Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

One long day, two very different Icelandic nights. This BusTravel Iceland package combines Kerið crater and the Secret Lagoon, then takes you to Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir, and out again after dark to search for the aurora. I like the way the tour covers Iceland’s best-known sights without asking you to drive, and I like that both the crater and lagoon admission are included. The main drawback is the length: at about 13 hours and 30 minutes, with a short break before the evening departure, this is a serious full-day outing.

The guides are often a major strength. Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Heidi, Matt, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, local stories, and helpful photography tips. Still, pickup can be messy at Bus Stop 12, and the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, even with a determined guide and a willing bus.

Key points to know before booking

• Kerið admission is included: Walk around the volcanic crater rim or follow the path down toward its striking lake.
• The Secret Lagoon requires a full shower: Icelandic bathing rules mean you shower without a swimsuit before entering the pool, with limited privacy in the changing area.
• You get two separate bus tours: The Golden Circle and lagoon run during the day, while the Northern Lights trip uses another bus in the evening.
• Geysir’s Strokkur erupts about every 10 minutes: You will have several chances to see the water burst skyward.
• The day is built around major sights, not long hikes: You get time to walk at each stop, but the schedule remains suitable for a broad range of abilities.
• Weather controls the aurora hunt: If poor conditions cancel the evening outing, a new date or full refund is offered under the stated policy.

What the $185 price really buys you

At $185 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Iceland. It can still be good value if you want a packed introduction without renting a car, learning winter roads, or arranging several separate excursions.

Your price covers round-trip transport from central Reykjavík, an English-speaking guide, WiFi on the bus, Kerið admission, Secret Lagoon admission, and both bus tours. You also avoid the extra cost and effort of planning a separate aurora outing.

The value is strongest for a first visit or a short stop in Iceland. You see major natural sights in one day, then have a second chance at the Northern Lights later that night. The compromise is comfort and flexibility. A group of up to 60 people can feel less personal than a small minibus, and you cannot reserve seats in advance.

Lunch is not included. You can buy food at stops such as the Geysir area, where there are dining choices, drinks, toilets, and a shop. A bakery stop or service station may also be part of the day, so carrying a few snacks is sensible.

Starting at Bus Stop 12 in Reykjavík

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so do not arrive expecting the bus to appear exactly at 8:00 a.m.

The morning gathering can be confusing. Several large buses may arrive at once, guides may call names over engine noise, and passengers can gather around the wrong vehicle. I would arrive early, keep your booking information ready, and confirm the guide and bus before boarding.

The same meeting point is used for the Northern Lights trip, with pickup beginning at 8:30 p.m. That second departure can be just as crowded. Because the evening tour uses a different bus, do not assume the morning driver or guide will be handling the night outing.

Kerið crater: a strong first stop

Kerið is an ancient volcanic crater with a lake in its bowl. The red and dark volcanic ground gives the site a different look from the waterfalls and geothermal areas later in the day.

You have about 25 minutes on location, according to the schedule, though the listed stop time includes the drive. That is enough for a brisk walk around part of the rim and a look down toward the water. A path also winds into the crater, but the time limit means you may need to choose between the rim and the lower trail.

The ground can be uneven, especially in cold or wet conditions. Wear shoes with a firm sole and take care near the edge. The entry ticket is included, which is a welcome detail since some Golden Circle stops are free while this one charges admission.

Secret Lagoon: warm water and strict bathing rules

The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin, is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool. It is smaller and more traditional in feel than Reykjavík’s modern pools, with warm water, natural surroundings, and a small geyser that erupts nearby every few minutes.

The long stop gives you time to change, shower, and enjoy the water without having to rush straight back onto the bus. The pool is especially welcome after standing in the cold at the crater or walking through windy viewing areas.

There is one important cultural detail to understand before you arrive. You must shower naked before entering the lagoon. The changing areas do not provide much private shower space, which can be uncomfortable if you are modest. Lockers, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair dryers are available. Swimsuits and towels can be rented for an extra charge, but you should bring both if possible.

The water may feel natural rather than perfectly polished. One account describes algae in the pool, while another praises its cleanliness and warmth. That contrast tells you what to expect: this is a geothermal bathing place, not a sleek hotel spa. If you want an authentic Icelandic pool experience, that is part of its appeal. If you prefer a highly controlled, modern facility, you may find it less appealing.

Geysir and Strokkur: the reliable show

The Geysir geothermal area gives Iceland its international word for a spouting hot spring. The original Geysir is largely inactive, but nearby Strokkur erupts regularly, often about every 10 minutes.

You have roughly 75 minutes here. That is plenty of time to watch several eruptions, walk past steaming pools, and climb for wider views if conditions allow. Strokkur can shoot water and steam up to about 40 meters, though each eruption varies.

Stay on marked paths. The ground is hot, unstable, and full of boiling water. The steam can blow across the trail, and winter wind can make the area feel much colder than the temperature suggests.

This is also one of the most useful food stops. The nearby center offers food, drinks, toilets, and shopping. You may get extra time here for lunch, but the meal remains your responsibility. I would not wait until the waterfall stop to eat if you are already hungry.

Gullfoss: Iceland at full force

Gullfoss is the visual high point of the Golden Circle for many people. Glacial meltwater from Langjökull feeds this powerful two-level waterfall, which drops through a deep gorge with tremendous force.

