Lava Tunnel Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Located just outside of Reykjavik, the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel is one of the most accessible natural wonders in the country. This half-day tour takes you inside the tunnel—a feat only available on a guided tour—where you can see magnificent geological features that have been created by ancient lava flows. Hotel pickup upgrade available.
- Explore an Icelandic natural wonder only accessible on guided tour
- Learn about the volcanic processes that formed the cave thousands of years ago
- Includes all necessary safety equipment and instruction
- Round-trip transportation from central Reykjavik included
What's Included
- Bus fare
- 1 hour guided cave tour
- Use of flashlight
- Use of protective helmet
- Carbon Neutral transfer in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies
- Pickup from Cruise Port included if option selected
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
Get picked up from your Reykjavik hotel (if transfer option selected). Otherwise make your way to the central meeting point in Reykjavik to board your bus. Drive to the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, one of the largest and most popular in Iceland and a site that is only accessible on a guided tour.
Walk through the tunnel with your guide and learn about the volcanic processes that formed the tunnel thousands of years ago. This tunnel is of particular interest because of the beauty of its stalactites, whose many colors are illuminated by sunlight from the entrance.
Afterwards, board your bus for the transfer back to Reykjavik.
Walk through the tunnel with your guide and learn about the volcanic processes that formed the tunnel thousands of years ago. This tunnel is of particular interest because of the beauty of its stalactites, whose many colors are illuminated by sunlight from the entrance.
Afterwards, board your bus for the transfer back to Reykjavik.
Reykjavik Excursions by Icelandia (Pass By)
1
Raufarholshellir
1 hour 10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Remember to dress warmly and wear sturdy foot wear
- Minimum age is 3 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
My 12 year old and I loved this adventure. Finding the bus was super easy. Everyone was very friendly. Our tour guide was not only informative, but had a GSOH. The cave was stunning. I’m so glad we visited in the winter as the snow was expansive and beautiful to see on our journey to and from the cave.
Reviews
4.4
based on 438 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The guide was very informative. The colours were spectacular. They provided helmets with lights and walking sticks. I am 75 and was initially concerned it would be too dark and/or the terrain too treacherous, but neither was the case. I suggest wearing good hiking shoes and a rain coat. Apparently it is always wet inside.
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the spectacular colours and felt comfortable and safe throughout the tour. It’s especially wonderful to know that the equipment provided helped you feel confident, and we truly appreciate your helpful advice for future guests.
Kind regards,
Sesili
Easy transfers from Reykjavik and a short drive to the Lava Tunnel. Our guide was very informative about the history of the tunnel and had a great sense of humor. The formations were incredible! The total darkness was a little eerie when the guide switched off all the lights! A once in a lifetime experience to explore this marvel of nature that is over 5,000 years old!
Response from Host, Oct 2026
Hello Karen,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted that you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel, from the fascinating formations and history to the unforgettable moment of experiencing complete darkness underground.
It's also lovely to hear that your guide made the experience both informative and entertaining with a great sense of humor.
Thank you for joining us to explore this unique natural wonder!
Kind regards,
Inga
Neat experience with good guide. Amazing geology, with good discussion from guide. Recommend it, unless claustrophobic
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed the geology and found the guide informative
Warm regards,
Magdalena
Guide was funny, engaging, and knowledgeable. The cave itself is worth a look once. Be warned, however, that this is tour is more physically demanding than described. Uneven slippery footing and lots of stairs. Dress as recommended. I think the price was a little high for what you get, even with Icelandic prices.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the guide and the cave, and we appreciate your comments about the physical demands and pricing.
Warm regards,
Magdalena
Being inside of a lava tunnel was an incredible experience. However, the tour was very short and slightly underwhelming. Our guide mentioned there was a longer and more expensive tour that went deeper into the cave, which is probably the experience I should have chosen. Our guide was FANTASTIC -very charismatic and knowledgeable. The beginning of the tour was a little chaotic - the bus driver didn’t check who was on the bus. We entered the admission office and just stood around for a while waiting for instruction. Finally someone came out and told us to wait for the guide then he/she would tell us what to do. When we finished the tour, there was a lot of confusion about the time and which bus would take us back to the city. People began to panic because we were told we missed the bus then were later told the bus was running late. Normally I wouldn’t have minded waiting, but we had an appointment lined up after. But, the cave was beautiful.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful lava tunnel and had a fantastic guide. We sincerely apologize for the confusion at the beginning and end of the tour, especially regarding the bus and return time. We’ll take your comments into consideration to improve the organization and overall experience.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Short bus ride from Reykjavik. Take in the unique scenery. The lava tunnel experience is a real eye opener to mother nature and the powers that are possible.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello David,
Thank you for your great review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel experience and the unique scenery along the way. Exploring the tunnel offers such a fascinating glimpse into the extraordinary power of Iceland's volcanic nature and the forces that have shaped the landscape.
