Reviewed · WESTMAN ISLANDS TOURS

Reykjavik – Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn)

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) From $60 Operated by Magic Iceland Travel · Bookable on Viator
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The smart part of this experience is that it solves the awkward first leg of a Westman Islands trip. You get from Reykjavik to Landeyjahöfn harbor without renting a car, arranging a taxi, or trying to match several local buses to a ferry departure.

I like the small maximum group of 19, which should make boarding and timing easier, and I like having Wi-Fi and air conditioning for the roughly two-hour ride. The main catch is simple but important: your ferry ticket is not included, so you must book that separately and leave enough time between the bus and boat.

Key Points

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Key Points

  • Reykjavik pickup at Bus Stop #12: The meeting point is at Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6.
  • Direct road connection to Landeyjahöfn: The bus ride takes about two hours, with the full experience listed at roughly two and a half hours.
  • Ferry ticket sold separately: You arrange and pay for the Westman Islands ferry yourself.
  • Wi-Fi and air conditioning onboard: Useful comforts for a long transfer.
  • Small group size: The vehicle carries no more than 19 people.
  • Flexible cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund, subject to the weather policy.

Why This Bus Transfer Makes the Westman Islands Easier

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Why This Bus Transfer Makes the Westman Islands Easier

The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, sit off Iceland’s south coast. For most visitors, the practical route is to reach Landeyjahöfn and take the ferry from there. That sounds easy on paper, but the port is not in Reykjavik, and getting there is the part that can complicate an otherwise simple day.

This transfer handles that road connection for you. You board in Reykjavik, settle into an air-conditioned vehicle, and watch the south coast pass by while someone else handles the driving and navigation. You are not booking a full guided island tour, so the choice of what to do on Heimaey remains yours.

That freedom is the heart of the experience. Once you reach the island, you can arrange your own time rather than follow a fixed sightseeing group. The provided information notes that you may use the island’s hop-on hop-off bus or taxis, but those arrangements are not part of this booking.

The service is best understood as a practical transportation link, not a sightseeing tour with commentary. If your main goal is to reach the ferry with less fuss, that is a strength. If you want a guide explaining every view along the road, you should choose a different type of outing.

A few more Westman Islands days worth weighing up

Leaving Reykjavik from Bus Stop #12

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Leaving Reykjavik from Bus Stop #12

The listed meeting point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, at Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik. This is a central and clearly specified departure point, but you should still check your confirmation closely before setting out.

Pickup begins at the scheduled departure time and may take up to 30 minutes. That matters in Reykjavik, where a pickup service may need to collect passengers from several points rather than pull away the instant the clock reaches departure time.

I would arrive early, keep your phone available, and avoid planning a tight connection immediately before boarding. The service offers pickup, but the information provided does not promise a private pickup from your hotel. The stated starting point is Bus Stop #12, so treat that as your main meeting location unless your confirmation gives different instructions.

The group limit of 19 is a useful middle ground. You are not joining a huge coach party, but you also are not paying for a private vehicle. A smaller group can make loading bags and keeping to schedule less unwieldy.

The Two-Hour Road Journey to Landeyjahöfn

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - The Two-Hour Road Journey to Landeyjahöfn

The ride to Landeyjahöfn takes about two hours, while the overall experience is listed as approximately two hours and 30 minutes. Use the longer figure when planning your day, especially since pickup may take up to 30 minutes.

This is time you can spend resting, checking ferry details, or looking out the window instead of navigating unfamiliar roads. Wi-Fi is included, which gives you another way to pass the time, though you should not depend on it for anything critical. Having an air-conditioned vehicle is also welcome in Iceland, where weather and temperatures can shift quickly.

The route gives you a chance to see more of southern Iceland as you leave the capital behind. The details supplied do not promise guided commentary or scheduled sightseeing stops, so think of the views as part of the ride rather than a series of planned attractions.

That distinction helps set expectations. You may see open countryside and changing coastal scenery from the bus, but you will not be getting out for a string of photo stops. The value is in covering the distance cleanly and comfortably.

Arriving at Landeyjahöfn Harbor

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Arriving at Landeyjahöfn Harbor

The bus ends at Landeyjahöfn, Landeyjahafnarvegur, 861, Iceland. This is where you switch from road transport to the ferry bound for the Westman Islands.

You are responsible for booking the ferry ticket. This is the most important planning detail in the entire service. The bus booking does not reserve your place on the boat, and the price does not include the crossing.

Book both the bus and ferry at least 24 hours before departure. That recommendation protects you from a common problem: securing one part of the journey while the other is unavailable. If either ticket cannot be obtained, the stated policy allows free cancellation when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.

I would compare the bus departure time with the ferry sailing time before paying for either. You need enough room for pickup delays, the two-hour drive, and the transfer at the port. The supplied information does not give a guaranteed waiting period between bus arrival and ferry departure, so do not assume that every sailing will work with every bus departure.

The ferry ride itself is not part of this experience. Once you reach the harbor, your bus transfer is finished and the next stage is handled under your separate ferry booking.

