Maximizing Our Trip with Icelandair’s Stopover Program
We used Iceland Air’s stopover program for a three-night layover in Iceland at no additional cost. Here are all the reasons you should, too! Jump straight to our Three-Night Iceland Itinerary to see all that we did!
So, what is the Iceland Air Stopover Program?
As part-time travelers, making the most of our time is essential. We love to pack as much as possible into each trip, knowing it could be a while before our next adventure. So, when we were planning our UK vacation and discovered Iceland Air’s stopover program, we knew we had to take advantage of it. It was the perfect opportunity to explore even more without extending our travel time (at least not too much).
If you’re wondering what a stopover program is, you’re not alone—we had never heard of it either until we discovered Iceland Air!
Basically, a stopover is an extended layover offered by some airlines at no extra cost to your original ticket. It gives travelers the chance to explore a city or country on their way to their final destination. Stopovers can last anywhere from 24 hours to up to 10 days. With Iceland Air, you can enjoy a stopover for up to 7 days, each way! That means you could spend up to 14 nights in Iceland at no additional cost! Other airlines with similar programs include Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates—all of which are now on our radar for future travels!
For our stopover with Iceland Air, we chose to stay for three nights, giving us a solid two-and-a-half days to explore. While Iceland offers endless adventures and activities, we felt this timeframe was just what we needed to experience the highlights and get a taste of the country’s breathtaking beauty. Plus, we can always return for more on our next stopover!
We also opted to add the stopover to our return trip, making Iceland the perfect ending to an already unforgettable adventure.
All you need to know to book your Iceland Air Stopover
With Iceland Air, you can add the stopover to your outbound trip, return trip, or both! The customization and flexibility of the stopover program made visiting Iceland a seamless addition to our trip.
What makes this program even better is how incredibly easy it is to book! Simply book your flight through the Iceland Air website. Before selecting your departure flight, you’ll be offered the option to add a stopover. You can choose the dates and duration that work best for you. If you decide not to include a stopover on either leg of your trip, just leave the option blank or select “skip stopover.”
A few things to note: when booking a stopover, you’ll receive separate tickets for each leg of your journey (though your confirmation number will remain the same). This means you’ll need to check in again before your next flight, but don’t worry—it’s all streamlined with the Iceland Air Mobile App. We highly recommend downloading the app for smooth check-ins and travel updates. (Pro tip: it’s a great tool for any airline!)
Our Three-Night Iceland Itinerary
Arrival Day:
Arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF)
Pick up rental Car
Check into hotel; Center Hotels Laugavegur
Dinner in Reykjavik; The Icelandic Bar
Early night
We flew in from London, landing in Keflavik International Airport (KEF) around 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, we headed straight to pick up our rental car.
The drive from the airport to Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes. We opted to stay as close to the city center as possible to minimize travel time and maximize sightseeing. (Something we consider a non-negotiable when traveling to any city.) We booked our stay at Center Hotels Laugavegur through the Booking.com App, which turned out to be everything we needed. Great location, affordable price, and a REALLY good breakfast.
By the time we settled into our room, we were starving! Luckily, Laugavegur Street is one of Reykjavik’s top spots for restaurants, bars, and shopping. After browsing a few options, we settled on The Icelandic Bar, drawn by its good reviews on Google and what seemed like reasonable prices compared to other places.
We were craving authentic Icelandic dishes, and this place did not disappoint. We started off with the Christmas appetizer platter, which featured a variety of fish, including salmon and pickled herring, along with some meat options like reindeer meatballs—surprisingly delicious! We also tried fermented shark… and, well, let’s just say it was an “experience.” While we’re glad we tried it, we’re also in no rush to eat it again anytime soon.
For our main course, we shared the Lobster Dog, their unique take on a classic New England lobster roll. As a Connecticut native, I take my lobster rolls seriously, and this one definitely exceeded my expectations. Unlike the butter-soaked rolls I’m used to, this lobster came deep-fried with bell pepper jam, garlic mayo, and Feykir cheese. Honestly, my only regret is not ordering a second one!
One thing worth mentioning: the menu also offered whale meat. While we’re all for trying unique, culturally significant foods, consuming an endangered species just didn’t sit right with us. If you’re sensitive to this, we recommend researching your restaurant options ahead of time.
After indulging in unique Icelandic dishes and sampling the local beer, we were more than ready to head back to our hotel and get a good night’s sleep, gearing up for an early start the next morning.
Erin being very intimidated by the shark meat!
An evening in Reykjavik
Day 1
Breakfast at hotel
Drive the Golden Circle, stopping at:
Strokkur Geysir
Gullfoss Waterfall
Kerid Crater
Stop in Selfoss for lunch; Pylsuvagninn
Perlan Museum (could be skipped)
Dinner in Reykjavik; Icelandic Street Food
Morning – Golden Circle
After a slow breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to begin our tour of the Golden Circle.
For those unfamiliar, the Golden Circle is a scenic route that takes you through some of Iceland’s most famous sights. Along the way, you’ll find Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Geothermal Area. Since we had our own car, we were able to explore at our own pace. If you prefer not to rent a car, don’t worry—there are plenty of tours that circle the loop every day. (We love using GetYourGuide to book our tours while traveling.)
