Reykjavik travel guide: what to book ahead, pool rules and city costs

💡 The Short Version: Book the Blue Lagoon before you fly: it permits no walk-up admissions at the gate. Book Sky Lagoon ahead too, as peak slots sell out days in advance. The Hallgrímskirkja church nave is free, while the lift up the 73-metre tower costs 1,500 ISK, bought in the church shop. Golden Circle, South Coast, and Northern Lights excursions fill up quickly and should be reserved prior to arrival. Card payments are accepted everywhere, eliminating any requirement for physical cash. Communal swimming pools enforce strict pre-swim naked showers with soap before putting on swimwear. Hotels collect a statutory accommodation tax of 800 ISK per room per night upon checkout. Or book a tour: a Golden Circle day tourad covers Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið crater, with pick-up from central bus stops.

⚠️ No Blue Lagoon ticket, no entry. The Blue Lagoon sells no tickets at the gate; you need a booked entry slot. Sky Lagoon also caps entry by the hour.

What to book before you go

The lagoons, the Golden Circle and the Northern Lights tours all run to timed or limited departures, and they sell out in peak season. The table lists what to book before you fly, with the operators’ own prices in Icelandic króna.

Harpa across the water of the harbour. Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where official tickets are cheaper, and where a tour makes sense

Independent exploration vs organised day tours

1. City sights: Exploring central Reykjavik on foot requires almost no third-party tours. Harpa Concert Hall is free to walk into. Hallgrímskirkja offers free entry to the nave, while tickets to the tower lift cost 1,500 ISK at the church ticket desk with no booking fee. Similarly, municipal thermal baths like Sundhöllin and Laugardalslaug charge 1,500 ISK at the desk.

2. The Golden Circle: Driving yourself along the 300-kilometre Golden Circle circuit in summer gives total scheduling autonomy. Þingvellir National Park charges a 1,000 ISK parking fee per vehicle (payable via the Parka app or automated payment machines), while Strokkur at Haukadalur and Gullfoss waterfall are free. Kerið crater charges 700 ISK. However, between October and April, sub-arctic windstorms, black ice, and blowing snow can make driving hazardous for motorists unaccustomed to Icelandic winter roads. Organised coach tours starting from 11,300 ISK include all transit, audio guides, Kerið entrance, and experienced professional winter drivers.

3. Geothermal lagoons: Neither the Blue Lagoon nor Sky Lagoon offers discounted ticket rates through third-party ticket re-sellers. Booking directly with the operator secures the official baseline price. Reseller platforms such as GetYourGuide charge identical ticket rates while offering flexible 24-hour cancellation policies and packaged round-trip coach transfers from central Reykjavik bus stops.

Box office vs third-party tour comparison

The following table contrasts official direct gate rates with guided excursion options for key Icelandic attractions:

Strokkur erupting at Haukadalur. Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Golden Circle and day excursion options

Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Craterad

From 11,300 ISK · 4.8 stars from 28,024 reviews · 7–8.5 hours · Instant confirmation

The standard 8-hour coach excursion covering southwestern Iceland’s most famous natural circuit. The itinerary stops at the rift valley of Þingvellir National Park where tectonic plates pull apart, the active Strokkur geyser erupting every 6 to 10 minutes, the roaring twin-tiered Gullfoss waterfall, and the volcanic slopes of Kerið crater. Features an onboard touchscreen tablet guide in 10 languages, free coach Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, and central Reykjavik pick-up stops.

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid & Secret Lagoon Tourad

From 16,500 ISK · 4.8 stars from 6,589 reviews · 10 hours · Geothermal soak

Combines full Golden Circle sightseeing with an afternoon soaking stop at the Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) in the village of Flúðir. Built in 1891, the Secret Lagoon is Iceland’s oldest communal swimming facility, fed by bubbling geothermal springs that keep the mineral-rich waters at a soothing 38°C to 40°C. Price includes all transport, national park fees, Kerið entrance, and Secret Lagoon admission.

Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater & Blue Lagoon Tourad

From 30,500 ISK · 4.9 stars from 6,189 reviews · 11 hours · Combined admission

A full 11-hour combination package that unites the Golden Circle’s premier volcanic and hydrological landmarks with a relaxing evening soak in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. Includes round-trip transport from central Reykjavik, admission to Kerið crater, and pre-reserved Comfort admission to the Blue Lagoon including a silica mud mask, towel rental, and one in-water beverage.

