During our trip to Iceland, we ended up missing one of our tours and decided to embark on a spontaneous South Iceland road trip. We rented a car for the day and drove to the south coast of Iceland. The drive from Reykjavik to Vik features waterfalls, hikes, glaciers, and even a plane wreck! While we were surprised by everything they had to offer, you don’t have to be. I’ve gathered all the information that you need to know about driving from Reykjavik to Vik – including the best stops along the way for an epic Iceland south coast itinerary!
If you’re short on time, you can do a day trip to Vik from Reykjavik, but you won’t have much time to explore south Iceland. (But hey, a little bit of time visiting is better than no time at all?)
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Where is Vik, Iceland?
Vik is located in the heart of south coast of Iceland. It’s a fishing village that is well known because of its ideal location along the Ring Road.
Why drive from Reykjavik to Vik?
While Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland (and the northernmost capital in the world) and Vik is a small fishing town, the two are connected by a wonderful patch of the Ring Road (Route 1). The Ring Road goes around the entire country and is driveable by any car (though in the winter you would need a 4×4 vehicle because of unpredictable weather). If you only have a short time in Iceland and want to get out of the city, then taking this drive from Reykjavik to Vik is perfect. It’s got easy access to black sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and volcanoes!
How far is the drive from Reykjavik to Vik?
The drive is a total of 187km (around 115 miles). I know, this sounds quite short – and if you didn’t make any stops it would be under 3 hours total. However, you will see plenty of attractions along the Iceland South Coast! Be sure to follow the speed limit because the roads are winding and can be surprising (especially in the dark).
How much time do I need to drive from Reykjavik to Vik?
That depends on you (I know, not very helpful). We only had one day and were able to see a lot. We could have easily spent 2-3 days exploring more of this area. I do wish we got to spend a night in Vik to explore more. You can also spend a night in the town of Hella.
Is there a bus from Reykjavik to Vik?
Yes. In the summertime, the bus leaves Reykjavik once a day. The journey typically takes about four hours. The bus does make a number of stops and can be an option for those who do not want to rent a car or take too many stops. In the winter months, the bus runs less frequently and takes less stops along the journey.
The bus costs around $50 (7150 Icelandic Kronor).
Best Things to do on a drive from Reykjavik to Vik
Hella
I know the name is kinda funny, but this is a small town not too far from Reykjavik. It’s 60 miles (20km) from the city. It’s a great place to spend the night after a Golden Circle Tour and before you continue on your southern Iceland road trip.
In the town of Hella, you can take an ATV tour or check out some of the famous Icelandic ponies!
Hotel Kanslarinn and Stracta Hotel Hella are both great options if you want to spend the night in Hella.
Kerid Crater
This crater is located a little off the road and only accessible by foot. It’s over 3,000 years old and has a lake inside now. You can walk along the coast of the lake or around the crater rim. There is an entrance fee of 400 ISK (around $3) but that fee goes to maintaining the beauty of this area.
Admire the Glaciers- Tindafjallajokull, Mýrdalsjökull, and Eyjafjallajokull
There are three glaciers to admire on your drive. In between them, is the mountain range and valley Thorsmork. While you can drive to Thorsmork (it’s an F road and quite difficult), unless you have a lot of time to spend exploring, it might not be worth it. If you do have the time though, there are views of the three glaciers, cliffs, and Gluggafoss waterfall.
Sólheimajökull Glacier
A smaller glacier that is actually part of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the Sólheimajökull Glacier has plenty to offer travelers. You can explore freezing water cauldrons and crevasses on a guided hiking tour.
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
The Blue Lagoon is not the only hot spring in Iceland (there are plenty throughout the country). The Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River is a 5-mile roundtrip hike but has beautiful views. It’s got about 1,000 feet (333m) of elevation gain which showcases the valley and mountains along the way. You’ll also see other hot pools but those have boiling water – so don’t go in them. You know you’re at the right spot when you see a boardwalk to the warm waters.
Seljavallalaug Hot Pool
Another off-the-beaten-path hot spring is Seljavallalaug. This one is not too far from Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It was made in the 1920s and is free to visit and use. It’s a pool for relaxation with a view. There are changing facilities available for use, but please clean up after yourself as there are not regular cleaners. Remember – leave only footprints and take only photographs!
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck
This was one of the highlights of our road trip from Reykjavik to Vik – and a very unexpected one. We didn’t know why there were cars parked along the side of the road so we pulled over. It was fascinating. The DC-3 plane crashed on the beach in 1973 due to a lack of fuel. What we did not expect was the really long walk to the plane. There weren’t any signs or lights and barely any landmarks. It felt like we were walking on another planet! Be sure to check out my guide to visiting the Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck.
Reynisfjara Beach
Iceland’s black sand beaches are famous around the world. Black sand comes from volcanic rock that has eroded over many years. So technically, you can say that you’ve walked on lava! You can see the black sand beach from the packing lot, but if you walk along the beach there’s even more. There are the sea stacks, a sea cave, and even the Gardar cliff. Icelandic folklore calls the sea stacks frozen trolls in the sunlight! It may be tempting to get into the water here, but I would be cautious. The waves along Reynisfjara are unpredictable and crazy (people have died here).
Travel Tip: If you’re walking along the beach, keep an eye to the cliffs. Puffins may be nesting or diving into the water while hunting.
