Self-Launched Iceland Ring Road: 6 Days by Public Bus & Hostel
6 days · Iceland
BusTravel Iceland charges £1,580
No-markup version: ~£1,015 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of BusTravel Iceland's 6-day small-group Ring Road tour. Instead of a guided minibus with hotel nights, you'll use Iceland's scheduled public buses (Strætó regional routes) and hop-on-hop-off Ring Road services, stay in hostels and guesthouses, and self-book the same headline sights: the Golden Circle, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach, Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss, Mývatn's geothermal areas, Goðafoss, Akureyri, and the Blue Lagoon. Note: Iceland lacks a dense public transport network on the east and north ring, so most travellers self-launching this route either book individual day tours from Vík/Höfn/Akureyri as connectors, use a hop-on-hop-off Ring Road bus pass, or split the drive with a shared campervan rental. Costs below assume a mix of public bus + 2 day-tour bookings + shared fuel contribution. Prices are approximate and Iceland is expensive — self-launching saves on the guided markup rather than turning this into a budget trip.
Day-by-day
Golden Circle + South Coast waterfalls to Vík
Reykjavík → Þingvellir → Gullfoss → Seljalandsfoss → Skógafoss → Vík
Start early at Reykjavík's BSI bus terminal. Rather than a guided minibus, book a Golden Circle self-guided coach or, cheaper and more flexible, take Strætó route 51 to Þingvellir and walk the rift valley and Öxarárfoss yourself, then use the day-tour coach connection to Strokkur geyser and Gullfoss. In the afternoon continue south by Strætó route 51 to Selfoss then route 52 to Seljalandsfoss (walk behind the falls — bring waterproofs) and Skógafoss. Overnight in Vík; book a hostel dorm in advance as Vík beds sell out. Total moving time is long — pack snacks.
🚌Strætó route 51/52 Reykjavík–Þingvellir–Selfoss–Vík, ~£30-40 for a day pass plus a Golden Circle coach segment (~£45). Public buses run only a few times daily — check Strætó.is timetables the night before.
🛏Hostel dorm in Vík (e.g. Puffin Hostel Vík or Vík Hostel) — £40-55/night
- →Þingvellir National Park rift valley walk
- →Strokkur geyser eruptions at Geysir
- →Gullfoss waterfall viewpoint
- →Walk behind Seljalandsfoss
- →Skógafoss waterfall and stairs
Vík, Fjaðrárgljúfur and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Vík → Fjaðrárgljúfur → Jökulsárlón → Höfn
Morning walk to Reynisfjara black sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks (never turn your back on the waves — sneaker waves are lethal). Join a self-bookable south coast day tour from Vík (GetYourGuide/Klook, ~£90-120) that covers Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon rim and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon with time at Diamond Beach. In winter you can swap this for an ice cave tour from Jökulsárlón (book direct with local operators, ~£120-150). Continue to Höfn in the evening — either via the tour's return drop-off plus Strætó, or a shared ride with other travellers you meet at the hostel.
🚌Self-booked south coast day tour (~£90-120) covering Jökulsárlón; evening Strætó 51 connection or shared ride to Höfn (~£15-20)
🛏Guesthouse/hostel in Höfn — £45-60/night dorm or shared room
- →Reynisfjara black sand beach and Reynisdrangar sea stacks
- →Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon rim walk
- →Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and boat option
- →Diamond Beach icebergs
- →Optional: Katla or Crystal ice cave tour (seasonal)
East Fjords: Djúpivogur, Eggs in Gleðivík and puffins
Höfn → Djúpivogur → Egilsstaðir
The east is the toughest stretch on public transport. Take Strætó route 51 Höfn–Djúpivogur (limited departures, usually one or two a day) and stop at the harbour village of Djúpivogur to see the Eggs in Gleðivík art installation and have a slow coffee. Continue on to Egilsstaðir for the night. In summer, arrange a local taxi or shared ride from Egilsstaðir to Borgarfjörður Eystri for the puffin colony at Álfaborg (~£50-70 return split between travellers). In the evening, optional Vök Baths geothermal soak at Lake Urriðavatn (book direct, ~£40).
