Reykjavik Cruise Port is your stepping stone into the land of fire and ice! My comprehensive guide will help you explore the unique wonders from Iceland’s capital.
I’ll start with the essentials, covering the five cruise terminals at Reykjavik cruise port your ship may dock at and how to find out your ship’s docking location for planning.
From there, I’ll detail all the practical options for getting from Reykjavik cruise port into Reykjavik city centre, where you can dive into my curated list of the top 10 things to see and do in Reykjavik. Discover exciting wildlife opportunities with tips on whale watching and puffin tours straight from Reykjavik, and learn whether the Hop-On Hop-Off bus is worth it for your DIY itinerary.
For those fortunate enough to have an overnight stay or a longer day, we explore planning unforgettable excursions like the classic Golden Circle tour, an adventure along the South of Iceland, or a relaxing trip to the Blue Lagoon. Finally, I’ll reveal two of Reykjavik’s fantastic hidden gems beloved by locals – an authentic city thermal pool and the quirky Nauthólsvík geothermal beach – ensuring your DIY visit captures the true spirit of Iceland. Let’s start!
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Reykjavik Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward
Reykjavik Cruise Port is definitely the easiest cruise port in Iceland to do a DIY shore excursion! Here’s why I rated a DIY excursion 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward:
- Free Port Shuttle to City Centre: With a stop outside each of the three terminals at the Skafabakki Cruise Terminals, you won’t need to worry about how to get into Reykjavik city centre
- Good network of buses: Reykjavik has a good network of buses, allowing you to see most attractions easily. Pay by contactless cards means no fumbling for change to pay the bus fares.
- Concentration of attractions around the harbour: If you don’t want to walk too far from the shuttle drop off point (Harpa Concert Hall), then there’s a fair bit to do close by!
Reykjavik Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know
1. Reykjavik Cruise Port: Five Cruise Terminals
Reykjavik has two cruise ports: the Old Harbour in the heart of Reykjavik’s city centre and the Skafabakki Cruise Port, about 3km (~2 miles).
- Old Harbour Cruise Port (Gamla höfnin): There’s two cruise terminals – only very small ships dock here. Both are easily walkable to Reykjavik City Centre:
- Miðbakki – this is the closer cruise pier to the city centre
- Faxagarður – this is the further cruise pier to the city centre
- Skafabakki Cruise Port: Each terminal has its own security check-points and own port shuttle stop to the city centre – see photo above
- Skarfabakki 312: This is the largest of the three terminals
- Skarfabakki 315: Located next to Skafabakki 312
- Korngarður: This is the terminal “to the side”.
(I call them different cruise terminals, as they are different buildings for entry and exit to/fro your ship. It’s not a central cruise terminal for all the ships docked at Skafabakki. Click here to jump to details about the Reykjavik Cruise Port Shuttle to City Centre.)
2. Reykjavik Cruise Port Schedule
You can check where your ship will dock on the official Reykjavik Cruise Port schedule. Once you click through, select “Reykjavik” on the top right hand corner.
Select the calendar month you want to view at the top of the page. The Reykjavik cruise terminal that your ship will be docked at will be displayed. While in theory small ships do dock in the Old Harbour, I’ve found increasingly that almost all cruise ships dock at Skafabakki.
3. Reykjavik Cruise Port Useful Tidbits
- Currency: Icelandic Krona (ISK)
- Language: Icelandic. English is very widely spoken in Reykjavik
- Official Tourism Website is Visit Iceland
- eSim for Iceland: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout
- Note on Icelandic prices: Iceland IS expensive! So if you’re planning a cruise to Iceland, be sure to factor into the cost of shore excursions! I personally found Iceland cheaper than Alaska during peak months (June-August). If you’d like to keep a tight budget on shore excursions, then there’s lots of shore excursion options which can be booked directly with a local operator. Booking through a local operator will generally be cheaper than through your cruise line.
Reykjavik Cruise Port Map
- On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
- On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
- If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps
Reykjavik Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Options
If your ship is docked at Old Harbour, then you can easily walk to the city centre – the Harpa Concert Hall is about a 5-minute walk away. So from now onwards, I’ll focus on how to get from the Skafabakki Cruise Port to Reykjavik city centre:
1. Reykjavik Cruise Port Shuttle (free)
The free Reykjavik Cruise Port shuttle runs on a continuous loop between the three cruise terminals at Skafabakki Cruise Port and Harpa Concert Hall. It typically runs every 10-15 minutes. Despite some online reports doubting its existence, this free port shuttle DOES exist.
Operating Hours of the Shuttle: If your ship is doing an overnight stop in Reykjavik, DO check what time the shuttle stops running. I believe the shuttle’s operating hours are based on the cruise line’s request, as it seems to vary between 8:30pm to 11pm.
