Top Reykjavik Day Trips

The best day trips from Reykjavik include the Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Blue Lagoon. Recent travelers highly rated these day tours:

• Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour From Reykjavik
• Golden Circle Classic Day Tour From Reykjavik
• Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon Including Admission & Kerid Volcanic Crater
• Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour From Reykjavik
• South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour From Reykjavik

Reykjavik day trip tour prices vary depending on destination, group size, and inclusions such as meals and transfers. A Golden Circle bus trip generally costs from US$90 per person; small-group northern lights tours start at around US$140; a private South Coast tour might cost as much as US$1,300 per group.

The closest Golden Circle attraction to Reykjavik is Thingvellir National Park: It’s about a 27-mile (43-kilometer) drive, a journey that takes about 45 minutes. To drive the entire Golden Circle route from Reykjavik and return to the city means covering about 155 miles (250 kilometers): With stops at top attractions, that usually takes a full day.

No, you can’t get from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon by public bus. Your best bet for your day trip from Reykjavik is to buy tickets that allow you to add a shared or private transfer or book a multi-stop tour from a reputable company.

Yes, during the northern lights season (between September and April), there are plenty of day trips from Reykjavik to see the northern lights. This option has lots of good reviews, or you can seek out private tours or trips that also visit attractions such as a thermal lagoon.

You should spend at least three days in Reykjavik and it’s easy to stay longer. Three days gives you enough time to get a taste of the city, tour the Golden Circle and soak in some hot springs, and add in an adventure such as the South Coast, snorkeling the Silfra Fissure, exploring a glacier, or riding Icelandic horses.

The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous thermal bath, but you can also enjoy a relaxing soak at less-crowded locations such as the Secret Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, or Hvammsvik Hot Springs. For pure relaxation, travelers love this Sky Lagoon spa package, and these Blue Lagoon ticket packages are also popular.

Reykjavik day trip prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• Iceland’s Golden Circle Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour
• Puffin Cruise With Expert Tour Guide From Reykjavik
• Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavik
• Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Afternoon Tour From Reykjavik
• Volcano Hike and Grindavik Visit From Reykjavik

Most day trips—from the Golden Circle to the South Coast—last all day and many don’t include meals, so check for food stops or bring your own water and snacks. Many Reykjavik day trips are seasonal—some areas are inaccessible in winter, while you can’t see the northern lights in summer—so if you have your heart set on specific experiences check availability first. The weather is changeable and generally cool, so be realistic about outdoor activities and pack layers.

Both are top choices. But if it’s your first visit to Iceland, the Golden Circle is a must, hitting UNESCO World Heritage–listed Thingvellir National Park, the Gullfoss waterfall, and geysers—all within easy reach of Reykjavik. The South Coast is equally compelling but takes longer: Tours start at 10 hours and can run for 14 hours or more if you visit the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach.

Each season in Iceland offers great experiences for Reykjavik day trips. In summer (June–August), you’ll enjoy spectacularly long days and reasonably warm temperatures, which allow for longer excursions and access to highland areas like Thorsmork. In the shoulder seasons, you’ll get fewer crowds and, in spring, views of possibly more powerful waterfalls, due to the spring snow melt. In winter, you have opportunities to enjoy activities like ice caving and dogsledding, plus good odds of seeing the northern lights.

Yes, you can go whale watching and admire puffins from Reykjavik—and you don’t need a day trip to do it. This popular whale-watching cruise departs directly from Reykjavik harbor to tour Faxafloi Bay. Akurey Island, right off Reykjavik, has a puffin colony and this boat trip lets you see it.

From whale-watching and puffin-spotting cruises to dog-sled adventures and horseback riding, there are plenty of fabulous animal encounters within easy reach of Reykjavik. The Langjokull ice cave will fascinate children—although snowmobile adventures are reserved for school-age kids. The Golden Circle offers belching geysers while the South Coast has Seljalandsfoss, a waterfall kids can walk behind.