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July day trips or 3 day overnight from Reykjavik?

Hello! My 14 year old daughter and I will be in Iceland for a week in late July. I'm not comfortable driving, so we won't rent a car. We both like hiking and nature and my daughter is very excited about puffins and volcanoes. I'm trying to get a sense of the trade-offs between using Reykjavik as our home base and doing day trips (we have a home exchange lined up there, so lodging would basically be free) versus doing a 2-3 day tour so we can explore a little further. Any recommendations? I saw an earlier thread asking a similar question, but it was for a winter visit so I thought I'd ask about summer.

Also, any particular tour companies that you would recommend? Thank you!!

Posted by
3244 posts

I would not base myself out of Reykjavik. Do a multi day tour instead, as that will maximize your time and what you can see. I really like Troll as we have used them for a number of excursions that require a guide and have always been excellent. Their website is www.troll.is .

I would get whatever booked as in yesterday. Things in Iceland book out 9-12 months in advance, so you would need to get on that today.

Posted by
803 posts

If you base yourselves in Reykjavik and do day trips, then you will be riding back and forth over the same roads. And your days will be long with a lot of bus time. Do at least a 3-day tour of the south coast, and then maybe another one-day tour of Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

When you land, take the Flybus from the airport to your lodging in Reykjavik (much cheaper than a taxi). Tours will leave from Reykjavik.

You mentioned that you have a home exchange set up. So you have people who are expecting you to be in their home in two months? Will that cause problems if you cancel?