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.
Daytrip은 전 세계 14,800+ 개 도시를 경험할 수 있는 가장 편리한 방법입니다.
모든 여행자는 자신이 방문하는 국가의 문화에 대한 진정한 통찰을 받을 자격이 있습니다. 그리고 지구상의 모든 놀라운 장소는 방문하고 감상할 가치가 있습니다. 우리는 독특한 현지 지식과 진정한 인간적 연결이 다른 문화를 진정으로 이해하는 데 있어 대체할 수 없다고 믿습니다.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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