Iceland Tours

Iceland has long distances, changeable weather, and roads that can be challenging, especially in winter or in the Highlands. On a guided multi-day tour, your driver and guide handle navigation, road conditions, and daily logistics, so you can focus on scenery and experiences. Accommodation and key activities are pre-arranged, and you still get structured free time in places like Reykjavík and key regional towns. Many travellers find that guided tours reduce stress and make it easier to reach remote areas safely, particularly outside the main summer months.

Most Iceland tours expect you to be comfortable walking on uneven ground for short periods throughout the day. That might mean 15–30 minute walks to waterfall viewpoints, along coastal paths, or through geothermal fields, sometimes over gravel, rock, or slippery surfaces.

Adventure, Walking & Hiking, and Winter tours can involve longer walks, steeper terrain, or snow and ice underfoot. If you’re unsure, a good rule is that you should be able to walk a few kilometres over the course of a day with rest stops. Your Global Journeys advisor can help you choose between coach, small group or active adventures based on your mobility and confidence.

A touring day in Iceland usually starts with breakfast at your accommodation, followed by a morning drive with one or more sightseeing stops, such as waterfalls, crater viewpoints, or coastal towns. After a lunch break (often at a café, service stop, or small town), your group continues to two or three more sites before arriving at the next overnight location in the late afternoon or early evening. Some days include optional activities like whale watching, glacier walks, or geothermal bathing, while winter itineraries may head out again after dark for Northern Lights viewing when conditions are suitable.

No tour can guarantee Northern Lights, even in peak season. The aurora depends on solar activity, clear skies, and darkness. Many winter itineraries (usually September to April) include Northern Lights outings when forecasts look promising, and operators try more than once if conditions allow. However, cloud cover or low activity can mean you don’t see them on a particular trip. When choosing a tour, it’s wise to see the lights as a potential highlight rather than the only reason for travelling

Both seasons offer very different experiences. Summer (roughly June to August) brings milder weather, open Highland and Westfjords roads, long daylight hours and easier access to hiking routes, coastal drives, and the full Ring Road. Winter focuses on frozen waterfalls, snow-covered landscapes, geothermal bathing and Northern Lights opportunities, with shorter days and a stronger emphasis on cosy towns and cultural experiences.

Shoulder months (spring and autumn) balance quieter sites, changing light, and a mix of snow and greenery. Global Journeys' Iceland departures span all these seasons, so your "best" time to go depends on what you want to prioritise.

Driving time varies by itinerary, but for most multi-day tours you can expect several shorter segments broken up with frequent stops rather than one long uninterrupted drive. On days that cross big stretches of the Ring Road or to reach more remote regions, you might spend 3–5 hours in total on the coach, spread across the day with scenic and sightseeing stops.

Smaller-group adventure tours often keep days more compact but still involve travel between key highlights. It’s worth reading the day-by-day description for each itinerary to understand its balance of travel time and time off the vehicle.

Most multi-day Iceland tours use a mix of comfortable hotels, guesthouses, or lodges. In Reykjavík you’re likely to stay in a city hotel; in regional areas you might stay in family-run or locally managed properties with private rooms and ensuite or sometimes shared bathrooms, depending on the tour style and operator.

Accommodation in remote areas tends to be simple but warm and clean, with breakfast usually included. Luxury tours upgrade to higher-rated, design-focused or boutique stays where available.

Breakfast is almost always included on multi-day itineraries. Some tours also include set dinners, particularly in remote regions with limited dining choices. Lunches are often at your own expense, giving you the freedom to try local cafés and bakeries.

Icelandic cuisine leans heavily on seafood, lamb, dairy and seasonal produce, with both traditional dishes and modern Nordic-style menus widely available. Most operators can cater to common dietary requirements if advised in advance, and your Global Journeys travel advisor can help you choose a tour suited to your needs.

Think in layers rather than single heavy items. A waterproof and windproof outer shell, warm mid-layer (such as fleece or wool), base layers, and sturdy waterproof footwear are essential in all seasons. Add gloves, a hat, and a scarf, plus warm socks and casual clothing for evenings. In summer you’ll still want a jacket and wet-weather gear; in winter add extra thermal layers, insulated boots, and traction where recommended. A swimsuit for geothermal pools and a quick-dry towel are useful year-round.

For standard sightseeing tours, your own good walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are usually enough. For glacier walks, ice caves and certain winter activities, specialist equipment such as crampons, helmets, or ice axes are typically provided by the opoerator or the activity provider. Many Icelandic adventure operators also rent items like waterproof clothing or hiking boots if you don’t have your own, though availability varies by tour and season.

Luggage allowances depend on the tour operator and vehicle size. Many multi-day tours suggest one medium-sized suitcase per traveller plus a small daypack that you keep with you on the coach. Some Icelandic operators set approximate guidelines around 20 kg per main bag to ensure there is enough space for all passengers’ luggage. Check your chosen itinerary or operator page for specific limits, or ask your Global Journeys travel advisor to confirm before you travel.