The Lava Tunnel Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Raufarhólshellir is one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland,
and it lies just a 30-minute drive from Reykjavik. But don't worry about driving there yourself, as this half-day tour makes getting there and exploring simple. With your guide, you'll venture underground to explore the natural wonder, following the purpose-built walkways and admiring the dramatic, lava-sculpted caves. Your guide will light the way—but so will your provided headlamp.
- Have the special chance to explore inside a natural lava tunnel
- Round-trip transfers from Reykjavik make getting there simple
- Your guide's stories will bring the landmark's history to life
- This tour makes exploring beyond Reykjavik city limits simple
What's Included
- Headlamps
- Helmets
- Crampons (in winter)
- Walking sticks (optional)
- Tour Guide
- Good hiking shoes
- Snacks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- BSÍ Bus Terminal ReykjavíkVatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
The bus to the Lava Tunnel is operated by Reykjavik Excursions and will leave Reykjavik from the BSÍ Bus Terminal in the city center. The tunnel is 30-40 minutes drive from Reykjavik.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Raufarholshellir
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
Sophie_L
We booked onto the morning excursion - unfortunately 15 minutes into the bus ride, the excursion had to be cancelled due to a bad accident on the roads causing them to be closed.
The tour company was really helpful and got us booked onto the 1pm excursion the same day when we messaged them on Viator.
The bus journey was pretty quick (35 mins each way) and scenic.
When we got to the caves, we had Alex as a guide. He was fantastic - it was a really informative and funny tour. The caves themselves are very pretty in winter with the icicles. It might not be a super long tour but we really liked it as a half day trip from Reykjavik.
Reviews
4.7
based on 447 reviews
Cynthia, Mar 2026
This is a site not to be missed. The cave is amazing to walk through and see what the fury of nature is capable of wroughting. The guide was both knowledgeable and entertaining. A wonderful experience and highlight if our trip.
michel_p, Feb 2026
Very nice activity before going back home, our guide was super entertaining and knowledgeable, the Cave is well
Maintained and safe !!!
Kris_S, Feb 2026
Amazing! Guide was extremely knowledgeable. An informative tour and then plenty of time to explore in your own.
Linda_M, Feb 2026
Little tour bus pick up from BSI bus terminal, left at 9am and around 40 mins later we were at the lava tunnel. Toilet available and a little shop. Our tour started at 10 and our guide Francesca was excellent. She really made this an enjoyable and interesting experience. Definitely take sturdy shoes with good grip as can be slippy at points but otherwise a very easy walk through.
Sophie_L, Jan 2026
We booked onto the morning excursion - unfortunately 15 minutes into the bus ride, the excursion had to be cancelled due to a bad accident on the roads causing them to be closed.
The tour company was really helpful and got us booked onto the 1pm excursion the same day when we messaged them on Viator.
The bus journey was pretty quick (35 mins each way) and scenic.
When we got to the caves, we had Alex as a guide. He was fantastic - it was a really informative and funny tour. The caves themselves are very pretty in winter with the icicles. It might not be a super long tour but we really liked it as a half day trip from Reykjavik.
Autumn_J, Dec 2025
This was a fun (1 hour) experience, especially if you like geology things. It was cool to see what lava can do under ground and learn about how the tunnels are formed. Plus, Alex the guide was quite funny and made the tour even better.
Frank_M, Dec 2025
Really worth the trip there. Our tour guide Alex was really great ( and funny). Would recommend this to anyone.
Suzanne_L, Nov 2025
We never thought we would walk through a lava tunnel. It was fascinating. Our guide at the tunnel was brilliant and our bur driver was lovely. The wifi and charging statiins worjed. I have to mention this as they did not work for many buses.
Louise_H, Oct 2025
I had read reviews about difficulties with the transport but we had no problems. The tour itself was very interesting and the guide was very informative. Hard hats were mandatory. There were sticks if you wanted. Definitely needed the stick as the floor is very uneven and the heavy snowfall added to parts being slippery. Good footwear is a must although they did also offer crampons. So many interesting things to learn about the lava tunnel..including there is no echo in the tunnel due to the cracks so no bats!
Maria_G, Oct 2025
This was a great tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable. The lava tunnel was interesting and we were able to take some awesome pictures. Definitely wear hiking shoes as the ground is very rocky and uneven. Highly recommend.
