The Golden Circle Guided Bus Tour from Reykjavik
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the highlights of Iceland's Golden Circle without the hassle of driving and navigating unfamiliar roads. This bus tour from Reykjavik takes you to the Geysir geothermal area (home to the very active Strokkur geyser), Gulfoss waterfall, and UNESCO-listed Thingvellir National Park and reveals the history and folklore behind each site.
- Check off the Golden Circle highlights in one day
- Reach the far-flung sites with ease, with plenty of time to explore
- Enjoy uninterrupted views over the countryside scenery from your bus
- Share photos instantly with on-board Wi-Fi
What's Included
- Bus fare
- Professional local guidance
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pickup from your accommodation or bus stop.
- Carbon Neutral tour in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies
- Pickup from Cruise Port included if option selected
- App-based audio guide in multiple languages.
- Food and drinks
- Headphones for the audio guide
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Reykjavik Excursions by Icelandia (Pass By)
1
Strokkur
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Gullfoss Falls
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Thingvellir National Park
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- We recommend to dress according to the weather.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Ross_M
Our cruise ended in Reykjavik, and we had one extra night in the city. This tour was the perfect way to bridge the time between disembarkation and checking into our accommodation in the city centre.
We opted for the additional cruise terminal pick-up. At the scheduled time, a shuttle bus collected us from the terminal’s designated pick-up/drop-off point and brought us to the BSI Bus Terminal. There, we were directed through the terminal to meet our tour coach on the other side. Our larger bags were stored under the coach, and everything ran like clockwork.
The coach was comfortable, and our guide was both knowledgeable and friendly. The three main stops on the Golden Circle route were stunning. There is a longer version of this tour that allows for extended time at each stop, but on our day, with the combination of early disembarkation and periods of heavy rain, we found the shorter stops ideal.
At the end of the tour, the coach made drop-offs at the same points where guests had originally been picked up. We were able to stay on until the final stop at the BSI terminal, rather than returning to the cruise port, which made it much easier to walk to our accommodation.
Overall, this tour not only gave us a memorable experience of Iceland’s natural wonders, but also conveniently served as our transport from the cruise terminal to the city centre. Highly recommended for anyone in a similar situation.
Reviews
4.8
based on 2,357 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Patricia_S, Jul 2026
I use a cane and the tour director would not make sure I was off the bus before directing or leading the group. Even after I asked, she just took off with the group she had. They also did not take us back to our hotel where we caught it that morning but to a “nearby” intersection. It was not nearby for me!
Beverly_A, Jul 2026
Great experience! My guide was very informative. I loved the stories and folklore. The bus was very comfortable.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Beverly,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on the Golden Circle tour. It's especially lovely to know that you enjoyed your guide's informative commentary, the fascinating stories and Icelandic folklore, and the comfort of the coach throughout the journey.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Sue_G, Jul 2026
A very beautiful part of Iceland to see. However, we wouldn't recommend the company despite it being the largest. The pickup for cruise passengers was a total disaster. The instructions did not specify which cruise port we were being collected from and we were left walking between ports to find them. There were a large number of us who finally got put onto a shuttle bus only to be told it was the wrong one. We all got marched off and had to find a coach of theirs that wasn't already full. We eventually got put onto a coach, not a shuttle bus, and spent the whole tour on this bus. Our tour guide was lovely and well-meaning but very hard to hear despite being asked to turn the volume up multiple times. He also stated we should follow him off the bus to the sites only to take off before most of us were even off the bus, so we lost him in the crowds. We appreciated our expert driver, and the sites were great, but we couldn't believe the disorganisation and confusion from clearly such a large company. Just be careful to get on the correct bus each time as they own a lot.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Sue,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback.
We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed visiting the Golden Circle and appreciated both your driver and guide. At the same time, we're sorry to learn that the pickup process for your cruise and parts of the tour did not meet your expectations.
We understand how frustrating it can be when pickup arrangements are unclear or the start of the tour feels confusing. We also appreciate your comments regarding the guide's audio and staying together during the site visits. Feedback like yours is valuable and will be shared with the relevant teams as we continue working to improve our guests' experience.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Iceland in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
John_C, Jul 2026
This tour was a reasonably priced option to visit some of Iceland’s attractions. There is about 3.5 hours riding in the bus, but you get to view very beautiful scenery most of the ride. Our guide, Elly, did a great job providing interesting information and history during the ride, while leaving enough quiet time to relax and enjoy the views. Both the falls and national park were amazing. The geiser was also great to see erupt, and there was plenty of time at that stop to get (an expensive) quick lunch. It was a very well spent day for us.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello John,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable Golden Circle experience and found it to be a great way to explore some of Iceland's most iconic attractions. It's especially lovely to know that Elly's informative commentary, balanced with time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery, helped make your journey even more memorable. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her.
