South Coast and Glacier Snowmobiling Day Trip from Reykjavik

Mýrdalsjökull is the main event: after a long drive from Reykjavík, you trade the coach seat for a snowmobile and ride up onto one of Iceland’s great glaciers. On a clear day, the summit offers wide views across South Iceland, with a very different perspective from the waterfalls along the road.

I like that no snowmobile experience is required and that protective clothing and safety gear are included. I also like the mix of glacier time and two major waterfalls in one day. The drawback is the tight schedule: the ride depends on glacier conditions, and the waterfall stops are only about 30 minutes each.

Key points

• One hour on the glacier: The guided snowmobile ride is the active core of the day, within a roughly three-hour stop at Mýrdalsjökull.
• Two people per snowmobile: You can ride as a passenger without a licence, but drivers need a valid driver’s licence.
• A full day on the road: Expect about 10 hours in total, including the coach journey from Reykjavík and stops at Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
• Small group size: The tour has a maximum of 15 participants.
• Pack your own lunch: Food and drinks are not included, and there is no lunch stop on the route.
• Weather can change the plan: Snowmobiling may be cancelled because of glacier conditions, including after you have left Reykjavík.

The glacier ride is the reason to go

This day trip combines two very different ways to see South Iceland. From the road, you watch the scenery pass through the coach windows. At Mýrdalsjökull, you gear up and follow an instructor by snowmobile toward the glacier summit. The ride lasts about an hour, while the full glacier stop is scheduled for three hours, allowing time for the briefing, equipment, and group movement as well as the ride itself.

You do not need previous snowmobile experience. That makes this a reasonable option if you want to try a glacier ride but do not own winter gear or know how to operate a machine. Your guide gives a safety briefing and leads the group throughout. The snowmobiles carry two people each, so you can share with a companion or ride as a passenger.

There is one important distinction: passengers do not need a driving licence, but anyone who wants to drive must bring a valid one. If you are booking as a pair, decide in advance who hopes to take the controls. You should also be ready to follow the instructor’s directions, since the route and ride depend on conditions on the glacier.

The ride earns its appeal from the setting as much as the speed. Mýrdalsjökull is a large glacier, and a trip toward its summit gives you a view across the south that you cannot get from the road. Weather matters, though. Clear conditions can open up far-reaching views; poor weather may obscure them or lead to cancellation of the snowmobile portion.

Reykjavík to Mýrdalsjökull takes time

The tour starts at 9:00 am at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík. Pickup is also offered at select central hotels, but the listed meeting point is the terminal, so check your confirmation carefully if you expect to be collected elsewhere. A climate-controlled bus carries the group south, and the total outing lasts about 10 hours.

That is a substantial amount of time on the road. The drive is part of the day’s sightseeing, with views of Icelandic scenery from the window, but it is not the same as stopping to explore. If you want to linger at every viewpoint or take a slower route, a self-drive trip gives you more control. This guided option trades that freedom for transport, a local guide, and the glacier activity.

The group limit of 15 is a practical plus. It keeps the outing smaller than a large coach excursion, though the long drive and shared schedule still shape the day. The route is designed to cover several headline sights without asking you to arrange separate transport or equipment.

The experience is operated by Reykjavik Excursions. The supplied details do not name an individual guide, so expect a professional local guide rather than a specific person. The quality of commentary can vary: some participants have found the information and guidance helpful, while others wanted more explanation at the stops. If local context matters to you, ask questions during the ride rather than assuming every stop will come with an extended talk.

Skógafoss makes a dramatic first stop

Skógafoss is scheduled for about 30 minutes. It is one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, and the route to the glacier makes it a natural early stop. The falls are also a starting point for the Fimmvörðuháls route toward Þórsmörk, a well-known hiking trail. You do not need to hike to appreciate the scale of the waterfall, but a half-hour visit is brief.

Admission is free, and you should treat this as a photo and short walking stop rather than an unrushed visit. The ground and conditions can vary, so wear shoes and outer layers suited to Icelandic weather. If you have a particular view or photo in mind, use your time efficiently; the group will need to return to the bus on schedule.

A short stop can be a good way to see Skógafoss without planning a separate trip, especially if the glacier ride is your priority. It can also feel hurried if you want time to explore the surroundings. The schedule gives you a taste, not an afternoon.

Three hours at Mýrdalsjökull, including the ride

At the glacier, the guide gives a safety briefing before the group puts on the provided protective clothing and equipment. Once everyone is ready, you follow the instructor by snowmobile. The guided ride itself lasts about one hour, even though the stop at the glacier is scheduled for three hours.

That distinction helps set expectations. You are not snowmobiling for the whole three-hour block. The additional time is needed for preparation and the practical demands of getting a group onto and off the glacier. The pace is guided rather than free-form, which is reassuring for first-timers and keeps the group together.

