Golden Circle Self-Drive: How Long It Takes & How to Plan It

Dreaming of cruising around Iceland in a camper? Do you have limited time on the island? Then the Golden Circle is going to be the ideal road trip route for you. A Golden Circle self-drive tour might be shorter in distance and time, but it certainly packs a punch!

Despite its shorter length, the Golden Circle is choc-a-bloc with some of our most famous sites and attractions. So, if you want to know what all the fuss is about, read on - you're in for a treat!

What is the Golden Circle Self-Drive Route in Iceland?

The Golden Circle is a loop route of 300 kilometers (186.4 miles) that conveniently begins and ends in the capital city of Reykjavik. And, as we already mentioned, this route's popularity is rooted in the fact that it has a myriad of famous sites and attractions crammed into that mere 300-kilometer stretch. 

The road is well-maintained and mostly paved (except for a few offroads to attractions), which makes it suitable for even the smallest (and most economic!) 2-wheel drive camper during our warmer months (May to September).

Of course, during our colder months (October to April), we recommend booking a 4x4 camper with all the necessary gear and accessories, such as snow tires (which are mandatory from November to April, by the way). A 4x4 camper guarantees better grip and general peace of mind.

How Long Does a Golden Circle Self-Drive Take

Exactly how long a Golden Circle self-drive takes will depend on several factors:

Driving Time Without Stops

It is actually possible to drive the entire Golden Circle route in just 4 hours if you don’t stop (but what’s the point of that?). Just remember that factors such as snow and ice on the road or our legendary winds blowing against your camper will also impact driving times, resulting in you driving slower and longer.

Realistic Timing with Main Attractions

As you can see, it’s quite possible to take on the Golden Circle as a day trip. However, it will be a FULL day trip (it’s jam-packed with famous sights and attractions, remember?). We’d recommend allocating at least 8 hours toward the entire trip with stops at all its main attractions. This, of course, can put you in a tricky situation seasonally.

Tackling the Golden Circle during our summer or summer shoulder months will be an absolute breeze. However, despite the Golden Circle being so conveniently close to the capital as well as being a paved and well-maintained road, winter and its immediate shoulder seasons simply won’t have the road and weather conditions or the available daylight hours to allow a Golden Circle day trip.

So, from late October till early March, you’ll put unnecessary pressure on yourself trying to squeeze in the entire route in just one day.

When the Golden Circle Takes More Than One Day

Whether you’d just like to take things a little slower on your Golden Circle campervan road trip, you’re planning on visiting during those colder months we spoke about earlier, or you simply have more time on the island to space things out a bit more – spending 2 or more nights cruising the Golden Circle in your camper makes for an entirely different experience than when you do a day trip.

Our own personal recommendation will be to spend at least 2 to 3 days on your Golden Circle road trip, if it doesn’t form part of a much longer road trip around the island.

Why a Campervan is Ideal for a Golden Circle Self-Drive Tour

There are many reasons why a campervan should be your go-to for a Golden Circle self-drive tour:

You Live Like a Slug (in the Best Way Possible)

By renting a campervan, you take care of both your transport and accommodation. Talk about convenience! You can boil the kettle and make yourself some cocoa while staring out over a black sand beach, and the phrase “I forgot it at the accommodation” completely loses its stressful impact.

It’s Cost-Efficient

With just one expense, you cover both your transport and accommodation costs. Camping spots are also ridiculously inexpensive (between $10-$20 per person per night). If you plan on visiting during May to September, you can also get yourself the Camping Card, which will exponentially increase your savings even further.

Add even more discount cards, such as the Reykjavik City Card, into the mix, and you can live like a king on a pauper's budget. A campervan also allows you to cook budget-friendly meals yourself, so you also don’t need to worry about dining out or getting takeaways (which can drain a budget VERY quickly here in Iceland).

It Extends Our Camping Season

A campervan offers much better shelter than a traditional tent, so you don’t have to fear snow and frost too much, and won’t have to survive a night wrapped in blankets with chattering teeth. This means you can kick-start the camping season much earlier than traditional campers, and you can also keep on camping much longer than traditional campers can.

