Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour from Reykjavik

This is a great day tour if you want the Golden Circle highlights plus one extra volcanic stop, Kerid crater, and then you finish with a real-deal thermal bath at Secret Lagoon. You get the big “Iceland in one day” mix, while your guide explains what you are looking at, from tectonic plates to an active geyser.

I love the round-trip coach setup because you do not spend your day figuring out buses and parking lots. I also like that admissions are handled for several of the stops, and you are not piecing together ticket math mid-trip.

The only real drawback is time. This is an around 10-hour circuit with multiple stops, so if weather or daylight is limited, you may feel the schedule and some moments can be a bit more rushed than you would on a slower day.

Key things I’d bet on before you book

• Reykjavik pickup plus drop-off keeps the day simple, even if you are not staying right in the center
• Included entry at major stops, including Kerid Crater and Secret Lagoon
• Strokkur timing means you can often see a full set of geyser eruptions every 7 to 10 minutes
• Thingvellir’s mix of history and tectonics, including the parliament origins in 930 AD
• Secret Lagoon at 100 to 104F (38 to 40C) for a warm reset after the sightseeing
• Coach group size up to 49, so it is big enough to be convenient, not huge enough to feel chaotic

Why This Golden Circle Plus Secret Lagoon Combo Works So Well

The best part is that this tour is built like a full Iceland sampler. You get geology, history, and the kind of active nature you cannot fake. Then, instead of calling it quits after waterfalls and steam, you end with a soak that actually changes how the rest of your trip feels.

I also like the order of priorities. You see the headline places on the Golden Circle, then you add Kerid crater, and only at the end do you go to the Secret Lagoon bath. It is a smart way to use energy: walk and look earlier, relax later.

Two details make the difference for most people. First, the tour is set up with pickup from Reykjavik hotel or cruise port and ends back where it started. Second, the pace is designed around key photo points plus guided context, not endless free-form wandering.

Price and Value: What $127 Really Buys

At $127 per person, this is not a “cheapest bus” option. But you are also not paying like it is just transportation. The tour price includes bus fare and a guided tour, and it includes admission fees for Secret Lagoon.

Other admissions are partly covered or listed as free for specific stops. In the stop details, Kerid crater admission is included, Secret Lagoon admission is included, Strokkur admission is included, and Thingvellir (Pingvellir) admission is included. Gullfoss and the Golden Circle route segment are listed as admission free for parts of the day.

What is not included is important to budget for. Food and drinks are not included, and a towel is not included (and towel rental is not included either). If you plan to buy snacks, warm drinks, and a meal on-site, you should expect prices to feel like Iceland prices. The tour is still good value if you come prepared to snack rather than expecting a free lunch.

The Morning Pickup, The Coach Ride, and The Real Meaning of Timing

The day starts with pickup at 8:00 am from the meeting point area in Reykjavik. Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so plan to be waiting at your pickup spot by the time shown on your ticket.

The operator also notes that many central accommodations get redirected to official tour bus stops, so it helps to double-check where you are being picked up. If you are staying in or near downtown, you’ll likely use one of the listed stops (city hall, Harpa, Culture House, Hallgrímskirkja area, and more).

A key point I care about on any Reykjavik excursion is time reliability. This one is a full-day loop, and many guides are known for pushing smartly so you hit each location without turning the trip into a parking-lot contest. In the reviews, guides like Sunny and Heidi, paired with drivers such as Captain Thor and Gregory, get praise for keeping things on track and safe.

Thingvellir National Park: Parliament Origins and Plate Boundaries

Thingvellir is the place where the scenery is not the only star. You are standing on the edge of continental plates, and you get an explanation in plain language. The tour focuses on two big ideas:

1) World’s oldest parliament origins. The tour ties this area to the foundation of a parliament in 930 AD.

2) Two plates meeting and slowly pulling apart. You see the visible boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

This is also one of those stops where a guide matters. If you only arrive and take photos, you still see something dramatic. If you listen, you start to understand why the ground looks the way it does, and why the place feels both ancient and alive.

The stop time for Thingvellir is listed as 40 minutes (with admission included). That is usually enough for a decent walk, a few photos, and the guided context, as long as you are not stuck in a long line waiting for the best angle.

Strokkur Geyser and the Geysir Area: Watching Water Do Its Thing

The geyser stop is built around Strokkur, the active one that still throws water high into the air. The pace is usually easier here because nature does the timing for you.

Strokkur is described as spouting every 7 to 10 minutes. That matters because it gives you a real chance to see multiple eruptions rather than catching just one lucky blast.

The tour lists Strokkur admission as included, and it gives this stop about 1 hour. There is also a practical detail: you can purchase food at this stop. That can help you avoid a “no snacks left and everything is freezing” situation later.

One small realism check: this is weather-dependent. Wind and cold affect how long you want to stand still. If it is nasty, you may spend more time in and out of sheltered areas, which can eat into your planned viewing minutes. Still, with the eruption cycle being frequent, the stop usually works even if you take breaks.

Gullfoss Waterfall: White River Power With Two Steps

Gullfoss is the kind of waterfall that looks different depending on how the light hits it and how close you get. This tour frames it through the structure of the falls.

You get the key facts:

• It drops in two steps, 11 meters and 21 meters.
• A large volume of water flows through it, listed as over 100 cubic meters per second.

You are given about 40 minutes here, and the listing says admission is free for the stop. That time works if you treat it like a waterfall visit, not a long museum session. Do the main viewpoint first, then take a couple minutes to reposition so you see a different angle.

