Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

Review · BLUE LAGOON TICKETS & TOURS

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

4.5 · 45 reviews 8 hours (approx.) From $315 Operated by Reykjavik Excursions · Bookable on Viator
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Two Iceland classics in one day is smart. You start with the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package and then shift into an evening northern lights guided tour, all with round-trip transfers from Reykjavik. It is a practical combo when you only have one winter day to play.

I love that the Blue Lagoon side is handled for you with real extras included, not just a basic entry ticket. I also like the way the day is built to maximize your northern lights odds with a local expert guiding the aurora portion. The one big consideration is simple: the sky can still be cloudy, and nature does not follow the schedule.

Key things that make this tour worth a look

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Key things that make this tour worth a look

  • Blue Lagoon Comfort Package extras are included: silica mud mask, towel use, and a drink of your choice
  • Return transfers from Reykjavik help you spend less time planning and more time relaxing
  • WiFi on board means you can share, look things up, or just keep your day moving
  • A guided Northern Lights portion can help you find the right viewing moments and stay organized
  • Small-ish group size (max 100) usually keeps the day from feeling chaotic
  • Carbon neutral approach in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies is built into the tour

Chasing the lights? These are the other hunts we sat through

How the day flows, starting at BSÍ Bus Terminal

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - How the day flows, starting at BSÍ Bus Terminal
This is an 8-hour, Reykjavik-based combo that plays in two acts. First you head to the Blue Lagoon, where you have about 4 hours to soak, shower, and use the included comfort items. Then you regroup for the Northern Lights portion later in the day, with guided help to improve your odds.

Your day starts at BSÍ Bus Terminal (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík). Pickup is offered, but you need to be at your designated pickup spot 30 minutes before departure. The pickup vehicles are clearly marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo, which matters in Reykjavik because streets and stops can feel busy even on a calm day.

What I like about this setup is that it avoids the most common Iceland time-waster: figuring out transportation twice. You also end back at the meeting point, which is useful if you want your evening plans kept simple.

Blue Lagoon Comfort Package: what you get and why it matters

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Blue Lagoon Comfort Package: what you get and why it matters
The Blue Lagoon part is not a bare-bones visit. You get the Comfort Package, which includes the Blue Lagoon admission ticket plus the items that usually add cost when booked separately.

Here is what is included:

  • Entrance to the Blue Lagoon
  • Silica mud mask
  • Use of a towel
  • A drink of your choice

That combination is valuable because it covers the money and time stuff. You are not hunting for what to buy first after arrival, and you can focus on the main event: using the facilities and actually relaxing in the geothermal water.

Also, the time allocation is real. Four hours is enough to get the full rhythm: arrive, shower, take your time in the water, use the mud mask, and still have room to linger without feeling rushed.

One review detail I found especially helpful is that the water can feel cool at first and more comfortable once you move further in. Plan for that adjustment. If you go in expecting instant warmth, you might feel disappointed in minute one, then pleasantly surprised after you settle in.

The included extras: mud mask, towel, and a drink

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - The included extras: mud mask, towel, and a drink
The silica mud mask is the kind of add-on that makes a Blue Lagoon trip feel like a full experience instead of a quick photo stop. It is included here, so you can build the timing around it rather than squeezing it in after you pay at the venue.

Towel use is another quiet win. Blue Lagoon is an all-weather stop in winter, and dealing with wet clothes or figuring out what you forgot can kill momentum. Having the towel covered means you get to act like you are on vacation, not like you are solving logistics.

Then there is the drink. You get a drink of your choice as part of the Comfort Package. I like this because it is one less thing you have to budget and decide on during an already active day. It is not the same as a meal though, which brings me to the one place where people feel the pinch.

Food and drinks beyond that drink are not included. So if you want lunch or a warm snack, you will need to plan it separately.

Transfers and timing: the part that can make or break the day

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Transfers and timing: the part that can make or break the day
Transfers are included both ways, and that helps a lot because Blue Lagoon is outside central Reykjavik. The tour also includes WiFi on board, which is handy when your plans depend on daylight, weather updates, or just checking maps.

Still, timing is everything in a long day tour. The day is built around a fixed Blue Lagoon block, then an evening aurora segment. That means you cannot treat it like a flexible hop-on, hop-off style day.

One thing I suggest based on common friction points: double-check how drop-off works for your exact hotel area. The tour ends back at the meeting point, but some travelers have run into confusion when trying to get dropped directly at their hotel. In practice, that usually means you should confirm the drop-off plan for your stop before you board, so you are not stuck waiting later in the cold.

If you know you will feel annoyed by a possible extra wait, bring patience for the end of the day. If you can handle a short detour or a longer walk to finish your evening, you will likely enjoy the day more.

Northern Lights hunt with a guided aurora portion

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Northern Lights hunt with a guided aurora portion
This is where the combo becomes more than a simple day trip. The tour aims to maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights by adding guidance during the aurora portion.

You should go in with realistic expectations. A local guide can help you move, time it better, and choose where to look. But they cannot control cloud cover or the sky. If the aurora is active and visible, guidance can help you actually notice it instead of spending the evening staring at the wrong direction or giving up too early.

