Reykjavik Shore Excursions
Iceland · 23 independent tours
Across Iceland — laws, safety & health
National rules and risks that apply anywhere in Iceland — relayed from official sources, not our verdict. We pass on what the authority says and leave the judgement to you.
Laws that catch visitors out
- Illegal drugs, even small amounts (including cannabis and khat), carry severe penalties — lengthy imprisonment and substantial fines.
- It is illegal to smoke or use e-cigarettes in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings — you could be fined.
- Drink-driving limits are stricter than the UK; riding a scooter after drinking is treated the same as drink-driving a car.
- Off-road driving is strictly controlled and illegal — check the Icelandic Road Administration before leaving marked roads.
Drones
Drone flying in Iceland follows the common EU/EEA rules (EASA — Regulation (EU) 2019/947, Open category). You must register as a drone operator before flying any drone that has a camera and is not a toy; a single registration is recognised across the EU/EEA. Label the drone with your operator ID, keep within the Open-category limits (subcategories A1/A2/A3), and check the national “geographical zones” that restrict or ban flying near airports, over crowds and at sensitive sites (national parks and eruption sites are commonly restricted). Register and check the zone map through Iceland’s transport authority (ICETRA / Samgöngustofa) before you travel.
via EASA — EU civil-drone rules (Regulation (EU) 2019/947), Open category · 24 Jun 2026
Scams to watch
Crime levels are low, but petty theft and antisocial behaviour can occur, particularly around bars in Reykjavik town centre.
Health hazards
Going too close to the ocean, cliff edges and hot springs is a common cause of accidents in Iceland. Volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula have been ongoing — monitor local media and the official SafeTravel.is alerts, keep away from newly solidified lava, and note that volcanic gas pollution can reach dangerous levels near eruption sites. Weather can change rapidly.
via UK FCDO travel advice — Iceland (safety and security) · 18 Jul 2026
Relayed from UK FCDO travel advice — Iceland · checked 18 Jul 2026
Traffic drives on the right. Look left first when you cross the road.
Docking & terminals in Reykjavik
Ships berth alongside in Reykjavík — it is not a tender port. There are two very different cruise areas: Skarfabakki, the main cruise pier at Sundahöfn about 4 km east of the city centre (where most large ships dock), and Miðbakki at the Old Harbour, right in the heart of the city close to the main attractions.
- Skarfabakki (Sundahöfn — main cruise pier) — ~4 km east of the city centre (About 4 km from the city centre — not a comfortable walk. Public bus 16 stops close to the cruise terminal, city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station, and it is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route.)
- Miðbakki (Old Harbour — central berth) — In the city centre — walkable (In the heart of Reykjavík at the Old Harbour — central attractions, restaurants and shops are an easy walk.)
Mobility & step-free access
Getting around between the pier and town:
- Public bus (from Skarfabakki) — Bus 16 stops close to the Skarfabakki cruise terminal; city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station — Reykjavík's Strætó city buses link the pier with the centre.
- Hop On–Hop Off — Skarfabakki is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route into the city and around the main sights.
- Walk (from the Old Harbour) — From Miðbakki at the Old Harbour the city centre, restaurants and main attractions are an easy walk.
- Taxi — Taxis serve both cruise areas; Reykjavík's compact centre is otherwise easily walkable once you are in it.
Step-free options vary by pier and by the day — confirm the specifics with your operator and the ship’s guest-services desk before booking.
Heading back at the end of the day: The two cruise areas are different: most large ships dock at Skarfabakki (~4 km from the centre, bus 16/5 or Hop On–Hop Off), while the Old Harbour (Miðbakki) is central and walkable. Check which one your ship uses before heading ashore.
Cruise lines don’t always tell you which pier you’re on, and it’s easy to forget once you’re ashore. As you leave the ship, note or photograph your pier’s name — then give your taxi that exact pier (or your ship’s name) for the trip back.
Confirm which berth your ship uses — Skarfabakki (the main pier, ~4 km out) needs a bus or the Hop On–Hop Off, whereas Miðbakki at the Old Harbour is right in the centre.
Getting around & must-sees in Reykjavik
Getting around
From Skarfabakki (the main pier, ~4 km out) take bus 16/5 or the Hop On–Hop Off into the city; from the Old Harbour (Miðbakki) the centre is a short walk. Reykjavík's centre itself is small and walkable.
- Public bus (from Skarfabakki) — Bus 16 stops close to the Skarfabakki cruise terminal; city bus 5 runs from Hlemmur bus station — Reykjavík's Strætó city buses link the pier with the centre.
- Hop On–Hop Off — Skarfabakki is a stop on the Hop On–Hop Off City Sightseeing route into the city and around the main sights.
