Explore Iceland – Epic Road Trip 2023

This active trip covers a lot of ground each day. Most days will include time to rest or explore on your own. Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable even in the summertime. Be prepared for cold, wet, and windy weather. Some of the lodging will be in guesthouses or farm stays where we will have shared spaces (including bathrooms), and communal kitchens, where we will eat family style.

According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country in the world in 2022, a position it has held since 2008. Violent crimes are extremely rare. While there is an increase in petty crimes, those are directly related to the growth of the country’s tourism industry so exercise your usual level of caution when you are in public places.

Iceland has an area of 40 thousand square miles and a population of 376,248 (in 2022) people, most of whom live in Reykjavik. The U.S. is about 95 times bigger than Iceland, which is roughly the size of Maine.

Iceland’s main road, the Ring Road, goes around the island and it’s approximately 828 miles.

Although most adults in Iceland are fluent in English, we encourage you to learn a few words in Icelandic. It is courteous and respectful to be able to say please, thank you and other simple phases in the local language when visiting another country.

For the benefit of all tour participants, we ask tour members to be considerate of their fellow travelers in the following ways:

• Make use of the available hand sanitizer on the coach to support a healthy environment
• Respect departures times to avoid delay and missed opportunities
• Respect the mandatory seat rotation policy in the vehicles
• Refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes and/or personal products containing excessive fragrance in respect for other guests who may be allergic
• Avoid smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes or cigars in the vicinity of other tour members, including in outdoor areas where smoking may be permitted but may still affect other tour participants
• Respect your fellow passengers. Guests come from all walks of life and varied lifestyles. Please refrain from topics of conversation which might cause offense, such as religion and politics
• Refrain from conversation or talking on mobile phones while the tour leader or guide is sharing
• Seek approval before taking photographs of other tour participants

Yes. A meal in a restaurant in Reykjavik will cost you between $25 and $40. Liquor is also extremely expensive and all liquor stores, Vínbúdin, are government-owned. Grocery stores sell drinks that contain 2.25% alcohol or less.

According to Numbeo's Cost of Living Index, Iceland currently ranks as the third most expensive country in the world.

Staying in hotels is 10-32% more expensive in Reykjavik than in other Nordic capitals; prices of restaurants and lodging exceed the EU average by 44%, with alcoholic beverages averaging 123% higher.

Our tour includes most meals, 25 to be exact. Scheduled activities, transportation and lodging are included with the tour. Your tour additional costs will be limited to the few “on your own” meals, snacks, additional beverages, optional excursions, and souvenirs and gift items.

While Iceland is famous for being a perfect spot to witness the Northern Lights, it is not guaranteed that you’ll be able to see them. Aurora Borealis displays depend on cloud coverage and the sun’s activity. The key to spotting them is that is must be dark and between May and August the sun never fully sets. With approximately 18 hours of daylight hours per day.

Although the sun sets just before midnight, you can expect to still have some light throughout the evening.

It is possible to see them during August and we may go on an “aurora hunt” when sun’s activity is strong. However, due to the slow sunsets and sunrises there are incredibly picturesque displays of colorful twilight skies that last for hours.

The best time to go to Iceland for the Northern Lights, is winter and closer to the winter solstice.

The preliminary itinerary is available on this website. Once you have booked your trip with us, you can expect to receive your final itinerary two weeks prior to departure.

NOTE: Activities may take place on days or times that are different from what is show on the itinerary, depending on local schedules, weather conditions, etc.

On this tour, your guide will act as a driver and lead you and fellow travelers on an adventure in Iceland. You’ll follow a set itinerary, going on walks, excursions and dining together as a group.

You’ll benefit from your guide’s in-depth knowledge of Iceland along the way. Several activities will be led by local guides with years of experience that come highly recommended. They’ll share with you their love of their country, stories and historical knowledge as well as recommendations.

You’ll travel by van, SUV or minibus, which will be equipped with Wi-Fi. The group is capped at 10 guests, so you will receive a more personal experience.

The driver-guide will also be there for you if you need anything during the tour.

Our itinerary involves daily walks or hikes of varied lengths over pavement, boardwalks, rough lava glacial ice and dirt trails. The terrain can be muddy, slippery, and uneven. This means you must be prepared and able to walk between 1-3 miles over uneven terrain daily.

There are several boat trips during this trip, and please expect there to be rough water during some of our excursions – those prone to seasickness should take this into consideration and take the necessary precautions. All travelers should be able to get in and out of the Zodiac (large ridged rubber boats) with minimal assistance.

During our visit to the glacier cave, the use of crampons (this specialized equipment will be provided) will be necessary to walk inside the glacier.
Some drives between locations are long, (4-5 hours, depending on local conditions) we will strive to stop every few hours to stretch our legs.

You also need to be able to carry your own luggage when boarding the van and at each hotel.

The lodging for the trip will be a combination of hotels and farm guesthouses.

