Icelandic Ring Road Explorer — Self-Launched 10-Day Version
10 days · Iceland
CIE Tours charges £3,980
No-markup version: ~£1,245 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of CIE Tours' fully guided 10-day Icelandic Explorer coach tour, covering the same loop: Reykjavík, West Iceland hot springs and waterfalls, the Skagafjörður valley, Akureyri and Goðafoss, Húsavík with the Diamond Circle and Lake Mývatn, the northern waterfalls and Vök Baths, the Eastfjords, Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, Skaftafell, the south coast waterfalls and black sand beach, then the Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon before flying home. Instead of a coach with 44 people and a guide, you self-drive a small budget rental car (or join local day tours where a car isn't needed), sleep in hostels, guesthouses and farm stays, and book the same soakable spa experiences and whale watching directly through Gray Line, GetYourGuide, Klook, Vök Baths and Blue Lagoon's own site. Iceland is expensive, so the biggest saving comes from swapping Fosshotels for hostel dorms/private guesthouse rooms and skipping the included restaurant dinners in favour of self-catering at supermarkets. Costs are rough backpacker rates for a solo traveller sharing a rental car and fuel; everything is approximate and assumes June–August travel.
Day-by-day
Arrive Reykjavík — settle in by the harbour
Reykjavík
Fly into Keflavík (KEF). The cheap way into town is the Strætó 55 bus (very few departures, check schedule) or the Flybus/ Airport Express coach to BSÍ bus terminal (~£25–28 one way, book via GetYourGuide or Flybus.is). Check into a hostel in the 101 or Grandi harbour area. Spend the afternoon walking the old harbour, Harpa concert hall and Laugavegur shopping street, and buy a Bónus supermarket stock-up for the road. Sunset at the Sun Voyager sculpture. Pick up your small rental car this evening or first thing tomorrow (cheapest option: a compact via Rentalcars/Blue Car Rental/Sadcars — ~£55–70/day in high season, split between two people).
🚌Flybus/ Airport Express from KEF to BSÍ (~£26), walkable city centre
🛏Hostel dorm or private twin, Reykjavík city centre (~£30–45 pp/night)
- →Walk the old harbour and Laugavegur street
- →Sun Voyager and Harpa exterior
- →Bónus supermarket grocery shop for the road
West Iceland — hot spring, lava falls and a working farm
Reykholt / Borgarfjörður
Pick up the rental car and drive north out of Reykjavík via the Hvalfjörður tunnel (toll ~£6) or the scenic Hvalfjörður road to skip the toll. Stop at Bjarteyjarsandur farm (self-booked farm visit / café via their own site or just drop in for a walk and lunch) to see how an Icelandic sheep and sustainable farm runs. Continue to Borgarnes and the Settlement Centre (entry ~£12) for the saga and settlement exhibitions, then drive the short loop to Deildartunguhver (Europe's most powerful hot spring), Barnafoss and Hraunfossar — all free, roadside stops with short walks. Overnight in a Reykholt-area guesthouse or the Reykholt hostel/farm stay; cook your own dinner.
🚌Self-drive rental car, ~200 km, fuel ~£20 pp (shared)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel twin in Reykholt/Borgarfjörður (~£45–60 pp/night high season)
- →Bjarteyjarsandur family farm visit
- →Settlement Centre, Borgarnes (~£12)
- →Deildartunguhver hot spring
- →Barnafossar and Hraunfossar waterfalls
Skagafjörður, Glaumbær turf farm and Goðafoss
Skagafjörður / Akureyri
Drive the Ring Road north via Varmahlíð into Skagafjörður, Iceland's horse valley. Visit Glaumbær Farm & Museum — the turf-roofed houses that inspired the CIE stop — entry ~£12, and take the café lunch there. Then Akureyri, the 'capital of the north': walk the botanical garden (free), the cathedral and the heart-shaped red traffic light. Finish at Goðafoss waterfall (free, 5 min walk from the car park) on the way to the night's stop. Overnight in or near Akureyri/Húsavík.
🚌Self-drive, ~280 km, fuel ~£28 pp (shared)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Akureyri/Húsavík (~£35–50 pp/night)
- →Glaumbær Farm & Museum (~£12)
- →Akureyri botanical garden and cathedral
- →Goðafoss waterfall
Diamond Circle — Mývatn, Hverir and whale watching
Húsavík
Self-drive the Diamond Circle in whatever order suits the weather. Highlights: Lake Mývatn shoreline, Reykjahlíð church, the Hverir sulphur springs (free but bring a buff — it's pungent), a 1–2 hour hike through Dimmuborgir lava formations, and the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters. Mid-afternoon take a whale-watching cruise from Húsavík harbour — book direct with North Sailing or Gentle Giants on GetYourGuide/Klook, ~£85–100 for 3 hours in a RIB or oak boat. Evening option: GeoSea Spa geothermal sea baths at Húsavík (~£40, book direct).
