Snæfellsnes is a two-hour drive from Reykjavik on the Route 1 ring road and then Route 54 onto the peninsula. A car is essential — the peninsula has infrequent bus service that makes independent exploration difficult without one. Car rental from Reykjavik is the standard approach. The drive from Reykjavik via Borgarnes enters the peninsula at its eastern end and allows a circuit of the peninsula over one or two days.
Stykkishólmur on the northern shore is the main town and has the peninsula's best range of accommodation and services. The Baldur ferry from Stykkishólmur crosses Breiðafjörður to Flatey island and continues to the Westfjords, making Snæfellsnes a natural staging point for those continuing west. There is no direct public transport between Reykjavik and the western end of the peninsula; Reykjavik Excursions and Sterna run day-trip buses that cover the main sites but do not allow much flexibility.