Our second summer trip took us to breathtaking Iceland! While staying in an old wagon in Mountain Home, AR, we scored a mistake fare from Going—Detroit to Iceland for just $250 roundtrip. We already had two trips planned, but after checking our schedules, we made it work! We flew to Detroit from Tulsa using Delta miles to keep it budget-friendly. As always, 1000% recommend joining Going, use my code here.
This itinerary is an incredibly ambitious one week (including travel time to and from Iceland) around the whole Ring Road, from Reykjavik to Búðardalur counterclockwise. Most itineraries budget 2 weeks for this, but we didn’t have the time and were convinced we wanted to do the whole road. This itinerary does have us doing a lot of driving and moving often, but frankly, it was worth every single mile. We also found ways to bake in rest time in the midst of the adventuring.
Arriving in Iceland
Exhausted from South America and busy days at home, we took it slow in Detroit, enjoying some epic Detroit-style pizza before our overnight flight. We had a 6-hour layover in Montreal, where we lounged on comfy couches, listened to live piano music, and appreciated Canada’s streamlined customs process. Our flight to Iceland was quick (about 4-5 hours), and customs was a breeze. However, landing at 6 a.m. meant exhaustion, no check-ins available, and not much open.
Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik
For those visiting the Blue Lagoon, it’s best to go straight from the airport. Thanks to recent volcanic activity, our GPS was unreliable, routing us on a 6-hour detour instead of the 45-minute drive. After a few wrong turns, we finally found a police officer who checked our reservation and let us through an area severely impacted by eruptions. The drive was surreal—lava fields on both sides, sulfur wafting through the windows, and active steam rising from the ground. It was an eerie but unforgettable start.
The Blue Lagoon lived up to the hype! We opted for the package with drinks, face masks, robes, and a store discount. After hours of soaking, exfoliating, and justifying two beers at 10 a.m. thanks to jet lag, we grabbed lunch in Reykjavik, saw a few sights, and headed to our Airbnb in Flúðir. The drive was only a few hours, but exhaustion hit hard, so we blasted Noah Kahan and belted our hearts out to stay awake.
Road-Tripping the Ring Road
We knew Iceland was pricey, so we packed snacks from home—what cost $40 at Dollar General would’ve been $120 in Iceland. This helped maximize time and budget while road-tripping. That night, we embraced Iceland’s endless summer sun and hit the road before midnight to see Kerid Crater, the Haukadalur Geothermal Field, and the powerful Gulfoss waterfall—totally empty except for us at 2 a.m. A surreal, almost eerie experience. We ended the night with a hot tub soak under the midnight sun, solidifying a core memory.
Chasing Waterfalls & Caves
Day two was packed with driving and incredible sights. We started with a road lined with waterfalls, stopping at Gluggafoss, Hvolsvöllur, and Merkja before reaching Eyjafjallajökull volcano. From there, we drove through fields of purple lupines toward Seljalandsfoss, which was stunning. The gift shop there had great food, drinks, and clean bathrooms—a solid 10/10 road trip stop!
After Seljalandsfoss, we stumbled upon an unmarked cave house off Hwy 1 before Hrutafell—an unexpected but awesome stop. Then, we headed to Skogafoss, a breathtaking waterfall straight out of an Icelandic postcard. We got up close, but skipped the climb to the top when rain rolled in—taking it as a sign to keep moving.
Next was Dyrhólaey, a place that defies photography. Standing at the overlook of Reynisfjara Beach felt cinematic. Parking was chaotic, and we were glad not to have a camper van. On the way out, we spotted a few cars near what looked like a rock formation, only to discover a hidden cave at the top. The steep, unmarked hike up was brutal, but so worth it. Iceland is full of these mysterious, unmarked gems—no signs, no plaques, just adventure.
Finally, we visited Reynisfjara Beach itself to see the famous Game of Thrones rock wall. Parking was easy, with restrooms and a coffee shop nearby. The rock wall was packed, but we managed a few photos before walking the coastline. After maximizing every moment, we wrapped up the day with DIY sandwiches on the go.
One of my favorite sights was the tiny churches standing tall in the middle of nowhere—beautiful and surreal. Back at our Airbnb, we soaked in the hot tub, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Our last night in Flúðir was pure magic.
Glaciers & Puffins
We kicked off day three with a morning coffee stop at Faxi Bakery, before hiking Kirkjubæjarklaustur canyon—stunning river views made even better by the crisp morning air. Then came the Vatnajökull Glacier tour. With ice picks, crampons, and helmets, we scaled the glacier, drank pure glacial water, and felt like explorers. From there, we visited Diamond Beach, where chunks of icebergs wash ashore like scattered diamonds, before heading toward the remote east for the night.
The morning of July 8th, we drove 1.5 hours from Seyðisfjörður to Borgarfjörður, known for offering the closest encounters with puffins in Iceland. The reviews did not disappoint. A small parking lot led to a short staircase climbing a rocky hill, where thousands of puffins nested. With no barriers, we could stand just feet away, watching them waddle, nest, and dive. It seemed like stepping into a nature documentary. Only about a dozen people were there, making the experience even more intimate. The viewing area also had bathrooms and nearby restaurants—perfect for road trippers. After soaking in this incredible wildlife moment, we continued along the Ring Road toward Skútustaðahreppur to explore its geothermal wonders.
Wrapping Up the Ring Road
We spent the next couple nights in Akureyri. After grabbing Icelandic hot dogs (a must-try), we recharged one afternoon at the Mývatn Nature Baths—a smaller, less touristy version of the Blue Lagoon, complete with geothermal saunas. On July 9th, we left Akureyri and made our way to Húsavík, Iceland’s whale-watching capital. Nearing the end of our Ring Road adventure, we booked a tour with Gentle Giants, keeping expectations low, since whale sightings are never guaranteed. But luck was on our side—we spotted dolphins and several humpback whales, a breathtaking experience in the crisp northern air. After days of driving and sightseeing, we took the afternoon to recharge.
For our last day, we drove west in search of Ingjaldshólskirkja church, a dreamy red-roofed church surrounded by endless fields of purple lupines. Rain poured as we took in the incredible view, but it was still worth it. That night, we stayed in a remote log cabin in Búðardalur with a geothermal hot tub, soaking under the midnight sun with no humans for miles. Absolute perfection.
Goodbye, Iceland
We completed our Ring Road adventure on July 11th, driving three hours back to the airport. Dropping off the car was seamless, and we even got a VAT refund before heading home. Iceland’s dramatic landscapes are otherworldly, and every mile was worth it. My Tourette’s was barely noticeable, since we spent most of the trip just the two of us, sightseeing at off-hours.
This was one of the most surreal, unforgettable trips of my life, and I wouldn’t change a thing!
