Reykjavík: 2-Day Tour with Icebergs, Glaciers & Waterfalls

From Reykjavík, this two-day trip heads east along Iceland’s south coast, where waterfalls pour from cliffs, black sand meets the Atlantic and icebergs drift across a glacial lagoon. The long distances are part of the bargain: you can see far more than you could comfortably manage on a day trip, without driving yourself.

I like the mix of major sights and smaller stops, especially the trio of Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Gljúfrabúi. I also like having the choice to add a glacier hike or an amphibious boat ride at Jökulsárlón, so you can tailor the trip to your interests and budget.

The main drawback is that this is a packed route, and Iceland’s weather can change plans. You’ll spend plenty of time on the bus, meals may come late, and optional activities can be affected by conditions.

• Three waterfalls in one day: Visit Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and the less familiar Gljúfrabúi.
• Two ways to get closer to the ice: Choose an optional glacier hike or a boat ride at Jökulsárlón.
• A night outside Reykjavík: The overnight stay includes a private ensuite room and breakfast.
• Black sand and basalt: Reynisfjara’s dark shore, hexagonal columns and rock stacks make a striking stop.
• Long but well-supported drives: Pickup, an English-speaking guide, bus Wi-Fi and USB chargers are included.

A two-day route that earns its miles

At $623 per person, this is not a cheap bus outing. But the price covers two days of transport from Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, one night in a double or twin room with a private bathroom, and breakfast. The distance covered is substantial, and the trip links waterfalls, a glacier area, Reynisfjara, Jökulsárlón, a turf-roofed church and a river canyon in one circuit.

The two optional activities cost extra unless you select a booking option that includes them. The glacier hike is about two hours and comes with the necessary safety equipment. The amphibious boat ride takes you onto the lagoon. If either activity is a priority, check that your chosen option includes it rather than assuming it comes with the base price.

Transport matters on this route. You’re heading a long way from the capital, and a guide handles the driving while adding context along the way. Past guides have included Addi, Gulli, Filip, Christina, David and others. The guide you get will vary, but a strong guide can make the long stretches more interesting and help adjust the day when weather changes.

Reykjavík pickup and the first waterfalls

Pickup is included in Reykjavík, though buses cannot enter some parts of the city center. You may need to meet at the nearest bus stop instead, so check your pickup details before setting out. The bus has Wi-Fi and USB chargers, useful comforts when the road between stops takes time.

Seljalandsfoss is the first waterfall on the route. Skógafoss follows, with its broad, forceful cascade, then comes Gljúfrabúi, a less familiar waterfall. Together, these stops offer three different encounters with Iceland’s abundant water, rather than repeating the same viewpoint all day.

Allow time for wet conditions around waterfalls. Comfortable shoes are on the suggested packing list for good reason, and a camera is worth bringing. The schedule includes several stops, but your time at each place is finite, so be ready to get on and off the bus when the guide calls the group back.

Glacier views, with a hike if you choose

The drive continues beneath Eyjafjallajökull, the glacier volcano, and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier cap. You can admire the view without taking part in the optional hike. If you choose the hike, expect about two hours on the ice and safety equipment provided for the activity.

The draw is the chance to see blue ice at close range rather than only from the road. It is also the part of the trip that requires the most from you physically. The tour is not suitable for children under 10 or wheelchair users, and the hike is optional, so consider your comfort with an active outing before paying for that add-on.

Weather and safety conditions can change the plan. A boat trip has been canceled because of high winds, and severe weather has also forced a tour to change course. Guides may adjust the order of stops or add other ones when conditions allow, but no itinerary can guarantee every activity in Iceland. Treat the hike and boat as options, not promises.

Reynisfjara’s black shore and basalt columns

Reynisfjara brings a different kind of drama. Black sand runs to the Atlantic, while hexagonal basalt columns and rock stacks rise above the shore. The contrast of dark beach, pale surf and angular stone makes this one of the trip’s most memorable stops.

Give yourself time to take in the setting, but follow your guide’s instructions and keep safety in mind. The sea is a powerful presence here, not just a backdrop for photographs. The tour’s stop is designed to let you explore the beach, but the weather and timetable will shape how long you stay.

