Reykjavik Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour

Reykjavík’s red double-decker bus gives you a quick way to connect its harbor, central streets and outlying sights without planning every trip on foot. The route has 16 stops, including Hallgrímskirkja and Perlan, and the open top offers a useful view of the city between visits.

I like two things in particular: you can use the bus to get your bearings before exploring, and the same pass can carry you between several major sights. The audio guide is available in eight languages, and the 48-hour option gives you more room to spread out your stops.

The trade-off is the timetable. Buses operate from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and the stated frequency is every 45 minutes, so this is not a quick shuttle or an evening service. If you miss a bus, a short stop can turn into a long wait.

Key points to know before you ride

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• One route, 16 stops: The line links Harpa, the Old Harbour, museums, shopping streets, Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan and more.
• Expect a 45-minute interval: Plan around the stated schedule, not the 30-minute interval sometimes advertised elsewhere.
• The ticket is not an attraction pass: It covers the bus and audio guide, not entry to museums or other sights.
• The bus day ends early: Service runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., even in winter.
• Perlan is a practical reason to ride: The stop makes it easier to reach a sight beyond the central streets.
• Choose 24 or 48 hours carefully: A second day costs relatively little more at the listed starting prices, but the route still runs only during daytime hours.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Reykjavik

A city loop that works best as transport and orientation

Reykjavík is compact enough to explore on foot, but the bus can save effort when you want to reach Perlan, the museums or the harbor without retracing your steps. I’d treat the first circuit as an overview, then hop off where you want to spend time. That is a better fit than expecting the bus itself to fill a whole day with nonstop attractions.

The route covers central sights and several stops farther from the core. You can ride the full loop for a broad look at the city, or use the bus as a link between a few planned visits. Either way, keep in mind that admission is separate and the time spent at each stop comes out of your sightseeing day.

The open-top upper deck is the main viewing perk. It gives you a higher, less obstructed view of Reykjavík’s streets and buildings, though Icelandic weather can change the comfort level quickly. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, as advised, and dress for the conditions rather than assuming a sunny forecast will hold.

Following the 16 stops from Harpa to Höfdi House

The route begins at Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre, the listed meeting point on Kalkofnsvegur. It is a straightforward place to start if you are near the waterfront, and a useful landmark for finding your way back to the bus. Redeem your voucher with the driver or staff at a stop, then keep track of where the bus boards.

The Old Harbour and Reykjavík Maritime Museum follow. These stops put you close to the city’s seafaring side and waterfront sights. If you plan to visit the museum, remember that its admission is not included in the bus fare.

At Whales of Iceland, the route serves a dedicated attraction stop. The bus gets you there, but you will need to budget extra time and pay separately if you want to go inside. The same principle applies throughout the loop: the pass is transportation with commentary, not an all-in-one sightseeing ticket.

The National Museum is another good stop for visitors who want to add a museum visit to the day. It can pair well with the audio guide’s city overview, but the bus does not include entry. Check your available time before getting off, especially if you are working with the 24-hour pass and want to reach more than one attraction.

Lækjargata brings you back toward the central streets, while Laugavegur Shopping Street is the stop for Reykjavík’s main shopping stretch. These are easy places to break up the ride with a walk, a meal or a look around the city center. Since Reykjavík is relatively small, you may find that some central stops are close enough to link on foot rather than waiting for the next bus.

At Reykjavík Art Museum – Kjarvalsstaðir, you can plan an art visit, with admission again separate. The next major landmark is Hallgrímskirkja, a useful point to include in a first visit. It is one of the route’s most recognizable stops, and a natural place to step off, look around and get a sense of the city from its central streets.

The bus then serves BSI Bus Terminal, a useful transport connection. After that comes Perlan, one of the most practical reasons to consider the bus if you are focusing on central Reykjavík on foot. The stop carries you beyond the core, where walking from the center would take more effort. Perlan admission is not part of the pass.

Kringlan Shopping Centre and Hilton Reykjavík Nordica extend the route farther from the central sights. They may be useful depending on where you are staying or what you want to do, but they are less likely to be priorities on a short city visit. Laugardalur Valley adds another outlying stop, so consider how much time you want to spend away from the center before hopping off.

Skarfabakki Harbour is listed as a summer-only stop. That seasonal limit matters if you are planning around a cruise or waterfront visit: do not assume the stop operates year-round. The last stop is Höfdi House, which rounds out the route’s sweep through the city.

The route information also mentions City Hall in its general description, but City Hall does not appear among the 16 stops listed for the route. If visiting it is important to your plan, check the current route map rather than relying on that general description.

