Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour

Iceland packs an extraordinary amount into this 13.5-hour combination tour: a volcanic crater, erupting geysers, a glacial waterfall, the site of Iceland’s first parliament, a warm geothermal pool, and an evening search for the Northern Lights. I like that you get both famous sights and a genuinely relaxing soak without renting a car.

I also like the practical value. At $185 per person, the price includes transport, Kerið, the Secret Lagoon, and two guided bus trips. The main drawback is the length. You get only about two hours between the day tour and the evening pickup, and clear skies are never guaranteed for the aurora.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate bus tours in one day: The Golden Circle and lagoon portion runs during the day, then a different bus takes you out for the Northern Lights.
• The Secret Lagoon requires communal showering: You must shower without a swimsuit before entering, with limited privacy in the changing area.
• Kerið admission is included: You can walk around the volcanic crater and take the path down toward the lake.
• Strokkur usually erupts every few minutes: The Geysir area gives you several chances to see hot water shoot skyward.
• Pickup can be chaotic: Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg can have several coaches and guides calling names at once.
• The Northern Lights are weather-dependent: If the evening trip is canceled, you may be offered another date or a refund, but a successful sighting is never promised.

One long day from Reykjavik to Iceland’s classic sights

This is a strong choice if you have limited time in Iceland. You leave central Reykjavík around 8:00 a.m., spend the day moving between major natural and historic sites, return to the city, and then head out again around 8:30 p.m. for an aurora hunt.

That schedule works well for a short stopover. You avoid driving on unfamiliar roads and do not need to arrange separate admission to Kerið or the Secret Lagoon. It also lets you see more than a standard Golden Circle trip, though the price is a full day of activity rather than a leisurely outing.

The daytime group can reach up to 60 people. That means a large coach, shared viewing areas, and a less personal feel than a small-group trip. In exchange, you get an efficient route, onboard WiFi, an experienced driver, and guides such as Anna, Daniel, Sunny, Matt, and others who have been praised for adding Icelandic stories and local context.

Pickup is the weak point. At Bus Stop 12, several buses may arrive together, and guides may call names while engines run and people gather around different coaches. Get there early, keep your booking details ready, and confirm the bus and guide before boarding. The morning pickup can take up to 30 minutes, and the evening pickup has the same allowance.

Kerið Crater: a colorful volcanic opening

Kerið is a fine first major stop because it gives you a quick lesson in Iceland’s volcanic character. The crater is an ancient volcanic formation with a lake in its bowl, and a walking path follows the rim. You can also take a winding trail down toward the water.

The stop is listed at roughly 25 minutes on site, though the full timing shown for this part includes the drive. That is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not for a slow circuit if the weather is rough or you move carefully.

The crater rim can be exposed to wind, so wear a warm outer layer even if Reykjavík feels mild. Sturdy shoes will make the descent easier. Admission is included, which saves you a small extra charge and keeps the stop simple.

The Secret Lagoon: a warm break with very direct rules

The Secret Lagoon, or Gamla Laugin, is one of the best reasons to choose this package instead of a basic Golden Circle outing. It is Iceland’s oldest geothermal pool, and the warm water makes a welcome change after time outside at the crater, geysers, and waterfall.

The setting is more rustic than Reykjavík’s larger modern pools. A small geyser erupts near the pool every few minutes, and hot spring sources feed the water. One source is hotter, while another is cold enough to feel like a sharp shock at about 6 degrees Celsius.

The practical detail matters here: you need a swimsuit and towel, or you can rent them for an extra fee. Lockers, soap, hair dryers, and changing facilities are available. You must shower naked before entering the lagoon, and the shower area does not offer much private space. If that would make you uncomfortable, this is the part to think about carefully.

The time in the lagoon can feel peaceful once you are in the water, but a full coach may arrive at once. You could find a crowd in the changing area and at the pool entrance. Bring a waterproof way to keep track of your locker information if needed, and do not leave your towel outside where it can blow away.

The order of the stops can vary with the day’s operation. Some schedules place the lagoon before Geysir, while the listed route places it later. Either way, the included entry is valuable, and the pool breaks up a long day on the road.

Geysir and Strokkur: Iceland’s most reliable eruption

The Geysir geothermal area gives the tour its most dependable burst of drama. The original Geysir helped give the word geyser to languages around the world, though it is no longer the star of the show.

That role belongs to Strokkur. It sends steam and boiling water into the air about every 10 minutes, sometimes reaching as high as 40 meters. You do not need perfect timing to see it. During a 75-minute stop, you should have several chances to wait near the rope line, watch the bubbling pool, and see the crowd react when the water swells.

The ground around the springs is active, steaming, and hot. Stay on the marked paths and keep children close. The smell of sulfur is part of the place, and the wet ground can be slippery in winter.

There is a service center near the geothermal area with toilets, food, drinks, and shops. This is often the most useful place to buy lunch, especially since lunch is not included. One detailed account describes extra time being given here for a meal, but you should still move promptly. A large group has to load back onto the coach, and delays can reduce time at a later stop.

Gullfoss: the waterfall that rewards the right clothing

Gullfoss is the visual high point of the Golden Circle for many people. Meltwater from the Langjökull glacier feeds this powerful, two-level waterfall, which drops through a broad rocky gorge. From the viewing paths, you can see the water rush past in several directions and feel spray on your face.

The stop is about 40 minutes. That is enough to reach the main viewpoints, take photographs, and visit the nearby facilities, but it is not a long hike. Some paths may be wet, icy, or windy, depending on the season.

Wear shoes with a good grip and protect your camera or phone from spray. A waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella, which is awkward in strong wind. There is a café, and hot chocolate can be a welcome purchase after the viewpoints.

