Ring Road with a Camper van in Iceland
Iceland with a camper van
Get ready for the greatest camper excursion in Iceland
Enjoy the Golden Circle route!
This piece of land in the far corner of Europe is covered with glaciers, lava fields and hot springs, and stands out as extraterrestrial from more familiar sceneries. Take hot baths, go for a horse ride and be amused by the beat of the capital city! Navigate your rental motorhome to Route 1 and tour around the entire island.
For the whole circle, make sure that you have enough time. As a Touring Cars motorhome rental guest, you are entitled to have a free pick-up and drop-off transfers between our rental station and the Keflavik airport, or nearby airport hotels.
The best option to discover Iceland is a motorhome!
This tour is dedicated to those who want to see more! A camper van hire in Iceland allows you to enjoy the epic environment, take a photo tour across the most historical glaciers and stop for a classical natural hot tub on the way back to the rental station. The motorhome comes fully equipped for such camping, outdoor purposes, and allows passengers to enjoy the Icelandic atmosphere from a high-class perspective.
Explore the magical Island at your own pace
Iceland is not called a magical island for no reason: the landscape is a mixture of interesting phenomena, such as erupting volcanoes and fire, black beaches and hot geysers, green valleys and picturesque colorful villages. If you're lucky, you can spot whales, seals and dolphins that lounge in the iced waters surrounding the island. With a rental motorhome, you're able to explore the main roads of the island. Route 1 is about 1300 kilometers long and offers a variety of things to see and experience. Since our rental vehicles are not four-wheel drives, make sure you’ll stay on well-maintained routes. Route 1 is an excellent choice if you’re in Iceland for the first time. Driving on highlands’ roads and F roads is not allowed with Touring Cars rental campers, so please take this into account when you’re planning your road trip.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only. Touring Cars does not make warranty of any kind, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or availability of the roads. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL TOURING CARS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SUGGESTED TRAVEL ROUTE. YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE IS SOLELY YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY.
For more information on the weather forecast and road conditions in this destination, please, visit the website of the national meteorological institute of Iceland and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
DAY 1 Arriving in Keflavik
The best time to visit Iceland strongly depends on holiday plans and interest. If searching for the breathtaking Northern Lights is your aim with an ultimate wonderland package, then schedule your motorhome holiday to wintertime and be mesmerized by the typical Golden Hour of Iceland, as locals say. The views are incredible, but the road conditions can be a little bit challenging.
By choosing Touring Cars Keflavik as your first-ever motorhome holiday experience, you will benefit from the most professional background and personalized care. Choosing Iceland as your destination during the midnight sun and summertime is going to make your RV itinerary something extraordinary special. As the sun comes up from the horizon, after a rough wintertime, your time to explore the South or the West will be limitless! When arriving to Keflavik International Airport, one will be amazed with how many sights a tiny place can offer!
Touring Cars provides free pick-up and drop-off transfers between Keflavik International Airport, or a nearby airport hotels, and the motorhome rental station. If your flight arrives before 18:00, you can choose to start your rental motorhome holiday the same evening. If your flight arrives later than 18:00, we ask you to stay the first night in an airport hotel. This is due to safety reasons: there is a lot of crucial information given out to you about driving in Iceland at the pick-up orientation, so we wish for you to be well-rested.
Once leaving the rental station, we recommend taking a city tour around Keflavik and stopping at a local restaurant to try the excellent quality food.
DAY 2 First hot spings in Þingvellir National Park
Distance between Keflavik and Þingvellir is about 100 kilometers.
Þingvellir National Park is one of the most famous historical sites in Iceland and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2004. Þingvellir’s wide national park surroundings are filled with dramatic rocky landmarks, thrilling lakes and spectacular ridges. The sceneries cover waterfalls, hot springs and, a little further in the east, volcanoes.
You can choose between massive hiking trails, campgrounds, outdoor activities such as horse-riding tours and even diving activities! Two diving spots are permitted for visitors and these are Silfra and Davíðsgjá. If you thought of trying how it feel to dive in the Arctic, then bring along your valid dry suit certificate.
For the ones traveling during the wintertime: two campsites are kept open, and these are called Leirar Campground and Vatnskot. The parking lots are comfortable, which makes it possible for campervans to stop the vehicle for a moment and visit the local shops, and world’s famous landmarks.
DAY 3 Amazing waterfalls in Sveitarfélagið Árborg, Hella and Skaftárhreppur
Distance between Þingvellir and Sveitarfélagið Árborg is about 50 kilometers.
