Reykjavík: Golden Circle, Bruarfoss, and Kerid Crater Tour

Blue water changes the whole Golden Circle. This 9-hour outing adds Brúarfoss and Kerid Crater to Iceland’s famous trio of Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss, giving you both headline sights and quieter stops. I like the comfortable minibus, onboard WiFi, Icelandic music, and guides who bring history, geology, jokes, and local stories into the long drive.

I also like the sensible route and the generous 75-minute stop at Geysir, where you have time to watch Strokkur erupt, browse, and warm up. The main drawback is the pace: Brúarfoss gets only about 20 minutes, and the full day can feel rushed if you want slow walks or many photographs. Still, at $111, hotel pickup, transport, guiding, and entrance fees make this a strong value in an expensive country.

Key points to know before booking

• Brúarfoss adds the tour’s most unusual color: Its clear blue water gives you a different view of Iceland than the larger, louder Gullfoss.
• You visit five major sights in one day: Þingvellir, Brúarfoss, Geysir, Gullfoss, and Kerid Crater.
• The minibus matters: WiFi, charging ports, and a comfortable vehicle make the long day easier.
• Guides shape the experience: Hali, Johann, Björn, Cora, Max, Elias, and others have been praised for humor, history, and clear explanations.
• The schedule is efficient but not leisurely: You get 45 minutes at Þingvellir, 20 at Brúarfoss, 75 at Geysir, 40 at Gullfoss, and 30 at Kerid.
• Pack for changing weather: Waterproof clothing and hiking boots are not included, though both can be rented.

Why this Golden Circle route works

The standard Golden Circle is already one of Iceland’s best day trips from Reykjavík. It joins a national park, an active geothermal area, and a major waterfall in one loop. This version adds two stops that give the day more variety.

That variety is the main reason I would choose this tour over a basic Golden Circle outing. Þingvellir brings history and geology. Brúarfoss brings a small, striking waterfall with blue water. Geysir gives you heat and sudden eruptions. Gullfoss supplies scale and power. Kerid finishes with red volcanic rock and a blue-green crater lake.

You spend roughly three hours on the road in total, so this is not a short outing. The benefit is that you cover a great deal without renting a car, checking road conditions, or navigating unfamiliar routes. The trade-off is time at each stop. You are sampling Iceland rather than walking deeply into any one site.

The tour leaves from selected pickup points in central Reykjavík. Pickup begins at 9:00 AM, and the collection process usually takes about 30 minutes. Be ready at your assigned location rather than waiting inside your accommodation, and allow some flexibility at the start of the day.

Þingvellir National Park: the best opening stop

The first major visit is Þingvellir National Park, about an hour from Reykjavík. You have around 45 minutes for a walk, photographs, and a self-guided look around.

Þingvellir works well at the start because it gives you two kinds of Iceland at once. It is an important historical site, and it also shows the country’s dramatic geology. Guides often explain the fissures, the forces shaping the ground, and the role Þingvellir played in Icelandic history.

I would use this stop to get your bearings and listen carefully to the guide’s introduction. The scenery here is broad and open, so even a short walk can feel rewarding. You will not have time for every path or viewpoint, but the allotted 45 minutes is more comfortable than the brief stops that come later.

The ground may be wet or uneven. Good shoes will help, especially if the weather turns rough. You do not need serious hiking gear for the planned walk, but thin city shoes are a poor match for Icelandic weather.

Brúarfoss: a short walk to striking blue water

Brúarfoss is the tour’s special addition. After about 40 minutes on the road from Þingvellir, you get approximately 20 minutes for a photo stop and walk.

The waterfall is known for its clear sapphire-blue water, and its appeal is different from Gullfoss. Brúarfoss is smaller and more delicate. The color is the attraction, especially when the water contrasts with dark rock and the surrounding ground.

Twenty minutes is enough to see it and take photographs, but not enough for an unhurried visit. If you like setting up several shots, moving between viewpoints, or simply standing quietly by the water, you may wish for more time. Keep an eye on the departure time because the group cannot wait indefinitely.

This is also where waterproof shoes and clothing become useful. The tour does not include hiking boots or waterproof clothing, but both are available to rent. Since conditions can change quickly, you should not treat the short stop as a reason to leave your rain layer behind.

Geysir: heat, steam, and a proper break

The Geysir geothermal area follows Brúarfoss, with only about 20 minutes of driving between the two. You get the longest stop of the day here, around 75 minutes.

The name Geysir gave the world the word geyser, but the active star today is Strokkur. It sends hot water into the air at intervals, so you can wait near the viewing area and watch for the next burst. The waiting is part of the fun, and you should keep your camera ready without staring through it the entire time.

The geothermal ground is full of steam, hot pools, and strong smells. Stay on marked paths and follow the signs. This is not a place for wandering wherever you please, since the water can be dangerously hot.

The generous stop gives you room to explore, use facilities, browse, and eat if you bring food or buy something there. Food and drinks are not included, so carry water and a snack unless you plan to purchase something during the break.

For me, Geysir is where the tour’s practical design becomes clear. A quick visit would feel frustrating, but 75 minutes allows you to see Strokkur more than once and still have a real pause before the next waterfall.

Gullfoss: the day’s big natural show

From Geysir, it is only about 10 minutes to Gullfoss. You have approximately 40 minutes at the waterfall for a visit, photographs, a walk, and some self-guided time.

Gullfoss means Golden Falls, and the name suits the way the water can catch the light. The falls drop in stages through a deep gorge, creating a powerful roar and a constant spray. It is one of those places where photographs give only part of the story. You need to stand there and feel the force of the water.