Waterfalls on the drive from Reykjavik and Vik
Urridafoss
While it’s not the largest waterfall, it is the most voluminous waterfall. It’s part of the Þjórsá River. There is a parking lot nearby and you can walk right up to the waterfall.
Seljaladsfoss
While it’s not the easiest name to pronounce, this waterfall is an icon. It stands tall at nearly 200 feet (65 meters). I highly recommend stopping here because you can actually walk behind the waterfall (if it’s open/safe to do so). Be sure to wear your waterproof jacket and boots – you’re guaranteed to get wet here. There is a parking area, and the walk behind the waterfall is about a quarter mile, making it great for all ages.
Gljurfrafoss (Gljufrabui)
Located near Seljaladsfoss, but a little off the road, Gljurfrafoss is another beautiful waterfall in Iceland. You can actually hike from Seljalandsfoss to Gljufrafoss. It’s 1.5 miles along a mostly flat trail.
Skógafoss
Skógafoss is the most famous waterfall in Iceland and is easily spotted from the road. Game of Thrones fans may recognize it from when Dany and Jon were in the North.
There is a parking lot and you can walk right up to it. Sometimes there is a food truck selling refreshments and snacks.
Skógafoss is over 80 feet wide (20 meters) and 200 feet (65 meters) tall. On the side of the waterfall, there are steps to walk up to the top. Even though the steps are steep, the views of Icelandic countryside are jaw-dropping.
What should I pack for my drive from Reykjavik to Vik?
There are definitely a few things you want to be sure you have during your south Iceland road trip. Hiking boots for getting up close to Skogafoss waterfall or a glacier. The weather can be wet, so I suggest these waterproof boots that are very comfortable. Don’t forget hiking socks that won’t slip while you’re walking! Another essential would be a windproof and water-resistant jacket like this one.
While there are places to stop along the way, I suggest bringing your own water bottle to stay hydrated along the drive.
To truly be prepared, be sure to pack a bathing suit. There are a few natural hot springs along the route (or if the weather allows the ocean is available). A key piece of advice is to pack a variety of layers. It may be bright and sunny in the morning, but you may have an afternoon thunderstorm with crazy winds!
Map for your South Iceland Road Trip: Reykjavik to Vik
What are your favorite stops on the drive from Reykjavik to Vik? Let me know in the comments!
Read more about Iceland:
Free & Cheap Things to do in Reykjavik
10+ Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland
16 Must-Visit Natural Landmarks in Iceland
Visiting the DC-3 Plane Wreck in Iceland
FAQ’s for Visiting the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Save “Driving from Reykjavik to Vik” for Later
I’ve got Iceland at the top of my list. This road trip from Reykjavik to Vik sounds perfect – waterfalls, hiking trails, glaciers! So beautiful!
Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck indeed feels like a different planet altogether. They should put some direction signs for convenience.
I had seen Vik on the map when I went to Iceland but never really thought about visiting it. There are clearly a lot of things to do. I did a few of these, but obviously there is more.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun on this trip.
I love the idea of the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River–I want to see those views! And I would like to do the hike between Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrafoss. Thanks for all the ideas 🙂
this drive is on my bucket list. I’d love to see/hike the glaciers and then relax in one of the many hotsprings. after reading this post I would plan on a 2 day trip
This Iceland road trip sounds like a cool little one to do! I love road trips, it’s such a great way of seeing so many things or places, going at your own pace, and having that flexibility to do what you want because you have your own vehicle. I’d love to rent a car and do a road trip similar to this to see not only the waterfalls but the black sand beaches, the plane wreck, and more!
Iceland has to be the most scenic place in the world! It’s definitely on my bucket list. And, this article is making me want to visit all the more.
I would definitely rent a car, so I can have the freedom to visit some of the places you’ve shared here. I can’t think of anything I would remove, so I’m tucking away this itinerary for future planning.
Iceland is one of my favorite countries. Without a doubt, the southern part of the country is the one that has the most tourist attractions of all. Vik has nearby Reynisfjara beach, my favorite beach in the world (at least of those I have visited so far). The itinerary is very good. Thanks for sharing
$50 is quite steep for a bus journey, I think I would rather invest then in a rented car and have the luxury of stopping along the way. I would probably follow your lead and stop and sightsee a lot, maybe the best time to this would be the summer when there are more daylight hours so one can squeeze in more during the day.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I agree about the bus (hence why we rented haha). I agree about summer time! There’s a lot more than you’d think on a 2.5 hour drive!
Iceland is just one contender for our 2023 driving holiday. this is an area I’d really like to explore as I loved Reykjavik and other areas of western Iceland but I didn’t yet make it to the south. Vik looks fantastic – did you find much to do there if that’s where you stayed? The plane crash hike I’d heard of, looks very eerie; and all the waterfalls in this area just look amazing. Will be bookmarking this page for future trip planning
Oh I hope you get to go! Vik is really small fishing village, so there’s some things to do as it’s getting more popular, but it’s not somewhere that you stay for a few days. It’s usually a one-night stop as you continue east on the Ring Road.
I loved driving from Reykjavik to Vik (well I wasn’t driving but I enjoyed the ride :)). The scenery is spectacular and you are right about stopping way too often to enjoy the scenery which ends up making the drive too long but that’s why Iceland is so unique, you see beauty in every corner. I really liked the surroundings of Vik and the little church at the top of the hill. I love black sand beaches and Reynisfjara Beach was certainly the highlight of my trip there.