How to Find the Free Shuttle Stop: There’s a bus stop for each of the three terminals at Skafabakki Cruise Port. So follow signs after you’ve disembarked from your ship and wait at the signposted stop outside the terminal building. No need to trek to another cruise terminal!
Ending your cruise in Reykjavik? If you’re thinking of taking the free port shuttle at the end of your cruise and either connect to the airport or stay in Reykjavik, note that the port shuttle does not allow luggage onboard.
2. Reykjavik Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus
During the summer cruise season, the Reykjavik Hop-on-Hop-Off Bus has a stop outside Skarfabakki 312 cruise terminal – see this marked on my Reykjavik cruise port map above 🗺️📌👆.
More details under “Is the Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off Bus worth it?” below.
3. Reykjavik Public Bus
If the queues for the free port shuttle gets too much, then the public bus towards Reykjavik city centre is also an easy alternative.
Bus route #16 runs from the main road (“Klettagarður”) outside Reykjavik’s three cruise terminals at Skafabakki Harbour. There’s two bus stops, “Skarfagarðar” (closer to Skafabakki 312 & 315 terminals) and “Kænugarðar” (closer to the Korngarður terminal) – both are marked on my Reykjavik Cruise Port map 🗺️📌👆
- Frequency: Buses run every 30 minutes
- Timetables: Straeto.is has a route planner but I think Google Maps is easier
- Tickets: Pay with contactless card – see more details below
- Where to Get Off: Get off at the last stop called Skúlagata. It’s just before Harpa Concert Hall. The return bus stop to Skafabakki cruise terminals is at the same stop, as bus route #16 terminates there.
Getting Around Reykjavik on Local Buses – a few tips!
I walked to most places around Reykjavik but for the few occasions when I needed the local buses, I also found it easy to use. But here’s a few tips to make it easier:
- Pay by contactless cards: Easiest way to pay for bus fares is to tap your contactless cards (Visa & Mastercard or ApplePay or AndroidPay on your phones and smartwatches). 670 ISK one-way tickets. Kids under 11 are free.
- Daily Fare-Capping by Contactless: Fares are capped at a maximum of 3 rides per day. This means that if you tap with the same card throughout the day, you’ll only be charged a maximum of 2,010 ISK – the equivalent of three 670 ISK one-way fares – no matter how many rides you take.
- Concession Fares are cash only: Kids (over 11) and seniors fares are available but only in cash and in exact money from the driver. (I suspect that most cruisers won’t have exact cash.) Unfortunately, concession fares can’t be paid using a debit/credit card on the bus.
- Use Google Maps for live departures: The local transit authority’s Straeto.is has a great website with a route planner. But I found that Google Maps works just as well, with live bus departures.
- Most useful routes:
- Bus #1: Useful from Harpa Concert Hall to the National Museum of Iceland.
- Bus #16: As above, runs from Skafabakki to City centre
- Bus #18: Useful from Harpa Concert Hall to the Perlan
4. Taxis
Taxis are readily available outside all three cruise terminals at Skafabakki Harbour. But a few things worth pointing out about taxis in Reykjavik:
- Fares set by each taxi company: Taxis are metered in Reykjavik but the fares are not state-regulated. This means that fares are set by individual companies, though they’re fairly similar.
- Fares are quite expensive: Even by London black cabs standards, Reykjavik taxi fares are quite expensive! A 10-minute drive from Skafabakki Harbour to the city centre is about €35-40 one-way.
5. Walk
For very keen walkers, it’s possible to walk into Reykavik city centre in about 45 – 60 minutes. (The walk is around 4km or ~2.5 miles, on flat ground.) If you’d like to walk, my recommendation is to walk along the harbour front and not on the main road!
The “Sculpture and Shore Walk“, conveniently runs along the shore line, from the Skarfabakki cruise terminals, all the way to the Harpa Concert Hall, stopping by the famous Sun Voyager sculpture (and others).
I have walked 80% of it but never all the way back to the port. It’s a popular walk, not just for walkers but for locals who use the route as a jogging trail. See the route marked in blue on my Reykjavik Cruise Port map.
Reykjavik Top Things to Do in City Centre
There’s more than enough attractions in Reykjavik City Centre for a full day DIY excursion, so be selective and pick what you’d like to see.
This is my Top 10 Things to Do in Reykjavik: The attractions listed below are grouped in geographical proximity to the Harpa Concert Hall, the port shuttle drop off point.
1. Harpa Concert Hall
Harpa Concert Hall is absolutely stunning, both during the day and at night! The building’s design is inspired by Iceland’s basalt columns and the interplay of light and water.
The main concert hall is renowned for its exceptional acoustics. But the Harpa also serves as a multi-functional venue. You can visit the public areas for free and there’s usually at least one free exhibition inside to enjoy. Duck inside and have a look! There’s also a cafe and free WiFi. I visited the public areas at night and it was stunning inside👇!