🚌Self-drive, ~150 km, fuel ~£15 pp (shared)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Húsavík (~£35–50 pp/night)
- →Lake Mývatn and Reykjahlíð church
- →Hverir sulphur springs
- →Dimmuborgir hike
- →Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
- →Húsavík whale-watching cruise (~£90)
- →GeoSea Spa (~£40, optional)
Ásbyrgi, Dettifoss and Vök Baths to the Eastfjords
Egilsstaðir / Fáskrúðsfjörður
Drive east around the Tjörnes peninsula to Ásbyrgi Canyon (free, easy 1-hour walk to the horseshoe cliff viewpoint). Continue to Dettifoss — Europe's most powerful waterfall — via the paved 862 road on the east side (free). Stop at Móðrudalur farm for a lamb soup lunch and a look at Iceland's highest farm (~£15). Last stop: Vök Baths on Lake Urriðavatn near Egilsstaðir — book direct online, ~£45 for floating geothermal pools with lake views. Overnight in the Eastfjords (Fáskrúðsfjörður or Reyðarfjörður) and cook in the guesthouse kitchen.
🚌Self-drive, ~330 km, fuel ~£32 pp (shared)
🛏Guesthouse twin in the Eastfjords (~£45–60 pp/night)
- →Ásbyrgi Canyon walk
- →Dettifoss waterfall
- →Móðrudalur farm lunch (~£15)
- →Vök Baths (~£45)
Eastfjords coast road, Petra's Stone Museum and Vestrahorn
Höfn
Take the scenic Route 1 along the fjords with photo stops at Fáskrúðsfjörður's French-inspired village and the puffin cliffs near Djúpivogur. In Djúpivogur visit Petra's Stone Museum (small entry ~£8, delightful collection of Icelandic minerals) and walk the harbour to Eggin í Gleðivík. Carry on south to Stokksnes for the Vestrahorn view — access is a private road with a small fee (~£8) — then overnight in Höfn, famous for langoustine. Splash out on a langoustine dinner at a local café (~£30) or cook at the hostel.
🚌Self-drive, ~260 km, fuel ~£26 pp (shared)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Höfn (~£40–55 pp/night)
- →Eastfjords scenic drive
- →Petra's Stone Museum (~£8)
- →Djúpivogur village walk
- →Vestrahorn viewpoint at Stokksnes (~£8)
Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach and Skaftafell
Skaftafell / Núpar
Drive to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon (free parking, free to walk the shore) and cross the road to Diamond Beach where icebergs wash up. If you want to get on the water, book a Zodiac amphibian boat tour in advance (~£110) — it sells out in summer. Lunch at the Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon café area (or a cheaper packed lunch). Then to Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park for the easy Svartifoss waterfall hike (1.5 hours return) — a guided glacier walk on Svínafellsjökull can be booked with a local outfitter via GetYourGuide (~£110) if you want it. Overnight near Núpar/Skaftafell.
🚌Self-drive, ~200 km, fuel ~£20 pp (shared)
🛏Guesthouse or hostel near Skaftafell/Núpar (~£50–65 pp/night)
- →Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- →Diamond Beach
- →Svartifoss hike in Skaftafell
- →Optional Zodiac boat tour (~£110)
- →Optional glacier walk (~£110)
South coast waterfalls, black sand beach and Icelandic horses
Vík / Reykjavík
Head west along the south coast. Stop at Reynisfjara black sand beach (watch for sneaker waves — never turn your back on the sea), then Skógafoss (climb the 370 steps for the view) and Seljalandsfoss — walk behind the waterfall if it's dry enough. Book an Icelandic horse farm ride with Eldhestar or a local farm on GetYourGuide (~£85 for a 1.5–2 hour ride) — the CIE version only demonstrates; you actually ride. Drive on to Reykjavík, drop any extra stops to arrive by early evening.
🚌Self-drive, ~300 km, fuel ~£30 pp (shared)
🛏Reykjavík hostel dorm or private twin (~£30–45 pp/night)
- →Reynisfjara black sand beach
- →Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls
- →Icelandic horse ride (~£85)
- →Evening in Reykjavík
Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon
Golden Circle / Grindavík / Reykjavík
Self-drive the Golden Circle early to beat the coaches: Þingvellir National Park (free, walk the Almannagjá rift), Geysir area with Strokkur erupting every 5–10 minutes, and Gullfoss waterfall. In the afternoon drive to the Blue Lagoon — you must pre-book a timed slot weeks ahead at bluelagoon.com, from ~£60 for the Comfort package (towel, drink, silica mask). Alternatively swap for the cheaper Sky Lagoon (~£55) or Hvammsvík (~£45) if Blue Lagoon slots are gone. Return the rental car this evening in Reykjavík and have a last-night dinner in town.
🚌Self-drive ~250 km, fuel ~£25 pp (shared); return car
🛏Reykjavík hostel dorm or private twin (~£30–45 pp/night)
- →Þingvellir National Park
- →Geysir and Strokkur
- →Gullfoss waterfall
- →Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon soak (~£55–60)
Depart Reykjavík
Reykjavík / Keflavík
Breakfast at the hostel, a final wander around the Grandi harbour bakeries (Brauð & Co is worth the queue), then take the Flybus back to Keflavík for your flight home. If you have a late flight, the National Museum of Iceland or a Reykjavík city geothermal pool (Laugardalslaug, ~£8) makes a good last stop.
🚌Flybus/ Airport Express to KEF (~£26)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Harbour bakeries and last walk
- →National Museum of Iceland (~£14, optional)
- →Laugardalslaug city pool (~£8, optional)
Self-launched vs. CIE Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | CIE Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,245 | £3,980 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,735 per person (69%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more CIE Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,245
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 Icelandic Ring Road Explorer — Self-Launched 10-Day Version cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,245 per person for 10 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 CIE Tours?+
Yes — CIE Tours charges around £3,980 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,245 — a saving of roughly £2,735 (69%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 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, slow-travel 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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