REVIEW · REYKJAVIK
Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
Book on Viator →Operated by Reykjavik Excursions · Bookable on Viator
The hours feel like a mini Iceland highlight reel: warm geothermal bliss, then a northern lights plan. This combo tour pairs Blue Lagoon entry with an evening guided lights outing so you don’t have to stitch the day together yourself. You’ll also get round-trip transfers from central Reykjavik, which matters when the weather is doing whatever it wants.
What I like most is the Comfort Package. You’re not just getting a ticket—you get the silica mud mask, towel use, and a drink choice, plus admission time that gives you breathing room to actually enjoy the water.
One possible drawback: the “northern lights” part is weather-dependent. If skies are thick with clouds, you may end up with a long, cold night and no dramatic lights show.
Plan for two very different experiences in one day
- Comfort Package extras at the Blue Lagoon (mud mask, towel, and drink) make the morning feel more complete than a basic entry ticket.
- A guided northern lights section helps you maximize timing and spot potential views once darkness lands.
- Round-trip transfers from Reykjavik reduce hassle and keep you from playing taxi math in the dark.
- A 4-hour Blue Lagoon block gives you time to shower, mask up, soak, and re-soak without feeling rushed.
- Small-ish group cap (max 100) tends to keep the day from feeling like a cattle chute.
In This Review
- Blue Lagoon Comfort Package: What the extra included items really mean
- Transfers from Reykjavik: The part that saves your whole trip
- Blue Lagoon time management: How to use your ~4 hours well
- Northern Lights night plan: What a guided evening actually helps with
- Group size, guide style, and how to avoid the common frustrations
- Price and value: Is $315 fair for what you actually get?
- Who should book this combo from Reykjavik?
- Quick reality check: Weather, safety, and refunds
- Should you book the Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights combo?
- FAQ
- How long is the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Is pickup offered?
- How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?
- What’s included in the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Is the northern lights portion guided?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Are children allowed?
- What’s the cancellation policy if weather is poor?
Blue Lagoon Comfort Package: What the extra included items really mean

If you’re coming to Iceland for one “wow” soak, you want value that goes beyond a stamped ticket. This tour’s Blue Lagoon stop is built around the Comfort Package, which includes admission plus the items that make the visit smoother when you’re already wet and cold.
Here’s what that means for your actual day:
- Silica mud mask: This is part of the Blue Lagoon routine, and it’s included here, so you won’t have to pause your timing (or your budget) once you’re on-site.
- Towel use: You’re not left scrambling for basics while everyone else is getting ready to get in the water.
- Drink of your choice: It’s a small perk, but it helps you settle into the experience instead of treating it like a quick checkpoint.
The best part? The Blue Lagoon block is long—about 4 hours. That time window matters. Many “quick stop” versions try to cram everything into less time, which turns the visit into a logistics exercise. Here, you can do the normal flow: shower and rinse, get into the geothermal water, enjoy the temperature contrast as the water warms your body, then come back for another round after your face mask.
And yes, the weather outside can be rough. You’ll likely be stepping between changing areas and water zones in cold air, with rain or snow possible. Plan for it like you would any Iceland winter outing: waterproof layers, warm socks, and a real towel afterward (even if you’re using theirs at the Lagoon).
Transfers from Reykjavik: The part that saves your whole trip
The strongest practical win with this tour is that you’re not on your own for getting there and back.
You’ll start at BSÍ Bus Terminal (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík). If pickup is offered for your option, you’re asked to be at your pickup location 30 minutes before departure, and the vehicles are well marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo. The tour also ends back at the meeting point.
Why this matters: Blue Lagoon logistics can turn into a time-sink. In winter darkness, a missed bus or a slow connection can ruin your evening plans—especially because this combo continues into a later northern lights outing.
That said, pay attention to timing during the “between parts” period. Some people have reported confusion around drop-off after the Blue Lagoon segment, including waiting around for the correct onward transport. The good news is that transfers are included, and the tour is designed to keep you moving. The caution is simple: keep your phone handy, watch the group instructions closely, and don’t assume every bus ride ends at your exact door.
Tip I’d follow: If you’re staying near the center, you’ll probably find the terminal-based return easier. If you’re far out, double-check where you’ll be released after the Blue Lagoon portion so you don’t get stuck waiting in the cold.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon time management: How to use your ~4 hours well

Four hours sounds generous, and in this case it is. You’ll want to use that time in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you spent the day running errands.
A realistic rhythm looks like this:
1) Arrive, check in, and get into the changing routine fast
2) Shower/rinse before soaking
3) Use the silica mud mask at a point that works for you—long enough to enjoy, not so long that you feel frantic about drying off
4) Soak, relax, and let your body adjust to the heat and the cold air outside
5) Finish with a rinse, then decide whether you want one more soak cycle
One detail worth knowing: the Blue Lagoon can feel different after you first step in. Early on, you might feel that sharp contrast between warm water and cold air. A couple soak cycles helps your comfort level. This is where having the full included items (mask, towel, drink) pays off.
If you’re worried about value, this is the part where this tour justifies itself. You’re spending a chunk of time somewhere many people list as their top “Iceland must-do.” With a proper time window, you’ll get more than the quick photo-and-go version.
Northern Lights night plan: What a guided evening actually helps with

