2- and 3-Day South Coast Tours from Reykjavík Compared
Not everyone has ten days. If you are in Iceland for a long weekend or a stopover, a 2- or 3-day guided tour from Reykjavík is the most efficient way to reach the South Coast and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. That lagoon is the key point: it lies roughly 370 km east of Reykjavík, too far for a comfortable day trip there and back. With one or two nights in between, it becomes realistic.
Below we compare Nicetravel's short South Coast tours. All of them include pickup in Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, a minibus with a maximum of 19 guests, and nights in a double or twin room with private bathroom and breakfast. Lunch and dinner are extra.
Winter: with blue ice cave (November to March)
2-Day South Coast Tour with blue ice cave
From ISK 84,900 per adult (roughly €600). Minimum age 8.
- Day 1: Gljúfrabúi, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, then Reynisfjara black beach. Overnight in a remote hotel in Suðursveit in the south-east, a good spot for northern lights if the sky is clear and the aurora is active.
- Day 2: Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón, and a super jeep trip to a blue ice cave in Vatnajökull, then the Hofskirkja turf church, the Eldhraun lava field and Vík before the drive back. Estimated arrival in Reykjavík around 21:00.
This tour packs the two big South Coast highlights, waterfalls and ice, into the shortest possible time. The price is that Day 2 is very long, and the Golden Circle is not included. See the 2-Day South Coast tour for dates.
3-Day South Coast Tour with Golden Circle and blue ice cave
From ISK 114,900 per adult (roughly €800). Minimum age 8.
- Day 1: Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Strokkur, Gullfoss, plus Kerið crater (entry included). Overnight in Hveragerði, with hot tubs available in the evening; towels are provided at the hotel, so you only need swimwear.
- Day 2: The South Coast waterfalls and Reynisfjara. Overnight in Suðursveit.
- Day 3: Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón and the blue ice cave, then Hofskirkja, Eldhraun and Vík. Back in Reykjavík around 21:00.
For about ISK 30,000 more than the 2-day version, you add the Golden Circle and a calmer pace on the first two days. If this is your only tour in Iceland, we think the third day is worth it. Details on the 3-Day South Coast tour page.
Alternative: 3-Day Winter Wonderland
A third option runs the same ingredients in a different order: South Coast first, ice cave on Day 2, Golden Circle on Day 3, with an optional evening at the Hvammsvík hot spring. It costs from ISK 119,900, runs from October to April and has a minimum age of 10. The standard version is back around 17:00, which is easier if you fly out the next morning. We cover it in our guide to Iceland winter tours.
Summer: with glacier hike or boat tour (May to October)
Ice caves are a winter thing. In summer, the short South Coast tours replace them with a glacier walk or simply more time at the coast.
| Tour | Price from | Highlight | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Summer South Coast, Glacier Lagoon & Glacier Hike | ISK 79,900 (roughly €550) | guided glacier hike on Sólheimajökull, Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon | 8 |
| 3-Day Golden Circle, South Coast, Glacier Lagoon & Glacier Hike | ISK 114,900 (roughly €800) | Golden Circle plus glacier hike | 8 |
| 2-Day Summer South Coast (waterfalls, black beach) | ISK 73,900 (roughly €500) | relaxed pace, no glacier hike | 5 |
On all three, the 45-minute amphibious boat tour at Jökulsárlón is an optional extra. The glacier hike tours are rated "adventurous/moderate" by the operator, so you should be comfortable walking on uneven ground with crampons. Take a look at the 2-Day Summer South Coast tour with glacier hike or the 3-day version with the Golden Circle.
What to know before booking a short tour
- A lot of time in the bus. Reykjavík to the glacier lagoon and back is around 750 km. On a 2-day tour, most of that is covered in two days. Expect late arrivals; both winter ice cave tours estimate around 21:00.
- Luggage is limited. On tours of up to three days, only one small carry-on bag (up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm) is included. A larger bag costs extra and has to be booked; otherwise leave it at your Reykjavík hotel or in a luggage locker.
- Boots for glacier activities. On the ice cave and glacier hike tours, hiking boots reaching above the ankle are mandatory. Without them you can be excluded from the activity. Boots can be rented when you book.
- Solo travellers pay a mandatory single room supplement.
- Weather. In winter especially, storms can delay or cancel parts of a tour. Check your email before pickup; the operator notifies guests of cancellations by email.
- Free cancellation is possible up to 24 hours before departure.
Short tour or long tour?
A short tour shows you the South, which is where most of Iceland's famous postcard sights are. It does not show you the North, the East Fjords or the Westfjords. If you have a week or more in summer, compare the price per day with the 8-day Ring Road and Westfjords tour, or read our guide to choosing a Ring Road tour first.
Prices checked October 2026; euro amounts are rough conversions at about 145 ISK per euro. Tour links are affiliate links.