• Share on Pinterest
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Flipboard
• Email this Page

By Monika

How to Plan a Stopover in Iceland (and What to Do to Make it Epic!)

Ever dreamed of seeing Iceland’s otherworldly landscapes but don’t have time for a full trip?

A stopover in Iceland might be your perfect solution!

Whether you’ve got just a day or up to a week, Iceland is one of the few places where even a short visit can feel epic with steaming hot springs, dramatic waterfalls, and volcanic lava fields right outside the airport. 

You can make your Iceland stopover as short or as long as you want it – from a few hours or a day to a whole week in Iceland.

I just recently booked one on my way from the US to see my family in Poland and loved the convenience and the price tag – I got two trips for the price of one airfare!

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning an Iceland stopover – how it works, how to book it, and what you can realistically see depending on how much time you have. 

Whether you’re connecting through Keflavík on your way to Europe or North America, book an Iceland layover and turn it into an unforgettable adventure!

Follow this guide for my best tips and itinerary ideas to help make that happen!

This post contains affiliate links to trusted products and services that I use and love myself. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive compensation at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I appreciate your support! Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See the Disclaimer Policy and the Privacy Policy for more details.

What is an Iceland Stopover?

A stopover is essentially a long layover during your transatlantic flight (between North America and Europe) when you have enough time to actually leave the airport and see a few things or do some activities in city (or country) where your connecting flight is.

When you book a stopover in Iceland, that connection happens at Keflavik International Airport on your way to Europe from the US or to the US from Europe and you get to visit Iceland at no extra cost added to your flight.

Which airlines offer a stopover in Iceland?

Currently, there is only one airline offering a free stopover in Iceland: Icelandair. The second airline that used to offer that option – Play Airlines – is no longer in business.

Icelandair stopover can last anywhere from 1 to 7 days, with an option to extend it over the phone by booking an upgraded Saga ticket.

I chose Play Airlines for mine in 2024, as the price was more competitive, and it offered a longer stopover time, which gave me more time in Iceland to spend with my dad and show him the beauty of the Land of Fire and Ice.

We had an amazing 8-day stay and toured the South Coast and the Golden Circle. Then we flew to Poland together.

How to book an Iceland stopover?

Spoiler alert – it’s super easy!

BUT – you have to book it directly on the airline’s website. It can’t be booked on flight aggregator websites like Expedia or Skyscanner.

You choose your departing and destination airports (remember – it has to be a transatlantic flight).

Then from the trip type dropdown menu (“one-way, round trip, etc.”) on Icelandair, you choose “Stopover in Iceland”

You can book a stopover on the inbound or outbound flight or both.

Then you choose the length of your layover and you’re done!

Now all that’s left to do is plan what to do and how to best spend your time in Iceland!

Important: most airlines require that you book your stopover with your original reservation – it may NOT be possible to add it after you complete your booking.

Stopover in Iceland – what to do?

One day in Iceland

If your Iceland layover is only around 24 hours or less your options are limited but you can still have a great time and experience Iceland’s beauty.

Here are some great options:

• Visit the famous Blue Lagoon

This iconic Icelandic spa lagoon is located only 25 minutes from the airport. It’s a great spot to relax after your flight and experience the health and beauty benefits of soaking in mineral-rich geothermal waters.

Good to know: The Blue Lagoon is also a good option if you only have a few hours for your stopover, due to its proximity to the airport.

• Visit Reykjanes Peninsula

This volcanic wonderland is also very close to the airport and is full of amazing places to see!

You can incorporate a visit to the Blue Lagoon into your Reykjanes Peninsula adventure as well.

The closest site to the airport is the Bridge Between Continents (a 20-minute drive), and the farthest one is Krýsuvík/Seltún Geothermal Area (50 minutes), so if you don’t have enough time for everything, just see a few things closer to the airport. It’s worth it!

Read my full guide to Reykjanes Peninsula to find out more!

• Visit Reykjavik (and the Sky Lagoon)

Would you rather experience the capital city of Reykjavik? That’s also a great option and a fabulous place to spend a day! Visit Hallgrímskirkja church, stroll down Rainbow Street, see the Sun Voyager sculpture by the waterfront, and try the famous Icelandic hot dog!

Then relax in the hot waters of the Sky Lagoon!

Read more about the best things to see and do in Reykjavik!

All of the above areas are accessible by car, with a tour or by bus.

I’ll talk more about whether to rent a car for a stopover in Iceland a little later in this article, but here are your tours and transportation options if you don’t rent one:

• Private Reykjanes Tour w. Pick up at Keflavik Int. Airport
• Reykjavik/Keflavik: Blue Lagoon Private Transfer
• Flybus transfer to Reykjavik

The most popular Flybus stop in Reykjavik is the BSI Bus Terminal, and from there you can take a local bus to the city center or connect with Flybus customer service ahead of your visit and make other drop-off arrangements.

• Flybus transfer to the Blue Lagoon: with comfort package or premium package.

Good to know: both the airport and the Blue Lagoon have luggage storage facilities if you need them.

Helpful hint: If your stopover is shorter than 24 hours and you have checked luggage, you typically don’t pick it up in Keflavik. So if it’s a quick overnight stay, pack your carry-on accordingly!

2-3 days in Iceland

With two full days in Iceland, you can spend a day in Reykjavik and visit the Blue Lagoon (closer to the airport) or the Sky Lagoon (closer to Reykjavik) plus go for a day trip outside Reykjavik.

Consider adding one of these wonderful day trips:

• the Golden Circle – with a full day, you may be able to also include some of the wonderful detours from the main route, like Friðheimar Tomato Farm, Brúarfoss Waterfall, or Kerið Crater.