2. Sun Voyager
”We all have our fantasy boats, vessels that we dream of sailing away, into the dream.” – Jón Gunnar Árnason
The Sun Voyager, or Sólfar in Icelandic, is a striking sculpture made by Jón Gunnar Árnason to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Reykjavik in 1990.
The sculpture certainly looks like a Viking longship, but Árnason described it as a “dreamboat” or an ode to the sun. Árnason intended it to convey the promise of undiscovered territory and the sculpture is meant to symbolise hope, progress, and freedom.
The quote above is from a plaque on the ground near the sculpture. I’m sure it appeals to the cruiser in you, as it did in me 🛶🌊!
How to Get to the Sun Voyager: Walk along the harbour front from Harpa Concert Hall. It’s less than 5 minutes away on flat ground.
3. Hallgrimskirkja Church
The iconic Hallgrimskirkja Church is the tallest man-made building in Reykjavik, so you’ll get wonderful views of Reykjavik from the top of the bell tower.
The church is named after Hallgrímur Pétursson, a significant Icelandic poet and clergyman from the 17th century. Don’t miss the statue of Leifur Eiríksson at the front of the church – a gift from the US to Iceland in 1930, commemorating the millennial (1000th) anniversary of the Icelandic Parliament, the Alþingi.
Leifur Eiríksson, also known as Leif the Lucky, was a Norse explorer believed to have been the first European to set foot on continental North America around the year 1000 AD. This predates Christopher Columbus’s arrival by nearly 500 years!
Was Leif really that lucky “to have found” North America? While it is generally accepted that Leifur Eiríksson reached North America, the exact location of his settlement, known as Vinland, is debated. The sagas of Icelanders provide accounts of his voyages, and archaeological evidence found at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada, suggests a Norse presence around that time, potentially linked to Vinland.
- How to Get There: About 15 minutes walk from Harpa Concert Hall – I would recommend that you walk up Rainbow Street – see below.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 8pm (May to August), daily 10am to 5pm (September to April). Note the Tower shuts 15 minutes earlier than above.
- Tickets: The church is free to enter but admission to the Tower requires a paid ticket. Purchase Tower tickets in the church shop, as you enter the church. Adults 1,400 ISK, kids aged 7-16 200 ISK. Seniors 67+ & students with ID qualify for 1,000 ISK concession ticket.
- Note: as this is a working church, double-check opening hours a few days before your visit here, especially if you’re going just to climb the tower!
4. Rainbow Street
Skólavörðustígur aka Rainbow Street is painted in vibrant rainbow colours as a symbol of Reykjavik’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. It runs uphill directly towards Hallgrímskirkja church. So if you stand at the bottom of the hill, you’ll see a stunning, perfectly framed view of the church’s unique facade – an ideal selfie or group photo spot.
Rainbow street is sometimes also known as shopping street, because it’s lined with interesting independent shops, boutiques, galleries and cafes. You’ll find clothing and homeware stores featuring Iceland design, wool products, jewellery and local crafts and artwork.
Opening hours of individual shops will vary but typically shops here are 10am to 6pm weekdays, 10am to 4-5pm Saturday, 12 noon to 4-5pm Sunday with some shops closed.
How to Get There: From Harpa Concert Hall, head out to the Main Street. Take a right and walk up Ingólfsstræti. The start of Rainbow Street is about 5-8 minutes walk.
5. Whales of Iceland
The Whales of Iceland is the largest whale exhibition in Europe! Approximately 15 minutes walk from Harpa Concert Hall, where the port shuttle drop off point was.
While all 23 life-size models of different whales are man-made, this is an excellent museum if you intend to do any whale-watching on your Icelandic cruise.
Don’t miss the screenings of “Whale Wisdom” narrated by Sir David Attenborough and “Sonic Sea” narrated by Rachel McAdams in the Fin Whale Theatre! (The two movies’ screenings typically alternate hourly. So if you budget for at least 2 hours for your visit, then you’ll see them both, with time to see other stuff in between.)
- How to Get There: It’s a 20-minute walk from Harpa Concert Hall. If you prefer a bus, then bus #3 or #14 will get there in 2 stops.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm.
- Tickets: Pre-book tickets online here, as it’s slightly cheaper. Otherwise, adults are 4,300 ISK, kids aged 7-15 are 2,150 ISK. There’s also a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) at 8,600 ISK. Tickets are not timed.
- What to Bring: Your charged phone with your own headphones if you’d like to use the free audioguide.
Whalewatching in Iceland? If you’re going to do any whale watching tours on your Icelandic cruise and want to know a bit more about the majestic creatures you’ll see, I would highly recommend this!
Traveling with Kids? Combine the Whales of Iceland, with Flyover Iceland or Reykjavik Maritime Museum. All are kids friendly!
