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Iceland's Golden Circle
Reykjavik Tour - Iceland's Golden Circle
 

Private Reykjavik shore excursion follows Iceland's 190 mile (306km) Golden Circle loop to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the seat of Iceland's parliament since 930 AD, the Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerid Crater Lake. Licensed English speaking guide, round trip from the Reykjavik cruise port. 7 hours.

7 hours (private)
private excursion
licensed driver guide
english speaking expert
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Meeting at the Port or your Hotel in Reykjavik
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle
  • Licensed English Speaking Guide
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number: IREYK-01


Group Size (Prices in USD)*: 		2 People - $900 Per Person
3 People - $614 Per Person
4 People - $642 Per Person
5 People - $514 Per Person
6 People - $428 Per Person
7 People - $368 Per Person
8 People - $322 Per Person



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Name of Ship or Hotel*:

TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Golden Circle Shore Excursion from Reykjavik

This Reykjavik shore trip explores the Golden Circle, the most popular route for seeing the natural sites of Iceland. During the excursion you visit Gullfoss Waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, the Haukadalur geothermal area with its Strokkur geyser, and Kerid Crater Lake.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Reykjavik, you start your journey on the 190 mile (306km) loop through the southern uplands of Iceland known as the Golden Circle.

The first stop is typically Thingvellir National Park, where you can explore the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and see the faults and fissures in the ground's surface. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized in 2004 as the location of the Althing, the world's oldest parliament, which met here annually from 930 AD until 1798.

Next you visit the geothermal area known as Haukadalur, full of bubbling hot springs and the Strokkur geyser, which erupts roughly every 8 minutes, sending a plume of hot water into the air.

Nearby is Gullfoss Waterfall, where the Hvita River drops in two dramatic tiers into a deep gorge below.

There is some flexible time to choose another stop, including a break for lunch.

Typically the final stop on the Golden Circle tour is Kerid Crater Lake. This roughly 6,500 year old volcanic crater, about 55 meters (180 feet) deep, formed when an emptied magma chamber caused the ground above it to collapse. Today it is ringed by red volcanic rock and filled with a striking blue-green lake. There is a nominal entry fee to Kerid Crater Lake which is not included.

Other sites you may see along the route include local geothermal power plants, Icelandic horses, Faxi Waterfall, Solheimar eco-village and Efstidalur farm. Your guide will help match your interests to the flexible time available.

Note: Even if you are visiting in the middle of summer, please wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes, preferably hiking shoes.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Reykjavik Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Reykjavik tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.

What's Included

Included

  • Meeting at the Port or your Hotel in Reykjavik
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private Vehicle
  • Licensed English Speaking Guide

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    45 Minutes
    Drive to Thingvellir National Park
  • 2
    1 Hour
    Visit Thingvellir National Park
  • 3
    1 Hour
    Drive to Haukadalur
  • 4
    1 Hour
    Lunch / Flexible Time based on your Interests
  • 5
    1 Hour
    Visit Haukadalur Geysers
  • 6
    15 Minutes
    Drive to Gullfoss Waterfall
  • 7
    1 Hour
    Visit Gullfoss Waterfall
  • 8
    1 Hours
    Return to Reykjavik

Resources

Thingvellir National Park . Official website of Thingvellir National Park with visitor center, trail and history information. Official Website

Visit Iceland - The Golden Circle . Official Iceland tourism board page covering the Golden Circle route and its main sites. Official Website

Good to Know

Mobility
This tour involves steps and uneven terrain that make it unsuitable for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, contact us and we can discuss alternatives.
Walking
Plan on walking approximately 190 mile. Comfortable, supportive shoes are strongly recommended.
Customizable
This tour can be adjusted to fit your group’s pace and interests. If you’d like to spend more time at a particular site or add a stop, contact us when you inquire.
Larger Groups
For groups that need a minibus or full coach, contact us for a custom quote. We accommodate groups of any size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included on the Golden Circle tour?
The tour includes a private vehicle and licensed English speaking guide visiting Thingvellir National Park, the Strokkur geyser, Gullfoss Waterfall and Kerid Crater Lake, with flexible time for additional stops.
Why is Thingvellir National Park significant?
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location of the Althing, the world's oldest parliament, which met here from 930 AD to 1798. It also sits in a rift valley between two tectonic plates.
How often does the Strokkur geyser erupt?
Strokkur erupts roughly every 8 minutes, making it one of the most reliable geysers to watch in Iceland.
Where do we meet our driver or guide in Reykjavik?
Cruise Ship: Once you disembark at Reykjavik, head to the terminal's main public exit. If there's a terminal building, walk through the arrivals area to the public pickup zone outside -- cruise staff can point you the right way. No terminal building means your driver will already be waiting dockside as you disembark. Don't see your contact right away? Stay near your exit point and call the local dispatch number from your confirmation. Hotel: Your driver or guide will be waiting either just outside the main entrance or inside the lobby, sign in hand with your group's name. Airport: Once you've collected your luggage and cleared customs, head into the arrivals hall -- your driver or guide will be there holding a sign with your group name.
What should I wear on this tour?
Warm layers and comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are recommended even in summer, since weather on the Golden Circle route can change quickly.
Can we customize the itinerary on our Reykjavik shore excursion?
Flexibility is one of the real perks of a private Reykjavik tour. Let your driver or guide know about a must-see spot right at pickup, and they'll try to make it happen -- though traffic and scheduling sometimes cap what's possible. Either way, they'll keep the day as tailored as they can.

