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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

South Iceland Classic

(5 days / 4 nights)

4.9
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Experience the splendour of South Iceland

Visit some of South Iceland’s most fascinating highlights on this unforgettable self-drive tour. From stark and stunning black sand beaches and bubbling hot springs to the icy Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón glacier lagoons to the classic Golden Circle, the south coast is a wealth of wonders.

Are you looking to join like-minded travellers on a similar guided small group version of this tour?

4.9

5 days / 4 nights

Price p.p. from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 166214 ISK

— Why book this tour

  • Private transfer from airport on arrival
  • Handpicked hotels by local travel experts with breakfast included
  • Reliable rental cars from our trusted partner Hertz
  • Comprehensive itinerary, personalised map and travel guide
  • 24/7 helpline throughout tour
  • Local travel experts with firsthand experience
  • Carbon offsetting included

— Cancellation Protection

  • Rebook your tour on one occasion, or
  • Cancel for any reason and receive a partial refund and travel credit

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • See the massive floating icebergs at the Glacier Lagoon
  • Walk the Diamond Beach, seeing the scattered, glistening ice
  • Feel the power of the thundering waterfall Gullfoss
  • Marvel at eruptions at the Geysir geothermal region
  • Traverse Iceland‘s beautiful national parks – Vatnajökull and Þingvellir
  • Photograph jagged basalt columns & sweeping black sand beaches
  • Enjoy the cascading waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss & Skógafoss
  • Walk the quaint streets of the capital city, Reykjavik

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Active i, Best Seller i, Classic i, Midnight sun i

Season

Apr - Sep

Interest

Active i, Best Seller i, Classic i, Midnight sun i

Driving distance

914/567 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your Nordic adventure.

  • Day 1: ARRIVAL IN ICELAND

    On arrival at Keflavik Airport, you will be greeted by a professional driver and transferred to your accommodation in Reykjavík. After settling in, take the opportunity to explore the vibrant city centre at you own pace. The main downtown area offers a variety of shops, museums and galleries—all within an easy walk. Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main street, offers an abundance of excellent restaurants and cafés, as well as bars and clubs for those who want to experience the renowned Reykjavík nightlife. 

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 2: SOUTH COAST & MAJESTIC WATERFALLS

    Start the day by picking up your rental car before taking in some of the best known attractions in the south of Iceland. The first leg of your journey is along the south coast, with a stop at the fairy tale-like Seljalandsfoss waterfall—the only one of its kind in Iceland where you can walk behind the cascade on a footpath!* For those who are more adventurous we recommend stopping by the hidden waterfall in the canyon, known as Gljúfrabúi, located near Seljalandsfoss. Further along you can visit the magnificent 60 metre free-falling Skógafoss waterfalls in Skógar. From there, the journey takes you past the beautiful Eyjafjöll mountain range.

    Spend the night in Kirkjubæjarklaustur area.

    Driving distance approx. 248 km / 154 miles 

    Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 3: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

    Start your day bright and early as you have a full day of exciting highlights ahead of you. Drive to Skaftafell, part of Vatnajökull National Park and home of the spectacular Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon where you can take a boat ride among the floating icebergs, which vary in colour, size and density. Marvel at the region's unique beauty by exploring the many interesting hiking trails, including a short journey to the splendid Svartifoss waterfall. In this area, you can also embark on a glacier walk or try your hand at ice-climbing with an optional guided tour.* Travel back to your accommodation along the South Coast for the evening.

    Spend the night in the Vík area.

    Driving distance: 317 km/197 miles

    *NOTE: Venturing onto a glacier or engaging in ice climbing should only ever be attempted with the assistance of a licensed and experienced guide. It is extrememly dangerous to go out on your own. If a tour is of interest to you, please contact Nordic Visitor.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 4: Golden Circle: Hot Springs, Nature & History

    Drive the famous Golden Circle, a popular route for viewing some of the best-known natural sites in Iceland, before heading back to Reykjavik. Visit the great Geysir area and explore the bubbling mud pots and spouting Strokkur geyser before arriving at the picture perfect two-tiered Gullfoss waterfall. After, you could choose to visit the old bishopry at Skálholt and the explosion crater Kerið, now partially filled with bright blue water. Complete the circle at Þingvellir National Park, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for being historically significant to the founding of Icelandic democracy and a place of immense natural beauty. Drive the Mosfellsdalur valley towards Reykjavik where you can relax after your scenic journey along the south coast.

    Spend the night in Reykjavik.

