hike the Reykjadalur hot river valley from Hveragerði (~3 km each way, free) and soak your feet in the steaming stream. Overnight in Hveragerði, a town built around a bubbling hot spring.
🚌Self-drive ~1 hr from Reykjavík; or Strætó bus ~£12
🛏Guesthouse in Hveragerði, ~£60-£75/night
- →Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel tour (~£30)
- →Icelandic horse farm visit/ride (~£60)
- →Reykjadalur hot river hike (free)
Golden Circle & Geothermal Bakery
Laugarvatn / Flúðir
Drive the Golden Circle under your own steam (all three stops are free to enter, only parking fees ~£6 apply). Start at Þingvellir National Park to walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, then head to Laugarvatn for the geothermal rye-bread experience — book the Laugarvatn Fontana bakery tour direct (~£20) to watch dough dug out of hot black sand and taste it warm. Continue to Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area to watch Strokkur erupt every ~10 minutes. End the day with a soak in the Secret Lagoon at Flúðir (~£28, book online) and overnight nearby in Flúðir or Hella.
🚌Self-drive Golden Circle loop, ~200 km; parking fees ~£6
🛏Guesthouse or farm stay near Flúðir/Hella, ~£70-£85/night
- →Þingvellir National Park (free)
- →Laugarvatn geothermal bakery tour (~£20)
- →Gullfoss waterfall (free)
- →Geysir & Strokkur (free)
- →Secret Lagoon soak (~£28)
South Coast, Skógafoss & Black Sand
Vík
Drive the Ring Road south, stopping at Seljalandsfoss if you're ahead of schedule. Visit the Skógar Open Air Museum (~£12) to see turf houses and the 20th-century schoolhouse, then walk to Skógafoss waterfall (free) — take the stairs to the top for the classic view. Lunch at the Skógar bistro (~£18). In the afternoon hike on Reynisfjara black-sand beach near Vík (free, watch for sneaker waves) and admire the Reynisdrangar sea stacks. Overnight in Vík, the best base for tomorrow's ferry.
🚌Self-drive ~2.5 hrs from Flúðir; ~200 km
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Vík, ~£60-£80/night
- →Skógar Open Air Museum (~£12)
- →Skógafoss waterfall (free)
- →Reynisfjara black-sand beach (free)
Westman Islands & Eldfell Crater
Vík / Heimaey
Take the Herjólfur ferry from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey in the Westman Islands — book return foot passenger tickets online (~£22-£28, 35 min crossing; catch the local bus or drive to the harbour). Once ashore, walk the tiny town of white wooden houses, visit the Eldheimar volcano museum (~£20) to learn about the 1973 eruption that buried part of the town, then hike up Eldfell crater (free, ~1 hr return) where the ground is still warm. In summer, walk the cliffs for puffins and seabirds. Take an afternoon ferry back and drive on to Vík or Hvolsvöllur for the night.
🚌Herjólfur ferry return ~£25; self-drive to Landeyjahöfn
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Vík/Hvolsvöllur, ~£60-£75/night
- →Herjólfur ferry to Heimaey (~£25)
- →Eldheimar museum (~£20)
- →Eldfell crater hike (free)
- →Puffin-spotting on the cliffs (free)
Seljalandsfoss, Secret Lagoon & Farewell Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Drive back west along the Ring Road, stopping at Seljalandsfoss waterfall to walk behind the curtain of water (free, bring a waterproof). If you skipped the Secret Lagoon on Day 4, this is a good second chance to book a soak here (~£28). Arrive back in Reykjavík in the late afternoon, return the rental car, and mark the trip's end with a budget-friendly farewell meal — try fish and chips at Reykjavík Fish or a cheap bowl of lamb soup (~£18-£22). If time allows, a last soak at a public geothermal pool like Laugardalslaug (~£8) is a brilliant local alternative.
🚌Self-drive ~2 hrs back to Reykjavík; fuel ~£30
🛏Same Reykjavík hostel/guesthouse, ~£50-£60/night
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall (free)
- →Secret Lagoon or Laugardalslaug soak (~£8-£28)
- →Farewell dinner in Reykjavík
Depart Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Check out and take the Flybus back to Keflavík Airport (~£22) — book in advance to match your flight. If you have a late departure, use the morning for a free walk around the Reykjavík City Hall and Tjörnin lake or a final coffee on Laugavegur before heading to the airport.
🚌Flybus to KEF ~£22
🛏—
- →Tjörnin lake and City Hall walk (free)
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,480 | £4,250 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,770 per person (65%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,480
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 Geysers, Glaciers & Fjords — Self-Launched Ring of the South cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,480 per person for 8 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 G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £4,250 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,480 — a saving of roughly £2,770 (65%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 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, road-trip, culture 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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