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
Cassandra_H
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 413 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Louise_B, Aug 2026
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!
Lynell_B, Aug 2026
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.
Thomas_P, Aug 2026
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.
Michael_B, Aug 2026
Very interesting, but very cold inside the tunnel. Our guide was very informative and the rock formations were very beautiful.
Craig_L, Aug 2026
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.
lisabeif66, Aug 2026
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.
Celeste_C, Aug 2026
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
Stevin_D, Aug 2026
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
Zainab_N, Aug 2026
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
Marcy_K, Aug 2026
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
Mark_N, Aug 2026
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
Kris_N, Jul 2026
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
Thomas_D, Jul 2026
What a great tour of the Lava Cave. Our Guide was Great and had a great sense of humor. We learned a lot and a must to especially for those who love geology, nature exploring.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Thomas,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on our Lava Tunnel tour. It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed exploring the lava cave, learned a lot during the tour, and appreciated your guide's knowledge and great sense of humor.
Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure!
Kind regards,
Inga
Sue_B, Jul 2026
I thought this was so interesting! I wish we did the longer tour to go deeper into the tunnel. Of course, the men loved wearing the hard hats with a light, but learning about how the tunnels were forms and how many thousands of years ago was my favorite part.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Sue,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you found the Lava Tunnel tour so interesting. It's great to know you enjoyed learning about the tunnel's fascinating geological history, and we're glad the helmets with the headlamps added a bit of fun to the adventure as well!
We hope you'll have the opportunity to return and experience the longer tour next time to explore even deeper into the tunnel.
Thank you for choosing to travel with us. We hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another memorable adventure!
Kind regards,
Inga
Douglas_S, Jul 2026
The tour was fantastic, the guide at the tunnel was very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable.
The pick up location was changed 12 hrs before, we had to walk and stand in the rain, waiting for the bus. We paid the higher price to get picked up at the hotel instead of a meeting point.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that the guide at the tunnel helped make the experience interesting and enjoyable with their knowledge.
We’re sorry to hear about the inconvenience caused by the change in pickup location. We understand that when guests have selected a hotel pickup option, they expect the process to be as convenient as possible.
In some cases, pickup arrangements may need to be adjusted due to operational reasons, but we appreciate that any changes should be communicated clearly and in a way that minimizes inconvenience for our guests. We’ll take your feedback into consideration as we continue improving our communication and service.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for a smoother experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Carla_I, Jul 2026
Be prepared for a walk over wet, uneven stones. Good sneakers or hiking shoes a must! Well worth it to experience this natural wonder. The guide was very knowledgeable and as a retired Earth Science and Biology teacher, I found the formation of this natural wonder fascinating!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed experiencing this incredible natural wonder.
It’s great to know that our guide’s knowledge helped make the visit even more fascinating, especially with your background in Earth Science and Biology. We truly appreciate your perspective and are happy that you found the geological formations so interesting.
Thank you as well for highlighting the importance of proper footwear. The terrain can be wet and uneven, and being prepared helps guests enjoy the experience safely and comfortably.
We hope to welcome you back to Iceland again for more unique adventures!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Brittany_P, Jul 2026
It was a good way to kill time
Before our flight, but it isn’t like the photos
Still was cool to see but wouldn’t make it my “main” event of the day
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that it was a nice way to spend some time before your flight.
We appreciate your comments regarding the difference between expectations and reality. Photos can sometimes highlight certain conditions or moments, but we understand that the experience in person may feel different. We’re happy that you still found it interesting and enjoyable to visit.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland again for more memorable experiences!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Anne_L, Jul 2026
I didn't know how difficult the path was going to be.. so I declined a walking stick. When we entered the tunnel I was having great difficulty getting around. One of the tour guides coming out of the tunnel noticed the difficulty I was having so she helped to walk me in to where our guide stopped. She then went and got some walking sticks and brought them back out to me. I was still having an issue walking even with the walking sticks. When our guide noticed the difficulty I was having he offered and held my arm the rest of the way. Without these two hero's I would have quit less than halfway through but thanks to the help they gave (especially our guide) I was able to get thru the tunnel. Big Kudos to our guide (I wish I listened to his name) he was able to turn a potential loss of experience into a big win! Thank you
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re truly happy to hear that you were able to complete the Lava Tunnel experience despite the challenges along the way.
It’s heartwarming to know that our team members noticed you needed extra support and stepped in to help. We’re especially glad that their kindness, patience, and care allowed you to continue and enjoy the experience rather than having to miss out.
We will make sure to share your kind words with the team, as providing a safe and supportive experience for our guests is very important to us.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for more memorable experiences!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Peggy_B, Jul 2026
The lava tunnel itself was very good and interesting. A little difficult to walk in the tunnel over the wet rocks. However, we were bused to/from the tour and the driver didn't speak to us at all. Not your typical tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re glad to hear that you found the Lava Tunnel itself interesting and enjoyed exploring this unique natural attraction.
We appreciate your comments about the walking conditions in the tunnel. As it is a natural lava cave, the terrain can be uneven and wet in places, so good footwear and taking care while walking are important.
