Day Trips in Southern Iceland

Southern Iceland suits day trips from Reykjavík because the headline sights sit along two main routes, the Golden Circle and the South Coast. Prices are in Icelandic króna (ISK). Anything marked “about” can change, so check signs and apps on the day.

The Golden Circle

The loop covers Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss and is commonly cited as about 300 km round trip from Reykjavík.

  • Þingvellir: a UNESCO site where the Alþingi was founded in 930. Walk the Almannagjá rift, the Lögberg and Öxarárfoss. Parking is 1,000 ISK per day for a car with 5 or fewer seats and 1,200 ISK for 6 to 9 seats. One payment covers every lot (P1, P2, P3, P5) that day. Pay at the machines or on checkit.is , because cameras read number plates. Details are on the Þingvellir parking page .
  • Geysir: the Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes. There is no entry fee, so check whether parking is charged.
  • Gullfoss: a two-step fall of 11 m and 21 m into a canyon of the river Hvítá. There is no entry fee, so check whether parking is charged.

The South Coast

A long day can take in Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Reynisfjara and Vík. Parking is paid at most of these: around 1,000 ISK at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, around 750 ISK at Sólheimajökull, and at Reynisfjara around 1,000 ISK in the lower lot and 750 ISK in the upper lot. A payment app adds an 89 ISK fee per payment.

Reynisfjara needs particular care. Sneaker waves reach far up the beach with no warning, and several visitors have died there. Obey the warning lights and signs, stay well back from the water, never turn your back on the sea, and keep off the basalt columns and out of the Hálsanefshellir cave in rough surf. Winter storms have eroded the beach, so access to some features may be cut off.

The Westman Islands

The Herjólfur ferry runs from Landeyjahöfn to Heimaey in about 35 minutes in summer. When Landeyjahöfn cannot be used, the ferry sails from Þorlákshöfn and takes about 3 hours. Service has been disrupted in 2026, so book through Herjólfur’s website and confirm sailings before you travel.

Highland day trips in summer only

Þórsmörk (road F249) and Landmannalaugar (roads F208 and F225) are reached by 4x4 or highland bus, usually from late June to early September. Rental contracts forbid 2WD cars on these roads. The Krossá river crossing on the way to Þórsmörk is why most visitors take the highland bus or a super jeep. The roads are closed in winter, so these trips are not possible in late autumn. Check road.is first.

Before you set out

Check safetravel.is for alerts and vedur.is for weather. Route 1 can have very strong gusts that wrench car doors open, and sandstorms across the sand plains can damage paint, so ask your rental company about sand and ash cover. The emergency number is 112.

Read more: Multi-day trips in the Southern Region stretches these routes over several nights, and attraction tours lists ticketed stops.

Guided day tours can be compared on Viator .