by Heather Chapple.
A family of four, one awesome van, and the greatest road trip we’ll ever argue about.
We spent eleven days driving a loop around Iceland in late April and early May with two kids (aged 8 and 10), a lot of extra layers of clothing, and one extremely capable campervan. It was cold, dramatic, occasionally chaotic, and completely worth it.
If you’re thinking about doing an Iceland campervan trip with kids, here’s what we learned: the van we picked, how we planned the route, our favourite stops and campsites, and what to pack.
The Best Campervan for Iceland with Kids: Rent the Crosscamp Flex!
We rented the Crosscamp Flex 541 from Rent.is, and the van deserves applause because it genuinely made the trip. It fit the four of us comfortably (my tall husband could stand inside) and had space for our luggage (backpacks and bags).
It felt manageable on Icelandic roads, had a variety of seating options in the back, and featured a pop-up roof: the kids slept up there while the adults were on the fold-out sofa bed below. Everyone had their own space, which was more important than we anticipated on day one and absolutely critical by day four.
The kitchen had a cooktop, a decent-size fridge, and enough counter space to produce meals, not just snacks. There was enough storage for all of our games, extra layers, sleeping bags and gear, so we could actually put things away and not feel too cramped. The heater meant we were always warm inside, even when Iceland was doing its absolute best to remind us that it is a subarctic island. Which it did a lot in early spring.
Planning an Iceland Campervan Route with Kids: Plan, but Be Flexible
We used Rexby to plan our itinerary (an excellent app, which we will use for future travel). We based our itinerary heavily on the one built for families camping by Gunnar Gunnarsson. TAKK FYRIR, GUNNAR!
The route took us anticlockwise around the Ring Road: from Reykjavík through the Golden Circle and along the south coast, then up through the East Fjords and across the north, with 11 days and multiple stops along the way. For the first stretch, our South Coast Iceland travel guide is a good place to start.
Our Favourite Stops on an Iceland Campervan Trip with Kids
Reykjadalur Hot Spring Trail, Hveragerði
A 5 km hike (some steep sections, but doable with kids!) to a geothermal river where you can soak in the warm water. Afterwards, we had pizza and local beer at Ölverk, a brewpub that brews its beer using geothermal energy. Volcano beer!
Skógafoss and the Staircase
The hike up the stairs beside this massive waterfall is absolutely worth it. At the top you’re rewarded with a chain of smaller cascades stretching into the distance. You can continue along that trail for many days if you wish.
Múlagljúfur Canyon
Absolutely beautiful. Stunning views. A proper hike, worth every step. Watch for the steep drop-offs and stay on the trail. Iceland expects you to be smart and doesn’t take many precautions to protect you from a silly selfie choice, so make good choices! Safetravel.is is worth checking before any hike.
Vestrahorn Camping and the Viking Café
This was a fun stop. The Viking village was built as a movie set, but it’s huge and fun to explore, and the kids loved it. Great views from the campsite and good waffles at the café.
Djúpivogur
A tiny, windswept fishing town that made for a much-needed stop along the way. The food truck near the harbour had excellent hot dogs and a smoked salmon roll I still think about. There was also a playground for the kids to burn off some energy.
Vök Baths, near Egilsstaðir
Floating geothermal pools on a lake in the East Fjords. Stunning, genuinely relaxing, and surprisingly family-friendly. Vök Baths was one of the single best things we did on the entire trip.
Stuðlagil Canyon
A narrow canyon lined floor to ceiling with strangely formed basalt columns, a green river running through the centre, and a frozen waterfall. It was also very, very cold and windy, so having the van and being able to heat up some Kraft Dinner afterwards was an excellent option with two frozen children.
Gísli Eiríkur Helgi Kaffihús, Dalvík
Named after the three brothers of the famous Bakkabræður story, this charming café on the Tröllaskagi peninsula serves genuinely exceptional fish soup. We travelled all the way up the peninsula, and this was one of our favourite stops along the way.
Glaumbær Turf Farm
A beautifully preserved turf farmstead that gives you real insight into how Icelanders actually survived here for centuries. There was a bingo game for the kids, which they used as a way to explore the many rooms.
Húsafell Canyon and Cave Tour
We hiked the canyon loop (number 3), and it included a decent river crossing. Steep. Challenging. Bonded the family. The rock formations around here are striking shades of purple and red because of the mineral deposits.
Swimming Pools!
Almost every town has a local pool. They were just awesome with the kids after a long day in the van. Recommend!!
Family-Friendly Campsites for an Iceland Campervan Trip with Kids
Overnight stays in a campervan are only allowed at registered campsites in Iceland. These were our favourites. For more options, see our guide to campsites in Iceland.
Reykjavík Eco Campsite
The perfect landing spot on day one. Excellent communal amenities, and right beside a great swimming pool. Recommended for anyone arriving tired and needing a gentle start. It’s also handy for things to do in Reykjavík.
Vík Campsite (Vík Tjaldsvæði)
Clean, well run and good for families, and within easy reach of the black sand beach, the lava show and the glaciers. Good facilities and a friendly atmosphere.
Fossatún Campsite
A great common kitchen and cooking facilities, plus a troll trail with games and stories for the kids. Highly recommended for families.
Packing List for an Iceland Campervan Trip with Kids
A few tips for van life, and the things we were glad we packed:
- Van-friendly games: Uno, colouring and anything else that can be played in the back of a van.
- Packing cubes for everyone: a shirt cube, a socks cube. Staying organised is oh so key in a tight space.
- Wet bags and dry bags for swim gear, and two swimsuits each: you’ll swim a lot.
- Crocs or sandals (camp shoes): for walking to the bathroom in the dark and wandering around camp.
- Headlamps or small lights: for reading at night or heading to the bathroom in the dark (depending on the season).
- A small collapsible wash bin and biodegradable laundry soap: laundry is available at many campsites, but this came in handy a couple of times.
Final Thoughts: Would We Do Iceland by Campervan with Kids Again?
Iceland is beautiful and windy and otherworldly. It will humble you with its volcanoes and glaciers and snow, and it will provide treats like incredible fish soup and Brynja ice cream.
We will be back! We recommend the van. We even recommend the shoulder season (in Iceland they call it the ‘window season’) because it was quiet and it was easy to get spots at campsites.
Takk fyrir, Iceland!
Heather, Graham, Lloyd and Wyn
FAQ: Iceland by Campervan with Kids
Is a campervan a good way to see Iceland with kids?
Yes. A campervan lets you stop whenever the kids need a break, cook your own meals and keep everyone’s things in one place. With separate sleeping areas, like the pop-up roof and sofa bed in the Crosscamp Flex 541, everyone gets their own space at night.
How many days do you need to drive around Iceland by campervan with kids?
We took 11 days for the full loop, and that pace worked well with an 8- and a 10-year-old. With younger children, or if you want more rest days, plan for 12–14 days.
When is the best time for an Iceland campervan trip with kids?
Summer is the warmest and busiest. We travelled in late April and early May, the shoulder season, and found it quiet with easy campsite access, though it was cold and windy at times. Pack warm layers whenever you go.
Can you sleep anywhere in a campervan in Iceland?
No. Overnight stays in campervans are only permitted at registered campsites. Many have kitchens, showers and laundry, which makes travelling with kids much easier.
Plan Your Own Iceland Campervan Trip with Kids
The Crosscamp Flex 541 seats and sleeps four, with a pop-up roof bed, a kitchen and a heater for chilly nights. Pick it up from Rent.is, just five minutes from Keflavík Airport, with free 24/7 shuttle service.