6. Flyover Iceland
Flyover Iceland is an immersive cinematic “flight” that takes you flying across Iceland’s stunning natural wonders. You’ll see glaciers, fjords, volcanoes, highlands and the dramatic coastline.
With minimal spoilers, the experience was very similar to Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot in Disney World and Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure Park. You sit in front of a large spherical screen in motion seats, which creates a realistic sensation of flight, with your feet dangling off the ground. If you’re never been on one of these rides, it’s VERY tame. So no need to worry about motion sickness or being too high up off the ground!
- How to Get There: About 20-25 minutes walk from Harpa City Hall.
- Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am to 7pm – budget for about 40 mins for the experience.
- Tickets: Online tickets are cheaper but they are timed. Onsite tickets are subject to availability, adults ISK 5,950, child 3,950.
- Note: Kids have to be at least 100cm (40 inches) to ride, due to the over-your-head harness on the seat.
7. Reykjavik Maritime Museum
Reykjavik Maritime Museum is housed in a former fish factory. Reykjavik is Iceland’s largest fishing port, so this maritime museum aptly focuses on the evolution of the Icelandic history.
From Iceland’s relationships with the sea, stretching from the Viking era to modern fishing when rowing boats were replaced by larger vessels, this is a fun place to visit if you’re into maritime history. You can also take a guided tour into the Coast Guard Vessel Óðinn but note that there’s an additional admission charge for the tour.
- Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm
- Tickets: Adults 2,450 ISK, free for kids under 18
8. Lava Show
If you’ve ever wanted to witness the flow of molten lava, this is your chance! This is so uniquely Icelandic that I had to put it on my Top 10 Reykjavik list, even though it definitely won’t interested everyone.
You’ll see actual lava, superheated to 1100°C (2000°F), effectively recreating a volcanic eruption in a controlled and safe environment. It may sound a bit odd but it’s consistently highly rated and won Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice awards for 5 years running (2020-2024)! The show itself is about an hour long and is in English. You’ll be given security googles to wear!
- Opening Hours: Shows typically run from 10am to 9pm
- Tickets: Online tickets here – Adults 6,590 ISK, kids aged 12 or younger 3,590 ISK
9. National Museum of Iceland
The National Museum of Iceland covers Iceland’s cultural heritage, from the Settlement Age (around 874 AD) right up to the present day.
The “Making of a Nation” permanent exhibition covers Iceland’s history chronologically, with a rich collection of tools, weapons, boats, furniture & religious artefacts that tell the story of Icelandic life through the centuries.
- How to Get There: Bus #1 from Harpa Concert Hall
- Opening Hours: Open daily 10am to 5pm. Click here to double check hours.
- Tickets: 3,000 ISK adults, free for kids under 18. Students & seniors 1,500 ISK
10. Perlan Museum – Wonders of Iceland
The Perlan Museum, or just the Perlan, is an immersive nature exploratorium focused on Icelandic natural wonders. In Icelandic, Perlan stands for “The Pearl”.
The building itself is certainly distinctive! The large glass dome sits atop six massive hot water storage tanks on Öskjuhlíð hill outside of the city. There’s lots to see at Perlan:
- Wonders of Iceland Exhibition: covers glaciers, volcanoes & geothermal areas.
- Real Ice Cave: Forget going to the Ice Bar! You can go inside a 100 metre long man-made ice cave, cooled significantly below freezing, so you can experience glacier conditions even during the summer months!
- Áróra – Northern Lights Planetarium Show: A high-definition (8K) show simulating the Northern Lights inside a dome converted from one of the water tanks.
- Volcano Show: Learn more about the the eruption of Geldingadalir which started in March 2021
- Látrabjarg Cliff Replica: A 10-meter high, lifelike replica of the famous bird cliffs, complete with model seabirds.
- 360° Observation Deck: Located outside around the glass dome, offering panoramic views over Reykjavik and the surrounding area
If you’re visiting Iceland for the first time, I think it’s a great introduction to what you’ll see on your Icelandic cruise, plus bits that you will miss, like seeing the Northern Lights if you’re coming during the summer.
- Opening Hours: Open daily 9am to 9pm
- Tickets: Online tickets are 300 ISK cheaper. Otherwise onsite prices are 6,290 ISK adults, 4,290 ISK for kids aged 6-17.
How to Get from Reykjavik Cruise Port Skarfabakki Terminals to Perlan: Your Options
1. Port Shuttle + Public Bus
- Port Shuttle: Catch the free Reykjavik Cruise Port shuttle to Harpa Concert Hall.
- Walk to Skúlagata: “Skúlagata” bus stop is just a few minutes away – see this marked on my Reykjavik Cruise Port map above . Before catching the bus, you can also take a short detour to see the Sun Voyager.