Opening hours and seasonal rhythm

Daylight runs from over 21 hours at the June solstice to about 4 hours around 21 December.

• Museums and galleries: The National Museum of Iceland opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 in summer and closes on Mondays in winter. The Reykjavík Art Museum operates three distinct venues: Hafnarhús (Tryggvagata 17, harbour waterfront) and Kjarvalsstaðir (Flókagata 24, Klambratún park) open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with Hafnarhús remaining open until 22:00 on Thursdays. The sculptural museum Ásmundarsafn (Sigtún 105) opens daily from 13:00 to 17:00.
• Thermal pools: Most city pools open by 06:30 on weekdays and from 08:00 or 09:00 on weekends, closing at 22:00. Sundhöllin operates early-morning and late-night sessions with brief midday cleaning windows on select days.
• Hallgrímskirkja: winter hours (from 1 September) are 10:00 to 17:00, with the last tower admission at 16:45; summer hours run later. The nave and tower close for services, weddings, funerals and concerts, so check the church’s weekly schedule.
• Dining and food halls: Central food halls like Hlemmur Mathöll (Laugavegur 107) and Grandi Mathöll (Grandagarður 16) serve food daily from 11:00 or 11:30 until 21:00 or 22:00. Traditional bakeries like Brauð & Co open as early as 06:30 for fresh cardamom buns and sourdough loaves. See where to eat in Reykjavik for detailed recommendations.
• Shopping hours: Retail shops along Laugavegur, Skólavörðustígur, and Bankastræti generally open from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 10:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays. Supermarket chains like Bónus and Krónan operate shorter hours on Sundays, opening at 10:00 or 11:00 and closing around 18:00 or 19:00.

Swimming pool culture and etiquette

Public thermal swimming pools (sundlaugar) are the bedrock of Icelandic social life. Heated entirely by clean geothermal runoff piped from municipal boreholes, Reykjavik’s pools do not rely on aggressive chlorine chemical treatments. To protect water hygiene, pool facilities enforce strict, non-negotiable hygiene regulations.

1. Remove outdoor footwear: Upon stepping through the pool entrance, remove your street shoes and place them on the designated racks or carry them in shoe bags before entering the carpeted locker rooms.
2. Shower thoroughly naked with soap: Enter the gender-segregated communal shower areas and strip completely naked before washing. Wall-mounted instructional diagrams highlight the required cleansing zones: hair/head, armpits, groin, and feet. Communal dispensers provide liquid soap. Showering while wearing a swimsuit is strictly forbidden, and roving pool attendants (laugarverðir) actively monitor the shower bays.
3. Dry off before re-entering locker areas: After swimming and soaking, return to the shower zone, towel yourself down thoroughly, and wring out your swimwear before walking back onto the locker room duckboards.
4. Hot pots are for quiet relaxation: The hot tubs (heitir pottar), varying in temperature from 38°C to 44°C, serve as neighbourhood gathering places for low-volume conversation, political discussion, and relaxation. Lap swimming, splashing, and diving are reserved strictly for the main 25-metre or 50-metre swimming lanes.

The Leifur Eiríksson statue in front of Hallgrímskirkja. Photo: Bernd Thaller, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Transport and airport arrivals

Almost every downtown attraction is within a 20-minute walk of Austurvöllur square. You need transport for the airport, the pools outside the centre and day trips.

• Keflavík International Airport (KEF): Located on the Reykjanes peninsula approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavik. Scheduled airport express coaches provide the primary transit link:
  • Flybus: 3,999 ISK to the BSÍ Bus Terminal, or 5,299 ISK with a minibus on to your hotel. It meets every arriving flight and takes about 45 minutes.
  • Strætó route 55: a slower, cheaper regional bus between KEF and BSÍ.
  • Taxis: a fixed fare per car, which only competes with the coach for groups of three or four.
  • Consult our detailed Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik transfer guide for full bus stop maps and booking instructions.
• Strætó public city buses: Municipal buses operate across Greater Reykjavik. A single adult ride costs 690 ISK, paid by contactless card or phone on the validator or by ticket in the Klappið app. Fares cap at three rides a day. Our Reykjavik public transport guide outlines network maps, transit apps, and downtown parking zones.

