Your driver will meet you at your address in Reykjavik.
You’ll travel in comfort for 4 h 50 min.
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Jokulsarlon.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This charming town serves as a gateway to the Reykjadalur Valley’s hot springs. The Hot Spring Town
Mineral-rich soil has created vibrant blue waters, rich red ground, and green, green grass at this pretty crater. Earth Tones
A hollow in the cliff face allows visitors to walk entirely around this picturesque waterfall. A Ring of Mist
This thunderous cascade is one of the biggest and best in all of Iceland. Drop the Hammer
Featured in Game of Thrones and Rogue One, this might be the most iconic stretch of black sand in the world. Black Stacks
This magnificent mossy canyon skyrocketed to international fame after being featured in a Justin Beiber video and Game of Thrones. A Gorgeous Gorge
“I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas”
lakekariba
Dec 4, 2024“We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!”
pgh1125
Dec 3, 2024“Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.”
James B
Nov 9, 2024“Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.”
LuckyTraveler01
Nov 1, 2024All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.
We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.
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 are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
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).
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.
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
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