Katla or the Crystal Ice Cave: which one?
Choose Katla if you travel outside winter or want to stay closer to Reykjavik. Choose the Crystal Ice Cave, at Vatnajökull, if you are in Iceland from November to March and want the deep blue ice.
Vatnajökull
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How do they compare?
Season and distance make the difference.
| Katla | Vatnajökull (Crystal) | |
|---|---|---|
| The ice | Blue, streaked black with ash | Deep crystal blue |
| Season | Every month | About November to March |
| Tours start in | Vík, or Reykjavik on a day tour | Near Jökulsárlón |
| From Reykjavik | About 2.5 hours by road | About 5 hours by road |
| Getting in | A guided tour, by super jeep at the end | A guided tour, by super jeep and a short walk |
| Lowest price here | €158 | €144 |
| Tour length | 3 to 12 h | 3 to 6 h |
How is the ice different?
Katla's ice carries layers of black ash from past eruptions, so the walls look like ink in blue glass.
Vatnajökull's caves form in dense, old ice that absorbs red light, which gives them their deep blue.
Which one is open when?
Katla is the safe answer for a summer or autumn trip, because it runs every month.
Vatnajökull's natural caves open only once the melt stops, from about November to March.
Which one would we choose?
If you are in Iceland in winter and have time to drive east, go to the Crystal Ice Cave.
It can get crowded, as many operators use it.
In any other case, or on a short trip based in Reykjavik, go to Katla.
Which ice cave tour should you book?
In winter, Vatnajökull. The rest of the year, Katla by super jeep.
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Katla
Our pick
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 at Katla
From Vík
Katla in a small group
For the same trip at the lowest price of the three, in a smaller group.
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.
Vatnajökull
Our pick
From Jökulsárlón
A blue ice cave on Vatnajökull
For most trips: a better rating than the most reviewed tour, on more reviews than the two top-rated ones.
Most reviewed
From Jökulsárlón
Guided cave visit from the lagoon
For the most tried option: more reviews than any other tour here, by super jeep.
With children
From Jökulsárlón
A blue cave with children
For families: children can join from age 5, the lowest minimum age of all the tours we compare.
For keen walkers
From Jökulsárlón
A long walk to a remote cave
For a longer day on the ice, with a walk to a more remote cave.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katla | ||||||
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 | |
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 | |
| Vatnajökull | ||||||
Our pick for a first blue caveA blue ice cave on VatnajökullIce ExplorersKeep in mind: Not for anyone under 135 cm tall, and the operator advises against it with heart problems or during pregnancy. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Jökulsárlón, at the lagoon café | 7 years | €174 | See dates: A blue ice cave on Vatnajökull | |
Most reviewed at VatnajökullGuided cave visit from the lagoonGuide to IcelandKeep in mind: Its rating is the lowest of the four, across a large number of reviews. What's includedIncluded
Bring
| 3 h | Jökulsárlón | 8 years | €147 | See dates: Guided cave visit from the lagoon | |
For familiesA blue cave with childrenIce Walkers ToursKeep in mind: It has far fewer reviews than the others, so its rating rests on less. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h 30 | Jökulsárlón | 5 years | €144 | See dates: A blue cave with children | |
For keen walkersA long walk to a remote caveIce Walkers ToursKeep in mind: The highest price of the four. The operator excludes low fitness and back, heart or breathing problems. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 6 h | Jökulsárlón, main car park | 12 years | €250 | See dates: A long walk to a remote cave | |