Money, tipping and accommodation tax

You can travel through Iceland without handling cash.

• Payment cards everywhere: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are accepted universally. Contactless payments function at parking meters, public convenience kiosks, market stalls, and mountain huts.
• Avoid dynamic currency conversion: When paying with a foreign debit or credit card, payment terminals often prompt you to choose between billing in your home currency (GBP, USD, EUR) or Icelandic króna (ISK). Always select ISK. Choosing your domestic currency authorises the merchant’s terminal operator to apply dynamic currency conversion, adding an unfavourable conversion margin of 4% to 8% above standard interbank rates.
• Tipping practices: Tipping is not customary in Iceland. Restaurant menu prices, bar bills, and taxi fares incorporate value-added tax (VAT) and full service charges by law. Leaving an extra cash tip is neither expected nor required.
• Accommodation tax (gistináttaskattur): Reintroduced on 1 January 2025, this statutory tax charges 800 ISK per room per night for hotels and registered guesthouses, and 400 ISK per night for campsites. The levy is itemised separately on hotel invoices and paid directly upon checkout. Review our neighbourhood lodging comparison in where to stay in Reykjavik.
• Tax-free shopping: Travellers residing outside Iceland can claim a refund on value-added tax for retail goods intended for export (such as wool sweaters, outdoor apparel, and lava jewellery). The minimum is 12,000 ISK on a single receipt. At Keflavík Airport, have the form stamped by Change Group (or by customs for refunds above 100,000 ISK), then collect the refund at the refund point. Read our money in Reykjavik guide for detailed financial tips.

Entry rules for Iceland and the Schengen border

Iceland participates fully in the European Schengen Agreement, meaning standard European entry regulations apply across all air, land, and sea borders.

• EU Entry/Exit System (EES): fully operational since 10 April 2026. It registers non-EU short-stay visitors with a facial scan and fingerprints at the border, replaces passport stamps, and needs no pre-travel registration or fee (EU EES Guidance).
• ETIAS: the EU’s electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, costing 20 euros, is not yet required. The EU will announce the start date before it launches; apply only through the official site (ETIAS).
• Biosecurity import restrictions: To safeguard Iceland’s unique agricultural livestock from foreign pathogens, national law strictly prohibits travellers from bringing fresh, cured, or uncooked meat products (including salami, dried sausages, and unpasteurised dairy) into the country from non-EU states (Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority).

Official travel advice is maintained by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the US Department of State.

Comprehensive Reykjavik guides

Every Reykjavik guide, by topic:

Sights and attractions

• Hallgrímskirkja tower tickets: Tower opening hours, ticket desk procedures, elevator queues, and views across the Old Town and Mount Esja.
• Harpa Concert Hall visit: Architectural highlights, free public access areas, guided interior auditorium tours, and acoustics.
• Perlan Museum tickets: The 100-metre reconstructed sub-zero ice cave, 8K Áróra planetarium show, and 360-degree observation deck.
• National Museum of Iceland: The Making of a Nation permanent exhibition, Viking chieftains’ silver hoard, and medieval church artefacts.
• Reykjavik thermal pools: Comparing Sundhöllin, Laugardalslaug, and Vesturbæjarlaug with admission prices, hot pot temperatures, and etiquette rules.
• Reykjavik City Card: is it worth it?: Whether the 24, 48 or 72-hour card for museums, pools and buses saves money.
• Free things to do in Reykjavik: 15 cost-free sights and walks including Harpa, the Sun Voyager sculpture, botanical gardens, and street art trails.

Geothermal spas and excursions

• Blue Lagoon tickets and transfer: Comfort vs Premium packages, dynamic ticket pricing, locker protocols, and airport shuttle combinations.
• Sky Lagoon tickets: Saman and Sér passes, the 7-step Skjól ritual and private changing options.
• Whale watching in Reykjavik: Comparing classic catamaran boats against high-speed 12-passenger RIBs, minke whale sighting seasons, and rough-weather guarantees.
• Northern Lights in Reykjavik: Peak aurora viewing windows, cloud forecast tools, coach vs boat excursions, and free repeat tour policies.

