BusTravel Diamond Beach Day Trip
14 hours · BusTravel Iceland
from $211 per person Check availability →
Gray Line 14.5-Hour South Coast
Reykjavik: South Coast, Diamond Beach, and Jökulsárlón Tour
from $234 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.
- Duration
- 14 hours 30 minutes
- Meeting point
- BSÍ Bus Terminal
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Pickup
- Pickup option available
- Run by
- Gray Line Iceland
Overview
This is a long, single-day coach tour from Reykjavik to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon and Diamond Beach, covering the South Coast in 14.5 hours. You ride east past black sand plains and glacier-capped volcanoes, stop at Skógafoss, continue toward the Skaftafell area of Vatnajökull National Park with views of Öræfajökull, and spend about 1.5 hours at the lagoon itself before crossing the road to the black sand beach where ice fragments wash ashore. On the way back the bus stops at Vik for dinner and finishes at Seljalandsfoss, where you can walk behind the waterfall when weather allows.
The trip suits travellers who want to reach Jökulsárlón from Reykjavik without renting a car or driving themselves. Guides come with the tour and are frequently praised in reviews for their knowledge, with several travellers mentioning stories about geology, history and local folklore along the drive. The bus has free WiFi and is climate controlled.
It is a big day. Reviewers repeatedly warn that the journey is long, with one calling the trip amazing but noting it takes a very long time. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes, and pick the option with hotel pickup and drop-off if you want it, since that service only applies when selected.
From$234 per person
Duration14 hours 30 minutes
Rating4.5 from 1,582 reviews
What's Included
Included
- Bus
- Guide
- Free WiFi onboard
Not Included
- Boat tour on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon
- Food and beverages
Itinerary
- Pickup or BSÍ TerminalMeet at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavik, or use hotel pickup and drop-off if that option is selected. Pickup starts 30 minutes before departure.
- Coach to HvolsvöllurA 1.5 hour drive east, with a break and free time of 20 minutes at Hvolsvöllur.
- Skógafoss and EyjafjallajökullThe route passes Eyjafjallajökull volcano with scenic views along the way, then stops at Skógafoss for photos, a walk and sightseeing.
- Local restaurant stopA 40 minute break at a local restaurant for food at your own expense, with free time and shopping.
- Jökulsárlón and Diamond BeachThe longest stop: 1.5 hours at the lagoon for a guided tour, free time and photos, then a short hop across the road to Diamond Beach. An amphibian boat ride on the lagoon is optional in summer, paid on site.
- Vik and SeljalandsfossA dinner and sightseeing break in Vik, then a final stop at Seljalandsfoss, where you may walk behind the waterfall if weather permits, before the return to Reykjavik.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will make this day go more smoothly, drawn from what the operator publishes and what travellers report afterwards.
- BusTravel Diamond Beach Day Trip$211
- 14 to 15 Hour Day Trip$225
- Small-Group Minibus, Hotel Pickup$229
- Gray Line 14.5-Hour South Coast (this tour)$234
- Reykjavik Excursions Guided Day Trip$234
- Boat Ride Included, 14 Hours$292
- Reykjavik Excursions Boat Tour$328
- Long day out. Count on 14.5 hours door to door. Reviewers often say the journey takes a very long time, even when they rate the day highly. Several still call the trip worth the time.
- Dress warm. The operator asks for comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. One review describes a storm with wind and rain on the day of the trip, so layers and a proper waterproof are safer than a light jacket.
- Food not included. Meals and drinks are at your own expense. The itinerary builds in a 40 minute restaurant stop plus a dinner break in Vik, and there are also stops at restaurants and gas stations along the route where food can be bought.
- Guides and stories. Reviews frequently describe the guides as knowledgeable, with mentions of useful suggestions, folk tales and context on everything from geothermal plants to history. Several travellers also credit their drivers with safe, careful handling of the long route.
- Photos at stops. Each waterfall and the lagoon get photo stops, and Diamond Beach sits right across the road from Jökulsárlón.
$234from, per person
14.5 hoursduration
4.5across 1,582 guest reviews
- Pickup timing. If you select a pickup option, be outside your hotel or at your designated bus stop 30 minutes before departure. Provide hotel details in advance, and note that bus access restrictions in Reykjavik may mean walking to a nearby pickup point.
Common issues. The honest downside is length: multiple reviewers say the day is very long, and one couple said they would have preferred skipping the dinner stop to get back earlier. Weather can be rough, with one reviewer surprised the tour ran despite a storm warning, though the guide adjusted the schedule so all stops were still made. The boat ride on the lagoon costs extra and is paid on site, and food and beverages are not included.
Common Questions
How Long Is The Tour?
The full tour runs 14.5 hours from Reykjavik. That includes the drives, the waterfall stops, a 40 minute meal break and about 1.5 hours at Jökulsárlón. Several reviewers mention the long journey, so plan for a late return.
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
Pickup and drop-off are provided only if you select that option when booking. Pickup starts 30 minutes before departure and is offered from most Reykjavik hotels, though bus access restrictions may require you to use a designated pickup point. The default meeting point is the BSÍ Bus Terminal.
Is Food Included?
No. Food and beverages are excluded, but the itinerary includes a 40 minute stop at a local restaurant and a dinner break in Vik, plus stops at restaurants and gas stations on the way.
What Is Included In The Price?
The tour includes the bus, an English-speaking guide and free WiFi on board. The amphibian boat ride on the lagoon is not included; in summer it can be added for an extra fee payable on site.
Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?
Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Itineraries are also subject to change, for example when weather affects the walk behind Seljalandsfoss.
What Should I Bring?
Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, per the operator. You will be outdoors at waterfalls, the lagoon and a black sand beach, and reviews mention wind and rain on some departures. Money for meals helps, since food is not included.
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