Bus tours in Iceland

While you can travel around Iceland by public bus, it’s not the most convenient option. Buses mainly run from major towns and stop only at specific spots. If you're looking to visit attractions along the Ring Road, this might not be the best way to travel.

Plus, you can't book pre-book your seat on public buses, and their schedules are shorter on weekends, public holidays, and during the winter.

Alternatively, organized bus tours are one of the easiest and most stress-free ways to discover Iceland’s incredible sights! At Iceland Tours, we offer multi-day and guided group trips that depart straight from Keflavík airport. And during your trip, you'll be picked up from your hotel or a handy meeting point and taken you to top landmarks around the country.

So you can sit back, relax, and enjoy Iceland’s jaw-dropping scenery!

Guided tours are 100% worth it! On a guided bus tour, you won’t have to stress about finding your way on unfamiliar roads. You can just focus on the views and let someone else do the driving.

You’ll be led around Iceland’s epic landscapes by expert local guides who know the country inside out. Just show up at the meeting point, and get ready to hear all sorts of cool facts and stories from your guide.

What’s more, you’ll get to socialize and make new friends with other travelers. This is especially true for guided group tours, where you’ll be with the same people throughout your trip.

But bus tours aren’t the only way to discover what Iceland has to offer. If you’d rather do the driving and travel independently, a self-drive tour is for you.

Or you could experience the country in a more exclusive way on a privately guided group tour. This way, you get to learn about Iceland from your personal guide and enjoy the comfort of your own private car.

The Land of Fire and Ice is packed with mind-blowing natural attractions and incredible experiences. Here are some of the best things to see and do on an Iceland tour by bus:

• Soak in the milky-blue waters of the Blue Lagoon
• Spend a full day exploring the Golden Circle’s natural wonders
• Discover hot springs and waterfalls in South Iceland
• Spot the colorful Aurora on a magical Northern Lights tour
• Experience the volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn
• Explore the Snæfellsnes peninsula, AKA ‘Iceland in Miniature’
• Go on a whale-watching tour from Reykjavík or Akureyri
• Venture into a glacier on a guided ice cave tour
• Visit charming fishing villages along the Arctic coast
• Tour the legendary Ring Road route

If you pick a multi-day package, you’ll be based in Reykjavík or Akureyri for your whole trip. So you’ll get to explore the south or north of Iceland on day trips.

Alternatively, guided group tours take you to a different part of the country each day. These include the wild and rugged Westfjords and the beautiful Eastfjords region.

The best time for a bus trip to Iceland depends on what you're into. If you're drawn to the magical Northern Lights and exciting winter activities like ice caving, then you’ll want to visit between October to March.

Meanwhile, summer gives you almost 24 hours of daylight to explore waterfalls, glaciers, and other epic sights. This is also the best time to see puffins, whales, and other animals. So if you're after the midnight sun, wildlife spotting, and lush landscapes, then head over from April to September.

The number of days you need in Iceland depends on what you want to see and do. A good rule of thumb is at least 7 days to cover the highlights comfortably. This lets you explore must-see spots like the Golden Circle and the stunning south coast.

If you've got less than a week, consider multi-day tours, which are fantastic for packing in lots of sights and activities. As you’ll be based in the cities of Reykjavík or Akureyri, you’ll also get to check out restaurants, museums, and other cultural attractions.

All of our bus tours include airport transfers to and from Keflavík International Airport, places to stay, local transport, and some activities. You’ll also get a delicious breakfast each day, a detailed itinerary, and access to our 24/7 helpline while you’re in Iceland.

You can also customize your trip with extra days in Reykjavík or Akureyri and bonus activities. For example, you could visit North Iceland’s Forest Lagoon or go on a volcano tour inside the dormant Þríhnúkagígur.

Start by checking out the vacation packages on this page and choosing your ideal trip.

Once you’ve picked your tour, just follow the steps on the trip page to book online. You can add extra days and activities at checkout to customize your trip. Once you’ve completed your booking, you’ll get a confirmation email from us.

For multi-day bus tours, you can choose any departure day you like.

Guided group tours have fixed departures. You can find a list of start dates on each tour page, so simply pick the one that fits your schedule. There are plenty of options available during the summer and winter seasons.

When you have a general idea of your travel dates and trip duration, start searching for flights to Iceland. This will help you get an idea of prices and your expected arrival time.

Enter these dates into the booking form when you reserve your tour online. After your trip is confirmed, you can go ahead and book your flights.

Whenever you’re visiting Iceland, you’ll want to dress right. Below we’ve put together a few essential items to add to your list:

• Waterproof hiking boots
• Thermal layers
• Insulated jacket
• Wool or fleece sweaters
• Waterproof rain jacket and pants
• Gloves, hat, and scarf
• Sunglasses
• Swimming gear
• Moisturizer and lip balm

Check out this Iceland packing list for more helpful tips on what to bring.