Iceland · CITY TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 city tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Use a 24 or 48-hour ticket to tour Reykjavik by open-top sightseeing bus. Ride the full 80-minute loop first, then hop off at Harpa, the harbor, Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan, museums, and more. Audio is available in eight languages, and you can track buses with stop QR codes.
“Excellent. A great way to get about and see attractions.”
Use a 1, 2, or 3-day Reykjavík City Card for free entry to major museums, city pools, the zoo, and unlimited city buses. Pick up the physical card at a listed museum, then visit places such as the National Museum, Settlement Exhibition, Maritime Museum, and Viðey Island. Discounts are also available at selected attractions.
“very easy to exchange the card and easy to use. just show to counter then can explore. the bad things is the operation hours too short so cant explore more”
Use a City Sightseeing Reykjavik double-decker bus to circle the capital in about 80 minutes, with 16 stops including Harpa, Hallgrimskirkja, Perlan, Laugardalur, and the Old Harbour. Your pass works for 24 or 48 hours after first use, with multilingual audio, headphones, and Wi-Fi. Plan carefully around limited service hours and possible audio faults.
“As with most things in Iceland it’s the cost of things to do. However it’s a good way of seeing the city and the in house information is very useful. The bus visit all the sites and helps with deciding where to go in the future. If you haven’t done any research where to go this bus is useful”
Airport Direct takes you from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik in about 45 minutes, then connects you to a green SmartBus for hotel or bus-stop drop-off. Expect WiFi, seat chargers, air conditioning, and a possible luggage change at the Reykjavik terminal. Current operators may vary.
“easy going and reliable i would for sure will recommend this company. smooth rides from the aiport to my hotel”
Walk nearly three miles through central Reykjavik with an English-speaking guide, visiting Arnarholl, Laugavegur, Parliament, Hallgrimskirkja, Lake Tjornin, and the Einar Jonsson sculpture garden. Small groups of up to 10 make it easy to ask questions. Expect local snacks, city stories, and an uphill finish.
“Luca was very knowledgeable and helpful. Gave us wonderful advice on places to eat and shop. Highly recommended.”
Start by Leifur Eiríksson’s statue at Hallgrímskirkja, then walk downhill through Reykjavík for 2.5 hours. Your English-speaking local guide covers Icelandic history, culture, architecture, Laugavegur, Alþingi, Tjörnin, and Harpa. Small groups, warm indoor stops, and an easy route make this a useful first-day introduction.
“The tour was brilliant. Ryan was knowledgeable, informative and covered a lot during the tour. It was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend!”
Book a shared Airport Direct transfer from Reykjavik to Keflavik Airport for $41.58. SmartBus collects you at your hotel or assigned city bus stop, then takes you to Reykjavik Terminal for the orange airport bus. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, and arrive 30 minutes early.
“Make sure you're at the correct bus stop at the right time. Busses are prompt. Drivers are helpful if you have questions”
Ride a Gray Line Iceland coach from Reykjavik Terminal at Skógarhlíð 10 to Keflavik International Airport. The direct trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour, with air conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, and room for two suitcases plus one carry-on. Multiple daily departures make this a useful low-cost option, but you must confirm the correct terminal and departure time.
“Beautiful experience Marta is a great tour guide Easy to communicate and reschedule Dress in layers Fun group trip”
Spend 2.5 hours walking central Reykjavik with an English-speaking guide. See Hallgrímskirkja, Þingholt, Tjörnin pond, City Hall, the Alþingi, Einar Jónsson’s sculptures, the Old Harbour, Harpa, and Sólfar. Guides such as Sara, Thomas, Lalli, and Hafþór Óli bring history, mythology, geology, and useful city tips to life.
“Thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Fab yeast going guide. Would highly recommend.”
Spend about 2.5 hours walking from Hallgrímskirkja through Þingholt, City Hall, Parliament, the cathedral, Old Harbour, Harpa, and Sun Voyager. Your guide covers Icelandic history, volcanoes, family names, myths, and local food tips. The group is limited to 12, though the bell tower visit should be confirmed before booking.
“Our guide, David was very accommodating and patient. He is charming. He recommended a good restaurant for us”
Take a one-way shared coach from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik in about 45 minutes to an hour. Show your mobile voucher at the Airport Direct or Gray Line desk, then ride in an air-conditioned bus with Wi-Fi. The service ends at Reykjavik Terminal, with listed drop-offs at Safnahúsið and Rauðarárstígur.
“Driver telling us about eruption of fissures so we got a great view. Also gave us the information to get to our hotel.”
Pre-book a one-way bus from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik Terminal in about 45 minutes. Your mobile voucher is enough, and the air-conditioned coach includes WiFi. Hotel drop-off is not included in the basic fare, but you can add a SmartBus connection to a Reykjavik hotel or nearby stop.
“Really good set up Really well organised no delays and driver helpful And quickly to our destination”
Walk about 4 km through Reykjavik with guide Luca, from Arnarholl Hill to Hallgrimskirkja and Einar Jonsson’s Museum. Expect Norse settlement stories, colorful homes, street art, architecture, dried fish, sweets, and Icelandic schnapps. The group is capped at 10, but the route includes an uphill finish, steps, and a total time of about three hours.
“Amazing tour, a must do! Luca is a very intellectual individual who explained everything (landmarks, history, geography, politics -unbiased, culture) in great detail, was eager to answer everyone's question and gave us pointers for whatever else we needed (other things to do in Iceland). This tour should be the first thing for a tourist to do once he reaches Reykjavik. If I ever happen to be in Reykjavik again, I will absolutely do this tour again.”
Walk downtown Reykjavik with a cat-loving English-speaking guide such as Barði, Stefán, or Einar. Hear Icelandic cat legends, spot local feline celebrities, visit Kattakaffihúsið for coffee or hot cocoa and a pastry, then finish near Hallgrimskirkja.
“We had such a lovely time! Such an intimate tour and we saw SO many cats despite the rain. It was the perfect way to start our vacation as cat lovers! Our guide Bardi was incredible. Thank you again!!”
Take a direct Airport Direct bus from Reykjavik Terminal at Skógarhlíð 10 to Keflavik International Airport in about 45 minutes. You get an assigned seat, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and a driver who handles the airport run. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your route to the terminal carefully.
“Easy. Make sure to arrange premium service to/from bus terminal to where you are staying. I had to switch my departure times which wasn't a problem.”
Pick a glacier, a harbour or a hot spring.
