Hire a Private Driver for a Day in Iceland: How It Works and What It Costs

Quick facts

• What it is: a car or van with a driver for the whole day, starting and ending at your hotel.
• Price model: a fixed price per car, not per person, agreed before you travel.
• Reykjavík City Tour (3–4 h): 56,000 kr per car, 75,000 kr per van.
• Golden Circle (7–8 h): 90,000 kr per car, 120,000 kr per van.
• South Coast and Vík (9–10 h): 125,000 kr per car, 160,000 kr per van.
• Snæfellsnes (10–11 h): 123,000 kr per car, 151,000 kr per van.
• Custom days: possible on request via WhatsApp.

How it works

You choose a route, a date and a pick-up time. Your driver collects you at your hotel in Reykjavík, drives the route, stops at the main sights and waits while you explore, then brings you back. You decide how long to stay at each stop within the day, and you can skip a place that does not interest you or linger where you love it.

Economy cars (Tesla) take 1 to 4 passengers, vans (Mercedes Vito) take 5 to 7, and for 8 to 16 people we arrange a minibus on request. Child seats are free; mention ages when you book.

Popular day routes

Golden Circle

Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall, the classic first day out of Reykjavík. Easy to extend with the Secret Lagoon or the Kerið crater. Read the Golden Circle private tour guide.

7–8 hours · private

Golden Circle

Þingvellir · Geysir · Gullfoss

Car

1–4 people

90,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

120,000 kr

Book this tour

South Coast

Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, the black sand beach at Reynisfjara and the village of Vík. A long day, so a private car makes a big difference: you can start early and stop for photos whenever the light is good. See our South Coast day trip guide.

9–10 hours · private

South Coast & Vík

Seljalandsfoss · Skógafoss · Reynisfjara · Vík

Car

1–4 people

125,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

160,000 kr

Book this tour

Snæfellsnes

Kirkjufell, the coastal village of Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur and the glacier volcano Snæfellsjökull: "Iceland in miniature", and much quieter than the South Coast. More in Snæfellsnes day trip.

10–11 hours · private

Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Kirkjufell · Arnarstapi · Djúpalónssandur · Snæfellsjökull

Car

1–4 people

123,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

151,000 kr

Book this tour

Reykjavík City Tour

A half day around the capital: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the Sun Voyager, the old harbour and Perlan. Good for a first afternoon, a cruise stop, or travellers with limited mobility who want to see the city without long walks.

3–4 hours · private

Reykjavík City Tour

Hallgrímskirkja · Harpa · Sun Voyager · Old harbour · Perlan

Car

1–4 people

56,000 kr

Van

5–7 people

75,000 kr

Book this tour

Custom days

Not every trip fits a standard route. Some examples of days we can plan with you:

• Hiking Reykjadalur in the morning and the Golden Circle in the afternoon.
• The Reykjanes peninsula with its lava fields and coastline; see the Reykjanes guide.
• Film locations near Reykjavík; see movie locations near Reykjavík.
• A day of hot springs: Hvammsvík, Sky Lagoon or the Secret Lagoon.
• A transfer with sightseeing on the way, for example from Keflavík Airport to Vík via the South Coast.

Send us your idea on WhatsApp with the date, the number of people and roughly how long you want to be out, and we will reply with a fixed price per car before you book.

Driver for a day vs rental car

• No driving stress: no winter roads, gravel, wind or unfamiliar signs. You look at the scenery, not the road.
• Everyone enjoys the day: nobody has to stay sober or alert for the drive home.
• No hidden costs: no fuel, insurance, parking fees or damage worries. The price is fixed per car.
• Local knowledge: your driver knows the roads in every season and which stops are worth it in bad weather.
• When a rental car is better: if you travel for many days around the whole country and enjoy driving, a car of your own is more economical. Read car rental vs private transfer.

Driver for a day vs bus tour

A bus tour is cheaper for one or two people, but you follow a fixed timetable, share the stops with a large group, and often spend the first hour collecting other passengers. With a private driver, the day starts at your door and runs to your rhythm. For a group of four or more, the price per person often gets close to a bus tour. Full comparison in private tour vs bus tour.

What it costs per person

• Golden Circle, 4 people in a car: 90,000 kr, about 22,500 kr each.
• Golden Circle, 7 people in a van: 120,000 kr, about 17,150 kr each.
• South Coast, 4 people: 125,000 kr, about 31,250 kr each.
• City Tour, 2 people: 56,000 kr, 28,000 kr each.

Entry fees, food and activities such as glacier hikes are not included; your driver can stop wherever you need to buy tickets or eat.

Tips for a good day

1. Start early in winter: daylight can be as short as four to five hours in December.
2. Tell us about any must-see stops or activities when you book, so the timing works.
3. Dress in layers and bring waterproofs; the weather changes fast.
4. Bring cash or a card for parking fees at some sights, cafés and toilets.
5. Pay 20% online to book and the rest in the car by card or cash, or pay everything online.

Travelling with Drive Reykjavik

• Fixed price per car, not per person, agreed before you travel
• Economy (Tesla) for 1 to 4 passengers, Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7, minibus for 8 to 16 on request
• Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and checks your flight before leaving
• 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport
• Pay 20% to book and the rest in the car by card or cash, or pay everything online
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up

We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík.

How much does it cost to hire a driver for a day in Iceland?

Is the price per person or per car?

Can I choose my own stops?

Is the driver also a guide?

Can we hire a driver for a large group?

Are entry fees included?