- Bus #18: Take Bus #18 and get off at “Perlan”, 6 stops away – I’ve marked the stop on my Reykjavik Cruise Port map. The stop is along the main road. It will look like you’ve gotten off in the middle of nowhere. The Perlan is quite hidden from the main road and you’ll need to double-back slightly to walk the trail into the Perlan. It’s about a 5 minute walk. (If you walk on the main road and follow the cars’ entry into the Perlan through the car park, it’s a 15-minute walk.)
- Frequency: Bus runs every 30 minutes
- Timetables: Easiest way to check the next bus is on Google Maps. Click on the Skúlagata bus stop on Google Maps and click “Departure Boards”. You can also check it online here but make sure you select the direction as going from “Skúlagata -> Spöngin”.
- Tickets: Tap your contactless card to pay. One way fares are 670 ISK. Kids under 11 are free. You’ll need to pay cash for concession fares at 335 ISK with exact money as drivers do not give change.
- Return Trip: Unfortunately, there’s no direct bus running from the Perlan to the Reykjavik Cruise Port Terminals at Skafabakki. So you’ll need to do the same trip in reverse. Catch Bus #18 at the stop opposite the street from where you got off and you’ll get back to Skúlagata. Then take the port shuttle back from Harpa Concert Hall.
2. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a good option for the Perlan, if the changes of buses is a little too much hassle for you. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus will stop directly outside the Perlan (stop #11).
If you’re coming directly from the cruise terminals at Skarfabakki (stop #15), the bus will take you to Harpa Concert Hall (stop #1), do a loop around some city attractions, including the Hallgrimskirkja Church (#stop 9) before stopping at the Perlan.
More details on the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus below.
Whale Watching from Reykjavik
Reykjavik offers fantastic and highly accessible whale watching excursions right from Old Harbour, near Harpa Concert Hall.
Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik’s main whales “viewing area”, is renowned for its reliability in spotting minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises year-round, with humpback whales becoming frequent visitors, especially during the summer months. A unique bonus on many Reykjavik summer tours is the chance to see puffins nesting on nearby islands.
Whale watching tours: 3-hour whale watching tours start from Old Harbour, about 5-10 minutes walk from Harpa Concert Hall.
My Take: If you’re on an Icelandic cruise, it’s highly unlikely that Reykjavik is the only port of call in Iceland. If your ship is calling at Akureyri or Isafjordur, I would recommend scheduling whale watching in another Icelandic port instead – you can read my Akureyri port guide and Isafjordur port guide for more details.
The whale watching in Reykjavik is fantastic and sightings are almost guaranteed. But there’s also a lot of great things to do in Reykjavik, so you may prefer to schedule whale watching in another Icelandic port. To make the decision that’s right for you, look at your overall Icelandic cruise itinerary and choose at least one port to do whale watching.
Puffin Watching from Reykjavik
If you’ve got whale watching planned in another Icelandic port, then you can do a 1-hour boat ride out to Faxaflói Bay to say hello to the puffins! The boat also leaves from the Old Harbour and will return you to the same spot. Note that you will not leave the boat and all the puffin watching takes place from the perspective of your boat ride.
Boats will try to navigate as close to the island as regulations and conditions safely allow without disturbing the birds. Since you’re observing from the water, be prepared to use the binoculars provided by the guides to get a better close-up view. Puffin watching season is from late April / early May till mid to late August and you’re guaranteed to see them!
If you don’t know much about puffins, they’re incredibly fun to watch! They are quite clumsy on land, making their landings and takeoffs quite comical, often involving belly flops or tumbles. But they are incredible swimmers and divers, so you’ll see them return with multiple small fish lined up crosswise in their beak. Of course, puffins are also extremely photogenic!
The other Icelandic ports where you can see puffins are: Seydisfjordur Cruise Port for excursions to Borgarfjörður Eystri and Isafjordur Cruise Port for excursions to (privately owned) Vigur Island.
Is the Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Worth It?
1. Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off (HoHo) Bus Route
The entire Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off bus route is about a 60-minute loop, though traffic may add to it slightly. (Note that the HoHO bus only stops at the Skarfabakki Harbour Cruise Terminals during the summer season.)
From the Skarfabakki cruise terminals, the bus heads to the Harpa Concert Hall (#stop 1), then heads up north to the Reykjavik Maritime Museum (stop #3) and Whales of Iceland (#stop 4) before doing a big loop to the slightly “out of the way” National Museum (#stop 5).
Then it heads back to the harbour and stop at the Reykjavik Art Museum (#stop 8) and Hallgrimskirkja (#stop 9). From there, it drives back south-east towards the Perlan (#stop 11) before returning to the Skarfabakki cruiser terminals.
Bottom Line: I would say that the Reykjavik HoHo route is a good route, because it covers all the major attractions in Reykjavik. But as with most HoHo routes, it’s designed not to be the most direct route to the tourist attractions, as it wants to lengthen the ride.
