Seattle to Iceland Trip Planning: Tips For Families

Plannig an Iceland trip from Seattle or the Pacific Northwest? The 7.5-hour nonstop flight from Seattle (SEA) to Reykjavik (KEF) has put Iceland on a lot of Seattle families’ vacation plans. In less than a workday, you can swap the Pacific Northwest for glaciers, waterfalls, and hot springs — making Iceland an incredible (and surprisingly easy) international trip.

Instead of listing the usual things to do in Iceland, this guide focuses on the key decisions we struggled with and wish someone had walked us through before we went.

We visited Iceland in summer 2024, and I’ve also included insights from friends who traveled in spring and summer of 2024 and 2025 — so you’ll get a mix of real-world perspectives across multiple seasons.

Iceland is absolutely worth the trip, but it’s also one of the most expensive countries in Europe. To make the most of your budget, it helps to know where to spend your time (and money), and where you can scale back if you’ve already seen similar sights in the U.S. Let’s get into the key decisions that will help you plan your Iceland trip with confidence.

How Many Days Do You Need to see Iceland?

One of the first decisions when planning a Seattle to Iceland trip is how many days to spend in Iceland. The right length depends on how much of the island you want to cover.

4 Days in Iceland (Quick Trip)

Best for a South Coast itinerary. In just a few days, you can see major highlights (waterfalls, black sand beach, lagoon) while staying anchored in Reykjavik to enjoy the city and lagoon experience. Maybe even add a day for Golden Circle. The 4 days give you a nice glimpse into what this island nation has to offer.

One of our friends paired a 4-day Iceland itinerary with 4 days in Norway. Another friend combined it with Finland. It was a great way to see two countries on one flight, but it definitely made the trip more tiring.

7 Days in Iceland (Balanced Itinerary)

With a week, you can add the Golden Circle (Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss) and Snæfellsnes Peninsula on top of the South Coast. This gives you a mix of waterfalls, hot springs, and iconic landscapes at a comfortable pace. 

I’d recommend this as the best balance of value and time — it feels like a vacation instead of a rushed checklist.

10 Days in Iceland (Ring Road Adventure)

Ten days gives you enough time to drive the Ring Road around the island and explore the country thoroughly. You’ll see glaciers, lava fields, and fishing villages across every region, Aykureri (Iceland’s northern capital) — a full taste of Iceland’s diversity. 

Personally, we did a 10-day Ring Road trip and recommend it if you want the complete Iceland experience. 

Is Iceland Ring Road Worth it?

A common question is whether to drive the full Ring Road or stick to the South Coast (and nearby extensions).

Some people visit Iceland for a short trip, fall in love with the landscapes, and leave wishing they had seen the whole island. It’s true — beyond the South Coast, there are endless waterfalls, hikes, geothermal hot spots, and fishing villages waiting to be discovered. But driving long stretches every day on the Ring Road adds up. Our 10-day Iceland-only trip did feel exhausting.

Looking back, I think I’d do it a little differently. I’d skip some of the long stretches of the Ring Road and stick with a 7-day Iceland trip with a balanced itinerary. 

If I had extra days, I’d add a visit to another nearby country — maybe Norway. That way, the trip would feel more balanced and give me more variety for the similar amount of time and money.

Of course, this comes down to personal choice. If your dream is to see everything Iceland has to offer, the 10-day full circle is unforgettable. But if you’re looking for efficiency and fewer long drives, the South + extensions might be the sweet spot.

Iceland Only or Iceland + Norway (or Sweden, or Finland)?

Another decision point: should you combine Iceland with another Nordic country?

On paper, it makes sense. If you’re already flying across the Atlantic, why not add a few days in Norway, Sweden, or Finland? I know travelers who paired Iceland with Norway within 10 days, and others who added Finland. 

Here’s the catch: it’s tiring. Splitting your time between countries can mean more airports, more transfers, and less time to truly enjoy each destination. To tackle that exhaustion, I would make it a 2-week trip so that you get a chance to take a breath.

We personally chose to stick with Iceland, which felt more immersive. If you prefer depth over breadth, focus on Iceland. If you’d rather sample multiple countries, just keep in mind the fatigue factor and plan accordingly.

How to get around in Iceland?

Another big question when planning a Seattle to Iceland trip is how to get around once you land. There are three main options, each with its own pros and cons:

1. Guided Tours (Bus Packages)

With this option, you join a bus tour that takes you to Iceland’s highlights on a set itinerary. You can book a combined package of individual day trips from Reykjavik to nearby destinations. This would be best for travelers who don’t want to worry about driving, or if your older parents are traveling on their own and prefer everything arranged.

2. Rental Car (Self-Drive)

This is the option we chose. We booked accommodations along our route and rented a car to drive around Iceland. Driving in Iceland felt very manageable: roads were easy to navigate, Google Maps worked fine, and traffic rules were straightforward — similar to the U.S. We were three adults and a child (6-year old) and this worked out fine for us.

3. RV or Campervan

Some of our friends chose to rent an RV, which gave them maximum flexibility while traveling with their young kids under 10 and 5 years of age. Without hotel check-in times or fixed accommodations, they could follow their must-see list but keep the rest of the trip spontaneous — and really enjoyed the freedom of RV life. Another advantage is the flexibility to cook your own meals — once you leave Reykjavík, dining options can be limited, and otherwise you’ll find yourself relying mostly on lamb soup, pizza, and hot dogs.

That said, RV travel comes with a learning curve. Since we had never used one before, we decided to skip it for our first Iceland trip and save that adventure for a future trip closer to home.

What Blew Us Away in Iceland?

So did Iceland live up to the hype? Absolutely. These 4 things will stay with me forever.

