u/wolfsuit

Hoping for input if I’m pacing things properly, or any stops I may want to consider along these routes. High level it’s Reykavik > Blue Lagoon > South Coast > Jokulsarlon > Reykavik > Landmannalaugar > Snaefellsnes > KEF. Thanks!

Saturday 5/16 — Arrival in Iceland + Ease Into Reykjavík

• Land at KEF in the morning

• Pick up rental car

• Drive into Reykjavík area

• Relaxed recovery day after overnight flight

• Explore Reykjavík casually

• Stay in Reykavik

Sunday 5/17 — Blue Lagoon

• Slow morning and breakfast

• Head toward Reykjanes Peninsula

• Spend the afternoon/evening at Blue Lagoon

• Stay in Blue Lagoon hotel

Monday 5/18 — South Coast Drive to Vik Area

• Leave Blue Lagoon/Reykjanes

• Scenic South Coast drive east

• Stop at waterfalls and viewpoints along the way:

• Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisjfara

• Arrive in Vik/South Coast region

• Stay night in Vik

Tuesday 5/19 — Jokulsarlon

• Early departure eastbound

• Drive to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

• Zodiac boat tour

• Explore Diamond Beach

• Optional scenic stops/weather flexibility; Fjaðrárgljúfur

• Return to Vik hotel

Wednesday 5/20 — Horseback Riding + Return to Reykjavík

• Morning horseback riding on Vik black sand beach

• Explore Vik area more casually

• Scenic drive back west toward Reykjavík

• Dinner at Ingolfsskali Viking Restaurant

• Stay in Reykjavík hotel

Thursday 5/21 — Flexible Reykjavík/Golden Circle Day

• Explore Reykjavík

• Potentially visit Thingvellir and Fridheimar

• Dinner at Skal!

• Stay in Reykjavík hotel

Friday 5/22 — • Landmannalaugar

• Early morning departure to Hella pick up point

• All day Highlands Super Jeep tour

• Stay in Reykjavík hotel

Saturday 5/23 — Drive to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• Breakfast and departure from Reykjavík

• Scenic drive north/west

• Explore southern Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• Stay in Budir hotel

Sunday 5/24 — Snæfellsnes Exploration Day

• Flexible scenic exploration day

• Explore northern Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Stykkishólmur area

• Stay in Budir hotel

Monday 5/25 — Return Toward KEF Area

• Slow morning in Snæfellsnes

• Scenic drive back south

• Optional Reykjanes Peninsula stops

• Relaxing final Iceland evening near airport

• Stay in KEF hotel

Tuesday 5/26 — Departure Day

• Return rental car

• Shuttle or short ride to KEF

• Departure flight

I’ve been a long time lurker on here. I have flown many times throughout my life, typically 8-10 domestic flights per year, and it feels like my fear of flying (namely of turbulence in particular) has gotten worse the older I get.

I decided to take my partner on a trip for her birthday to Iceland and it’s the first time I’ve flown internationally in almost 10 years so it’s a leap from my typical 2-4 hour flights to now being approx 10-12 hours in the air each way. I’m incredibly anxious about the route, potential turbulence, etc. The routes are below, flying Delta.

LAX - MSP / MSP - KEF

KEF - JFK / JFK - LAX

Not sure what I’m looking for or why I’m posting, aside from to finally contribute to the group in some way, or hear from anyone who has taken this route. Thanks!

Hi all, I’m visiting Iceland for the first time in a week and wanted to get recent feedback between Blue and Lotus car rental out of KEF. I have refundable bookings with both currently, and the price difference is approximately $120 more to go with Blue. I know it’s probably easier to go with Blue and just walk across the street to the parking lot rather than take a shuttle to Lotus, however the pull for me using Lotus is the fact that I have a guaranteed Subaru Forester vs a Toyota RAV4 (or similar) with Blue with no guarantee I’ll get the RAV4 - and obviously an extra $120 pocketed would be nice. I drive a Forester as my daily car so the familiarity would be nice in case we hit weather. Does anyone have any recent feedback on using one over the other. Is the shuttle to and from Lotus a smooth experience? Thanks so much!

UPDATE: With current Blue promo code it would only be $75 more to use Blue. Therefore the only plus side for Lotus for me would be the guaranteed Subaru Forester with Lotus vs Toyota RAV4 or similar with Blue.