Thank you for choosing to explore Iceland with us!
Kind regards,
Inga
Stay away from this tour if you desire any sort of actual learning or cave tunnel experience. Our entire tour group was elderly and we spent 50 minutes to go a few hundred feet into a cave and pause for 10+ minutes waiting for these frail adults to catch up. Entire tunnel consists of flat rocks cut by man and metal staircases. Despite that, two of them got hurt and had to leave. The last 15 minutes was spent talking about asinine stuff to entertain the senior citizens. Would give this 0 starts if possible, complete waste of time and rip off. The bus rides were longer than time in the tunnel.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello Daniel,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're sorry to hear that the Lava Tunnel tour did not meet your expectations. The overall experience is approximately three hours and includes transportation to and from the lava tunnel, preparation and safety instructions before entering, and the guided exploration itself. As the tunnel is located around a 40-minute drive from Reykjavík, transportation naturally forms part of the total tour duration.
During the underground portion, our guides also need to adapt the pace when necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in the group. We understand, however, that you were hoping for a faster-paced and more extensive exploration of the tunnel, and we're sorry that the experience was not what you expected.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the pacing and the content of the guided experience, and your comments will be shared with the relevant team.
Kind regards,
Inga
The tunnels were rocky in most places. Take the walking stick they offer if you are at all unsteady on your feet. I was glad I grabbed one.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello Jeanne,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We appreciate your helpful advice for fellow travelers about the rocky terrain inside the lava tunnel and making use of the walking sticks provided when needed. We're glad you found one helpful during your visit.
Thank you for choosing to explore the lava tunnel with us!
Kind regards,
Inga
A fun and interesting shorter tour of lava cave tunnel. Safety is not a concern as everything has been thought of ahead. Our guide was funny, thoughtful and informative! I missed her name but she was fabulous!
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the lava cave tour and felt safe throughout the experience. We’ll be sure to share your lovely feedback with our guide!
Best Regards,
Team
This tour was wonderful. The transportation was seamless, the bus driver was pleasant and the tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly, amusing and professional! The actual cave was a bit challenging for individuals with bad knees or other physical issues so people should assess this prior ti signing up for this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Hello Joann,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! ✨ We’re delighted to hear the transportation was seamless and that you enjoyed the pleasant driver and knowledgeable, friendly, and professional guide.
We also appreciate your helpful note about the cave’s physical challenges. We agree it’s important for guests to consider the terrain and their own mobility before booking.
We hope to welcome you again!
Kind regards,
Svava
This is a fun activity. The cave/lava tunnel is very cool to see. Our guide was informative and personable. The bus driver was even kind enough to ask us where we wanted to be dropped off back in the city. It’s is definitely a unique experience that I’d recommend.
With that said it does take about 40 minutes to get to the cave and 40 minutes to get back. So of the nearly 3 hour tour, about half is on the bus.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re glad you enjoyed the unique lava tunnel experience and appreciated the helpfulness of our guide and driver. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Great tour of the lava tunnel. Pick up directions may be vague. Look for transfer buses and ask the driver for the correct bus.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the lava tunnel tour. We also appreciate your note about the pickup directions and will work to make them clearer.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Pick up was on time and easy at bus stop requested, we did have to transfer to the tour bus after pick up, but that was quick. Scenic drive to lava cave and interesting tour in cave, would recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Kathi,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We’re delighted to hear that your pickup was easy and on time, and that the transfer to the main tour bus was quick and seamless.
It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed the scenic drive and found the lava cave tour so interesting. We’re thrilled that the experience met your expectations, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.
Thank you again for travelling with us. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Iceland.
Warm regards,
Rute
Guide was great and provided good information and was very enthusiastic, well spoken and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello George,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Lava Tunnel tour and had such a positive experience with your guide.
It's especially great to know that their enthusiasm, knowledge, and informative commentary made exploring the fascinating world beneath Iceland's lava fields even more enjoyable.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable Icelandic adventure!
