5 days, 4 nights · From London
5 day Iceland road trip from London
A West Iceland road trip distinct from the South Coast circuit: Reykjavík, two days on the Snæfellsnes peninsula and a final Golden Circle day. Best approached in the longer-day season, with route changes if wind or roads deteriorate.
Published · Costs are indicative, not live quotes.
Trip highlights
- Arnarstapi coastal path
- Kirkjufell and the north peninsula
- Borgarnes as a practical stop
- Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Keflavík to Reykjavík
Morning: Collect the car at Keflavík, check its condition and take the straightforward drive to Reykjavík.
Afternoon: Walk the Old Harbour and Hallgrímskirkja area if daylight and arrival time allow.
Evening: Sleep in Reykjavík; keep the first drive short after travel.
Places and stops
- Keflavík Airport — Inspect tyres and record existing rental-car damage.
- Old Harbour, Reykjavík — Gentle first walk close to dinner options.
Day 2: West to Arnarstapi
Morning: Drive via Borgarnes, stocking up before entering Snæfellsnes. Stop at Búðir for the church and lava landscape.
Afternoon: Continue to Arnarstapi and take the marked coastal path towards Hellnar if weather and daylight allow.
Evening: Stay on the south side of the peninsula rather than driving on after dark.
Places and stops
- Borgarnes — Fuel and food stop before the peninsula.
- Búðir — Short landscape stop on the south coast.
- Arnarstapi cliffs — Use the signed coastal walking route.
Day 3: North Snæfellsnes loop
Morning: Continue around the western peninsula with stops only where roads are open and safe.
Afternoon: See Kirkjufell near Grundarfjörður, then take the north-coast road towards Stykkishólmur before returning to Borgarnes.
Evening: Sleep around Borgarnes to position the next day’s Golden Circle drive.
Places and stops
- Kirkjufell — View the mountain from public viewpoints; respect parking restrictions.
- Stykkishólmur harbour — Pause for a meal on the north side of Snæfellsnes.
Day 4: Golden Circle to Selfoss
Morning: Drive from Borgarnes to Þingvellir and walk the main marked paths.
Afternoon: Continue to the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss. Do not step beyond barriers around hot ground or cliff edges.
Evening: Stay near Selfoss; the full Golden Circle circuit is a driving day, not an add-on to Snæfellsnes.
Places and stops
- Þingvellir National Park — Begin the Golden Circle here from the west.
- Strokkur at Geysir — Stay on marked paths in the geothermal area.
- Gullfoss — Allow time for the safe viewing paths.
Day 5: Reykjanes and departure
Morning: Leave Selfoss with enough time to return the car at Keflavík. Add a brief Reykjanes stop only if the flight is late and current access permits.
Afternoon: Fuel the car and finish the airport transfer before check-in closes.
Evening: Fly home to London.
Places and stops
- Reykjanes peninsula — Optional short stop dependent on weather, access and flight time.
- Keflavík Airport — Return the car with a buffer for inspection.
Places along the route
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Indicative budget
£1,450 per person
Indicative per person sharing car and rooms, with allowances for London flights, four nights, fuel, food and a few admissions. Iceland costs and rental insurance vary sharply by season; this is not a live quote.
Where to stay
- Reykjavík first night · Central Reykjavík
Avoids a long peninsula drive after the flight.
- Arnarstapi or nearby south-coast guesthouse · Snæfellsnes, night 2
Places the coastal walk close to the overnight stop.
- Borgarnes area · West Iceland, night 3
Breaks the return from the peninsula before the Golden Circle.
- Selfoss area · South Iceland, night 4
Shortens the drive to Keflavík on departure day.
Getting around
Outbound: Fly London to Keflavík, collect a suitable rental car and drive only as far as Reykjavík on arrival.
Local transport: Drive the west peninsula in two stages, then cross to the Golden Circle. Check SafeTravel and road conditions every morning; avoid unpaved F-roads.
Return: Drive from the Selfoss area to Keflavík with a weather and car-return buffer before the London flight.