Private tours in Iceland

Iceland is a country full of natural wonders: volcanoes, glaciers, black beaches, waterfalls, and hot springs. Many visitors see it in big groups. But if you want more freedom, more comfort, and more personal attention, then a private tour in Iceland is the best choice.

A private tour means you decide what to see, how long to stay, and how to travel. You get your own guide, your own car, and your own schedule. It's the perfect way to explore Iceland if you want something special.

Why Choose a Private Tour in Iceland?

  1. Personal Experience – No rushing, no waiting for others. You can explore at your own pace, take breaks when you like, and spend more time at the places you love most. If you want to take 100 photos of the Northern Lights or spend an extra hour at a waterfall, that's completely your choice.
  2. Local Knowledge – Your private guide knows Iceland inside and out. They'll share stories, history, culture, and show you hidden gems most visitors miss. Learn about Viking legends, geological wonders, and local traditions from someone who grew up here.
  3. Comfortable Travel – Ride in a private SUV, luxury van, or super jeep with heating, WiFi, and plenty of space. No crowded buses, just you, your group, and your guide exploring Iceland in comfort.
  4. Complete Flexibility – Want to see the Northern Lights tonight or add a glacier hike tomorrow? With a private tour, plans can change easily. Weather not perfect for one activity? Your guide will suggest alternatives that might be even better.
  5. Safety and Peace of Mind – Iceland's weather can be unpredictable, but your private guide monitors conditions constantly and knows safe routes, backup plans, and emergency procedures. You can explore with complete confidence.

Popular Private Tour Routes in Iceland

Golden Circle – Iceland's Classic Route

Duration: 6-8 hours | Best Season: Year-round

The Golden Circle remains Iceland's most popular route for good reason. At Þingvellir National Park, you'll walk between the European and American continental plates while learning about Iceland's 1000-year-old parliament. Gullfoss Waterfall drops 32 meters in two dramatic steps, creating powerful mist clouds and rainbow displays. The Geysir Geothermal Area features Strokkur, which erupts 15-20 meters high every 5-10 minutes.

Popular additions include snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier, soaking in the Secret Lagoon hot springs, riding Icelandic horses, or visiting the fascinating Friðheimar greenhouse, where tomatoes grow year-round using geothermal energy.

South Coast – Waterfalls and Black Beaches

Duration: 10-12 hours | Best Season: April-October

Iceland's dramatic southern coastline offers some of the country's most photographed locations. Seljalandsfoss lets you walk behind a 60-meter waterfall for a unique perspective (bring waterproof clothes!). Skógafoss, another 60-meter giant, can be climbed via 370 steps for spectacular views and rainbow sightings on sunny days.

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach features dramatic basalt columns rising from volcanic black sand, while powerful Atlantic waves crash against the shore. The nearby village of Vík provides perfect lunch stops and souvenir shopping. In winter, the tour can include glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull or exploring magical blue ice caves.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula – Iceland in Miniature

Duration: 10-11 hours | Best Season: Year-round

Often called "Iceland in miniature," the Snæfellsnes Peninsula offers incredible diversity in a single day. Kirkjufell Mountain is Iceland's most photographed peak, especially stunning with Northern Lights behind it. Snæfellsjökull Glacier, the glacier-capped volcano that inspired Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," dominates the landscape and can be seen from Reykjavík on clear days.

The charming fishing villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar showcase dramatic coastal cliffs and rock formations perfect for bird watching. Djúpalónssandur Beach features black pebbles and twisted metal from a 1948 shipwreck, while the famous black wooden church at Búðir sits surrounded by golden lava fields.

Northern Lights – Private Aurora Adventures

Duration: 4-6 hours | Season: September-March

Chase the magical Aurora Borealis away from city lights with expert guides who follow live weather and aurora forecasts. Our Northern Lights tours visit 2-3 different locations for the best viewing chances, with flexible timing that lets you wait for the lights as long as needed.

