6 Days Self -Drive Tour with Pick Up – Hot Springs Iceland – 4×4 Campervan

Iceland’s volcanic character is the star here. Over six days, you drive from steaming Reykjanes and the Golden Circle to Borgarfjörður, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and Reykjavik, sleeping at campsites in a 4×4 campervan. You also descend into lava caves, ride Icelandic horses, and soak in several geothermal pools.

I like the freedom of self-drive travel, especially with a ready-made route and the Easy Guide tablet handling navigation and daily details. I also like the practical package: campsite fees, airport transfer, Wi-Fi, gas, booked activities, and zero-risk coverage are included.

The trade-off is a busy schedule. Six days gives you a strong taste of southwest and west Iceland, but several days involve many stops and driving. Fuel, food, parking, and optional visits cost extra, so the headline price is not the final bill.

Key details to know before booking

• A real campervan road trip: You drive yourself between hot springs, waterfalls, coastal cliffs, caves, and towns.
• Several major activities are prepaid: Horse riding, the Secret Lagoon, Víðgelmir Cave, Krauma, Perlan’s Aurora Show, Magic Ice, Vatnshellir Cave, and Sky Lagoon are included.
• The route mixes famous sights and quieter stops: Gullfoss, Geysir, Kirkjufell, and Sky Lagoon share the schedule with places such as Grundarfoss and Súgandisey Island.
• Airport pickup is simple: A complimentary shuttle runs from Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík to the CampEasy office, about five minutes away.
• The vehicle setup is a major part of the value: Wi-Fi, gas, the Easy Guide tablet, campsite fees, and zero-risk coverage reduce some of the usual road-trip chores.
• Plan for extra costs: Fuel, food, parking, electricity at campsites, and optional attractions are not included.

Why this six-day campervan route works

This is not a loose van rental with a few suggestions scribbled on a map. The route gives you a daily structure, timed activities, campsites, driving guidance, and admission to several popular experiences.

That helps if you want independence but do not want to spend weeks researching every road, campsite, and booking window. You can still stop for photographs or adjust your pace, but the fixed activities mean you need to watch the clock.

The private format is useful for couples, families, or friends who want their own vehicle and schedule. You are responsible for driving, cooking or buying meals, managing your belongings, and getting to activity meeting points on time. The minimum driver age is 20.

The package costs $1,451.81 per person. That is a serious price, but it includes a campervan, booked activities, campsite fees, airport transfer, Wi-Fi, gas, and the planning tool. The value improves when two or more people share the vehicle and campsite costs.

Still, budget separately for fuel, meals, parking, and extras. Kerid Crater, the Hallgrímskirkja tower, and some optional attractions require additional payment. The Blue Lagoon and FlyOver Iceland are only suggestions, not included visits.

Day 1: Reykjanes steam and the edge of two continents

Your trip begins with a shuttle from Keflavík airport or a Keflavík hotel to the CampEasy office at Selvík 5. The short transfer keeps the first day fairly easy, and the vehicle handover is an important moment. Take time to understand the camper, the tablet, the coverage, and the driving plan before heading out.

The suggested first stop is Viking World Museum. Its life-size Viking ship provides a useful introduction to Iceland’s settlement era, though admission is extra. If you skip it, you gain time for the outdoor sights that follow.

At the Bridge Between Continents, you can walk across a symbolic bridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is a quick stop, but it gives you a clear sense of Iceland’s position between major geological plates.

Gunnuhver is more dramatic. Steam vents and hot mud pools spread across mineral-colored ground, with Reykjanes Lighthouse in the distance. Stay on marked paths and respect barriers. Geothermal ground can look solid while remaining dangerously hot.

Kleifarvatn Lake closes the day with a calmer view. The lake reaches close to 100 meters in depth and sits among mossy lava fields. The contrast between open water, dark rock, and steaming Reykjanes terrain gives you a strong first impression of Iceland beyond Reykjavik.

Day 2: Horses, the Golden Circle, and the Secret Lagoon

Day two starts early at Hótel Eldhestar with the Heritage Tour at 9 a.m. The two-hour horse ride is designed for all riders and introduces you to Icelandic horses while you see the countryside around the campsite.

This is one of the more personal parts of the trip. Icelandic horses are small, sturdy, and central to the country’s rural culture. The early start matters, so avoid treating this as a relaxed morning. Arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes early.

Kerid Crater is a short drive away. Its red and orange volcanic slopes surround a blue-green lake, with the exact appearance changing by season and weather. There is a small admission charge, which is not included.

