1. The port
2. zu on foot
3. Shuttlebuses
4. City Tours
6. Rental Car
7. Taxis
10.1 Meine Landausflüge
10.2 GetYourGuide
Reykjavik
The capital of Iceland, with its 130,000 inhabitants, is a popular destination for cruises heading north. Well-known sights include Hallgrímskirkja Church, the Harpa Concert Hall, and the Perlan dome with its restaurant under a glass roof.
The area surrounding Reykjavík also boasts many natural wonders, foremost among them the Blue Lagoon and, of course, the Strokkur Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall. Ships usually stay two days in the port of Reykjavík so that cruise passengers have enough time to experience all the sights.
The port
The Port of Reykjavík is divided into Gamla höfn (Old Harbour) and Sundahöfn.
Gamla höfn is primarily used for fishing boats to unload their catch, for ship repair work, and for expedition vessels.
Sundahöfn is a cargo port and is also utilized for large cruise ships. Most cruise ships dock at the Skarfabakki pier within Sundahöfn. Right next to the berth, you will find the Tourist Information office, a currency exchange, rental cars, and an Icewear shop, which offers Icelandic sweaters and other textiles made from Icelandic wool. Free Wi-Fi is also available here.
You can see where your ship docks here.
on foot
The pier is approximately 45 to 60 minutes away from the center of Reykjavík. The path follows the sea; we took the shuttle bus to the center and then walked back. Reykjavík itself is very easy to explore on foot.
Shuttle buses
Paid shuttle buses are provided and cost approximately €14 for the round trip.
City Tours
As is the case almost everywhere, Reykjavík also has Hop-on Hop-off buses. The company City Sightseeing offers approximately one-hour round trips with its red buses. As always, you can get off at any stop and continue the tour with the next bus. You can buy tickets from home here. Those who decide spontaneously can also purchase tickets at the port.
Public Transport
Instead of the often expensive shuttle bus, Reykjavík’s well-developed public bus network can also be used. The Klettagarðar bus stop is located directly at the port, and Route 16 operates from here. Tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus, as it is not possible to buy them on board. This can be done via the Strætó website, although you have to buy 20 tickets, or through their app or at sales points in the city. A single ride costs about 500 ISK. Public bus rides are included in the Reykjavík City Card.
Rental Car
Hertz and Europcar have a station directly at the terminal. You should allow some time for picking up the car, as there may be waiting periods. When returning the car, the key is usually just dropped into a mailbox.
Driving in Iceland is easily manageable due to the low traffic. It is recommended to reserve your rental car well in advance of your trip.
Taxis
There are several taxi companies in Reykjavík. Many are available at the port, and a ride into the city costs about €24. And, of course, you can book tours with all of them as well. Here is a price comparison for the Golden Circle with Reykjavík's main highlights:
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Taxi Reykjavík: 68,000 ISK
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Hreyfill: 73,000 ISK
City tours or trips to the Blue Lagoon (excluding entrance fee) can also be booked. The prices are valid for up to 4 people; larger taxis are also available for booking.
Reykjavik City Card
For everyone who wants to explore Reykjavík on their own, the Reykjavík City Card can also be a good alternative. The price of about €35 includes rides on public transport, as well as entrance to museums and thermal baths.
Excursion Tips for Reykjavik
You can explore Reykjavik very well on your own. The highlights that await you can be seen here.
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Meine Landausflüge
My shore excursions offer you fantastic cruise trips at the most popular ports worldwide. Typically, they are available in much smaller groups and at more affordable prices than the cruise line’s own excursions. All our options are carefully selected to guarantee you an unforgettable outing experience.
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- Money-back guarantee for itinerary changes and port cancellations
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour (Flex option up to 60 minutes before the tour start)
GetYourGuide
With GetYourGuide, you can book land excursions in small groups, often at better prices than those offered by cruise lines. All experiences are carefully selected and reviewed by experts. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the excursion.
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