🚌Strætó route 51 Höfn–Djúpivogur–Egilsstaðir, ~£25-35; share taxi to Borgarfjörður Eystri ~£25 per person
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Egilsstaðir — £40-55/night
- →Djúpivogur village harbour walk
- →Eggs in Gleðivík art installation
- →Borgarfjörður Eystri puffin colony (summer)
- →Optional Vök Baths geothermal soak
Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss and Mývatn to Akureyri
Egilsstaðir → Stuðlagil → Dettifoss → Mývatn → Akureyri
This is the day with no sensible public bus coverage, so book a self-guided small-group day tour from Egilsstaðir or Akureyri that links Stuðlagil Canyon, Dettifoss waterfall, the Námaskarð geothermal area, Dimmuborgir lava field, Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters and Goðafoss. Book via GetYourGuide or Klook a few weeks ahead (from ~£110-140). Alternatively, if you've rented a campervan for this segment, the drive is straightforward on Route 1. Overnight in Akureyri; note Iceland's north is where cheap food is hardest, so cook at the hostel.
🚌Self-booked day tour Egilsstaðir/Akureyri loop ~£110-140; or shared campervan fuel split ~£35-45 per person
🛏Hostel dorm in Akureyri — £40-55/night
- →Stuðlagil Canyon basalt columns
- →Dettifoss waterfall
- →Námaskarð geothermal area
- →Dimmuborgir lava field walk
- →Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters
- →Goðafoss waterfall
Akureyri town, whale watching and north-west waterfalls
Akureyri → Vídidalstunga → Kolugljúfur → Laugarbakki/Hvammstangi
Morning in Akureyri: climb the steps to Akureyri Church for the town view, wander the botanical gardens and the old town. Optional whale watching from Akureyri harbour (book direct with North Sailing or Elding, ~£85-100, 3 hours). In the afternoon head west on Strætó route 57 toward Hvammstangi/Laugarbakki, stopping to see Vídidalarkirkja turf church, the Hvítserkur rock formation (short detour) and Kolugljúfur canyon. Public bus times are sparse — plan the one departure and don't miss it. Overnight near Laugarbakki/Hvammstangi.
🚌Strætó route 57 Akureyri–Hvammstangi, ~£20-30; optional whale tour transfer included in tour price
🛏Guesthouse near Laugarbakki/Hvammstangi — £50-65/night
- →Akureyri Church and town walk
- →Akureyri Botanical Gardens
- →Optional whale watching from Akureyri harbour
- →Vídidalarkirkja turf church
- →Hvítserkur rock formation
- →Kolugljúfur canyon
Saga valley, hot springs and the Blue Lagoon
Laugarbakki → Hraunfossar → Deildartunguhver → Blue Lagoon → Reykjavík
Final day west and south. Take the morning Strætó toward Borgarnes and then a self-booked Silver Circle / west Iceland day tour (GetYourGuide, ~£80-100) covering Grábrók volcanic crater, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls, Sturlureykir horse farm and Deildartunguhver hot spring. Finish with a pre-booked Blue Lagoon comfort ticket and transfer back to Reykjavík (book direct on bluelagoon.com — from ~£70-90 including coach transfer to BSI or Keflavík). Buses return to Reykjavík in the evening; allow a buffer before any onward flight.
🚌Strætó + self-booked west Iceland day tour ~£85; Blue Lagoon entry with return coach transfer ~£70-90
🛏Reykjavík hostel dorm (e.g. Kex Hostel or Loft Hostel) — £40-55/night
- →Grábrók volcanic crater climb
- →Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls
- →Sturlureykir Icelandic horse farm
- →Deildartunguhver hot spring
- →Blue Lagoon geothermal bathing
Self-launched vs. BusTravel Iceland
| This itinerary (self-launched) | BusTravel Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,015 | £1,580 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £565 per person (36%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more BusTravel Iceland-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,015
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 Self-Launched Iceland Ring Road: 6 Days by Public Bus & Hostel cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,015 per person for 6 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 BusTravel Iceland?+
Yes — BusTravel Iceland charges around £1,580 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,015 — a saving of roughly £565 (36%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 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, hiking 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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