Now for the part everyone wants to see—and nobody can guarantee.
This combo is designed so you can maximize your chances by doing the northern lights search with a guided plan in the evening. You’ll have a local expert guide for the overall tour experience, and the lights portion is the guided part of the day.
So what can “guided” realistically do?
- Help you follow the day’s best timing and decision points instead of wandering in the dark
- Improve your odds of ending up in the right area when conditions shift
- Give you structure for what to look for (and how to react when things change fast)
What it can’t do is override weather. If clouds roll in, you still might get a night that feels like a long, cold waiting game. That’s just northern Iceland reality in winter.
A balanced way to think about it:
- If the sky cooperates, you’ll be grateful you’re not trying to DIY the whole thing.
- If it doesn’t, you can still walk away with a day that included a major Iceland highlight (the Blue Lagoon), rather than spending the whole trip chasing a single outcome.
Also, the tour includes WiFi on board, which is useful for checking weather patterns and keeping everyone coordinated, especially if you’re traveling solo or with friends who want to stay in the loop.
Group size, guide style, and how to avoid the common frustrations

This tour caps at 100 travelers, which is a workable number for a day trip. You’ll be with a group, but not necessarily in a way that feels uncontrolled.
The biggest friction points people can run into are usually communication and pace, not the core experience:
- Some people have felt that instructions can be very firm at certain steps, especially around how guests move through the process at the Blue Lagoon.
- Others have been surprised by how the day is structured into segments, with the day effectively switching modes after the Lagoon portion.
The fix is easy: treat the day like an organized itinerary, not a free-roam day. When staff or your guide gives a plan, follow it the first time. If you’re not sure where you’ll end up next, ask before you step away from the group.
If you’re the type who hates being rushed, the four-hour Lagoon portion is your buffer. It’s enough time to slow down after you’ve done the initial check-in and masking routine.
And if you’re more concerned about flexibility, your best “flex” tool here is your attitude. Use the Lagoon time to relax rather than trying to time the day for perfect photos. If clouds block the lights, the day still has a strong centerpiece.
Price and value: Is $315 fair for what you actually get?

At $315 per person for an 8-hour day, this isn’t a budget option. The question is value, and the math is mostly about what’s included.
What you get that pushes the price toward fair:
- Blue Lagoon Comfort Package entry (admission + mud mask + towel use + a drink)
- Round-trip transfers from Reykjavik
- Local expert guide
- WiFi on board
- Carbon neutral tour claim in cooperation with Vaxa Technologies
What’s not included:
- Food and drinks beyond the Lagoon drink choice
So where does the value land for you?
- If you already wanted the Comfort Package experience at the Lagoon, this combo can feel like a cleaner deal than buying Lagoon entry separately and then arranging a lights tour on top.
- If you’re the kind of traveler who would skip the mud mask and just soak for photos, you may feel the extras are more than you need. In that case, you’ll want to decide whether the included Comfort items match your style.
Quick money-saving note: since food isn’t included, bring a plan. If you snack before you go, you’ll spend less of your day thinking about meals and more time enjoying the water and the night sky hunt.
Who should book this combo from Reykjavik?

This is a good match if you want two headline Iceland experiences in one organized day and you don’t want to stress over transport.
You’ll probably like it most if you:
- Want one major relaxation stop (Blue Lagoon) with real time to enjoy it
- Prefer a guided plan for northern lights rather than hoping you’ll solve it on your own
- Like having logistics handled: pick-up options, transfers, and a clear meeting point
You might think twice if:
- You’re extremely price-sensitive and want lunch included at this cost
- You’re traveling with the expectation that northern lights are guaranteed (they aren’t)
- You hate structured group timing and prefer to roam on your own schedule
And if you’re traveling with kids: children aged 5 and younger are not permitted on this tour, so plan accordingly.
Quick reality check: Weather, safety, and refunds

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you should be offered an alternative date or a full refund. That’s the part that matters most for planning.
You might also run into rare disruptions tied to safety conditions (like unusual seismic activity). In those situations, you’ll want to rely on the provider to explain what happens next for your specific booking.
If northern lights are the make-or-break item for your trip, consider building in a little breathing room in your schedule so you can reschedule if needed.
Should you book the Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights combo?

If your ideal Iceland day looks like soaking at the Blue Lagoon and then chasing the lights with less hassle, I think this is a strong “yes”—as long as you go in with the right expectations.
Book it if:
- You want the Comfort Package perks and a full 4-hour Lagoon window
- You value round-trip transfers and a guided evening for the northern lights
- You’d rather have two chances at a great day (Lagoon + lights hunt) than one all-or-nothing outing
Skip or reconsider if:
- You’re expecting northern lights to be guaranteed
- You really want a full meal included at this price
- You’d struggle with structured segments and possible confusion around drop-off timing between parts
For many people, the decision comes down to one thing: even a cloudy lights night still leaves you with a serious Iceland highlight. If that sounds like your kind of trip, this combo deserves a spot on your Reykjavik plans.
FAQ
How long is the Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik?
It’s listed at about 8 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at BSÍ Bus Terminal Reykjavík (Vatnsmýrarvegur 10, 101 Reykjavík) and ends back at the same meeting point.
Is pickup offered?
Yes, pickup is offered. You’re asked to arrive at your pickup location 30 minutes prior to departure, and vehicles are marked with the Reykjavik Excursions logo.
How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon stop is about 4 hours.
What’s included in the Blue Lagoon Comfort Package?
You get Blue Lagoon admission, a silica mud mask, towel use, and a drink of your choice.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, except for the drink of your choice at the Blue Lagoon.
Is the northern lights portion guided?
Yes. The experience is described as having a guided northern lights portion in the evening.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
Are children allowed?
Children aged 5 and younger are not permitted.
What’s the cancellation policy if weather is poor?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.


