Kind regards,
Inga
This is not a tour for anyone who is older or has any kind of balance issues. We hated this tour. You climb over slick, dangerous rocks. It rained in the cave the entire time which made it even more dangerous. There is no warning on the site about the danger but there should be.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Traveler,
We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not meet your expectations and that you found the conditions difficult and unsafe. Thank you for sharing your concerns. We take your feedback seriously and will review how the physical demands and conditions of the tour are communicated to guests.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
I am 78 and wasn't comfortable doing so I went back and another guide took me . He was very kind and considerate
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience! 💛 We’re glad to hear that when you decided not to continue, another guide was kind and considerate and helped make you feel comfortable.
We truly appreciate you sharing this feedback and hope to welcome you again for another enjoyable Icelandic experience!
Kind regards,
Svava
This is a public bus service, which is not clearly explained in the instructions. You have to go to a pickup bus stop and get on the appropriate bus, that has no markings. The driver does not call you, like all other tours or have a sign or wait for you. We missed the morning tour, and had to reschedule for the afternoon, which screwed up our day. The Lava tunnel was not worth it. Recommend you pass and Viator send me a refund.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re very sorry for the confusion with the transportation and the inconvenience it caused to your day. We also regret that the Lava Tunnel did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your comments and will review the information to make the experience clearer for our guests.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
It was a fun tour, good amount of time for experiencing the lava tunnel. Transportation to and from went very smoothly. I would classify the walk into the tunnels - easy to moderate as there are parts of the walk that are uneven. Tour guide was knowledgeable, funny, and knew how to read the crowd.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! 🌋✨ We’re delighted to hear you had a fun experience and that the time spent exploring the lava tunnel felt just right. It’s also great to know the transportation went smoothly and that you appreciated your guide’s knowledge, humor, and ability to make the experience enjoyable for the whole group.
Thank you as well for noting that the walk can be easy to moderate with some uneven sections — we’re sure this will be helpful for future guests.
We hope to welcome you again for another Icelandic adventure!
Kind regards,
Svava
It was an extremely rocky walk with many stairs and wet surfaces. You do get dripped on as you go. But I would so do it again as it was well worth the effort. NOTE: It is not for anyone with any difficulty walking or with balance issues! The guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the natural beauty and geology of the lava tunnel which always adds to the enjoyment of any tour. Thanks so much!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Louise,
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed feedback! 🌋✨ We’re delighted to hear you found the lava tunnel well worth the effort and enjoyed learning about its geology and natural beauty from your guide.
We also appreciate your helpful note about the rocky, wet terrain, stairs, and dripping water. This is important information for future guests when considering whether the experience is suitable for them.
Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we hope to welcome you again for another Icelandic adventure!
Kind regards,
Svava
Don’t go on this tour if you have issues walking on steep, wet, rocky paths. It is NOT all flat. It’s cool in the tube. We go on lots of cave tours, this one was nice, guide was great, they have bathrooms and snacks for purchase.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Lynell,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! ✨ We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the lava tunnel and found the guide great. It’s also helpful to know you appreciated the facilities and the option to purchase snacks. 🌋
As you noted, the tunnel has some steep, wet, and uneven sections, so appropriate footwear and preparation are important. We hope to welcome you again for another unique Icelandic adventure!
Kind regards,
Svava
Make sure they pick you up at your pick up place. They didnt pick us up at all. Now we're fighting to get money back.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re very sorry to hear that your pickup did not take place as expected. We understand how frustrating this must have been, especially when you were left having to resolve the situation afterward.
We appreciate you sharing your experience and hope we can assist in addressing your concerns.
Kind regards,
Svava
Very interesting, but very cold inside the tunnel. Our guide was very informative and the rock formations were very beautiful.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback! 🌋 We’re glad you found the Lava Tunnel interesting and enjoyed the beautiful rock formations and informative guidance. As the tunnel maintains a naturally cool temperature, we recommend bringing an extra layer for future visits. 🧥
We hope to welcome you again!
