When people hear you can fly to Iceland for £65 return, it sounds like an absolute bargain.
And technically… it is.
But after spending 10 days travelling around Iceland in a campervan, driving the entire Ring Road, visiting lagoons, waterfalls, glaciers and remote campsites, our total trip cost came to a whopping £2,598.81 for two people.
So where does all that money actually go?
That’s exactly what we wanted to find out.
During our entire Iceland campervan adventure, we tracked every single expense — from flights and fuel to supermarkets, campsites, parking and those sneaky hidden costs nobody really talks about before visiting Iceland.
Because while Iceland is genuinely one of the most breathtaking countries we’ve ever visited… it’s also one of the most expensive.
Watch Our Full Iceland Ring Road Series
If you want to see exactly what 10 days travelling Iceland by campervan looked like, you can watch our full Iceland Ring Road series here:
Watch the Full Iceland Road Trip Series
So… Is Iceland Actually Expensive?
Short answer?
Yes.
But maybe not in the way people expect.
The flights themselves can actually be incredibly cheap, especially from the UK. We flew with EasyJet from Birmingham and paid just £65 return each, which honestly feels ridiculous considering you’re landing in one of the most unique countries on Earth.
The problem starts once you arrive.
Everything in Iceland adds up quickly.
Fuel.
Food.
Parking.
Accommodation.
Coffee.
Even basic supermarket trips somehow become expensive compared to the UK.
And if you’re road tripping the Ring Road like we did, those costs build very fast over 10 days.
The Campervan We Used in Iceland
For this trip we travelled Iceland in the CampEasy Easy Small campervan, which honestly became one of the best parts of the entire adventure. It gave us complete freedom to travel the Ring Road at our own pace while waking up in some unbelievable locations across the country.
Rent the CampEasy Easy Small Campervan
Our Biggest Cost – The Campervan
Without question, the campervan was the biggest expense of the entire trip.
But honestly?
It was also the best decision we made.
We travelled Iceland in a CampEasy Easy Small campervan, which gave us complete freedom to explore the country properly at our own pace.
One night we’d be parked beside a fjord in the Eastfjords.
The next we’d be camping beneath waterfalls on the South Coast.
Travelling Iceland by campervan completely changes the experience because the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.
No rushing between hotels.
No strict schedules.
Just open roads and unbelievable scenery around every corner.
And while campervan hire isn’t cheap in Iceland, it actually helped save money in other areas — especially accommodation and food.
Our Camping & Winter Gear Setup
For winter campervan travel in Iceland, good gear makes a massive difference. We hired a lot of our camping equipment and winter essentials through Iceland Camping Equipment.
Iceland’s Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
One thing we quickly realised during the trip is that Iceland is full of smaller costs that slowly chip away at your budget without you noticing.
Things like:
- Parking charges at waterfalls and attractions
- Public toilet stops
- Fuel price differences across regions
- Extra road taxes on rental vehicles
- Campsite fees every night
- Coffee and snacks during long drives
- Paying more for food in remote areas
Individually, none of these feel huge.
But over 10 days?
They seriously add up.
Parking especially surprised us.
In North Iceland, many attractions were still free or very cheap, but once we reached the South Coast, paid parking became much more common around Iceland’s major tourist spots.
Hiring a Car in Iceland
If campervan travel isn’t for you, hiring a car and staying in hotels around the Ring Road is another great option.
Fuel Costs Across Iceland
Fuel ended up becoming one of our largest ongoing expenses throughout the road trip.
And honestly, Icelandic fuel prices fluctuate a lot depending on where you are.
Remote areas were often noticeably more expensive than larger towns, so we quickly learned to fill up whenever we had the chance rather than risking being stuck somewhere with limited options.
Driving the full Ring Road means covering serious distance too.
Over 10 days, we travelled through:
- The Westfjords
- North Iceland
- East Iceland
- The South Coast
- Reykjavík
- The Golden Circle
And while every mile was worth it, Iceland definitely isn’t the kind of road trip where fuel stays cheap.
