Iceland’s position in the mid-Atlantic makes it one of the most natural stopovers in the world. If you’re flying between North America and Europe on Icelandair, you can add up to seven nights without paying extra for the flight — the stopover is built into the fare. This itinerary covers exactly what to do with 1, 2, or 3 days, with logistics, exact timings, and booking guidance.
For the full mechanics of how to add a stopover to your booking, see our Icelandair stopover guide.
Before You Arrive: Three Things to Book in Advance
Blue Lagoon: Book at bluelagoon.com before anything else. It sells out completely on many summer dates — do not assume you can turn up. As of 2026, standard entry costs ISK 8,990–14,990 depending on package. Choose your timeslot when you book.
Airport transfer: A private transfer from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík takes 40 minutes and drops you at your hotel door. Worth booking in advance if you arrive late, have a lot of luggage, or are travelling with family. Flybus (ISK 3,000–3,800) is the budget option but requires walking to the terminal and transfers.
Reykjavík accommodation: Book 4–6 weeks ahead in summer. The 101 Reykjavík postcode (old town and city centre) is the best base — everything is walkable from there. Search hotels in Reykjavík.
1-Day Stopover Itinerary
One day works best focused tightly. Choose either the Blue Lagoon or the Golden Circle — not both.
Option A: Reykjavík + Blue Lagoon
07:00 — Airport arrival Land at Keflavík (KEF). Clear passport control and baggage. Take Flybus or a private transfer to Reykjavík. Journey time: 45–50 minutes.
09:00 — Check in and walk Laugavegur Drop bags at your hotel. Walk east along Laugavegur, Reykjavík’s main shopping street. Stop at Reykjavík Roasters (Brautarholt 2) for coffee — one of the better third-wave coffee spots in the city. Continue uphill to Hallgrímskirkja.
10:00 — Hallgrímskirkja tower The 74.5m concrete church is Reykjavík’s dominant landmark. The tower lift costs approximately ISK 1,200 as of 2026 and gives a clear panorama of the city, harbour, and distant mountains. Allow 30–40 minutes. Book online or pay on arrival.
11:00 — Old Town and Tjörnin Walk downhill through the old town toward Tjörnin lake. The streets between Hallgrímskirkja and the lake contain the oldest architecture in Reykjavík — small timber and corrugated iron houses from the late 19th century. Tjörnin has year-round birdlife (Arctic terns in summer) and a clear view back to the church.
12:30 — Lunch Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur (corner of Tryggvagata and Pósthússtræti) is the famous hot dog stand — ISK 450–600 per dog, cash and card accepted. For a sit-down meal, Hlöllabátar on Laugavegur does Icelandic-style subs (ISK 1,800–2,800).
14:00 — Blue Lagoon Take the Reykjavík Excursions shuttle from BSÍ terminal (book in advance, approximately ISK 2,500 return) or a taxi (approximately ISK 12,000). Journey: 50 minutes. The lagoon is open until 22:00 in summer. Standard entry includes a drink from the swim-up bar and silica mud mask. Allow 2–3 hours.
18:00 — Return to Reykjavík, dinner Return shuttle or taxi. Dinner: Snaps Bistro (Þórsgata 1) for French-Icelandic bistro food (ISK 3,500–6,000 per main), or Messinn (Lækjargata 6b) for pan-fried fish at more modest prices (ISK 2,800–4,200).
Evening: Walk the harbour area at the Grandi district if you have energy — it stays light until midnight in June and July.
Option B: Reykjavík + Golden Circle
Follow the same morning schedule above (Hallgrímskirkja, lunch). By 13:00, join a Golden Circle guided tour departing from central Reykjavík. Tours cost approximately ISK 9,000–14,000 per person and run daily year-round. They cover Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area (Strokkur erupts every 5–8 minutes), and Gullfoss waterfall. Expect to return to Reykjavík by 20:00–21:00.
If you prefer to drive, hire a car at the airport, pick it up after landing, and self-drive the 300km circuit. Allow a full day — depart by 09:00 at the latest.
2-Day Stopover Itinerary
Two days is the sweet spot for an Iceland stopover — enough time to do both the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon without rushing.
Day 1: Blue Lagoon + Reykjavík
Morning: Land at KEF, take private transfer or Flybus to Reykjavík. Check in, walk Laugavegur, coffee, Hallgrímskirkja tower.
Afternoon (14:00): Blue Lagoon. Book your slot for early afternoon so you return to Reykjavík in time for a proper dinner. Shuttle from BSÍ terminal.
Evening: Walk the Grandi harbour district — the Maritime Museum area has the best harbour views. Dinner at Grandi Mathöll (harbour food hall, ISK 1,500–3,000 per dish), a good choice for sampling multiple Icelandic dishes in one space. Try the langoustine soup.
Night: Stay in 101 Reykjavík. Search Reykjavík hotels — book the 101 postcode for walking distance to everything.
Day 2: Golden Circle
08:00: Depart early. Either join a Golden Circle guided tour (9:00 departures are common) or pick up a rental car and self-drive.
09:30 — Þingvellir National Park: Iceland’s oldest national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rift valley marks the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates — you can walk between them. Allow 45–60 minutes.
