When it comes to heart-thumping scenery, Iceland wins every time. A heady mix of gasp-inducing glaciers, black basalt cliffs, icicled waterfalls, bubbling geysers and natural hot springs reveals the geothermal and tectonic forces shaping the landscape. Add the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights and the warmth of the locals, and it’s easy to see why Iceland has become the road trip of a lifetime for so many. But you don’t need a car to experience Iceland’s magic.
This guide will show you how to travel around Iceland without a car, with tips on public transport routes, guided day tours, and car-free itineraries. Whether you're based in Reykjavík or venturing further, Iceland is more accessible without a car than most travellers think – and it can be cheaper, more relaxing, and more sustainable.
Why travel Iceland without a car?
Iceland is indeed a road tripper’s paradise, but there are advantages to going car-free.
Saving on costs
The average cost of hiring a car in Iceland for a week typically ranges from £350 to over £600. While economy and compact cars are more affordable, Iceland’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather make an SUV a more practical and safer choice, especially for driving in winter. So, yes, driving can be expensive, and that’s without considering the insurance and fuel.
Less stress
Iceland lives up to its name – from October to April, icy roads and winter storms can make driving challenging, especially if you’re not used to snow or navigating remote areas. While most hire cars have snow tires, and the roads are regularly gritted, it can still be a nerve-wracking experience. Add in narrow mountain roads, unpredictable weather, and short daylight hours, and it’s easy to see why many travellers prefer to let someone else take the wheel.
Sustainability
Exploring Iceland car-free is the most eco-friendly option. We’ve covered Iceland's incomparable natural beauty – what better way to contribute to preserving and respecting it than by lowering your carbon footprint?
What are the best alternatives to hiring a car in Iceland?
Taking public buses
Walking is the best way to explore Reykjavík, but for longer journeys in and around the city, hop on a Strætó bus. They’re easily spotted for their bright yellow exterior. Strætó buses also have routes outside of the capital, with stops along the iconic Ring Road. They connect major towns and attractions, such as Reykjavík to Vík, and Akureyri to Husavík. Some routes only run during the summer months, and Route 84 must be booked 2 hours in advance.
Keep in mind that rural buses don’t run frequently, so it’s essential to check timetables and plan ahead. To pay for a Strætó bus in Reykjavík, you can use contactless payments. For longer countryside routes, you’ll need to pay by cash and debit/credit card when you board the bus.
Top tip: Download the Klappið app to help plan routes and get real-time bus updates. You can pay for tickets in Reykjavík using the app, but not on the countryside routes.
Taking designated tourist buses to reach remote areas
The public buses in Iceland don’t always go to the country’s most remote – and therefore, stunning – areas. The Highland Bus is one of Iceland’s tourist buses that operate during the short summer season. Expert drivers navigate the highland mountain roads, taking travellers to popular hiking destinations like Landmannalaugar.
Tour companies & day trips
Leave the logistics, planning, and driving to someone else by taking a guided tour. Iceland is saturated with tour companies and guides and choosing the right one can seem like a minefield, but we recommend Holiday Tours and Troll. They both offer small group tours for a more intimate experience, and Holiday Tours do customisable day trips.
Popular day trips
Guided day trips are a brilliant way to see Iceland’s natural sights and iconic attractions in a short amount of time. Here’s a snapshot of the most popular day trips in Iceland:
Golden Circle: Iceland’s most famous route, ticking off geysers, waterfalls, lagoons, and national parks in one day.
South Coast: Getting a glimpse of Iceland’s wild, expansive landscape, and visiting a glacier, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and more.
Northern Lights: Technically a night trip. Catching the Northern Lights is much easier with the guidance and equipment of an expert tour guide.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Nicknamed “Iceland in Miniature”, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a snapshot of the county’s diverse landscape with mountains, lava fields, rugged coastline, and glaciers.
Silfra Snorkelling: Unforgettable, unique experience of snorkelling between two tectonic plates.