Kind regards,
Svava
The Lava Tour was excellent but the transfers from Reykjavik were a mess. First we were to be picked up at the cruise terminal in a marked bus with the tour name on it and it turns out it was a just a transfer bus that took us to the BSI terminal where we then transfered to another bus. Would have been helpful to have known that even though I sent a message the night before for clarification and only received a vague, form letter response. The Lava Tour was excellent but we had to wait 45 minutes to be picked up as the driver was delayed picking up a separate group who were doing ziplinjng.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the Lava Tour! 🌋 We’re sorry the transfers and pickup process caused confusion and delays, especially after you reached out for clarification beforehand. We understand how frustrating this must have been and appreciate your comments, which will help us improve our communication.
Kind regards,
Svava
While beautiful and very interesting, this is not for those with balance or walking issues. My aunt had to turn around as she was not able to walk thru the tunnel due to the uneven surfaces, based on the photos, I thought the entire length had the metal walking path, and it didn't.
Turning the lights off was definitely sensory altering.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We’re glad you found the Lava Tunnel beautiful and interesting. We’re sorry the uneven terrain made the experience difficult for your aunt, and we appreciate your comments about the walking path and accessibility. We’ll take this feedback into consideration as we work to make the information clearer.
Kind regards,
Svava
The experience was great and the explanation of and opportunities to see the flow up close was amazing. However, it was cold and very wet-the ceiling drips constantly. And the path is uneven but navigable with the provided hiking sticks.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Celeste,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience exploring the Lava Tunnel and enjoyed learning about the fascinating lava formations up close.
Thank you as well for sharing your observations about the cold, wet conditions and uneven terrain, which can be helpful for future visitors preparing for their adventure.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another memorable experience!
Kind regards,
Inga
Tour itself in caves was excellent. Transportation to and from was less than great. But started out 20 minutes late and at end we had to wait additional 30 minutes for bus to come. Some others missed their next planned tour because of hour delay
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Stevin,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're delighted to hear that you found the Lava Tunnel tour itself excellent. At the same time, we're sorry that the transportation experience did not meet expectations. We understand how frustrating the delayed departure and additional wait for the return bus must have been, particularly for guests with other activities planned afterwards.
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your comments regarding the transfer timing and coordination will be shared with the relevant team for review.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us, and we're glad that despite the transportation issues, you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel experience itself.
Kind regards,
Inga
This was a good experience but was not as fantastic as the other things we did in Iceland.
Would recommend only if you have additional time in the country.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello Zainab,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback!
We're glad to hear that you enjoyed your Lava Tunnel experience, even if it wasn't the highlight of your time in Iceland. We appreciate your perspective and recommendation, as it can be helpful to other travelers when planning their itinerary.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring Iceland!
Kind regards,
Inga
The excursion was great.
The transfer however was not!
We were on a cruise ship that docked in Reykjavik. I booked the tour with other friends that got picked up at the pier. My ticket was a pick up from the bus terminal. When I called to change the location, I was told that it would cost an additional $66. The irony was that that my friends ended up at the bus terminal. The bus picked them up at the pier and took them to the bus terminal.
Not sure why I was asked to pay the extra fee
Very disappointing!
Would recommend the excursion but not through Viator.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the excursion, but we’re sorry that the transfer arrangements were disappointing.
We understand how frustrating it must have been to see your friends picked up at the pier and later brought to the bus terminal, especially after being quoted an additional fee to change your own pickup location. We’re sorry for the confusion and for the frustration this caused.
Pickup locations and transfer arrangements can depend on the specific booking and service selected, but we understand that the difference was not clear in your situation. Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll share it with our team to help improve the clarity of our pickup information and clarification that it is an additional service.
Thank you for sharing your experience, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide a smoother experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Sesili
Loved our guide. So much fun, informative, and knowledgeable. Beautiful hike. Hope my photos come out. Thank you.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hike and had such a great experience.
It’s wonderful to know that your guide’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and sense of humor helped make the day so memorable. We hope your photos turn out beautifully and bring back wonderful memories of your adventure!
Kind regards,
Sesili
Reykjavik Excursion busses say they are for pickup and drop off but didn't have me registered. Tried calling per email, but no one answered. Now it is 9:17 am so I guess you were a no show.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear Kris,
We are sorry to hear about your experience.
We have checked your booking and can confirm that it is registered as a no-show.
However, we currently still have availability on today's 1:00 pm departure. If you contact our Customer Service team directly as soon as possible, we will do our best to rebook your experience, subject to availability.
We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you on the tour.
Kind regards,
Reykjavík Excursions / Icelandia
Member Pricing
From
$138.70
per personWas $146.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Lava Tunnel Tour Including Transfers from Reykjavik
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