Lava Tunnel: Day Trips and Tours from Reykjavík

As a volcanic island, Iceland is home to several unique geographical attractions including enticing thermal springs and fascinating lava tunnels. A day trip from Reykjavik to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel or one of the other subterranean lava tunnels close by is a popular choice of tour for visitors to the world’s northernmost capital city.

Reykjavik is a vibrant cosmopolitan city that still has a small-town feel. With signs of Iceland’s volcanic origins visible both above and below the earth’s surface here, Reykjavik is perfectly positioned for day trips and tours that explore these natural phenomena.

Here's all you need to know about lava tunnel, one of the most fascinating day trips from Reykjavik.

How to get to the Lava Tunnels from Reykjavik?

The Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel is the longest accessible lava tunnel in Iceland and is located around 30 minutes south-east of Reykjavik.

Other lava tunnels including the tunnels at Thrihnukagigur, Vatnshellir, Vidgelmir and Leidarendi volcano are also within a 3-hour drive of the city.

From Reykjavik to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel by car

The lava tunnels at Raufearhólshellir are an easy 36 kilometer, 30-minute drive from Reykjavik following Route 49 and Highway 1.

Thrihnukagigur and Leidarendi are also south-east of Reykjavik and easily accessible from the major routes.

Vatnshellir and Vidgelmir are a bit further afield. Both are north of the city and a 2.5 to 3 hour drive away.

Guided tours to the Lava Tunnels from Reykjavik

The best way to visit any of the lava tunnels near Reykjavik is on a guided tour. You will be collected from your hotel or a central meet-up point for a transfer to the tunnel entrances.

Guides will escort you as you explore the tunnels and caverns formed thousands of years ago by lava flowing beneath the ground.

Tour lengths differ depending on traveling time to the location, but most tours spend 2-3 hours beneath the ground. Small-group and private tours are both options when visiting the lava tunnels.

How much does the entrance ticket to the Lava Tunnels cost?

Entrance fees to the Raufearhólshellir Lava Tunnel are as follows:

Standard Tour price per person

• Adults US$60 (7,400 ISK)
• Teenagers (age 12-15) US$30 (3,700 ISK)
• Children (age 3-11) Free of charge

Lava Falls Adventure price per person

• Adults US$90 (12,500 ISK)
• Teenagers (age 12-15) US$75 (10,450 ISK)
• Children (age 3-11) Not permitted

Lava tunnel tours at other sites range from US$35 (4,500 ISK) per adult and for a 45 minute tour at Vatnshellir to US$340 (47,000 ISK) per adult for a 5-6 hour experience at Thrihnukagigur. Seniors and teenagers can get discounted rates at some sites.

What is the typical itinerary?

A Lava Tunnel tour typically starts with a hotel pick-up in the city. Your coach or private vehicle with travel to the lava tunnels where you will commence with your tour of the ancient lava tunnels and caves.

On a full-day tour, you will also travel to other places of interest on your route and learn more about how this fascinating volcanic island was formed. Some tours include stops at other scenic attractions and culturally interesting landmarks.

Meals are not generally included in the tour price, but there will be a lunch stop on a full-day excursion.

At the end of your tour, you will return to your Reykjavik hotel.

What kinds of tours are available?

With a variety of lava tunnels accessible for exploration near Reykjavik, several different types of lava tunnel tours are available. Here are some of the top lava tunnel tours that you can choose between:

Guided tours including transfer to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel from Reykjavik

You will be collected from your Reykjavik hotel for your coach transfer to the Raufearhólshellir Lava Tunnels. A standard tour is suitable for most visitors and highlights the powerful volcanic activity that formed the tunnels. On an adventure tour, you will head into the deeper reaches of the tunnel and the source of the caves – the Lava Falls.

Full-day private tour including lava tunnels from Reykjavik

A full day private tour to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula gives you an opportunity to fully appreciate the rugged and dramatic splendor of the region. The Vatnshellir Lava Cave, Kirkjufell Waterfall and black-pebbled Djupalonssandur Beach are amongst the tour’s highlights.

Private jeep tours to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel from Reykjavik

With your own private guide and vehicle, you can depart Reykjavik and head to the lava tunnels. After exploring the underground route of ancient lava flows the tour continues on to the lakes of Kleifarvatn and the mud pools at Seltún. The final stop on the tour before returning to the city is the famous Blue Lagoon.

Full-day small-group tour including lava tunnels from Reykjavik

Several small-group day tours from Reykjavik offer tours to various lava tunnel sites including Raufearhólshellir, Thrihnukagigur, Vatnshellir, Vidgelmir and Leidarendi. Each lava tunnel offers a differing level of difficulty and each has it’s own appeal. Other landmarks and places of interest in the area are included in the itinerary.

Multi-day Iceland tours including lava tunnel from Reykjavik

An 8-day circular tour showcasing some of Iceland’s most impressive scenery and landmarks. Highlights on this guided tour include Snæfellsnes lava tunnels, the Blue Lagoon, Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir National Park, the Skogafoss waterfall and Seljalandfoss glacial river.

How much does a day trip to the lava tunnels from Reykjavik cost?

Guided tours including transfer to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel from Reykjavik start at US$100 per person with transport by coach and a helmet and flashlight at the lava tunnels.

A 5-hour tour of Thrihnukagigur lava tunnels costs from US$350 per person over 12 years.

Private jeep tours to Raufearhólshellir lava tunnel from Reykjavik cost US$700 for a group of up to 4 people. Visits to the lava tunnels, mud pools and other geothermal sites on the Reykjanes Peninsula are included.

Full-day small-group tour including lava tunnels from Reykjavik cost from US$170 per person.

Full-day private tour including lava tunnels from Reykjavik for groups of up to 15 people start at US$1,580. These tours visit the world of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” – Snæfellsnes.

Multi-day Iceland tours including lava tunnels from Reykjavik offer an immersive Icelandic experience from US$2,600 per person. Accommodation, sightseeing and transfers by coach are included in this package.

What will you see and do?

On a Lava Tunnel tour, you will enter the subterranean world of some of Iceland’s best-known lava tubes and caves. These now buried caves and tubes were formed during volcanic eruptions that occurred thousands of years ago.

Lava falls, columns, caves and other lava formations are some of the natural formations you can expect to see.

While some lava tunnels are long and relatively close to the surface like the 1360 meter tunnels at Raufearhólshellir, others such as those at Thrihnukagigur are reached by descending as far as 120 meters into a dormant volcano crater.

Experienced mountain guides and cave experts are on hand on the surface and in the magma chamber.

What are the opening times?

The Raufearhólshellir Lava Tunnels are open daily between 10 AM and 5 PM. Evening tours take place throughout the year and combine well with a Northern lights tour in the winter months.

Thrihnukagigur tours operate from mid-May to mid-October with the first tour starting at 8AM.

When is the best time to visit the Lava Tunnels?

Many of the lava tunnels, including Raufearhólshellir can be visited throughout the year. The lava tubes and cavern systems have their own unique climate systems with temperatures being relatively cold but stable.

Travel tips

• It can be damp in the tunnels, so bring a waterproof jacket.
• Comfortable and supportive hiking boots are recommended.
• Moderate fitness is required for most standard tours. Check with your doctor if you have any pre-existing health conditions.
• If you are claustrophobic or have asthma, you may want to consider alternative experiences.
• Set your camera for low light conditions and avoid using a flash for better quality images.