    Driving distance: 170 km / 105 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day
  • Day 5: Departure From Iceland

    When it’s time to depart, you will be picked up from your Reykjavík accommodation for your airport transfer. If you’re flying in the afternoon, you have the option of visiting the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to relax in the warm mineral waters before continuing to Keflavík International Airport (Blue Lagoon entrance not included in package).

    Note: If you are interested in extending your stay, we’re happy to arrange extra nights and activities in the Reykjavík area or even combine this tour with a visit to Greenland or one of our other destinations.

    Attractions See Activities for this day

Optional extras

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Day One

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

Essential information

We recommend that you read carefully through the following information before booking this summer self-drive tour in Iceland. We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions here so you know what to expect. You’ll also find more practical advice and attraction recommendations in our online Iceland Travel Guide.

On a self-drive tour, Nordic Visitor supplies you with a quality rental car and a detailed personal itinerary. You act as your own tour guide and driver, and you get to pick the road trip music!

All your services will be pre-booked by your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor. This includes your rental car and accommodation in Iceland, along with airport transfers and planned activities, as specified in the itinerary.

And rest assured that we’re with you every step of the way. Upon your arrival, you’ll receive personalised information, including an itinerary, map, leaflets about driving in Iceland, and our very own Iceland Travel Guide. You’ll also have in-car Wi-Fi included in your car rental, meaning you’ll be able to stay connected and check things on the go.

Plus, you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip should you need to contact us.

Yes, when you book your Iceland tour with Nordic Visitor, you always get airport transfers to and from Keflavík Airport included. This will be a private, shared or bus transfer, depending on your itinerary. Please check the details of your tour to confirm.

If you add extra nights to your stay before or after the scheduled trip, we’ll rearrange your transfers to fit your new itinerary.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your travel consultant if you have any specific requests about optional activities or services.

During your self-drive tour, you’ll stay in accommodation hand-picked by our local Iceland travel experts. We’ve partnered with local businesses and selected hotels and guesthouses based on excellent ratings, comfort and our personal experience.

On our self-drive packages, you can choose from single, double and triple rooms. Please note that in Iceland room types are based on European standard sizes, which means they are smaller than in North America.

For example, a double bed often consists of 2 single beds pushed together. Twin rooms are 2 separate single beds. Triple rooms include a double bed along with an extra bed, rollaway or sofa bed. And single rooms are often smaller than the standard double.

If you have anything specific in mind, please contact us to discuss customising your accommodation options.

By booking with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that there’s always someone there for you throughout your trip.

For support and advice during the day, you can call our office. And if anything unexpected happens outside working hours, you can reach us on our 24/7 helpline. 

During your tour, there will always be a Reykjavík-based travel expert on call to handle any unforeseen situations, such as unusual weather or events.

If you’re arriving from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand, you won’t need a visa to visit Iceland. 

Visiting from another country? You can find the complete list of countries whose nationals require a visa to enter Iceland on the website of Iceland’s Directorate of Immigration. If you do require a visa, they maintain a list of local embassies that can assist you with the process. 

Your passport must also be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Iceland. It’s good to check your passport expiry date early in case you need to renew it. 

Read more about visas, airports and airlines in the getting to Iceland section of our travel guide.

Travelling with your kids? No problem! You'll be able to enter your children's ages during the booking process. This lets us know whether to arrange either a baby cot or roll-away bed for your trip.

If you'd like us to arrange for a car seat to be provided for your trip, please let us know ahead of time. It's also possible to book this directly with the car rental agency. This will incur a small, extra cost.

Only you can pick the best time to visit Iceland for your trip. It’ll depend on how much time you have to explore, what you want to see in Iceland and any events you might like to attend.

In summer, June to August, you’ll have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, compared to the winter. This is ideal for outdoor excursions and sightseeing. 

If you’d like to experience the top attractions with fewer visitors around then you could book your summer trip in May or September. These shoulder season months have more tour and attraction availability.

The winter months are also popular, but generally quieter, apart from the Christmas holiday season. This is the ideal time to try to spot the northern lights.

Find out what annual Icelandic events and festivals are on in our travel guide. Or read more about the best time to visit Iceland on our blog.

Driving in Iceland during the summer months might be slightly different than what you’re used to. For this reason, you’ll want to make yourself aware of local driving laws and potential road hazards, such as:

  • We drive on the right-hand side of the road
  • Sheep sometimes roam onto the roads
  • Most roads and motorways are single carriageways
  • The first car to arrive at a single-lane bridge has right of way
  • Iceland has quite a few tunnels, including one of the longest underwater road tunnels in the world
     

And finally, with all the beautiful scenery, you’ll want to take it slow and enjoy the drive!

