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 (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
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Carole_S
Really cool hike with a guide, who gave excellent information. The cave is fascinating and the ice crystals still frozen from winter gave a beautiful look along the hike. I’d caution that the walkway shown in photos is not what hikers are hiking on a large majority of the time. It’s very uneven and even slippery for much of the route. I used a walking stick they provided and it helped a lot. I have comprised knees but did just fine by staying cautious while I hiked and using the walking stick. I’m really glad we took the tour - I’d highly recommend!
Reviews
4.4
based on 356 reviews
Joelle_A, Mar 2026
The lava tunnel itself was fascinating. The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is the staff involved. Our driver with Reykjavik Excursions never introduced himself, never said a word of explanation. He drove 45 minutes out of the city without one word. He dropped us at the entrance and said, "I'll see you here at 11." We walked inside the building (about 10 minutes before the tour was to start). There was no welcome, no intro, no comment, even though we could see people in an office. Finally, a guide comes out, casually tells us to pick up helmets, check the headlamps, and follow him. It just wasn't the most tourist-centered activity. Once we got inside, the guide got better- he explained many things we were seeing. Again, the tunnel is well worth the trip, but compared to other tours we booked, this one just lacked interaction.
Paula_C, Mar 2026
Well between Iclandia & Viator they managed to ruin my last day in Iceland. Unclear pickup time meant we were in the hotel waiting to be picked up but told we were no shows. Apparently having our contact number & not using it is company policy. Not acceptable in this day & age,. We are down €240 but do they care, no. Very disappointing, no way to treat visitors to your country. Viator needs to do much better.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear about your experience and the inconvenience caused. Your comments are noted and will be shared with the team for further review to help improve our service.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Steven_T, Mar 2026
We took the tour with transfers from Reykjavík and it worked out great. 1 pm tour picked up at bus stop at 12:30 taken to bus terminal and then 40 minute drive to site. It was a very interesting I hour tour with guide and then back by 3:30. Fun afternoon
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello,
We’re glad to hear everything ran smoothly with your transfer and tour! It’s great that the timing worked well and that you enjoyed an interesting and fun afternoon.
Best regards,
Sesili
Carole_S, Mar 2026
Really cool hike with a guide, who gave excellent information. The cave is fascinating and the ice crystals still frozen from winter gave a beautiful look along the hike. I’d caution that the walkway shown in photos is not what hikers are hiking on a large majority of the time. It’s very uneven and even slippery for much of the route. I used a walking stick they provided and it helped a lot. I have comprised knees but did just fine by staying cautious while I hiked and using the walking stick. I’m really glad we took the tour - I’d highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello,
We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed the hike and found the cave fascinating! Thank you for highlighting the trail conditions and sharing how the walking stick helped—this is very useful for future hikers. We’re glad it was a rewarding experience overall and appreciate your recommendation.
Best regards,
Sesili
Patricia_B, Mar 2026
Guide made no effort to ensure everyone was out of restroom before instructions. Guide did not ensure helmet lights were functional. My light didn't work.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the issues with the restroom instructions and helmet lights, and we will address this to ensure a better experience for future guests.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Jane_S, Mar 2026
Unique and interesting. Our guide was HILARIOUS and knowledgeable. It might pose an issue for those that have trouble walking as it's rocky and uneven, so mobility devices are a no-go.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad the team made your tour both fun and informative. We also appreciate your note about the terrain, which is helpful for future travelers to consider.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
Anthony_D, Mar 2026
Fascinating experience. You go inside the tunnel approx. 1 mile. Unbelievable experience you have to try.
Richard_R, Mar 2026
Great tour, particularly as it was snowing through the ceiling collapses at the start on the day we visited. Guide was intersting and well informed on the geology of the cave/tunnel.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your review. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour despite the snowy conditions and that your guide provided interesting and informative insights on the geology of the cave and tunnel.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Jose_E, Feb 2026
Quite unique learning experience.. Very friendly, knowledgeable and funny guide. Get ready for some darkness.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Traveler,
We’re glad to hear that you had a unique and informative learning experience! It’s great that your guide made it both friendly and fun. We appreciate your feedback.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Lauren_D, Feb 2026
Good bus tour, wasn’t packed in like others. Lava Tunnel was fascinating, great tour guide from Canada. It’s amazing how nature creates such beautiful places. Bring good boots with traction, some spots are slippery
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Traveler,
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the bus tour and found it comfortable without feeling crowded. It’s wonderful that the Lava Tunnel and the natural scenery left such an impression, and that your Canadian guide enhanced the experience.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
michelle_r, Feb 2026
They were a no show at the pick up point. When I called, the tour operator said they were there and picked up 19 people. There weren’t even 19 people standing at the bus stop for the entire 45 minutes we waited there. We went up to each bus that did stop and all said it was for a horseback riding excursion. They would no give me my money back and told me to put in a claim at Viator. Very disappointed. Was looking forward to this tour and very annoyed that this tour company was not helpful
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re very sorry to hear about the issues you experienced with the Lava Tunnel tour pick-up. To fully understand what happened and to resolve this matter, we kindly ask that you contact us directly by email with your booking details. This will allow us to monitor the situation and investigate the circumstances thoroughly.
