5 Days Self-Drive Tour with Pick Up – Northern Lights Adventure Camper´ Break

Iceland rewards the road tripper. This five-day CampEasy adventure combines a ready-made route with the freedom of your own campervan, taking you from Reykjanes and the Golden Circle along the South Coast to the glacier lagoon and Reykjavik. I like the included airport shuttle and the practical extras, especially Wi-Fi, campsite fees, a guide tablet, and booked activities. I also like that the tour stays private, so you can set your own pace instead of following a large bus.

The main drawback is the schedule. You cover a lot of ground in five days, and the long drives, changing weather, parking charges, fuel costs, and campervan chores require energy and planning. At $1,125.85 per person, the value is strongest if you want transport, accommodation, and major activities bundled together, not if you are seeking a slow holiday with hotel comfort.

Key points to know before booking

• Airport pickup saves time: A free shuttle runs from Keflavík International Airport or selected Keflavík hotels to the CampEasy office, about five minutes from the airport.
• The route covers Iceland’s big southern sights: You visit Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss, Reynisfjara, Skaftafell, Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, and central Reykjavik.
• Two major activities are included: Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths and a four-hour Katla Ice Cave trip by super jeep.
• The campervan is part of the experience: Kitchen supplies, bedding, heating, Wi-Fi, gas, a guide tablet, and zero-risk coverage are included.
• Extra costs still matter: Fuel, parking, food, personal accident insurance, campsite electricity, and optional stops such as the Blue Lagoon are not included.
• This is private, but not effortless: You drive, cook or arrange meals, monitor conditions, and manage the vehicle while following a fairly full plan.

Picking up the campervan near Keflavík

Your Iceland trip begins at the CampEasy office on Selvík 5 in Keflavík. The company offers free pickup from Keflavík airport or one of 12 selectable hotels in the Keflavík area between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. At the end, the same shuttle takes you back to the airport or a selected hotel.

That transfer is a real convenience. You do not need to arrange a taxi immediately after landing, and the office is only about five minutes from the airport. Still, pay attention to your arrival time. The pickup service is limited to the stated daytime window, so an arrival outside those hours needs careful checking before you book.

The driver must be at least 20 years old and show an international driving license that is valid for the vehicle and has been valid for at least 12 months at pickup. This is not a minor detail. Bring the correct document, or the handover could become a very expensive problem.

The campervan package includes a quality vehicle, bedding, kitchen equipment, gas, Wi-Fi, a guide tablet, and zero-risk coverage. Several published comments praise the vans for being clean, comfortable, well maintained, and mechanically reliable. One owner, Lidia, was singled out for explaining the essential driving and camper information clearly during pickup.

That practical briefing matters in Iceland. You need to understand heating, batteries, supplies, driving conditions, and campsite routines before leaving the office. CampEasy also received praise for prompt support and for sending useful weather and holiday information. That kind of communication is valuable in a country where conditions can change quickly.

Day 1: Reykjanes geology and steaming ground

After pickup, you explore the Reykjanes Peninsula before heading farther into the country. The first stop is the Bridge Between Continents, also called the Leif the Lucky Bridge or Miðlína. It marks the meeting area of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

You get about 45 minutes here. The bridge itself is modest, but the point is memorable: you can physically walk between two continental plates. It is a quick, easy introduction to Iceland’s geology, and it works well on the first day because you are not yet trying to cover a huge distance.

Next comes Gunnuhver, a geothermal area filled with steam vents and hot mud pools. Mineral deposits color the ground, with the Reykjanes lighthouse visible in the distance. Stay on marked paths and respect barriers. Geothermal areas are beautiful, but they are also places where the ground and steam can be dangerous.

The final major stop is Kleifarvatn Lake, the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula and one of Iceland’s deepest, reaching almost 100 meters. Lava and old moss surround the water, giving the area a quiet, spare character. You have about 70 minutes here, enough to take in the view without turning the first day into a marathon.

The first day is nicely paced compared with what follows. It gives you time to learn the campervan and enjoy less crowded scenery. You will still need to handle your own food and overnight arrangements, since meals are not included.

Day 2: The Golden Circle meets Iceland’s South Coast

Day two is the busiest sightseeing day. At Þingvellir National Park, you see a place that is important for both geology and Icelandic political history. Continental movement shaped the fissures and rock formations, while Öxarárfoss waterfall and the Silfra area add visual interest.