Prime locations include Þingvellir National Park, the Reykjanes Peninsula, Grótta Lighthouse, and secret spots away from crowds. Tours include cozy extras like blankets, hot chocolate, Icelandic pastries, and professional photography tips to help capture the lights. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we have backup indoor activities ready.

Highlands – The Wild Heart of Iceland

Duration: 12-14 hours | Season: June-September only

Iceland's highlands offer some of the most spectacular and remote landscapes in Europe, accessible only by super jeep with experienced drivers. Landmannalauger features rainbow-colored rhyolite mountains and natural hot springs perfect for soaking after hiking. Þórsmörk Valley, known as the "Valley of Thor," sits surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and Iceland's largest birch forests.

The active Hekla Volcano, medieval Europe's "Gateway to Hell," provides dramatic backdrops for photography. Highland tours involve crossing rivers, navigating volcanic deserts, and driving on F-roads that regular vehicles cannot access. Weather can change rapidly, making flexibility essential for these wilderness adventures.

Types of Private Tours in Iceland

Day Tours (6-12 hours)

Perfect for visitors with limited time or those staying in Reykjavík.

  • Pick-up from your hotel
  • Return same evening
  • Most popular attractions
  • Lunch stops included

Multi-Day Tours (2-10 days)

Complete Iceland experiences with overnight accommodations.

  • 2-3 days: South Coast and Golden Circle
  • 4-5 days: Ring Road highlights
  • 6-8 days: Complete Ring Road
  • 10+ days: Full exploration including Westfjords

Luxury Tours

Premium experience with top-tier accommodations and services.

  • Luxury SUVs or modified super jeeps
  • 4-5 star hotels and boutique lodges
  • Private helicopter or plane transfers
  • Exclusive dining experiences
  • Professional photography services

Adventure Tours

For active travelers seeking thrills.

  • Glacier hiking and ice climbing
  • Snowmobile expeditions
  • River rafting and kayaking
  • Horseback riding
  • Volcano hiking
  • Spelunking in lava caves

What's Included in Our Private Tours

Every private tour includes your own vehicle (SUV, van, or super jeep depending on the route), a professional English-speaking driver-guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off in the Reykjavík area, customized route planning, fuel and transportation costs, WiFi in the vehicle, and basic safety equipment.

Popular Add-ons

  • Entrance tickets: Blue Lagoon, ice caves, museums
  • Activities: Glacier hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding
  • Dining: Private farm visits, cooking experiences, restaurant reservations
  • Accommodation: Hotel bookings and upgrades
  • Professional services: Photography, videography
  • Special experiences: Helicopter flights, whale watching, Northern Lights photography

How Much Do Private Tours Cost?

Day Tour Pricing

  • 1-4 people: €400-800 per vehicle per day
  • 5-8 people: €600-1,200 per vehicle per day
  • Luxury vehicles: €800-1,500 per vehicle per day
  • Super jeep (highlands): €1,000-1,800 per vehicle per day

Multi-Day Tour Pricing (per person, based on 2 people)

  • 2-day tours: €800-1,500
  • 3-day tours: €1,200-2,200
  • 5-day Ring Road: €2,000-4,000
  • 7-day complete: €2,800-5,500
  • 10-day luxury: €5,000-10,000

Perfect for Every Type of Traveler

Private tours work wonderfully for families with children who need flexible schedules and child-safe activities, couples and honeymooners seeking romantic settings and privacy, photography enthusiasts wanting extended time at each location, and luxury travelers desiring premium experiences and personal service.

Adventure seekers appreciate access to remote locations with specialized equipment, while mobility-conscious travelers benefit from customized accessibility options and comfortable pacing. The beauty of private tours is their complete adaptability to your specific needs and interests.

Start Your Iceland Adventure

Ready to experience Iceland your way? Every traveler is unique, and so should your journey be. Whether you want adventure, relaxation, romance, or family fun, a private tour makes it all possible.

Iceland's natural wonders are waiting for you. The only question is: what kind of story do you want to create?

Frequently asked
questions

How many people can join private Iceland tours?

