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Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Is it worth doing the Iceland Golden Circle full day tour?


YES, YES AND YES!

Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater Review



Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour Itinerary

Iceland tours with Get Your Guide




Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater: A Comprehensive Guide

Price and OverviewI booked the Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater through Get Your Guide for around £58, and it was worth every penny! The tour lasted approximately 8 hours, covering Iceland's most iconic sites, with a comfortable coach journey and plenty of stops.




Why Choose This Tour?

While it's true you could rent a car and explore on your own, the guided tour simplifies everything. Given Iceland's unpredictable weather, especially in winter, leaving the driving to the pros made my experience stress-free. Plus, our guide from Get Your Guide added valuable insights into each location, enhancing the adventure.


Despite hearing some comments warning against it, claiming it's a tourist trap on wheels, I have to admit, I was completely won over. Yes, the bus was jam-packed, but hey, it was worth every penny. The longest stretch we spent on the bus was the return journey, around 1 hour and 30 minutes which I used my time wisely editing and Instagramming the incredible shots I got during the tour (check out my Insta BTW!).




Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

We crammed so much sightseeing into one day, hitting up all the must-see spots in Iceland. Sure, you could DIY it with a rental car, but let me tell you, the drive back looked a bit hair-raising, and I was more than happy to let the driver handle it!


Our adventure kicked off around 10 am after a scrumptious brekkie at the Grandi by Center Hotels (check out my hotel review, will be here when I get around to it!). After popping on my Primani long johns off we went!


Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour Itinerary

  • Thingvellir National Park

  • Hveragerdi

  • Kerid Crater

  • Gullfoss Waterfall

  • Geysir Itinerary Highlights

    1. Thingvellir National Park

    A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Thingvellir is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. We had a 20–30 minute walk through the rift valley, learning about Viking history. It's a must-visit spot for those searching for "Golden Circle self-drive itinerary" keywords, although the guided walk here is unmatched.


    2. Geysir Geothermal Area

    Home to the famous Strokkur geyser, erupting every 8 minutes. This geothermal wonder offers a perfect stop for photos, especially for those interested in “Golden Circle geothermal pools.” After capturing the steaming eruptions, we enjoyed a coffee break at the nearby café.


  • 3. Gullfoss Waterfall

    Known as the “Golden Falls,” this two-tiered waterfall is breathtaking. It’s one of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, perfect for travelers looking for “Golden Circle waterfalls Iceland.” Whether you're visiting in summer with lush greenery or winter with snowy landscapes, the views are unforgettable.


  • 4. Kerid Crater

    The final stop was Kerid Crater, an awe-inspiring volcanic crater lake. Climbing down is easy, but ascending can be challenging, so wear sturdy footwear. This spot is ideal for those searching for “Golden Circle hidden gems” and offers panoramic views, especially at sunset.


Here is a link to the tour that I booked with

Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Get Your Guide offer expertly-curated experiences, I loved booking all of my excursions before, having it all planned out in my Iceland Itinerary, so I could save time whilst I was there, they have their own app, so all my tickets and information was on my app on my phone making it super easy!


Why Pre-Book?

Pre-booking with Get Your Guide saved time and hassle. Their app consolidates all tickets, pick-up details, and maps, making logistics seamless. Alternatively, Viator offers flexible payment options and free cancellations, ideal for those seeking flexibility.





How long does it take to do the Golden Circle in Iceland? It's around 8 hours door to door, it's a magical day around Iceland and I loved every second!


First stop was Thingvellir National Park


Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

This was only around a 40-minute very scenic journey away and this is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet! Stunning park, we had around a 20-30 minute gentle walk, you could walk with the tour guide if you wanted and listen to the spiel, I tagged along with a ‘dryrobe’ cult and had a full-on photo shoot for Instagram as I am basic. Thingvellir National Park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural value in 2004. It's also the site of a stunning rift valley and the Rock of Law, the first Viking parliament.





Geothermal area of Geysir


Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Then it was off to the next stop: geothermal area of Geysir. Marvel as the active hot spring of Strokkur spouts steaming water 30 meters into the air every 8 minutes, also like my sister with her vape!






Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?





















They also had a great cafe spot here, so it was time for a latte and a slice of cake!


Gullfoss Waterfall


Then it was onwards to Gullfoss Waterfall (“Golden Falls“). Feel the spray of the waters of the glacial River Hvítá, now this was pretty impressive.


Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?


The tour guide and team from Get your guide surprised us with a little stop not planned: a group of three Icelandic ponies. They were so sweet and we were able feed them some horse treats, I just love any animals, so to have this stop really made my day even better!




"Because I'm worth it!"

Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?


Kerid Crater


The final stop was Kerid Crater, now no problems getting down this, but getting back up was another story so not for the faint-hearted or those in need of a hip replacement. It was worth it though, the acoustics were wow! And the sun was starting to set over the crater so it was spectacular lighting! Don't worry if can't manage the walk the views from staying at the top are just as good!



Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?


The drive back I took in all of the lovely Icelandic farms and scenery before the weather took a sudden turn with a slight snowstorm, making driving conditions tricky! Before you know it it was around 6pm and we were dropped off in Reykjavik.


Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

The 'Get Your Guide' tour guide had a busy day, bless him.



Practical Tips for the Tour


  • Duration: The entire journey, including breaks, is about 8 hours.

  • Toilet & Food Stops: Frequent restroom and snack breaks, including a visit to Icelandic ponies—a delightful surprise!

  • Layer Up: Bring warm layers and good walking shoes, as weather conditions can change quickly.

  • Instagram-Worthy Moments: Don’t forget your camera to capture epic landscapes from Thingvellir to Gullfossand Kerid.










To round off the day we stopped at Icelandic Street food for the famous soup bowl £40 LOL, Yes Iceland is very expensive, buy all your tours in advance before you go!





I would highly recommend the Golden Circle tour by Get your guide, I loved every second!


FAQ's


  • Plenty of toilet stops

  • Plenty of cafes/places to eat drink and sit down

  • Journey time in a coach 3 hours, spread throughout the entire day, really didn't feel like that long.

  • Take with you, plenty of layers, good walking shoes/boots, camera equipment

  • Would I do it again? YES

Do let me know if you have any questions in the comments and I will get back to you,


Would I do it again? Absolutely! Whether you're a solo traveler, family, or couple, the Golden Circle tour is an essential Icelandic experience. Incorporating these high-volume keywords like “Golden Circle Iceland winter guide” or “family-friendly Golden Circle tour” into your travel plans will attract a broader audience looking for real, authentic travel experiences.


If you have any questions, drop them in the comments!


Other must do tours in Iceland with Get Your Guide,


I pre booked all my tours with Get Your Guide, they have an app with all your tickets on linked to maps and information on where to meet, pick up times, it's so good.




Travel Essential for Iceland



Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?




















Here are some Iceland tours with Viator they offer free cancellation and you can buy now pay later and they have a huge selection.




Don't forget to do a Northern Lights tour in Iceland, this is the best tour to do by far!!

Check out this article here



Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Where to stay in Iceland?


I stayed at The Grandi Hotel by Center in Reykjavik, it was superb!! I will leave a full review here (Once I get around to it). I booked the whole thing through EasyJet Holidays


Here are some Hotel only options via Booking.com





Iceland Hotel Deals





Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

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Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?



Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?






Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

Hello I’m Paul a Travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!


I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!


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Is it Worth Doing the Iceland Golden Circle Full Day Tour?

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