Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

The appeal here is the sheer range: in one day, you can look into a volcanic crater, watch Strokkur blast hot water skyward, walk beside a powerful waterfall, soak in a geothermal pool and head back out after dark to seek the aurora. It is a big Iceland sampler, with the driving handled for you.

I like two things in particular: Kerið and Secret Lagoon admission are included, so the price covers more than transport, and the Golden Circle route mixes famous sights with a proper hot-spring break. Guides such as Anna and Sunny have been praised for sharing Icelandic stories and culture, not just calling out the next stop.

The trade-off is the clock. This is a very long day, with a second bus and a late-night return, and Northern Lights sightings depend on weather and clear skies. Pickup at the central bus stop can also feel crowded and confusing, so arrive early and confirm your bus before boarding.

• Kerið crater: Walk the rim or follow the path down toward the water inside the volcanic bowl.
• Strokkur at Geysir: It erupts about every 10 minutes, so you have several chances to catch the show.
• Gullfoss: View the powerful, two-level waterfall from more than one platform.
• Þingvellir: See the rift between tectonic plates and hear about Iceland’s early parliament.
• Secret Lagoon: Warm geothermal water, changing facilities and a chance to slow down mid-tour.
• Aurora hunt: A separate evening bus searches the countryside for clearer skies.

One day, two tours and a late finish

This package pairs a daytime Golden Circle circuit and Secret Lagoon visit with a separate Northern Lights bus tour. The morning pickup starts at Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, on Þórunnartún 6 in Reykjavik, at about 8:00 am. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so do not expect the coach to arrive at the exact start time.

The full experience lasts about 13 hours and 30 minutes. The aurora tour has its own pickup from the same location, beginning at 8:30 pm, and can also take up to 30 minutes. Your evening ride is on a different bus, with a different guide, so treat the break between tours as a pause in a long day, not a full evening at leisure.

The daytime group can have as many as 60 people. That gives you the convenience and lower per-person cost of a large coach, but it is not an intimate small-group outing. If you like having a guide, transport and a clear route arranged for you, that trade-off may feel worthwhile.

Kerið’s volcanic bowl comes first

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a lake at its base. The path follows the rim and winds down into the crater, offering a closer look at the water and the steep slopes around it. The stop is relatively brief, about 25 minutes on location, so choose your walk with the clock in mind.

The admission ticket is included. That removes one small cost and lets you focus on the site rather than sorting out entry on arrival. You may not have time to linger over every viewpoint, but even a short walk gives you a striking first look at Iceland’s volcanic terrain.

Strokkur makes the Geysir stop lively

The geothermal area is home to steaming pools and hot streams, along with Strokkur, the geyser that reliably puts on the main show. It erupts roughly every 10 minutes and can send water up to 40 metres into the air. Since the stop allows about 75 minutes, you should have time to watch more than one eruption and explore the surrounding area.

The original Geysir is the source of the word geyser, now used around the world, but it is no longer active. Strokkur is the one to watch. Keep your distance from the hot water and be ready with your camera, but do not spend the whole stop staring at a screen. The steam, bubbling pools and sudden burst are worth seeing with your own eyes.

This is also the planned lunch stop, and the nearby centre has food and drink options, according to the tour’s on-the-ground arrangements. Lunch is not included, so bring money for a meal or snacks. Some groups have also used nearby stops for restrooms and bakery treats, but do not count on a particular menu or a specific extra stop.

Gullfoss brings the water and the spray

Gullfoss is fed largely by meltwater from Langjökull glacier. The waterfall drops in stages, and its force is easy to understand once you are close enough to feel the spray. Several viewing platforms offer different angles, though paths can be wet, cold or exposed to wind.

The visit lasts about 40 minutes. That is enough time for a walk to the viewpoints and a few photos, but not a leisurely wander. Stay on the marked paths and dress for wind and spray, even if the weather in Reykjavik seems mild. In severe winters, the falls have been known to freeze, though this is increasingly rare.

Þingvellir links geology with Icelandic history

Þingvellir National Park matters for two very different reasons. Iceland’s parliament, Alþingi, first met here in the late 10th century, drawing chieftains from across the country to discuss shared concerns. The place is also set along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the edges of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates can be seen on land.

You have about 40 minutes at the park, with the guide introducing the site before you explore on your own. That short visit means you will get an overview rather than a full walk through the area. I would listen closely to the guide’s explanation, then use your free time to take in the rift and the setting.

