South Coast Day Trip from Reykjavik: Tours Compared
South Coast Classic: Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik
What you get on a South Coast tour
Iceland’s South Coast is the most dramatic day trip available from Reykjavik: two famous waterfalls, a notorious black sand beach, glacier views, and the raw coastline of the North Atlantic, all within a single day’s drive. The route runs east along Ring Road 1, through agricultural plains to Vik and back.
The core stops — Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik — are the same on most tours. The differences are in vehicle size, group dynamics, whether a glacier hike is included, and how much flexibility the guide has. This comparison breaks down four main formats. A fifth option, a South Coast tour by super jeep, trades bus comfort for off-road capability and a smaller, more flexible group.
For context on the sites themselves, read the South Coast complete guide.
| Where | Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik along Ring Road 1 |
| Cost | Around €70-130 per person depending on format |
| Time needed | Full day, 10-12 hours from Reykjavik |
| Getting there | Classic bus, small-group tour, or self-drive |
| Best time | Year-round; summer for long days, winter for dramatic light |
South Coast tour comparison
| Format | Group size | Duration | Glacier hike? | Approx. price (pp) | Departs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic full-day (Seljalandsfoss base) | 30-50 | 10-11 h | No | ~€70-90 | BSI / Harpa |
| Small group + glacier hike | 8-19 | 11-12 h | Yes (+€35) | ~€100-130 | BSI + hotel pickup |
| Small group (no glacier) | 8-19 | 10-11 h | No | ~€80-100 | BSI + hotel pickup |
| Wild South (waterfalls, black beach, glacier) | 30-50 | 10-12 h | Yes | ~€90-120 | BSI / Harpa |
Classic full-day tour: the benchmark
The South Coast classic full-day tour covers the main attractions without extras: Seljalandsfoss (you can walk behind this waterfall), Skogafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the view over the Vik coastline. A guide provides commentary throughout.
This is the most widely available and cheapest format. Large bus means you share the experience with 40+ others, and stops are timed (usually 30-45 minutes each). The guide keeps the group moving; there is limited time for independent exploration.
Suitable for: first-time visitors to Iceland, those on a budget, solo travellers who want company.
Small-group tour with glacier hike: the most complete day
The small group South Coast tour with glacier hike adds a 2-3 hour guided walk on Solheimajokull glacier to the standard South Coast stops. The glacier hike is led by a certified guide with crampons and ice axes provided. You walk on the glacier surface, see crevasses, and get close to the black-and-grey ice that characterises Iceland’s glaciers.
The tradeoff: this is a very long day — typically 11-12 hours including driving. If you include the glacier hike, you will either skip Vik’s village itself or have minimal time there. The hike also requires a moderate level of fitness; the terrain is uneven ice.
Price is higher but you get a genuinely different experience — the glacier component is not something you can replicate on a standard South Coast bus. If you have not stood on a glacier before and this is your only Iceland trip, the add-on is worth serious consideration. The iconic glacier hike, South Coast, and waterfalls tour follows the same format and is worth comparing on price and departure times.
Small-group without glacier hike: flexibility at a premium
The South Coast full-day trip in a small group offers the same destinations as the classic tour but with 8-19 people rather than 30-50. The guide has real flexibility: if everyone wants an extra 15 minutes at Skogafoss, they take it. Hotel pickup is typically included. The guide’s commentary is more interactive.
The price premium over the big-bus tour is typically €20-40 per person. For many people, the smaller group dynamic is worth that; for others on a tight budget, the big bus is fine since the scenery is the same.
”Wild South” tours: glaciers, waterfalls, and beach in one
The waterfalls, black beach, and glacier day trip combines the South Coast’s headline sites with a glacier experience in a single longer day. These tours tend to run in slightly larger vehicles than the small-group options but are still more nimble than a full-size coach.
Look carefully at the glacier element: some “glacier” stops are glacier views (from below, near Solheimajokull parking) rather than actual walks on ice. Read the description carefully to distinguish between a guided glacier hike (crampons on ice) and a “glacier lookout” (standing near the glacier). A related variant, the Katla ice cave and South Coast tour, swaps the standard glacier walk for an ice cave visit at Katla, which stays accessible even in summer when Vatnajokull’s natural caves are closed.
What is NOT included: the standard exclusions
- Lunch. There are a few restaurants along the route (Vik and the Skogafoss area). Budget 3,000-5,000 ISK for a meal. Many travellers bring a packed lunch from a supermarket in Reykjavik.
- Entry to Skogafoss viewpoint platform. The waterfall itself is free; the staircase platform requires a small fee.
- Glacier hike crampons and equipment. These are usually included in glacier-hike-specific tours, but always confirm.
- DC-3 plane wreck. The wrecked plane on Solheimasandur black sand is free to visit but requires a flat 4 km walk each way from the parking area. Not all tours include this stop — check.
Practical notes
- Departure: Most tours leave Reykjavik around 08:00-09:00 and return by 19:00-22:00 depending on glacier hike inclusion.