Food in Iceland – Supermarkets vs Eating Out
If you’re planning a budget Iceland trip, this is probably the biggest area where you can save money.
Because eating out regularly in Iceland gets expensive very quickly.
That’s why places like Bónus and Netto became absolute lifesavers during our trip.
Most days we stocked up on snacks, breakfast items, drinks and easy campervan meals from supermarkets rather than constantly eating in restaurants.
And honestly?
It became part of the adventure.
There’s something weirdly cosy about cooking dinner in a campervan after spending the day exploring waterfalls and glaciers in freezing temperatures.
That said… we definitely still treated ourselves occasionally.
And Icelandic comfort food after a long cold day just hits differently.
Campsites & Accommodation
One of the biggest reasons we chose campervan travel was flexibility.
Campsites across Iceland allowed us to stay close to nature while keeping accommodation costs far lower than hotels throughout most of the trip.
And honestly, some of the campsites ended up becoming some of our favourite parts of the adventure.
Waking up surrounded by snowy mountains.
Watching the Northern Lights above the van.
Cooking dinner while listening to Icelandic weather outside.
It all added to the experience massively.
That said, we did also book ourselves a cosy cabin near Akureyri for a couple of nights halfway through the trip — partly to celebrate Ryan’s 30th birthday and partly because after several freezing nights in the van, a warm cabin sounded amazing.
And honestly?
It absolutely was.
Download Our 5-Day Iceland Itinerary
If you’re planning your own Iceland adventure and want help planning your route, stops and driving days, we’ve also created a downloadable Iceland itinerary.
Download Our 5-Day Iceland Itinerary
The Lagoons – Worth the Money?
Iceland’s lagoons are expensive.
There’s no avoiding that.
But are they worth it?
Absolutely.
During the trip we visited both Forest Lagoon and Laugarás Lagoon, and both became genuine highlights of the adventure.
There’s something surreal about sitting in naturally heated geothermal water while snow covers the surrounding mountains and freezing air fills the sky above you.
It feels peak Iceland.
And while you could technically skip lagoons to save money, we honestly think they’re one of the experiences that make Iceland feel truly special.
Was Iceland Worth £2,598?
Without hesitation…
Yes.
Every single penny.
Because this trip became so much more than just a holiday.
Over 10 days we experienced:
- Giant glacier lagoons
- Black sand beaches
- Powerful waterfalls
- Remote mountain roads
- Snowstorms
- Geothermal lagoons
- Tiny Icelandic towns
- Northern Lights displays
- Endless landscapes that barely looked real
And honestly, very few places on Earth make you feel the way Iceland does.
It’s dramatic.
Peaceful.
Wild.
Unpredictable.
And completely addictive.
How to Save Money in Iceland
If you’re planning your own Iceland road trip, there are definitely ways to reduce costs:
Travel by Campervan
Accommodation in Iceland is expensive. A campervan combines transport and accommodation into one.
Shop at Bónus or Netto
Avoid constantly eating out if you’re trying to keep costs manageable.
Fuel Up in Larger Towns
Fuel prices are usually cheaper outside remote areas.
Mix Famous Attractions With Hidden Gems
Some of our favourite places during the trip were completely free hidden stops away from the main tourist areas.
Travel Outside Peak Summer
Winter travel can often be cheaper while also giving you the chance to see the Northern Lights.
Final Thoughts
Iceland isn’t cheap.
But it’s also one of the most unforgettable places we’ve ever travelled.
And honestly, once you’re standing beside glacier lagoons, driving through snowy mountain passes or watching the Northern Lights dance above your campervan, the cost almost becomes secondary.
Because experiences like that stay with you forever.
Would we spend £2,598 to do it all again?
Without even thinking twice.
And honestly?
We’re already planning our next trip back.
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