A Complete 3-Part Self-Drive Guide for Indian Travellers
Part 1: Planning Your Iceland Self-Drive Trip from India
Why Iceland?
Iceland entered my travel bucket list rather unexpectedly.
A few years ago, I saw a couple of photographs posted by a friend from Diamond Beach. Icebergs of different shapes and sizes were scattered across a black volcanic beach, shining like pieces of glass against the dark sand.The photographs looked almost unreal.
From that moment, Iceland quietly found a permanent place in my mind.
Every time we planned a holiday, Iceland somehow appeared in the discussion. We would consider it, compare it with other destinations, calculate the cost, look at the flights—and then postpone it for another trip.
But Iceland clearly had no intention of leaving us alone.
Finally, after repeatedly making guest appearances in all our future travel plans, we zeroed in on Iceland for our May 2026 holiday.
And what a destination it turned out to be.
Iceland is popularly described as the Land of Fire and Ice, but even that description feels incomplete. It is a country of volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, black-sand beaches, steaming geothermal fields, snow-covered mountains and roads that seem to disappear into endless landscapes.The greatest attraction of Iceland is not limited to its famous landmarks.It is also the journey between them.
A drive that appears ordinary on Google Maps may suddenly take you past a waterfall, a lonely church, a snow-covered mountain, a group of Icelandic horses or a road winding through a vast lava field.
In Iceland, the road is not merely a way of reaching the attraction, Quite often, the road itself is the attraction.
For any avid traveller, Iceland should not remain a destination admired only through photographs. It deserves to be experienced at least once.
Some places are beautiful.Some places are dramatic.
And then there is Iceland, where certain landscapes are so unbelievable that you stop the car, look around and wonder whether someone has quietly changed the planet while you were driving.
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Why Is Iceland Still Overlooked by Many Indian Travellers?
Despite its extraordinary beauty, Iceland is still not among the most common European holiday destinations for Indian travellers.
I often found people confusing Iceland not only with Ireland, but—rather surprisingly—with Greenland as well.The names may sound related, but the holiday experiences certainly are not.
Many people also assume that Iceland has unbearably harsh weather and is therefore suitable only for extremely adventurous travellers.The weather is certainly unpredictable. It is also an essential part of the Iceland experience.
There are probably a few other reasons why Iceland gets overlooked.
First, organised Iceland tour packages can be extremely expensive.
Second, public transport outside Reykjavík is limited.
Third, many Indians hesitate to drive abroad, particularly in a country known for strong winds and rapidly changing weather.
The result is that Iceland is often dismissed even before proper planning begins.
But that would be a mistake.
Yes, Iceland is expensive. Yes, it requires advance planning. And yes, a self-drive trip may feel daunting at first, especially for someone who has never driven outside India.However, with the right car, a sensible itinerary, appropriate clothing and realistic expectations, Iceland can be one of the most rewarding self-drive holidays you will ever experience.
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The Questions Every Indian Traveller Will Naturally Ask
Once Iceland enters your travel plans, a long list of questions follows almost immediately.
1. Is Iceland Too Expensive?
This is usually the first concern—and quite honestly, it is a valid one.
Yes, Iceland is expensive.
The good news is that with proper planning, the overall cost can be reduced significantly without compromising too much on comfort or experience.
A few decisions made a major difference to our budget.
Book Early
Hotels and rental cars become considerably more expensive closer to the travel date, especially in smaller towns where accommodation options are limited.
Choose a Self-Drive Rental Car instead of joining organised tours.
Renting a car and travelling independently was more economical and flexible.
Combine Restaurants With Supermarket Meals
Booking hotels with breakfast and occasionally using supermarket or ready-to-eat meals helped us control food expenses.
Supermarkets such as Krónan and Bónus, along with fuel stations such as N1, offer sandwiches, salads, soups, hot dogs and ready-to-eat food.
Travel During the Shoulder Season
Visiting in May helped us avoid the highest summer-season prices while still enjoying long daylight hours and mostly manageable road conditions.
Our total cost for a couple—including international flights, rental car, fuel, hotels, parking, meals, activities and other regular expenses—was below ₹5.5 lakh.
But with early bookings and sensible planning, Iceland need not remain an impossible luxury destination.
So, is Iceland expensive?
Yes.
Is it unaffordable?
Not necessarily.
And after experiencing its landscapes, road trips and sheer variety, our final reaction was:
Well… perhaps not so costly after all.
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2. How Is the Flight Connectivity From India?
There are no direct flights from India to Iceland, but reaching Reykjavík is not as difficult as it may initially appear.
We opted for a one-stop LOT Polish Airlines flight from Delhi to Reykjavík, with a connection in Warsaw. We managed to get the return ticket at a very reasonable price of around ₹66,000 per person.
