BusTravel Iceland · Reykjavik
The coach company's small-group version: 19 seats, pickup included, and the same clockwise route that reaches Kirkjufell before the afternoon crowds. Pick it for the classic loop and its full hour in the national park, without the 65-seat bus.
BusTravel Iceland runs this alongside its big coach tour, on almost the same clockwise route. Pickup from selected hotels and central bus stops is included. Expect a small shuttle first: guests describe being collected by one bus, then switching to the tour van at a meeting point, which can eat up to an hour before you leave town.
Kirkjufell comes first, for 20 minutes, while the light is still on the north coast and the car park is quieter. Then you get an hour in Snaefellsjokull National Park (guests mention craters, lava fields and a short walk), 35 minutes at Djupalonssandur, 15 at Londrangar, 40 at Arnarstapi, 10 at Budir and 20 at Ytri Tunga. Several guests report bonus stops at waterfalls the itinerary doesn't list.
The minibus is full when sold out, and two guests found the seats narrow with no space for a backpack. Kirkjufell's 20 minutes is shorter than on most small groups. No food is included, and the Arnarstapi stop doubles as the snack stop. The minimum age is 8.
A shuttle collects you and brings you to the tour van. Allow for a wait before departure.
First stop on the north coast, with the small waterfall across the road.
Time inside the park at the western tip. The glacier summit is a bonus on a clear day.
The black beach and its lifting stones, then the sea stacks.
Cliff walk, arch and the best chance of a snack.
The black church and the seal beach, then back to Reykjavik.
★★★★★Having taken Golden Circle and South Beach, this tour was my favorite. Ottar was an awesome guide, very easy going, funny, informative, with a great curation of Icelandic music and stories. [...] The best part is that it's not as popular of a tour, so there's hardly anybody around. And you get to see some seals!
★★★★★Great value - you see lots of sights and the guides stop at multiple reststops so you're never feeling like you're without a washroom for too long.
★★★★★We were incredibly fortunate that our guide Giuseppe is an actual geologist. So knowledgeable about volcanoes and was able to describe in detail the geologic landscape we observed.
★★★★★You got ample time to hangout at each of the stops. The focus is seeing and walking along coastlines to see the ocean and rock formations. Also the Kirkjufell is so impressive in person.
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It runs clockwise: north coast first, then the western tip, then the south coast home. You see Kirkjufell in the late morning, before most small groups arrive in the afternoon.
Yes, from selected hotels, guesthouses and official bus stops in central Reykjavik. Guests report a shuttle to the tour van first.
Same operator, near-identical route, but 19 seats instead of 65, pickup included and a minimum age of 8. Kirkjufell gets 20 minutes here against 30 on the coach.
No. Bring lunch or buy a snack at Arnarstapi or the rest stops.
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Kirkjufell first, in the morning, then an hour in the national park, and pickup included from central hotels.
Snaefellsnes Classic Day TourThe cheapest full loop: eight stops by coach, an hour in the national park, Kirkjufell on the way out. Bring lunch.★ 4.8 · 11 hours · from $143
Snaefellsnes & Kirkjufell Small GroupNear-coach price, 19 seats: 50 min at Arnarstapi, 45 at the black beach, a red church and Kirkjufell to finish.★ 4.8 · 12 hours · from $151
Snaefellsnes & Kirkjufell Minibus40 minutes at Kirkjufell, the most of any day tour, plus 45 at Arnarstapi. Minibus, WiFi, max 19.★ 4.6 · 12 hours · from $160