The loop can take anywhere from 4 hours to several days, depending on how much time you want to spend at each stop. Most visitors, however, can visit all the major attractions in just one day.
First Stop: Strokkur Geysir
Our first stop was Strokkur Geysir, where we took a short walk along the path to view the geyser and surrounding thermal pools. The geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes, so you won’t have to wait long to witness this natural marvel in action. If you feel like doing more of a hike, continue up the path for even better views of the stunning Haukadalur Valley. It’s recommended to wear crampons on this path during winter, as it can be quite icy.
Back at the parking lot, there’s a cozy visitor center where you can warm up with a bite to eat, or grab a quick coffee or tea.
Second Stop: Gullfoss Waterfall
Next, we drove to Gullfoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most powerful falls. This beast dumps roughly 30,000 gallons of water down the canyon per second! From the visitor center, there are several viewpoints of the falls that you can easily walk to. We highly recommend stopping at each one to take in the breathtaking views from different angles. We spent about 30 minutes walking along the 1-mile out-and-back trail, snapping photos and soaking in the natural beauty. However, if you’re short on time, you can easily get a good view in just 15-20 minutes—or stay longer if you’d like to explore more.
Third Stop: Kerid Crater
Our final stop on the Golden Circle was Kerid Crater, a lesser-known gem along the scenic route. This stunning caldera lake was formed around 6,500 years ago after a volcanic eruption caused the cone to collapse, filling the crater with water over time. There are two walking trails around the crater: one along the upper rim and another around the lower caldera. When we visited, the lower trail was closed due to snow and ice, so we walked the short loop along the upper rim. The views were absolutely spectacular the entire time, and the walk took us about 15 minutes to complete.
Afternoon – Lunch in Selfoss
By this point, we were definitely ready for lunch, so we headed to Selfoss to try the famous Icelandic hotdog. Pylsuvagninn is a small hotdog stand serving what was, hands down, the BEST (and messiest) hotdog I’ve ever had! I went for the deep-fried dog, topped with bell peppers, garlic sauce, and cheese. My husband had the hotdog stuffed with fries—his may have been easier to eat, but mine was definitely the winner in terms of flavor!
If hotdogs aren’t your thing, just across the street is The Old Dairy Food Hall, which has nine different restaurants offering a variety of food options. Or, like us, you can skip the food and just grab a drink!
Evening – Perlan Museum and Dinner at Icelandic Street Food
In the winter months, evenings in Iceland come quickly. As the sun began to set, we were hit with heavy rain and wind, so we decided it was time to head back toward Reykjavik and find an indoor activity. We ended up at the Perlan Museum.
The museum itself is fairly small, with a few interactive exhibits typical of larger museums. The highlight was definitely the indoor ice cave, where you could walk through and get a glimpse of this stunning geological phenomenon. While the ice cave and the Northern Lights Planetarium show were interesting, we felt the ticket prices were a bit steep for our budget. Had the weather been better, we likely would have skipped this stop and explored more of the natural wonders instead.
For dinner, we made our way to Icelandic Street Food, a cozy spot known for serving traditional soups and stews in rustic bread bowls. The best part? If you order the tomato soup or lamb stew, you can get free refills!
Afterward, if you’re in the mood for a fun activity, head over to Magic Ice, a unique bar made entirely of—you guessed it—ice! While it’s definitely a tourist trap (and you’ll have to pay to get in), we had a great time. If it’s not too crowded, we’d recommend checking it out just for the novelty experience.
Day 2
Breakfast at hotel
Snorkeling Adventure at Silfra Fissure – Arctic Adventures
Hiking around Thingvellir National Park
Thermal Pool – Guðlaug Baths
Northern Lights tour – BusTravel Iceland
Morning – Thingvellir National Park
Visiting Thingvellir National Park is a must when you’re in Iceland, and we knew we wanted to dedicate more time to exploring it. So, instead of squeezing it into our Golden Circle tour on the first day, we decided to save it for our second day, allowing ourselves more time to fully appreciate the park. Plus, we had something really special planned for the day!
One of the most well-known features of Thingvellir National Park is the Silfra Fissure, a rift formed by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. At the park, you can actually see where these massive plates divide! And even better? You can SWIM BETWEEN THEM! Despite the winter chill and 34°F water, we couldn’t pass up the chance to experience this epic adventure!
We booked our tour with Arctic Adventures, paying about $130 each for a 45-minute swim. While the price may seem steep, we both agreed it was absolutely worth it! The company provided everything we needed to stay comfortable during the swim, including a dry suit, goggles, flippers, and a knowledgeable guide who stayed with us the entire time.
The swim itself was an absolutely surreal experience. The water was incredibly clear and calm, and being able to see—and nearly touch—two continents at once was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. I would do this tour again and again.
After warming up with some hot cocoa, we ventured out to explore more of Thingvellir National Park. From the Silfra Fissure parking lot, several trails lead to other notable sights, like Thingvallakirkja Church and Öxarárfoss Falls. We spent the morning strolling along the various paths, taking in the beauty of the vast landscapes.
