Iceland is one of those places that is simply PERFECT for road tripping! The size is manageable, the landscapes are awe inspiring, and the culture is truly amazing. And, the camping culture is particularly awesome. If an Iceland road trip is moving off of your bucket list and onto your to-do list, this post will help you plan your trip, as we share our itinerary, tips, and first-hand experiences from our recent trip.

If you can’t tell, Iceland simply knocked us off our feet, so we are bringing you a 3-part series all about our trip. Click here to find out 53 Things To Know Before You Go, then read this post to hear about the first part of our trip (Reykavik and the Golden Circle), and then check back for the next post to hear about the rest of our trip along the South Coast.

We had so much help planning our itinerary from Icelanders and those experienced visitors, and we just want to pay it forward! We hope this helps inspire you to plan your own Iceland road trip.

Use code rvatlas10 for 10 percent off a motorhome rental with Rent Easy Iceland AND free pickup and drop off from and to the KEF airport. Do not book the transportation as part of your reservation or you will be charged for it. Send an email or direct message on social media with arrival and departure dates and your pickup and delivery will be arranged from there. Our code CAN be combined with any other discounts available on their website. This is not an affiliate code and we do not earn a percentage from your reservation. We truly hope to inspire you to go to Iceland and we loved our experience with Rent Easy Iceland.

How Much Does an Iceland Road Trip Cost?

The number one question we have received about our Iceland RV road trip is: How much did it cost? We always hate to put a number on things since costs greatly vary by your own tastes, the time of year you visit, location, and so much more. But, here are some facts:

• AIRFARE: We only paid $500 per person for airfare from JFK since we live on the East Coast. Obviously, you’ll pay more if you have to fly from the other side of the country or a more remote location. TIP: Use Google Flights to find out the typical airfare and to set up alerts if prices go up and down. We flew Delta, but we’ve heard you can find good deals from PLAY, which is a budget airline.


• MOTORHOME RENTAL: For a ballpark figure, expect to pay around $300 per night as a very general figure.  Again, costs will vary by season and many other variables. The best way to get a cost idea is to go to the Rent Easy Iceland website and punch in some dates and options to get true costs.


• CAMPSITE PRICES: Prices seemed to be around $20-$70 a night, with our costs more often being $40-50. So, all in with the RV rental, you are under $400 a night, which definitely near the same price or less than most hotels in Iceland. Aside from the price, road tripping in a motorhome is a great way to explore the country because you can easily move from stop to stop with your home on wheels.


• DIESEL: We paid around $8 per gallon and got 23 miles per gallon. So, this was also a cost, but it was less than we expected.


• MEALS: We ate out and thought the prices were quite comparable to home, so food likely won’t cost more than a usual road trip in the U.S. One great thing to note is that there are no tips. So, the costs may look high up front, but they actually aren’t. If you are looking to save money, plan to cook in the motorhome.


• ACTIVITIES: This is another spot where costs will really vary. Some people add a lot of tours and day trips, which can be pricy. As we discuss our itinerary below, we’ll try to share some of the costs of these popular stops and activities.

If you want to hear all of the details from our recent Iceland road trip, click play on the media player above or look for The RV Atlas in your favorite podcast app. 

Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon

We started our journey at the phenomenal Blue Lagoon. After a plane ride, it’s the perfect place to unwind and to get your first taste of Iceland. We paid around $104 per person for the upgraded “Premium” package that included the experience, 2 drinks, showering before and after, and a bathrobe. One great tip is that there is a line for the people with the base package, and this Premium upgrade let us skip the line.

Paying for the upgrade is really just the same as paying for drinks, and the drinks were absolutely worthwhile. We tried out the juices and really enjoyed them. If you go, check out the Green is Good and the Forever Fresh! Seriously delicious! The spa has a cafeteria (grab-and-go style) or a restaurant. We opted for the cafeteria, and it was definitely better than the typical grab-and-go fare in the U.S. Think sushi, cheese platters, etc.

Yes, the Blue Lagoon is touristy. But, it truly didn’t feel like a gimmick. It offered a nice, relaxing spa experience. It was huge and beautiful. (And no, the sulfur wasn’t too stinky and the naked shower wasn’t too creepy. Don’t worry!). We definitely recommend this as your welcome to Iceland as you leave the airport. Just know that volcanic eruptions can interrupt your plans, as it has had to close on occasion.

Picking Up the Motorhome From Rent Easy Iceland

Rent Easy Iceland picked us up at the Blue Lagoon, making it super convenient to go pick up our motorhome. This wasn’t special treatment–you can get picked up, too if you use our discount code listed at the top of this post.

While at Rent Easy Iceland, you’ll get the full motorhome walkthrough from Diddi or Gardar–the brothers that own this Rent Easy Station. These two brothers are real campers themselves and they will really help you feel comfortable with your rental before you hit the road.

Reykavik Eco Campsite (First Night)

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