Allow about 80 minutes. Parking is charged separately, so keep a payment method ready. The park itself has no admission charge, but this is one of several small fees that can add up during the trip.

At Laugarvatn Fontana, the geothermal experience is more than a bath. A rye bread tour at 11:45 a.m. shows how dough is cooked in the hot ground, followed by a tasting. You can then soak in warm water while looking across the lake.

The Fontana visit takes about two and a half hours and is included. That makes it one of the stronger value points in the package. It breaks up the driving and gives you a distinctly Icelandic food and bathing experience rather than another viewpoint.

Fridheimar tomato farm and restaurant is suggested as an optional stop. The farm uses geothermal energy and biological pest controls, and its restaurant serves tomato-based specialties. You must book directly by email or phone, and the stop adds about an hour including driving from Fontana. It is a tempting addition, but the day is already full, so do not force it into the schedule if you prefer time at the waterfalls.

At Geysir, the active star is Strokkur, which sends a column of hot water up to 15 meters. You have 45 minutes, enough to wait for several eruptions and walk around the geothermal area.

Gullfoss completes the Golden Circle. The waterfall drops 32 meters into a narrow gorge, and the spray can make the viewing area wet. The stop is short at 45 minutes, so wear a jacket that handles wind and water.

The day continues to Seljalandsfoss, a 60-meter waterfall with a path behind the falling water. Two hours and 15 minutes are allowed here, which is useful because the area gives you more to see than one photograph. The entrance is free, but parking is not included.

Skógafoss is next. Meltwater from the Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers feeds this powerful fall. You have an hour to enjoy the roar, spray, and frequent rainbows. The steps near the waterfall can be wet, so good footwear helps.

This day gives you a lot for your money, but it is not relaxed. You need to watch the clock for Fontana’s bread tour and keep enough energy for the South Coast drive. If you like full days and variety, it is rewarding. If you want long walks and unhurried meals, the plan may feel tight.

Day 3: Vík, Katla ice, and black-sand coast

Vík is the base for the day’s main activity. The village sits beside the South Coast, near glaciers, rivers, and black sand. You get about 45 minutes there before the Katla excursion begins at 9:30 a.m.

The four-hour Katla Ice Cave trip is included. You ride in a super jeep toward Katla Volcano, where volcanic rock and ice meet. The setting is unusual because the cave environment comes from both fire and frozen water. You should arrive at the paid activity meeting point 20 minutes early, as recommended.

Some activities on the overall trip have a minimum age of eight. Check the age rules for every participant before booking, especially if you are bringing children. The ice cave outing also depends on conditions, so follow the operator’s instructions and wear suitable clothing.

Reynisfjara Beach gives you a classic South Coast scene: black sand, basalt columns, and three sea stacks offshore. The Atlantic is powerful here. Keep well back from the water, since the coast is not a place for casual wading or turning your back on the waves.

Dyrhólaey is another striking viewpoint, with a 120-meter rock formation and a large opening through which ships once passed. It is also home to many bird species. The visit lasts about 45 minutes, making it a good short stop after the beach.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon is allowed nearly two hours. Its winding form, river, grass, and scattered sheep make it feel very different from the open black beach. The canyon also appeared in a Justin Bieber music video, though the scenery matters more than its screen connection.

At Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Systrafoss drops from Lake Systravatn above the town. A short uphill walk gives you a wider view. You can also drive about five minutes farther to Stjórnarfoss, an optional waterfall stop.

The day ends at Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park. Walking paths lead toward Svartifoss, known for the dark basalt columns around the water. Two hours is enough for a worthwhile walk, but not for every trail in the area. Parking is charged separately.

This is one of the most memorable days, but also one of the most demanding. The ice cave trip fixes your morning schedule, while the later stops stretch the driving day. Use your time wisely, and do not treat every optional detour as mandatory.

Day 4: Icebergs, Diamond Beach, and the return drive

Diamond Beach is named for the chunks of glacier ice scattered across black sand. The ice varies in size and shape, and sunlight can make it glitter like glass. Allow 90 minutes, which gives you time to walk along the shore and see how different each piece looks.

Across the road, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon holds icebergs that have broken from Vatnajökull’s Breiðamerkurjökull tongue. You have about 40 minutes at the lagoon. The water, ice, and surrounding glacier views make this one of the trip’s signature stops.