Waterfalls

We live in the Pacific Northwest, which is already known for its abundance of waterfalls. Normally, waterfalls in other places don’t amaze us — we’re spoiled by easy to access places like Snoqualmie Falls, Multnomah Falls, and countless hidden cascades. But Iceland’s waterfalls are in a league of their own. The sheer scale, the volume of water, and the fact that there seemed to be multiple tumbling down from every mountainside — it was breathtaking. And the hikes to them were so scenic, and so accessible!

Geothermal pools

Another unforgettable highlight was Iceland’s geothermal pools. Whether it was the world-famous Blue Lagoon, the charming Secret Lagoon, or a Vok baths, soaking in naturally heated water felt incredible. Knowing the warmth came from volcanic energy bubbling beneath the earth made it all the more surreal. These pools were also the perfect way to unwind after long days of driving — relaxing for us, and pure fun for the kids. And when the kids are happy, everything else feels easier.

Landscape

Iceland’s landscapes felt truly otherworldly — eerie, raw, remote, and often harsh. Even in late summer, it was cold and windy most of the time. The quiet charm of Akureyri, the mystical aura of Lake Mývatn and its surrounding plateaus, the sense of being on a faraway island, and those long stretches of isolated drives all added to the experience. The Snæfellsnes Peninsula stands out most in my memory. The winds there were so fierce it felt like both we and our car might be blown away — imagine Chicago’s wind, multiplied by ten. Was it uncomfortable? Yes. Was it unforgettable? Absolutely.

Animals

And finally, the animals. Icelandic sheep and horses dot the landscapes, adding charm to an already dramatic setting. I’ll never forget seeing those sturdy Icelandic horses up close — especially after learning they can never return once they leave the island, a measure to protect the breed. We didn’t see Puffins, but hope to see them on the Oregon coast someday.

What We Would Skip in Iceland (and U.S. Alternatives)

While Iceland is stunning almost everywhere you go, we found ourselves comparing certain spots to places we’ve already seen in the U.S. In hindsight, there are a few attractions we might have skipped, simply because we’d experienced something similar closer to home.

This is, of course, a very subjective (and maybe even controversial) take. But if you’re juggling limited vacation time, managing young kids’ routines, watching your budget, and still trying to explore a new place, these perspectives might help you prioritize what’s truly worth it.

• Geysers vs. Yellowstone – Iceland’s geysers are fun and accessible, but Yellowstone’s are larger, more diverse, and more dramatic. We skipped all of them.
• Eastfjords vs. Highway 101 (Oregon/California Coast) – The Eastfjords reminded us of scenic U.S. coastal drives — gorgeous, but not necessarily worth the long detour if you’ve done Pacific Coast Highway.
• Glacier Walks vs. Alaska – We skipped glacier hiking in Iceland since we’d already done it in Alaska (Matanuska Glacier). Given the high cost in Iceland, Alaska felt like better value.
• Northern Lights vs. Alaska – Don’t plan your Iceland trip just for the aurora, atleast for spring, late summer or fall visit. Weather makes it a gamble. We were lucky to see amazing northern lights in Iceland, but our friends were not. We’ve actually had great luck seeing them in Alaska — just 3 hours flight from Seattle and more affordable.
• Volcanic Landscapes vs. Craters of the Moon (Idaho) – The lava fields near Lake Mývatn were striking, but similar to what we’d already seen at Craters of the Moon National Monument. We skipped touring these.
• Volcanic eruption vs. Hawaii Volcano National Park – We felt lucky to witness a volcanic eruption during our Iceland trip. That said, similar experiences or lava flows are also possible in Hawaii. Timing helped us too — we visited Iceland in 2024, a solar maximum year when both volcanic and solar activity were especially strong.
• Seljalandsfoss vs. Silver Falls State Park –  Seljalandsfoss is a very famous waterfall on the south coast itinerary. Its stand out feature is the trail that lets you walk behind the waterfall. We’ve had a similar experience closer home at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. Seljalandfoss feels more otherworldly and dramatic, set against Iceland’s volcanic cliffs. Its nextdoor neighbor Gljúfrabúi is a waterfall in a canyon. We ended up spending most time at these falls due to queues, which in hindsight could have been skipped.
• Waterfall fatigue – As incredible as they are, after your tenth massive waterfall, you may start to feel less amazed. We felt this especially along the northern stretch of the Ring Road. Pick and choose the ones that excite you most, so the magic doesn’t wear off.
• Over-edited photos – Some spots look more dramatic online than in person. Photos with perfect turquoise water and glowing coastlines can set unrealistic expectations. Iceland is beautiful, but not every moment looks like a postcard.
  

Where to Stay in Iceland?

Booking stays in another country can always be a hit or a miss. Lack of familiar brands make it hard to know what to expect. Here are some of the stays we and our friends used, if it helps reduce your search time and effort.

Reykjavik to Vik

• Brú Guesthouse
• Reykjavik hotel 

Vik to East Fjord

• Vík Apartments
• Hotel Smyrlabjorg
• Hildibrand Hotel

East Fjord to Aykureri

• Lamb Inn Öngulsstaðir

Aykureri to Snæfellsnes Peninsula

• Bessastaðir Guesthouse

Snæfellsnes Peninsula to Reykjavik

• Hotel Laxarbakki
• Ocean Break Cabins

Rental Car and RV Rentals?

• Rental car – We rented Alamo for car rental in Iceland. The process was very similar to what we do for pickups in US.
• RV – There are campervan options on Viator. Mcrent is another good rental option.

Travel Insurance

We took Patriot International Lite. Our friends have used Travel Mondo for their Europe trips.

Final Thoughts

Iceland is a memorable and fun experience, however planning international trips can get overwhelming. Hope this perspective helps you ease some of the decision making in planning your trip.