Urriðafoss offers a different kind of power. The falls are part of the Þjórsá River, Iceland’s longest river, and the water moves with force through a broad setting. If you want a food stop, Friðheimar is suggested nearby. Its tomato farm uses geothermal heat and biological pest controls, but admission and dining costs are extra.

The Secret Lagoon, known locally as Gamla Laugin, is the day’s main comfort stop. Built in 1891 near the small geyser Litli Geysir, the pool is supplied by warm geothermal water, and the nearby geyser erupts at intervals. The two-hour visit is included, making it a better-value pause than many optional Icelandic spas.

The Golden Circle portion follows with Gullfoss and Geysir. Gullfoss drops in two stages into a narrow gorge, and spray can fill the air around the viewing areas. Wear a waterproof layer if conditions are wet.

At Geysir, the original geyser is mostly quiet, but Strokkur regularly sends hot water into the air. The area also has fumaroles, mud pots, and boiling openings. The stop is short, so keep moving safely along the marked paths.

Day 3: Þingvellir, Víðgelmir, and Krauma

Þingvellir National Park brings together geology and Icelandic political history. The park is connected with the meeting place of Iceland’s early parliament, while the visible rift zones show the ground pulling apart between tectonic plates.

The park itself is free, but parking costs extra. That small charge is easy to overlook when building your budget. Allow about an hour, though you may want longer if you enjoy walking around the fissures and old paths.

The day’s largest activity is Víðgelmir Cave in Borgarfjörður. This ancient lava formation is about 1,100 years old and contains lava formations, stalactites, and stalagmites. The guided visit takes about three and a half hours, so this is not a quick roadside stop.

You should be comfortable with an underground setting and follow the operator’s age and weight limits. Some activities on the trip have a minimum age of seven and a maximum weight of 120 kilograms. Those limits vary by activity.

Hraunfossar is made of countless streams flowing through lava rock and vegetation, while nearby Barnafoss pushes through a narrow opening with much more force. They are close together, but they look and feel different. Allow time for both rather than treating them as one viewpoint.

Reykholt adds a cultural pause. The site is tied to medieval Icelandic sagas and gives the day a human dimension after so much geology.

Deildartunguhver is Europe’s largest hot spring, with water reaching about 97 degrees Celsius. You will see powerful bubbling water from a safe distance and feel the heat in the air. Do not confuse this with a bathing pool.

Bathing comes later at Krauma, next to the hot spring. Its pools use a constant flow of natural geothermal water. After a long day of driving and walking, this is a sensible place to slow down, and admission is included.

Day 4: Snæfellsnes coast, black beaches, and two lava caves

Day four is packed. It takes you around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where fishing villages, cliffs, waterfalls, lava fields, and black beaches fill the route.

In Stykkishólmur, walk out toward Súgandisey Island Lighthouse. The harbor connects to the island by road, and the elevated viewpoint gives you a broad view over the water and surrounding coast. The two-hour allowance makes this more than a quick photograph.

Grundarfoss is less famous than nearby Kirkjufellsfoss and may feel quieter. The waterfall drops about 70 meters, and the extra space gives you time to look rather than simply queue for the standard photograph.

Kirkjufellsfoss is the classic image: a waterfall with Kirkjufell mountain behind it. The mountain’s layered shape explains its popularity, but the viewpoint can be brief and busy. Keep your expectations realistic. You are visiting a famous scene, not a secluded one.

At Svörtuloft Lighthouse, dark lava cliffs meet the Atlantic along a four-kilometer stretch. The orange lighthouse provides a sharp contrast against the black rock and gray sea. Conditions can feel exposed, so sturdy footwear and warm layers are sensible.

Djúpalónssandur is a black pebble beach with a strong connection to Iceland’s fishing past. Four lifting stones once tested the strength of sailors, and rusty shipwreck remains still sit along the shore. The beach is not a place for careless swimming or wandering close to rough water.

Vatnshellir Cave is another major booked activity. You descend 32 meters by spiral stairs into an 8,000-year-old lava tube, using a helmet and headlamp. The one-hour visit is short but memorable, and the underground setting adds variety after a full day outdoors.

Arnarstapi gives you a quick look at Gatklettur, a natural arch cut into the cliffs by erosion. Búðakirkja, one of Iceland’s small black churches, offers another stark photographic stop. The day ends at the geometric basalt columns of Gerðuberg, some reaching about 14 meters.

This is the day most likely to feel rushed. The sights are spread out, and weather can slow every stop. If you want long hikes or unplanned coastal walks, six days may not give you enough room.

Day 5: Reykjavik museums, ice, and a sea-view spa

Perlan begins your Reykjavik day. The museum sits above four water reservoirs and includes an Aurora Show explaining the northern lights. This is especially useful when you visit outside the main aurora season or when clouds block the real display.