We're also pleased that you enjoyed visiting Þingvellir National Park, the waterfalls, and the erupting geyser, and that you had enough time to explore each stop at your own pace.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Elizabeth_M, Jul 2026
Wonderful tour! Learned much about Iceland and the 32 volcanoes - some sleeping, some napping! The waterfalls were also amazing and so were the geothermal outpourings! The tour guide spoke clearly and the audio system worked quite well for this hearing aid user.
I highly recommend. Also glad for the bathrooms at the various stops!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Elizabeth,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Golden Circle and learning more about Iceland's fascinating volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal wonders. It's especially lovely to know that your guide's clear commentary and the audio system helped make the tour accessible and enjoyable for you.
We're also pleased to hear that the facilities at the various stops added to your comfort throughout the day.
Thank you for your kind recommendation and for travelling with us. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Aline_B, Jul 2026
Very interesting things to see and the narration was extremely informative! Lunch place was very crowded but the food was good.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Aline,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Golden Circle and found the narration both informative and engaging. It's also great to know that you enjoyed the food at the lunch stop, even though it was quite busy during your visit.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Carla_C, Jul 2026
If you are on a cruise ship and told to meet at Bus Stop #5, must be there at the advised time. A bus will pick you up there, and then taken to a bus terminal to join others in the actual excursion bus.
Eddie our driver and Martha took good care of us. Martha was very informative on the ride.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Carla,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and helpful tips for fellow travellers!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Golden Circle experience and felt well taken care of by Eddie and Martha. It's especially lovely to know that Martha's informative commentary added to your journey and helped make the tour more enjoyable.
We also appreciate you sharing your experience with the pickup and transfer process, as this may be helpful for other cruise passengers planning their journey.
Thank you for travelling with us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another memorable adventure in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Richard_W, Jun 2026
Just amazing to see. An absolute wow.. The guide was so informative and amazing from start to finish.. It can get chilly, we went in July, but needed coat and hat..
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your kind feedback! We are delighted to hear you had such an amazing experience and that your guide made the tour informative and enjoyable from start to finish. We also appreciate your helpful note about the weather conditions.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Mayur_P, Jun 2026
We had a wonderful day on the Golden Circle tour with Sigrún and Tomasz. Sigrún was friendly, knowledgeable, and shared interesting information throughout the trip. Tomasz provided a smooth and comfortable ride, and we felt safe the entire time.
The tour was well organized, enjoyable, and a great way to see some of Iceland’s most beautiful sights. Thank you both for making it such a memorable experience!
Alan_B, Jun 2026
A well organised and professionally delivered trip to the golden circle. Excellent value for money. Sigrun was an exceptional guide, she provided vast amounts if local information and kept us engaged throughout the trip.
ISIS_B, Jun 2026
This was a great tour filled with an abundance of information that was presented by our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide Gudjon Jes. He did a great job with keeping us on track and engaged. Thank you!
RubyannShirley_B, May 2026
We booked Golden Circle Tour on the Viator app on the last minute as were transiting from Hong Kong to Reykjavik. We figured we were going to arrive early in the morning might as well take the Tour in the afternoon. On the day of the Tour we unfortunately missed it due to a misunderstanding regarding the pickup location.
During booking, we specifically selected and paid extra for pickup at FossHotel Baron. Based on the information shown in the Viator app, we understood that pickup would occur directly at or near the hotel.
However, the tour operator later sent an email informing us that the actual pickup point would instead be at Bus Stop No. 9 because buses do not service the hotel area. Unfortunately, this message was routed to our spam folder, and we only became aware of it after the scheduled pickup time had passed.
While we understand that the operator attempted to notify us, the Viator app itself did not clearly indicate that hotel pickup would not be possible or that an alternate pickup point was required. Since we specifically paid for hotel pickup, we reasonably believed we would be picked up at FossHotel Baron as arranged.
Had the app clearly reflected this limitation and alternate meeting point, we would have proceeded to Bus Stop No. 9 on time and joined the tour as scheduled. Worse of it all, when we called the operator and explained what happened the customer Service Person just said “Yeah that happens a lot.” We requested a refund from the Viiator App which they relayed to the Tour Operator who of course denied our request. A big question is, given the circumstances that this kind of incident happens a lot, was the Tour Guide cognizant of this And did he do everything possible to at least contact us on the phone to ask For our where about a? We could have certainly caught up with them at the other pick up points.
