Iceland Stopover: Customizable Itineraries | Tour.is

Sometimes, the flight to Europe can be a little long in one go. If you are coming from the West Coast, it can be quite the trip. So, how about an Iceland stopover? For many years, Icelandair has encouraged short stopovers of up to a week for people flying between America and Europe. You can do your stopover in either direction, and combine two destinations in one trip!

Blue lagoon Spa is located near the airport

How the Iceland Stopover Works

When booking a transatlantic fare with Icelandair, you can add a stopover in Iceland on one or both legs of your trip. You can choose to stay from a day to a week, and your airfare won’t increase. Icelandair flies directly from 15 U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, New York, and Washington, D.C., and you can start from other locations through partner airlines.

They also operate flights from Halifax, Toronto, and Vancouver, which can likewise be booked via partners. If you purchase a Flex fare, you can extend your stay in Iceland to as long as 21 nights, but you’ll need to contact the airline directly. Stopovers of up to seven nights can be booked online. Note that prices may vary depending on demand.

This stopover deal is unique to Icelandair—other airlines rarely offer the same option. Fortunately, Icelandair is generally a good choice for transatlantic travel. The main airport, Keflavik International, is about an hour’s drive from Reykjavik and conveniently located near many of Iceland’s top attractions. Keep in mind that the stopover covers only your flights—it doesn’t include hotels, accommodation, or meals.

Here are some ideas for what to do in Iceland, depending on how long you plan to stay.

One Day

If you only have one day to add to your trip, you might think there’s not much you can see but you’d be mistaken. Flights from North America usually arrive early in the morning, giving you plenty of daylight to explore. 

One of the best ways to spend a short visit is by exploring the Golden Circle, which you can comfortably do in half a day, or take your time and stretch into a full day, especially in summer when the daylight lasts nearly around the clock. Along the route, you’ll visit Þingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and Strokkur, Iceland’s most active geyser. (This area is also home to the original Geysir, now mostly dormant, while Strokkur reliably erupts every five to ten minutes.) A word of advice: if you’re standing downwind, you’ll likely get sprayed. Bring a rain jacket so you can get close to Gullfoss and enjoy the geyser’s unpredictable moods in comfort. Geysir area on the Golden circle

Another highlight for a short stopover is the famous Blue Lagoon spa, located just 15 minutes from the airport. It’s the perfect place to visit right after your flight to unwind and shake off the travel stiffness. Just remember to book your reservation a few days in advance, as it’s a popular spot.

You can also spend some time exploring Reykjavik, home to fascinating museums and easy access to whale-watching excursions. In the evening, enjoy downtown Reykjavik’s vibrant dining scene, known for its impressive restaurants—especially if you’re a fan of fresh, beautifully prepared seafood.

Two Days

All of the options above also work beautifully for a two-day layover. With an extra day, you can take your time exploring the Golden Circle, enjoy more of Reykjavik, and add a few new adventures.

If you’re feeling adventurous, go horseback riding in the green valleys near Reykjavik—even if you’ve never ridden before. The Icelandic horses are small, calm, and famous for their tölt, a smooth, comfortable gait that makes long rides surprisingly easy.

Go snorkeling in Silfra, which means you can snorkel in the Mid-Atlantic rift and touch two continents. You can also take a one-day South Shore tour to the Black Sand beach, waterfalls, and a glacier. Note that this is a more extended tour (which can be as long as ten hours) so plan accordingly. If you're going to the Blue Lagoon, consider taking a bit more time to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is active right now. If there is volcanic activity, talk to the locals and get their advice on how to view it safely.

Beautiful colors from algae when diving the Silfra crack

With more time in Reykjavik, consider visiting the Reykjavik City Museum and Reykjavik Art Museum. Get a Reykjavik City Card or Culture Card to access all of Reykjavik's museums. The City Card also includes public transportation, but you may not need it as Reykjavik is very walkable. The City Card may be well worth it if you cannot walk. Check out the Perlan museum, where you can watch a planetarium show or walk through a fake glacier. The National Museum of Iceland might take up an entire day on its own. And yes, there really is a museum of the penis, the Icelandic Phallalogical Museum. It is small, but worth checking out.

Don't forget to try traditional Icelandic food at Cafe Loki or an Icelandic hot dog.

Experience the Perlan Museum with planetarium shows and a stroll through an artificial glacier.

Three Days

At this point, you can really consider getting out of Reykjavik...or not. Reykjavik remains a fine base of operations, and you can add more stuff, such as local hikes.

We have a couple of stellar three-day tours. A Glimpse of Iceland is designed to give an overview of this beautiful country in a short time. You get a day to explore Reykjavik after your flight—maybe take a food tour or go whale watching. Then, on the second day, we will give you a car to do the Golden Circle at your own pace. Then, swing by the Blue Lagoon before you drop off the vehicle. Make sure to book your soak in advance.

Another notable choice is the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon express. This one requires a lot of driving, expect to be on the road for a full 16 hours with all the stops you make, but these are incredible stops. In the summer, check out the nesting seabirds at Reynishverfi. Drive across Eldhraun, the largest lava field in historical times.

Or, if you prefer to create your own itinerary, there’s plenty of room for adventure. You could drive to the black sand beach at Sólheimasandur to see the famous crashed airplane, a hauntingly beautiful sight.