For more information, we strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read through our guide to driving in Iceland. Additionally, when you arrive on your tour, you’ll receive a brochure telling you more about driving in Iceland.

Because of its northerly location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland enjoys long days throughout the summer. 

Around the summer solstice, from early June until mid-July, you’ll experience almost 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, occurs within the Arctic Circle and is when the sun doesn’t fully set below the horizon. 

These long daylight hours give you plenty of time to drive around and explore. That said, you may want to pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper or tend to wake up at dawn. 

Find out what the daylight hours will be during the month of your visit in this guide to time and daylight in Iceland.

Summer in Iceland is mild and boasts the best weather and longest days of the year. You can expect temperatures of around 10–15°C (50–59°F), with potential lows of 5°C (41°F) and highs of 25°C (77°F). 

It’s good to know that weather conditions are changeable in Iceland, so you should come ready for sun, rain and wind. For more information on the local climate, read the page Iceland weather conditions

Please note that sightseeing is dependent on weather and road conditions. This means that your itinerary might need to be altered if these conditions are not favourable during your visit.

Even in summertime Iceland’s climate can feel cool. As you’ll probably spend a lot of time outdoors, you should be ready for a variety of weather conditions.

Here is a recommended summer packing list for your trip to Iceland:

  • Durable insulated jacket
  • Rain gear, including sturdy wind and waterproof layers, like a jacket and trousers
  • Robust walking shoes with a good grip
  • Mid-layers such as a fleece or woollen jumper
  • A few pairs of warm hiking socks
  • Hat, gloves and scarf
  • Swimwear for visiting geothermal pools or spas
  • Backpack for daily adventures
  • Electronic equipment such as smartphone, external powerpack, and travel adapters
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and eye mask for the summer sun
  • And don’t forget your camera!
     

For more information, check out this Iceland packing guide.

On your Iceland road trip, you should budget for petrol costs of around 300-400 ISK per litre.

As for meals, your breakfast is included at all your accommodation in Iceland. For the rest of your meals, your spending money will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to. 

Budget between 2,000–3,000 ISK for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between 3,000–6,000 ISK. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay 7,000 ISK or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

Yes, you can customise this tour online. During the booking process, you can add extra nights to your itinerary as well as optional day trips, excursions and upgrades. 

If you have something specific in mind, get in touch with your travel consultant and they’ll create your dream trip.

It’s best to book as soon as you can to secure your preferred travel dates. Once you have picked your tour, check the availability calendar to see which months are open for booking. Then, select the date you want and complete your booking. 

Nordic Visitor offers 10–20% deposits so you can reserve your trip as early as it’s convenient for you. The remaining balance is due 30 days before you travel. 

Many tours are also open for the following year if you like to plan well ahead. And if you have any questions or need advice, you can always contact us

After booking your tour package online, you will be contacted within 2 business days by your own dedicated travel consultant. They will be your point of contact for all your travel needs before, during and even after your trip. 

At that time, they’ll confirm the availability of your tour. Then the booking process starts, which may take a few weeks. Once this is done, your travel consultant will provide you with all the details of your trip. You will also receive more information about what to expect during your trip.

No need! Nordic Visitor is already working on offsetting the estimated carbon footprint of your package. We’ve partnered with an environmental fund in Iceland to carbon offset all our tours.

Carbon offsetting your international flights is not included, but we highly recommend you look into possibilities with your airline or directly through a local environment fund. 

You can get in touch with our Iceland travel experts ahead of your trip if you have any questions. The live chat option is useful for getting a quick reply as someone answers live every day during office opening hours.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll provide you with a travel guide packed full of local tips and top attractions for your visit. You can also check out our online Iceland Travel Guide where we’ve compiled useful information about topics, including:

After you have booked your tour, it will only take a few days to confirm its availability. But it may take a few weeks to create your itinerary and book everything. Once your trip details are finalised, we’ll email you copies of your travel documents.

When you arrive in Iceland, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, attraction and tour vouchers, the Nordic Visitor Iceland Travel Guide and more.

So when do you check in? And what can you expect upon landing in Keflavík?