Response from Host, May 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We are sorry to hear about the confusion regarding the pickup location and the inconvenience this caused. Your comments have been noted and will be reviewed to help improve clarity of communication and the overall guest experience.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Roberth_R, Apr 2026
Your only concern is getting to the BSI bus terminal.
You get there, your work is done. Reykjavik Excursions is a well oiled machine. Keep your eye on the timetable for your scheduled bus to the Golden Circle and don't forget your bus number.
The drive out to Thingvellir and back from Gulfoss are the longest legs of the trip. Plan accordingly.
Those seven hours go by quicker than you think, so savor every minute of them.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re very pleased to hear that you found the overall experience smooth and well-organized. It’s great to know the journey was enjoyable and that the day felt well spent. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
Dave_B, Feb 2026
We were given so much interesting information about Icelandic geography, geology,and history. It made the visit very special.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. We’re very happy to hear that the insights into Icelandic geography, geology, and history made your visit even more special.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
Cheyenna_I, Jan 2026
Booked this tour last minute as recommended by customer service since my other tour was cancelled. Viator did not confirm my booking and therefore I was not picked up. I sat in intense wind and rain for 30 minutes after walking to the bus stop. They informed me that I could book a taxi to meet them somewhere else since I was missed. I asked for a refund. They told me to call Viator. Viator told me they’d have to call the tour. I have yet to receive a refund. There isn’t much to investigate. I booked a tour with pickup and they did not pick me up.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
We’re very sorry to hear about this experience and understand your frustration. For issues like this, please contact us directly at info@icelandia.is so our team can review the situation and assist you further.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
christine_B, Jan 2026
Beautiful excursion but no French audio guide
The guide ( Christian) is very good
Thank you very much
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear that Christian made the excursion enjoyable. We appreciate your note about the French audio guide.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
RoopakDeepak_C, Jan 2026
The Reykjavík tour company is amazing. Phenomenal tour and guide and driver were very good. They even went out of the way and did additional northern lights stop on their own initiative when it wasn’t part of tour. Very knowledgeable and clearly want Tourists to enjoy the experience
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a phenomenal experience on the Golden Circle tour. It’s fantastic to know that both the guide and driver went above and beyond, even adding the Northern Lights stop to enhance your trip. We truly believe in providing memorable experiences for our guests, and it’s great to hear that their efforts made a positive impact. We hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Inga
Gagan_C, Jan 2026
I would maybe reach out to the tour before the day of since they never picked us up from our bus stop. And we were only there for one day, really bummed.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Traveler,
We are very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. This is not the standard of service we aim to provide. We would like to investigate the situation further to understand what happened. If possible, please contact us directly at info@icelandia.is with your booking details so we can address this issue and prevent it from happening in the future.
Best Regards
Mike_Q, Dec 2025
It was a good trip - I'm glad I opted for this version at 6.5hrs rather than the 8+ hr versions. There's not a lot to do at each site once you've seen the attraction for a few minutes but understand they need to stay long enough for all the loo breaks and food/gift shop stuff. Our guide on the bus did a LOT of rambling and just seemed to stop talking mid sentence all the time and change conversation randomly to the point where it got annoying. Glad I did the trip to see the sites though.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Mike,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the 6.5-hour version of the tour and that it allowed you to experience the main sights comfortably. We understand that some stops may feel longer once you’ve explored the attraction, but we do try to accommodate everyone’s needs, including rest breaks and time for food or souvenirs.
We’re sorry to hear that the guiding style on your bus did not meet your expectations. Your comments are truly appreciated, and we will share this feedback with our team so we can continue improving the experience for our guests.
We’re pleased that you still enjoyed seeing the sites, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on another tour in the future.
Best regards,
Rute
David_S, Nov 2025
Out tour guide, Steinnun was excellent. She did a great job not only informing us about Iceland’s scenery and geography, but also informing us about Iceland history, culture and people. Magnus, the bus driver did a good job adapting to unexpected road condition.
Deborah_L, Oct 2025
The sites were nice but a little rushed. The driver was phenomenal. We felt very safe. The antidote here and there lacked interest.
Kristine_T, Oct 2025
Incredible sights and guide was passionate and gave non stop facts during the drive. It’s a big group on a large bus but for the price it’s worth it to see these key sights. Other types of experiences I would prefer a smaller group but this was a good fit for these places.
Victoria_R, Oct 2025
All the places we went to were beautiful. It’s really worth going to these places. We’d been here before but during winter so it was beautiful to see it during fall. This time we’re able to walk all the way to the waterfalls and that was a breath taking experience. It was perfect too since there was a rainbow when we’re walking towards waterfalls. We got lucky with the geyser. I was able to video tape it when it burst three times in a row. That was amazing.