Your Itinerary Can Be Flexible

You’ll find campgrounds scattered all over the country, so you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a spot to park your camper somewhere. This, of course, is in contrast to accommodations like hotels or hostels, which have much more limited capacity and can book up fast, especially during our busy summer peak season.

So, with a campervan, you can create a much more flexible itinerary, knowing that there will always be an option for an overnight stay wherever adventure takes you.

You’re the Boss

There is no one telling you when you need to be where or how long you can stay. You don’t need to work according to someone else’s schedule, which is the case if you go on an official guided tour, and you won’t be dictated to by strict check-in times at pre-booked accommodations.

Main Stops on a Golden Circle Self-Drive Itinerary

As we’ve already mentioned, the Golden Circle features some of our most famous sites and attractions here in Iceland. These are the top three:

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park doesn’t just boast a myriad of natural wonders, but it’s also one of the most important historical sites here in Iceland. The park, which covers 24,000 hectares, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. A few of the natural wonders and landmarks you’ll find in the park are:

• Alpingi – This is essentially where Iceland’s parliament started. At the Alpingi, important leaders and chieftains would come together from the 10th to the 18th century to decide on important matters regarding the country.
• Oxararfoss Waterfall – This is not one of our biggest waterfalls, clocking in at just 13 meters (44 feet) tall and 6 meters (20 feet), but it’s still a very picturesque waterfall in a beautiful setting. What makes a visit to Oxararfoss extra special is the fact that it can only be reached via a short hiking trail, giving you a truly immersive experience as you traverse the incredible landscape in Thingvellir. The 4.3 km (2.7 miles) trail is very easy and family-friendly and shouldn’t take more than 1.5 hours to complete.
• The Silfra Fissure – The Silfra Fissure is a remarkable place. It’s a massive tear in the Earth’s surface that is steadily moving 2 centimeters further and further apart each year. But this is no ordinary tear; it’s the divide between two tectonic plates, marking the spot between two different continents (Eurasia and North America).

This divide is also filled with crystal-clear glacier water where you can either go snorkeling or diving, essentially allowing you to lie suspended between two continents. But take note, while the snorkeling is available to all, you will need a valid diving license and have sufficient experience under your belt to dive the Silfra. All gear and accessories, such as dry suits, are provided on-site.

Geysir Geothermal Area

Welcome to the home of the OG, the GOAT of all geysers! Here, you will find steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, and, of course, geysers, including the one that started it all. Geysir (that’s credited as the origin of the word) is said to have started erupting after an earthquake in 1294.

However, today, Geysir is essentially dormant, and visitors merely stop by to marvel at the origin story of geysers worldwide. But if you move just a few meters further, you’ll find Strokkur. This geyser still sends hundreds of liters of boiling water up to 35 meters into the air at least every 10 minutes.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss Waterfall is one of our most beautiful waterfalls here in Iceland (or should we say two waterfalls?). You see, Gullfoss is a two-for-the-price-of-one situation (or, at least it would’ve been if Gullfoss weren’t free to visit). This magnificent waterfall consists of two tiers of falls tumbling to the Hvita River below.

The first tier is 11 meters (36 feet) and the second is 21 meters (69 feet). Gullfoss (which roughly translates to the “Golden Waterfall”) is said to be named after the golden-brown color the falls get when sunlight hits the water.

Best Extra Stops to Add When Driving the Golden Circle

When we said the Golden Circle was jam-packed with interesting sights and attractions, we weren’t kidding. So, except for the so-called main attractions above, these are a few other favorites people like to add to their campervan itinerary:

Kerid Crater

Kerid Crater is a beautiful volcanic crater (not active) that’s estimated to be 6500 years old. Today, you’ll find that the crater is filled with water, creating a turquoise lake inside the crater. The lake’s peculiar tint is due to the large mineral deposits in the water.