Also Available:

›The Reykjanes Peninsula - for a 6-hour private tour
›Reykjavik Highlights - for a 3-hour private tour

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

Book With Confidence

Back-to-Ship Guarantee
Guest Reviews
Group & Custom Requests
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Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Drive to Thingvellir National Park - 45 Minutes
  • Visit Thingvellir National Park - 1 Hour
  • Drive to Haukadalur - 1 Hour
  • Lunch / Flexible Time based on your Interests - 1 Hour
  • Visit Haukadalur Geysers - 1 Hour
  • Drive to Gullfoss Waterfall - 15 Minutes
  • Visit Gullfoss Waterfall - 1 Hour
  • Return to Reykjavik - 1 Hours

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 19 Write a review »

  10 of 10 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Reykjavik Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Reviewer: Joanne S from Portland, OR  
Sorry for the delay in replying.. I was not getting emails However, as you can tell by my replying, Im back successfully  --- I did hear from the local operators early on that morning and the return transfer to Heathrow worked like a charm.   In fact, we got on the road at 630 am exactly and were at Heathrow by 820 --- plenty of time for everyone to check in comfortably.     I think the only issue was the Hotel to Port transfer.    THANKFULLY, I requested to have the transfer pick up time a little earlier.  As it happened, traffic (as always for London) factored in and they were more than half an hour late.. For that group movement,  I think they may have misunderstood how the passenger counts were supposed to be ---- they thought the 8-pax mini van was solely for luggage.  It was uncomfortable with them squeezing bags in the 30-pax coach and the leftover in the other vehicle.  As it happened, we sent one person in that car with the driver and every seat  including the jump seat usually reserved for a tour guide  was filled on the coach.    Traffic was still an issue and it ended up being over 90 minutes before we even reached the highway --- London is so big and the roads are all city driving until you can access the main system out of the city.  Was nerve-wracking --- but, silver lining --- the huge global snafu with the system effected countless people, including those (not related to us!) arriving for the cruise and who still had to travel from the airports..  this chain reaction allowed for the cruise line to delay sailing in order to wait for the late-comers.  Our group arrived around 330 which was remarkable, seeing how much time we consumed just in getting there.     That was the only hiccup. Our guided sightseeing tour of London was wonderful --- Konrad, our Blue Badge Guide --- absolutely fantastic  did a great job for us --- everyone who participated in the tour loved it and commented very favorably.    Despite iffy weather reports, we dodged rain the entire trip except for brief sprinkles  not bad for England, Scotland , Iceland and especially Ireland.   I want to mention that I appreciated the contact between the local operators and me. I received text and phone messages as needed, which is a huge relief  instead of waiting around and not sure who youre looking for ---- this eased my nerves and enabled me to communicate more comfortably with my group members. Thank you so very much for helping with the arrangements.      Except for the little snafu with the first transfer  which was resolved  all else went like clockwork.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Reykjavik Sunday, May 31, 2026
Reviewer: Sumaya A from Boca Raton, FL  
We had a great tour yesterday in Reykjavik and are on our way back from the Blue Lagoon right now which we loved. The tour guides yesterday and today were excellent. I appreciate all your help and planning and especially your quick responses. I will be in touch whenever we plan a future trip.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Reykjavik Monday, September 22, 2025
Reviewer: Roger M from St. Louis  
A fantastic day exploring London!<br><br>All of our guides were incredibly knowledgeable and kept us entertained with fascinating stories. The Tower of London was a highlightseeing the Crown Jewels up close was unforgettable! We also got great views of Big Ben and Parliament before stopping for a traditional pub lunch, which was delicious. Iceland was also breathtaking - guides were great and were more like friends at the end of the tours.  Highly recommended all!

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Reykjavik Friday, September 19, 2025
Reviewer: Deanna B from Palatine, IL  
We really enjoy all the tours that you booked for us. Really made our trip that much more enjoyable and we were able to cover a lot more ground. All the tour guides were absolutely wonderful. I will definitely refer you to anyone that is going to Europe. I just wish you covered more than Europe!

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Reykjavik Saturday, September 13, 2025
Reviewer: Dana T. from Baltimore, MD  
I wanted to let you know that all five of our shore excursions were fantastic! The guides and drivers were fabulous, and all exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed every minute, learned a lot, and are so grateful to Private Shore Trips for giving us such a memorable first trip to Europe!

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