The tour guide was just ok. She didn’t wait for all of us to get out of the bus. She would zoom out and not even looked back. So you need to look for her once you get out and that’s a bit hard when there’s a lot of tourist.
Is it the worth the money? Definitely. The tour itself was very nice. You just have to navigate on your own once you get to your destination.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Victoria,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the stunning Golden Circle sites, the waterfalls, geysers, and even the rainbow—what a magical day!
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the guide. Your comments will help us improve the pacing and ensure that all guests feel well-supported during stops. We’re glad overall you found the tour worthwhile and hope your memories of Iceland remain unforgettable.
Warm regards,
Inga
Nilanjan_S, Oct 2025
Great itinerary. Friendly guide and driver. Cannot go wrong with this kind of sceneries from a magnificently beautiful country like Iceland. We enjoyed very much. And recommend the tour to all.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Nilanjan,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Golden Circle tour and appreciated both the guide and driver. Iceland truly is a magical place, and we’re glad you got to experience it.
Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Warm regards,
Inga
Stephanie_G, Sep 2025
Really enjoyed the tour. Bus was clean and a very easy way to see the beautiful, snowy views of Iceland!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the Golden Circle tour and that the snowy Icelandic landscapes left a lasting impression. It’s great to know the bus was comfortable and made exploring so easy for you.
Warm regards,
Inga
Kristiana_G, Sep 2025
I had a wonderful time on the Golden Circle Direct tour (12:30 start) with Reykjavik Excursions. It was the perfect tour to do since I flew in at 6:30am that morning and was leaving Iceland again the next day. The bus was clearly marked and left on time.
Lasma was a fantastic tour guide. She told us all about the areas we were going and driving through and the Icelandic culture. She gave clear instructions about the amount of time we would have at each place and when to be back at the bus. You had the option to walk with her at each location or go and explore on your own.
It was a good amount of time at each location to see several geyser eruptions, walk all the way down to the top of Gullfoss, walk in the Þingvellir National Park and also hop into a gift shop or two. There were bathrooms at each of the stops as well. I didn’t feel that there was much time for a meal at the locations unless you only want to see outside for a short moment (maybe I just took too long and too many photos haha) so I just brought snacks with me.
There were usb chargers on the bus, however at my seat the charger did not seem to work. I asked about it and there had to be a blue light for it to be working. Fortunately, the tour guide let me charge at the front of the bus, so I charged my extra battery which really saved me for the rest of my day and evening in Rekjavik so I could take all the photos and videos I wanted to capture! :)
I will definitely be booking another tour with them the next time I’m in Iceland! I will be back!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Kristian,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear that the Golden Circle Direct tour was the perfect fit for your short visit and that everything ran smoothly.
Lasma will be thrilled to know that her guidance, knowledge, and clear instructions made your day enjoyable and informative. We’re glad you had enough time at each stop to explore, enjoy the geysers, Gullfoss, Þingvellir, and even the gift shops. Thank you for your helpful note about bringing snacks and the USB charger, your feedback helps us improve the experience for all guests.
We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in Iceland!
Best regards,
Rute
Kathleen_M, Sep 2025
Very informative and beautiful scenery. Would do it again. The bus was clean and comfortable and Iceland is incredible.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour, found it informative, and appreciated the beautiful scenery. It’s great to know the bus was comfortable for your journey. We’d be delighted to have you travel with us again!
Best regards,
Rute
Janice_B, Sep 2025
This was a fantastic tour. It was an abbreviated golden circle tour, but hit the big three - Gullfoss, Geysir and Thingvillar (pardon my spelling.) Our guide Dylan was fantastic. He shared so much information about the stops on our tour, but also Iceland in general. When I went to Perlan, I realized how much information he gave. I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Golden Circle tour and that Dylan made such a positive impression. It’s great to know you appreciated both the main stops and the extra insights about Iceland—guides like Dylan really love sharing their knowledge.
We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Sesili
Jane_G, Sep 2025
Gunnar (with lots of stories to tell!) was an entertaining guide for our 6 hour Golden Circle trip. There were lots of other tourists, but he got us directed to the best spot for photos of the waterfall and kindly took our photo, too.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Gunnar made your Golden Circle tour both fun and memorable. It’s great that he could guide you to the best photo spots and make the day special with his stories.
We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Gunnar!
Warm regards,
Sesili
May_Z, Sep 2025
It is wonderful trip, perfect for cruise excursions. The guide is professional and kind. Strongly recommended.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and found it perfect for a cruise excursion. It’s great to know that our guide made a positive impression.
We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Safe travels,
Sesili
From $88.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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