Winter changes the appearance of Gullfoss. Ice can build around the falls, and in particularly harsh winters parts may freeze, though a total freeze is increasingly unusual. Weather can also limit visibility, so this stop is best approached as a powerful natural site, not a guaranteed postcard view.

Þingvellir: parliament, geology, and open space

Þingvellir National Park adds meaning to the route. Iceland’s Alþingi, or parliament, first met here in the late tenth century. Chieftains traveled from across Iceland to discuss laws and disputes, making this more than a scenic stop.

The park also sits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here, the edges of the European and North American tectonic plates can be seen on land. The broad ground, fissures, and rock formations show how Iceland’s geology continues to shape the country.

The tour allows about 40 minutes at the park, with drive time making this one of the longer parts of the day. A guide may walk the group to an important viewpoint, explain the historical setting, and then let you explore on your own.

I like this stop because it gives the day some balance. Geysir and Gullfoss are immediate spectacles, while Þingvellir asks you to notice how Iceland’s government and geology grew from the same place. If you want a long independent walk, though, the scheduled time will feel short.

The evening Northern Lights hunt

After the daytime tour, you return to the same meeting point and have roughly two hours before the evening departure. Use the break for dinner, dry clothes, and a quick rest. This is not a long reset, especially if the morning begins with an early pickup.

The Northern Lights trip uses a different bus and guide. The crew drives into the countryside, looking for darker skies and clearer weather. The route can include several stops if clouds block the aurora in the first place.

A good guide can make this part more enjoyable. JP helped with camera settings and took photographs for visitors. Other guides, including Darren, Roman, Rose, and Thlear, were praised for making repeated checks on the group, offering hot chocolate, and continuing the search instead of giving up after one stop.

Still, no guide can control the aurora. Cloud, wind, and solar conditions may prevent a sighting. Several departures were canceled or had to be rescheduled because of poor weather, while other nights produced strong displays soon after the bus reached a darker area.

The evening can also be less polished than the daytime portion. Pickup may involve many buses and a noisy meeting point. On one departure, a bus left with a passenger who had not been clearly identified at the stop. Confirm your name with the guide before boarding, and do not assume that standing near the correct bus is enough.

Is $185 good value?

For a full day, the price is reasonable if you planned to pay separately for a Golden Circle trip, a geothermal pool, and an aurora excursion. Transport is included, as are Kerið and Secret Lagoon admission. You also receive two guided outings rather than having to arrange an evening tour on your own.

The value is strongest for a first visit, a short Iceland stopover, or anyone who does not want to drive. You see the main Golden Circle sights efficiently, and the lagoon adds something that a standard sightseeing route does not.

The price is less attractive if you dislike large groups or want flexible timing. A smaller tour may offer more time at each viewpoint and easier communication at pickup. You also pay for the Northern Lights attempt even though the result depends on nature.

The package becomes especially good value if you see the aurora. If you do not, the daytime route still gives you four major Icelandic stops and a geothermal swim, and poor-weather cancellations may come with a rebooking option or refund under the stated policy.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Pack for two different kinds of Icelandic activity. You will need a swimsuit and towel for the lagoon, plus warm, wind-resistant clothing for the outdoor stops and the night hunt.

I would bring:

• Waterproof jacket and warm layers
• Gloves, hat, and thick socks
• Shoes with good grip
• Swimsuit and towel, unless you plan to rent them
• Phone charger or power bank
• Small snacks and a refillable water bottle
• Camera protection for spray at Gullfoss
• Booking details for both the morning and evening pickups

Lunch is not included. You can buy food near Geysir, at a service stop, or in Reykjavík during the break, but do not count on having a long restaurant meal.

Who should book this package?

I recommend it for first-time visitors, solo travelers who want an easy structure, families who prefer not to drive, and anyone with only a day or two in Reykjavík. It covers the country’s best-known inland sights and adds a classic geothermal experience.

It is less suitable if you want quiet roads, a small group, private changing space, or a relaxed evening. Families should also know that seats cannot be reserved in advance, so arriving late can mean sitting apart. If anyone in your party needs predictable seating or a calm boarding process, raise that need with the guide immediately.

Should you book the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, and Northern Lights Tour?

Book it if your priority is maximum sightseeing with minimal planning. The included admissions, two bus trips, capable guides, and broad mix of scenery make this a practical package at $185.

Skip it for a shorter Golden Circle trip if you want a slower pace or if the Secret Lagoon’s communal shower rules are not for you. And book the Northern Lights part with realistic expectations: you are paying for the search, not a guaranteed show.

The best way to approach this tour is to treat the Golden Circle and lagoon as the dependable core, then consider the aurora a bonus. With warm clothing, an early arrival at Bus Stop 12, and enough energy for a very long day, this package can give you a strong first taste of Iceland without getting behind the wheel.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Bus Stop 12 at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavík. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined experience lasts approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes, including the daytime sightseeing tour and the evening Northern Lights trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from a central Reykjavík location, but the listed meeting point is Bus Stop 12. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes.

Are Kerið and the Secret Lagoon included?

Yes. Entrance to Kerið and the Secret Lagoon is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget for food during the day.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit and towel?

Yes. You need a swimsuit and towel for the Secret Lagoon. Both can be rented there for an extra fee.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights depend on weather and sky conditions. The tour may visit several locations, and a canceled departure may be moved to another date or refunded under the stated policy.

Is the evening tour on the same bus?

No. The Northern Lights portion uses a different bus from the daytime Golden Circle and Secret Lagoon tour.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.