The machine-sharing arrangement can affect how much time you spend driving. Each snowmobile carries two people. The tour information does not specify whether partners swap positions or how driving time is divided, so ask the guide before the ride if that matters to you. If you prefer not to drive, you can still take part as a passenger.

The glacier is a place where plans are especially vulnerable to weather. The tour may be cancelled if conditions are unsuitable, and a change can happen after departure from Reykjavík. That is a real downside of booking a glacier activity: you may spend hours on the road and still not get the ride. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund, but that does not replace the lost day in your Iceland itinerary.

Seljalandsfoss offers a different kind of waterfall stop

After the glacier, the tour visits Seljalandsfoss for about 30 minutes. This waterfall is known for a path that lets you walk behind the falling water and come out on the other side. That unusual angle makes it a memorable contrast to Skógafoss, where the main draw is the broad face of the falls.

The path is not the whole point of the stop, and the time is limited. If the conditions allow you to walk behind the falls, you may want waterproof outerwear, since getting close to a waterfall can mean spray. The tour details do not guarantee that the path will be open or suitable on the day, so keep your plans flexible.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look, but not necessarily for a leisurely visit. Some people may find the short waterfall stops frustrating, particularly after the long coach ride. I would choose this tour for the glacier ride first and consider the falls a valuable bonus, not the reason to book.

The day’s sightseeing is sometimes described as including the Skógar Folk Museum as well. However, the main stop schedule gives timed visits to Skógafoss, Mýrdalsjökull, and Seljalandsfoss, without a separate museum stop or duration. Do not build your plans around a museum visit unless it is confirmed for your departure.

Bring food and dress for a changeable day

Food and drinks are not included, and there is no place to stop for lunch on this tour. Bring a picnic lunch and water, and eat before the snowmobile ride if you can. A light snack afterward is also a sensible idea. With a 10-hour day and no meal stop, arriving without food can make the return journey feel longer than it needs to.

Protective clothing and safety equipment for the snowmobile ride are provided. That does not remove the need to dress for a full day outdoors and on a coach. Bring layers and clothing suitable for Iceland’s changing weather, especially if you want to spend time outside at the waterfalls. The operator’s equipment is for the ride; it is not a substitute for your own comfortable travel clothing.

The tour is not open to children aged seven and younger. Only one child is permitted per adult. The information says most people can participate, but the day includes a long coach journey, outdoor stops, and a snowmobile ride, so consider whether that combination suits your group.

Is $249 good value for this day?

At $249, the price covers round-trip bus fare, a professional local guide, the one-hour guided snowmobile ride, protective clothing and safety equipment, and the safety briefing. It also brings together three major sights without requiring you to rent a car or arrange a separate glacier operator.

The glacier activity is the value hinge. If snowmobiling on Mýrdalsjökull is high on your list, combining it with transport from Reykjavík and waterfall stops can make the price easier to justify. If you mainly want to see Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, the short visits and long drive may make a self-drive day more appealing, if you are comfortable driving in Iceland.

The cost does not include food or drinks, so budget for those separately. It also cannot guarantee ideal weather or a successful ride. The experience is best value when you are comfortable paying for the chance to snowmobile on a glacier, even though conditions can sometimes prevent that part of the day.

The overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 22 ratings, but the practical picture is mixed. The strongest points are the glacier views, a well-organized ride, and guides who take safety seriously. There are also reports of confusing changes around pickup or whether the snowmobile ride would run, as well as visits that felt rushed or had little commentary. These are worth keeping in mind, especially if you have a tight schedule or expect a guided talk at each stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this trip?

I would book this tour if the glacier ride is the main reason you want to go south, you are happy to spend much of the day on a coach, and you can be flexible about weather. It is particularly suited to first-time snowmobilers who want instruction and equipment included, and to pairs who are comfortable sharing one machine.

I would look at other options if you want long, unhurried visits at the waterfalls, a guaranteed snowmobile session, or a full day of detailed historical commentary. Before booking, confirm your pickup point, check the driver’s licence requirement if you plan to operate the snowmobile, and pack lunch. Those small steps make a long day easier, and help you focus on the remarkable part: riding across a glacier high above South Iceland.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The full day lasts about 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is the BSÍ Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10 in Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from select hotels in Reykjavík. The listed meeting point is BSÍ Bus Terminal, so check your booking details to confirm your pickup location.

Do I need snowmobiling experience?

No previous snowmobiling experience is required. A guide gives a safety briefing and leads the ride.

Do I need a driver’s licence?

You need a valid driver’s licence to drive a snowmobile. Passengers do not need one.

How many people ride on each snowmobile?

Two people share each snowmobile.

How long is the snowmobile ride?

The guided snowmobile experience lasts one hour. The scheduled stop at Mýrdalsjökull is three hours.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no lunch stop, so bring a picnic lunch.

Can the snowmobile ride be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The ride depends on conditions on the glacier and may be cancelled, including after departure from Reykjavík. If the tour is cancelled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.