A countryside overnight, not a Reykjavík return

After the first day’s stops, you stay overnight in traditional Icelandic countryside accommodation. The price includes a double or twin room with an ensuite bathroom and breakfast. It’s a practical break in the middle of a long route, rather than a late-night drive all the way back to Reykjavík.

Lunch and dinner are not included. Scheduled stops allow you to buy food, but meal times may not match your usual routine. One reported schedule put lunch at 2 p.m. and dinner at 8:30 p.m., so it’s sensible to carry a snack and be prepared for a late meal. Food stops were also described as comfortable, but you should budget separately for both meals.

Jökulsárlón and the optional lagoon boat

The second day reaches Jökulsárlón, where large chunks of ice break away from Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and float through the lagoon toward the sea. Even from shore, the scene gives you a close look at ice in motion, with the size and shape of the pieces changing as they drift.

An optional amphibious boat tour takes you onto the water. It adds a different viewpoint and can bring the ice closer, but it depends on conditions. High winds have led to cancellations. If the boat is a major reason you’re booking, understand that it may not run; a refund for the extra fee has been provided after a cancellation, but you should confirm the applicable terms when booking.

Diamond Beach is a natural companion to the lagoon experience and is named among the tour’s main sights. The ice and shoreline make this a key part of the eastward journey, though the exact time available depends on the day’s pace and conditions. Keep your camera handy, but don’t spend the whole stop looking through its screen.

Hofskirkja and Fjaðrárgljúfur on the way back

The return journey includes Hofskirkja, a small church with a turf roof, then the views at Fjaðrárgljúfur River Canyon. These stops break up the long drive and show different sides of the countryside beyond waterfalls and ice.

The canyon is a scenic finale before the bus turns back toward Reykjavík. You’ll have covered a lot of ground in two days, and the drive home is a chance to rest after frequent stops. The tour is designed to see many sights efficiently, not to linger for hours at any one place.

Who will get the most from this trip

This tour suits you if you have limited time in Iceland and want to see a broad sweep of the south coast without renting a car. It’s also a good fit if you value a guide who can explain the places you’re seeing and keep the trip moving. Past guides such as Addi, Gulli and Christina have been praised for their care, storytelling and attention to the group, including during glacier hikes.

The pace may be less appealing if you prefer long, unstructured visits or want to control every stop. You’ll get in and out of the bus many times, and the overall route depends on road and weather conditions. One visitor felt some stops had too much time while others needed more, a useful reminder that a group schedule cannot suit every preference.

Pack comfortable shoes, a camera and clothing appropriate for changeable weather. Smoking and large bags are not allowed on the tour. Children under 10 and wheelchair users are not suited to this activity. Lunch and dinner are extra, and you should leave room in your budget for the optional hike or boat if either appeals.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a guided, two-day introduction to the south coast’s waterfalls, glaciers, black beach and lagoon, and you’re comfortable with a full schedule and long drives. The overnight stay, breakfast and transport make the $623 price more useful than a simple day excursion, especially if you want both the coast and Jökulsárlón without planning the route yourself.

Look elsewhere if you need guaranteed access to the glacier hike or boat, or if you want a slow-paced visit with flexible meal times. Weather can interrupt plans, and the optional activities add to the cost. For a compact trip with a wide range of scenery, though, this is a strong way to see the south coast.

FAQ

What is included in the $623 price?

The tour includes Reykjavík pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, bus transport with Wi-Fi and USB chargers, one night in a double or twin room with an ensuite bathroom, and breakfast. The glacier hike and lagoon boat are included only if you select an option that covers them.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. The tour makes scheduled stops where you can buy lunch and dinner. Meal times can be late, so carrying a snack is a sensible idea.

How long is the glacier hike?

The optional glacier hike takes about two hours. Safety equipment is provided if you select this activity.

Is the Jökulsárlón boat trip guaranteed?

No. The amphibious boat tour is optional and may be canceled in poor conditions, including high winds.

Where will I be picked up in Reykjavík?

Pickup is included, but buses cannot enter some parts of central Reykjavík. Your pickup may be at the nearest bus stop instead.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10 or wheelchair users.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a camera. Lunch and dinner are not included, so plan to buy food during the scheduled stops.