The Ring Road Express:
A 4-day road trip around Iceland

Our next uncomfortable trip has been decided: Iceland! We only learned about Iceland through some documentaries… and we decided to discover this unique destination. With just 4 days allocated to this journey, we underestimated how little time that was to truly explore the wonders of this country. However, as uncomfortable travelers who thrive on challenges, we embraced the opportunity to tackle the famous ring road—a 1400 km journey around Iceland—making sure to visit the key highlights along the way. Venturing into the highlands and uncovering hidden gems with our limited time added an extra layer of excitement to our adventure. This trip is recommended for avid road trippers who relish long drives with breathtaking scenery. If you don’t enjoy long distances, albeit with captivating views, this 4-day journey may not be as fulfilling. While we missed out on some experiences and wished for more time, we immensely enjoyed our ring road expedition, setting the stage for future, more extensive trips to Iceland.

  • Travel Setting

  • Day by Day itinerary

  • Conclusion

Travel Setting

Given the high cost of accommodation and our love for connecting with nature as uncomfortable travelers, we made the bold decision to rent a campervan for our Icelandic adventure. The abundance of campsites scattered throughout the country further fueled our excitement. Opting for a 4WD Jeep Renegade with a rooftop tent, equipped with cozy sleeping bags and essential cooking gear, seemed like the perfect choice. This setup offered us the freedom to venture off the beaten path and truly immerse ourselves in Iceland's breathtaking landscapes. 2-wheel drive cars are much less expensive; however, they’re not allowed into the highlands (F-roads). That is why taking a 4x4 was a must for us. Setting up the rooftop tent after a day of exploration was a breeze, providing instant comfort for a good night's sleep. While considering other options like campervans with indoor sleeping arrangements, we heeded advice about their potential drawbacks and stuck with our adventurous Jeep rental, which added an extra layer of thrill and spontaneity to our journey.

We made the decision to buy groceries and cook our meals using the outdoor cooking gear. It was a novel adventure for us to prepare food outside, and we absolutely loved it. Despite indulging in dining out occasionally (especially fish and chips!), we realized that eating at restaurants was considerably expensive and didn't seem justified.

Despite opting for no hotels and despite the cheap flight fares (we flew from Europe with Lufthansa), the trip ended up costing us around 2300 euros. Here is the breakdown of our travel costs in euros: Flights: ~470 euros, Car Rental: ~670 + 100 of insurance, Gas: ~500, Groceries, Eating Out, and Gifts: ~420, Campsite fees: ~140 (around 35 euros per night per campsite).

Day-by-Day itinerary

Day 1:

Our adventure in Iceland began as we touched down at Keflavik Airport at 1 am on July 5th. The sky was surprisingly bright, a testament to the endless summer days in this land of the midnight sun. Wasting no time, we picked up our rental car from rent.is office, conveniently accessible via a free 5-minute shuttle service.

Our first stop was the Stokkseyri tjaldsvæði Campsite, a modest yet charming spot with basic amenities and paid hot showers. In the morning, we embarked on the iconic Golden Circle tour, taking in its must-see wonders. It was at this moment that the majesty of Iceland's nature truly revealed itself, leaving us awestruck and eager for more.

After completing the Golden Circle, we ventured into the rugged highlands via the F-road 208 then 224, a journey punctuated by 2 exhilarating and stressful river crossings. The highlands, a unique and untamed realm, stretched before us as we drove for hours, surrounded by a landscape that defied imagination. Our day's journey concluded at a basic yet uniquely situated campsite, Landmannalaugar, renowned as a gateway to countless wonderful hikes.

Day 2

Day 2 presented us with a multitude of awe-inspiring vistas as we journeyed back to the ring road (route 1), braving additional F-roads with cascading river crossings and encountering numerous fluffy sheep dotting the landscape. Upon rejoining the ring road, we marveled at renowned waterfalls such as Skogafoss and ventured through the majestic Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon before reaching the mesmerizing Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Continuing our exploration along the ring road, we eventually arrived at the welcoming Fossárdal campsite where we settled in for the night. The campsite's communal area stood out as exceptional, boasting a charming wooden design and providing all the essential cooking amenities for a cozy evening.

Day 3

Continuing our journey along the Ring Road, we couldn't resist the allure of the highlands once more, veering off onto the F-910 for a detour to uncover two hidden gems. The first was Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon, a secluded wonder where we found ourselves the sole visitors, savoring the tranquility of a 30-minute walk in complete solitude.

Our next stop was the remote and relatively unknown Laugavallalaug hot spring, a steaming oasis nestled in the rugged landscape. Here, too, we were treated to an almost private experience, with only a handful of fellow travelers sharing this natural wonder.

Reluctantly leaving these off-the-beaten-path treasures behind, we rejoined the Ring Road via the F-907 and F-901, continuing our journey towards the Lake Myvatn area. Here, we explored the mystical Grjótagjá cave and the Myvatn Geothermal Area, where the raw power of the Earth's forces was on full display.

As day 3 drew to a close, we found ourselves in the charming village of Akureyri, where a heart-shaped red traffic light welcomed us. Our home for the night was the Hamrar campsite, a relatively large and well-equipped facility boasting modern amenities, the perfect base for our adventures in the region.

Day 4

The final day of our Icelandic adventure dawned, but before bidding farewell to this extraordinary land, we decided to embark on one last detour. Leaving the Ring Road behind, we ventured onto roads 82 and 76, taking us through the village of Siglufjörður. The views along the Arctic coast were nothing short of breathtaking, with rugged cliffs and crashing waves painting a scene of raw natural beauty. Our detour culminated with a visit to Grafarkirkja, the oldest church in Iceland. We then rejoined the Ring Road, making our way towards the capital city of Reykjavik.

In Reykjavik's charming downtown area, we savored the final moments of our journey, purchasing souvenirs to commemorate our adventures, and strolling through the peaceful streets, soaking in the city's unique ambiance.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and we eventually found ourselves at the rent.is office, bidding farewell to our trusty rental car. With heavy hearts and countless memories etched into our minds, we made our way to Keflavik Airport, ready to embark on the journey home, fForever determined to go back again and discobber more hidden treasures of this vast and enchanting island.

Conclusion

As our 2300-km long incredible roadtrip through Iceland came to an end, we found ourselves reflecting on the awe-inspiring experiences that had become etched into our memories. While every moment was truly remarkable, it was the rugged and untamed beauty of the Icelandic Highlands that truly stole the show. Navigating the F-roads, fording rivers in our trusty rental car, and immersing ourselves in vast, otherworldly landscapes was an unforgettable experience that allowed us to fully appreciate the raw, natural splendor of this incredible country.

Iceland exceeded our wildest expectations, and we now understand why so many travelers are drawn back to this land time and time again. For us, this journey was merely a tantalizing preview, a trailer for future, longer Icelandic adventures yet to come.

While we were fortunate to witness many of Iceland's iconic wonders, there is still so much left to explore. Whale watching, venturing into the remote Westfjords, embarking on epic hiking trails, losing ourselves in the vast highlands, and truly engaging with the warm and welcoming locals – these are just a few of the experiences that await us on our inevitable return.

Our express journey along the Ring Road was but a glimpse into the magic of Iceland, a mere taste of the countless adventures that lie ahead. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary land, we knew in our hearts that this was not a goodbye, but rather a promise to return and delve deeper into the wonders that have captured our souls.