After picking up your luggage, you will be greeted by a driver holding a sign with your name in the arrivals hall. The driver will hand over your welcome package with hard copies of your travel documents. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in times vary between hotels and guesthouses, but it normally starts between 2 PM and 4 PM. 

You are welcome to request an early check-in for an additional fee. Although this isn’t always available, you’ll be able to store your luggage at the hotel so you can start exploring before check-in. Please contact your travel consultant well in advance of your arrival if you’d like an early check-in.

When you depart may depend on the time of your return flight. Check out early if you’re heading to the airport for a morning flight. On the other hand, if you’re flying home later in the day, you might like to enjoy a leisurely day or visit one more attraction.

You will need to check out from your room, but will be able to store your luggage at the hotel reception. Simply return later to collect your bags before catching your transfer to the airport.

All bookings are billed in Icelandic Króna (ISK), the official currency of Iceland. 

Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate as issued by the Central Bank of Iceland. This means conversions from ISK to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

Reviews

We don’t like to brag, so we’ll let our happy customers do it for us.

Fabulous

Fabulous from pre trip planning to info reference book, maps, hot tips. Wonderful!

Highly recommend

I worked with Simona to put together a short trip to Iceland for our family of 5 adults -- rather i should say Simona put our trip together, including recommending an itinerary that gave us a sense of the wonder of Iceland in our 4 day visit. Simona was exceptionally responsive throughout the booking process. As we had no issues during our stay, we did not need to test the 24/7 hotline while in Iceland. My family loved our excursions -- Glacier Hike and Iceberg Pontoon ride. Exceptional guides for each and we truly experienced the wonder of Iceland. We followed the route Simona provided and saw unparalleled beauty in waterfalls and topography. Our accommodations were lovely, particularly Magma Hotel. Highly recommend Nordic Visitor.

The trip of a lifetime

Thanks to Nordic Visitor we had the trip of a lifetime. All transfers were seamless, and the free wifi in the rental car and the maps provided made driving in Iceland easy and fun. We loved following the itinerary at our own pace and visited most of the suggested sites. The accommodation was magnificent - the Magma Hotel and Katla Hotels were nestled amongst breath taking beauty and we woke to the sound of birds calling and singing. What can I say about the breakfasts provided?! Each hotel had special gems amidst an array of yummy choices. We particularly enjoyed making our own waffles at Katla! The staff were available 24/7 and answered our call promptly and resolved the glitch on a Sunday. Thank you Nordic Visitor.

Enjoyable

We sought a package where there was complete daytime flexibility. We chose a package with a rental car and hotel reservations in place for each evening. This worked out very well. With the freedom to choose what we wanted to do and see, we felt no pressure to live up to a schedule (unlike many people we saw on bus tours). The hotels each night each had their own flavour, from traditional small inn to very modern. All were enjoyable.

Fabulous time

Great support from our travel consultant throughout the booking process and in the run up to our holiday. All the arrangements worked well including the airport transfers, hotels and booked experiences. All the information was clear and we had a fabulous time with the whale watching and zodiac glacier lagoon boat trip. Would happily recommend Nordic Visitor.

Top notch communication

Communication with Nordic visitor was top notch. Travel documents were well organised, check in everywhere went smoothly, weather and travel advisories were clearly communicated. I would use them again.

Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Economy

You can expect rooms in good quality guesthouses, farmhouses, or hostels. Most of the properties are run by small, family-run busi..

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Comfort Plus

In this category, you’ll stay in standard rooms in good quality 3-star hotels. Or, you'll spend the night in similar rooms in rura..

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Superior

With Superior accommodation, you’ll enjoy standard rooms in 4-star hotels or boutique guesthouses. You might also stay in superior..

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Rental car

Enjoy the journey, in the rental car of your choice.

Toyota Yaris
(Manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • M

Toyota Yaris
(Manual)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Manual*
  • *upgrade to automatic available upon request

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x2
  • A

Volkswagen Golf (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Toyota Corolla Sedan (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota Corolla Station (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate Wagon
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A

Hyundai Tucson AWD (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard SUV, AWD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Tesla Y (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • M

Tesla Y (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: Midsize SUV Electric Car
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Range: Up to 530 km/ 330 m

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x5
  • A

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium SUV, 4WD
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 5
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A

Land Rover Discovery 4x4 (Automatic)
or similar
limited availability

  • Description: 4x4
  • Passengers: 5
  • Suitcases: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x5
  • x6
  • A

Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 6-7
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic

Price per person from

The amount will be charged in ISK

Approx 166214 ISK

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