Reykjavik Excursions · Langjökull east side, via Gullfoss
A coach takes you round Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, then a monster truck climbs onto Langjökull for an hour on a snowmobile you share with one other person. Pick it if you have one day, no car and want both the classic sights and the ice.
This is the most-booked snowmobile day in Iceland for a reason: it bundles the three Golden Circle sights with the glacier, and nobody in your group has to drive a winter road. The coach leaves Reykjavík at 9:00, stops about 30 minutes at Þingvellir, up to an hour at Geysir (where most people eat), and then heads for Gullfoss. There you swap into a high-clearance glacier truck for the climb to base camp, suit up, and ride another stretch to where the snowmobiles wait on the ice.
The listing promises a 1-hour guided snowmobile experience with two people per machine, and that's what guests describe: one of you drives out, you stop for photos, and the other drives back. Guests report the truck legs at roughly 45 minutes each, so the glacier block takes about three hours of a 10-hour day. You ride in a single line behind a guide, at the speed of the slowest rider. On a busy day there can be 50 people on the tour.
Two honest caveats. The Golden Circle stops are short, about half an hour each, and reviewers often call them rushed. And the snowmobile part depends on the weather: the listing says the ride can be cancelled after the coach has left Reykjavík. If your dates are tight in mid-winter, put this early in your trip so a rebooking is possible. Riders who want more time on the ice, or a smaller group, should look at the super jeep version, then compare the straight-to-the-glacier trip.
Be at your bus stop 30 minutes before the 9:00 departure. Pickups can take up to 30 minutes, then the coach leaves from BSÍ Bus Terminal.
A photo stop in the rift valley where Iceland's parliament first met in 930.
Watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes and grab lunch at the Geysir Centre. Food is not included.
Board the glacier truck at Gullfoss, suit up at base camp, get the safety briefing, then about an hour on the snowmobile with a photo stop.
The two-tier waterfall on the Hvítá, fed by glacier water, then the coach back to Reykjavík in the evening.
★★★★★We were met by our armoured looking tank at Gullfoss and changed onto that vehicle which was pretty cool, the drive to the glacier took about 45 mins [...] The glacier itself was beautiful, peaceful and scenic. One person drives up and then the second person drives back down and you get a good hour on your snowmobile between you.
★★★★★We loved the national park and the geysers but our favorite part, by far, was the glacier snowmobiling (especially for my 9 year old). It was a stunning landscape mixed with adventure and we had an absolute blast and the guides were AMAZING.
★★★★★The actual driving was about an hour, and it was just great, like being transported into a world of just whiteness all around you. Dress warm for sure, as you will be outdoors for a good 4 hours.
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About one hour, shared with one other person. You swap driver and passenger at a photo stop, so each of you drives for roughly half of it. The whole glacier part, with the truck rides, takes about three hours of the 10-hour day.
Only to drive. The listing says a valid driver's licence is required to operate a snowmobile and passengers don't need one, but there must be at least one driver for every two people booked. More in our licence guide.
Yes, from age 6. Children aged 5 and under are not allowed. Kids ride as passengers with an adult who drives.
The glacier part can be cancelled, even after the coach has left Reykjavík, if a storm moves in. Talk to the operator about a refund or new date for the snowmobile part. A full cancellation more than 24 hours ahead is free.
Ready to book
Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, then an hour on a snowmobile on Langjökull, with pickup in Reykjavík. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Golden Circle Super-Jeep Tour & SnowmobilingThe Golden Circle in a big-wheeled super jeep, small groups, and an hour on a shared snowmobile in the middle of the day.★ 4.8 · 8 to 10 hours · from $401
Glacier Snowmobiling from ReykjavikStraight from Reykjavík to the glacier by super jeep: an hour on a shared snowmobile, groups of 16 at most.★ 4.7 · 8 hours · from $317
Snowmobiling on Langjökull from GullfossThe cheapest snowmobile on Langjökull if you have a car: meet at Gullfoss, truck to base camp, an hour on a shared sled.★ 4.3 · 4 hours · from $251