12:00 — Geysir: The Geysir geothermal area has several hot springs; Strokkur erupts on a 5–8 minute cycle to approximately 30m. A classic stopover photo. Allow 30–45 minutes. The café on site has basic food (ISK 1,200–2,000).
13:30 — Gullfoss: Iceland’s most famous waterfall — two-tiered, dropping 32m into a canyon. The upper and lower viewing platforms offer different perspectives. Allow 30–45 minutes.
Optional addition: Fontana Geothermal Baths at Laugarvatn (between Geysir and Gullfoss) — entry approximately ISK 3,300 as of 2026, smaller and less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, with a lakeside steam sauna.
16:30: Return to Reykjavík.
Evening: Dinner at Dill (Hverfisgata 12) for New Nordic Icelandic cuisine — a splurge worth considering if this is your only Iceland trip (ISK 14,000–18,000 for the tasting menu). Book ahead. Or Matarkjallarinn (The Food Cellar) on Aðalstræti for a solid mid-range option (ISK 4,500–7,000 per main).
3-Day Stopover Itinerary
Three days adds the South Coast — many visitors consider it Iceland’s most dramatic driving route.
Day 1: Reykjavík City
Arrive and use the day purely for the city. No rushed logistics — settle in, walk Laugavegur, visit Tjörnin, explore the National Museum of Iceland (Suðurgata 41, entry approximately ISK 2,500 as of 2026, free for under-18s). It covers 1,100 years of Icelandic history in a well-presented permanent collection. Allow 2–3 hours.
Afternoon: Harpa Concert Hall exterior (free to walk around and photograph), Old Harbour, Grandi district. Evening: eat well — this is your relaxed night.
Stay in central Reykjavík for all three nights so you always have a fixed base to return to.
Day 2: Golden Circle
Full Golden Circle day as described in the 2-day plan above. Self-drive or guided tour. Return to Reykjavík by early evening.
Day 3: South Coast
08:00: Depart Reykjavík in a rental car heading east on Route 1. This is a self-drive route — South Coast guided tours exist but the road is very easy to drive independently.
09:30 — Seljalandsfoss: A 60m waterfall you can walk behind. The path around the back is wet — bring a waterproof layer. Entry and parking: ISK 900 per vehicle as of 2026 (automated parking payment at the car park).
10:30 — Skógafoss: A wider, powerful waterfall with a 527-step staircase to the top. The climb takes 10–15 minutes and gives views across the coastal plain. Allow 45 minutes.
12:00 — Vík village: The southernmost village in Iceland. Reynisfjara black sand beach is 2km west of Vík — one of the most photographed beaches in Iceland. The basalt column formations at Reynisdrangar are the landmark. Caution: the surf at Reynisfjara is dangerous — sneaker waves have killed visitors. Stay behind the safety line and never turn your back to the water. Allow 45–60 minutes including the beach.
14:30 — Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (if time permits): 3.5 hours east of Reykjavík — the lagoon where icebergs calve from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float to sea. If you have a full day and an evening departure, it is worth the drive. Diamond Beach (across the road) has glacier ice scattered on black sand. Return Reykjavík or KEF by 22:00. If your flight is early the next day, factor in the 50-minute drive to the airport.
For flights departing in the evening of Day 3: the Blue Lagoon is 20 minutes from KEF — an afternoon visit to the lagoon before departing is a highly effective way to close the trip. Book a 14:00–15:00 slot to give yourself enough buffer.
Booking Your Transfers
Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík is 50km and takes 45–50 minutes. On arrival after a long-haul flight, a pre-booked private transfer is worth the extra cost — the driver has your name on a board, takes you directly to your hotel, and removes every logistics step when you’re tired.
Flybus is the budget option: runs hourly, costs ISK 3,000–3,800 one way, drops at BSÍ terminal with optional hotel stop upgrade for ISK 400–500 more. Book at flybus.is. Taxis from the rank cost ISK 16,000–20,000 and do not need pre-booking.
Tours and Activities
For any stopover, booking a guided tour removes the car-hire and navigation overhead, which matters when you’re on a tight schedule.
Reykjavík and Golden Circle guided tours — half-day and full-day departures from central Reykjavík, year-round.
Blue Lagoon entry and packages — book the standard Comfort entry or the premium Retreat package if budget allows. The silica mask, drink, and use of facilities are included in the standard entry.
Related Guides
- Icelandair stopover programme explained — How to add the stopover to your booking, fare class rules, and programme details
- 3 days in Reykjavík itinerary — A dedicated city itinerary for visitors spending more time in the capital
- Iceland airport transfers — Flybus, shared shuttles, and private transfers from KEF, compared
- Blue Lagoon Iceland — Prices, booking strategy, and what to expect
- First time in Iceland guide — Essential logistics for every first-time visitor
Plan Your Stopover
🏨 Search hotels in Reykjavík — central 101 Reykjavík puts everything within walking distance
🚌 Book your airport transfer — private door-to-door from Keflavík to your hotel
🎟️ Reykjavík and Golden Circle tours — daily departures, no car needed
💙 Blue Lagoon entry and packages — book as soon as your dates are confirmed
🚗 Hire a car in Iceland — if self-driving the South Coast or Golden Circle