Distance from Reykjavík: ~30 km Travel time: Around 30 minutes each way from Reykjavík by bus Tour duration: 1-hour guided walking tour inside the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Meeting/drop-off point: BSI Bus Terminal, Reykjavík Key highlight: Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, one of Iceland’s longest and most accessible lava tunnels
What to expect on a Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel from Reykjavík
1/4
Easy pickup and short drive from the city
Meet at the BSI Bus Terminal and board a comfortable coach for the ride out of Reykjavík. The journey takes around 30 minutes, crossing lava fields shaped by past eruptions and setting the context for what you’re about to explore.
Arrival at Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
At the entrance, you’ll gear up with a helmet and headlamp before a short safety briefing. This is one of Iceland’s longest lava tunnels, formed over 5,000 years ago during a massive volcanic eruption.
Guided walk through ancient volcanic formations
The core of the experience is a 1-hour guided walking tour inside the tunnel. You’ll see jagged lava flow ridges, lava stalactites, mineral-stained walls, and seasonal ice formations in winter. Guides explain how molten lava once surged through this space, shaping the terrain you’re standing in.
Return to Reykjavík
After the tour, return by coach to the BSI Bus Terminal. Transfers are included, and the total experience typically lasts around 3 hours, making it an easy half-day addition to your Reykjavík itinerary.
Things to know before booking your Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel from Reykjavik
Lava Tunnel tours include round-trip transfers from Reykjavík, with pickup and drop-off at the BSI Bus Terminal. The drive takes about 30 minutes each way, making this an easy half-day detour from the city.
While the tunnel exploration itself is a 1-hour guided walking tour, the full experience, including transfers and briefing, typically takes around 3 hours.
Temperature is constant year-round: Inside the tunnel, temperatures stay cool regardless of season. Helmets and headlamps are provided, but you should dress in warm layers, even in summer.
This is a learning-led experience. If you’re curious about Iceland’s volcanic landscape, this tour adds context to everything you’ll see on the South Coast.
Highlights of the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel from Reykjavik
Walk through a 5,000+ year old lava tunnel
Explore one of Iceland’s longest lava tunnels, formed during a massive eruption over 5,000 years ago. The wide passages and high ceilings make it easy to walk through while clearly seeing how molten lava once flowed beneath the surface.
Color-layered volcanic walls
The tunnel walls reveal bands of red, yellow, black, and green minerals created by heat, gas, and oxidation. It’s well lit on the inside with a raised metal walkway that allows you to move safely through the tunnel and see the formations up-close.
Seasonal ice and natural contrasts
In winter, parts of the tunnel fill with ice crystals and frozen waterfalls. During warmer months, the tunnel is dry and exposed, allowing clearer views of rock textures and lava layers.
Guided insights into Iceland’s volcanic landscape
An expert guide leads the walk, explaining how lava tunnels form and how eruptions shape Iceland’s terrain. The commentary helps connect what you see underground to the volcanoes, lava fields, and landscapes you’ll encounter across the country.
Plan your visit to Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel from Reykjavik
Duration: 3 hours When: Daily slots at 9am and 1pm
Best time to visit
The lava tunnel tour operates year-round with two daily departure times. The best time to visit depends mainly on how you plan to structure your day in Iceland. While the attraction continues to grow in popularity, it sees around 20,000 visitors annually, so crowding is rarely an issue. Simply choose the time slot that fits most naturally into your itinerary.
BSÍ Bus Terminal serves as the official meeting and pickup point for the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel guided tour. Below are the most practical ways to get there:
By public bus: Several Reykjavík city bus routes stop near BSÍ, including routes 1, 3, 6, 11, and 12, making it easily accessible from downtown, the Old Harbour, and surrounding residential areas.
By taxi or car: The terminal is close to central Reykjavík and straightforward to reach by taxi or rideshare. A small number of short-stay parking spaces are available nearby, so it’s best to arrive with a little buffer time.
On foot: If you’re staying in central Reykjavík or near the main shopping areas, BSÍ is roughly a 15–25 minute walk. The route is clearly marked and commonly used as a pickup point for guided tours.
The tunnel stays cool year-round, so a thermal layer or insulated jacket helps you stay comfortable.
Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential for uneven, rocky, and occasionally damp surfaces.
Light rain or mist is common near the entrance, especially in wet or windy weather. So keep a waterproof outer layer handy.
Carry a small backpack or crossbody bag for all your essentials.
Photography is allowed, so bring your best camera device that’s suitable for low-light photos.
Stand back occasionally, not just close up: Stepping a few meters away lets you see the full scale of the tunnel’s height and flow patterns, which photos often miss up close.
Ask about eruption direction: Guides can point out where the lava entered and exited the tunnel, which makes the formations easier to “read” once you know what you’re looking for.
Take a moment with the lights dimmed: During brief low-light moments, mineral colors appear deeper and textures stand out more clearly to the naked eye.
Notice ceiling thickness changes: Variations in ceiling height and rock density show where the lava cooled faster or stayed molten longer, helping you visualize how quickly the tunnel formed.
Frequently asked questions about Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel from Reykjavik
Your ticket includes round-trip transfers from Reykjavík, entry to Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel, and a guided walking tour inside the tunnel led by an English-speaking volcanic guide. Safety equipment like helmets and headlamps is also included.
The tour begins and ends at the BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík. This is your meeting point for pickup and drop-off, so plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
The total experience lasts around 3 hours, including transfers. The guided walk inside the lava tunnel itself takes about 1 hour, with the rest of the time spent traveling and preparing at the site.
This ticket is sold as a guided day tour with transfers. If you’re looking to self-drive, that would require a different ticket type purchased directly at the site, subject to availability.
Yes, children can join the tour, but it’s best suited for kids who are comfortable walking on uneven terrain. Helmets are provided in smaller sizes, and children must be supervised at all times.
No. Due to uneven ground, stairs, and narrow paths inside the tunnel, the tour is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for guests with limited mobility.
Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip and warm layers. The tunnel stays cool year-round, and the ground can be damp or slippery in places, regardless of the season.
Reykjavik to Lava Tunnel Tour
Crafted by Headout, a global experiences brand offering curated tours, tickets & experiences. Discover with ease, book with peace.
4.5/5
545 travellers from around the world love this
Walk inside a massive 5,200-year-old lava tunnel formed by a real volcanic eruption, just outside Reykjavík.
Starting point: BSI Bus Terminal, Reykjavik
Everything you get: You'll be picked from Reykjavik in a bus for a guided walk through Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel with an expert guide, safety helmet and flashlight, a short briefing, and insights into Iceland’s geology as you explore up to 350 meters of one of the country’s largest lava tunnels.
Why choose this: It’s an easy, no-experience-needed adventure where you walk the actual path of ancient lava and learn how Iceland’s volcanoes shaped the land.
Inclusions
#
Bus fare to Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Free Wi-Fi on board
1-hour guided cave tour in English
Flashlight
Protective helmet
Other necessary safety equipment
Exclusions
#
Meals
Hotel transfers
What to bring
Dress warmly in layers, as temperatures inside the lava tunnel stay cool year-round.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear suitable for uneven surfaces.
What’s not allowed
The tour is not suitable for children under 3 years.
Touching cave formations or entering restricted areas is not permitted for safety reasons.
Accessibility
This is an easy-level tour, but it involves walking on uneven ground and is not wheelchair accessible.
Additional information
The tour last for around 3 hours, including travel time.
Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi onboard the bus throughout the journey.
The cave is open all year, regardless of season.
You don't need prior caving experience to get inside the cave.
Be sure to look out for the collapsed section near the tunnel entrance where you'll see striking columns of light that highlight the tunnel’s layered colors.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tours
From Reykjavik: Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Guided Tour with Transfers
Walk inside a massive 5,200-year-old lava tunnel formed by a real volcanic eruption, just outside Reykjavík.
Starting point: BSI Bus Terminal, Reykjavik
Everything you get: You'll be picked from Reykjavik in a bus for a guided walk through Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel with an expert guide, safety helmet and flashlight, a short briefing, and insights into Iceland’s geology as you explore up to 350 meters of one of the country’s largest lava tunnels.
Why choose this: It’s an easy, no-experience-needed adventure where you walk the actual path of ancient lava and learn how Iceland’s volcanoes shaped the land.