Same corner of the island, a completely different day out:

What You Pay for at $60

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - What You Pay for at $60

At $60 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to travel if you already have access to a car or a larger group splitting fuel costs. But the price covers the part many visitors find hardest to arrange: getting from Reykjavik to a remote ferry port on a dependable schedule.

You are paying for a seat, the road journey, vehicle air conditioning, onboard Wi-Fi, and the convenience of not driving. You are not paying for the ferry, a guide, an island tour, or a hop-on hop-off bus ticket.

That makes the value depend on your plans. For a solo visitor or a couple without a rental car, the transfer can be a sensible expense. It also helps if you want to visit the Westman Islands without committing to a full packaged tour.

For a larger party, you may want to compare the total price with a rental car, but that comparison should include Iceland’s driving conditions, fuel, parking, and the work of reaching the harbor yourself. The bus removes those tasks, which has real value on a travel day.

Freedom on Heimaey After the Ferry

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Freedom on Heimaey After the Ferry

The strongest feature of this arrangement is what it does not control. It gets you to the ferry, but it does not tie you to a guide once you reach the Westman Islands.

You can plan your own island time around the ferry schedule. The information provided specifically points to hop-on hop-off buses and taxis as ways to get around after arrival, although neither is included in this booking.

That setup suits independent visitors who want to choose their own pace. You might prefer a short visit with a few selected stops, or you might want to spend longer exploring before taking the return ferry. The bus transfer itself does not dictate that choice.

The tradeoff is that you must organize more of the trip. You need to book the ferry, decide how you will move around the island, and keep track of your return plans. This is not a fully guided package where someone else manages every connection.

I see that as a fair trade for flexibility. You get help with the most awkward mainland leg while keeping control of the island visit.

Who Will Get the Most from This Service

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Who Will Get the Most from This Service

This transfer is a good match for you if:

  • You are staying in Reykjavik and want to visit the Westman Islands without renting a car.
  • You prefer independent sightseeing to a fixed group itinerary.
  • You want a smaller vehicle rather than a large coach.
  • You value Wi-Fi and air conditioning during a two-hour road journey.
  • You are comfortable booking the ferry and island transport separately.
  • You want a straightforward connection to Landeyjahöfn.

It may be less suitable if you want a guide, organized sightseeing stops, or a single booking that includes the ferry and island activities. It also requires careful scheduling. The bus is only one part of the journey, and a missed ferry could disrupt the whole day.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is also near public transportation. The available details do not provide specific information about wheelchair access, luggage limits, or child seating, so ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your plans.

Timing, Weather, and Cancellation Details

Reykjavik - Westman Islands (Bus transfer to Landeyjahöfn) - Timing, Weather, and Cancellation Details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, which gives you the key information for the departure. Still, check the exact meeting instructions before leaving for Bus Stop #12.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded, and changes made that late are not accepted.

The cut-off is based on local Icelandic time. That small detail matters if you are booking from another time zone.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Since this is a road and ferry connection, weather can affect more than comfort, so keep your wider itinerary flexible if possible.

How to Plan the Day Without Stress

Start with the ferry schedule, then work backward to the bus. Once you know the sailing you want, choose a bus departure that leaves sensible room for the pickup window and the two-hour drive.

Do not book the latest possible bus if missing the ferry would ruin your plans. The pickup may take up to 30 minutes, and the road journey is approximate rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Keep your ferry confirmation easy to reach. You may also want to have the bus confirmation ready when boarding. The transport provider and ferry operator are separate parts of your journey, so organized details will help.

At the end of the day, remember that the return trip requires its own plan. The supplied information describes the Reykjavik to Landeyjahöfn transfer, so confirm how and when you will get back from the islands before finalizing your schedule.

Should You Book the Reykjavik to Landeyjahöfn Transfer?

Book it if you want an uncomplicated mainland connection and plan to explore the Westman Islands on your own. The clean bus, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, on-time focus, and small group limit make it a useful service rather than a sightseeing show.

I would especially recommend it to solo visitors and couples who do not want to drive in Iceland just to reach a ferry port. At $60, the price is reasonable when you count the time and effort saved.

Skip it if you need an all-inclusive island tour or dislike coordinating separate tickets. The ferry is not included, the island transport is not included, and you must allow plenty of time between connections.

For independent visitors who plan carefully, this is a practical way to reach one of Iceland’s most appealing side trips while keeping the day largely your own.

FAQ

Where does the bus leave from in Reykjavik?

The listed departure point is Bus Stop #12 Höfðatorg, Þórunnartún 6, 105 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the bus end?

The bus ends at Landeyjahöfn harbor on Landeyjahafnarvegur, 861, Iceland.

How long does the transfer take?

The drive to the harbor takes about two hours. The full experience is listed as approximately two hours and 30 minutes, and pickup may take up to 30 minutes.

Is the ferry ticket included?

No. You must book and pay for your Westman Islands ferry ticket separately.

Does the bus have Wi-Fi and air conditioning?

Yes. Wi-Fi and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

How many people can join the transfer?

The maximum group size is 19 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Late cancellations and late changes are not accepted. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

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