We take these situations seriously and want to ensure that any problems are addressed properly. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Best regards,
Inga
Brian_A, Feb 2026
Very interesting and informative experience about how lavatories these tunnels and the geology.. cave is shorter than I thought.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you found the experience informative and interesting, and we appreciate your note about the cave’s length.
Best Regards,
Gabriele
Phoebe_G, Feb 2026
This is the perfect thing to do if you want just a short adventure outside the city! The lava tunnel was unreal and highly recommend seeing it. It’s a short 45 min drive from BSI (the bus terminal) and you get about an hour inside the tunnel itself. Would do again in a heartbeat!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the lava tunnel adventure and found it easily accessible from the bus terminal. It’s great to know you’d do it again!
Best regards,
Zuzanna
Christian_B, Feb 2026
Super amazing experience - the whole family loved it! The drive to the lava tunnels was pretty short, and we had ample time at the location. Everything was super accessible.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear that your whole family enjoyed the experience and that the visit to the lava tunnels was accessible and enjoyable.
Best regards,
Zuzanna
Julie_K, Jan 2026
It was a really interesting tour and it wasn't too far from Reykjavik. Big fan of the " rave cave " thanks for a really nice tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re happy to hear you found the tour interesting and conveniently close to Reykjavík, and that the “rave cave” was a highlight for you. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you to join us again on another tour.
Kind regards,
Sesili
Elizabeth_M, Jan 2026
It is magical and a must do if visiting Iceland. It is perfect for families, kids, and everyone in between.
Kittu_R, Jan 2026
Informative. Educational. The guide was very good. Interesting. Wish your was longer. Pickup and drop off was smooth.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour informative and educational, and that our guide made it so interesting. We understand wishing the tour could have been a bit longer—it’s always hard to leave such beautiful sights! We’re glad the pickup and drop-off were smooth, and we truly hope to welcome you again in the future for another memorable experience.
Best regards,
Rute
Ivan_N, Jan 2026
A wonderful experience. Could imagine what it would've been like with lava flows. Or even exploring it in the years past.
Svetlana_M, Jan 2026
This was a very unique experience and interesting to see and learn about in detail! Our guide was very nice and informative, making the tour not only fun, but also a great learning experience!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Svetlana_M,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a unique and informative experience on the Lava Tunnel Tour. It’s great to know our guide made the tour both fun and educational for you! We appreciate your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you on another adventure soon.
Best regards,
Inga
Maiya_H, Jan 2026
Our guide Alex was knowledgeable, personable, and hilarious. I had a great time traversing the lava tunnel, and learning about the science and history behind it. The blackout moment at the midpoint was such a memorable experience. Pickup and drop off was easy to follow, and communication was very clear.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Maiya,
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great time on the Lava Tunnel Tour. Alex is indeed an amazing guide, and we're glad his knowledge, personality, and sense of humor made the experience even better. The blackout moment is definitely one of those unforgettable highlights! We also appreciate you mentioning the smooth pickup and clear communication—it’s always our goal to make everything as seamless as possible. We’d love to welcome you back for more memorable experiences!