- Walk (from the Old Harbour) — From Miðbakki at the Old Harbour the city centre, restaurants and main attractions are an easy walk.
- Taxi — Taxis serve both cruise areas; Reykjavík's compact centre is otherwise easily walkable once you are in it.
Must-see sights
- Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa & the Old Harbour — The landmark Hallgrímskirkja church, the Harpa concert hall on the waterfront, the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Old Harbour — all in the compact, walkable centre.
- Day-trips: Golden Circle & Blue Lagoon — The classic Iceland excursions (the Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss — and the Blue Lagoon) are long drives out of the city; book ahead and watch the timing against all-aboard.
Taxis & ride-hailing — Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt do not operate in Iceland; transport is by licensed taxi (e.g. Hreyfill, BSR) or public bus.
Getting back to the pier
From the Old Harbour getting back is a short walk; from Skarfabakki use bus 16/5 or the Hop On–Hop Off. For long day-trips (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon) leave generous return time, and remember it is a taxi or coach, not Uber.
- Bus / Hop On–Hop Off (to Skarfabakki) — For the main Skarfabakki pier (~4 km out), take bus 16, city bus 5, or the Hop On–Hop Off back from the centre — check the last suitable departure against all-aboard.
- Walk (Old Harbour) — If your ship is at the Old Harbour (Miðbakki), the centre is a short walk from the ship.
- Taxi (return from day-trips) — Taxis serve both berths; note Iceland has no ride-hailing apps, so use a licensed taxi or pre-booked transfer when returning from a Golden Circle / Blue Lagoon day-trip — and leave a wide margin for the long drive.
Key facts only — confirm times, fares and seasonal openings locally.
Operator policies we’ve checked in Reykjavik
Before a tour earns its trust pills, we read the operator’s own site — their terms, cancellation and accessibility pages — and relay what they state. These are the operators’ own terms, not our verdicts; confirm when booking.
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Arctic Adventures
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund with at least 24 hours' notice before departure — but the operator only guarantees it when you cancel through its own “My Adventures” booking portal.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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BusTravel Iceland
- Cancellation — varies across this operator’s tours. Free cancellation ~24h before, but the window varies by tour (some need 48h). Separately: The operator charges a 100% cancellation fee if you cancel one day or less before departure; it does not publish a clear full-refund guarantee for earlier cancellations, so check the terms at booking.
- Accessibility — Wheelchair users are asked to bring a foldable wheelchair, as it is stored in the coach's luggage area between stops.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page
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City Sightseeing Europe
- Free cancellation — verified on the operator’s own site
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CityWalk
- Cancellation policy — A 24-hour cancellation policy is stated in their terms without an explicit refund promise; the free walking tour itself takes no advance payment, so no refund applies.
- Group size — Regular bookings capped at 6 people per booking; groups over 10 must book privately (tour page)
Checked 3 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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DIVE.IS - Dive & Snorkel Tours Iceland
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour departure time; inside 24 hours nothing is refunded. Group bookings of 19 or more snorkellers (10 or more divers) need longer notice.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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GlacierHeli
- Cancellation policy — The operator charges a 100% cancellation fee inside 72 hours of the flight; its published refund tiers were inconsistent when we read them, so no free-cancellation claim is made — check the terms at booking. Flights cancelled by the operator for weather or safety are rebooked or refunded.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Glaciers and Waterfalls ehf
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Applies to scheduled/day tours (100% refund with at least 24 hours' notice); private tours are tiered 90/50/0 (their cancellation policy).
- Group size — Day-tour pages list per-tour "Max People" caps, e.g. 18-19 on Glacier Hike / South Coast tours
Checked 3 Jul 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Happy Tours Iceland Reykjavík
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund if you cancel in writing more than 24 hours before departure. The tour needs a minimum of two passengers to run; if the operator cancels for weather you can rebook or request a refund.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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ICELANDIA
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Bookings can be cancelled without penalty up to 24 hours before departure. Group bookings need longer notice — 72 hours up to 25 guests, and four weeks or more for larger groups.
- Accessibility — The operator states that passengers with reduced mobility using a manual wheelchair are welcome on its day tours, and asks that you tell them when booking.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Inside the Volcano
- Cancellation policy — The operator states that cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice receive no refund, and larger groups, private and helicopter tours need two weeks' notice; we could not confirm its refund terms outside those windows.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Magic Iceland Travel
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund cancelling up to 24 hours before departure by written email request; under 24 hours non-refundable (their T&C).
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Nordur Travel
- Cancellation policy — The operator's terms promise a 100% refund for cancellations 48 hours or more before the trip, but the same page says a non-refundable fee of ISK 12,000 per person applies to all bookings — the two conflict, so no free-cancellation claim is made; check the terms at booking.
