So, I have one night in Iceland. I plan to wake up early the next morning and (?) just have to be back at the airport by around 3PM. Would really like to make it into the countryside. Any suggestions as to how best to achieve this goal? Rental car, maybe?
Many thanks,
--Dan
Either get a rental or a private guide to take you around. While the rental is definitely cheaper the private guide will be able to show you stuff that you could easily miss.
The airport is just a few minutes from the Blue Lagoon. Catching a bus there should be easy.
You can also check out http://www.re.is/DayTours/ really a great way to have a small bite of the Icelandic experience.
We rented a car and did the Golden Circle tour. The actual driving takes maybe 2 1/2 hours...with actual visiting the sights we were out from 9am to 4pm or so. But it was cold so we didn't linger.
Info and pics in our Iceland post at http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot.com/
You could get a rental car. For example Sixt will bring it to where you are in Reykjavik (or you can get it at the airport), and you can drop it off at the airport. I presume other companies do this too. Don't know about the times though... what time they can deliver it to you. Perhaps try and get it the evening before you drive.
You don't need a 4wd, a normal car will do if you stick to the Golden circle or part of it, for example Geysir (with Strokkur geyser going off about every ten minutes!), and Gulfoss (very beautiful waterfall). These are open sites with no charge.
A dip in the Blue Lagoon is also lovely (although expensive), I think there are buses between that and the airport, and also to / from Reykjavik.