The timing here is slightly odd. Diamond Beach receives more time than the lagoon, even though both are close together and work best as a pair. You may want to adjust your personal pace, spending less time at the beach if the lagoon is especially dramatic.

You then drive to Selfoss, where you spend the night and prepare for the final day. The stated stop time is four and a half hours, so this is largely a travel and rest period rather than another attraction.

That long return drive is the clearest sign that this tour favors coverage over leisure. The advantage is that you reach the glacier region and still return toward Reykjavik within five days. The cost is more time behind the wheel, with less room for weather delays or spontaneous stops.

Day 5: Reykjavik icons and campervan return

The final sightseeing begins with the Sun Voyager sculpture beside the sea. Jón Gunnar Árnason designed it to express hope and freedom, and the mountain backdrop gives the sculpture a strong setting. Forty minutes is enough for photographs and a short waterfront pause.

Harpa Concert Hall follows. Its glass architecture draws on Icelandic natural forms, and you can enter the building for free. Parking is extra, and 30 minutes is enough for a quick look rather than a full event visit.

At Hallgrímskirkja, you are close to downtown and Rainbow Street. The church is free to enter, but the tower costs extra. If it is open during your visit, the tower offers a 360-degree view of Reykjavik, making the fee worthwhile for city views.

The Blue Lagoon is offered as an optional idea before departure. It adds about two hours including driving from Hallgrímskirkja, but admission is not included and you must book it yourself. This is a sensible add-on only if your flight timing leaves plenty of room. Do not risk a rushed airport transfer for a bath.

Finally, return the campervan to CampEasy. The free shuttle takes you to Keflavík airport or a selected Keflavík hotel. Allow enough time for vehicle handover and transfer, especially if you have a fixed flight.

What the $1,125.85 price really covers

The price is not just a vehicle rental. You receive a campervan, campsite fees, Wi-Fi, gas, bedding, kitchen equipment, a guide tablet, zero-risk coverage, airport transfers, an organized route, and the Fontana and Katla activities.

That bundle can be good value for two people sharing a van, particularly when you count hotel rooms, car hire, and paid excursions separately. It also removes much of the planning work while keeping your group private.

You still need to budget for fuel, food, parking, campsite electricity, personal accident insurance, and optional attractions. Traffic fines are your responsibility, including parking and speeding penalties. Flights are not included.

Published feedback gives the company its strongest marks for dependable vans, warm heating, useful supplies, smooth check-in and check-out, and helpful staff support. One first-time campervan user found the heating powerful enough to stay comfortable through a long night. Another praised the vehicle’s handling on snow and ice. Those are encouraging signs, but Icelandic weather still demands caution rather than confidence.

Who should book this Iceland campervan break?

I would choose this trip if you want the freedom of self-driving but do not want to plan every stop yourself. It suits couples, friends, and small private groups who enjoy scenic roads, simple campervan living, and long sightseeing days.

It is less suitable if you dislike driving, need hotel amenities, want slow mornings, or prefer a guide to handle every road decision. The 20-year driver minimum, international license rule, separate costs, and fixed activity times also matter.

The cancellation terms are friendly: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

FAQ

Is airport pickup included?

Yes. A free shuttle is available from Keflavík International Airport or a selected hotel in the Keflavík area to the CampEasy office.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at CampEasy, Selvík 5, 230 Keflavík. A free shuttle is offered at both ends to Keflavík airport or a selected Keflavík hotel.

What is the minimum age for the driver?

The driver must be at least 20 years old and must show a valid international driving license that has been valid for at least 12 months at pickup.

Are the campsites included?

Campsite fees are included. Electricity and other campsite services are not included.

Are fuel and parking included?

No. Fuel and parking fees are separate costs. Parking charges apply at places including Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Skaftafell, and Harpa.

Which activities are included?

Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths and the four-hour Katla Ice Cave excursion are included. Optional activities such as Fridheimar and the Blue Lagoon are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Most people can participate, but some activities have a minimum age of eight. Check the age requirement for each activity before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this five-day break if you want a private Iceland road trip with the major southern sights already arranged and two substantial activities included. The reliable campervans, strong heating, useful supplies, airport transfer, and helpful support make the package easier for first-time campervan users.

Skip it if you want a calm pace or dislike extra charges. The route is ambitious, and the long driving days leave little room for delays. For an active group that values freedom, scenery, and practical value, it offers a solid way to see a large piece of Iceland in a short time.