🇮🇸｜Iceland 6 Day Winter Road Trip Itinerary | Northern Lights, Blue Lagoon & Self Drive Guide
Planning an Iceland trip and wondering how many days you need, whether Iceland is worth visiting in winter, or if you should rent a car?
This Iceland 6 day winter road trip itinerary shares my real experience, including our self-drive route, hotels, Northern Lights sightings, South Coast highlights, Blue Lagoon experience and practical travel tips for first-time visitors.
Iceland has always been one of my dream destinations.
With dramatic waterfalls, volcano landscapes, glaciers, black sand beaches, geothermal lagoons and the Northern Lights, Iceland feels completely different from anywhere else in the world.
Iceland Trip Overview
For my first Iceland trip, I chose a 6 day 5 night winter self-drive itinerary.
The biggest questions I had before planning were:
- How many days do you need in Iceland?
- Is Iceland safe to drive in winter?
- Is Blue Lagoon worth the price?
- How much does Iceland cost?
- Where is the best place to see Northern Lights?
I visited Iceland during New Year period.
- Arrived: December 31
- Left: January 5
- Saw Northern Lights from January 1 to January 4 every night
Winter in Iceland is beautiful, but daylight hours are shorter. Because of the weather and road conditions, I recommend planning carefully and avoiding long night drives.
Where is Iceland?
Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean between Europe and North America.
The capital city is Reykjavík, where most travelers begin their trip.
One important thing to know:
International flights usually arrive at Keflavík International Airport, not Reykjavík domestic airport.
Keflavík Airport is around 45-50 minutes from downtown Reykjavík.
Airport Transfer
If you don't rent a car, Flybus is one of the easiest ways to travel between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík.
Official website:
Flybus Airport Transfer
Iceland 6 Day Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Reykjavík
- Day 2: Reykjavík sightseeing + Northern Lights
- Day 3: Thingvellir National Park + Golden Circle
- Day 4: Iceland South Coast Road Trip
- Day 5: Golden Circle + Return to Reykjavík
- Day 6: Blue Lagoon + Airport
Day 1｜Arrive in Reykjavík
After a long flight, I recommend keeping the first day relaxing.
Stay in Reykjavík city center for easy access to restaurants, shopping and sightseeing.
Recommended Area to Stay
Reykjavík Downtown
Day 2｜Reykjavík + Northern Lights
Start with exploring Reykjavík city.
- Rainbow Street
- Hallgrímskirkja Church
- Local swimming pool
- Grótta Lighthouse
Grótta Lighthouse Northern Lights Spot
One of the advantages of visiting Grótta Lighthouse is that you can try to see the Northern Lights without joining a tour.
If the weather and aurora conditions are good, this is one of the easiest places to try your luck near Reykjavík.
Day 3｜Thingvellir National Park + Golden Circle
This is where the real Iceland adventure begins.
For first-time visitors, the Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes in Iceland because it includes some of the country's most famous natural attractions.
Golden Circle Highlights
- Thingvellir National Park
- Geysir Geothermal Area
- Gullfoss Waterfall
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir (Þingvellir) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important historical places in Iceland.
You can walk between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia, which makes this place completely different from typical European landscapes.
If visiting during winter, bring proper winter clothing. The wind can be extremely strong and much colder than expected.
Geysir Geothermal Area
The famous Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes, making it one of the easiest geothermal attractions to experience in Iceland.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss is one of Iceland's most impressive waterfalls.
Even after seeing many photos online, standing in front of the waterfall feels completely different.
Accommodation｜Land Hotel
I stayed at Land Hotel for two nights, and it became one of the highlights of the trip.
The hotel is located in a remote area, which makes it a great place for Northern Lights viewing.
One special service is their Northern Lights wake-up call.
If the aurora appears during the night, the hotel can call your room and let you know.
During dinner, we actually received a notification that the Northern Lights appeared outside. The hotel allowed guests to go outside, enjoy the aurora, and return to continue dinner.
Both nights we stayed there, we saw beautiful Northern Lights without needing to join a tour.
Day 4｜Iceland South Coast Road Trip
The South Coast is the Iceland scenery many travelers imagine: waterfalls, black beaches, glaciers and dramatic landscapes.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Seljalandsfoss is famous because visitors can walk behind the waterfall.
During winter, the area can become icy, so wear shoes with good grip.
Skógafoss Waterfall
Skógafoss is one of the most powerful waterfalls in Iceland.
On sunny days, you may even see a rainbow appearing in front of the waterfall.
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
The black sand beach and basalt columns are among Iceland's most iconic landscapes.
However, be careful with waves. The ocean here is famous for unpredictable sneaker waves.
Vík í Mýrdal Church
The red-roof church in Vík is one of the classic Iceland viewpoints.
From the hill, you can see the church, coastline and surrounding mountains together.
