Golden Circle & Kerid Crater Day Trip from Reykjavik

Summary

Gullfoss spray, geysers erupting, Thingvellir silence—Reykjavik’s Golden Circle day

You’ll feel geothermal heat on your face at Geysir, taste hot lamb soup near Strokkur’s eruptions, walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir, and look down into Kerid’s red crater lake—all with pickup from Reykjavik and stories from a local guide. Every stop feels different: loud waterfalls, quiet parliament fields, sulfur steam on your hands.

What’s the experience like?

“You can smell the sulfur before you see the steam,” our guide Jón chuckled as we pulled up to Geysir. He was right — it hit me first, sharp and eggy, then the cold wind carried it away. Reykjavík was just an hour behind us but already felt far off. The bus windows fogged up from all our breaths (and maybe a bit of nervous excitement). I didn’t expect to feel so awake this early, but Iceland’s light is strange — kind of blue and endless, even in the morning.

Strokkur shot up just as Jón started telling us about its “little brother” status. I jumped a bit — you’d think after seeing videos I’d be ready for the sound, but it’s louder in person, like a kettle popping off. We stopped for lunch nearby; I grabbed lamb soup because everyone else did (hot broth in cold air is something I still think about). There was laughter when someone tried to pronounce Þingvellir — Li laughed when I tried to say it in Icelandic, probably butchered it.

Thingvellir itself felt quiet in a way that made me lower my voice without thinking. Jón pointed out where the old parliament met — just rocks and grass now, but he made it sound alive somehow. The wind there had this dry chill that got into my sleeves. Gullfoss was next; honestly, you hear it before you see it. The water throws up so much mist that my glasses fogged again. Standing by the rails with everyone else, I realized how fast that river moves — 100 cubic meters every second? It’s wild.

The last stop was Kerid crater. Red earth underfoot, kind of crumbly and weirdly warm from the sun that finally showed up (for five minutes). Some folks went down to the water’s edge; I stayed at the rim just watching shadows move across the blue lake inside. On the drive back to Reykjavík, Jón told stories about elves living in rocks — half-joking but not really. So yeah, if you’re thinking about a Golden Circle day trip from Reykjavik with Kerid crater included… bring layers and maybe don’t try to say Þingvellir too loud unless you want a laugh.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Tour

• Pick-up in Reykjavík
• Drive to Golden Circle route
• Visit Strokkur geyser and lunch
• See Gullfoss waterfall
• Explore Thingvellir National Park
• Visit Kerið volcanic crater
• Drive back to Reykjavík
• Drop-off in Reykjavík

Top questions

How long does the Golden Circle & Kerid Crater day trip take?

The tour lasts around 8 hours including travel time from Reykjavik.

Is hotel pickup included on this Golden Circle day trip?

Yes, pickup in Reykjavik is included for this tour.

Do we visit Gullfoss waterfall on this tour?

Yes, Gullfoss waterfall is one of the main stops on this route.

Can children join this Golden Circle tour?

Children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

No lunch is included but there’s time to buy food at Geysir area.

Does this tour include Kerid volcanic crater?

Yes—unless your departure is at 12:00 or later; those skip Kerid due to time limits.

How often does Strokkur geyser erupt?

Strokkur erupts every 7–10 minutes throughout the day.

Are entry fees covered for all sites?

The tour includes entry fees for all scheduled stops including Kerid crater.

What’s included

Your day includes guided transport from Reykjavik with pickup and drop-off, entry fees for all main sites like Gullfoss and Kerid crater (on eligible departures), and plenty of time at each stop to explore or grab lunch near Geysir before heading back in the evening.