Your driver will meet you at your address in Reykjavik.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 50 min.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Jokulsarlon.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
380 km4 h 50 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon
How do I get to Jökulsárlón from Reykjavik?
The best way to travel to Jökulsárlón from Reykjavik is to use a private driving transfer, allowing you to stop along the way to visit sights along Iceland’s south coast such as the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, the Kerid crater, or the black sand beaches near the town of Vik.
Can you see the northern lights in Jökulsárlón?
Many people visit Jökulsárlón to see the northern lights in the clear winter months, particularly photographers hoping to use the lagoon as a fascinating reflective foreground for the dancing light show.
How far is the glacier lagoon from Reykjavík?
The glacier lagoon, Jökulsárlón, is about 5 hours from Reykjavik by car. The smoothes option for this transfer is a private car service like Daytrip, offering door-to-door transportation directly from your accommodation in Reykjavik to the lagoon or dropoff location of your choice.
Are there buses from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón?
There are bus routes from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón; however, these are quite lengthy journeys that can take up to 9 hours and involve at least one transfer to a second vehicle along the way. You should consider driving instead to take advantage of sightseeing stops at the many popular natural attractions along the south coast.
Is Jökulsárlón worth it?
Jökulsárlón is a unique feature of southeastern Iceland that is absolutely worth a visit. The massive glacier that feeds the lagoon below is considered the largest in Europe, and exploring the lagoon means travelers can witness huge floating icebergs, seal colonies, a black sand beach with diamond-like icebergs, and take on adventures such as ice-caving or glacier hikes.
Can you stay the night near Jökulsárlón?
If you want to extend your time on Iceland’s south coast, the nearest accommodations to Jökulsárlón are in the closest towns of Höfn, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, or Vík. As these are smaller villages, keep in mind you will need to book your housing well in advance because options may be limited, especially in the busy summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
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The Rejkyavik to Jökulsárlón transfer is an incredibly scenic 5-hour journey across the south of Iceland, covering a distance of around 236 miles (380 km). The drive is a remarkable opportunity to see the stark natural beauty of the south coast, with ample opportunity to stop along the way to visit black sand beaches, roaring waterfalls, and even the icy blue Myrdalsjokull glacier, streaked through with frozen black ash.
Because of the sheer amount of natural wonders compacted within reasonable driving distance from each other, there is major appeal in opting for a private driving transfer that allows for plenty of sightseeing stops. Iceland’s south coast is replete with breathtaking rugged scenery not to be missed on your way to Jökulsárlón, the glacial lagoon that draws thousands of travelers each year with its floating icebergs, volcanic beaches, and abundance of arctic wildlife such as seals.
About Jökulsárlón
After your drive from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón (meaning “Glacier's River Lagoon” in Icelandic), you are at the center of one of Iceland’s most popular destinations. The glacial lagoon is the pinnacle of any south coast tour, offering boat tours, hikes along the glacier itself, and opportunities to view free-floating icebergs composed of 1,000-year-old ice. The glassy lagoon is fed by a mix of seawater from the North Atlantic coast and freshwater rivers running off of Vatnajökull (roughly, “glacier of lakes” in Icelandic, and Europe’s largest glacier).
Nearby, icebergs that have been polished by tumbling in the sea are deposited onto a black sand beach in crystalline chunks, earning Breiðamerkursandur the much more pronounceable nickname of “Diamond Beach.” Seals can also be seen around the lagoon year-round but congregate in the highest numbers around the river mouth during the winter months.
While exploring the surrounding sights, you can go on an ice cave hike with a trusted guide, use a clear winter night to chase the ephemeral northern lights, or try to capture a photo of them dancing along the lagoon’s surface.
You can extend your time on the south coast by staying in the nearest fishing village, Hofn, known for fresh seafood and easy access to the glacial activities of Vatnajökull National Park. This makes for a great base from which to explore the ice and gives you panoramic sea and mountain views when you’re warming up inside with expertly prepared seafood.
From Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón: travel tips
The Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón transfer is as big of an adventure as the icy explorations awaiting you at your destination. Make the most of your trip with a private car service such as Daytrip, and stop en route to marvel at Iceland’s renowned natural beauty.
Visit Seljalandsfoss or Skógafoss
On your way across the south coast, it is absolutely worth detouring to some of the country’s most iconic waterfalls, namely Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Seljalandsfoss includes a cave trail behind the falls themselves so that you can look out through the roaring waters, though keep in mind this trail often shuts due to high winds, excess rain, or snowfall in order to keep travelers safe.
Visiting Skógafoss allows you to walk up quite close to the base of the falls or take a rocky path up to view them from above. (Pro tip: If facing the falls from below, look to your right to see if you can make out the shape of a troll in the boulder formations. According to Icelandic folklore, mountainous trolls only roam at night and are turned to stones such as these if ever touched by sunlight. A great idea to keep kids entertained; a local may be able to help you find him!)