Visit Sólheimasandur's black sand beach and the crashed airplane

If you’re heading into the highlands, be sure to rent a 4x4 vehicle. Many of the mountain roads aren’t suitable for regular cars, and conditions can change quickly.

You could spend an entire day horseback riding through Iceland’s landscapes or head to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier for an exhilarating snowmobile ride. With this much time, you might even venture north in winter to chase the Northern Lights—a gamble, since sightings are never guaranteed, but unforgettable when luck is on your side.

For a different experience, consider staying overnight along the South Coast instead of returning to Reykjavik. It’s a quieter, more immersive way to experience Iceland’s wild beauty.

Five Days

Five days give you enough time to experience much of South and West Iceland. Everything mentioned earlier still fits easily into your schedule, but you can also venture further afield.

At this stage, it’s well worth renting a 4x4 and exploring the Landmannalaugar highlands, known for their colorful mountains, lava plains, and winding canyons. The hiking trails here are spectacular and reveal Iceland’s raw geology up close. A 4x4 is essential—not only are the roads unsafe for standard vehicles, but driving them without proper clearance is also illegal. Enjoy the colorful panoramic views of Landmannalaugar valley in Iceland.

Continue along the South Coast to see the waterfalls, and make time to visit the Folk Museum at Skógar, especially on a rainy day. Spending the night in the Hella area offers easy access to both coastal and inland sights.

If you prefer a slower pace, our South Iceland at Leisure tour covers all the significant sites. Drive east to the Vik and Skógar area, take in the Folk Museum, waterfalls, and coastal formations. Then return to Reykjavik and do the Golden Circle, but add Kerið Crater and overnight before going to Þingvellir National Park and the Blue Lagoon.

Another of our options is a four-day Best of the South and West tour. Do this in four days or add a day in Reykjavik. It includes driving east to Selfoss and then back to do the extended Golden Circle tour.

You can ditch Reykjavik altogether, or spend one day there and then fly up to Husavik and explore the north of Iceland. In the summer, Husavik is by far the best place for whale watching. It's not just the best place in this Iceland stopover, but one of the best in the world. You can also enjoy the midnight sun. In the winter, it places you above the Arctic Circle for the highest chance of spectacular auroras. Enjoy fresh fish and stunning scenery.

We offer a specialist winter tour if you just want to hunt the northern lights out of Reykjavik. Iceland in winter is an entirely different experience, and this itinerary includes a variety of waterfalls, the Golden Circle, and lots of opportunities to see the lights out of the city. You really need to get out of Reykjavik for your best chance.

Northen lights can appear in the sky during winter

How to Pack for Your Iceland Stopover

Many travelers ask if Iceland is cold. It can be, but in summer it’s often glorious. Still, it’s wise to pack layers so you can bundle up when needed.

If your itinerary includes whale watching or puffin tours, remember that the temperature drops sharply out on the water. Bring a warm sweater—or pick one up in Reykjavik. Icelandic wool makes a wonderful souvenir, especially if you live somewhere with real winters. You’ll be given a survival suit for these excursions, but it’s best to wear layers underneath.

Pack rain gear as well, particularly if you’re driving the Golden Circle or visiting waterfalls. You can safely walk behind some falls, but expect plenty of spray. Summer weather can turn suddenly rainy and cool. Good hiking boots are essential, and if you plan to explore trails away from main routes, bring hiking poles.

In winter, dress for warmth with plenty of layers, thermal underwear, snow boots, and more than one hat. Reykjavik itself stays fairly mild and is lovely at Christmas, but the rest of Iceland can be wet, windy, and chilly. Keep skin covered to stay comfortable outdoors.

No matter the season, bring a camera or make sure your phone is fully equipped for photos. If you rely on your phone, pack a power bank; Iceland has a way of making you want to capture everything. For more practical advice, see our complete guide to packing for Iceland.

Þingvellir National Park is a historical and geological site where the tectonic plates of America and Eurasia are divided.

Other Things to Consider

The roads in Iceland are generally good. A 4 x 4 vehicle is required for the Highlands and in winter. We rent cars that can handle it, but be aware that even close to Reykjavik, you can take a turn and find yourself on gravel if the right route is not chosen.

Reykjavik is very walkable. If you plan on staying in Reykjavik, you may not need a car. Walking is the best way to explore the compact downtown and also means you don't have to worry about a designated driver after dinner. The food in Reykjavik is excellent, though a bit pricey, especially for red meat. However, you should definitely try the hot dogs; they're outstanding. Iceland has its own style of hot dog with lamb, which is pretty delicious. You will eat best if you mostly stick to the fish, especially the fresh cod. Salt cod is also worth trying. If you're fearless, Cafe Loki sells fermented shark.

Everyone in Iceland speaks very good English. Icelandic is a tough language to learn, and tourists are generally not expected to attempt it.

Make the Most of Your Stopover in Iceland With Tour.is!

A stopover in Iceland is a way to get two destinations for the price of one. We offer a variety of short tours (and will also design private itineraries), including self-driving tours, which are perfect for filling out your Iceland stopover and providing you with an itinerary you will love. Contact Tour.is for more information and to book your tour today!