Iceland with kids, without car

273K

We're considering spending a week in in Iceland with the kids (7 & 3)in late spring/early summer. Not massively keen on renting a car, and understand public transport is infrequent/requires lots of planing(?). Can anyone recommend alternatives, e.g. bus tours type things? We'd like to see national parks and volcanic sites and obvs any recommendations for good kid attractions would be welcome.

craig1912

Can’t help with the kids stuff (other than recommend The Laundramat Cafe in Reykjavik) but we used these for tours and they were excellent
Extreme Iceland - Sightseeing and Activity Tour Expert

wongataa

A car will be the easiest way to get around otherwise you will be limited to the bus trips available and so won't be going that far from Reykjavik and will be spending limited time at the sights.

The Golden Circle stuff (Geysir, Gulfoss,Thingvellir)
is served by many bus tours so that will be easy to see.  Other good sights to see (waterfalls, volcanic bits, icebergs, glaciers) are all further away from Reykjavik making day trip bus tours harder and longer.  Lots of the good stuff is on the other side of the island making car hire required for those.

There aren't really any attractions aimed at children outside of the Reykjavik as the things to see and do are just bits of the very interesting and scenic landscape.

273K

Being based in Reykjavik and a few excursions would be ok I think, given the age of the kids a lot of touring/travelling by car or bus is not going to be fun. I'm beginning to question based on cost and likelihood of return visit whether it's worth going now and then go back again to do all the good stuff, or just hold off and do it all a few years down the line.

craig1912

I think if I were you I’d hold off a few years as IMO the children are probably too young to get the most out of it.
It’s a fantastic place and I will go back again but our Golden Circle trip was 12 hours which is along time for a three year old.
If you are going, rather than a bus tour I would look at private tours which whilst more expensive would probably be better with young kids.

ZedMarcus

Was in Reykjavik about three weeks ago with the wife. Did the golden circle stuff which was a full day on a coach from place to place. Would definitely recommend the Blue Lagoon (go early if you can to avoid the crowds). Only thing I'd say is that it's true what they say about it being expensive, make sure your wallet is prepared to be emptied.

273K

Thanks for the replies, the missus has just started a new job so not certain of getting time off during her training period, plus the fact that the kids might not get the most out of it means we're propbably going to put this trip of for a few years, considering the cost.