May is the sweet spot for Iceland. The days stretch longer and longer until you're driving at 10 PM under golden light, most of the Ring Road is fully open again after winter, the first puffins are arriving at the cliffs, and the brutal summer crowds are still a month away. If you've been dreaming of a Ring Road road trip — the 1,332 km loop that circles the entire island — spring 2026 is one of the best windows to make it happen.

This guide walks you through a realistic 7–10 day Ring Road itinerary, what to expect from Iceland's famously unpredictable May weather, how to budget for fuel and food, and — crucially for a road trip where you might drive an hour without seeing another car — how to stay connected with a reliable eSIM.

Why May Is a Great Time for the Ring Road

Iceland has a short travel season, and May sits right at the start of the shoulder period before the summer rush in June. Daylight in early May is already around 17 hours, climbing to nearly 20 hours by the end of the month as the country heads toward the midnight sun. You can hike, drive, and sightsee for as long as your legs allow without ever chasing the sunset.

Most of the Ring Road (Route 1) is fully open and paved, and by mid-May even the secondary roads around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Eastfjords are reliably drivable. The highland F-roads (F26, F35, etc.) are still closed — they typically open in late June — so you won't be reaching Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk this trip, but the Ring Road itself has more than enough to fill 7–10 days.

May is also when wildlife starts to come alive. Puffins return to breeding cliffs like Dyrhólaey and the Látrabjarg Peninsula around late April and early May. Seabirds fill the coastal cliffs. Newborn Icelandic lambs dot the pastures. And you'll still catch the tail end of aurora season in early May if the nights are dark enough.

A Realistic 7–10 Day Ring Road Itinerary

Day 1: Reykjavík & the Golden Circle

Most travelers fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), pick up a rental car, and base the first night in Reykjavík to recover from the flight. Spend the morning exploring downtown — Hallgrímskirkja church, the Sun Voyager sculpture, the harbor. Then tackle the classic Golden Circle in the afternoon: Þingvellir National Park (where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet), Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall.

Days 2–3: South Coast to Vík

Head east along Route 1. The south coast is the most photogenic stretch of the entire Ring Road. Stop at Seljalandsfoss, the waterfall you can walk behind, and Skógafoss, a massive curtain of water with a viewing platform on top. Don't skip Reynisfjara, the black sand beach with basalt columns and dangerous sneaker waves (stay well back from the water). Overnight in Vík.

Day 4: Glacier Country

Continue east to Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe's largest ice cap. The highlight is Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where huge icebergs drift toward the sea, and Diamond Beach, where chunks of ice wash up on black sand. If your budget allows, book an ice cave or zodiac boat tour for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Days 5–6: Eastfjords

The Eastfjords are the quietest, most underrated part of the Ring Road. Expect winding coastal roads, tiny fishing villages, and almost no tourists in May. Base yourself in Egilsstaðir or Seyðisfjörður, the rainbow-street town featured in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Look for reindeer herds — the eastern region is the only part of Iceland where they roam wild.

Days 7–8: North Iceland & Akureyri

The north is Iceland's answer to the south coast — equally dramatic but with fewer crowds. Must-sees include Dettifoss (the most powerful waterfall in Europe), Mývatn lake and its geothermal areas, Goðafoss (Waterfall of the Gods), and the charming capital of the north, Akureyri. If whale watching is on your list, Húsavík is the best base in Iceland for it.

Days 9–10: West Iceland & Back to Reykjavík

Loop back south through the western region. Add the Snæfellsnes Peninsula as a side trip if you have time — it's sometimes called "Iceland in miniature" because it packs glaciers, black beaches, fishing villages, and volcanic craters into one compact region. Spend your last night back in Reykjavík before flying home.

Book your rental car 2–3 months in advance for May travel. Prices jump significantly as the summer season approaches, and the cheaper 4WD options sell out first.

Driving Tips: What You Need to Know

Icelandic driving is generally straightforward but requires respect for the conditions. Route 1 is fully paved, but many detours and secondary roads are gravel. Speed limits are strict: 90 km/h on paved rural roads, 80 km/h on gravel, and 50 km/h in towns. Speed cameras are common and fines are steep.

Weather changes quickly — it's completely normal to drive through sunshine, sleet, fog, and rain in a single day. Check road.is for live road conditions and vedur.is for weather every morning before you drive. Strong wind gusts can rip car doors off their hinges (seriously — this is one of the most common rental car claims in Iceland), so always hold the door firmly when getting out.

Fuel is expensive and gas stations can be 100+ km apart in the eastern and western regions. Top up whenever you pass a station, even if you still have half a tank. Most gas stations are self-serve and require a PIN-enabled credit card.

Off-road driving is strictly illegal in Iceland and carries fines of €2,000+. The fragile moss and vegetation take decades to recover from tire tracks. Always stay on marked roads.

May Weather & What to Pack

May temperatures range from 2°C to 12°C, with colder mornings and warmer afternoons. Rain, wind, and occasional snow flurries are all possible, especially in the first half of the month. The trick is layering and waterproofing.

Essential packing list: a fully waterproof and windproof shell jacket (not just water-resistant), waterproof pants for waterfalls and hikes, a warm mid-layer (fleece or down), thermal base layers, waterproof hiking boots, a warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, and a swimsuit for geothermal pools. Bring a refillable water bottle — Iceland's tap water is among the cleanest in the world and you'll save a fortune.

Staying Connected: Why You Need an eSIM for Iceland

Here's where a road trip in Iceland gets serious. You'll be driving through remote areas where your GPS, weather forecasts, road condition updates, accommodation check-ins, and emergency contacts all depend on mobile data. Losing signal in a snowstorm on a remote eastern fjord is not the adventure you want.

Iceland has surprisingly good 4G/5G coverage along the Ring Road thanks to providers like Síminn, Vodafone Iceland, and Nova. But your options for getting on those networks are: pay your home carrier's expensive roaming rates, hunt for a local SIM at Keflavík Airport (doable but adds hassle and a visit to a kiosk), or activate an eSIM before you even land.

eSIMzip's Europe 39-Country Plan Covers Iceland

Iceland is included in eSIMzip's Europe 39-country eSIM plan, so you can use a single plan that also works if your trip extends to the UK, Ireland, Norway, or any of the 36 other European countries on the list. You activate it by scanning a QR code before your flight, and it's live the moment your plane touches down in Keflavík.

For a typical 7–10 day Iceland Ring Road trip with heavy Google Maps usage, weather checking, photo sharing, and the occasional video call back home, a 5–10 GB plan is usually plenty. If you're working remotely or streaming, go for 15–20 GB.

Your primary SIM stays active on your regular number, so friends and family back home can still reach you via SMS and calls — the eSIM handles all data. No need to swap physical SIM cards.

Budget Expectations

Iceland is expensive — there's no way around it. A realistic daily budget for mid-range travel (guesthouses, supermarket breakfasts, restaurant dinners, one or two paid tours) is around €200–€280 per person per day. Rental car with 4WD and full insurance runs €80–€150 per day in May. Fuel for the full Ring Road loop adds up to €200–€300. Save money by buying groceries at Bónus or Krónan supermarkets, packing lunches, and using guesthouses with shared kitchens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Hit the Ring Road?

Iceland in May is a rare combination: long daylight, reopening roads, returning wildlife, and pre-summer prices. Pack layers, book your 4WD early, activate your eSIM before you land, and get ready for one of the most dramatic road trips on earth. The Ring Road is waiting.