Standard private tours accommodate 1-8 people in SUVs or vans. Highland super jeep tours limit 4-6 people. Luxury tours use smaller vehicles for 2-4 people. Larger groups use minibuses or multiple vehicles. Pricing is per vehicle, not per person.

Do private tours run in winter?

Yes, private tours operate year-round. Winter tours (November-March) include Golden Circle, South Coast, Northern Lights, and ice caves. Highland tours unavailable due to road closures. Tours adjust for 4-6 hours daylight and weather conditions.

What to bring on private Iceland tours?

Book 2-4 weeks ahead for summer, 1-2 weeks for winter. Highland tours need advance booking for super jeep availability. Multi-day tours require 4-6 weeks. Holiday periods book earliest. Last-minute bookings sometimes available.

What to bring on private Iceland tours?

Essential: waterproof jacket and pants, warm layers, waterproof hiking boots, hat, gloves. Add swimwear for hot springs, sunglasses, camera with extra batteries. Summer needs rain protection, winter needs thermal layers and winter boots.

Are private tours good for families with kids?

Yes, private family tours offer flexible schedules, child-friendly activities, frequent breaks, and comfortable pacing. Include child safety seats, shorter walks, educational experiences. Popular family tours: Golden Circle, gentle South Coast, whale watching, puffin viewing.

Do private tour guides in Iceland speak English?

All private tour guides speak fluent English. Many guides also speak German, French, Spanish, or Nordic languages. Specify language preference when booking. Guides are licensed locals with extensive knowledge of Iceland's history, geology, and culture.

Are private glacier hiking tours available in Iceland?

Private glacier hiking tours operate year-round at Solheimajokull, Svinafellsjokull, and Vatnajokull glaciers. Includes safety equipment (crampons, helmets, harnesses) and certified glacier guides. Difficulty levels from easy walks to challenging ice climbing. Advance booking required for equipment sizing.

What Our Travelers Are Saying

Recent Stories from Real Adventures
Write a Google Review++

Our tour leader Baldwin was extremely knowledgeable and helpful during every step of our journey. We would recommend Golden Circle to anyone considering this great experience.

Gudeún was a phenomenal guide. Ensured the tour was educational and entertaining for all. Þorsteinn was a great driver and provided a smooth ride. An absolutely incredible experience. 10/10 would recommend

Amazing experience! Went with my family and had an insanely enjoyable tour all over Iceland. The sights that were shown to us were magnificent. Heavily recommend it if you are thinking about exploring Iceland.

Bogi our tour guide was excellent and had vast knowledge of the Golden Circlesites and Iceland 🇮🇸 in general.

Participated in the “Small group Golden Circle tour with Kerið crater and Friðheimar farm”. Beggi was our awesome tour guide; he sang a lovely song for us. He was also very informative and knowledgeable, explained Iceland’s history and told us some Icelandic folklore/stories which was quite fascinating to a foreigner such as I. Cheers!

Bijo, was an exceptional guide, very knowledgeable, friendly, and very professional, no rush very informative and above all friendly, highly recommend if you want to see all the important sights of Iceland,and...

It was a private tour for just the two of us. The driver was very informative and super friendly and the car ride was very convenient. We saw all the landmarks and more! Perfect!

This tour was a wonderful experience.  I wanted to make an observation because, on the way back, the bus driver didn't leave me at the same point where he picked me up. This caused me a problem, as I had to walk ....

Our private tour was WONDERFUL!!  The tomato farm is a must see and a wonderful experience.  We were waited on by the owners 16 year old son, who was charming.  The greenhouse ....

We went with Arctic Adventures. Our guide was Andre and he made our trip fantastic. Mini bus was great, places great. Secret lagoon was very hot, careful if kids are getting in. All the other stops were fun and a hood 8 hours spent.

Brilliant tour. Tour guide was very informative and funny. Told you plenty of things about each site you visited. Definitely recommend

Join the best Golden Circle tours with us

Why should you?

Largest Selection of Golden Circle Tours
Best price guarante
Easy Booking & Cancellation
24/7 Customer support
100% Refundable
+ More
Book Now