Top Iceland Day Trips

You can't go wrong when booking an Iceland day tour as you're guaranteed to see stunning landscapes along the way. These are currently the top tours as reviewed by prior customers: 

• Golden Circle Classic Day Tour from Reykjavik
• Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik
• Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket and Kerid Volcanic Crater
• South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik
• Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

Yes, Iceland day trips are a great way to see the country beyond Reykjavik as you can avoid renting a car and relax as a seasoned guide leads the way. Your knowledgeable guide will show you stunning waterfalls and volcanic craters along the way, offering area recommendations and historical information while en route.

Iceland day tours typically start around US$65 per person with tours costing US$100 and up for longer itineraries. If you are traveling with a larger group, it can be cost-effective to book a private tour that offers a group rate and lets you customize the itinerary.

Yes, it is relatively easy to travel between cities in Iceland, though this can vary depending on the time of year you visit. Most visitors rent a car to drive around Iceland’s Ring Road but public buses and domestic flights are also available. You can travel by ferry to the Westman Islands and Grimsey Island, among other small islands off Iceland’s coast.

Yes, Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport offers flights to Europe, North America, and other parts of the world. Icelandair offers a stopover program that allows visitors to stay in Iceland for up to a week at no additional airfare charge while en route between North America and Europe. You can also take a ferry from Iceland to Denmark with a stop in the Faroe Islands. This route takes up to three days depending on the time of year.

The ideal duration for a visit to Iceland depends on what you want to see and do while you are there. You can easily spend several days exploring the vibrant capital city of Reykjavik, including a visit to the nearby Blue Lagoon. Most visitors find that having a week in Iceland is a good length of time to rent a car and explore towns along the Ring Road. If you only have a few days in Iceland, you can easily drive the Golden Circle with a stop at the stunning Gullfoss Waterfall.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Iceland aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Whale Watching

• Fishing Charters & Fishing Trips

• Private Drivers

• Horseback Riding

• Bus Tours

Iceland 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

• Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Afternoon Tour From Reykjavik

• Golden Circle With Kerid Volcanic Crater Day Trip From Reykjavik

• Golden Circle Classic Day Tour From Reykjavik

• Golden Circle 7 Hours Bus Tour From Reykjavik

Before booking an Iceland day trip, review where the excursion stops and whether you’ll be expected to walk far from the bus—some tours are more active than others, so choose an itinerary that suits your group’s fitness and mobility levels. Also, check for seasonal inclusions or exclusions—some attractions may not be included at the time of your visit.

The best way to enjoy your Iceland day trip is to dress appropriately for the season and the excursion’s specific stops. Some tours visit very exposed places, such as those on the coastline, and even in summer, you’ll need to be prepared with wind and water-resistant clothing and shoes. If you take a self-guided trip, such as with a smartphone app, make sure you’re confident driving, and that your rental car insures you to drive along the route you want to take—some roads are for 4WD vehicles only.

You can enjoy Iceland day trips year-round, but your experience will differ depending on the season. During summer from June to August, you can join day trips or guided hikes to many of the island’s dramatic waterfalls and glaciers. There can be as little as four hours of daylight during the winter months of September to March; day trips tend to be timed carefully so you make the most of the lighter hours, and often focus on the northern lights, which you can only see after dark.