So if your objective is to drive around and enjoy the scenery, it’s great! But if you’re just want to see a few attractions, then you’ll need to weigh up the cost versus how much you want to walk or catch a bus in Reykjavik. The HoHo bus route may not be the most direct route.
2. “Standalone” HoHo Bus Ticket
- Ticket Prices: HoHo bus tickets are 5,500 ISK for adults and 2,750 ISK for kids aged 6-15.
- My Take:
- I personally don’t think it’s a great deal, unless you intend to go to Perlan, which does make the trip easier. There’s no direct local buses from Skarfabakki cruise terminals to the Perlan.
- If you’re comfortable hopping on local buses, then you can get to most attractions on a bus, or walk there from Harpa Concert Hall. Daily bus fares per person are capped at 2,010 ISK if you pay by contactless cards.
- If you’ve got a long day at port (or an overnight port stay), beware that the HoHo bus only runs during business hours, with the last bus leaving the Harpa Concert Hall at 4:15pm. So be careful not to get yourself stranded!
3. Combined HoHo Bus with Perlan Admission
Want to visit the Perlan? IMHO, the Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off (HoHo) bus is worth it if you’re interested in visiting Perlan Museum, with its Wonders of Iceland attraction.
Why the Combined Perlan / HOHO bus potentially saves you money:
- Specifically, the Perlan Museum admission ticket on its own (online pre-booked price) is 5,990 ISK for adults and 4,090 ISK for kids aged 6-18.
- Then you need to add a return bus trip – 1,340 ISK for everyone, if paid by contactless cards – means 7,330 ISK for adults and 5,450 ISK for kids.
- Whereas a combined Perlan admission ticket and the HOHO bus ticket is 8,850 ISK for adults 16+ and 50% off (~4,400 ISK) for kids aged 6-15.
- If you’ve got kids, it works out cheaper than taking the local bus!
- If you’re adults only, the HoHo bus is only slightly more expensive in return for the convenience of being able to go directly to the Perlan and not have to worry about first hopping on the port shuttle and then navigating local buses.
- You need to purchase the combined tickets at least the day before. I’ve tried to purchase it on the day when I’m in Reykjavik and it doesn’t seem to let me do that.
How to Plan Overnight Port Stays in Reykjavik
Increasingly so, cruise line itineraries do overnight port stays in Reykjavik. That’s because there’s lots of attractions and tour options within a relatively short distance from Reykjavik. I did the two most famous ones, the Golden Circle Tour and South of Iceland Tour (on separate visits) when I visited Reykjavik, so I’ll share my best tips on how to plan overnight port stays here.
For overnight port stays in Reykjavik, there’s three options I would recommend:
1. Golden Circle Tour + Reykjavik
This two-day port itinerary is to do the Golden Circle Tour on the first day, as you won’t have to worry about returning to port on time. On the second day, you can pick and choose whatever interests you in Reykjavik and return to port by mid-afternoon or early evening, depending on your ship’s all aboard time.
(a) What is the Golden Circle Tour?
The magic of the Golden Circle lies in its “big three” stops, each offering a unique Icelandic spectacle. The three big tourist attractions, plotted on a map, is loosely a circle, hence the name, the “Golden Circle”.
First, there’s Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, a site of immense historical importance as the location of Iceland’s ancient parliament, and geologically astounding as you can literally walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates! (See left hand corner of photo 📷👆)
Next, prepare to be amazed at the Geysir Geothermal Area, home to the original (though mostly dormant) Geysir and its highly active neighbour, Strokkur, which reliably erupts boiling water high into the air every few minutes.
Finally, witness the sheer power and beauty of Gullfoss Waterfall (‘Golden Falls’), a breathtaking two-tiered waterfall thundering into a rugged canyon.
(b) Join a Tour or Drive Yourself?
DIY / Rent a Car & Drive Yourself: You can absolutely rent a car for the day and drive yourself, if you don’t think it’s too much hassle. (I didn’t rent a car.) But beware that it’s a long day of driving. It’s roughly around a 240 km (~150 miles) return trip, or roughly about 3.5 – 4 hours of driving on Icelandic roads.
You’ll need to add on sightseeing time, break time, and what I call “dead logistics” time of picking up and returning a car. Also, be aware that parking can be an issue on these popular attractions! On my trip, while the roads weren’t congested, the parking areas definitely were!
Join a Coach Tour: I joined a coach tour because I didn’t want the hassle of doing a long drive. Unlike many coach tour itineraries, I felt that there was sufficient time given at each stop, including a 90-minute lunch stop at Gullfoss waterfall. Tours are usually an 8 hour return trip from Reykjavik.