Secret Lagoon is the day’s warm pause

Gamla Laugin, better known as the Secret Lagoon, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. Its warm water offers a welcome contrast to a day spent outside in the cold. The ticket is included, and the visit is a central part of the package rather than an optional extra.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. You can rent them at the pool for an additional fee if you forget, but packing your own avoids that extra expense. Lockers and changing facilities are available. Be prepared for communal showering before entering the pool, including showering without a swimsuit; there may not be much privacy in the shower area. If that would make you uncomfortable, consider this carefully before booking.

The water is natural and may contain algae, so do not expect the polished, treated feel of a modern spa. The setting and warm soak are the point. A small geyser nearby erupts every few minutes, adding a bit of geothermal theatre while you rest.

The day’s route gives you several outdoor stops before the pool, so think of the lagoon as a chance to warm up and recover, not a substitute for warm clothing. The schedule gives the lagoon a substantial stop, though the precise time in the water will depend on the day’s timing.

A second bus takes you into the night

The Northern Lights portion is not a continuation of the daytime coach ride. You board another bus at the same Reykjavik pickup point, with departure beginning at 8:30 pm. The guide and driver head into the countryside and may try several locations in search of clear skies and aurora activity. The tour lasts about three hours.

This is a search, not a show with a fixed stage time. The lights are a natural phenomenon, and clouds or poor conditions can prevent a sighting. Some departures have found the aurora quickly, while others have been cancelled or ended without a clear view. If the tour is cancelled because of poor weather, the stated options are another date or a full refund.

Bring more warm layers than you think you need. Cold and wind feel sharper when you are standing outside at night, waiting and watching the sky. Guides on past trips have helped with camera settings and photos, and hot chocolate has been served on some outings, but neither should be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure.

Guides and group logistics shape the day

The daytime guides are often a strong part of the experience. Anna, Sunny and Heidi are among the guides whose names have been associated with lively explanations and a friendly manner. The guiding style can vary, of course, and the evening tour has a different team. Expect useful context and stories, but not the same person leading both parts.

The biggest practical snag is pickup. Bus Stop #12 can serve several coaches at once, and passengers may gather around while drivers check names. Some departures have felt chaotic, especially in the evening. Get there ahead of time, listen for your name and bus information, and ask a staff member if you are unsure rather than guessing which coach is yours.

Seats cannot be booked in advance, and families may not be able to sit together if they board late. If sitting together is important, arrive early and tell staff about your needs as soon as you can. The group size can reach 60, so allow a little patience at boarding and at busy stops.

Is $185 good value?

At $185 per person, the package offers two bus tours, transport from Reykjavik, guide services, Wi-Fi on board, and entry to both Kerið and the Secret Lagoon. You also get the key Golden Circle stops and an evening aurora search without having to rent a car, navigate in winter conditions or plan separate transport.

That is a useful bundle if you have limited time in Iceland or prefer to leave the route and driving to someone else. Lunch is extra, and towel or swimsuit rental at the lagoon costs more if needed. The value is strongest when you make use of both parts of the day and are comfortable with a long schedule.

It is less suitable if you want a slow visit at each stop, a small group or a guaranteed Northern Lights sighting. You are paying for the chance to search, not a promise that the aurora will appear. If the lights are your main reason for booking, leave room in your itinerary for another attempt on a different night.

Should you book this Golden Circle and aurora combo?

I would choose this tour if you have one full day, want the major Golden Circle sights plus a geothermal soak, and are happy to spend much of the day with a group. The included Kerið and Secret Lagoon tickets make the price easier to justify, and the combination saves you from arranging several separate outings.

Skip it if you dislike communal changing rooms, need a quiet evening or want to explore each site at your own pace. The best way to prepare is simple: bring swimwear and a towel, pack warm layers, budget for lunch, and arrive early for both pickups. Then treat the aurora as a bonus, not a guarantee.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, at Þórunnartún 6 in Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The daytime pickup starts at 8:00 am and may take up to 30 minutes. The Northern Lights tour has a separate pickup from the same location beginning at 8:30 pm, also with a pickup window of up to 30 minutes.

How long is the experience?

The combined experience lasts about 13 hours and 30 minutes. The Northern Lights portion is a separate bus tour lasting about three hours.

Are Kerið and Secret Lagoon tickets included?

Yes. Admission to Kerið crater and the Secret Lagoon is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The Geysir stop has food options nearby, but you should plan to pay separately for a meal.

What should I bring for the Secret Lagoon?

Bring your swimsuit and a towel. Both can be rented at the lagoon for an additional fee.

Is a Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The evening guide searches for the lights and may visit several locations, but sightings depend on conditions. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.