
Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 149 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik worth booking?
Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik is a 12.5-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $151 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 149 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (149)
- Duration
- 12.5 hours
- From
- $151 per person
Our Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik allows you to fit two uniquely Icelandic experiences in one bumper tour. Start the day with our fantastic tour featuring the natural highlights of the Golden Circle, Iceland´s most famous tourist trail. Highlights include the winding path between the continental plates at Thingvellir National Park as well as the world renowned Geysir where Strokkur erupts every 5 to minutes. After a full day spent exploring those and other highlights of the Golden Circle, you return to the city for a few hours to rest and have dinner. Feeling re-energized, join our evening northern lights hunting tour. We search for clear skies. We wait patiently for nature´s great display and while we do so you can enjoy complimentary hot-chocolate.
What you get
About this experience
Our Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik allows you to fit two uniquely Icelandic experiences in one bumper tour. Start the day with our fantastic tour featuring the natural highlights of the Golden Circle, Iceland´s most famous tourist trail. Highlights include the winding path between the continental plates at Thingvellir National Park as well as the world renowned Geysir where Strokkur erupts every 5 to minutes. After a full day spent exploring those and other highlights of the Golden Circle, you return to the city for a few hours to rest and have dinner. Feeling re-energized, join our evening northern lights hunting tour. We search for clear skies. We wait patiently for nature´s great display and while we do so you can enjoy complimentary hot-chocolate.
What's included
Included
- On-board WiFi
- Admission fees
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- On-board restrooms
- Experienced local guide
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Golden Circle Route
Golden Circle is the ultimate day tour route from Reykjavik. It includes three Iceland's iconic destinations: Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir national park.
60 minutes here
Thingvellir National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Thingvellir National Park holds great importance both as a natural wonder as well as an historical and cultural center.
40 minutes here
Geysir
Geysir is an iconic location that is a must-see for all visitors to our shores. Strokkur is the main attraction, the geyser which reliably erupts every 5-10 minutes with the water and steam reaching heights of 130ft.
70 minutes here
Gullfoss Falls
Gullfoss falls, or the Golden waterfall, is one of our most powerful and stunning waterfalls. Fed by a glacial river to the north, the torrent rages over several drops before reaching the canyon bottom.
40 minutes here
Kerid Crater
Kerið crater is the remnant of a massive volcanic eruption some 6500 years ago. At the bottom of the crater is a lake fed by groundwater. Take the steps to the water´s edge or walk along the top of the crater.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Hveragerdi
Short refreshment break
15 minutes here
Reykjavik
We return to Reykjavík for a few hours between the sightseeing tour of the southern coastline and pickup for your northern lights hunting tour. You have time to freshen up and grab dinner.
120 minutes here
Reykjanes Peninsula
Our evening northern lights tours searches for the northern lights in the countryside within a 90 minute radius of Reykjavik. Our aurora guides study the Icelandic Met. offices aurora forecast as well as cloud cover charts to find clear skies and hopefully a spectacular and colorful aurora display.
240 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
Please allow up to 30 minutes after the tour start time for the bus to collect you from the meeting point.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Please allow up to 30 minutes after the tour start time for the bus to collect you from the meeting point.
Options you can book
Meeting tour at Bus Stop 12
Tour with pickup included
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- BusTravel Iceland
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour duration includes driving time
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 138 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
138 verified traveler reviews for Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great day out
Heidi & Captain Thor were great and very informative! Had us entertained all day and gave us enough time at each stop to explore! Went in October so the crowds were a little quieter than expected so easier to get around! Worth the time and the money for the experience and to see the wonders of the Golden Circle! The northern lights section of the tour was cancelled due to being overcast but that can’t be helped, just bad luck, so will have to try again another time! This trip was great, would highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Lovely day spent in Iceland
Andrea was a lovely guide and was very knowledgeable and passionate about Iceland, its people, history, culture and environment. Thank you
via Tripadvisor
Small group tour
Brilliant trip made better by Vjeran
via Tripadvisor
Dont combine Golden Circle tour and Nothern Light tour
Golden circle tour is absolutely must-do for first time visitor to Iceland. Our tour guide, Heidi is amazing and she did a great job of explaining interesting facts along with local insights along the way. Northern lights in the evening, however, is disappointing. It is a different tour guide and even though both are BusTravel buses but the tour experience is lacking in the evening. The weather is beyond anyone's control but the evening tour should have been cancelled but the tour operator went ahead anyway despite the bad weather. Of course, there is no nothern lights when clouds are covering the whole sky. The tour guide took us to near the airport, which I thought was strange for northern light viewing spot (out of all the possible spots). It was miserable 2 hours waiting in the dark parking lot in the cold rain when an ordinary person can easily tell there will be no northern light for the night. The tour guide (this is a different tour guide from Italy) keeps on mumbling about the scientific numbers and telling us to look at the sky through the phone lens to see any possible northern light. Well, one can squint all they want but there aint any northern light! It should have been cancelled due to the weather. I would have gotten Golden Circle tour only if I knew if this is going to be like this.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re very glad you enjoyed the Golden Circle and that Heidi made the daytime tour such a positive experience. We’re sorry the Northern Lights portion was disappointing. The evening tour is operated separately, with a different guide, and the decision to run is based on the weather, cloud and aurora forecasts available before departure. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly, and unfortunately the expected opportunities for clearer skies do not always develop. Viewing locations can vary from night to night and may include areas toward Reykjanes or the airport when forecasts indicate better conditions there. Our guides may also spend time waiting in one area because cloud gaps and aurora activity can appear quite suddenly. We completely understand that standing outside in cold, rainy conditions without ultimately seeing the Northern Lights was frustrating. Unfortunately, even when conditions are considered good enough to try, a sighting can never be guaranteed. We appreciate your feedback and will also pass your kind comments about Heidi to her.
via Viator
Amazing Lights!!
Simply an amazing trip. The guide was pretty resourceful with his good knowledge on areas to explore to get a good view. The tour provided hot chocolate which was really amazing since it was cold! We were lucky it was a clear sky and wer able to view the auroras. The dark night with the aurora lit skies were mystifying!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $151 to $175
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 52
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by BusTravel Iceland, who run 14 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 73.9 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything BusTravel Iceland runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $151 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik take?
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Plan for about 12.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 149 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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Around 52 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 12.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Silfra Snorkeling Between Continents Photos Included- Self Drive, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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Included: On-board WiFi; Admission fees; In-vehicle air conditioning; On-board restrooms; and Experienced local guide. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 40 listed pickup locations in and around Reykjavik.
What languages is Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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Across 149 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Meeting tour at Bus Stop 12, Tour with pickup included. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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