Iceland, A Promise Fulfilled Late: An 18-Day Ring Road Journey – Goodbyes and Reunions

Meta Description: Discover an unforgettable 18-day Iceland Ring Road journey from Keflavik to the Golden Circle. Practical tips on car rental, visas, budget travel, and the emotional story behind one man's solo promise fulfilled.

Introduction: From "Why Me" to "What Did This Teach Me"

Some promises are destined to be kept alone. Once, you scrolled through photos of Iceland on your phone, your eyes sparkling as you said to me: "When are we going to Iceland? It's so beautiful. I want to soak in hot springs, walk on glaciers, and see the northern lights – they say people who see the aurora will be happy for life." I smiled and agreed, thinking not only would I take you to Iceland, but we'd travel to every corner of the world together.

But you've been gone for a long time now. Some memories always resurface in the deepest hours of the night, rustling like old pages of a book.

Later, I learned to ask myself a different question: not "why did this happen to me," but "what is this trying to teach me." The moment I changed that question, everything around me shifted.

This Iceland travel guide is not just a road trip itinerary. It's a story of loss, friendship, and the healing power of Iceland's raw landscapes. For anyone planning an Iceland Ring Road adventure, this 18-day journey offers practical tips, emotional insights, and the kind of spontaneity that makes travel unforgettable.

[Link: Iceland Ring Road itinerary planning tips]

How We Planned an Iceland Ring Road Trip on a Budget

A Bunch of Spontaneous Madmen

One evening in June, a few of us friends were hanging out and chatting. Yanqing said he wanted to trek to Mount Kailash to "set himself free." Director Wang had been having a rough time at home and wanted to go abroad to clear his mind. Master Xie's moxibustion clinic was still in the planning stages. I casually threw out: "How about Iceland? It's been quite popular these past two years."

To my surprise, everyone agreed on the spot.

Eight people: me, Director Wang, Master Xie, Jelly, Yanqing, Huangbiao, Shufu, and PUPU. A group of friends who can drop everything at a moment's notice to go on an adventure with you – this is probably the most extravagant wealth life can offer.

The days that followed flew by in fast-forward: researching guides, planning routes, booking flights, renting cars, reserving hotels, preparing visa documents. Everything went so smoothly it felt unreal. Departure date was set for October 9th.

Practical Preparation Checklist for Iceland Travel

• Guide: Iceland's official website (visiticeland.com) has extremely comprehensive information for first-time visitors
• Flights: Group tickets purchased through a local agent in our city
• Car Rental: After comparing prices on Zuzuche (a car rental platform), we chose FARA for the best value
• Hotels: Booked guesthouses throughout the trip via Booking.com
• Visa: Downloaded the English application form from the embassy's official website and filled it out according to instructions

On Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), we made a special trip to Shanghai to submit our visa applications. We treated ourselves to a big meal at a Japanese restaurant called Wan Dao beforehand, thinking we'd eat our fill and wait patiently. But we ended up waiting from noon until we were among the very last batch of people processed… Iceland has been actively promoting tourism in recent years, and as long as you fill out the form truthfully, your visa is almost guaranteed to be approved. We handled everything ourselves and didn't run into any major issues.

Important note: Groups of more than six people require a team visa application and need to book an appointment in advance. Since there were eight of us, we had to pay an expedited fee for two extra people.

On September 6th, the visas arrived.

[Link: Iceland visa requirements for Chinese travelers]

Departure: Bringing Pots and Pans to the Arctic Circle

We'd heard that prices in Iceland were ridiculously high, so the eight of us stuffed pots, seasonings, rice, and instant noodles into our suitcases. Director Wang and I had the most gear – cameras, drones, tripods… It was the first time I'd traveled abroad with so much stuff.

At Pudong Airport, every single one of our eight suitcases was overweight. We put on a little show we called "The Great Transfer" – stuffing heavy items into lighter bags, layering up our clothes to wear more on the plane. After all that hassle, we finally managed to avoid paying excess baggage fees.

The moment I boarded the plane, I was still thinking: I'm finally going. And you? Where are you right now? What are you doing? Are you happy?

After an 8-hour flight, we arrived in Helsinki for a layover. The Finnish security lady was very friendly; she asked a few simple questions and let us through. I'd heard that meat products weren't allowed, but our seasonings passed through without any issues.

On the last leg from Helsinki to Keflavik, my seatmate was an American girl. I secretly snapped a photo of the clouds outside the window. That final hour was agonizing – we'd already arrived, but we had to keep circling in the air, and the urgency made it impossible to sit still. From Shanghai to now, 15 hours had already passed.

[Link: Budget travel tips for Iceland – what to pack]

Arrival: Iceland's First Breath – Keflavik Airport Tips

At 18:00 local time, the plane landed at Keflavik Airport. Right off the plane, there was a supermarket. While waiting for our luggage, I bought a NOVA 4G SIM card – 20GB of data for about 215 RMB. I also grabbed six cans of beer, thinking I'd drink them to help with jet lag and fall asleep that night – which turned out to be completely useless.

