Iceland
with Kids
The ultimate family guide to the land of fire & ice
Why Iceland?
Iceland is wild — raw-energy-of-the-earth wild. One moment you’re standing in front of a thundering waterfall so close you can feel the mist in your bones, the next you’re soaking in a steamy lagoon while geysers explode just down the road.
That’s the thing most Iceland guides won’t tell you: you don’t need a packed itinerary to have an incredible trip. The scenery between stops is as jaw-dropping as the stops themselves. Build in slow days. Pull over whenever something catches your eye. Let Iceland surprise you.
The only real catch? It’s expensive. Flights from the US range from $300–600/person roundtrip depending on timing and how far out you book — we paid $471/person flying IcelandAir. Once you land, the meter starts running: car rental, gas, food, lodging, even gas station snacks add up fast. Budget realistically and we’ll show you where we cut corners and where we didn’t.
Plan smart, pace yourself, and embrace the splurge where it counts. Because when your kids are staring at a glacier lagoon full of floating icebergs or watching the Northern Lights dance overhead, you’ll realize Iceland doesn’t just wow — it rewires how you see the world.
9-Day Itinerary
Land early at KEF, grab the rental, and shake off the jet lag with Reykjavik highlights. Quick Costco stop for snacks before cozying into your hotel.
Classic hits — Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. Option to soak in Secret Lagoon. Tomato farm lunch is a must.
Waterfall hopping at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, puffin spotting at Dyrhólaey, and the dramatic black sands of Reynisfjara.
This was the undisputed highlight of our entire trip. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is unlike anything we’d ever seen — massive chunks of ancient blue ice floating silently across the water, seals bobbing between them, mountains in the background. The kids were speechless (which, if you have kids, you know is rare).
We did the Amphibian Boat Tour and it’s worth every dollar — you get right up close to the icebergs and the guide explains the scale of what you’re looking at. From there, walk five minutes to Diamond Beach where ice chunks wash up on black sand like scattered jewels. Surreal doesn’t begin to cover it.
Explore Skaftafell — choose an easy glacier walk or the Svartifoss hike. Grab a pizza stop in Vík on the way back.
A flexible day for offbeat sights — Kerið Crater, Seljavallalaug pool, or Laugarvatn Fontana Spa. Kids run wild while parents soak it all in.
Break up the drive with lunch in Reykjavik, then relax in Borgarnes with harbor strolls and a swim.
We did the full Snaefellsnes loop in a single day — and it’s very doable. Coastal walk from Arnarstapi to Hellnar (easy, beautiful, kid-friendly), volcanic craters, dramatic sea cliffs, and Kirkjufell — the iconic mountain you’ll recognize from every Iceland postcard. The peninsula packs a lot into a tight loop, which is exactly what you want with kids.
Note on the full Iceland Ring Road: We did NOT do the full island loop — that would have added several more days of driving, which just wasn’t right for our trip with young kids. If you have 12–14 days and teenagers, absolutely go for it. For us, the south coast + Snaefellsnes hit every highlight without grinding the kids down.
If time allows, squeeze in a geothermal swim before heading to KEF for the flight home.
Where We Stayed
Pro tip: Book 6+ months out. Iceland accommodations sell fast and prices spike dramatically closer to travel dates.
Hotel Viking – Reykjavik
Cozy cabin-style rooms with an attic loft the kids claimed as their own hideout. Excellent free breakfast.
✓ Free BreakfastFarmhouse Lodge near Vík
Glamping tent in a gorgeous location. Rustic vibe, unique experience the kids will remember forever.
✓ Airbnb PickFosshotel Glacier Lagoon
A splurge, but worth every penny. Staff woke us for the Northern Lights — unforgettable moment.
★ Splurge PickBrú Guesthouse
Futuristic, super-clean cabins with big views. Confirm your booking matches your group size.
✓ Unique Stay🚐 Considering an RV?
Iceland’s ring roads are practically made for campervan travel. We rented a car but would love to try an RV next time. Top options: Campervan Iceland, KúKú Campers (budget-friendly), and Happy Campers (family-friendly touches).
What We Actually Spent
Iceland is expensive — full stop. But it doesn’t have to be crazy expensive if you’re strategic. Here’s our real breakdown for a family of four over 9 days:
Total trip cost: ~$8,800 for 4 people, 9 days. That’s roughly $975/day or ~$244/person/day. Hotels averaged $268/night. We kept food costs down significantly by cooking and eating cheap — more on that below.
Flights
$471/person on IcelandAir. Round trip flights range from $300–600/person depending on your departure city and how far out you book. Add ~$100 each way per checked bag.
~$1,884 total + bagsHotels & Airbnbs
Mix of hotels, Airbnbs, and a glamping tent. Averaged $268/night across 8 nights. Fosshotel and Brú Guesthouse were the splurges — both worth it.
~$2,146 totalCar Rental + Gas
Full-size rental with Platinum insurance from Lotus Car Rental. Gas ran about $200 for the trip. Insurance is expensive but non-negotiable in Iceland.
~$1,617 totalFood
We were intentionally thrifty. Groceries for breakfast and lunches, KFC and Domino’s for easy family dinners, gas station food on long driving days. No lavish sit-down meals. Food quality in Iceland is actually great even eating cheap.
~$1,020 total (restaurants + groceries)Biggest money-saver: Treating food like a road trip, not a vacation. We bought eggs, bread, turkey, chips, and snacks at Costco on Day 1 and kept the cooler stocked throughout. Iceland’s restaurant prices are real — but you can eat well without eating expensively.
Getting There
Almost everyone flying to Iceland lands at Keflavík International Airport (KEF), just outside Reykjavik — it’s the country’s main gateway.
For tips on snagging the best deals, check out our Flight Booking Guide →
Car rental is essential unless you’re sticking to Reykjavik. We rented with Lotus Car Rental (local, reliable) and got the Platinum Insurance. Expensive but worth the peace of mind.
For help choosing the right vehicle size for your family, see our Car Rental Guide →
💳 Can you use points for Iceland? Honestly — it’s tough. Iceland has limited points redemption options and award availability is scarce. We paid cash for this trip. In hindsight, there are solid options if you plan ahead: the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica and Marriott Reykjavik are both bookable on points. If you have Hilton or Marriott status, book 6+ months out and it’s very doable. For everything else, see how we structure our points strategy for trips where redemptions actually work.