Enjoy the green and blue sceneries, go on a glacial walk and find the local fauna. If you want to continue your trip the same day, take Route 1 and drive to Skaftárhreppur, which is about 200 kilometers away from Sveitarfélagið Árborg. The landscape in the east coast of the island is filled with contrasts – cute fishing villages against rugged mountains and glaciers. In this route, you cannot avoid seeing waterfalls and other natural wonders that may date back to the Ice Age. Besides nature, the east coast is well-known for its cultural events, especially in the summertime. Golfing, fishing, history and culture are at your hands! A "must-go" destination is in your rental motorhome holiday!
DAY 4 Passing Vatna Glacier on the way to Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörðu
The distance between Skaftárhreppur and Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörðu is about 200 kilometers.
On this drive, you will pass the amazing Vatnajökull or Vatna Glacier, which is the largest Icelandic glacier, covering almost one tenth of the country. The glacier hides multiple volcanoes under its icy surface. Have you ever tried glacier hiking? Do not forget to include a day tour to witness the Ice Cave, too!
DAY 5 Introducing the mythical sea monster in Fljótsdalshérað
The distance between Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörðu and Fljótsdalshérað is about 200 kilometers.
The Route 1 takes you along the coast, and the winds can be very strong here, as in the coastal areas in general. Park your rental motorhome by the Dyrfjöll chain of mountains, and experience green valleys and snowy mountains. Do not forget that the mythical sea monster, Lagarfljótsormurinn, inhabits these areas.
DAY 6 & 7 Waterfalls and lagoon bathing
Þingeyjarsveit (Thingeyjarsveit), Dettiforss Akureyri and Lake Mývatn
The distance between Fljótsdalshérað and Þingeyjarsveit is about 200 kilometers.
Go whale watching in Húsavík, which is the home of the creatures that are referred to as gentle giants. You can choose to take a tour lasting a couple of hours, in order to enjoy the sea, and to see whales, puffins and sails from the deck of a boat. If you have more time, you can also go on a few days' trip on a sailboat, or combine whale watching and horse riding. A little bit off the track to the northeast from Lake Mývatn is Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. The waterfall is located in Jökulsárgljúfur National Park.
Lake Mývatn is the fourth largest natural lake in Iceland. You cannot pass by the lake with your rental motorhome without going to Myvatn Nature Baths, which offer a bathing lagoon, steam baths and massage services. The lake region itself, with its blue waters, is mesmerizingly beautiful.
The distance between the lagoon and Þingeyjarsveit is about 40 kilometers, whereas Þingeyjarsveit and Akureyri are about 100 kilometers away.
DAY 8 Seals in Húnaþing vestra
The distance between Akureyri and Húnaþing vestra is about 200 kilometers.
When you reach Húnaþing vestra, pay a visit to the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi. In the center, you will get acquainted with the different species of seals and their habitats. Besides seals, you will also get information about other fauna that inhabits the island. Once you know the seals, you can go and see them in the region’s waters.
DAY 9 Local markets and authentic Icelandic products
Borgarnes, Vesturland and Reykjavik and Keflavik
The distance between Húnaþing vestra and Borganes in the west Iceland is about 130 kilometers.
Parking your rental motorhome near Borgarnes will take you to a selection of charming restaurants and coffee shops. Enjoy seafood and stop by the Ljómalind Farmer’s Market for local delicacies and handicrafts.
The distance between Borgarnes and Reykjavik is about 80 kilometers, and Reykjavik and Keflavík about 50.
Locals arrange 'Town weekends' every week in a different location. If you want to know where those local market weekends will be arranged during your stay, our local station personnel are happy to help you.
Arriving back to the rental station
You can drop your rental motorhome off at the Touring Cars rental station in Keflavík, from where you will get a free transfer to the Keflavik international airport, or an airport hotel. If you wish to continue your holiday in the capital of the country, you can take a Flybus to the city from the airport.
The country’s capital offers cozy restaurants, bars, coffee shops and cultural activities. The definitive gift to take home is a traditional Icelandic knit, Lopapeysa, which keeps you warm throughout the year. Don’t forget the eatable treats Harðfiskur, the traditional dried fish that is a real health product, with 98 percent of protein and only 2 percent of fat.
When you’re in the Reykjavik region, don’t forget to visit Glymur, the highest waterfall in Iceland. If you didn’t get enough of hot springs in Mývatn, visit the legendary Blue Lagoon before you depart.