The path and viewpoints let you see the waterfall from different angles, but the stop is still fairly short. I would first walk to the main viewpoint, then take photographs. Do not spend the whole visit trying to find the perfect frame, because the most memorable part is simply being close enough to hear and feel the falls.

Bring a waterproof layer even if the sky looks clear. Spray, rain, and wind can make the viewing area wet. Hold onto hats and loose items, and stay behind barriers.

Gullfoss is likely to be the busiest and most dramatic stop of the day. Brúarfoss gives you color and calm; Gullfoss gives you volume, distance, and force. Seeing both helps you understand how varied Iceland’s waterfalls can be.

Kerid Crater: red rock and a blue-green center

The final major stop is Kerid Crater, reached after about 45 minutes from Gullfoss. You get around 30 minutes to walk, take photographs, and look into the volcanic bowl.

Kerid is memorable for its contrast. The crater’s reddish volcanic rock frames a blue-green lake below. It is a compact stop, but the colors make it a strong finish to the route, especially after the white water and steam of the earlier sights.

You have enough time to walk around part of the rim and look down into the crater. You should not expect a long hike. The tour is designed for a short visit before the return drive to Reykjavík, which takes roughly 50 minutes.

An entrance fee for Kerid is included, as is the fee connected with Brúarfoss. That matters because small site charges can add up during an Iceland trip, and you do not need to handle them separately during the day.

The guide can make or break a long day

A full day in a minibus depends heavily on the driver-guide. The strongest part of this experience is the human side. Guides including Hali, Johann, Björn, Cora, Max, Elias, Heidi, and others have been praised for clear explanations, humor, patience, and a willingness to answer questions.

That is useful on a route where the drive between stops is part of the experience. A guide can explain Icelandic words, local culture, volcanic formations, fissures, and the stories behind the sights. Elias, for example, was praised for covering everything from Icelandic language and culture to the composition of mountain areas. Björn was also praised for making extra stops when time allowed and helping with photographs.

Those extras are not guaranteed, so I would treat them as a bonus rather than part of the promised schedule. Some tours have included brief stops to see Icelandic horses or an ice cream stop when the timing worked. The planned five sights are what you should book for.

The guide also controls the pace and safety. One past experience included a complaint about fast driving over speed bumps, while other accounts praise smooth organization and careful attention to late passengers. Icelandic roads can be rough, and if you suffer from motion sickness, sit where the ride feels most stable and bring any usual remedies.

Minibus comfort and the value of $111

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Golden Circle, but it is a fair price for what is included. You get hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver-guide, transport for about nine hours, WiFi, Icelandic music, and the fees for Brúarfoss and Kerid.

The vehicle is described as a clean, comfortable minibus with charging ports. That is a meaningful advantage over a crowded coach, especially on a long day with several road sections. WiFi can also help you share photographs or keep in touch, though you should not rely on it for every moment of the trip.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring a packed lunch or plan to buy something at the Geysir stop. You also need to arrange suitable clothing yourself, or rent hiking boots and waterproof gear.

The price becomes especially good if you do not want to rent a car. A self-drive day would give you more control over timing, but it would also leave you responsible for navigation, fuel, road conditions, parking, and the practical work of reaching Brúarfoss. Here, you pay for simplicity and explanation.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor with one free day in Reykjavík. It covers the most famous Golden Circle sights while adding two stops that make the route feel less routine.

It also suits couples, families, and older visitors who prefer a guided day rather than driving. A 73-year-old participant completed the trip with her mother and described it as a successful day, but the amount of walking and the outdoor conditions still depend on your fitness and the weather.

This tour is a good match if you like variety and want a guide to explain what you are seeing. It is less suitable if you want long hikes, quiet time at each waterfall, or complete control over the schedule.

Photography-focused visitors should take note of the timing. Forty minutes at Gullfoss and 30 minutes at Kerid are workable, while 20 minutes at Brúarfoss is tight. Put the camera away occasionally, or you may spend the whole day chasing images instead of enjoying the places.

The tour runs in changing Icelandic conditions. Clear weather can make the colors and distant views much stronger, but poor weather does not cancel the geological interest. Still, rain and wind can make the day less comfortable, so your clothing choice matters more than your camera.

Should you book the Brúarfoss and Kerid version?

Book it if you want the full Golden Circle in one well-organized day, especially if this is your first Iceland visit and you value a guide. The route gives you famous sights, two distinctive additions, a comfortable minibus, and a useful amount of time at Geysir.

Think twice if you dislike fixed schedules. The day is packed, and the shortest stops may leave you wanting more. For most people, though, $111 is a sensible way to see five major sites without driving, and the guides can add the local detail that turns a checklist into a better day out.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 9 hours, including travel between Reykjavík and the Golden Circle stops.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from selected locations in central Reykjavík. You should provide your accommodation address so the provider can tell you the closest pickup point.

What time should I be ready?

You should be ready at your designated pickup location at 9:00 AM. The pickup process usually takes about 30 minutes.

Which places does the tour visit?

The route includes Þingvellir National Park, Brúarfoss, the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and Kerid Crater.

How much time is spent at Brúarfoss?

The planned stop at Brúarfoss is about 20 minutes, including sightseeing, photographs, and a walk.

How much time is spent at Geysir?

You have approximately 75 minutes at Geysir for sightseeing, photographs, free time, shopping, and a break.

Are entrance fees included?

Fees for Brúarfoss and Kerid Volcano are included in the tour price.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring something or purchase food during the day.

Are hiking boots and waterproof clothing provided?

They are not included, but hiking boots and waterproof clothing are available to rent.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide, and English is the stated tour language.