Prepare for variable weather
Regardless of when you plan your trip to Iceland, come prepared for quick turns in the weather. It is always worth bringing waterproof jackets, shoes, and plenty of warm layers to explore this arctic island.
How to get from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón
There are only a few ways to get from Reykjavik to Jokululsarlon, as the remote and ever-changing landscape of Iceland limits public transport outside of the major cities.
Private car transfer from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón
The best way to travel is undoubtedly by car, and opting for a private driving transfer can make this a stress-free drive with ample sightseeing opportunities. Unlike with bus or group tour routes, you can customize your itinerary with your English-speaking Daytrip driver to stop and see the sights you want. You will also get door-to-door (or, if you prefer, door-to-lagoon) service, meaning you can be picked up directly from your accommodation in Reykjavik.
Bus from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón
It is possible to take a bus route along the south coast to visit Jokululsarlon, but this can take up to 9 hours, and prices for the combined transit tickets cost $93-$131 (€85.60-€120.60. The most common bus route leaves from Reykjavik on the South Coast to Skogar bus and then requires a transfer to the 51 bus in Skogar, which will stop in Vík í Mýrdal before continuing to Jökulsárlón. Most people then take a taxi to get closer to the glacial lagoon itself. This route is long and does not allow for sightseeing stops as a private transfer will.
Group tour services from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón
Another option for traveling between Reykjavik and Jökulsárlón is to join a group bus tour of the south coast. A variety of companies in Iceland operate these tours, and the prices vary depending on how many stops they make and the size of the group. This tour can be a good option for budget travelers if you opt for a bigger bus size, but keep in mind that unlike with a private car service, there will not be flexibility in the locations you see or how long you get to spend at each stop (this can be limited in large groups especially.)
Things to do when you get to Jökulsárlón
When you complete your Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón transfer, you can choose from a wide range of outdoor adventures to make the most of your time around the glacial lagoon. When you choose a private driving transfer, you will be delivered straight to Jökulsárlón by a driver who can offer you some local insight into the area and Icelandic culture in general.
Take a boat tour of Jökulsárlón
One of the best ways to explore the lagoon and see the adrift icebergs up close is with a boat tour, which runs many times throughout the day during the high season in summer. This is a great way to see seals up close, as they often relax on top of the icebergs and may not always be visible from a distance.
Visit Diamond Beach
This nearby black sand beach is dotted with icebergs that have made it out to sea and been thrust back onto the shore in a polished, almost-clear state. This gives the beach the appearance of being scattered with larger-than-life gemstones.
Go ice caving
For the more adventurous traveler, experienced guides offer tours of the famous crystal blue ice caves set into the Vatnajokull glacier. Be sure to book your guided caving experience well in advance of your trip, as often, these tours take on smaller groups and can fill up in the busy summer months.
Hike on the glacier
As with ice caving, glacier walks should only be attempted with professional guides. These walks are unique in that they will never offer the same experience twice due to the constant shrinking of the glacier. The glacier retreats further each year due to the effects of climate change, though it is still incredibly large, claiming an area of about 11.2 square miles (18 square kilometers). These glacier walks are challenging, but they offer unmatched panoramic views of the icy scenery and the lagoon below.
When is the best time to visit Jökulsárlón?
Iceland is unique from other popular travel destinations because it maintains very active tourism in both the peak summer months and the frigid winters. The best time to visit Iceland will depend entirely on your goals and priorities for the trip. For instance, if you are hoping to see the northern lights, it is much more common for them to be visible from September to December or in the cold early spring months of March and February (temps around 36°F/2°C).
However, summer in Iceland is vibrantly green and offers warmer temperatures (around 57°F/14°C) with significantly more daylight. In the middle of summer, you can experience the midnight sun and nearly 24 hours of light. The summer months may be better for those adventurers seeking longer hikes and more time spent outdoors, but autumn and winter might be preferable for aurora borealis hunters.
Visit these sights on the way
Hveragerdi
This charming town serves as a gateway to the Reykjadalur Valley’s hot springs.
The Hot Spring Town
Kerid Crater
Mineral-rich soil has created vibrant blue waters, rich red ground, and green, green grass at this pretty crater. Earth Tones
Seljalandsfoss
A hollow in the cliff face allows visitors to walk entirely around this picturesque waterfall. A Ring of Mist
Skogafoss waterfall
This thunderous cascade is one of the biggest and best in all of Iceland. Drop the Hammer
Reynisfjara Beach
Featured in Game of Thrones and Rogue One, this might be the most iconic stretch of black sand in the world. Black Stacks
Fjadrargljufur Canyon
This magnificent mossy canyon skyrocketed to international fame after being featured in a Justin Beiber video and Game of Thrones. A Gorgeous Gorge
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
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traveler Daydream20046758137
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
“We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable”
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
“We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.”
“We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.”
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traveler Omar
Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
