Discovering the best tour companies in Iceland is a step towards having a memorable holiday trip. However, there are tons of options to choose from when deciding on the tour company to give you the Icelandic experience you have been looking for. Don’t worry, this article will help you find the best companies for your Icelandic tour.
Why Book a Tour Company?
I know you may already have your DIY trip experiences written in a book, and you can’t wait to start from 1 to 10. However, remember that you are only a visitor and may not know all the exciting places in Iceland.
So, having a tour company helps you explore Iceland in style. These tour companies have organized tours that not only save you time and money but also provide you with itinerary options even before you arrive.
More so, one of the most exciting things about choosing a tour company is the perfect service you get. The extensive experience will transform your Icelandic visit into an unforgettable holiday experience.
Well, before we go on with the best Iceland tour companies, let’s talk about how you can choose the best tour companies in Iceland or anywhere else.
How to Choose the Best Tour Companies in Iceland
Having a tour company handle your travel activities not only provides you with comfort but can also make or unmake your holiday.
We know you want a sweet, memorable experience, and that is why it is essential to do thorough research on tour companies before hitting the “book me” button.
Let’s save you time from extensive research online. Here is a list of some top factors you should consider when choosing a tour company in Iceland or anywhere else.
1. Reputation
Most tour companies have an online presence. So, Checking their reviews, ratings, and comments from prior users will provide you with details about the reputation of the tour company
2. Years of operation
Tour companies with longer years of operation in the travel industry have been said to have more expertise in running excursions. Hence, you do not want to gamble your money on a try-a-luck with a company with less than a year of operations.
3. Pricing and inclusions
Comparing the prices of the tour products offered by a tour company to those of its competitors will help you with budget planning.
More so, the best tour companies have detailed descriptions of their tour products, which usually include a guide and entrance fees.
Therefore, It is important to note that choosing a tour company that provides accommodation for multi-day tours in Iceland can help you cut costs will help, while affording you a quick arrival at the scheduled time.
4. Tour Vehicles
While tour companies use different tour vehicles for their packages, it is important to know the conditions of these vehicles. After all, no one wishes to be stranded halfway over a faulty vehicle.
Local Guides
Tour guides are one of the most significant parts of any tour experience. They can make your adventure more fun or memorable.
Considering tour companies that have reliable local tour guides that are friendly and knowledgeable will help with an exciting tour. This is because these local tour guides know the elements of the places in front of them. Also, they tell stories and folktales about the attractions you are exploring, which is a factor to consider to avoid a boring tour experience.
Similarly, it is important to find out if these local tour guides can speak English or your local language for effective communication.
Best Iceland Tour Companies
Below is a list of the best Iceland tour companies based on the factors mentioned above.
1. Troll Expeditions
Troll Expeditions ranks among the top adventure tour operators. It is renowned for thrilling experiences in Iceland. Their Northern Lights multi-day tour, a winter favorite, offers an unforgettable journey. Also, If Silfra snorkeling is on your bucket list.
Therefore, for the ultimate challenge, embark on glacier hiking atop Iceland’s ice caps. Traverse ice ridges, crevasses, and moulins on a five-hour Skaftafell tour or a three-hour Solheimajokull expedition.
Please note that Silfra snorkeling requires a minimum age of 12, while glacier hiking tours have age restrictions (8-14 years) based on difficulty. Conveniently, tours begin and end at your hotel, depending on your location.
With an impressive 4.8/5-star rating of over 4,100 local and global adventurers, Troll Expeditions promises an unforgettable Icelandic experience. You can visit their website for more details.
2. Nicetravel
Nicetravel, a family-run tour company, has been delighting local and international travellers since 2012, boasting a remarkable 4.8/5-star rating based on feedback from nearly 1,700 adventurers and a traveller’s choice award for the year 2023.
Nicetravel specialises in day and multi-day tours, including a captivating four-day guided tour of Iceland’s iconic Ring Road. From exploring lava caves to indulging in Iceland’s rejuvenating hot springs,
More so, Nicetravel offers a range of thrilling and family-friendly options, all departing conveniently from your Reykjavik hotel. Please note that airport transfers are not included. Tour group sizes vary, ensuring an intimate experience with a maximum of 19 participants.
Additionally, popular excursions feature sightseeing on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and exploring the South Coast up to the mesmerising Jokulsarlon lagoon.
Nicetravel stands out for its personalised service, small group settings, and knowledgeable local guides. These passionate guides possess in-depth knowledge of Iceland’s history, culture, geology, and natural wonders, enhancing your Icelandic adventure.
3. Intrepid Travel
Ran by Icelandic locals who are travel experts, intrepid travel has a well-balanced itinerary between group activities. They will show you major attraction destinations in Iceland, making your adventure special. Their adventure styles are mainly explored, in-depth cultural, and polar.
Intrepid has existed since the 1980s, with 11,475 reviews for Iceland tours and a 96% response rate. Also, they provide both small group travel for up to 99 people and solo travel, with solo travellers making up over 50% of intrepid passengers.
Additionally, they offer a tour length ranging from 5 to 14 days, with an age range of 5-99 years and a price per day of $288. Check out their website for contact details.
4. Icelandic Mountain Guides
Icelandic Mountain Guides clinch a top spot as one of Iceland’s premier tour providers. With an impressive 4.8/5-star rating from over 550 hikers, they offer exhilarating wilderness adventures. Whether glacier hiking or Highlands trekking is on your bucket list, Icelandic Mountain Guides is your go-to.
Their tours cater to different preferences, ranging from day trips to multi-day journeys. For a week-long Icelandic exploration, the five-day hike from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork is an ideal choice.