Best regards,
Inga
Susan_V, Jan 2026
The lava tunnel was interesting and the guide was fun. Definitely worth the time and money. Our issue with Viator is putting 9:00 tour in large letters on the ticket and in smaller print not next to the tour time, pickup starts at 8:30. We were at the stop at 8:40 before we noticed. We missed the bus. The local tour operator took us at no charge to the tour company office. They immediately rebooked us for the afternoon. The tour operator was also frustrated with Viator and the way they print the tickets, as she has people missing pickup everyday. She indicated her company has tried to give Viator feedback directly as it happens so often. Did we have some responsibility? Yes. But it could have been clearer. Thank you Reykjavik Expeditions for taking good care of us! And visit the tunnel!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Susan,
Thank you for your valuable feedback. We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel tour and that our Team from Reykjavik Excursions took good care of you. We also appreciate your constructive comments regarding the ticket format. We understand that clear communication is key, and we will certainly work on improving the presentation of the tour details to avoid any confusion in the future. We’re grateful for your understanding and for sharing your experience with us. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Inga
Emma_S, Jan 2026
Informative tour of the lava tunnel with efficent, easy transfer from the bus station in Reykjavik. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the lava tunnel tour and found the transfer from Reykjavik easy and efficient. It’s great to know the experience was both informative and enjoyable.
Kind regards,
Sesili
Andrea_R, Jan 2026
This is review about their overall organization since we were never picked up for our tour. Our ticket said 1:00 start with pickup starting at 12:30. We were outside by 12:34 and saw a bus with the company logo leave but the instructions on the ticket said to wait 15 minutes before calling about buses, so we assumed it wasn't ours. When we started calling, phone calls went unanswered until after 1:00, and when we finally reached someone, they couldn't confirm if we could still join or what time the tour actually started onsite. With a 40-minute taxi ride and no clear answers, we had to move on.
The company later said since we spoke at 1:18, we had 'plenty of time' to make a 2:00 start but that time was never confirmed, and unfortunately taxis don't appear instantly. Sucks to lose both time and money on a tour we never took.
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
Eliza_B, Dec 2025
Great experience! Our tour guy Juan was very knowledgeable and friendly! Very family excursion!!!!!!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Eliza,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that Juan made your family excursion so enjoyable with his knowledge and friendliness. It’s great to know you had a fantastic experience, and we hope to welcome you on another adventure soon!
Best regards,
Rute
Auvil_G, Dec 2025
Great visit. Guide was very good. Pick and driver very good. However, not enough time spent at the location for the cost.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciate your feedback.
Best regards,
Magdalena
Josie_W, Nov 2025
Change the picture in your advertising because it's false advertisement. It didn't look like what you have the pictures.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Josie,
Thank you for your feedback.
Please note that this is a natural cave, and due to its natural formation, appearances may vary. We always strive to provide the most accurate representation possible in our advertising, but some differences are inevitable.
Best regards,
Rute
Sharon_C, Nov 2025
A surreal experience and worth a trek if you have the time. Actual tour was roughly an hour and the tunnel is definitely cooler than it is on the surface. They provide you with a helmet, headlamp, and walking stick (if you need it). The guide was knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Sharon,
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience in the tunnel and found it to be a surreal and memorable adventure. It’s great to know that the guide’s knowledge and the equipment provided helped make your visit safe and enjoyable.
We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable Icelandic adventure!
Best regards,
Rute
Nicole_B, Nov 2025
This was an excellent activity! It was beautiful and interesting! We’ve been to other types of caves, but never one made from lava. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Nicole,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the lava cave experience and found it both beautiful and interesting. It’s great to know it stood out from other cave visits, and we truly appreciate your recommendation!
Best regards,
Rute
Helen_H, Nov 2025
It’s a good tour and really pretty. Alex was very funny and we had a fab tour. Factor in steps and slippery surfaces. And don’t lick the walls. Worth the money and you can even buy a cave aged gin if that’s your thing.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear Helen,
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the tour and found it both beautiful and fun. It’s great that Alex added humor and made the experience memorable. Thanks also for the helpful tips about steps, slippery surfaces, and the unique cave-aged gin!
Best regards,
Rute
Christina_M, Nov 2025
I had booked hotel pick up so paid a bit more but the day before, the tour operator changed it to bus stop pick up. While it wasn't a big deal, I still paid more and now trying to get that refunded so be aware if it let's you book that piece.
The Lava Tunnel was interesting. The ride there was comfortable and the driver was very nice as she allowed me to be dropped off at a different bus stop. Our tunnel tour guide was very professional and explained facts that I did not previously know. He had it very fun and let us take our time. I would definitely recommend going if you want to see something different.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your detailed feedback! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the Lava Tunnel and found the tour guide professional, knowledgeable, and fun. It’s also wonderful that the ride was comfortable and that the driver accommodated your drop-off request.
We apologize for the change from hotel pick-up to bus stop pick-up and understand your concerns regarding the difference in price. Your feedback is valuable, and we encourage you to contact us directly so we can assist with the refund process and ensure a smoother experience in the future.
Best regards,
Rute
From $129.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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