Day Tours from Reykjavik

Plenty of visitors base themselves in Reykjavik for their whole stay, and it works well. Maybe you don't want to rent a car, you only have a few days, or it's the dark heart of winter and you'd rather not drive on snowy roads. There's a lot within a day's reach of the city, and tour companies will handle the driving for you.

Tour prices are well above the 9,000 to 11,000 ISK I quoted in 2010, so I've listed current starting prices where the operator publishes them. Icelandia, which now runs the Reykjavik Excursions tours and the Flybus, can show its prices in krónur; the figures below are its ISK prices as of September 2026. Prices move with the season, so treat them as a guide.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle links three of Iceland's best-known sights: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. It's the most popular day trip in the country, and you can drive it yourself or join a tour.

The simplest option, Icelandia's Golden Circle Direct, takes about 6.5 hours and starts from 11,999 ISK. Add-ons stretch the day: the Friðheimar greenhouse version runs 8 hours from 12,999 ISK, and a version with the Laugarás Lagoon runs 9.5 hours from 23,099 ISK. Reykjavik Excursions also lists Golden Circle and Langjökull snowmobiling from 38,999 ISK.

>> getting from Reykjavik to the Golden Circle

The South Coast

If you only take one long tour, I'd make it this one. Route 1 along the south coast runs past the waterfalls at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to the black sand beaches near Vík. Icelandia's South Coast Wonders takes about 10.5 hours and starts from 16,999 ISK. It's a long day on the bus, but you see a lot.

Lagoons and hot springs

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is still Iceland's most famous soak, and it's easy to fit in on the way to or from Keflavík airport. The lagoon's bus partner, Destination Blue Lagoon, runs from Reykjavik and from the airport. Reykjavik Excursions also has a Volcanic Wonders with Grindavík visit and the Blue Lagoon tour from 36,699 ISK. Lagoon tickets start at 11,990 ISK and must be booked ahead.

Before you book, know that the Sundhnúkur crater row next to Grindavík erupted nine times between December 2023 and August 2025, and the lagoon evacuated during several of those eruptions. Nothing is erupting as of mid-September 2026, but the Icelandic Met Office says magma is still building up and another eruption could start with little warning. Check Safetravel's Reykjanes page the day before.

>> getting from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon

Sky Lagoon

This didn't exist when I first wrote this guide. Sky Lagoon opened in 2021 at Kársnes Harbour in Kópavogur, just south of the city, so it makes a good half-day outing rather than a full day trip. The geothermal pool is kept at 38 to 40°C, and on a clear day you can see Snæfellsjökull across the bay. As of 2026, entry with the lagoon's ritual starts at 14,990 ISK for adults, and it's open until 21:00 in winter and as late as 23:00 in high summer (see the opening hours). Book on its website.

If you'd rather soak where locals do, the city pools cost far less than either lagoon. See hot spring pools in Reykjavik.

Snorkeling or diving at Silfra

Silfra, in Þingvellir National Park, is a fissure between the North American and Eurasian plates, filled with glacial water that has filtered through porous lava. It's some of the clearest water anywhere. You don't need snorkeling experience, and the operator gives you a drysuit so you stay warm and mostly dry. DIVE.IS runs daily snorkel tours from 19,990 ISK, and Icelandia's 2.5-hour Silfra snorkel starts from 18,499 ISK. Diving has extra entry requirements, so check with the operator first.

Northern Lights

On very clear winter nights you can sometimes see the aurora from Reykjavik, but your odds are much better away from the city lights. You can drive out to Þingvellir yourself, or let a guide pick the spot based on the cloud forecast. Icelandia's 3.5-hour Northern Lights Tour starts from 9,999 ISK. Nobody can promise the lights will show, so ask whether the company rebooks you for free if they don't. More in viewing the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Glaciers, snowmobiles and super jeeps

This is Ice-land after all. Tour operators run glacier walks and snowmobile trips on Langjökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Sólheimajökull, and many combine them with the Golden Circle or a super jeep ride. Glacier walking needs a guide and proper gear (crampons, helmet, ice axe), so don't try it alone. Snowmobile prices are usually quoted for two people sharing a machine, and riding solo costs extra.

For something with wheels, Icelandia runs a two-hour Black Sand Beach and Plane Wreck ATV tour from 25,499 ISK.

Horseback riding

There are plenty of riding farms around Reykjavik, and most will pick you up in town for a one or two-hour ride or a longer day out, all year round. No experience is needed and the farm provides the gear. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes, ideally with a heel. The Icelandic horse has a smooth extra gait, the tölt, and even beginners notice the difference.

>> more on the Icelandic horse

Nature tours further out

• Snæfellsnes: a long day west of the city, with the Snæfellsjökull glacier, sea cliffs and fishing villages. See the Snæfellsnes peninsula and how to get there.
• Landmannalaugar: the rhyolite mountains of the highlands, reachable only in summer. The Trex highland bus runs there from 14,900 ISK, and Icelandia's Highland Bus goes too.
• Reykjanes peninsula: lava fields, bird cliffs and the 2021 to 2023 eruption sites at Fagradalsfjall. Safetravel lists the hiking paths and warns that walking on the lava is forbidden.

>> more on natural wonders in Iceland

River rafting

In summer, operators run rafting trips on the Hvítá, the river that pours over Gullfoss, with gear and training included. Check each operator's minimum age before you book with kids. For more ideas, see outdoor activities in Iceland.

Culture and beer

The sagas tell the story of Iceland's settlement, and they still matter here. If you're driving north, Reykholt in Borgarfjörður was the home of the medieval writer Snorri Sturluson. If you'd rather stay in town, start with the Saga Museum and 871 Settlement Museum. For a lighter take on local culture, try a brewery tour.

Fly for the day

When I wrote this page, Air Iceland sold day tours that flew you north and back. Air Iceland is now part of Icelandair, and I couldn't find those packages today. You can still build your own: Icelandair flies to Akureyri in about 45 minutes, several times a day, which leaves time to see Akureyri or join a tour in the north before flying back.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to rent a car than to take day tours?

For two or more people doing the Golden Circle and the south coast, a car usually wins, even with fuel and Iceland's new kilometer fee. Solo travelers often do better on tours. Glacier walks, Silfra and the highland routes need a guide or a special vehicle either way.

Do tours pick up from hotels?

Most of the big operators pick up from hotels or from bus stops near them. Your booking confirmation tells you which, and when to be there.

Photos by: kairos_jbp, Haukur H.