From what I have seen with aurora tours, the best value of a guide often comes down to two things:

  1. Keeping everyone organized so no one misses key moments.
  2. Helping you adjust your expectations quickly when conditions are mediocre.

If the sky cooperates, the guided component can turn a frustrating night into a memorable one. If it does not, you still get the Blue Lagoon experience, which is comfortably scheduled and less dependent on one magical sky show.

One more practical note. Some guests report late nights when the aurora hunt runs long. So if you are the type who hates sleeping in a strange schedule, keep your first next-day plan light.

Price and value: is $315 a fair deal?

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Price and value: is $315 a fair deal?
At $315 per person, this combo is not a bargain. The value depends on how you price three things: Blue Lagoon access, transportation, and the aurora guided segment.

What you are paying for that is actually included:

  • Blue Lagoon Comfort Package (entry plus silica mud mask, towel, and a drink)
  • Round-trip transfers from Reykjavik
  • WiFi on board
  • Local expert guide
  • Carbon neutral approach with Vaxa Technologies

What you are not paying for:

  • Food beyond the single included drink
  • Any extras at Blue Lagoon
  • Additional spending for the aurora night besides what is built into the tour

So, is it worth it? For many people, yes, if you compare it to buying Blue Lagoon entry with comfort items plus separate transport to and from the lagoon and an aurora tour on top.

The main argument against the price shows up when you feel the day lacks one obvious comfort item, usually lunch. Since food is not included, it is smart to budget for at least one full meal or a substantial snack during your day. If you arrive hungry, you will feel the cost more sharply.

My advice: treat $315 as the price of a timed day where you do not have to coordinate. If you love planning and you are comfortable building your own route, you can sometimes lower costs. If you want a smooth one-day Iceland experience with less friction, this price starts to make sense.

Group size, language, and who this tour suits

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Group size, language, and who this tour suits
The group size caps at 100 travelers, and the tour is offered in English. That is enough people for a lively bus day, but not so many that you should feel lost.

Most travelers can participate, but there is an important rule: children aged 5 and younger are not permitted. If you are traveling with young kids, you will need a different option.

This tour fits best if you:

  • Want the Blue Lagoon and aurora in one day
  • Prefer pickup and transfers over independent planning
  • Are okay with weather uncertainty for the lights portion
  • Want a comfort-focused Blue Lagoon visit with included extras

It may not be the best fit if:

  • You are extremely sensitive to schedule changes and late nights
  • You need very detailed hotel drop-off accuracy
  • You hate paying separately for meals

Practical tips that help you enjoy both halves

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik - Practical tips that help you enjoy both halves
Here are the things I would do to make this day go smoother from start to finish.

1) Plan clothing around the cold waiting time

Even at the Blue Lagoon, people can feel the difference between warm water and cold air. One guest mentioned feeling around -6°C while outside, even with rain or snow. Bring warm layers for transition time, especially before you get into the water.

2) Use the four hours wisely

With a four-hour block, you can take it slow. Use the silica mud mask when you feel ready, then plan the rest of the time around showers and relaxing rather than trying to cram everything at the end.

3) Eat something before the Blue Lagoon

Since the only drink included is the one at Blue Lagoon, you will want real fuel. If you skip food, you will feel it by the time evening viewing starts.

4) Confirm where you end up after Blue Lagoon

Because pickup and drop-off can cause confusion, especially around hotel locations, confirm your plan before departure. If your hotel is not right on a main bus line, ask how drop-off is handled.

5) Keep your aurora expectations flexible

This is the biggest mental trick. Go with the mindset that the guide is there to maximize your odds, but the sky sets the terms. That keeps you from feeling cheated if clouds roll in.

Should you book this Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights combo?

If you want an efficient winter day in Iceland, I think this is a strong booking choice. The Blue Lagoon Comfort Package is a clear win: silica mud mask, towel use, and a drink are included, and you get a full four hours to actually enjoy it. The aurora side adds value by including a guided experience designed to improve your chances, rather than leaving you to figure it out alone.

I would book it if:

  • You want a one-day plan that includes both icons
  • You prefer organized transfers over independent driving
  • You like soaking first and chasing lights second

I would hesitate if:

  • You are counting on northern lights as a guaranteed must-see
  • You really need food included at this price point
  • You get stressed by possible confusion in end-of-day drop-off

FAQ

How long is the Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik?

It runs about 8 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

The start point is BSÍ Bus Terminal Reykjavík, Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. You should be at your designated pickup location 30 minutes prior to departure, and the pickup vehicles are well marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.

What is included in the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package?

You receive Comfort Package admission to the Blue Lagoon, a silica mud mask, use of a towel, and a drink of your choice.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop is 4 hours.

Is WiFi included?

Yes, WiFi is included on board.

Is the tour guided?

Yes, a local expert guide is included, and the northern lights portion is guided as part of the day.

Are meals included?

No. Food and drinks are not included (aside from the drink included with the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package).

Is the tour carbon neutral?

It is described as carbon neutral in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies.

What are the age limits?

Children aged 5 years and younger are not permitted.

What is the cancellation policy if the weather is bad?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. This experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

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