Afternoon – Soaking at Guðlaug Baths
After a late lunch, the sky was already shifting toward dusk, so we headed out to find one of Iceland’s iconic treasures—the thermal pool. We were hoping for something affordable and peaceful, and we found exactly that at the Guðlaug Baths in Akranes, just under an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. We arrived around 4:00 pm and had the entire place to ourselves. This hidden gem offers stunning views of the North Atlantic, with the lights of Reykjavik glowing in the distance. We soaked in the warm thermal waters, watching the sunset over the ocean.
Evening – Northern Lights Tour
After returning to our hotel to change and freshen up, we set out on our dream tour to see the Northern Lights. We decided to book a tour to ensure we visited the best spots for viewing this incredible phenomenon. Since the ideal locations change nightly, having a trained guide greatly increases your chances of spotting them. We booked our tour through GetYourGuide, which connected us with BusTravel Iceland. The tour bus picks up passengers at various stops around Reykjavik (ours was just an 8-minute walk from our hotel), then takes you away from the light pollution of the city to areas predicted to have the best visuals of the lights,
When booking your tour, be sure to choose the latest possible departure. The darker the sky, the better your chances of seeing the lights (we booked ours for 9:00 PM). However, seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed. Most tours offer a free rebooking if the lights are not visible. While we did our tour on the last night of our trip, I’d actually recommend booking earlier in your stay so that, if you do miss the lights, you’ll have time to rebook for another night.
On our tour, we drove about an hour outside the city before stopping to begin our “hunt,” as our guide called it. It didn’t take long before we spotted the green streaks of the Aurora swirling through the sky. Our guide gave us plenty of time to take pictures or simply take in the awe-inspiring sight of the lights dancing overhead. We made two more stops before returning to Reykjavik a little after midnight.
Day 3
Breakfast at hotel
Morning at the Blue Lagoon
Drop off Rental Car
One last Icelandic hotdog at the airport.
Morning – Blue Lagoon
On our last morning in Iceland, we woke up early, packed our bags, and enjoyed one final breakfast at our hotel. Before arriving in Iceland, I had pre-booked for the Blue Lagoon. If you’ve heard of Iceland, you’ve likely heard of the Blue Lagoon—it’s one of the most iconic spots in the country and the most famous hot spring in the world. If you’re hoping to experience this magical place for yourself, be sure to book your tickets in advance, as it’s very popular!
We traveled to Iceland in December 2024, just after the Reykjanes Peninsula volcano eruption had caused damage to nearby roads and the Blue Lagoon parking lot. As a result, we were instructed to park in Grindavik, where a shuttle would take us to the lagoon entrance. Fortunately, multiple luxury shuttles were waiting to transport visitors, so we didn’t have to wait at all.
We arrived just after 8:00 AM, and it was already starting to fill up with visitors. We were glad to have arrived when we did, though, as it allowed us to enjoy the pools before the crowds settled in. The whole experience at the Blue Lagoon is clearly designed for both convenience and luxury. Upon check-in, you’re given a wristband, which serves as your payment method for drinks at the swim-up bar, additional face masks, or snacks at the poolside café. Your ticket includes one free drink and one face mask. When you check out, simply scan your wristband at a kiosk, the total amount due will appear, which you can pay right then and there. We didn’t end up spending anything beyond the cost of our entry, but the convenience of the wristband system was definitely a nice touch.
Once checked in, you’ll be directed to the respective men’s and women’s locker rooms, where you can store your belongings (your wristband also unlocks your locker), grab a robe, and take a quick shower before meeting up at the pool’s main entrance.
As soon as you step into the pool, you’ll feel a wave of relaxation wash over you—the warm, mineral-rich waters and serene atmosphere are incredibly soothing. It’s the perfect chance to let go of the daily grind as you lay back and let the water gently carry you into a state of calm.
Afternoon – Return to Airport
After nearly three hours of soaking in the iconic blue thermal pools, it was sadly time to say “goodbye” to the stunning beauty that is Iceland and head back to the airport.
One of the best things about visiting the Blue Lagoon on your last day is how close it is to the airport. We dropped off our rental car and made it to the terminal with plenty of time to enjoy one last Icelandic hotdog from the famous Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur before catching our flight home.
Iceland Stopover: Quick Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
If you do the stopover on your return journey (from Europe to the US), there’s no time change between the UK and Iceland—you won’t have to battle jet lag during an already short stay.
While a wide range of tours are available, we highly recommend renting a car to get to all the top sights. Having your own car gives you the freedom to be more flexible with your schedule, allowing you to pack in as much as possible. Plus, renting a car is often far more affordable than booking multiple excursions. (Iceland is not cheap!)
The easiest way to pay for parking is through the Parka App. Just enter the car’s license plate number and your credit card details, and the app will automatically charge you based on your parking duration. Plus, the app works at other parking lots all over Iceland, making it a convenient option for your entire stay.
One of our biggest stressors when driving into any city is finding parking, but thankfully, there are several affordable parking garages all around Reykjavik. Simply search for “public parking” on Google Maps and find one close to your hotel.