Julie_P, Oct 2025
Very interesting and to be able to walk through a real lava tunnel was pretty cool. We both really enjoyed the experience.
Rebecca_S, Oct 2025
Thought it would be more thrilling. Short …………….::::::::.:……….,:………….:::.::.:::::::;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;(;(((((((
Joanne_D, Jul 2025
This was a short tour of one hour but worth it. Our guide Stephanie was great at explaining complex subjects such as chemistry in simple and understandable terms. The reason for the 4* is the bus ride. We weren’t told when to come back to the bus for the return trip and got told that we were late. It was quite cold down in the tunnel and so dress warmly if you need to.
Jennifer_M, Jul 2025
The Lava Tunnel is beautiful to behold and is something that everyone visiting Iceland should experience. I have mobility issues, so was unable to go the whole length of the tour, but the rest of my group enjoyed it all, and I was still able to see enough to be happy with my visit. Even though I was unable to keep up with our group, an extra guide stayed with me, answered any questions I had, and ensured I exited safely.
FredG_D, Jul 2025
Tour was very interesting. Well worth the trip. Walking sticks provided and helmets. Was chilly in the tunnel but not freezing. We went early July. It was very easy at the BSI terminal to find the tour bus. One side is arrivals and the other side is departures.
Kiera_K, Jun 2025
The Lava tunnel is very unique and a cool tour. Our guide Demetrius was very informative and funny! It was surprisingly cold down there so dress appropriately but it is an easy walk so no worries about that part. The only negatives were the communication about pick up wasn’t great and the bus ride home we went 30 minutes out of the way to pick up someone from a different tour.
William_S, Jun 2025
The tour is short, about an hour, but worth the time and cost. I have been in a lava tube in Hawaii and this was awesome in comparison. Excellent guide.
Edward_E, Jun 2025
Very cool & unique and experience exploring a lava tunnel. Our shuttle van was a bit cramped and our tunnel guide was a bit difficult to understand (due to accent) but he was very friendly, knowledgeable & passionate. This tour does require a some basic level of fitness, balance & dexterity to hike on the rocky path & steel walkways (a skill set a few of the other visitors were lacking which bogged us all down a bit).
Jonathan_M, Jun 2025
Awesome stalagtites and amazing rock formations! Our guide was cheerful and had many jokes while explaining what we were looking at.
Tomoko_I, May 2025
We enjoyed the trip immensely. The guide took care of everyone to make sure we felt safe and comfortable allowing us to go through the tunnel at our pace. The sight was beautiful and the tour very informative and educational.
Linda_C, May 2025
Although it was cold we had a good time and found the tour very interesting. There are walking sticks to help balance when walking on the rocks and quite a few stairs to climb.
Esperanza_L, Apr 2025
This was such a fun experience, highly educational. It should be noted that the trail may be a bit slippy, so be sure to wear appropriate shoes for the environmental. We were provided with a hard hat, a head light, and optional walking sticks. :)
Brian_M, Apr 2025
We enjoyed the guided tour, lots of fantastic information and loads to see. Different experience being in an old Lava Cave
Jessica_L, Feb 2025
Amazing experience with a great guide! So beautiful and fascinating - definitely worth the visit. Would go back to do the longer tour in future!
Callum_K, Jan 2025
I had an amazing time. The tunnel is magical and a great way to start off my trip in Iceland. The guide was really nice and funny also.
Sagowdaun_S, Jan 2025
Exciting experience, needed to wear helmet and footwear spikes for safety, it s so interesting tour, learned sth new.
Kristin_M, Nov 2024
We had a great time on this tour - perfect for very cold weather because it’s not too long. The tunnel was very interesting, and our guide, Dimitri, was fantastic. It’s an interesting half-day excursion, leaving plenty of time to do something else in the afternoon.
Farhat_M, Nov 2024
When tunnels go pitch black for few mins. It was different experience all together. Our guide was very knowledgeable and funny too.
Vanessa_L, Nov 2024
Alex, our tour guide made the lava tunnel experience really enjoyable with his humorous jokes and he was so informative!
Sarah_T, Oct 2024
Very cool experience to be inside the lava tunnel. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny. He kept us moving at a good pace and explained a lot about the tunnel.
From $120.38
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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