I took this trip with my family in March 2024. Before this trip, I was somewhat worried because I hadn’t driven in snowy conditions before. Additionally, the recent intense volcanic activity in Iceland was a concern. However, although it rained a lot, there was neither a snowstorm nor a volcanic eruption during the trip. The photos may not reflect how much rain actually occurred, which is fortunate 🙂
Weather in March
Timing is important. Being the last month of winter, March offers a chance to see the Northern Lights. The days are longer, and the temperature is slightly warmer, ranging from -2 to 3°C. However, snowstorms can still occur during this month. April, on the other hand, is one of the wettest months in Iceland, so preparing appropriate rain gear is advisable. Also, if your goal is to see the Northern Lights, besides needing a clear sky without clouds, the lunar cycle is also important. The dimmer the moon, the more visible the Northern Lights are.
Being part of the shoulder season (September to October and March to May), it is said to have fewer crowds. However, with the promotion of travel to Iceland in recent years, it seems there is no longer a shoulder season at the tourist hotspots—there are crowds everywhere.
Day 1: Arriving in Iceland
- Collect rental car: In Iceland, many small rental car companies offer great prices and better services than the international ones. The only downside is that if you rent from these smaller companies, you cannot collect the car directly at the airport. Instead, you need to take a 10-15 minute free shuttle service to pick up your car. Don’t schedule your travel too tightly on the first day, in case there are delays with the plane, the shuttle bus, the check-in process, etc., that you cannot control.
| LAVA Car Rental (Link): https://www.lavacarrental.is/ – Pickup & return at Keflavík International Airport – 8 days – Suzuki Across – Full protection – 1 extra driver |
| Price: 132,730 ISK ($ 940) |
- Hotel check-in: The closer you are to the city center, the more expensive the parking fees. However, parking outside the city center is free. Therefore, I chose a location near the border of the city center. This allows me to park outside and still live within the city center.
| Skólavörðustígur Apartments (Link): https://www.booking.com/Share-WIWGBAe – Apartment with Balcony – 1 night – 🙂: Very spacious (70m2) and clean. City center. – 🤨: No elevator |
| Price: € 144.50 ($ 155) |
- Sightseeing:
- Bónus: Buy food for the road trip
- Icewear: Buy winter gear if needed
- Hallgrimskirkja: See it at night for the first time!
- Grótta Island Lighthouse: A 15-minute drive for possible Northern Lights chasing
- Dinner: We walked to a restaurant near the church, which was delicious!
| Restaurant ROK: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Er7YMreGnhSNz9T6 |
Day 2: Sightseeing in Reykjavík and Heading to Snæfellsnes
- Hallgrímskirkja: The tallest architecture in Reykjavík with a great view!
| Hallgrimskirkja (Link): https://www.hallgrimskirkja.is/en/visiting-the-church Opening hours: – Church: 10:00 – 17:00 – Tower: 10:00 – 16:30 (last entrance to tower) Tower tickets: Tickets are available in the church shop located to the left as you enter the foyer. |
| Price: 1,400 ISK ($ 10) |
- Regnbogagatan
- Harpa Concert Hall
- Sun Voyager
- Dog Sledding Tour: The highlight of the day!
| Dog Sledding Iceland (Link): https://dogsledding.is/ – Duration: 60-90 minutes – Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays, mostly in the morning (time varies, check the website, links above) – Snow (sled) tours will operate until the snows are gone, then will shift to “dry land” tours with wheels – Self-drive for about 30 minutes from Reykjavík |
| Price: – Meet on location: 35,900 ISK ($ 255) – With transfer from Reykjavík: 50,500 ISK ($ 358) |
- Lunch: Lobster soup and skewers
| Seabaron (Sægreifinn) Restaurant: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pGM58dzoCefmKNoz9 |
- Drive to Snæfellsnes: A 2-hour, 30-minute drive—it’s a very scenic one, despite the bad weather.
- Hotel check-in: You no longer have to worry about parking outside of Reykjavík
| Grund í Grundarfirdi (Link): https://www.booking.com/Share-SN0qy9e – Triple Room with Shared Bathroom – 1 night – 🙂: I think it is the cheapest option near Kirkjufell Mountain and it also has full cooking facilities. – 🤨: We arrived in extremely windy conditions and got completely soaked. The self-check-in instructions were stuck on the glass door, and it took me a while to find them. It’s not the property’s fault, but it made us very flustered that day. |
| Price: € 109.65 ($ 117) |
Day 3: Sightseeing in Snæfellsnes and Heading to the Golden Circle
- Kirkjufell Mountain: 10-minute drive. Parking fees are required (there is a parking fee machine).
- Ingjaldshólskirkja: 30-minute drive.
- Lóndrangar: 25-minute drive.
- Stone Bridge, Gatklettur: 10-minute drive.
- Lunch: It is a very unassuming, run-down restaurant, but based on its strikingly wonderful Google reviews, we decided to give it a try—and it was amazing.
| Samkomuhúsið Arnarstapa (Link): https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bv1J1dz6fujbYjQ17 |
- Búðakirkja: 20-minute drive.
- Ytri Tunga Beach: 20-minute drive. We only saw two seals, haha. There were so many people taking pictures of the two seals.
- Drive to the hotel: No drive in Iceland is without scenic views. We stayed in a guesthouse within the Golden Circle to visit Þingvellir National Park early tomorrow morning, and it is by the beautiful Lake Laugarvatn.
| Björk Guesthouse (Link): https://www.booking.com/Share-SUIVsg – 1 Family Room with Private Bathroom – 1 night – 🙂: A beautiful lake near by! The room was great, with a nicer table it will be even better! – 🤨: We arrived after a heavy rain, and the area outside the house was a little bit muddy and slippery. |
| Price: € 168 ($ 180) |