Icelandic hotels offer standard amenities: hair dryer, telephone, and satellite TV. Each guest will have their own private room and ensuite bath at each hotel stay. Expect twin beds or twin beds pushed together rather than one large double bed. Either way, you can be sure there will be two separate duvets. Most Icelandic hotels have everything you’d expect of a Scandinavia room: functional furniture, minimalist features, and everything you need for a hygge night.

Gistiheimilið (guesthouses) are a time-honored Scandinavian tradition and closely resemble bed-and-breakfast inns. Our guesthouses will be on Icelandic farms. This will allow us to come in close contact with the culture, people, and the magnificent natural surroundings. During the farm stays you may or may not have a private room or private bath. To ensure your needs are met, please discuss any special needs with us prior to booking.

Accommodation Highlights

** Breakfast will be included at each hotel or provided by the tour. You can expect a generous buffet of bread, meats, and fish, along with fruits, vegetables, jams and yogurts. When breakfast is provided by the tour at the farm stays or when not available at the hotel, coffee, juice and a continental style breakfast will be offered.

** The unique farm stays booked for this tour include a private artist retreat in Northern Iceland and a traditional Viking-style home, complete with a turf roof. Both will offer opportunities to connect with the farm families and their animals on the property.

** Most water will be heated by geothermal waters.

** Nearly all of the tour’s lodging will include a hot tub in some form. These too will be heated by the earth’s geothermal waters.
Internet access will be available at each location. Iceland has some of the fastest internet speeds in the world – allowing you to stay connected during your trip.

The preliminary itinerary is available on this website. Once you have booked your trip with us, you can expect to receive your final itinerary two weeks prior to departure.

Upon your arrival in your destination, you’ll receive a welcome bag with hard copies of your itinerary, an Iceland Travel Guide and more.

NOTE: Activities may take place on days or times that are different from what is show on the itinerary, depending on local schedules, weather conditions, etc.

This is a guided group tour, your itinerary for most of the trip is set. You can still customize parts of your package. There are a few optional excursions that you can pre-book.

Additionally, you can add extra nights in Reykjavík before or after the tour. This will give you more time to explore the Icelandic capital city at your own pace. If you would like to add additional days, please reach out to us and we can assist you in expanding your travels.

Please get in touch with us if you have something specific in mind or have any questions about customizing your guided group tour.

If you are traveling with friends or family, please make sure that we are aware. On occasion, we utilize more than one vehicle on the tour in which case we will ensure that guests traveling together are assigned to the same vehicle.

Due to the nature of this tour and activities included, it’s not recommended for families with young children. It is suitable for well-travelled, active children of 12 years or older. All travelers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

During the month of August, we can expect to have an average of 17 hours of daylight each day. Iceland's daylight hours decrease by 1-3 minutes every day between June 21 and December 21.

The peak of Iceland's midnight sun is around the summer solstice, usually June 21.

Seafood is of course very popular in Iceland, as well as lamb and dairy. These have been the main elements in the Icelandic diet for over a thousand years.

In the past, Iceland’s lack of sunlight severely limited fishing and hunting options, and its far-flung location in the Arctic Circle makes importing and exporting food and goods difficult. Iceland’s food culture reflects the harsh natural circumstances.

Luckily, Iceland is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean, and blessed renewable geothermal energy. Today it is possible to have freshly-grown, locally-sourced ingredients year-round.

Today, modern chefs imaginative, infusing new ingredients into ancient recipes. You will find traditional Scandinavian cuisine and lots of fresh, flavorful food everywhere.

There are 25 meals provided during this trip. 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners.

Breakfast is provided in all but one location. In Seydisfjordur our time will be limited here – and one of the best ways to enjoy this little village is to explore on your own. You may want to simply have coffee at a local shop and use the rest of the time to explore, or you may want to find a cute little spot for a hearty breakfast, the choice will be yours.

The tour also includes 7 lunches and 5 dinners. Lunches will include box lunches served during our driving days, a hosted lunch at an Icelandic farm, lunch at a local spot in Ísafjörður and a picnic lunch on Grimsey Island. Our dinners will include the Welcome Dinner on our first night in Reykjavik, and several family-style meals in the farm-stay lodges.

Breakfasts provided by hotels will likely be as a hearty buffet of meats, cheeses, breads and fresh fruits. Our lunches & dinners will be a set menu and provided in your trip details prior to departure. If you have any dietary restrictions or needs, please let us know in advance – we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please note that drinks are not included with your dinners.
As for the other meals, you will have options to select a local spot or on some occasions, utilize the communal kitchen during our farm-stays to make something of your own. We will also stop frequently along the way for you to pick up snacks and drinks.

