We arrive at Reykjavik airport in morning at 6:30 am. We have until next afternoon around 1:00 pm before we head towards port Reykjavik to embark our cruise. Can we do the golden circle and blue lagoon within that time? If so, do you recommend renting a car? Are the roads going to golden circle pretty paved and safe? We have our two young kids with as well.
Or would you recommend a guided tour?
Thank you!
Are you flying in on an overnight flight from the US? If so, I would not get a car as it is not wise to drive very far at all, roughly an hour, on arrival day. I would head into Reykjavik upon arrival. There is the Flybus which is about $38 per person and makes a stop at the central bus terminal and you change buses to a smaller one that will take you to various bus stops in the city. A taxi though would be significantly easier for you with 2 little ones, and those run about $150.
So get to Reykjavik and check in at your hotel and leave your bags, and go wander the city. There is a lot to see and do there. You could hit one of the local pools as well.
In the morning you could head to the Blue Lagoon and enjoy your time there before heading back to KEF. Or you could rent a car for the half day and do the GC. A bit rushed, but doable.
If you are not dealing with an overnight flight, then renting a car upon arrival and doing the GC would be fine.
thank you for your reply! So we leave at 5:30 pm Wednesday July 23 from USA and arrive at 6:30 am Thursday at KEF. Then our cruise doesn't embark until 1:00 pm Friday. Then after finishing our cruise we come back at Skarafabi terminal 5:00 am Aug 1 Friday and planning on catching a flight back same day at 11:30 AM. So we wont have enough time to stop on our way back.
Oops, forgot that you were headed to the cruise and not back home. Anyway, yes, do NOT rent a car for that day. Iceland has had a real problem with visitors thinking they had muster through and drive with jet lag, causing too many accidents.
So instead, you could do Blue Lagoon after you arrive and then head into Reykjavik and just enjoy the city for the day/evening.
I concur with not renting a car on arrival and trying to drive the Golden Circle, simply not safe in my opinion. As mikeliz97 noted a good plan would be to take the bus to the Blue Lagoon (they have luggage storage) spend a leisurely morning, then take a bus or taxi to your hotel in Reykjavik (hopefully you have this booked??) and spend the remainder of the day. Most tour companies that offer Golden Circle tours run 6-8 hours long, so you really wouldn't have time for it before you need to get to your ship on day 2, unless you book a private tour and get up pretty early. You'd need to do some research to see about those that can accommodate your littles (many companies have minimum age requirements and you would need booster/car seats).
...terminal 5:00 am Aug 1 Friday and planning on catching a flight back
same day at 11:30 AM. So we wont have enough time to stop on our way back.
You are correct - not sure how big the ship is but I assume it takes a chunk of time after you dock to disembark. You'll want to proceed pretty directly to the airport as 3 hours ahead is necessary for your US bound flight, especially with luggage and littles. If the cruise line offers a shuttle to the airport I would probably do that over a taxi or trying to figure out how to get to the closest Flybus stop.
Maybe instead of the Blue Lagoon your little ones would enjoy one of the public pools in Reykjavik. I haven't been, but people say they are popular with local families. Just do a little research here or on Trip Advisor Iceland forum.
naalehuretiree--We have only been to Sundhollin, but several times. It does have a great area for little ones. I need to branch out more and try another local pool as well, maybe in August when we return.
