UPDATED FEB 2020. When I visited Iceland, I wanted to see as much of the beautiful nature as possible, but there was a catch. I didn’t want to do all the driving. When I’m traveling solo I just can’t drive around all day. I don’t know about you but there’s something about driving that makes me so tired. If I don’t have someone to talk to or play car Karaoke with (for the record, I do a pretty great Beyonce performance) then I get tired really fast. When I was planning my trip, I had to figure out how to see it all without having to drive all day and I’m happy to say that I found a way. Here’s a guide for solo female travel in Iceland and how to make the most of your trip even if you won’t have a rental car.
Solo Female Travel In Iceland Without A Car – How To Make The Most Of It
Disclaimer:
This post was written in partnership with Bustravel Iceland.
Day tours for solo female travelers in Iceland
The best way I could see a lot of the sights was to jump on a couple of day tours. I did day tours for the sights on the Golden Circle and explored Reykjavik on the other days by walking around on my own.
I found Bus Travel Iceland for the tours and took the Glacier Lagoon tour and Grand Golden Circle tours.
Solo female travel in Iceland with a car
Before we get started, I want to mention that solo female travel in Iceland is entirely doable with a car.
It’s a personal preference of mine to avoid most times on my solo trips because I get tired after about 40 minutes.
If you want to rent a car, the most important thing to know is that the weather is harsh and unpredictable. When we were traveling on the bus tour, the wind was pushing the bus!
Stay updated with Safe Travel Iceland to check alerts before driving each day and download their app so that you can check it during the day.
Glacier Lagoon tour
In my opinion, the Glacier Lagoon is the must-do. It’s a 14 hour day that allows you to see so many of the incredible natural sights.
On this tour, you can do it all from standing under a roaring waterfall to holding icebergs on a black sand beach.
It’s hard to pick a favorite part, but I think it might’ve been the Glacier Lagoon because it was such a surreal area. As you stand there with cold air hugging your face, looking out at the silky water broken by the huge icebergs, it feels like you’ve been transported into a travel magazine.
Like one of those places you know exist somewhere on Earth but would probably never be able to see. I was even lucky enough to see seals frolicking in the water.
For those of us who wanted to go, our guide walked us to a black sand beach with icebergs washed up on it which was another unreal beauty.
The Glacier Lagoon was by far my favorite tour and the one I recommend the most.
Grand Golden Circle tour
The Grand Golden Circle tour was an 8-hour day, so a little shorter duration but still impressive when it comes to seeing incredible natural sights.
On this tour, you can see waterfalls, boiling water shooting out from the ground at Geysir, and even a volcanic crater with its own lake.
In hindsight, if I was doing the trip over I would do the Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour instead. I mean, why not add in a dip in the heated thermal water to your adventures, right?
Travel Tip: Bring a waterproof jacket if you want to get close to any of the waterfalls. They’re huge so they have a good amount of spray coming from them.
What to expect on a day tour with Bus Travel Iceland
The day tours allowed me to maximize time exploring but it was not at a pace that was too fast to enjoy.
We were given plenty of time at each stop to check out the area and, of course, take pictures before returning to the bus.
For the driving time, I got to sit back and relax in comfort as I looked out the window at the other-worldly type landscapes outside.
The bus was really easy to spot in the carpark too with a big Bustravel Iceland sticker on the side so there was no risk of getting into the wrong bus after each adventure.
There is wi-fi onboard which is handy for uploading photos on the go.
Solo female travel in Iceland was easy and convenient with these tours.
Navigating Iceland’s unpredictable weather
It’s probably a good time for a reminder that the weather in Iceland is quite unpredictable and mother nature doesn’t muck around out there.
We had the weather turn on us during one of the tours and it was intense!
When I was walking outside the wind was strong enough to push me off a footpath then it turned into a rain/wind/snow combination.
I was glad about my choice to take the bus tour because the driver was able to navigate it smoothly and drive through the intense wind without even flinching.
If I was driving by myself, on the other hand, I would’ve certainly been flinching up a storm.
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The group tours are fun
The guides on both of the tours were awesome.
As we drove around they shared information about life in Iceland that I probably have known had I driven around by myself. It was interesting and gave new life to the land we were exploring.
Instead of just seeing the Icelandic horses in paddocks I learned about their history, the reason that they are the size they are and the strict quarantine and import rules.
If I was by myself I would’ve just seen a cute animal, taken 3000 photos of them and that would be it so I appreciate having the guides there to share interesting information.
Taking these day tours made solo female travel in Iceland super easy and convenient.
It was the best way for me to maximize time without having to rent a car. I highly recommend it for anyone else planning a trip.
