Most visitors reach the ice cap by driving five hours southeast from Reykjavík along Route 1. You can also book a guided coach tour or catch the public bus to access the main trailheads at Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón.
Vatnajökull National Park, Route 1, Southeast Iceland
Route 1 runs southeast from Reykjavík directly to Jökulsárlón and Skaftafell without a single toll road. The 380-kilometer drive takes about five hours if you do not stop, but that is rarely realistic. You pass waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and the town of Vík along the way. Break the trip up. Most drivers spend a night near Vík or Höfn to split the mileage and leave daylight for the trailheads. Winter driving requires serious caution, as storms frequently ice over the asphalt and force road closures.
Strætó runs Route 51 and 52 from the BSÍ terminal in Reykjavík down the South Coast to Höfn. The route includes a stop right at Jökulsárlón. Expect the ride to take six to seven hours. Service frequency is heavily restricted, often dropping to just one departure a day. Check the schedules closely before relying on this method, especially outside the summer months. You pay 25 tickets on the Strætó fare system, which comes out to roughly 12,250 ISK each way. It works, but limits your flexibility.
Operators like Reykjavík Excursions and Guide to Iceland partners run single-day coach trips covering the 760-kilometer round trip to the glacier. You board in Reykjavík around 7:00 or 8:00 AM. The itinerary packs in stops at Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, and Diamond Beach before turning back. Multi-day versions add glacier hikes and ice caves to the schedule. It is a long haul for one day, but the driver handles all the logistics and winter road conditions for you. Expect to pay between 20,000 and 35,000 ISK depending on the inclusions.
The fishing town of Höfn sits just 80 kilometers east of Jökulsárlón. It makes a practical overnight base for the park's eastern attractions. Driving west on Route 1 gets you to the glacier lagoon in about an hour. Skaftafell takes another 30 minutes. You beat the day-trippers coming from Reykjavík by starting here, giving you early access to the lagoon boardwalks and Diamond Beach. The drive is straightforward, though winter storms can still ice over this stretch of the South Coast. Parking fees apply once you arrive at the main service areas.
Regular rental cars cannot reach the glacier interior or the natural ice caves. Licensed operators use heavily modified Super Jeeps or snowmobiles to cross the rugged access roads. Tours depart from designated meeting points near Skaftafell, Höfn, or the Jökulsárlón parking lot. These excursions run three to six hours depending on the route. You will need this transfer if you plan to see the seasonal Crystal Ice Cave or start a high-altitude glacier hike. Prices range from 20,000 to 45,000 ISK. Book these weeks in advance during the December to February peak.
Parking at the Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón service areas costs 1,110 ISK for a standard five-seat car. Buy your pass via the Parka app or on-site kiosks; it covers you until midnight. Both lots feature paved approach areas and fully wheelchair-accessible visitor centres.
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| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | Car (self-drive) | About 5 hours one-way | Variable (fuel and rental car) | Follow Route 1 southeast. Split the 380-kilometer drive over two days with an overnight stop near Vík or Höfn to leave time for trailheads. |
| Reykjavík (BSÍ Terminal) | Public bus | 6-7 hours | 12,250 ISK one-way | Take Strætó Route 51 or 52. Service often runs just once daily. Check the schedule before relying on this option outside summer. |
| Reykjavík | Guided day tour | 12-14 hours | 20,000-35,000 ISK per person | Expect a 7:00 or 8:00 AM departure. Coaches cover the 760-kilometer round trip in a single long day, stopping at Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach. |
| Höfn | Car (self-drive) | About 1 hour | Variable (fuel) | Drive west on Route 1. This fishing town is the most practical overnight base for an early morning start at the eastern glacier lagoons. |
| Jökulsárlón or Skaftafell | Super Jeep or snowmobile transfer | 3-6 hours | 20,000-45,000 ISK per person | Standard rental cars cannot access the glacier interior. You have to book a licensed operator to reach the ice caves or hike start points. |
Pay the 1,110 ISK Skaftafell parking fee first if you plan to visit Jökulsárlón on the same day. Using the Parka app for this gets you a 50% discount on the lagoon's regional charge.
Tour buses pack the 1.5 km uphill trail from Skaftafellsstofa during midday in summer. Start this walk early in the morning or wait until late afternoon to dodge the heaviest foot traffic.
Reserve your guided ice cave tours several weeks ahead if you travel between December and February. Popular spots near Jökulsárlón fill fast, and frequent winter storms cause cancellations that create intense last-minute rebooking scrambles.
Driving straight from Reykjavík to Jökulsárlón takes about five hours one-way on Route 1. Break the 380 km journey over two days with an overnight stop in Vík or Höfn to leave time for trailheads.
Leave the drone packed at Skaftafell, where flights are heavily restricted. If you want aerial shots at Jökulsárlón, you have to work around strict time-of-day limits and a total ban from April 15 to July 15.
Reaching the Jökulsárlón side of the park takes about 5 hours one-way. You'll drive 380 kilometers southeast along Route 1, passing Vík and Skaftafell. Many travelers split this trip over two days to allow time for stops along the South Coast.
Yes, regional parking fees apply at the Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón service areas. A standard passenger car costs 1,110 ISK per day, payable via the Parka app or on-site kiosks. If you visit both sites on the same day, paying at Skaftafell first gets you a 50% discount at Jökulsárlón through the app.
Strætó Route 51/52 runs from Reykjavík's BSÍ terminal along the South Coast, stopping at Jökulsárlón. The one-way trip takes 6 to 7 hours and costs approximately 12,250 ISK. Service is limited to just once a day in many seasons, so check schedules carefully before relying on it.
Yes, several operators run 12-to-14-hour coach tours covering the 760-kilometer round trip. These typically cost 20,000 to 35,000 ISK and require an early departure around 7:00 or 8:00 AM. You get transport and a guide, but expect a long day on the bus.
Höfn sits just 80 kilometers east of Jökulsárlón, making it a highly practical overnight stop. Driving west on Route 1 gets you to the glacier lagoon in about an hour. From there, it's another 45 minutes west to the Skaftafell trailheads.
You can only drive into the highland sections during summer, and only if you rented a 4x4. Standard two-wheel-drive rental cars are illegal on F-roads. Attempting these routes without the right vehicle risks severe fines and damage your insurance won't cover.
You cannot drive yourself onto the ice. Licensed operators use super jeeps or snowmobiles to transport visitors from meeting points near Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, or Höfn to the glacier access roads. These specialized transfers are bundled into guided tours, which run roughly 20,000 to 45,000 ISK.
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