Regarding the transportation, we would like to clarify that our service provides the transfer to and from the lava tunnel location, while the lava tunnel experience itself is operated by the on-site team. We appreciate your feedback and will share your comments with the relevant teams.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another memorable experience!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Wei_Y, Jul 2026
Wonderful experience touring the lava tunnel. We had a great guide. Unfortunately, we didn’t get her name. I would recommend it as a must see in Reykjavik.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience exploring the Lava Tunnel.
It’s fantastic to know that your guide made the tour so enjoyable with their knowledge and enthusiasm, even if you didn’t catch their name. We’re glad the experience left such a positive impression and that you would recommend it to others visiting Reykjavík.
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back to Iceland for another unforgettable adventure!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
Gail_M, Jul 2026
Very interesting and educational experience. It was raining and dripping inside so dress appropriately. Hiking sticks were provided and helpful (but limited). Consider hiking boots as parts are over Rocky areas (most on metal ramps). Very happy we did this trip. Reykjavik excursions staff at BSI terminal were extremely helpful.
Carol_C, Jul 2026
Firstly, instructions to find our guide was not clear. We were taken by shuttle bus to another mini bus with the most grumpy driver ever. On the whole of the journey no information offered. The complete opposite to a previous tour. Our guide at the tunnels did give us information once we were inside the tunnels but sketchy information prior. The lava tunnels were very wet. We were hurried through the last part as the guide was concerned our driver would be cross at having to wait.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Carol,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We're sorry to hear that your Lava Tunnel tour did not fully meet your expectations. We understand how important clear meeting instructions, informative guidance throughout the journey, and a relaxed pace are to creating an enjoyable experience.
We appreciate you taking the time to share these details, including your comments about the transfer, the information provided during the tour, and feeling rushed towards the end of the visit.
As we are unable to identify your tour through this platform, we would appreciate it if you could contact our customer service team with your booking reference or your travel date and departure time. This will allow us to investigate your experience further and share your feedback with the relevant teams.
Thank you again for your comments, and we hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
Kind regards,
Inga
Alison_J, Jul 2026
Great tour. Wear shoes with good tread and a raincoat. We were prepared and it was excellent. Good information with plenty of time for photos.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Alison,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel tour and found it both informative and enjoyable. It's especially lovely to know that you had plenty of time to take photos and make the most of the experience.
We also appreciate you sharing your helpful advice about wearing sturdy shoes and a raincoat, as this will be valuable for future travellers.
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
LOURDES_C, Jul 2026
July 4, 2026 we were dropped off. I had to ask the ticket counter what to do. Informed me that the tour guide would be taking us in shortly. Helmets and walking poles were provided. Our tour guided us into the amazing lava tunnel. Tour guide was very knowledgeable. There are a lot of steps and uneven paths, the walking pole were very helpful. Overall I enjoyed it very much.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your review! We’re happy to hear you had a great time and appreciated the guidance and support throughout your visit.
Best regards,
Magdalena
Therri_O, Jul 2026
If unsteady on your feet, use the walking sticks! Very helpful. Guide was easy to understand and info was educational.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Therri,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback and helpful advice for future travellers!
We're delighted to hear that you found the Lava Tunnel tour both unique and informative and that your guide's clear explanations made the experience educational and easy to follow. We also appreciate you highlighting the usefulness of the walking sticks, as this is a helpful tip for guests who may appreciate some extra support along the way.
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
Aidan_K, Jul 2026
Wonderful adventure…..learned a lot about geology and volcanoes. Wear good shoes, the inside of the lava tube is wet!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Hello Aidan,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable Lava Tunnel adventure and found the experience both fascinating and informative. It's great to know that learning more about Iceland's geology and volcanic activity added to your experience.
We also appreciate you sharing the helpful footwear tip with future travellers!
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
Sandy_G, Jul 2026
The tunnel was interesting and the guide was knowledgeable. Be prepared that the rocks are uneven and be careful walking. They did provide walking sticks along with the helmet and light, which was helpful.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We're glad you found the tour interesting and the guide helpful.
Best regards,
Magdalena
Judy_D, Jul 2026
This tour was fabulous! So glad I didn’t miss it. The tunnels are amazing. Walking requires caution but it was surprisingly not slippery. Take your time to enjoy this unique environment.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for your great feedback! We're happy you enjoyed this unique experience.
Best regards,
Magdalena
Pamela_M, Jun 2026
Walking sticks are VERY helpful… visitors should know that ahead of time.
Guide was amazing! She really filled us in on history etc
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your helpful review! We're glad to hear the guide made the experience so informative and engaging. We also appreciate your useful tip about walking sticks and will keep this in mind for future travelers. We truly appreciate your feedback!
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Thomas_K, Jun 2026
Very informative high energy by tour guide
We learned a lot about how tough the early explorers had to endure
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable and informative experience on the tour.
It’s wonderful to know that your guide brought so much energy to the day and helped you gain a deeper understanding of how challenging things were for the early explorers. We’re very happy this added meaning to your journey.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in Iceland!
Kind regards,
Zuzanna
From $146.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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