The stop is listed at about 40 minutes. That gives you time to use the viewing paths and see the falls from more than one angle, but it is not a long walking visit. Spray can reach the path, so waterproof outer layers are useful even when the sky is clear.

In winter, ice may cover parts of the falls and surrounding ground. The waterfall can freeze in especially harsh weather, though this is increasingly uncommon. Either way, you should expect slippery surfaces and strong wind.

There is a café where you can warm up with hot chocolate. That small detail matters on a winter day when you have already spent time outside at Kerið and Geysir.

Thingvellir National Park: politics and moving continents

Thingvellir gives the tour its strongest connection to Icelandic history. Iceland’s Alþingi parliament first met here in the late 10th century, when chieftains gathered to discuss laws and disputes.

The site also sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the European and North American tectonic plates pull apart. Iceland is unusual because this geological boundary can be seen on land. You can walk among the visible rock formations while your guide explains both the geology and the political importance of the place.

The schedule allows about 40 minutes at Thingvellir, with a long drive to and from the stop. A guide may lead you to a key viewpoint, then give you time to explore independently. Walking requirements are manageable, but the ground may be icy, muddy, or uneven.

This stop is less about one dramatic photo and more about connecting the country’s geology with its national story. If you only want waterfalls and hot pools, it may feel slower. I think it adds needed context to a day otherwise built around natural sights.

The two-hour gap before the Northern Lights

After the daytime circuit, you return to Reykjavík for roughly two hours before the evening pickup begins. That break is useful, but it is not generous.

You may have time for a quick meal, a hot drink, or a change of clothes. You probably do not have enough time for a proper hotel rest, especially if the morning bus arrives late or the evening pickup is delayed. Plan your food in advance and keep your warmest layers easy to reach.

This is where the tour becomes tiring. The daytime route already includes long drives, outdoor stops, a swim, and several walks. The aurora outing can add another three hours or more, often into the early morning.

Hunting the Northern Lights by bus

The evening tour takes you into the countryside in search of darker skies and clearer conditions. The guide may try several locations if clouds block the view. That flexibility is useful, but it cannot control solar activity or weather.

Some guides make the night special by helping with photos and explaining camera settings. JP, for example, has been praised for helping people get memorable pictures regardless of their phone or camera. Other guides, including Darren and Rose, have been described as determined and attentive. Small cups of hot chocolate may also be served during the wait.

Do not book this package solely for a guaranteed aurora. Several outings have been canceled or rescheduled because of cloud, and one outing had only a faint or limited view. The provider may offer a different date when conditions are poor, but that helps only if your schedule allows another night.

The evening experience can also vary by guide. One account describes a guide who kept passengers informed and checked that everyone was content. Another describes long periods of waiting and a late return after clouds had already closed in. That is the nature of an aurora hunt, but it is worth knowing that patience is part of the deal.

Bring a tripod only if you are comfortable carrying it all day, and keep your phone charged. Most important, bring serious warm clothing. A temperature around 40 degrees Fahrenheit can feel bitter in Icelandic wind. An ankle-length coat, several layers, gloves, and a hat will serve you better than one heavy sweater.

Group size, seating, and comfort

The tour may carry up to 60 people. That keeps the price reasonable, but it also means less personal attention and more time getting everyone on and off the bus.

Seats cannot be booked in advance. If you are a family or need to sit beside someone for medical or personal reasons, arrive early and speak with the guide before boarding. Families have been separated when boarding late, and that can be especially difficult for a child with additional needs.

The guides are generally praised for explaining sights without talking nonstop. Names such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Heidi, and Matt come up for good reason: they add stories about Icelandic life, answer questions, take group photos, and keep the day moving. Drivers have also been praised for safe, smooth driving, which matters on a long route.

The morning tour is a good fit for solo visitors because the schedule gives you clear places to go and enough time to explore on your own. It is less suited to anyone who dislikes large groups, fixed departure times, or crowded pickup points.

Is this package worth booking?

Book it if you want the broadest Iceland introduction in one day, do not want to drive, and accept that the Northern Lights are weather-dependent. The combination of Kerið, the Secret Lagoon, Geysir, Gullfoss, Thingvellir, and a separate aurora hunt gives you a lot for $185.

Skip it if you want a quiet, small-group outing or a relaxed spa day. The schedule is long, the evening hunt may end late, and the pickup system can be chaotic. You should also think twice if you dislike communal changing rooms or cannot tolerate a full day with little downtime.

For most first-time visitors with limited time in Reykjavík, I think the package offers solid value. Wear waterproof layers, bring lunch money and snacks, arrive early at Bus Stop 12, and treat the Northern Lights as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long is the full experience?

The combined experience lasts approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the morning tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Bus Stop 12, Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, in Reykjavík, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from a central Reykjavík location is included for the daytime tour, and the Northern Lights outing uses a separate bus.

Are the Kerið and Secret Lagoon entrance fees included?

Yes. Admission to both Kerið crater and the Secret Lagoon is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you need to pay for food during the stops.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You should bring a swimsuit and towel for the Secret Lagoon. Both can be rented there for an additional fee.

Do I have to shower without a swimsuit?

Yes. Showering naked before entering the Secret Lagoon is part of the facility’s bathing rules.

Is the Northern Lights display guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and viewing conditions. If poor weather cancels the outing, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour can have a maximum of 60 people. Seating cannot be reserved in advance.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded under the stated policy.