- Group size — The operator's tour pages reference per-tour caps, e.g. "maximum of 19 fellow explorers"
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 2 tours listed on this page
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Northern Lights Bus
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund if you cancel with more than 24 hours' notice; inside 24 hours, and for no-shows, nothing is refunded.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Sea Trips Reykjavik
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Full refund with notification no later than 48 hours before departure; a 50% fee applies within 2 days of the tour (their T&C).
- Accessibility — Foldable wheelchairs permitted on boats at no additional charge; company invites notification of special needs/requests in advance
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Simply Iceland
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: 24h+ before for a full refund on group tours; private tours need 72h; Northern Lights tours refund as a 2-year voucher.
- Group size — Offers small-group or private tour options; no numeric maximum stated
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Sky Lagoon ehf
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: Tickets bought in advance can be moved to another date or refunded if you ask at least 24 hours ahead, for parties of 1–10; larger groups need much longer notice (72 hours for 11–25 guests, rising to 12 weeks for 101 or more). Arrive late and the ticket can be forfeited, and bookings made with a gift card can be rescheduled but are never refunded.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Troll .is
- Cancellation policy — Cancellations are accepted by email up to 24 hours before departure, but a 3% card-processing fee is retained, so the refund is not quite full; inside 24 hours nothing is refunded.
- Accessibility — The operator states that visually impaired travellers may bring their own prescription mask or wear contact lenses, as glasses cannot be worn inside the snorkelling mask.
Checked 4 Aug 2026 · covers 1 tour listed on this page
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Wake Up Reykjavik
- Free cancellation — verified with conditions: 24h+ before for a full refund on scheduled tours; private tours need 7 days.
Eating & shopping in Reykjavik
Icelandic food leans on lamb and the sea — langoustine, cod and other fresh fish — plus skyr (the thick cultured dairy) and the much-loved Reykjavík hot dog (pylsur). The Old Harbour and the city centre are where to find them; Visit Reykjavík lists current venues.
Where to eat
- Old Harbour & city centre — The Old Harbour and the Laugavegur/centre streets hold Reykjavík's seafood restaurants, cafés and the celebrated hot-dog stands, walkable from the central berth.
Local specialities
- Seafood & lamb — Langoustine, cod and Icelandic lamb are the mainstays of the local table.
- Skyr & the Reykjavík hot dog — Skyr, the thick Icelandic cultured-milk product, and the famous pylsur hot dog with crispy onions.
Areas and specialities as described by the source — not our recommendations; confirm openings and prices locally.
Local know-hows in Reykjavik
Money
- Currency
- Icelandic króna (ISK)
- Cards
- Iceland is largely cashless — credit and debit cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including small purchases and buses.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available in the city; in practice you rarely need cash, as Iceland is one of the most card-based societies.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected in Iceland — service is included in prices — though a tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.
Practicalities
- Language
- Icelandic is the national language; English is spoken very widely.
- Tap water
- Reykjavík's cold tap water is supplied by Veitur Utilities and is excellent to drink: it is mostly groundwater, naturally filtered through lava, and the Public Health Authority of Reykjavík samples the network every week, with 97–100% of samples meeting the quality requirements in recent years. One genuine local tip (Veitur's own): drink the COLD tap water — the hot water is geothermal and can carry a faint sulphur smell, so it is not meant for drinking.
- Plugs
- Iceland uses the standard European Type C / Type F round-pin sockets; mains supply is AC 230V, 50Hz.
Key facts to know before you step off — confirm anything time-sensitive locally.
Port busyness in Reykjavik
Moderately busy
Reykjavík is Iceland's main cruise port but a small capital, so on multi-ship days in the short May–September season the compact centre and the day-trip roads (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon) feel busy even though the city absorbs foot traffic well.
Peak pattern: Morning departures of Golden Circle / Blue Lagoon tours; busiest in the May–September season and on multi-ship days.
Quieter: Outside the May–September season and once the day-trip tours have left the centre.
- Iceland's main cruise port, but a small capital city (~130,000)
- Two cruise areas (Skarfabakki main pier + the central Old Harbour)
- Short, concentrated May–September season
This shows a typical day for the time of year — actual crowds vary on your date, and it isn’t a guarantee.
What we’ve checked in Reykjavik — and when
We last checked the facts on this page between 24 Jun 2026 and 26 Jun 2026. Live travel advisories refresh automatically from the official sources.
- Docking & getting ashore
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 24 Jun 2026
- Getting around
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 26 Jun 2026
- How busy it gets
- Verified by The Excursion Edit against official sources · 24 Jun 2026
- Operator policies
- From each operator’s own site and terms · 4 Aug 2026
- Travel advisories
- FCDO (GOV.UK) & US State Department · refreshed automatically