No car needed
From Reykjavik
Katla and the south coast in a day
For a trip without a car. You are picked up in Reykjavik and stop at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss on the way.
Ice cave tours from Reykjavik
Only one tour we compare leaves from Reykjavik: a full day to the Katla ice cave, with two waterfalls on the way.
- From
- €158
- Duration
- 3 to 12 h
- Best season
- All year
- Tours compared
- 3
Which ice cave tour works from Reykjavik?
It depends on whether you have a car.
One tour leaves from the city; the other two start in Vík.
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Most reviewed
From Vík
Katla by super jeep
For most trips with a car: the most reviewed Katla tour, and it leaves the rest of your day free.
From€176See dates: Katla by super jeep
Lowest price
From Vík
Katla in a small group
For the same trip at the lowest price of the three, in a smaller group.
Compare in detail
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No car neededKatla and the south coast in a dayArctic AdventuresKeep in mind: A long day of 12 h, at the highest price of the three. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 12 h | Reykjavik, pick-up at 27 stops | 6 years | €249 | See dates: Katla and the south coast in a day | |
Most reviewedKatla by super jeepArctic AdventuresKeep in mind: The walls are blue and black, because of the ash. Expect darker ice than in the crystal caves. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Vík, behind the Icewear shop | 6 years | €176 | See dates: Katla by super jeep | |
Lowest price at KatlaKatla in a small groupGravel TravelKeep in mind: The operator advises against it with heart problems or reduced mobility. What's includedIncluded
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Vík, Austurvegur 20 | 8 years | €158 | See dates: Katla in a small group |
See more tours from Reykjavik
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Which ice cave is closest to Reykjavik?
The closest natural cave we compare is Katla, about 2.5 hours away.
Perlan, in town, and Into the Glacier, about 2 hours away, are closer, but people built both. The Vatnajökull caves are about 5 hours away.
- ReykjavikWhere most trips begin
- VíkAbout 180 km, 2.5 hours
- SkaftafellFurther east, on the way
- JökulsárlónAbout 380 km, 5 hours
From Reykjavik, without a car
One full day
Katla and the south coast in a day picks you up in town and adds two waterfalls on the way, for €249.
See this tourIn your own car
Only as far as Vík
Normal cars and rental 4x4s cannot take the tracks to the glacier, so you park in the village and ride with your guide.
Vatnajökull
Sleep near the lagoon
Five hours each way is a lot for one day, so rent a car and sleep near the lagoon. Short on time? Katla is about half as far.
Vatnajökull ice caves
What about Perlan and Into the Glacier?
People built both, so we do not compare them here.
Perlan
An ice cave made from over 350 tons of snow, inside a museum in Reykjavik.
Into the Glacier
Ice tunnels dug by people into the Langjökull glacier, open all year, about 2 hours by road from Reykjavik.
Natural caves at Langjökull
They exist, but only a snowmobile gets you there.
Can you do an ice cave tour from Reykjavik in a day?
Yes, to Katla.
Katla and the south coast in a day takes 12 h, with two waterfalls on the way, for €249.
How far is Reykjavik from the Katla ice cave?
Tours meet in Vík, about 180 km and 2.5 hours by road. From there a guide drives you to the glacier, because normal cars cannot take the tracks.
Can you see the Vatnajökull ice caves from Reykjavik in a day?
It is a lot: Jökulsárlón is about 5 hours away, each way. Rent a car and sleep near the lagoon.
Vatnajökull ice cavesIs there an ice cave in Reykjavik?
Only a built one, inside the Perlan museum. The natural caves we compare start from Vík, about 2.5 hours away.
Where to start?
Without a car, take the full day to Katla.
With one, drive to Vík and keep the rest of your day free.
