Key takeaways
- Your tour departs from Reykjavik in the morning and returns the same day after 14 hours. Exact times depend on your hotel pickup location.
- Expect roughly 8 hours of travel by coach across Iceland's southern coast, leaving approximately 6 hours to explore and photograph at the five main stops.
- You'll spend several hours at the glacier lagoon itself, including time for the included boat tour across the icebergs and walking on the surrounding area.
- The tour visits Seljalandsfoss waterfall first, then travels south to Vik and Kirkjubæjarklaustur before reaching Jökulsárlón lagoon for the main event.
- The coach includes onboard wifi. Your guide will indicate rest stops and points where you can purchase food and drinks during the journey.
What time does the tour start and finish?
Your day begins with hotel pickup from Reykjavik, with collection times typically starting in the early morning to maximize daylight hours on Iceland's southern coast. The full 14-hour itinerary means you will return to your accommodation in the late evening. Exact departure times vary by season and your specific hotel location, as the operator coordinates multiple pickups across the city before heading south. Winter departures tend to be earlier to capture the limited daylight, while summer trips may start later. Confirm your pickup time with the tour operator the day before, as this affects your entire schedule for the day.
The return journey follows the reverse route through the same towns and stops, concluding back at your hotel or one of 30 designated drop-off locations across Reykjavik. Because of Iceland's variable weather and road conditions, particularly in winter months, the stated 14-hour duration can extend beyond this estimate. Plan your evening accordingly and avoid booking activities or flights immediately after the tour concludes.
How much time is spent driving versus at each stop?
The journey splits roughly between transit time and standing time at key locations. Driving from Reykjavik to the first major stop at Seljalandsfoss takes approximately 2 hours, followed by a guided walking visit to the waterfall and surrounding landscape. From there, the route continues through Hvolsvöllur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, with travel between these towns accounting for several more hours of onboard time. The bus itself provides wifi during these segments, allowing you to stay connected or review photos and information about the landscape passing outside your window.
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon excursion represents the centerpiece of your day, and time here depends on your selected option. The Jokulsarlon excursion typically includes a boat tour across the lagoon among icebergs, though the exact duration varies. After returning to shore, Diamond Beach offers time for photography among black sand and ice formations. The final leg includes a stop in Vik before the long drive back north. Total driving likely accounts for 8 to 9 of your 14 hours, leaving 5 to 6 hours distributed across all stops combined.
Coach at Jökulsárlón: where 14 hours meets the ice
Where can you take bathroom breaks?
Toilet facilities are available at the coach stops in Hvolsvöllur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, both towns situated along the main Route 1 highway. These are natural points in the itinerary where the bus pauses and passengers can disembark to use public facilities and stretch their legs. The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon visitor area also provides restroom access, as does the stop in Vik. During the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon opening hours and your time at Diamond Beach, facilities may be limited to what is available at the lagoon's main center, so plan ahead if you have specific needs.
In winter, road conditions and weather may cause additional unscheduled stops, potentially creating extra comfort breaks if visibility deteriorates or snow accumulation requires the bus to pause. Always use facilities when available rather than waiting until the next opportunity, as the distances between stops are substantial and the landscape offers limited alternatives for privacy.
When and where can you buy food and drinks?
Meals and drinks are not included in your tour, so you must plan and purchase refreshments independently. Hvolsvöllur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur both have shops and cafes where you can buy packed lunches, snacks, and beverages before departing Reykjavik or during the scheduled stops. The Jökulsárlón area has a visitor centre with a cafe offering hot food and drinks, though options are limited and prices reflect the remote location. Vik also has small shops and dining options, though these are quick stops on the return journey.
Pack a substantial lunch from Reykjavik or purchase supplies at one of the early stops, as the middle section of the day between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the return journey is largely wilderness with no dining facilities. Bring water and snacks for the boat tour across the Jokulsarlon glacier excursion, as weather conditions on the water can make passengers cold and hungry. Plan your eating strategy before the tour begins to avoid spending excessive time in cafes rather than at photo opportunities.
6 h
Spend roughly 6 hours on the coach, leaving plenty of daylight for stops along Iceland's southern coast.
In what order do you visit Seljalandsfoss, Vik, and the glacier lagoon?
The route follows a linear south-bound path, beginning at Seljalandsfoss waterfall in the early stages of your journey from Reykjavik. This stop allows guided exploration of the falls and surrounding terrain before continuing toward the interior. The bus then travels through Hvolsvöllur and Kirkjubæjarklaustur, small service towns that mark your progress eastward along the coast. Your time in these settlements is brief, primarily for restrooms and supplies rather than sightseeing.
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon excursion comes next, forming the main event of your 14-hour day. After this extended stop including the optional boat tour and Diamond Beach exploration, the itinerary moves to Vik on the return leg northward. Vik serves as a final stop near the dramatic black sand beaches and basalt cliffs of the southern coastline before you begin the long drive back to Reykjavik. This sequencing means you experience the western waterfalls first, the glacial landscape in the afternoon, and the volcanic beaches on your return.
Why does the tour sometimes run longer than 14 hours?
Winter presents the primary reason for schedule delays on this southern coast route. Iceland's winter months bring reduced daylight, ice formation on Route 1, and unpredictable snowfall that requires the bus to travel more slowly for safety. Poor visibility can necessitate additional breaks and may force detours around hazardous sections. Summer tours generally adhere more closely to the 14-hour estimate because daylight extends into the evening and road conditions are more stable, though summer weather remains variable by global standards.
Beyond seasonal factors, traffic around Reykjavik during departure and return, unexpected roadworks, and the number of passengers affecting boarding and disembarking times all influence actual duration. Wildlife sightings or other natural occurrences occasionally prompt stops that extend the day. Allow flexibility in your schedule and avoid booking activities with strict timing on tour days, particularly if traveling between October and April.
What is not on this route: Skógafoss and Skaftafell
Skógafoss waterfall, located inland near Vik, is not included on this itinerary despite being one of Iceland's most visited falls and relatively close to your southbound route. The tour focuses on Seljalandsfoss as its waterfall stop and prioritizes the glacier lagoon experience, meaning Skógafoss remains unvisited. If seeing multiple major waterfalls is a priority, you may prefer a different tour or plan an independent side trip during free time, though neither are part of this guided excursion.
Skaftafell, the renowned hiking area within Vatnajökull National Park, also falls outside this tour's scope. Though geographically closer than Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón, Skaftafell's inclusion would require extended time in the interior and substantial hiking, incompatible with the existing itinerary's structure and 14-hour timeframe. This route prioritizes the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon trip and coastal attractions over interior mountain trekking, making it ideal for visitors seeking dramatic scenery without strenuous hiking.