(c) Tour Options
Besides the classic Golden Circle Tour, there’s two “extension options” that I would recommend, if you’re open to having a longer port day:
- Classic Golden Circle Tour: 3-stops at Thingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs and Gulfoss Waterfall. Return tour is about 7 hours: 9:30am pickup from cruise port for 10am tour, returning at 5pm. When you book, select pickup point as “Skafabakki Harbour” for Skafabakki cruise terminals or “Miðbakki” if your ship will dock in Old Harbour.
- Golden Circle with Kerid Volcanic Crater: If you’re fine with one more stop, then Kerid (Kerið) is a volcanic crater lake known for its dramatic colours and well perserved caldera. The crater itself is very accessible, with a relatively easy 25-30 mins path that runs all the way around the rim of the crater.
- How to Book Pickup From Port: Select the longer 8.5 hour tour that includes Kerid Volcanic Crater.
- Pick up is either outside Skarfabakki 312 Cruise Terminal, or Miðbakki if your ship is docked in the Old Harbour.
- Golden Circle with Blue Lagoon: If you’d like to bake in some R&R at the end of your Golden Circle tour, then an early evening excursion to the Blue Lagoon can’t be beaten! (More about the Blue Lagoon below.) This 11-hr tour may seem like a really long day but you’ll have 2 hours to enjoy the Blue Lagoon before you return to port. For example, a 9:30am pickup from port for a 10am tour will return you to port at around 9pm. When you book, be sure to specify:
- How to Book Pickup From Port: Select “Skarfabakki 312 cruise terminal”, “Skarfabakki 315 cruise terminal” or “Korngarður cruise terminal”. Otherwise, specify “Miðbakki” if your ship will dock at Old Harbour
- Note: this excursion includes your admission ticket to the Blue Lagoon, so you don’t need to book separately. (There are other cheaper advertised tours that require you to book your own Blue Lagoon ticket separately. I think booking the Blue Lagoon admission separately, as it’s a timed admission slot.)
2. South of Iceland + Reykjavik
Most cruises don’t schedule stops in the South of Iceland, so if your cruise itinerary is doing an overnight stop in Reykjavik, a full-day excursion will allow you to see some of the following:
- Skógafoss Waterfall: a magnificent waterfall dropping 60m (~200 feet) over a wide cliff (25m, or ~80 feet). There’s usually a huge amount of spray, resulting in a single or even a double rainbows on sunny days. It’s classic, picture-perfect Iceland!
- Sólheimajökull Glacier: you’ll see rugged ice formations – crevasses, ridges, moulins – often streaked with dramatic black lines of volcanic ash. Note that you can only walk on the glacier itself on a guided glacier hike but the walk to the glacier viewpoint is relatively easy.
- Vik: Iceland’s southernmost village with its own black sand beach! You can do some souvenir shopping here, known for local wool products.
- Reynisfjara Beach: Arguably Iceland’s most famous black sand beach! Black sand and pebbles cover the entire beach, with the shallow Hálsanefshellir Cave with incredible geometric basalt columns that you can walk amongst.
- Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: Seljalandsfoss is narrower than Skógafoss but lush green cliffs surround it in the summer.
Book this excursion here – for pickups from Skarfabakki cruise terminals, be sure to specify “Skarfabakki Harbour” as your pickup location. Excursions start typically at 9am and are 10-11 hours long, depending on traffic.
3. Reykjavik + Blue Lagoon
(a) What is the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located on the dramatic volcanic landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula, about a 45 minute drive from Reykjavik. (The Blue Lagoon is closer to Reykjavik Keflavik Airport than it is to Reykjavik.)
It’s famous for its large man-made outdoor lagoons filled with milky-blue, mineral-rich geothermal seawater, naturally heated to a comforting 37-39°C (98-102°F). This unique water, sourced from the outflow of the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant, owes its distinctive colour and reputed skin benefits to minerals like silica and algae.
In the centre of the one of the pools, you’ll have access to the signature white silica mud mask – you can apply it to your face or to your body. There’s also sauna and wet / steam room facilities.
The Blue Lagoon is open late till throughout the seasons, to midnight during summer months and 10pm during winter. So you can even schedule it as an evening excursion if you so wish.
- What to Bring: Your swimmers. Everything else such as towels, shower gels, shampoo & conditioner, are available in the changing rooms free of charge. Hairdryers are also available, free of charge to use inside the changing rooms. You’ll have access to a large locker and the key for your locker is a wrist-band.
- Condition your Hair: Don’t forget to put conditioner into your hair before heading into the water! Otherwise, your hair will feel “dried out” afterwards.
- Specific Time Slot for Entry but No Time Limit: Admission to the Blue Lagoon are timed hourly slots. But once you enter the Blue Lagoon, you can stay as long as you want, subject to the venue closing time of course! Food and drink is available for purchase. I’ve spent 5 hours at the Blue Lagoon before!
- Pre-Booking a must: Blue Lagoon, despite it being quite an expensive excursion, will sell out of its popular entry times weeks in advance during the summer months. So if you’d like to go, be sure to book ahead. Tickets start from €100 for adults, including a drink.
