Self-Launched Best of Iceland: Golden Circle, South Coast & Snæfellsnes in 3 Days
3 days · Iceland
BusTravel Iceland charges £470
No-markup version: ~£439 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of BusTravel Iceland's 3-day Best of Iceland package: the Golden Circle, the South Coast (Skógafoss, Vík, Reynisfjara, Sólheimajökull, Seljalandsfoss) and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi, Ytri Tunga seals), all from a base in Reykjavík. Instead of paying for a bundled coach package with hotel upgrades, you book the same style of small-group day tours directly (or piece the routes together with public buses if you're feeling brave), and stay in Reykjavík's budget hostels and guesthouses. You keep the same three headline regions and the same 09:00–19:00 day rhythm, but you control the booking, the accommodation and the price. Iceland is expensive — this is a "budget Iceland" itinerary, not a cheap one — but direct booking typically saves several hundred pounds versus the package, especially in a dorm bed.
Day-by-day
Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss & Kerið
Reykjavík / Golden Circle
Pickup around 08:30–09:00 from a designated downtown Reykjavík bus stop (BSÍ or a Strætó stop such as #12 at Þórunnartún, the same departure point the operator uses). Take a small-group Golden Circle day tour: walk the Almannagjá gorge between the tectonic plates at Þingvellir National Park, see Öxarárfoss waterfall, watch Strokkur geyser erupt every 5–10 minutes at Geysir, and stand above Gullfoss. Finish with the Kerið volcanic crater (small entry fee, ~£3–4) before returning to Reykjavík around 18:00–19:00. If you want to skip the tour entirely, Strætó bus 51 + local connections can reach Þingvellir in summer, but the full loop by public transport isn't practical — book a day tour direct with a small-group operator (e.g. BusTravel, Reykjavik Excursions, Troll Expeditions) via GetYourGuide or Klook. Evening: hostel kitchen dinner and a soak at one of Reykjavík's cheap public pools (Sundhöllin, ~£6).
🚌Golden Circle small-group minibus tour with downtown pickup (~£65–85 booked direct); otherwise walk/bus to the pickup stop
🛏Budget hostel or guesthouse in central Reykjavík (e.g. Kex Hostel, Hostel B47, Hlemmur Square, or a Guesthouse near Laugavegur) — dorm bed £30–45, private room £85–110
- →Þingvellir National Park & Almannagjá gorge walk
- →Öxarárfoss waterfall
- →Geysir geothermal area & Strokkur eruptions
- →Gullfoss waterfall
- →Kerið volcanic crater (entry ~£3–4)
- →Evening at Sundhöllin public pool (~£6)
South Coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Sólheimajökull & Reynisfjara
Reykjavík / South Coast
Second small-group day tour south along Route 1. Start at Seljalandsfoss (walk behind the waterfall — bring waterproofs), then Skógafoss with its staircase to the top for panoramic views. Continue to the Sólheimajökull glacier outlet for a short walk to the ice tongue (guided glacier hikes cost extra, ~£110+ — skip unless you've budgeted for it). Afternoon in the fishing village of Vík, then Reynisfjara black sand beach and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks — stay well back from the water, sneaker waves are genuinely dangerous. Long day, typically 09:00–19:00 same as the original. Back in Reykjavík for a cheap dinner (Bæjarins Beztu hot dog ~£4, or hostel kitchen).
🚌South Coast small-group minibus tour with downtown pickup (~£80–100 direct); the same route is also served in summer by Strætó bus 51 to Vík (~£30 return) if you prefer a DIY version, though you'd see far fewer stops
🛏Same Reykjavík hostel/guesthouse — no need to change hotels on this self-launched version
- →Seljalandsfoss waterfall (walk behind it)
- →Skógafoss waterfall & staircase viewpoint
- →Sólheimajökull glacier viewpoint walk
- →Vík village
- →Reynisfjara black sand beach & Reynisdrangar sea stacks
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Kirkjufell, Djúpalónssandur, Arnarstapi & Ytri Tunga seals
Reykjavík / Snæfellsnes
Final day heading north-west on a Snæfellsnes small-group tour. Cross the Berserkjahraun lava field, photograph Kirkjufell mountain and Kirkjufoss waterfall, walk the black pebbles of Djúpalónssandur, view the Snæfellsjökull glacier (the 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' mountain), see the Lóndrangar basalt sea stacks, wander Arnarstapi's coastal cliffs and finish with seal-spotting at Ytri Tunga beach. Return to Reykjavík bus stop #12 around 18:00–18:30, matching the operator's end point. Snæfellsnes is genuinely hard to do by public transport — the day tour is the practical choice here.
🚌Snæfellsnes small-group minibus tour with downtown pickup (~£85–105 direct); return to central Reykjavík by 18:30
🛏Optional final night in Reykjavík (recommended if you fly out the following day) — add ~£30–45 dorm / £85–110 private
- →Berserkjahraun lava field
- →Kirkjufell mountain & Kirkjufoss waterfall
- →Djúpalónssandur black-pebble beach
- →Snæfellsjökull glacier viewpoint
- →Lóndrangar basalt formations
- →Arnarstapi coastal village
- →Ytri Tunga seal beach
Self-launched vs. BusTravel Iceland
| This itinerary (self-launched) | BusTravel Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£439 | £470 |
| Duration | 3 days | 3 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £31 per person (7%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more BusTravel Iceland-style trips? Check them out here.~£439
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Best of Iceland: Golden Circle, South Coast & Snæfellsnes in 3 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £439 per person for 3 days in Iceland. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with BusTravel Iceland?+
Yes — BusTravel Iceland charges around £470 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £439 — a saving of roughly £31 (7%) per person.
How long is the Iceland trip?+
This itinerary runs 3 days, covering 3 day-by-day stops through Iceland.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, budget trip through Iceland, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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