Iceland is truely fascinating. With landscapes, waterways and natural formations that have to be seen to be believes, it’s a destination that should be on everyone’s list. By taking one day off work and hiring a car, you’ll see sights you’ll remember forever. Here’s a the most epic things 3 day trip to Iceland possible.
From the UK it’s only a 2 and a half hour flight, and a reasonably cheap one. However, the island itself is extremely spread out and can be quite expensive. This guide comes complete with costs, timings and a packing list to crack into your adventurous weekend. Be warned however… the keyword is adventurous and this trip maximises your time.
This is a 2 part entry so if you’ve after Days 2-3 click HERE.
Quick Stuff
Costs
Flights – £200
Car Hire – £100 per day
Meals – Very expensive if you eat out. Cheap to make yourself
Sights – All free – However there are add on’s that will cost should you wish to upscale your experience.
Fuel – It’s quite Expensive but will be about £200.
3 day trip to Iceland – Itinerary
Pre Day 1
Catch the last flight from London. It takes off at 7:30pm and lands at 11:20. It’s not super enjoyable getting in that late but the airport is easy to manage on the other end. Book some cheap accommodation near the airport for $100 and get some sleep in. While we’re talking about flights, book the last flight back on day 3, it leaves at 4:30pm.
Day 1
Hire a camper van (book this ahead) from a place very close to your accommodation at the airport. It’s by far the easiest way to get around and maximise the sights on your 3 day trip to Iceland. Here’s 4 reputable places that all offer a similar thing. Choose your vehicle based on your budget, comfort levels and how many people are with you. I was alone on my 3 day trip to Iceland so a cheap van from rent.is sorted me just fine!
Reykavik 8-9am
First stop is the city centre for breakfast. Enter Hallgrimskirkja into google maps, or just click HERE. This is the iconic church seen in many many pictures. There’s parking all around it, you can have a visit inside and there are a number of café’s local. I tried Loki’s Cafe across the road and had a meal of mashed fish on rye bread and fermented sharks fin, a traditional Icelandic breakfast. Let’s just say it was… interesting.
Before leaving Reykavik, stop at a grocery store to get your food for the next two days. We’ll be eating out of the car most of the time with options to stop for lunch.
Golden Circle
The Golden circle is the main tourist route to do. You do see some cool things however expect many people to also be seeing the same things.
Thingvellir – 11am
Distance – This can be a stop at the lookout carpark or a 1km return to the waterfall.
Time – 30 minutes
Maps Position HERE
Hit the road and punch thingvellir national park into your map. Thingvelir is the largest national park in Iceland and also the same place the European and American techtonic plates meet. If you organise it in advance there are a number of cool things you can do like diving between the techtonic plates. If not theres always a waterfall walk (you’ll soon find out there’s always a waterfall walk in Iceland).
Geysir – 12pm
Maps Position HERE
Distance – 500m
Time – 30 Minutes
Next stop is the thermal hotspring area of geysir. A quick walking track on the side of the road where thermal vents from the earths core build up, creating pressure, before spewing out in steamy vertical vents of water. The main vent erupts every ten mins so be sure to hang around. There’s also a restaurant here to grab some lunch and a very extensive gift shop. Deer hide rug anyone?
Gulfoss – The Golden Falls – 1PM
Maps Position HERE
Distance – 500m
Time – 30 Minutes
This is one of the largest waterfall in continental iceland. It has multiple level and pours out 140 cubic metres of water every second. It’s quite the sight and the drive in really starts to give you a feel for the vastness of inland Iceland. Take the upper or lower carpark and it’s a short 5 minute walk to a very well placed lookout at the top of the waterfall itself.
Now the day will be getting on so I suggest making a move. You can complete the golden circle and see crater but I didn’t as I wasn’t sure what the camp site drive in would be like. It’s… adventureous.
Pakgil – Camp in the wilderness – 5pm – THIS IS A MUST
Maps Position HERE
From Gulfoss to the camp site it’s about a 2.5 hour drive, the last 45 minutes being on dirt roads and quite slow. Enter Pakgil into your navigation. Now, fair warning, this goes through some offroad style terrain on dirt roads. I did it in a 2wd van and the track doesn’t void your insurance like F roads will, but try and make sure there’s still sunlight and best case scenario is to have a 4wd.
Arriving at Pakgil, you’ll find yourself in one of the most remote campsite’s you may ever have been in. Nesteld in a valley and only a few kilometres south of Kötlujökull glaciar (more on that in a sec), you’ll have room to yourself, toilets hot showers, cabins if you didn’t go with the van option and even a cave for a dining area.
Pull up on a patch of grass, crack out the tequila and pat yourself on the back. Day one is done. Now easy on that tequila, we’ve got a big day tomorrow.
3 Day Trip to Iceland – Part 2
Now trust me, the usual stuff is all done, now starts the real excitement!
Being there’s a lot of content in this post, I’ve spread this out into 2 parts. Check HERE for part 2 of the most epic 3 day trip to Iceland possible.