(b) How to get to the Blue Lagoon (and back)
You can schedule an excursion to the Blue Lagoon for pickup directly from the cruise terminals at Skarfabakki or from Reykjavik city centre. I’ll show you a few options below:
- Blue Lagoon Admission with inclusive transfers: Easiest option IHMO, as you don’t need to worry about having to book the right time slot for the Blue Lagoon admission to coincide with your transfers time slot. Book here and select pickup location as Skarfabakki Harbour.
- Booking Coach Transfers on its own: If you’re planning a half-day excursion to the Blue Lagoon from/to Reykjavik City Centre, you can just the return coach transfers from Reykjavik BSI Bus Station – – see this marked under Transport in my Reykjavik Cruise Port map above. You can get to the Reykjavik BSI bus station easily on Bus #1, from the bus stop outside Harpa Concert Hall.
- Taxi to Blue Lagoon: Expect a taxi to cost about €150 one-way from Reykjavik City Centre to the Blue Lagoon but if your group is at least 4 people, it may work out cheaper!
If your cruise is finishing at Reykjavik and you’ll be traveling to Reykjavik Keflavik Airport for a late PM flight home, then you can also schedule the Blue Lagoon on disembarkation day. You can leave your luggage, locked up in a locker, at the Blue Lagoon.
(c) Alternatives to the Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is certainly unique and very iconic in terms of Icelandic experiences! If you don’t fancy a drive out there, then the Sky Lagoon is much closer to Reykjavik.
It’s a very similar concept to the Blue Lagoon but it’s much smaller and a more intimate experience. (There’s also no silica masks!) Book Sky Lagoon excursion here and return transfers will be from either the Reykjavik BSI bus station or select “Skafabakki Harbour” if you want transfers from the port. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Reykjavik city centre.
Alternatively, for the “raw local” experience, visit a City Thermal pool or the geothermal beach (see below)! You definitely won’t see that many tourists!
Hidden Gems: “Only in Reykjavik” Experiences
There’s many “Only in Reykjavik” experiences I’ve already mentioned but there’s two more I’ve left till last, because they don’t feature on the typical tourist trail!
1. Visit a City Thermal Pool
If you’re short of time or just want something a little bit more wallet friendly, then here’s an option to visit a public thermal pool. You’ll definitely be hanging out with the locals! There’s multiple options in Reykjavik City Centre but I’ll focus on Sundhöllin as it’s the easiest to get to and located about 5 minutes walk from Hallgrimskirkja Church.
Sundhöllin is Iceland’s oldest public pool. Facilities are excellent, with a classic, indoor pool for lap swimming, and a modern outdoor area on the rooftop with several hot tubs of varying temperatures, a cold plunge pool, a steam room and sauna. You can rent a towel (or just bring a pool towel from the ship) and access to lockers are included in the ticket price.
Important Note: This is not an experience that everyone will enjoy! There’s no glamorous changing rooms, bathrobes or swim-up bars here like the Blue Lagoon. But it’s clean, with good facilities and IHMO, excellent value. You also need to follow the local protocol of showering naked (in separate gender changing rooms, of course) before putting on your swimwear, to keep things clean for everyone. This is an authentic Icelandic experience!
- Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30am to 10pm, Saturday – Sunday 8am – 9pm.
- Tickets: 1,330 ISK for adults, free for kids under 15
2. Nautholsvik Geothermal Beach
Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach is definitely uniquely “Only in Reykjavik”!
Nauthólsvík isn’t a naturally warm beach. It’s a man-made beach with a lagoon sheltered by sea walls. The unique part is that hot geothermal water is pumped into this lagoon, mixing with the cold seawater.
This means that the water is a pleasant temperature for swimming right by the North Atlantic! If you prefer your water a bit warmer, there’s also seaside hot tubs for a more reliably warm soak.
- How to Get There: Bus #8 from Reykjavik BSI Bus Station will get you to Reykjavik University (last stop) and then it’s a 5 minute walk down to the beach. Bus #1 from Harpa Concert Hall will get you to Reykjavik BSI bus station – see above.
- (You may also read elsewhere online that Bus #5 gets you there. But Bus #5 is an evening route that takes students and staff home, so only runs from the Reykjavik University stop in the evenings.)
Hi! If you’re still with me, then a big thank you for reading! When I started to write this Reykjavik Cruise Port guide a few weeks ago, I did not plan on writing a guide this long! But I struggled to do Reykjavik justice unless I mentioned quite a few things that I enjoyed! This is the longest port guide I’ve written so far!
Please help others to plan their DIY Reykjavik shore excursion by sharing this with family, friends or in your cruise roll-call groups! I would really appreciate it as I’ve really tried to make this guide informative. And drop me a line below with your comments and questions. Thanks! Zana.
