Iceland + Ireland

Posted by jennythedonkey on 09/30/24 06:47 PM

Hi! My husband and I are planning to do a road trip in Iceland and Ireland in May 2025. We have a flight already booked to KEF arriving at 9:30 am May 4th and the return flight booked from Dublin at 10:00 am May 17th.
Is going to both countries in one 2 week road trip doable? The majority of the trip would be in Iceland with the shorter part being in Ireland. We will probably not have the opportunity to visit Europe again for the foreseeable future and would ideally really like to see both countries if at all possible. If its not possible, I will look into seeing if I can change the return ticket to depart from KEF instead, but will probably be out some money, and don't know when I'd have the opportunity to visit Ireland again.

Any insight on this itinerary (things to skip, things to switch with, or things to add) would be greatly appreciated! I do realize this is a very ambitious itinerary, but I am prepared to cut things out if its suggested. Thanks in advance!

This is the tentative itinerary:

Day 1-May 4th: Reykjavik

Arrive @ 9:30am-get rental car and drop luggage at hotel in Reykjavik
Sky Lagoon
Check into hotel
Rainbow Street
Hallgrímskirkj
Laugavegur

Day 2-May 5th: Golden Circle

Thingvellir National Park
Geysir + Strokker
Gullfoss
Stay in Selfoss or Hella

Day 3: May 6th Selfoss or Hella to Vik

Selfoss
Glufrabui + Seljalandsfoss
Skogafoss
Vik

Day 4: May 7th-Vik to Jokularson

Vik
Svartifoss-2hrs hike
Jokularson

Day 5: May 8th-Jokulsarlon
Jokulsarlon Lagoon Tour
Diamond Beach
Stay in Jokulsarlon

Day 6: Jokulsarlon to Vik:
Jokilsarlon
Hofskirkja
Vik
Reynisfjara Beach
Lava show?

Day 7: Vik to Keflavik

Vik
Blue Lagoon
Hotel by Keflavik airport

Day 8: Depart
Drop car around 4:00 am, flight around 6am to Dublin

Day 1: May 11th-Fly into Dublin -land around 10:30 am

Pick up rental
Check out the city

Overnight stay in Dublin

Day 2: May 12th-
Rest in Dublin

Day 3: May 13th

Drive to Galway

Trim Castle

Clonmacnoise

Galway

Overnight stay in Galway

Day 4: May 14-

Drive to Rossaveel Harbour
Day trip to Inis Mor via ferry
Return to Rossaveel
Drive to Galway
Overnight in Galway

Day 5: May 15th

Drive to Doolin

Cliffs of Moher

Overnight stay in Doolin

Day 6: May 16th

Doolin to Dublin

Stay in Dublin near airport

Day 7: May 17th

Flight departs Dublin early in the morning Day 1-May 4th: Reykjavik

Posted by mikliz97

Snohomish, WA

10/01/24 04:40 PM

2829 posts

I cannot give you any input in Ireland, but I just got back from my 7th trip to Iceland so I can definitely help with that:)

What you have looks good, but actually a bit light. Here are some of my thoughts.

Arrival day looks good. You can wander and see even more of Reykjavik than you have listed. I highly recommend the Citywalk "free" walking tour (tip at the end) as well as the food tour. Both are great introductions to the city/country.

Your golden circle day is a bit light. You might want to consider adding in Bruarfoss, which does not take long at all as the new car park is a 5 minute walk to the falls, or you can hike it, which is beautiful. Maybe lunch at Fridheimer? What about another hot spring? There is the Secret Lagoon, Fontana or the rustic Hrunalaug. I have done all of these, some multiple times, and they are all great. I would stay the night closer to Selfoss or Hella.

The nest day is very light as well. What about taking the ferry over to the Westmann Islands for the day on your way?

Jokulsarlon is just the lagoon and beach area, and there is very little lodging nearby. This is one area I would secure lodging asap.

On your last day I would stay at the Hotel Aurora which is right next to the terminal at KEF, and that way you can return your car that afternoon/evening vs at the ungodly hour of 4am;)

May can still have some dicey weather, so be prepared to have a plan b.

I just returned again a few days ago and covered a lot of this area, so you might want to read my trip report and reviews, in two different areas here on the website.