Manage booking
532 km
About 8 h 20 min
Car 1–4 · Van 5–7
Free cancellation 24 h
North · from KEF
About Mývatn and the drive
Lake Mývatn sits in an active volcanic area in North-east Iceland, and the landscape around it packs a remarkable variety into a small space: the lava pillars and arches of Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters at Skútustaðir, the steaming mud pots and fumaroles of Hverir below Námaskarð pass, and the milky-blue water of the Mývatn Nature Baths. The lake is also known for its birdlife, especially ducks, and its name comes from the midges that swarm on calm summer days.
From Keflavík Airport the route runs the length of Route 1 to the north: through Reykjavík, past Borgarnes, over Holtavörðuheiði and Öxnadalsheiði to Akureyri, then east past Goðafoss to the lake. That makes it one of the longest transfers we drive, and after an overnight flight it is a very big day. Plenty of travellers spend a night in Akureyri on the way, or take a domestic flight from Reykjavík to Akureyri and do the shorter last stretch by road.
Accommodation is spread around the lake, from Reykjahlíð on the north shore to farms and hotels on the south side. Give us the address and your driver will take you door to door. Our Lake Mývatn guide has ideas for your days there.
Seasons and roads
Winters at Mývatn are cold and snowy, with very short days, and the northern mountain passes on the way can close temporarily in storms. We may advise splitting the journey or adjusting the timing. In summer, a head net helps on calm days when the midges are out.