Operating mainly outside Reykjavik, the tours take you through the scenic landscapes of Skaftafell and Solheimajokull glaciers, as well as the Highlands of Iceland’s best hiking trails. Some tours offer meet-on-location options, while others include convenient transfers to and from pick-up points or your hotel. Icelandic Mountain Guides will offer you an amazing mountain experience.
5. Best Iceland Tour Companies – G Adventure
G Adventure, an award-winning tour company with over 9,041 reviews for Iceland tours that started in 1990 with over 1,250 staff currently worldwide, provides experiences for 12-90 years with a tour length of 3–9 days for $299 per day to change their lives.
Their adventure styles include exploring, hiking, trekking, and in-depth culture. Moreover, they provide adventure benefits for like-minded groups as they seek new experiences and make lifelong friendships.
Also, solo travellers have the benefit of sharing rooms with people of the same gender, which enables them to keep costs down for those who would like to have a roommate. Amazing packages await you on their website.
6. Your Day Tours
Your Day Tours, a family-operated tour provider, offers premium excursions to showcase Iceland’s breathtaking natural wonders. Specialising in sightseeing tours, visitors can whiz at captivating waterfalls, magnificent glaciers, and charming towns like Vik and Myrdal.
You can also explore nearby Icelandic gems with Your Day Tours, which includes a day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Your Day Tour is a top choice for travellers, providing comfortable minibuses with expansive windows for the ultimate sightseeing adventure. All your experiences are centrally based in Reykjavik, with pick-up and drop-off services at selected Reykjavik hotels and guesthouses.
Additionally, they have an impressive 4.9/5-star rating based on feedback from approximately 800 global travellers. Visit their website for contact details.
7. Best Iceland Tour Companies – Reykjavik Excursions
Reykjavik Excursions is renowned for its budget-friendly bus tours, and it is one of Iceland’s largest tour companies. With an impressive rating of 4.6/5 stars from over 2,250 satisfied travellers, they offer a range of must-visit destinations.
In addition, most of their bus tours focus on popular attractions near the capital city. For example, the Reykjavik-based Golden Circle tour and South Coast bus tour provide a single-day opportunity to witness the stunning Gullfoss waterfall, Reynisfjara’s black beach, and other Icelandic gems.
Therefore, you can explore Reykjavik itself on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Reykjavik Excursions offers a diverse portfolio of 47 tour products.
8. Arctic Adventure
Arctic Adventures stands out as a sustainable tour provider, specialising in eco-conscious small-group tours. Their commitment to reducing the carbon footprint is evident, which offers budget-friendly adventure and sightseeing experiences.
Most of Arctic Adventures’ tours are based in Reykjavik, focusing on the highlights of the Golden Circle and South Iceland. Enjoy guided adventures like the Golden Circle sightseeing and lava caving combo tour or the mesmerising Into the Glacier ice tunnel expedition at Langjokull.
For extended stays in Iceland, Arctic Adventures offer multi-day tours, including a guided ring road tour from Reykjavik, covering all regions of the country.
Select packages may include minibus transfers to and from the airport, while others offer convenient pickup and drop-off services at your Reykjavik hotel. Arctic Adventures, with an impressive 4.6/5-star rating from 250 global travellers, offers a selection of over 50 tours listed in Guide to Iceland and on its website.
9. BusTravel
BusTravel is a well-established tour operator in Iceland, specialising in providing guided tours and transportation services tailored to every traveller’s needs.
Their modern bus and coach fleet is equipped with conveniences like free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and panoramic windows, enhancing the enjoyment of Iceland’s breath-taking landscapes.
More so, key destinations covered by BusTravel tours encompass some of Iceland’s most popular attractions.
So, to experience these wonders, consider booking their South Coast tour, featuring waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches.
In winter, BusTravel offers budget-friendly experiences like the Northern Lights bus tour. Besides comfortable transportation, BusTravel shines due to their knowledgeable guides and well-crafted itineraries. They have an impressive 4.5/5-star rating from over 500 reviews.
10. Best Iceland Tour Companies – Southcoast Adventure
Southcoast Adventure, established in 2009, is ranked in the top 10 tour companies in Iceland. They specialise in providing exciting adventures and sightseeing tours throughout South Iceland.
This Icelandic gem has flourished and now boasts a portfolio of nearly 30 excursion options featured at Guide to Iceland. Southcoast Adventure offers thrilling super jeep and luxury tours to stunning destinations like the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, Thorsmork valley, and Solheimajokull glacier.
Their super jeeps provide a unique opportunity to explore the rugged Icelandic Highlands away from the crowds. More so, adventure seekers can embark on the Landmannalaugar super jeep tour or the Eyjafjallajokull snowmobiling tour, both promising unforgettable experiences. With an impressive 4.8/5-star rating from over 100 satisfied adventurers, Southcoast Adventure ensures a memorable Icelandic journey.
Conclusion on Best Iceland Tour Companies
Choosing the right tour company for your Iceland trip will make your trip an unforgettable experience. These top 10 tour companies offer exciting tours that showcase Iceland’s beauty and culture. But why choose a tour company? Travelling with experts not only saves you time and money, it also ensures you don’t miss any hidden gems.
To make the right choice, consider factors such as reputation, years of experience, pricing, touring vehicles, and the quality of local guides. Each company stands out in its own unique way, from adventurous Troll Expeditions tours to simple Reykjavik Excursions bus tours.
So, why wait? Get into the beauty of Iceland with these best tour companies and make your vacation special. Have fun!