The crater is massive; a 270-meter (886-feet) crater that’s 170 meters (558 feet) wide and 55 meters (180 feet) deep. There is a pathway that wraps around the crater, so you can actually take a stroll around the entire diameter of the crater. Just take note that Kerid Crater does charge an entrance fee, but it’s still under $5 (600 ISK/€4.14) per person.

Bruarfoss Waterfall

Bruarfoss Waterfall is absolutely breathtaking! It might be one of our smaller falls, measuring 10 meters (33 feet) wide and with a drop of 3 meters (10 feet), but it is one not to be missed because of its distinct aesthetic. Bruarfoss is also known as the bluest waterfall in Iceland because of the striking turquoise color of the water.

This hue is because the majority of the water comes from the Langjökull Glacier. To get to the waterfall, you’ll need to take on a 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) hike. But don’t worry, it’s an easy and well-maintained trail, so the entire family can enjoy what feels more like a leisurely stroll than a strenuous hike.

Faxi Waterfall

Faxi Waterfall is one of the most impressive waterfalls along the Golden Circle, just because of its sheer magnitude. Although it doesn’t have such an impressive drop (7 meters/23 feet), the waterfall clocks in at a staggering 80 meters (260 feet) wide! The horseshoe-shaped waterfall lies just south of Geysir and can be viewed from an observation platform, just a short walk from the parking lot.

Fridheimar

Fridheimar offers a very unique experience. This family venture grows tomatoes all year round with an avid passion for sustainability. Here, you will not only be able to buy fresh produce and other locally sourced products at the shop, but the restaurant has a menu filled with all things tomato. We highly recommend that you also give their famous tomato beer a try.

The Secret Lagoon (aka Gamla Laugin)

The Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest swimming pool. So, although man-made, it still uses the warm waters of our natural hot springs. Built in 1891, this pool served as the place where locals learnt to swim. This was true till 1947, when, in a strange turn of events, the swimming pool seemed to become completely forgotten.

It was only in 2005 that a new owner decided to revamp and bring the historic pool back to life and open it up to the community again. Because of the state of disrepair, it took a looooong time. However, the Secret Lagoon (a name it earned because of its forgotten years) finally reopened in 2014, and it’s been a popular spot ever since, especially because of its beautiful and peaceful surroundings.

The Reykjadalur Thermal River

Yes, you heard right; an entire river of our warm, healing water. The Reykjadalur Thermal River is found in the Reykjadalur Valley (close to the town of Hveragerdi) and will require a hike of 6 kilometers (miles) round trip. But, once again, this hike is really just a family-friendly leisurely stroll because it's on a well-maintained gravel pathway.

The “hike” is therefore considered to be easy and shouldn’t take you longer than an hour (if you’re reeeaaallly unfit or admiring the view) to the thermal river and again upon your return to the parking lot. The river itself is quite the experience. Not only are you dealing with a massive river of warm waters to have a swim in, but the rock pools along its side also serve as natural hot pots as the warm waters pool together.

You’re also able to choose your temperature preference! The higher upstream you go, the hotter the water will be, and the lower downstream you go, the colder it will be!

One-Day Golden Circle Self-Drive Itinerary by Campervan

Below, we’ve provided you with a sample itinerary of what a one-day Golden Circle self-drive itinerary by campervan looks like. You can either use it as is, or use it as a starting point and customize it to suit your specific needs and preferences best:

• 08:00 – Your express road trip officially begins as you leave the capital city of Reykjavik via Route 1 (aka the Ring Road route) and then turn north via Route 36.
• 09:00 – Explore Thingvellir National Park (check above for some of the most popular spots in the park, but just keep the time constraints of a one-day trip in mind).
• 11:00 – Sorry, but it’s time to depart from Thingvellir. Whatever you’ve not seen or done will have to be left till next time.
• 11:01 – By this time, you should be on the road heading to the Geysir Geothermal Area (the drive itself can take between 45 and 60 minutes).
• 12:00 – By now, you should’ve arrived at Geysir Geothermal Area. Explore the surroundings and check out both Geysir and Strokkur before moving on to the next stop.
• 13:00 – Head out to Gullfoss Waterfall and remember that you can view the waterfall from different platforms, giving you different viewing angles.
• 14:30 – Time to leave Gullfoss (if you haven’t already) and drive to Kerid Crater.
• 15:00 – You should’ve arrived at Kerid by now, so spend some time taking it all in.
• 16:00 – This marks the official end to your one-day road trip. Start driving back towards the capital. You can either sleep over in Reykjavik and catch your flight back early the next morning or go straight to Keflavik Airport.