The moment I walked out of the airport, I felt refreshed. The sky was gray and overcast, but wasn't this exactly the place I'd dreamed of? Riding the wave of excitement, I suggested we walk to the car rental office and our first night's lodging – the navigation showed it wasn't far. We hadn't even taken two steps before it started raining. Fresh from the mild early autumn of China, we instantly froze and huddled together, running back into the airport. In the end, we obediently took a taxi.

The driver had a vehicle similar to a Mercedes Vito. The eight of us plus our luggage just barely fit. For a 3-kilometer ride, we paid 200 RMB. The middle-aged man was very honest – we'd originally thought we'd need two taxis, but he said one would be enough. Along the way, he kept saying how much he liked China.

Five minutes later, we arrived at our accommodation for the night – the B&B Guesthouse, a two-story guesthouse. Throughout the entire trip, we stayed in guesthouses. For several days, we didn't even meet the hosts; we just received a door code and checked ourselves in. The guesthouse was eerily quiet, so we didn't dare make any noise. After unloading our luggage, we cooked instant noodles, drank some milk, and went to bed. I'd wanted to go out for a walk, but the rain was too heavy.

Four men in one room, snoring rising and falling all night long.

[Link: Iceland guesthouse booking tips – self check-in guide]

DAY 1 of Iceland Road Trip: Keflavik to the Golden Circle

At 4:00 AM, I really couldn't sleep anymore. Director Wang was probably in the same boat, so the two of us decided to go out and walk around.

Keflavik is a very small town (I later realized that compared to the villages further on, this was already a big city). We scouted out the car rental office, the seaside, and the supermarket. Director Wang wasn't dressed warmly enough; he was shivering and complaining, insisting we go back. Just as we were huddled together walking back, an Icelander jogged past us in shorts walking his dog… Awkward.

Back in the room, I drank something hot, and my friends gradually woke up. The car rental place didn't open until 10:00 AM, so I grabbed my tripod and went out to photograph the sunrise.

The rain kept falling without stopping. Then, suddenly and without warning, the sun rose. A double rainbow stretched across the sky, and my mood immediately lifted!

Car Rental in Iceland: Our FARA Experience

At exactly 10:00, we went to pick up the car. We'd carefully compared prices on Zuzuche and chose FARA – they had the lowest prices and no bad reviews. The shop was very small. The owner told us he ran the cheapest car rental in all of Iceland – because the cars were second-hand, the location wasn't near the airport (so rent was cheaper), and he had strong personal connections, etc.

The most distinctive feature of the shop was that they had a Chinese employee, a woman who held a UK work visa. That instantly made us feel incredibly close. We handled the paperwork, swiped our cards, inspected the vehicle, and listened to the driving instructions – and then we were off!

First stop: the Golden Circle. This classic Iceland road trip route includes Thingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. The drive from Keflavik takes about 2 hours, and the scenery changes dramatically – from flat lava fields to dramatic canyons and steaming hot springs.

[Link: Golden Circle Iceland – complete guide with driving times]

FAQ: Iceland Ring Road Travel Tips

1. How long does it take to drive the Iceland Ring Road?

The full Ring Road (Route 1) is approximately 1,332 km (828 miles). Most travelers take 7-14 days to complete it. Our 18-day itinerary allowed for a relaxed pace with plenty of time for side trips and photography stops.

2. Is Iceland expensive for Chinese tourists?

Yes, Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, you can save money by: - Cooking your own meals (bring instant noodles and seasonings from home) - Staying in guesthouses instead of hotels - Booking car rental through comparison sites like Zuzuche - Buying SIM cards at the airport rather than roaming

3. Do I need a special driver's license for Iceland?

Chinese drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their valid Chinese driver's license. Some rental companies may accept a certified translation, but an IDP is strongly recommended.

4. What is the best time to visit Iceland for the Ring Road?

Summer (June-August) offers 24-hour daylight and milder weather. October (when we traveled) has fewer crowds, autumn colors, and a chance to see the Northern Lights, but weather can be unpredictable with rain and wind.

5. Can I see the Northern Lights in October?

Yes! October is one of the best months for aurora viewing in Iceland. The nights are long enough, and the weather is still relatively mild. We saw the aurora on several nights during our trip.

[Link: Northern Lights in Iceland – best months and viewing tips]

What This Iceland Journey Taught Me About Travel and Life

This Iceland Ring Road trip wasn't just about seeing waterfalls, glaciers, and hot springs. It was about keeping a promise – even if the person I made it with couldn't be there. It was about finding a group of friends who would drop everything for an adventure. And it was about learning that sometimes, the best journeys are the ones you take with an open heart and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

From the double rainbow in Keflavik to the snoring in our cramped guesthouse room, every moment reminded me that travel isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, being present, and letting the landscape change you.

Ready to plan your own Iceland Ring Road adventure? Start with our comprehensive itinerary guide, check visa requirements early, and don't forget to pack a sense of humor – and maybe some instant noodles.

[Link: Complete Iceland Ring Road itinerary – 14 to 18 days]

Have you traveled the Iceland Ring Road? Share your tips and stories in the comments below. And if you're planning your first trip, sign up for our free Iceland travel checklist – including a packing list, budget calculator, and driving tips.

Call to Action: Download our free Iceland Road Trip Planner PDF – includes daily itineraries, accommodation recommendations, and cost-saving hacks. [Get your copy now]