For more information:
Visit the Bustravel Iceland website
Follow them on Instagram for updates
Other guides to help you plan a trip to Iceland
Iceland Ring Road In 7 Days – Here’s Your Step By Step Itinerary
A Detailed Guide On Cheap And Free Things To Do In Reykjavik
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Wow, Iceland is so beautiful! I didn’t realize those buses were an option, that’s great! I always thought everyone was renting cars/vans over there! We still need to go check out Iceland’s beauty for ourselves one day!
Thanks Megan, I hope you get to visit one day! I always thought people were driving too but I was glad to have the bus tour option!
O wow! This is such a great option for solo travelers. I love that the bus has wifi, since that really helps to kill the time. And great tip on bringing a waterproof jacket 🙂
Yes, definitely helps to kill the time so that was a bonus!
This sounds really fun! I did a couple bus tours when I was traveling on my own and too young to rent a car and had really great experiences — I’m still friends with some of the people I met on them.
I live in a city and don’t have a car, so driving in Iceland was a bit of an adventure for me. I got used to it after the first day, but I think my wife was expecting to die every second of the way. I’m sure she would have much preferred a professional driver!
Aww Cori that’s so awesome that you are still in touch with people you met on the tours. That’s one of the best parts about them! BTW go you for braving the roads – that’s badass!
I have always found Iceland a fascinating place to visit. I went over 10years ago but there was a tourism set up then and it was hard to get around. I have always wanted to go back and your post and pictures, just want me to pack my bags and go right now. The Glacier Lagoon wow that just looks amazing.
Wow Mel, that’s so cool that you got to see Iceland before the crowds and big changes! I hope you get to go back and see it one day xo
Iceland must be the safest place for a solo female traveller. Even though I am from Norway and Iceland is pretty close. I haven’t been there yet. I really want to go and explore it both summer and winter. Your photos look amazing. The waterfalls there looks truly breathtaking! Thank you for sharing 😀
You’re from Norway?! That’s my favorite country! So glad to e-meet you 🙂 I hope you get to visit Iceland one day!
This is so great! I imagine how you look like when you’re trying to do a Beyonce performance when your driving. Anyway, I’m glad that there’s a bus tour services In Iceland that allows you to see and have a perfect panoramic view of Iceland’s nature’s bounty. I’m sure that you really have enjoyed your tour and I guess Iceland is really safe and cool for a female solo traveler. I can’t wait to hear more of your travels. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Haha! Hmm in one word it’s embarrassing! Iceland is definitely a safe and cool place for a solo traveler and I was so glad for the bus tour to be able to see as much as possible.
Loved reading about the wonderland that is Iceland. I never seem to get enough of this beautiful place. I could almost feel the cold air at the Glacier Lagoon as I read about it. Your lovely pictures and words virtually transported me to this haven of nature.
That’s so sweet, thank you Sandy! I’m happy I got to virtually take you to Iceland!
Fun!!! Usually most Iceland posts are written from the perspective of couples or people traveling in groups so its nice to read something from a new perspective. We never made it to Glacier Lagoon but I would’ve loved to see it in person! True what they say about those waterproof jackets too, had no idea the waterfalls would be so powerful!
Thanks so much Izzy! Oh yeah, they definitely have some power and I got soaked! – but worth it for the photos 😀
Yes, Iceland is a friendly travel destination for a female solo traveler. I had a very beautiful experience in this matter. A few months back, I had visited this country. At that time Discover Iceland helped me a lot. I really enjoyed my trip.
So true Janna, it’s a very solo travel friendly place!
I’ve been seeing so many posts about Iceland, and it’s making me want to visit even more than I already did! The Blue Lagoon has been at the top of my bucket list for years now. Definitely one of those ‘dream come true’ visits when it finally happens!
Your photos look beautiful, and the Glacier Lagoon bus tour sounds awesome! 😀
Thank you, I hope you get to visit Rhiannon! It really is an amazing place 🙂
Did you go to the blue lagoon? The lava facial was divine!
I bet they are amazing! I didn’t go to the Blue Lagoon though – I went to all the local pools instead.
Thanks for the info. I’m going in Late June. What month did you travel and for how many days? If I stay about a week, I wonder if there is an opportunity to do a tour but stay the night near some of the spots so as to have more time to enjoy than say fit it all into a 14 day. I’ll be traveling there Solo too.
Hi Ariana, how exciting! I hope you have the best time! I went in April and stayed for 4 days. I am not sure about doing the tour like that but I would email them to see if its possible. Have fun!
Iceland looks lovely! I have been seen a lot of people going there recently and I have to admit that made Iceland go up my bucketlist LOL 🙂
x
Thanks so much Stephanie! I hope you get to see Iceland soon 🙂
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