Reykjavík: Volcano Eruption Site and Reykjanes Hiking Tour

GYG

Reykjavík: Volcano Eruption Site and Reykjanes Hiking Tour

★ 4.6(1,154 reviews)

• Pickup from your hotel
• Guide works in English
• Duration per the operator: 9 hours

from $132

See dates, price and what is included at the operator

Nine hours from Reykjavik to the Reykjanes eruption sites

This tour takes you out of Reykjavik for a full day on the Reykjanes peninsula, where the recent volcanic activity has reshaped the landscape. The route runs roughly 45 km (28 miles) southwest from the city, and the 9-hour duration leaves room for the long drive, the hike to the eruption site, and the other stops along the way. The tour is led by an English-speaking guide and includes hotel pickup, so you do not need to make your own way to a meeting point. It is a practical choice for travellers who want to see the new lava fields without renting a car or navigating the peninsula's roads themselves. The itinerary also touches Vík í Mýrdal, which stretches the day considerably, so expect a long but full outing rather than a quick look at the volcano.

Photographs from the operator BusTravel Iceland. They show the listing, not your day.

What the 132 USD covers and what it does not

The entry price starts at 132 USD, which places this tour among the more affordable options in its category. That price covers your transport from Reykjavik, the guide, and the planned stops. Hotel pickup is explicitly part of the deal, so you do not need to factor in a separate transfer to a departure point. Food is not included in the price, and the operator does not offer it as an add-on either. You should bring your own lunch and snacks for the day, since the schedule is long and the stops are not built around meal breaks. The only official extra you may encounter is a parking fee of 1,000 ISK at the eruption-site trailheads, charged at the P1 and P2 car parks. This fee is set by the site, not by the operator, and it applies if you arrive by the tour's vehicle. No admission is charged at any of the places on the itinerary, and no other gate costs apply. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, so if that is a requirement for you, this is not the right fit.

A score backed by more than a thousand reviews

The tour holds a rating of 4.6 out of 5, and that score comes from 1,154 reviews. That is a substantial base, and it is the second-highest number of reviews among the 41 volcano tours in this category. Only one other listing in the group has more people weighing in, which means this rating is not a thin sample. A 4.6 from over a thousand travellers is a solid signal that the experience matches what is promised. In terms of price, this tour ranks sixth cheapest out of the 41, putting it in the most affordable 15 percent of the group, where prices range from 24 USD to over 4,000 USD. So you are getting a well-reviewed tour at a price that sits well below the middle of the pack. That combination of broad feedback and a low price makes it a strong value proposition, though the long duration and the distance to Vík mean it is not the most efficient use of a day if you only care about the volcano itself.

When the weather cooperates with the long drive

Reykjavik's temperatures peak in July at 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and stay above 10 degrees from June through September. The tour runs for nine hours, most of it outdoors on the peninsula, so the warmer months are the practical window. In May, highs reach 10 degrees and lows sit at 4 degrees, which is workable but calls for layers. June through August is the sweet spot, with highs between 13 and 15 degrees and lows that do not drop below 7 degrees. The shoulder months of April and October are cooler, with highs of 7 and 8 degrees respectively, and the wind on the exposed Reykjanes peninsula will make those temperatures feel sharper. From November to March, highs hover around 3 to 5 degrees and lows fall below freezing, which makes a nine-hour outdoor day uncomfortable at best. The daylight hours also matter: in winter the sun is up for only a few hours, which would leave much of the tour in darkness. Plan for the period between May and September, and start early in the day to make the most of the light.

What happens when you reach the eruption site

The tour's main stop is the eruption site on the Reykjanes peninsula, where you will park at one of the designated trailheads, P1 or P2. From there, a path leads toward the lava field. The site is open and exposed, so the weather plays a large role in what you see and how long you can stay. Rain and wind are common on the peninsula, and visibility can drop quickly, which can shorten the time at the site. The guide decides when to turn back based on conditions, and that call is made for safety rather than to cut the tour short. There is no visitor centre or staffed building at the trailhead, so you should be prepared to be outside for the duration of the stop. The parking fee of 1,000 ISK is collected at the car park, and the guide handles that as part of the tour. After the eruption site, the tour continues toward Vík í Mýrdal, which adds a significant stretch of driving to the day.

Who this day suits, and who should look elsewhere

This tour is for travellers who want to see the new volcanic landscape in person and are comfortable with a long day that includes a considerable amount of driving. The nine-hour duration and the detour to Vík mean you should be happy to spend a good part of the day on the road. It suits hikers who are prepared for uneven terrain and changeable weather. If you are short on time or prefer a more focused experience, the Guided Afternoon Hiking Tour to New Volcano Site runs for seven hours and is a shorter alternative that stays closer to the eruption area. That tour also starts from 132 USD and has a rating of 4.4 from 942 reviews, so it is a comparable but more compact option. If you would rather see volcanic geology without the hike, the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour offers a 1 to 3 hour underground walk for from 67 USD, rated 4.7 from 852 reviews. This Reykjanes tour is not for anyone with limited mobility, since it is not wheelchair accessible and the eruption site involves walking on rough ground.

GYG

Reykjavík: Volcano Eruption Site and Reykjanes Hiking Tour

Dates, remaining places and the current version of what is included are at the operator. This page reflects the state of the catalogue, not the state of this morning.

from $132

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