The connection worked well, and the eight-hour layover in Warsaw turned out to be an unexpected bonus.Instead of spending the entire time inside the airport, we used the layover to explore Warsaw’s Old Town.
The colourful buildings, charming streets and historic central square made the stopover quite fascinating.What could have been eight long hours of airport-chair meditation became a small additional holiday within the holiday.
Flights from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other Indian cities are also available, usually with one or two stops.However, during our search, many two-stop options from Mumbai were considerably more expensive.
A Few Important Points While Booking;
Check Whether Baggage Is Included
Check UK Transit-Visa Requirements Carefully
Keep Sufficient Connection Time
Prefer a Single-Ticket Booking
Confirm Whether Baggage Is Checked Through
Check the Arrival Airport Carefully
International flights normally arrive at Keflavík International Airport, which is around 45–50 kilometres from central Reykjavík.
Plan your airport transfer, first-night hotel or rental-car collection accordingly.
Overall, flight connectivity from India is quite manageable.
With early booking, flexible departure cities and a sensible European connection, the journey can be both reasonably priced and comfortable.
And with the right layover, you may even manage to add another country to the trip before Iceland officially begins.
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3. Which Visa Is Required for Iceland?
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, so Indian passport holders require a Schengen short-stay visa for a tourist visit.A Schengen visa generally permits travel within Iceland and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to the validity and entry conditions printed on the visa.
VFS Global handles visa applications on behalf of the Embassy of Iceland in India.
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4. How Long Does an Iceland Trip Take?
We opted for a Ring Road itinerary—a circular route that goes around most of Iceland, with a few worthwhile detours along the way.
We completed the journey comfortably in eight nights with a self-drive car.
In my opinion, eight nights is about the minimum required to experience Iceland’s Ring Road without making the entire holiday feel like a race.
It allows you to cover the major highlights, enjoy the scenic drives and still stop frequently—which is unavoidable in Iceland.
You may plan a ten-day, twelve-day or even fourteen-day journey without the slightest regret.
Iceland has enough waterfalls, glaciers, beaches, volcanoes, hot springs, mountains and scenic villages to keep extending your itinerary almost indefinitely.
The challenge is rarely finding places to visit. The real challenge is deciding what to leave out.
With eight nights, you can get a wonderful introduction to the country.With ten to fourteen days, you can travel more slowly, include longer hikes, spend additional time in the Eastfjords or North Iceland and keep some flexibility for unpredictable weather.
But here is the strange thing about Iceland: even if you spent all eight days in just one region, you would probably still return completely satisfied.
Iceland is not a country where you can honestly say, “We have seen everything.”You merely decide how much beauty your itinerary—and your camera memory card—can handle.
Because in Iceland, extra days are rarely wasted.
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5. I Have Never Driven Outside India. Can I Self-Drive in Iceland?
Honestly, if there is one country where you should seriously consider driving outside India, it is arguably Iceland.
A valid Indian driving licence printed in English is generally accepted by Icelandic rental companies, and an International Driving Permit is usually not required.
The main barriers are not always practical. They are often psychological:
* The car is left-hand drive.
* You drive on the right side of the road.
* Roundabouts work differently.
* And then there is the big question: “What if I cannot manage?”
The truth is that the first few minutes may feel unfamiliar.But the adjustment happens surprisingly quickly.
And let us be honest: if you have successfully driven in Indian traffic—among sudden lane changes, motorcycles appearing from nowhere and pedestrians crossing with complete faith in destiny—you already possess a fairly advanced driving skill set.
Icelandic traffic is extremely disciplined, and the civic sense of other road users helps bring out the best driver in you.
After a couple of hours, you become calmer, more patient and more disciplined behind the wheel.
In fact, the real difficulty may begin after returning home, when you are suddenly expected to re-enter the organised chaos of Indian roads.
A Few Things That Helped Us
–Watch Driving Videos Before the Trip
– Avoid Central Reykjavík Initially
– Understand Icelandic Roundabouts
– Choose an Automatic Car
– Rent From a Reliable Company
We opted for Blue Car Rental, and our overall experience was excellent.
A reliable rental company, clear insurance terms and easy airport pickup can make the beginning of the journey much smoother.
-Take Comprehensive Insurance
Icelandic driving may involve gravel roads, strong winds, loose stones and rapidly changing weather.Good insurance provides both protection and peace of mind.Also remember to hold the car door firmly while opening it in strong winds.Icelandic wind does not merely close doors—it sometimes tries to take them home.
Most importantly, driving in Iceland is not simply a way to reach the next destination.
The empty roads, changing landscapes, sudden waterfalls, snow-covered mountains and endless photo stops may become some of the strongest memories of your entire trip.
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6. What Is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?
Iceland can be visited at any time of the year.Each season offers a completely different experience.
Summer brings long days and greener landscapes. Winter offers snow and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. The shoulder months provide a little bit of everything.