Day trips and regional travel

• Day trips from Reykjavik: A comprehensive master overview comparing driving routes, self-drive feasibility, and guided day excursions.
• Golden Circle day trip: Driving distances, self-drive timing, parking payment apps, Strokkur geyser schedules, Gullfoss falls, and Kerið crater.
• South Coast Iceland day trip: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach sneaker wave safety, and Sólheimajökull glacier tongue.
• Snæfellsnes Peninsula day trip: Kirkjufell mountain, Djúpalónssandur pebble beach, the seals at Ytri Tunga and the sea cliffs at Arnarstapi.

Itineraries and trip planning

• Reykjavik in 1 or 2 days: Compact urban itineraries tailored for airport layovers, weekend breaks, and short stopovers.
• 3 days in Reykjavik: The classic 72-hour itinerary pairing city museums and pools with the Golden Circle and South Coast excursions.
• The best time to visit Reykjavik: Month-by-month analysis of daylight hours, road conditions, rainfall averages, and northern lights visibility.
• Reykjavik at Christmas and New Year: Holiday closures between 24 and 26 December, Icelandic Yule Lads folklore, community bonfires, and New Year fireworks.
• Packing for Iceland: Layers, windproof shells and waterproof footwear.
• Is Reykjavik safe?: Personal safety, low crime statistics, winter pavement ice, wild surf warnings, and volcanic emergency protocols.

Practical logistics, food and lodging

• Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik: Comparing Flybus coach transfers, Strætó public bus 55, rental cars, and airport taxis.
• Reykjavik public transport: Strætó bus lines, Klapp ticketing app, city fare structures, and inner-city parking zones.
• Money in Reykjavik: Currency exchange pitfalls, contactless cards, tipping rules, and airport VAT refunds.
• Where to stay in Reykjavik: Miðborg 101, Vesturbær, the Old Harbour, Hlemmur and Laugardalur compared.
• Where to eat in Reykjavik: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs, traditional lamb soup, geothermal rye bread, and modern food halls.
• Reykjavik food tours: Walking food tours, guided culinary tastings, fermented shark (hákarl), and craft beer samplings.

Cross-city comparisons

• Scandinavian city breaks: Benchmarking Reykjavik against Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki on transport costs, flight times, and pass values.
• Best New Year’s Eve city breaks: Reykjavik’s community fireworks compared with Hogmanay in Edinburgh and other European capitals.
• Christmas market city breaks: Contrasting Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads and cosy food hall markets with traditional Central European Christmas fairs.

Itineraries

Day-by-day plans for a first visit.

Itinerary

3 Days in Reykjavik: Itinerary With Day Trips

A comprehensive three-day Reykjavik itinerary: day one exploring central sights and Sky Lagoon, day two on the Golden Circle, and day three on the South Coast.

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Itinerary

Reykjavik in 1 or 2 Days: Short Break Itinerary

A practical one-day and two-day Reykjavik itinerary: Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, geothermal pools, Sky Lagoon, and the Golden Circle, with dining and logistics.

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Which ticket to buy

The official ticket, the tours that include entry, and which sells out first.

Tickets

Blue Lagoon Tickets Reykjavik: Prices & Transfers

Blue Lagoon tickets: Comfort, Premium and Retreat Spa packages, timed booking, coaches from Reykjavik and Keflavik airport, bathing etiquette and safety.

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Tickets

Hallgrímskirkja Tickets Reykjavik: Tower & Hours

The nave of Hallgrímskirkja is free; the tower costs 1,500 ISK for adults and 200 ISK for ages 7 to 16. Daily hours, Sunday and concert closures, and the Klais organ.

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Tickets

National Museum of Iceland Reykjavik: Tickets & Guide

National Museum of Iceland in Reykjavik: adults 2,500 ISK, students and seniors 1,200 ISK, under 18s free, open daily 10:00 to 17:00. The Valþjófsstaður door, Thor figurine, and tour options.

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Tickets

Perlan Museum Tickets Reykjavik: Ice Cave & Show

Perlan tickets cover the 100-metre ice cave, the Áróra northern lights planetarium, the volcano exhibitions and the observation deck.

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Reykjavik City Card: Prices, Inclusions, Worth It?

Reykjavik City Card: 24h for 6,100 ISK, 48h for 8,500 ISK, 72h for 10,500 ISK. Free entry to 17 museums, 8 thermal pools and Strætó buses, and what it takes to break even.