Optional Stop｜Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
The famous abandoned airplane wreck is located near the South Coast.
We decided not to visit because it requires extra walking time and a shuttle transfer.
Day 5｜Golden Circle Return Route
On the way back toward Reykjavík, you can explore more Golden Circle attractions.
- Gullfoss
- Strokkur Geyser
- Kerið Crater
- Secret Lagoon
Kerið Crater
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake. The walk around the crater takes about 15 minutes and offers beautiful views.
Secret Lagoon
Compared with Blue Lagoon, Secret Lagoon is smaller and more traditional.
It is a good alternative if you prefer a more local geothermal experience.
Accommodation｜Northern Light Inn
Northern Light Inn was the perfect final-night hotel because of its location.
- Few minutes from Blue Lagoon
- Around 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport
- Convenient before an early flight
The hotel also offers Northern Lights wake-up calls.
We actually saw a beautiful aurora from the hotel parking area before going to sleep, so we cancelled the wake-up call.
Day 6｜Blue Lagoon + Airport
Blue Lagoon was one of the places I was most excited about before visiting Iceland.
Even though the price is high, I still think it is worth visiting, especially for first-time visitors.
I personally recommend saving Blue Lagoon for the last day.
After staying near the lagoon, you can enjoy breakfast, relax in the warm water, and then drive directly to the airport.
The combination of milky blue geothermal water, black lava fields and rising steam creates one of the most memorable Iceland experiences.
Iceland Accommodation Guide
Choosing the right accommodation is one of the most important parts of an Iceland road trip. Because attractions are spread out, staying in the right location can save hours of driving.
For my 6 day winter Iceland trip, I used a three-location strategy:
- Reykjavík Downtown - first two nights
- Land Hotel - South Iceland / Northern Lights area
- Northern Light Inn - near Blue Lagoon and airport
Why I Don't Change Hotels Every Night
Some Iceland itineraries move to a different hotel every day.
However, in winter, driving conditions can change quickly. I preferred staying longer in fewer places to avoid wasting time packing and moving.
How to See Northern Lights in Iceland
Many travelers join Northern Lights tours, but we decided to combine Northern Lights viewing with our hotel choices instead.
Staying outside the city gives you darker skies and better chances of seeing auroras.
Northern Lights Tips
- Check cloud coverage
- Check aurora activity
- Drive away from city lights
- Be patient
Recommended Aurora App
My favorite app for Northern Lights hunting is:
Hello Aurora
It includes:
- Real-time aurora alerts
- User reports
- Aurora map
- Weather and cloud information
The app feels like an Instagram story for Northern Lights: people report sightings, and you receive notifications when auroras appear.
Best Time to Visit Iceland
Winter (November - March)
- Best season for Northern Lights
- Winter landscapes
- Ice cave opportunities
- Short daylight hours
Summer (June - August)
- Almost 24 hours daylight
- Better road conditions
- Great for Ring Road trips
- Higher prices
Is Iceland Self Drive Worth It?
Yes. A rental car is one of the best ways to experience Iceland.
Many attractions are far apart, and public transportation is limited outside Reykjavík.
For winter driving, I recommend renting a 4WD vehicle and choosing full insurance coverage.
Iceland roads are generally manageable, but always check weather conditions before driving.
Iceland Travel Budget
Iceland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe.
- Budget traveler: around €1,500+
- Comfort travel: around €2,000–3,000+
- Luxury travel: €3,500+
My 6 Day Iceland Trip Cost
- Hotels: around €200/night
- Rental car: around €500
- Fuel: around €150
- Blue Lagoon: around €100/person
- Food: around €100/person/day
A realistic winter Iceland road trip budget is around NT$80,000–120,000 per person depending on flights and travel style.
Iceland Driving Tips
- Check road conditions before leaving
- Do not underestimate Iceland wind
- Keep fuel topped up
- Avoid driving long distances at night in winter
- Choose a 4WD vehicle for winter trips
Iceland FAQ
How many days do you need in Iceland?
For a first trip, 5-7 days is a good amount of time. A 6 day itinerary is enough for Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast and Blue Lagoon.
Do you need to rent a car in Iceland?
I highly recommend renting a car because Iceland attractions are spread out.
Is Blue Lagoon worth visiting?
For first-time visitors, yes. Even though it is expensive, the experience is unique and memorable.
Should Blue Lagoon be the first or last day?
I personally recommend the last day. Staying near Blue Lagoon makes the final day much more relaxing.
Is Iceland safe for first-time Europe travelers?
Yes. Iceland has good infrastructure, low crime, and English is widely spoken.
Final Thoughts
Iceland is a destination that is difficult to describe with photos alone.
The waterfalls, glaciers, volcano landscapes and Northern Lights create a feeling like standing at the edge of the world.
For me, the perfect ending was relaxing in Blue Lagoon on the final day and watching the Iceland landscape one last time before leaving.
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