*Just to reiterate, we would not recommend the above-mentioned itinerary during the months with less than 8 hours of daylight.

Two-Day Golden Circle Campervan Itinerary with Overnight Camping

If you’re able to carve out a little bit more time here on the island, a two-day Golden Circle road trip is sure to hit that sweet spot. Here’s an example of what such an itinerary could look like:

Day 1: Leaving the Capital and Hitting Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss

• 08:30 – Time to leave the capital city of Reykjavik and head towards Thingvellir National Park.
• 10:00 – By now, you should’ve arrived at Thingvellir. Take 2 to 3 hours to explore the area and all its highlights that we’ve already spoken about.
• 13:00 – Time to hit the road again! This time, you’re off to Geysir. The trip to the OG of all geysers should take just 45 minutes.
• 14:00 - By now, you should’ve already started exploring Geysir Geothermal Area and have probably seen Strokkur erupt at least once. Remember to grab a bite to eat on-site before continuing the day’s exploring.
• 15:30 – Time to head to Gullfoss! It’s super close (just 10 minutes) away, so you’ll be there in no time. Check out the waterfall from all the various angles.
• 17:00 – If you have enough time, make a quick stop at Kerid Crater.
• 18:30 – This officially marks the end of the day; time to head “home” for the night. There’s an absolute myriad of campsites to choose from in the area. You can choose from recommended sites such as Camping Thingvellir, Laugarvatn Camping Ground, or Camping Geysir.

Day 2: Chilling in Hot Springs and Heading Home

• 09:00 – Time to wake up and head out toward your first relaxing stops of the day (Laugarvatn Fontana or The Secret Lagoon).
• 10:00 – Chill in the warm, healing waters while taking in the breathtaking views, before moving on to Haukadalur Forest.
• 13:00 – We have to say hike, but it’s once again more of a leisurely stroll through Haukadalur Forest (an activity suitable for all ages).
• 14:30 – Start the drive back towards Reykjavik.
• 16:00 – By now, you should be back in the capital city for an overnight stay, or you can head straight to Keflavik Airport if you’re catching a flight out on the same day.

Campervan Logistics on the Golden Circle

Take note of the following logistics when cruising the Golden Circle in your campervan:

Campsites Along the Golden Circle

As we already mentioned, you’ll find plenty of campsites all along the Golden Circle. Please note that wild camping in your camper is illegal here in Iceland, and you also cannot park overnight in a parking spot that’s not specifically designated and marked as such. If caught, you’ll be staring a budget-breaking fine in the face. When searching for a campsite nearby or doing your trip itinerary research, you can use the Tjalda website.

Parking Rules and Fees

As we touched on, you can just park wherever you want here on the island, and you’ll need to look out for designated and clearly marked parking spots. In our cities and towns, you’ll also need to take note of whether parking spots have certain time limits on them.

Some of the parking lots at attractions also charge a small parking fee. Although not exorbitant amounts, it’s still important to budget for these types of expenses. These parking fees can either be paid on-site or by using the Parka or EasyPark app.

Fuel, Food, Bathroom Stops

There are a few important things to take note of here:

Gas Stations in Iceland

We have various gas stations all along the Golden Circle route in Iceland, and you’ll find that prices vary between them all (even within the same brand of gas stations). That’s why it’s very important to do your research ahead of time and scout out the ones that’ll give you the most bang for your buck.

You can also ask your rental agent whether they have any partnerships with a local gas station, which will then give you a discount advantage (this usually comes in the form of a tag on the rental vehicle key). You will also find additional discount perks on gas with cards such as the Reykjavik City Card and the Camping Card.