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Tickets

Sky Lagoon Tickets Reykjavik: Saman & Sér Passes

Sky Lagoon tickets: the Saman and Sér passes, the 7-step Skjól ritual, the age 12 rule, buses and transfers.

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Harpa Concert Hall Reykjavik: Free Entry & Tours

Admission to Harpa is free. Guided architectural tours go inside Eldborg, daily opening hours, concert tickets, acoustics, and waterfront logistics.

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Whale Watching Reykjavik: Tours, Prices & Boats

Whale watching from Reykjavik's Old Harbour: Elding classic cruises at 14,500 ISK, RIB speedboats, seasonal wildlife and puffin trips.

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Day trips from Reykjavik

Out and back in a day, with the tours compared against going on your own.

Day trip

Day Trips from Reykjavik: Routes Compared

Five day trips from Reykjavik compared on distance, driving time and fees: Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes, Reykjanes and Borgarfjörður. Tour or self-drive.

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Day trip

Golden Circle from Reykjavik: Self-Drive vs Tour

How to explore the Golden Circle from Reykjavik by car or guided tour: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið, with exact parking costs, driving tips and itineraries.

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Day trip

South Coast Iceland Day Trip from Reykjavik

How to plan a South Coast day trip from Reykjavik to Vík: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull, Dyrhólaey and Reynisfjara. Parking, safety lights, and tours.

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Day trip

Snæfellsnes Day Trip from Reykjavik: Route & Stops

How to explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula from Reykjavik: the 450 km loop taking in Ytri Tunga seals, Búðir church, Arnarstapi, Djúpalónssandur and Kirkjufell.

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Where to stay

Areas and hotels, chosen for a visitor rather than a resident.

Where to stay

Where to Stay in Reykjavik: Best Areas & Hotels

Where to stay in Reykjavik: downtown 101, Old Harbour, Hlemmur, and Laugardalur. Best neighbourhoods, boutique hotels, tourist bus stops, and lodging tax.

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Airport transfers

From the airport to the centre, every option priced and timed.

Airport

Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik: Flybus, Bus & Taxi

How to travel from Keflavík Airport (KEF) to central Reykjavik: Flybus at 3,999 ISK, Strætó bus 55, fixed-price taxis, and Blue Lagoon transfers.

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Getting around

Tickets, passes and the transport a visitor actually uses.

Getting around

Reykjavik Public Transport: Buses, Fares & Parking

How to use public transport in Reykjavik: Strætó buses at 690 ISK a ride, the Klappið app, contactless fare capping, night buses, taxis, Hopp e-scooters and parking.

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What's on, month by month

Festivals, holidays and closures that change a visit.

Events

Northern Lights in Reykjavik: Season & Tours

When and where to view the northern lights in Reykjavik: season from late August to April, reading Met Office cloud maps, city viewpoints, and guided tours.

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Events

Reykjavik Christmas & New Year: Dates & Closures

Christmas and New Year in Reykjavik: 13 Yule Lads folklore, church bells on Christmas Eve, holiday pool hours, community bonfires, and New Year fireworks.

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Food and drink

Where to eat, what to order and when to book.

Food and drink

Reykjavik Food Tours: Guided and Self-Guided

Reykjavik food tours compared: guided culinary walks, beer prohibition history, and a self-guided crawl of Hlemmur, Pósthús and Grandi food halls.

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Food and drink

Where to Eat in Reykjavik: Dishes, Food Halls & Dining

Where to eat in Reykjavik: Bæjarins Beztu hot dogs, lamb soup, plokkfiskur, fermented shark, craft seafood, and food halls at Hlemmur, Pósthús, and Grandi.

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More guides

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Best Time to Visit Reykjavik: Month by Month

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Packing for Iceland: What to Wear in Any Season

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Is Reykjavik Safe? Crime, Nature & Driving Risks

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Money in Reykjavik: Cards, Tipping & VAT Refunds

Paying in Reykjavik: universal contactless cards, avoiding dynamic currency conversion, tipping customs, claiming 14% VAT refunds, and daily price breakdowns.

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Free Things to Do in Reykjavik: Sights and Walks

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Reykjavik Thermal Pools: Prices, Hours & Rules

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