HIGHLAND BUS

The Highland Bus – formerly known as "Iceland On Your Own" – is Reykjavik Excursions' scheduled summer bus service, designed to connect independent travelers with Iceland’s most iconic hiking routes.

Iceland’s vast, untouched wilderness make it a paradise for hikers, and the Highland Bus offers a seamless way to experience this natural beauty. For those eager to explore the Highlands at their own pace but also in a sustainable way, the Highland Bus provides transport from Reykjavík to three main destinations: Skógar, Þórsmörk, and Landmannalaugar. This service is an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to self-driving on rugged highland roads.

No, the Highland Bus operates as a scheduled transport service without guides. This bus is designed for independent travelers who prefer to explore Iceland’s Highlands at their own pace.

While there are no guides on board, the service offers reliable and convenient access to some of Iceland’s most stunning hiking areas, allowing you to plan your adventure and experience the natural beauty on your own terms.

We offer baggage transfer services to Þórsmörk, with delivery available to three areas: Húsadalur (Volcano Huts), Langidalur, and Básar. The price per item is 2000 ISK, and payment can be processed on-site at the BSÍ bus terminal or directly with your bus driver if departing from Hvolsvöllur, Hella, or any other stop along the route.

The baggage transfer allows for one backpack, box, or cabin-size bag with maximum dimensions of 55x40x20 cm and a maximum weight of 10 kg, plus one sleeping bag. Items must be waterproof and properly labeled.

Please note that depending on the delivery location, baggage may be placed in an unattended room or trailer until collected.

Reykjavik Excursions assumes no responsibility for baggage after drop-off, but in the Icelandic Highlands, this is rarely a concern. You do not need to book baggage transfer for items you bring with you on the hike—this service is only for sending bags to a different location than the one you are traveling to.

For travelers finishing their hike in Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar, we offer baggage transfer for a small fee. In Þórsmörk, you can choose between three delivery locations: Húsadalur (Volcano Huts), Langidalur, or Básar. There is no need to make a reservation for baggage delivery – payment can be made at the BSÍ bus terminal, Hvolsvöllur, or Hella before departure.

The baggage transfer is limited to one backpack, box, or cabin-size bag, plus a sleeping bag. The maximum luggage size, excluding the sleeping bag, is 55x40x20 cm, with a maximum weight of 10 kg. Please ensure all items are placed in a waterproof bag and properly labeled.

Depending on the delivery location, baggage may be left in an unattended room or trailer until collected. Reykjavik Excursions assumes no responsibility for baggage after drop-off, but in the Icelandic Highlands, this is rarely a concern.

Baggage transfer is not required for items you carry with you during the hike – the service is only necessary if you are sending bags to a different location from where you are traveling.

Direct pick-up and drop-off at hotels are not included. Most of our departures from Reykjavík stop at Reykjavík City Hostel/Campsite and the BSÍ Bus Terminal. Travelers can easily join the bus from these convenient locations.

Children 3 or 4 years and older (over 18 kg) can use the normal seat belts on our buses. Children 0-3 years of age must use an appropriate child's car seats. Please note that Reykjavík Excursions does not provide child seats on the Highland Bus.

Yes, Landmannalaugar is one of the few areas in the Icelandic Highlands that can be accessible during winter, but only through guided tours. We strongly advise against self-driving due to impassable, snow-covered highland roads, limited daylight, and unpredictable weather conditions. Even the Highland Bus does not operate during the winter months.

For those wanting to experience Landmannalaugar in winter, Super Jeep tours or guided ski tours are available and include transport to the area, providing a safe and exciting way to explore this stunning winter landscape.

The easiest and most eco-driendly way to visit this fragile but rugged area is taking the Highland Bus. Operated by Reykjavik Excursions, offers scheduled services during the summer months, providing an easy and affordable way to reach popular Highland destinations like Þórsmörk, Landmannalaugar, and Skógar. This service is ideal for hikers and independent travelers looking to explore the Highlands without the hassle of driving. The bus departs from Reykjavík, with stops at the BSÍ Bus Terminal and Reykjavík City Hostel/Campsite and makes several stops along the South Coast. It allows you to immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Highlands while treading lightly on the environment.

For those looking to visit the Highlands on guided day tours, or n winter Super Jeep tours are the perfect option. These guided tours use specially modified 4x4 vehicles designed to handle Iceland’s rough terrain, snow, and river crossings. Super Jeep tours are available year-round. They provide a safe and thrilling way to explore the Highlands without the risks of navigating harsh conditions alone.

Self-driving in the Highlands is also possible, but it requires a suitable 4x4 vehicle and experience in driving rugged mountain roads. The highland roads (known as F-roads) are unpaved, involve river crossings, and can be treacherous. These roads are typically open only during the summer months, and self-driving in winter is impossible.

Absolutely – if you’re seeking adventure, dramatic landscapes, and untouched wilderness, the Icelandic Highlands are a must-visit. This region offers some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the country, from volcanic deserts and steaming geothermal areas to rugged mountain peaks and glacial rivers. It’s a paradise for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers alike.

However, visiting the Highlands isn’t for everyone. The terrain is challenging, and access is limited to summer months unless you join a Super Jeep tour or a guided expedition during winter. If you enjoy hiking and exploring off-the-beaten-path areas, the Highlands provide unforgettable experiences. Iconic spots like Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, and Kerlingarfjöll are well worth the effort.

