Golden Circle
Þingvellir · Geysir · Gullfoss
Car
1–4 people
90,000 kr
Van
5–7 people
120,000 kr
Golden Circle & day tours
The Golden Circle in Spring: A Day with Our Minibus, in Real Photos
Drive Reykjavik team · 5 min read · October 2026
Quick facts
- Route: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area with Strokkur, Gullfoss and lunch at Friðheimar.
- Length: a full day, about 7 to 8 hours from Reykjavík and back.
- Group size: this day was a group trip in our minibus. For 1 to 4 people we drive a car, for 5 to 7 a van, and for 8 to 16 a minibus on request.
- Private tour price: Golden Circle 90,000 kr per car or 120,000 kr per van; minibus priced on request.
- Spring weather: expect anything from sunshine to sleet in one day. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket.
We drive the Golden Circle more than any other route, in every season. Spring days are some of our favourites: fewer people at the viewpoints, rivers swollen with meltwater and, with luck, a mix of sun and cloud that makes the landscape look dramatic. Here is how one of those days went.
Morning: Þingvellir National Park
The first stop, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík, is Þingvellir, where the North American and Eurasian plates are slowly pulling apart. From the viewpoint above the Almannagjá gorge you look straight down the rift valley, with Iceland's largest natural lake, Þingvallavatn, on the horizon. In spring the birches are still bare and the snow on the surrounding mountains makes the view even sharper.
Midday: Geysir and Strokkur
Next comes the Geysir geothermal area. The great Geysir itself rarely erupts today, but its neighbour Strokkur goes off every five to ten minutes, sending a column of boiling water high into the air. Stand on the side away from the wind unless you want a warm shower, and stay behind the ropes: the water is boiling. Read more in our Golden Circle guide.
Afternoon: Gullfoss with the last ice
Ten minutes from Geysir, Gullfoss drops in two steps into a narrow canyon. In spring the river carries a lot of meltwater and the edges are still covered in old snow and ice, which gives the falls a completely different look from summer. The lower path takes you close to the edge, where the spray reaches you; in icy conditions part of it can be closed, so follow the signs.
Lunch at Friðheimar
Many of our guests ask for a stop at Friðheimar, a family-run greenhouse where tomatoes grow all year under artificial light, heated with geothermal energy. You eat among the tomato plants; the tomato soup with fresh bread is the classic. It is very popular, so book a table in advance. Let us know when you book the tour and we will plan the timing around your reservation.
Tips for the Golden Circle in spring
- Dress in layers: mornings can be close to freezing, afternoons mild. A waterproof jacket is essential at Gullfoss.
- Good shoes: paths can be icy or muddy in spring. Shoes with grip are better than trainers.
- Start early: you reach Þingvellir before the big tour groups and have more time at each stop.
- Light: in April the days are already long, with sunset after 20:00 by the end of the month.
- Add a soak: finish with the Secret Lagoon or the Blue Lagoon on the way back.
Travelling as a group
For families and groups, a private minibus makes the day easier: everyone travels together, the driver waits at each stop, and you decide how long to stay. For 5 to 7 people we drive a Mercedes van at a fixed price; for 8 to 16 people we arrange a minibus. Send us your date and the number of people on WhatsApp and we will reply with a fixed price. More in Iceland for groups.
- Fixed price per car, not per person, agreed before you travel
- Economy (Tesla) for 1 to 4 passengers, Van (Mercedes Vito) for 5 to 7, minibus for 8 to 16 on request
- Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and checks your flight before leaving
- 45 minutes of free waiting at the airport
- Pay 20% to book and the rest in the car by card or cash, or pay everything online
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up
We have been driving travellers around Iceland for ten years, and we go everywhere in the country, not only to Reykjavík.
Yes. The waterfalls are full, there are fewer visitors than in summer, and the days are already long. The landscape is browner than in July, and the weather can change quickly.
Our private Golden Circle tour takes about 7 to 8 hours from Reykjavík and back, with time at Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
Yes. For 8 to 16 people we drive a minibus on request. Message us on WhatsApp with the date and number of people for a fixed price.
We recommend booking the table yourself, as early as possible. Tell us the time and we plan the route around it.
Yes. They were taken by our team on a spring Golden Circle day; the driver in the first photo is one of ours.
Travel tips
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