Hallgrímskirkja is only a short drive away. Its exterior echoes Icelandic basalt columns, while the tower gives you a panoramic city view for an extra fee. The church itself is free to enter.

Harpa Concert Hall provides a change of scale, with a modern facade inspired by Icelandic natural forms. General entry is free when no paid event is involved, but parking costs extra. You do not need long here unless you attend a concert or want to examine the building closely.

Magic Ice is a playful stop at 4 p.m. You enter a sub-zero room filled with ice sculptures and can order a drink at the ice bar. Warm clothing matters, though the venue supplies the cold-weather setup associated with the visit.

Sky Lagoon follows at 6 p.m. Its geothermal pool sits beside the sea and gives you a broad coastal view while you soak. The timing lets you see a little of central Reykjavik between Magic Ice and the lagoon, but keep an eye on the clock.

The combination of Perlan, Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, Magic Ice, and Sky Lagoon gives you a good city sampler. It does not leave much room for slow wandering through Reykjavik neighborhoods, so add personal exploration only if you are willing to trim optional stops.

Day 6: A quiet farewell before the airport

The final day starts at the Sun Voyager sculpture by the sea. Its theme of hope and freedom fits the closing mood, while the mountains across the water provide a strong backdrop.

If you have enough time, FlyOver Iceland is suggested as an optional activity. It is not included, and you must book it yourself. The estimated visit, including driving from Sun Voyager, is about an hour and a half.

Grótta Island Lighthouse is a peaceful final stop. The sea, cool wind, and mountain views make it a better farewell than another museum. Check the time carefully, since the route ends back at the CampEasy office.

You can also consider the Blue Lagoon before departure, but it is entirely optional, costs extra, and requires your own booking. The suggested time from Grótta, including driving, is about two and a half hours, so only choose it if your flight schedule leaves a comfortable margin.

At CampEasy, you return the vehicle and can use the office for hot drinks and a final pause before the shuttle to Keflavík airport or a Keflavík hotel. Airport transfer is included.

Campervan support and day-to-day comfort

The Easy Guide tablet is one of the most useful practical features. It carries the route, activity information, camper details, and navigation help in one place. This reduces the need to switch between several apps while driving.

The package also includes Wi-Fi, gas, campsite fees, airport transfer, and zero-risk coverage. That setup can make a major difference in Iceland, where small road-trip expenses add up quickly.

The vehicle has a heater, an important detail in a country where nights can feel cold even outside winter. CampEasy’s office also provides a useful social touch: coffee and items left behind by other people can be available for later arrivals. Do not count on a specific item being there, but it is a nice bit of practical recycling.

Electricity and other campsite services are not included. Food and drinks are also your responsibility, except where a restaurant visit is specifically included. Traffic fines, parking fines, and other driving penalties remain yours as well.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Iceland road trip?

Book it if you want to drive yourself, sleep in a campervan, and see a wide range of Iceland without planning every reservation from scratch. It suits active couples, families who meet the age limits, and small private groups comfortable with early starts and changing weather.

It is also a good choice if you value included experiences. Horse riding, three geothermal bathing experiences, two lava caves, Perlan, Magic Ice, and campsite fees make the price easier to justify.

Think twice if you prefer a slow holiday. The route has many stops, and the Snæfellsnes day in particular is ambitious. You also need to budget for fuel, food, parking, and optional admissions.

For a first Iceland trip, I find the strongest reason to book is the balance between independence and structure. You get the freedom of your own vehicle, but the tablet, planned route, campsite arrangements, and booked activities keep the trip from becoming a daily research project.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at CampEasy Iceland, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík. A complimentary shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a hotel in Keflavík town.

Is the airport transfer included?

Yes. The shuttle takes you from Keflavík airport or a Keflavík hotel to the CampEasy office at the start, and back to the airport or a Keflavík hotel at the end.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a quality campervan, zero-risk coverage, gas, Wi-Fi, the Easy Guide tablet, the planned route, booked activities, campsite fees, and airport transfer.

What costs extra?

Fuel, food, beverages, parking fees, electricity and other campsite services, traffic fines, and activities listed only as suggestions are not included. Optional admissions, such as the Kerid Crater walk and Hallgrímskirkja tower, also cost extra.

How old must the driver be?

The driver must be at least 20 years old.

Are there age and weight limits for the activities?

Some activities have a minimum age of seven. Some also have a maximum weight limit of 120 kilograms, or 264 pounds. Children aged eight or under must wear inflatable swim armbands for certain activities.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time based on local time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.