For those who prefer more comfortable travel or are short on time, Iceland’s South Coast, Golden Circle, and coastal areas may offer easier access to stunning nature without the same level of challenge.

If you’re up for adventure and don’t mind rough roads, unpredictable weather, and remote conditions, then the Highlands are an unforgettable part of Iceland’s natural beauty and well worth visiting.

If you want a glimpse of the truly wild side of Iceland, the highlands are definitely worth visiting. Highland tours are often the best way to do it.

For example, trekking tours through the highlands show you the very best bits of the region on foot. You can scale snowy summits, traverse epic ridges and mysterious plains, and bathe in remote hot springs.

Alternatively, if you prefer to travel alone, take the Highland Bus into the heart of the region. The bus leaves Reykjavík daily throughout the summer months.

Explore our highland tours to find the best option for you.

Iceland’s highland area is uninhabited and is largely not habitable. There are no shops, paved roads, petrol stations, or any of the other things we take for granted in our normal lives. It’s known as a wilderness for a reason.

Conditions are particularly challenging in the winter, when heavy snows block most of the highland roads. So, while the highlands can be a thrilling place for a visit, it’s not the easiest place to live!

Iceland’s highlands are one of the most remarkable and thrilling places on the planet. Almost completely uninhabited but home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes you’ll ever see, it’s definitely worth a trip if you visit Iceland in summer.

Given their remote location and Iceland’s volatile weather, most of the highlands are usually only accessible between June and September. Outside of this season, many of the roads in the region are closed, apart from those to major sights such as Landmannalaugar.

Iceland is an incredible destination in any season. While the winter is the season of snow and the northern lights, summer dazzles with the midnight sun and glorious green landscapes.

It’s also the easiest season to get around and explore the highlands. Climb mountain peaks or cross volcanic plains, or unwind in a natural hot spring in Landmannalaugar valley.

There are many beautiful roads in the Icelandic highlands. But most of them are what are known as F-roads—unpaved roads that are not open all year round.

The most famous is F225, or Landmannaleið, which takes you to Landmannalaugar, a valley where you can find natural hot springs. Alternatively, you can drive across the entire highlands on F26, the road known as Sprengisandur.

If you want to visit the Highlands in Iceland, you’ll need to either hire a car, take a private tour, or take the Highland Bus. Most travelers opt for a tour or ride the Highland Bus because the terrain can be more challenging than what they’re used to.

The roads in the Highlands, known as F-roads, are unpaved and often rough. In some cases, you’ll need to ford rivers, which can be tricky and risky if you’re not experienced in off-road driving. For many, the hassle and potential danger of self-driving make guided tours a simpler and safer option.

Additionally, access to much of the Highlands is limited to the summer months. Heavy snowfall during the winter forces many of the roads to close, making large parts of the region unreachable until the snow clears. If you’re visiting in summer and feel confident in your driving skills, self-driving can be a rewarding way to explore. Otherwise, guided tours or the Highland Bus provide stress-free access to these stunning, remote areas.

The Icelandic Highlands are primarily accessible during the summer months, typically from late June to early September. This is when the snow has melted, and the F-roads (mountain roads) are open to vehicles. Outside of this window, heavy snow and unpredictable weather make most of the Highland roads impassable, and they are officially closed to regular traffic.

If you’re planning to visit during the summer, you can explore the Highlands by self-driving with a 4x4 vehicle, taking the Highland Bus, or joining a guided tour. Popular destinations like Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, and Kerlingarfjöll are at their most beautiful during this time, offering incredible hiking, camping, and scenic views.

In the winter months, access to the Highlands is extremely limited. However, some areas, such as Landmannalaugar, can still be reached through Super Jeep tours or guided ski tours. These tours use specialized vehicles designed to handle snow-covered terrain and are a great option for those wanting to experience the Highlands’ winter beauty safely.

The easiest road to reach Landmannalaugar is F225 (Landmannaleið). This is one of the most frequently used routes in the Highlands and is the same road taken by the Highland Bus.

Although F225 is well-traveled, it is still an unpaved mountain road that requires a 4x4 vehicle capable of handling rough, off-road conditions. If you plan to hire a car, be sure to inform the rental agency that you intend to drive into the Highlands to ensure you get a suitable vehicle.

For those looking for a hassle-free and environmentally friendly way to visit Landmannalaugar, the Highland Bus is the best and most sustainable option. It offers reliable transport during the summer months, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Highlands without the challenges of self-driving.

The Highlands of Iceland cover the vast, uninhabited interior of the country, stretching across the center of the island. This rugged and remote region lies between glaciers, volcanoes, and mountainous terrain, forming one of Iceland’s most pristine and untouched natural areas.

Access to the Highlands is primarily through F-roads (mountain roads), which are open during the summer months. One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to reach the Highlands is by taking the Highland Bus, which offers scheduled services to popular destinations like Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk. This allows travelers to experience the raw beauty of the Highlands without the need for a 4x4 vehicle or off-road driving experience.

The highlands in Iceland are largely uninhabited. There are no permanent settlements and there’s no one that lives there all year round.

That said, particularly in the summer months, people do work there. You may find people managing campsites and mountain huts and doing critical maintenance work. But a lack of paved roads, shops, and petrol stations means that it would be a difficult place to live.

In a way, it’s this remoteness that gives the highlands much of their charm. But if you’re visiting, you need to be prepared.