Based on our experience, I would strongly recommend visiting during the third or fourth week of May.
Why May?
Better Prices Than Peak Summer
Hotel and rental-car prices are generally lower than during the main summer season.
A Beautiful Mixture of Snow and Greenery
It feels as though winter and summer have briefly agreed to share the country.
Comfortable Temperatures
Relatively Fewer Crowds
Exceptionally Long Days
This was perhaps the greatest advantage of travelling in May.By the third and fourth weeks of the month, Iceland has extremely long daylight hours.
The sun sets very late, and even after sunset, the sky may remain bright for a considerable time.
This gives you tremendous flexibility.
During our eight-night trip, the long days made it feel as though we had gained several additional days of sightseeing.You pay for eight nights but receive the usable travel time of almost twelve.
In a country where every additional night costs a small fortune, four imaginary nights free felt like Iceland’s most generous discount.
Are There Any Disadvantages?
There are a few:
* Some mountain roads and Highland F-roads may still be closed.
* The weather can remain unpredictable.
* Certain hiking routes may still have snow or muddy sections.
* The Northern Lights are generally not visible because the nights remain too bright.
Choose the season that matches the Iceland you want to experience, rather than merely selecting the month that someone else calls “perfect.”
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7. What About Food?
One disadvantage of choosing a self-drive holiday over an organised tour is that meals are not automatically taken care of.
Fortunately, food in Iceland is quite manageable with a little planning.
Indian food is not readily available once you travel outside Reykjavík.So, if you expect dal, roti and sabzi at every stop along the Ring Road, Iceland may gently suggest that you adjust your expectations.
But if you are willing to try local flavours and compromise a little, you are definitely in for a treat—although sometimes a rather expensive one.
Start With a Proper Hotel Breakfast,
In Iceland, a good hotel breakfast is not merely a meal.It is also a small financial strategy.A substantial breakfast can keep you going well beyond lunchtime, particularly on days with several sightseeing stops.
Soups Are Easily Available
Hot soups are commonly available at cafés, restaurants, visitor centres and fuel stations.They are filling, comforting and particularly welcome after spending time outdoors in cold or windy weather.
Use Supermarkets and Fuel Stations
Supermarkets such as Krónan and Bónus ,Fuel stations such as N1 also offer convenient food options, including sandwiches, soups, hot dogs, snacks and ready-to-eat meals.are extremely useful during a road trip.
Carry Ready-to-Eat Food From India
Carrying a few ready-to-eat Indian meals can help break the monotony.
After several days of sandwiches, soups and mildly seasoned food, a spicy Indian meal can feel like an emotional reunion.
Do Not Depend Entirely on Restaurants
A practical approach is to combine:
* A proper hotel breakfast
* A light supermarket or fuel-station lunch
* An occasional restaurant dinner
* A ready-to-eat Indian meal every few days
This keeps the food budget under control without making the holiday feel deprived.
And after a cold, windy day, even a simple bowl of hot soup may taste like a Michelin-starred masterpiece.
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8. How early should we Start with Bookings?
Iceland rewards early planners.If you are planning to travel in May, I would suggest finalising your flights, accommodation and rental car by the end of December, or at least by January.
Booking around five to six months in advance gives you three major advantages:
* Better prices
* More accommodation and rental-car options
* Enough time to complete the visa process without unnecessary stress
Reserve Popular Activities in Advance
Popular activities such as glacier walks, ice-cave tours, whale watching and Jökulsárlón boat tours may have limited time slots.Booking them in advance allows you to build the itinerary around confirmed timings.
A Practical Booking Timeline for a May Trip
November–December
Finalise your travel dates, broad route, number of nights and approximate budget.
By December-End or January
Book your international flights, hotels and rental car.
January–February
Reserve popular activities and begin preparing the visa documents.
February–March
Submit the visa application according to the permitted application window and appointment availability.
April
Finalise the day-wise itinerary, travel insurance, packing list and any important restaurant or activity reservations.
One Week Before Departure
Recheck:
* Weather forecasts
* Road conditions
* Flight timings
* Hotel bookings
* Activity reservations
* Rental-car documents
* Travel insurance
* Visa and passport validity
For Iceland, peace of mind before the trip is useful.
The weather will provide enough surprises after you arrive.
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Ready to Put the Journey on the Map?
Once the flights, visa, hotels and rental car are booked, the exciting part begins—deciding where to go and how much to fit into each day.
Should you attempt the complete Ring Road or concentrate on the South Coast?
Which waterfalls deserve a stop?
Where should you stay each night?
And how do you build an itinerary that is memorable without turning the holiday into an eight-day driving examination?
In Part 2, I will take you through our complete self-drive route—day by day—from Keflavík around the Ring Road and finally to Reykjavík.
A Voyage Clicked 