Domestic flights
If you’re short on time, then you can catch a direct flight from Reykjavík to Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður, and Akureyri. The flights are expensive, typically ranging from £145 to £200, and it’s the least eco-friendly transport option. However, flight times are between 45 minutes and 1 hour, significantly cutting down travel time.
Cycling
This won’t be for everyone, but for adventure-seeking cyclists, biking around Iceland can be the thrill of a lifetime. Summer is the only season when it’s truly possible, with around 20 hours of sunlight a day and stunning, vast landscapes. That said, the weather can still be unpredictable, even in the height of summer. Strong winds – especially along the coast – can make cycling extremely physically demanding. It’s a test of endurance, but for the right person, it’s an incredibly rewarding way to explore Iceland.
Where to stay without a car
Reykjavík
Being based in a capital city is always a smart choice for car-free travel. Reykjavík is the launchpad for many of Iceland’s top day tours, including the iconic Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes, as well as incredible glacier hikes and Northern Lights excursions in the winter. The city is compact and walkable, with designated tour pick-up spots.#
Ísafjörður
Tucked between sloping mountains and dramatic coastline, Ísafjörður is an ideal hub for exploring the remote Westfjords. While less connected than Reykjavík or Akureyri, it offers access to spectacular scenery and untouched nature. There’s also a domestic airport here, or you can get there by taking multiple buses, with a total travel time of around 6 hours.
Akureyri
Often called Iceland’s “second city”, Akureyri is more of a charming town, with a population of around 20,000, but it has a lot to offer visitors. It’s a popular hub for day trips in the north of Iceland, particularly the Diamond Circle – a route featuring waterfalls, canyons, lava fields, geothermal activity, and more. There’s a direct bus from Reykjavík, a domestic airport, and tour companies offer accommodation pick-ups, making it surprisingly accessible for car-free travellers.
Iceland without a car: Itinerary ideas
3 Days – Reykjavík, South Coast, Golden Circle
If you only have 3 days in Iceland, make the most of it. A jam-packed schedule would tick off these 3 big hitters:
- Take a walking tour to learn more about the city while exploring
- Golden Circle day trip
- South Coast day trip – we love this one because it includes a once-in-a-lifetime glacier hike, as well as a visit to Reynisfjara Beach
1 Week – Reykjavík & mix of tours
If you have a week in Iceland, we still recommend sticking to one tour hub. If you’re based in Reykjavík, you can hit all of the 3-day activities but spread them out over a longer period – back-to-back day trips can be tiring. We also recommend:
- Taking a tour of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Lagoon
10 Days – Reykjavík & Akureyri
With 10 days in Iceland, it’s easy to split your time between two well-connected hubs: Reykjavík in the south and Akureyri in the north. We recommend this pairing because there’s a direct bus between the two cities, unlike the routes to Ísafjörður, which require multiple transfers. That said, the total travel time is similar – around 6 hours – so your choice may come down to the type of experience you’re after.
- 4 days in Reykjavík: Use this as a base for day tours to the Golden Circle, South Coast, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- 1 day for travel: Take the scenic 6-hour bus or a 40-minute domestic flight
- 4 days in Akureyri: Explore the town, go whale watching, take a tour of the Diamond Circle (including Dettifoss and Lake Mývatn – or take a bus separately), visit the cute town of Húsavík
Tips for exploring Iceland without a car
- Book tours early (especially in summer).
- Check bus schedules in advance.
- Use the Klappið app to map out and plan bus routes.
- Be flexible – plans can shift due to unpredictable weather.
- Stay in accommodation near bus stops or tour pickup points.
- Find tours that have smaller groups for a more personalised, cosy experience.
- Time your trip for summer – more bus routes, tours are more reliable, better weather, and long daylight hours.
- Base in a tour hub.
In conclusion, you can have an Iceland adventure without getting behind the wheel. It might pose unique challenges, such as navigating unpredictable weather, planning bus routes in advance, and a lot of research – but it’s all part of the experience. On the whole, it’s more relaxing, often cheaper, and packed with awe-inspiring scenery.