The guide’s added value at Gullfoss is usually interpretation, not more walking. They help you notice the rhythm of the water and the geography that shapes it, which is what turns “a big waterfall” into “I understand what I’m seeing.”

Kerid Crater: The 55-Meter Volcanic Bowl Stop

Kerid is your extra volcanic stop, and it is a good one to include because it is different from the other Golden Circle sights. Instead of steam and flowing water, you get a crater bowl.

Key numbers to anchor your expectations:

• Kerið is an iconic volcanic crater about 55 meters deep.
• The stop time is about 20 minutes, with admission included.

Twenty minutes is not long, so you will want to move with a plan. Arrive, scan the rim, decide where you want your photos, and then walk the most important viewing path if the ground is passable. If you pause too long in one spot, you risk losing the chance to get another angle.

On days with heavy cloud or strong wind, you may feel rushed even in 20 minutes. But the upside is Kerid is a compact stop, so even a fast visit gives you a clear payoff: a volcanic form you cannot replicate anywhere else.

Secret Lagoon Bathing: A Warm Reset at 100 to 104F

The tour ends at Secret Lagoon (Gamla Laugin) for a soak. The temperature is listed as 100 to 104F (38 to 40C) all year, fueled by underground hot springs. This is not just a quick dip. You get time to change pace.

The stop is listed as about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the tour includes admission. This is the part of the day that helps your body recover from cold walks and repeated outdoor stops.

The setting is described as fairy-tale-like, with steam rising off the water. And in the reviews, people often contrast this place with the more famous, more commercial big-name spa. The Secret Lagoon tends to feel more natural and local, even when it gets busy.

One practical note from the tour details: Secret Lagoon is sometimes closed for upgrades in mid-May, and the tour swaps you to Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal spa instead. The information provided lists closure windows as May 13 to 23 and also May 12 to 22, so either way, you should expect a swap in that general mid-May period.

Food, Towels, and What to Pack for a Full-Day Coach Tour

Food and towels are the two most common “gotcha” items on this kind of day.

Not included:

• Food and drinks
• Towel, and towel rental is not included

What you should do is plan like this is an outdoor winter day, even if the weather is decent. Bring layers you can peel off and put back on quickly. Waterproof outerwear helps if it is windy or raining. Wear shoes with grip.

Also, plan for a snack plan. You can buy food at the Strokkur stop, which helps, but you might still want a backup snack in your bag. The tour includes the major sights and some admissions, but it does not include lunch.

Coach Group Size and Why the Guide Changes the Day

The tour caps at 49 travelers. That is big enough to feel efficient, and small enough that you can still hear explanations at most stops.

The real difference is the guide style. In the reviews, guides are repeatedly praised for mixing facts and humor, and for keeping the vibe friendly even when the day is action-packed. People mention guides like Jess for an engaging mix of facts and jokes, and Sunny or Heike for being informative and upbeat. Drivers such as Gregory and Simon are also praised for safe, comfortable rides.

I’d treat this as a “guided tour with scenic stops,” not a silent sightseeing bus. If you ask questions at the plate boundary at Thingvellir, or about how geysers behave at Strokkur, you will get more out of the day.

One bonus that shows up in reviews: some guides add small extras if timing allows, like an unscheduled stop to feed Icelandic horses. That is not guaranteed, but it is a good example of the kind of flexibility people appreciate.

Who This Tour Is Best For (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour is best for you if:

• you want the classic Golden Circle sights without planning logistics
• you are okay with a full-day schedule and getting the most out of each stop
• you want the comfort of pickup and drop-off
• you want a thermal soak moment at the end, not just photo stops

You might choose a different style of trip if:

• you hate tight timelines and would rather linger
• you want long, independent time at fewer stops
• you are traveling with a group that needs lots of breaks, since this is a 10-hour circuit

The reviews also include comments about timing being tight on certain days, especially with limited daylight. If you are going in winter or shoulder season, go in with the mindset that the tour is doing a lot, and you are buying convenience plus guidance, not slow travel.

Should You Book This Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, and Kerid Tour?

Yes, I think you should book this if you want a high value day that hits the headline Iceland geology and history, then gives you a warm reset at Secret Lagoon.

It is especially worth it when you factor in what is included: Secret Lagoon admission and entry at key sites like Kerid crater, plus pickup that removes the biggest Reykjavik headache. The price is very reasonable for a day that handles both logistics and some ticket costs.

Just be realistic about the tradeoff. It is a packed schedule. If you want leisurely pacing, you may feel rushed. If you want a guided route with included entries, then end-of-day soaking, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

What time does the tour start from Reykjavik?

The tour start time is listed as 8:00 am.

How does pickup work, and how early should I wait?

Pickup can take up to 30 minutes, so wait at your pickup location from the time written on your ticket.

How long is the tour?

It is listed as 10 hours (approx.).

Is admission included for the attractions?

Admission is included for Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater. The tour also lists Strokkur and Thingvellir (Pingvellir) admissions as included, while Gullfoss is listed as admission free.

What happens if Secret Lagoon is closed for upgrades?

On dates in mid-May when Secret Lagoon is closed for upgrades, the tour uses Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal spa instead.

What is the water temperature at Secret Lagoon?

The lagoon water temperature is listed as 100 to 104F (38 to 40C) all year.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

A towel is not included, and towel rental is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.