Food in Iceland

If you’re looking for a quick stock-up along the way, you’ll find that most of our gas stations have convenience stores. But these items are pricey, so keep this option for emergencies only. For proper grocery shopping, we highly recommend you stock up in the bigger cities and towns such as Reykjavik, and your go-to stores for budget-friendly supplies should be Kronan and Bonus.

Bathroom Breaks

If you don’t have a bathroom that comes with your camper, you’ll still find plenty of places to relieve yourself along the way (just not next to the road or behind a bush, please!). At the campsites, you’ll have shared ablution blocks with toilets and showers. Their usage is usually included in your camping price.

Then you’ll also often find bathrooms at our gas stations and local attractions. Just be aware that, similar to the parking, there will sometimes be a fee to use the bathrooms. While also not much, it’s still a good idea to include these types of ad-hoc fees in your budget planning.

Best Time of Year to Self-Drive the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is one of our paved and well-maintained routes, so it’s possible to drive this route all year round. However, you’ll need to consider the following:

Summer vs Winter Timing

Exploring the Golden Circle in your campervan during the summertime (June to August) means great weather, 20+ hours of daylight every day, and practically no road condition concerns (in other words, navigating ice and snow on the roads will be extremely unlikely). But with all these summertime perks come a few drawbacks, so you’ll need to brace yourself for some peak season crowds and those pesky peak season prices.

Winter has much fewer daylight hours, and you’ll need to be ready for possible road closures and some ice and snow on the roads. But along with all these cons, winter also comes with a lot of pros. For example, you can experience one of our most famous natural phenomena, the Northern Lights, and you can explore our ice caves and all sorts of other fun seasonal activities.

Ultimately, each season has its pros and cons, and it will remain up to you to decide which works best for you (there’s also no reason why you can’t do both *wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Just take note that while it’s easy to cruise the Golden Circle in a 2-wheel drive camper during the summertime, you’ll need to get a 4x4 camper during the winter and ensure you’ve got all the necessary gear and equipment (winter tires, etc.).

Daylight, Weather, and Road Conditions

As you already know, you’ll have more daylight hours during our warmer months and much fewer during our colder months. There’s also a major difference in the weather, but at least you can rest assured that, as a paved main road, the Golden Circle will be salted and ploughed regularly during our wintertime.

Still, it’s good practice here on the island to always keep an eye on the weather forecast via Vedur and the state of the roads via Umferdin.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Golden Circle Self-Drive

Below are the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about a Golden Circle Self-Drive in a Camper:

Can You Drive the Golden Circle in One Day?

Yes. It’s possible to drive the Golden Circle in just 4 hours without making any stops along the way, and with stops, it can be done in roughly 8 hours. However, if you’d like to take it a little easier on your Golden Circle exploration, make more stops along the way or spend more time at stops, we recommend allocating 2 to 3 days.

Is the Golden Circle Route Suitable for Campervan Travel?

Yes, as a paved, main route, you’ll be able to travel the Golden Circle in a camper without any hassles. Just keep in mind that while a 2-wheel drive camper will be perfectly sufficient during our warmer months, you’ll need a 4x4 with all its trimmings (snow tires, etc) when visiting during our colder months.

Is the Golden Circle Safe to Drive During the Winter?

Yes, the Golden Circle is a paved main route that is often salted and scraped during the winter season. However, you’ll still need to be prepared to drive in some wind, snow, and ice, and plan your itinerary around roughly 4 to 5 hours of daylight each day.

Final Thoughts: Is a Campervan the Best Way to Do the Golden Circle?

A campervan is by far the best way to explore the Golden Circle. The convenience of traveling with your home everywhere you go, the affordability it offers to your trip, the unique and immersive experience of being part of the Icelandic landscape, and much more await you on a campervan road trip around the Golden Circle.

So, are you ready to hit the road? Then contact us here at Camper Rental Iceland so we can make all your campervan road-tripping dreams come true!