The timetable matters more than the ticket wording

The bus is listed as running daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with a stated frequency of every 45 minutes. Some descriptions refer to a 30-minute interval, so I would plan around the longer wait and confirm the next departure with the driver. Live bus tracking may not be accurate, and some stops can be hard to identify from a map alone.

This schedule shapes how you should use the pass. A 24-hour ticket does not mean you can ride at any hour of the day or night; it means the pass is valid for 24 hours, while the bus itself runs during its operating window. If you start late, you may not have enough service time to visit several places and wait for buses between them.

The route may also change because of weather or traffic. That is a reasonable concern in Iceland, where conditions can affect road travel, but it means you should leave some slack in your plans. If a particular stop is essential, ask the driver when the bus is expected back rather than assuming an app or timetable will give the full picture.

When you board, pay attention to the designated bus stop and the stop request buzzer. The bus may not stop automatically at every point, so press the buzzer when you need to get off. Carry your voucher in printed form as instructed, and redeem it with the driver or staff at any stop along the route.

Audio commentary, Wi-Fi and what the fare covers

The audio commentary is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Icelandic and Swedish. It offers context as you pass the sights, which is useful on an initial circuit when you are still learning the city’s layout. Headphones are provided on board according to the ride information, though it is sensible to ask for help promptly if yours do not work.

Wi-Fi is included, but the main value is the combination of route coverage and flexible hop-on, hop-off travel. You can listen while riding, then spend more time at a stop that interests you. Commentary does not replace a visit, though: the bus passes attractions, and the ticket does not cover admission.

The bus can be a useful first-day orientation tool, especially if you have just arrived and want to see how Reykjavík’s main areas connect. It can also serve as your main transport between listed stops if you prefer not to walk the whole way. But if your plans stay within the central streets, the city’s modest size may make walking a simpler and cheaper choice.

Is the 48-hour pass worth the small price gap?

The listed package prices start at US$52.65 for 24 hours and US$60.49 for 48 hours. A separate starting price is shown as US$60.55, so prices can vary by offer or booking details. Check the current amount and package before paying rather than treating any one figure as fixed.

At those listed starting rates, the 48-hour pass costs only a little more than the 24-hour one. That makes it appealing if you want to break up your sightseeing, spend longer at museums or avoid trying to cover the whole route in one day. The extra day does not extend daily operating hours, so it adds flexibility rather than late-night transport.

For one day, the 24-hour pass makes sense if you plan several stops across the route and start early. For a short city break, compare the cost with the number of rides you expect to take. If you will ride only once or twice, walking may be better value. If you want to visit Perlan and other places farther from the center, the bus fare can be easier to justify.

Children aged 0 to 5 ride free, with a limit of three young children per adult. Children aged 16 and older pay the adult rate. Those rules are worth checking when you book for a family.

Who should book this Reykjavík bus tour?

I would consider this bus if you are new to Reykjavík, have limited time, want a broad first look at the city, or would rather connect major sights without walking between every area. It is also a reasonable choice if Perlan or several of the museums are on your list and you want a single transport option that serves them.

It is less compelling if you prefer a tight schedule, expect frequent buses, or only plan to explore the central streets. The route is broad, but a 45-minute interval can make spontaneous hopping less efficient. Start early, choose your stops in advance and ask the driver about the return time when you get off.

Book the 48-hour pass if you value a slower pace and can use both days during service hours. Pick the 24-hour pass for a focused day with an early start. If you mainly want to stroll, shop and see central Reykjavík, save the fare and walk.

FAQ

How often does the Reykjavík sightseeing bus run?

The stated frequency is every 45 minutes. Some tour information refers to a 30-minute interval, so confirm the schedule with the driver and plan for a possible longer wait.

What are the bus operating hours?

The bus runs daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. A 24-hour ticket does not mean the buses operate around the clock.

Which stops are on the route?

The route has 16 listed stops, including Harpa, the Old Harbour, Whales of Iceland, the National Museum, Laugavegur, Hallgrímskirkja, Perlan, Laugardalur Valley and Höfdi House. Skarfabakki Harbour is a summer-only stop.

Is admission to the attractions included?

No. The pass includes bus travel, audio commentary and Wi-Fi on board. Admission to attractions and personal expenses are not included.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

Audio commentary is available in English, Spanish, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Icelandic and Swedish.

Where can I redeem my voucher?

Present your printed voucher to the bus driver or staff at any bus stop along the route. The listed starting point is the Harpa Bus Stop on Kalkofnsvegur in Reykjavík.