Swimming is very popular year-round in Iceland. There are outdoor swimming pools in most towns and villages around Iceland. These pools are filled with water from natural hot springs. Many pools also have saunas, steam baths, and various "hot pots" with water temperatures ranging from 36 to 44 C (96 to 112 F). During we will stop several times to hop in a pool, “hot pot” or other geothermal bath. Many of our lodgings will have these as well. There are over 100 “wild hotpots” in Iceland, so be sure to bring your swim wear, flip-flops or water shoes and a small travel towel, you never know when we might get the chance to take a dip.

To ensure you and your fellow travelers have a comfortable journey, we must limit the size and amount of luggage in each vehicle.

Each guest can bring one suitcase or large bag (28 x 19 x 12) that can be stored in the back of the van and one smaller item (e.g., a backpack or daypack) to keep inside the van for daily essentials like camera, wallet, medications and so forth.

If you have any questions about luggage, please contact us.

U.S. citizens may stay in the country as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa. For a full list of countries that are exempt from a visa, visit Iceland's immigration page. Your passport must be valid for six months beyond your travel dates.

Iceland has one major airport that services almost all of its international flights: Keflavik International Airport, located about 31 miles southwest of Reykjavik.

Airport transfers to and from Keflavik International Airport on arrival and departure days are included. You will be asked to provide flight details two weeks prior to the tour to schedule airport transfers.

If you are planning to arrive prior to the tour start date or depart after the tour end date, please let us know. We can also help you with additional arrangements if you wish to extend your trip.

What can you expect upon landing? 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 provide you with hard copies of your travel documents and a lovely welcome package. You’ll then be driven to our hotel in Reykjavík.

Check-in time is after 2 pm. If you arrive prior to that, you will be able to store your luggage at the hotel until check-in is available.

If you have booked optional excursions or services your guide will assist you with directions and transportation as arranged.

There will be a Welcome dinner with the entire group on our first night in Iceland.

Despite what its name suggests, Iceland is not actually freezing cold. But if there’s one word that perfectly describes the weather in the land of fire and ice, it’s “unpredictable.”

August has an average high temperature of 55 F degrees (13 C) and average lows of about 47 F degrees (8 C).

You really need to be ready for everything. Dressing in layers along with good hiking boots and a wind- and rain-proof jacket are always good. Regardless of the season, bring a bathing suit with you as we will have multiple opportunities to hop into the many natural geothermal pools in Iceland.

“If you don’t like the weather right now, just wait five minutes.” – an Icelander

In addition to your typical travel gear, you will want to add the following to your list.

1. A warm, wind and waterproof jacket
2. Sweaters, hoodies, fleeces for layering
3. Waterproof hiking boots
4. Wool socks
5. Windproof warm hat
6. Scarf
7. Swimwear
8. Travel towel (for those “wild hotpots”)
9. Water shoes or flip-flops

Iceland uses Northern European standards (220 volts), and Europlug sockets with two round prongs. Your adapter should be type "F" or type "C"—both are usually labeled as Northern European. Before you pack your bags, be sure to check the voltage labels on your appliances to determine whether you'll need a converter as well.

Mobile phones in Iceland use the European GSM system. Most North American smart phones will work (check with your provider). The country code for Iceland from overseas is +354. There are no area codes in Iceland.

Most providers offer economical international plans. Internet access that will be plentiful while in Iceland. During our journey we will travel with a mobile hotspot in the vehicle, so you will have access to Wi-Fi during the road trip portion of our journey

Credit cards are widely accepted in Iceland. Visa and MasterCard are best, all Icelandic banks service them.

Most businesses do not require that you use a card with a PIN number, there may be occasions where a PIN is required—specifically gas stations. Be sure you have at least one credit card with a PIN for our trip. It's also advisable to carry cash; USD or Euros will work in some cases.

While service charges are usually included in your bill in Iceland, you can still tip the server or guide. Icelanders receive good wages, and tipping has never been a big part of their culture.

The amount of spending money you’ll need will depend on the standard of restaurants you decide to go to.

That said, we recommend budgeting between $14 – $20 for lunch per person, each day. Dinners at casual restaurants might cost between $20 - $42. Meanwhile at upscale restaurants, you can expect to pay $50 or more. This does not include the cost of alcoholic beverages.

Iceland cities and towns have plenty of Wi-Fi, and Iceland has some of the fastest and most reliable Internet in the world.

Most cafés and hotels offer Internet login codes alongside your morning coffee, as is the case in Reykjavík and the larger towns. However, as we travel to more remote mountainous areas, factors of speed and reliability decrease.

You can expect free and fast Wi-Fi in most hotels and lodges. And each of our vans will be outfitted with a portable 4G modem that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot for our during while we are on the move.

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 by 11 am but you 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.

The Icelandic currency is kronur (ISK). It’s easy to exchange money at at banks and at currency exchanges. But you can all get local currency at a bank machine, which are easy to find. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted; American Express less so.

When you buy goods in Iceland that cost more than 6,000 ISK you can get about 15% refunded. It’s easy to claim the refund. Click here to learn more about the Iceland Tax Refund.