You do realize that in January in Iceland there is only four hours of daylight?

That will be great for the auroras but otherwise its a silly time to visit Iceland.

Hello, fellow traveller. You’ve touched on some definite concerns. I wouldn’t normally recommend bus touring but since it’s Iceland and it’ll be the middle of Winter, perhaps a guide will prove to be better than going it alone. In both January and February, daylight will be limited and weather conditions at their worst. Knowing this, you’ll be shopping for a tour specifically designed for that time of the year. Any trips into more remote regions will be by 4-wheel drive, Super-SUVs.

Though it might seem to some as a less interesting time of the year to visit, don’t be dissuaded by naysayers. Sometimes, when traveling, limited options present unique opportunities. Icelanders don’t stop living just because it’s Winter. Jump right in and be part of the fun wherever you go!

Many roads are closed in the winter, and even the ones that are officially open may be impassable due to snow drifts.

The ring road can be treacherous even in October. I managed to get the small 4×4 we rented stuck in a snow drift for about 18 hours. Spending the night in an SUV at the top of a mountain pass was a memorable way to see the aurora, but one I’d not repeat :)

We took a tour that was a special package thru Iceland Air which included EVERYTHING including small and large bus tours. The large bus did the tour on the hwy and was a great opportunity to see the countryside, the major natural attractions, and some various destinations. Excellent time! Enjoy your trip!!!

It is true there is a short amount of daylight, but I can tell you it is an amazing, beautiful 4 hours every day and I have the pictures to prove it. Not silly in the slightest! :)

Oh, and be sure to go to the hot dog stand (the one where Clinton had his dog). And don’t miss the blue lagoon, you’ll feel fantastic after.

Yes, in agreeing with the others, daylight is limited at that time of the year and parts of the Ring Road (the road that goes around Iceland) can be treacherous at night. Also, towns maintain the road, not a general Dept. Of Transportation type of thing. There is NO guarantee that the entire road will be passable w/out a 4X. Bus is the best way if you feel you must travel it. Having been stuck on the Ring Road outside of Egilsstadir with a flat tire and no road service (it was the Thursday before Easter, so EVERYTHING was shut down), help was limited to VERY friendly farm people. But this is not always the case.

Lights are best anywhere away from cities. I used to go to a little town by Keflavik, called Hafnir, to catch some beautiful pink auroras.

I also travelled to Iceland in warmer times. Talking to the locals about the aurora, you can see them pretty much anywhere outside of the towns and cities (to avoid the lights). Iceland is pretty much all nature – superb waterfalls, glaciers, lakes and unusual formations from a combination of ice and volcanoes (Lake Myvatn is excellent). I’d also look at a tour with folks who know more about the conditions of the roads and where you can get through etc. Have a great trip.

desmol, as you are probably more exposed to warm weather, I would definitely propose summer. I was in Iceland in August/early September and things really seemed to be closing down after beginning of September. I have done the entire ring road (by rental car & tent) and it was a great trip. I can definitely see you getting stuck on the ring road in winter. Most of it is a 2 lane street, sometime there might be gravel. I suppose in winter there might be areas with little to no traffic. We have seen graves of hikers who underestimated forces of nature in Iceland. Keep this in mind. As far as Auroras are concerned, I would recommend a transatlantic flight in Jan/Feb.

Going to Iceland in winter means there´ll be less tourists about, so it may be advantageous in that you´ll be better welcomed. Consider joining this group and asking questions there. Perhaps it is possible to get a decent deal on renting a car in this forum.