In shortJökulsárlón is about 370–380 km from Reykjavík along Route 1, the Ring Road, and the lagoon is beside the road. You can drive yourself, take the Strætó route 52 bus (Reykjavík–Höfn, four days a week), or join a tour: a day trip with the boat ride takes about 14 hours, or spread it over 2–3 days.
370–380 kmfrom Reykjavík by road
Route 1the lagoon is beside it
4×Strætó 52 trips a week
14 hday tour, door to door
By car
Follow Route 1 east from Reykjavík through Selfoss and Vík. The lagoon and its main car park are beside the road, just before the bridge over the lagoon's outlet; Diamond Beach is on the far side of the bridge.
The road is paved all the way. In winter, check road conditions on road.is and the forecast on vedur.is before setting off, and plan the drive inside the short daylight window.
Parking at the lagoon →
By public bus
Since 1 January 2026 Strætó runs route 52 between Reykjavík and Höfn four times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Check the stops and times on straeto.is before you plan around it; with so few departures, a missed bus can cost you two days.
Self-drive or tour?
| Drive yourself | Tour from Reykjavík |
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| Time at the lagoon | as long as you want | about an hour on the day trip |
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| Boat ride | book or buy on site | included on the boat-ride day trip |
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| Costs | car, fuel, 1,110 ISK parking | from $292 on the day trip |
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| Winter roads | your responsibility | the driver's |
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| Best for | Ring Road trips, photographers | one free day, no car |
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Compare the tours →
Day trip from Reykjavík with the boat ride
No driving and no parking: transport, guide and the 30-minute boat ride included.
14 hours · from $292 · ★ 4.7 (450 reviews)
Coming from the east or staying nearby
If you are driving the Ring Road clockwise, you reach the lagoon from Höfn, the nearest town, to the east. Skaftafell lies to the west; combining both on one day halves the parking fee at the second stop. Staying in the area lets you see the lagoon early or late, when it is quieter.
Distance: icelagoon.is and adventures.is. Bus: Strætó (straeto.is, route change of 1 January 2026). Tour: Viator listing 16698P9. 4 October 2026.
Before you go