- What to bring: Waterproof trousers and jacket (waterfall mist is heavy), warm layers, solid walking shoes or ankle boots. Sandals are not appropriate.
- Reynisfjara safety: The warning about sneaker waves is real. Every year visitors are injured or killed. Heed the signage and your guide.
- Free cancellation: Most GYG listings allow cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Overnight option: Staying in Vik means you can do the South Coast more slowly over two days and add Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon the following day.
For the full story on what to see and how to plan, read the South Coast complete guide.
Frequently asked questions about South Coast day trips from Reykjavik
What does a South Coast day tour include?
Most full-day tours cover Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and the village of Vik. Some add a glacier hike on Solheimajokull. Lunch is almost never included.
Is glacier hiking included in standard South Coast tours?
Not usually. A glacier hike is a paid add-on or a feature of specific tours. It adds 2-3 hours and roughly €30-50 to the price. Book a tour that explicitly includes it.
Can I do the South Coast in one day?
Yes, but it is a long day — 10-12 hours. If you want to do everything well, consider staying overnight in Vik and combining with a Jokulsarlon day trip.
What is Reynisfjara like and is it dangerous?
Reynisfjara is one of Iceland’s most famous beaches: jet-black sand, basalt columns, and North Atlantic waves. Sneaker waves have killed visitors. Stay well back from the water’s edge and never turn your back on the waves.
Is hotel pickup included?
Most large-bus tours depart from BSI Bus Terminal. Small-group tours often include hotel pickup. Confirm before booking.
What months are best for the South Coast?
The route is open year-round. Summer offers long days and accessible waterfalls. Winter brings dramatic light but shorter days and icy roads. Spring and autumn have smaller crowds.
Should I add the glacier hike or skip it?
Add it if this is likely your only Iceland trip and you have never walked on glacier ice — it is a genuinely distinct experience requiring certified guides and equipment. Skip it if your schedule is tight or you will see glaciers elsewhere, such as near Jokulsarlon.
South Coast or Snaefellsnes if I only have one extra day?
The South Coast has the more dramatic individual landmarks (Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara), while Snaefellsnes offers more variety with fewer crowds. Most first-time visitors get more from the South Coast as their second day trip after the Golden Circle.
Plan the South Coast alongside other highlights in the 5-day Reykjavik itinerary or 7-day Iceland itinerary.
What to expect at each main South Coast stop
Seljalandsfoss. A 60-metre waterfall with a path behind it — the behind-the-falls experience is unique in Iceland and genuinely impressive. Budget 30-40 minutes. The path is slippery; hiking boots or waterproof shoes are strongly recommended. Getting wet is likely on the path behind the falls even with a hood.
Skogafoss. A wide 60-metre curtain of water — one of the most photographed in Iceland. There are 527 steps up the cliff to the left which lead to the top of the falls and a river walk. The base of the falls produces a persistent mist that creates rainbows in sunlight. Tours usually allow 30-45 minutes here.
Seljalandsfoss to Skogafoss canyon trail. A 2-hour hiking trail connects the two waterfalls along the base of the Eyjafjoll plateau. No tours cover this; it is a self-drive option if you have a full extra day.
Solheimasandur DC-3 plane wreck. A US Navy Douglas DC-3 crash-landed on the black sand in 1973. The fuselage and wing fragments remain, rusting photogenically on the featureless black plain. It requires a flat 4 km walk each way (roughly 1 hour return). Some tours include time for this walk; most do not because of time constraints.
Reynisfjara. The basalt column formations at the northern end of the beach are Halsanefshellir cave — a cave made of hexagonal basalt columns stacked like organ pipes. The cave is worth exploring carefully. The columns along the cliff face include some of the best formations in Iceland.
Vik i Myrdal. The southernmost village in Iceland (population ~300), perched above the sea cliffs. The black church on the hill (Vikurkirkja) is the gathering point in local folklore for survivors of the legendary waves that will one day swallow Vik entirely. The village has a few restaurants and shops; most tours allow 20-30 minutes.
The South Coast complete guide covers each of these stops in more detail with suggested timing and what to prioritise if time is short.
Deciding between a glacier hike add-on and skipping it
The glacier hike is the single biggest fork in the road when choosing a South Coast tour. If you have never stood on a glacier and this is likely your only Iceland trip, the honest advice is to include it — walking on Solheimajokull with crampons is a genuinely different experience from viewing a glacier from a parking area, and it is not something easily arranged independently without the right equipment and a certified guide. If your day is already tight, or you plan to see glaciers elsewhere on the trip (Vatnajokull near Jokulsarlon, for instance), skipping it here and spending the extra hours at Vik or the DC-3 wreck is a reasonable trade.
How the South Coast compares to Snaefellsnes
Travellers choosing between the South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula for a single free day should know the South Coast has the more dramatic individual sights — Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara are each genuinely spectacular in a way few single stops on Snaefellsnes match — while Snaefellsnes offers more variety and fewer crowds spread across a full day. For a first Iceland trip with only one day to spare beyond the Golden Circle, most travellers get more from the South Coast.
