But we fully understand that this is not always possible. Maybe no one in your tour group has a driving licence, or maybe you’re heading north in winter and you just don’t dare drive on icy roads (if you’re still on the fence, check out our article on driving in Iceland in winter).
If you’re travelling without a car, your main base will most likely be the capital city of Reykjavik. Luckily, there are countless organised tours that leave from here daily, taking you to the greatest natural wonders. Here’s a guide on how to do it.
How to get from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík?
Your journey will start at Keflavik International Airport, which is approximately 50 kilometres from the centre of Reykjavik. Since a regular taxi can cost a pretty penny in Iceland, a shuttle bus transfer is the best and most reliable option.
Buses (often referred to as Flybus or Airport Direct) are linked to the arrivals of planes, so even if your flight is delayed, you won’t miss your connection. The journey takes about 45 minutes and the buses will either take you to the main bus station (BSI) or – if you pay a small fee – a smaller van will take you directly to your hotel. We recommend buying your tickets online in advance so you don’t have to wait at the ticket counters when you arrive.
And if you’ve already arrived in Reykjavik, you’ll certainly be looking for accommodation. For us , we can recommend the excellent Skuggi Hotel, which is only about a 10-minute walk from Hallgrímskirkja Church. In a similar location is the very well rated Kvosin Downtown Hotel. In addition to our accommodation tips, we’ve included our one-day itinerary for the best of Reykjavik.
The Golden Circle is an absolute Icelandic classic and basically a must for people without a car. In one day you’ll see Þingvellir National Park (where the lithospheric plates recede), the famous Strokkur geyser spewing water every few minutes and the majestic Gullfoss waterfall. This particular tour also promises “local surprises” – guides will often take you to a secret stop, such as a hidden crater or a local farm that ordinary tourists don’t know about.
Did you know that you don’t have to travel far out of town to see whales? Boats leave directly from the Old Harbour in the very centre of Reykjavik. The waters of Faxaflói Bay are rich in food, so there’s a great chance of seeing minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins or porpoises. The cruise usually takes around 3 hours and they will lend you warm overalls on board to keep you warm.
The south coast is the epitome of Icelandic wildness. This day trip takes you along the volcanic landscape to the iconic Seljalandsfoss ( the one you can walk behind) and Skógafoss waterfalls. The highlight is then a visit to the famous black beach of Reynisfjara with its basalt columns (just beware of its current state). It’s a longer trip, but you’ll see the most dramatic scenery from the bus window, including views of glaciers and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
If you want a real extreme and a visual experience of a lifetime, a visit to a natural ice cave is just the thing. These caves form in glaciers during the winter months and will amaze you with the deep blue colour of the ice. Tip: Check the departure point carefully for this tour – some exclusive glacier tours start as far away as the Jökulsárlón lagoon. If you’re not driving, make sure you also arrange a multi-day trip with transport from Reykjavik, or use a local transfer.
Recent eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula have changed the map of Iceland. Even if the lava isn’t flowing, a walk through the fresh lava fields from 2021-2023 is fascinating. Going here in a small group with a local guide is the best (and safest) option. Your guide will explain all about the geology, point out places where steam is still rising, and avoid danger zones that may harbor toxic gases.
Travelling without a car may require a slightly different approach and a tighter schedule, but you’ll take away an equally intense experience from Iceland. You don’t have to focus on driving, you can just enjoy the views and get information from local guides!
Leave the complicated planning to us
Whether you decide to explore Iceland on your own with a rental car or prefer the convenience of organised tours from our base in Reykjavik, we’re here for you. At Retkee , you’ll find complete, verified itineraries for the whole of Iceland to help you squeeze the absolute most out of your trip.
And if you don’t want to worry about how to put the tours, transfers and activities in this article together logically, we’ll be happy to create a completely tailor-made itinerary for you . We’ll take into account your time, budget and the fact that you’re travelling without a car, and prepare a detailed itinerary, recommend the best organised tours and look after all the connections. You’ll save hours of stress and your island adventure will be completely hassle-free.
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