Cruise ship visit
to Iceland

Do's and don'ts info

Many people visit Iceland on a cruise and stop in Reykjavík, where there are lots of options for day tours and sightseeing. Important things to consider before planning your visit include the distance of popular sites like Geysir, the National Park, and Gullfoss from Reykjavík. The Golden Circle tour is 300km and takes 7-8 hours, so plan carefully. If your ship stays overnight, you'll have more choices. It's convenient to use a card for payments in Iceland to avoid dealing with exchange rates on the ship or in your own country's bank.

Private taxi tours

Note: Last year the taxi license in Iceland was opened up and you only need to go through a short seminar to get a license. Therefore a lot of new drivers are offering their service, good if you need just a transport but if you want a day tour with some guidance and local history, then you need to get a local Icelandic driver, markt often with a Icelandic flag in the right corner on the front window. 

TIP:

The experienced traveler usually gets their breakfast onboard, lets the main traffic go, and then goes straight to taxis for their tour options as they know that local prize is best. Staff usually also use taxis if they don't have a free bus.

Map of taxi tours
Taxi tours Skarfabakka

WHAT CAN I DO….

You can choose from 2 hr. sightseeing of the Reykjavík area, do the Golden Circle, Silver Circle, Reykjanes peninsula or if you stay overnight and start early the South coast is also an option. Click here to see the price of tours.

YOUR VISIT

Taxis (driver guides) are always ready when a ship docks and most of them have been guiding for many years. Tip. Better to choose a local Icelandic driver.

Doing sightseeing with a taxi is more personal and less expensive if you are 4 or more. Booking through the ship or agent is more costly and all links take their cut (tour companies add 24% sales tax). A bus allows you just fixed time at each place and you really don't have the option to ask questions. Taxi drivers always calculate the time needed and let you have the maximum time at each place or skip faster in some places.

Q & A

What if the car breaks down or something like that?

It's unheard of that people are late to the ship from a taxi tour, if there is a breakdown then we call another car or get you on a tour bus back or what is the quickest way back.

Can you take me to the Blue Lagoon?

Yes BUT you have to have a pre-booking to go into the Lagoon. Best way is to book the return tour and then we wait for you and go back when you are ready.

Can I just go to the Geysir?

Yes, but basically the Golden Circle is the same but if you just want to stop at Geysir and then straight back, then we can do some discount but the distance we have to drive is the same.

Can we do the Glacier Lagoon?

It´s possible if you go early and the ship stays overnight, this tour is ca. 14-16 hours!