There are so many benefits to self-driving in Iceland. You’ll be able to take things at your own pace, and you’ll have far more control over your vacation. It is also considerably cheaper to self-drive than take most organised tours, and you can go with the flow and change your plans as you discover what you most love about the country.

If you’re still not convinced by self-driving in Iceland, we hope this article might just change your mind!

Flexibility

One of the best things about self-driving is the flexibility. Perhaps you’re an early bird that wants to see the glacier lagoon at sunrise. Or maybe you’re on vacation to recharge, and you’d much rather sleep in late and head out when you’ve had a chance to rest and eat a good breakfast.

When you are self-driving, you don’t have to go by anyone else’s schedule. You can choose when to have lazy days and which days you want to get out into the great outdoors. There is no waiting around in hotel lobbies for everyone else on your bus tour to finish taking a shower. (And no hurrying down to the lobby with wet hair if you were the person holding everyone up!)

Inspiration

But self-driving doesn’t mean being totally on your own in a foreign country. You can book a self-drive tour, where the car hire and itinerary are taken care of. You can pick a schedule that matches your interests and the time you’ve got available. You will be given detailed maps and travel advice, and you’ll have the support of an expert should anything go wrong.

But ultimately, the power is in your hands. If you met an amazing new friend on your travels and want to spend the day hiking with them, you can decide to follow your whim and not have to jump back on tour with your guide.

Peace and Quiet

If you want to meet fellow travellers in Iceland, you don’t have to go on a group tour. You’re bound to meet like-minded people as you visit hot springs, eat in restaurants, or go hiking in the mountains. So don’t worry about being lonely!

At the same time, you can step away from the hustle and bustle when you want to do things more peacefully. For example, with a self-drive tour, you can choose to head to the most beautiful spots early in the morning or later in the evening. This way, you will avoid the crowds and get the place to yourself.

You can also turn your favourite music up on the radio as you dry along the beautiful coast and just enjoy the moment in privacy!

Price

Self-drive tours are typically more affordable than other types of tours. You don’t have to cover the cost of a driver or professional tour guide, but of course, you can choose to hire a guide for shorter activities like caving or rafting.

The companies behind self-drive tours have contacts in Iceland, so they can get better deals on accommodation than you might find on your own. The time saved planning is also valuable, especially if you’re working full time back home!

Adventure 

Let’s face it; you’re not going to feel as adventurous if you’re on a bus with 30 other people who are all taking the same pictures at the same time. Self-driving means you can explore and discover Iceland in your own way, without the safety wrap of a classic tour.

You’ll still have all the support you need, but you’ll be able to make your own decisions about how you spend your time.

Final Thoughts

A self-drive tour might not be for everyone, especially those nervous about driving abroad. If you’re still feeling unsure, this guide to driving Iceland might help you make the best decision for you.

Most people find driving in Iceland pretty simple; you just need to take it nice and slowly. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination and pull over to let people pass if you don’t want to drive any faster in the weather conditions. The ring road is so well maintained, and pretty much everyone has a GPS on their phone these days. So take a deep breath and trust yourself; you’re going to be okay!

We hope you found this article helpful. Don’t hesitate to explore the Play Iceland site for more travel tips and some hand-picked self-drive tours of our own. We look forward to welcoming you to Iceland soon!