• visit the South Coast of Iceland – for a day trip, I recommend driving no further than the village of Vik and heading back, stopping at Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls, and of course, the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach on the way.

If you have time and energy, Dyrhólaey Cliffs and the Yoda Cave are great scenic stops as well.

Good to know: if you’re travelling in the summer, you can see the puffins at Dyrhólaey!

If you have 3 days, you can visit Reykjavik AND do both day trips!

If you don’t have a rental car, you can take a guided tour to both the Golden Circle and the South Coast of Iceland.

There are many different tour options, so choose one with an itinerary that includes your must-see stops and preferably offers either a hotel pick-up or has a meeting point close to your accommodation.

4-5 days in Iceland

With 4-5 full days available, you can visit all the places mentioned above plus extend your visit to the South Coast and drive all the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

That would require spending a night on the South Coast, either in Vik, Kirkjubæjarklaustur or the glacier lagoon area to break up the long drive or you can take one of these amazing two-day South Coast tours:

• From Reykjavík: 2-Day South Coast Adventure
• Reykjavík: 2-Day Tour with Icebergs, Glaciers & Waterfalls
• From Reykjavik 2-Day South Coast Tour with Blue Ice Cave

Another great place to visit is Snæfellsnes Peninsula. There is a lot to see there, but just visiting the highlights is worth a day trip. We did it during our first visit to Iceland and it was one of my favorites! I’m ready to go back and see more…

There are many Snæfellsnes Peninsula tours available if you don’t have a rental car.

6-8 days in Iceland

With a full week in Iceland, you can see everything I’ve mentioned already and add some fun activities, like a hike to Reykjadalur Geothermal River, a glacier hike, or riding Icelandic horses.

Check out my 6-day itinerary from our first visit and my 7-day South Iceland itinerary for some inspiration on how to put all those places and activities into a cohesive travel plan.

Helpful hint: I would recommend keeping your travels to the South Coast, with a trip to Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the Golden Circle, and NOT trying to drive the entire Ring Road. A week doesn’t give you enough time to enjoy the trip, and you may risk some weather delays, especially in North Iceland, which may potentially result in a missed flight…

Should I rent a car during a stopover?

There are many factors to consider when making this decision.

If you only have a day or two in Iceland, you may be fine with taking a bus or guided tours.

For a longer stopover, I do recommend having a car, as it gives you flexibility to see all the sights that you want and make the most of your stay in Iceland.

If your stopover is in the winter and you’re not comfortable driving in the snow, book organized day tours during which experienced drivers will safely get you to all the attractions.  

READ MORE: How to see Iceland without a car?

If you’re traveling solo and are not comfortable driving alone, also consider tours.

However, if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family members, the cost of tours may significantly exceed the cost of a rental car, so in this case, it will come down to your preference and expenses.

Just remember to be back at the airport in time to go through security!

Where should I stay during my Iceland stopover?

If you only have a day or two and only plan to explore Reykjavik and Reykjanes Peninsula, I’d stay close to the airport.

Where to stay near Keflavik Airport?

For a short overnight stay I recommend spending the night near the airport.

I stayed at the Hotel Berg during my last trip, and it was a great experience. It has a nice, glass-enclosed rooftop pool (more of a hot tub size!) that is perfect for Northern Lights viewing!

I also had a great experience with Start Hostel, when I just needed a place to sleep after landing in Iceland before midnight. It was clean and budget-friendly, even with my choice of a private room, with an amazing breakfast and super friendly staff.

If you don’t have a rental car, the Aurora Hotel is located within walking distance of the terminal. Some hotels also offer a shuttle service to and from the airport. Just make sure to clarify if it’s a free or paid service!

Explore more convenient options on the map below:

Helpful hint: if you need to take a taxi to your accommodation, please ask the hotel staff for a recommendation for a reliable taxi company! A lot of times you can get a discounted rate with the company they use the most.

Where to stay during a longer Iceland layover?

For a longer layover, if you rented a car, you can stay just outside Reykjavik (like Kópavogur) and take self-drive day trips.

---

If you plan to venture further along the South Coast (past Vik), spend one night in that area to avoid very long dive times.

---

If you’re planning to take guided tours, book your accommodation in Reykjavik, so you can request a hotel pickup from your tour company or be close to the tour’s meeting point. 

Is a Stopover in Iceland worth it?

In my opinion, 100% yes! You get to visit two countries for the price of one plane ticket!

I’m a big fan of stopovers in general – for example, we got to spend one day in Copenhagen on our way to Portugal without any added airfare costs.

Now that you know how a stopover in Iceland works, you can start planning your time in Iceland. 

For tips on how to stay on budget without sacrificing fun and experiences, read this guide to Iceland on a budget! 

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

🛜 Stay connected during your trip with an eSIM like Airalo, Saily or Sim Local!

---

• Share on Facebook
• Save to Pinterest
• Share on Flipboard

---

---

You may also like:

• First Trip to Iceland Travel Tips – All You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip.
• Best Black Sand Beaches in Iceland – a Practical Guide.
• What Not to Do in Iceland – 40 Mistakes to Avoid Making to Have a Great Trip.
• Driving in Iceland – Essential Tips for a Great Road Trip.
• How to visit Vestrahorn and Stokksnes Beach.
• Renting a Car in Iceland – How to Choose the Right Car for Your Trip.
• 10+ Easy Hikes in Iceland You Shouldn’t Miss.
• Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool – All You Need to Know and Why You Should Visit.
• Fjaðrárgljúfur – How to Visit Iceland’s Fairytale Canyon.