★★★★★
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
We are active seniors in our seventies, at the top of the age range for the hike. The glacier guide made it fun and safe, and the driver-guide looked after us all day.
Cathie R. · Friends · March 2026
Iceland Glacier Tour Reviews
What people wrote after a day on the ice: on a hike from a Reykjavík coach, on a hike from a base at Skaftafell, in an ice cave, on a snowmobile or in a boat on the lagoon. Comparing Iceland glacier booking? The operators’ own ratings and fares sit side by side below.
What travellers said afterwards
These are travellers’ own accounts, paraphrased, each tagged with the day it belongs to. The low scores stay in, because they are the useful ones: a cave that was a hole in the ice, an hour of walking each way on a three-hour hike, a group of sixteen that was sold as small, and a stop cut short because one passenger was late.
★★★★★
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
A lot of driving, as anywhere in this country, but the bathroom and food stops were built in. Waterfalls, a black sand beach and the glacier, with just enough time at each.
Christina B. · November 2025
★★★★★
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
The guide made sure we saw every landmark even though we were running behind, and stayed patient with some difficult passengers. Nobody felt rushed.
Ash H. · March 2026
★★★★★
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
I was nervous on the ice at first. The guide's tips on handling the crampons turned it into the fun part of the day.
mollyvarquez13 · Friends · January 2026
★★★★☆
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
Too little time at the black beach, and the minibus seats were hard. Everything else was excellent.
Beth P. · September 2025
★★★☆☆
The South Coast day with a glacier hike
We waited half an hour at the start for one late passenger. Every stop after that was cut short to make up the time.
David G. · August 2026
★★★★★
The 3-hour Skaftafell glacier hike
Our family, with two teenagers, loved it. Expect about a 20-minute walk from the car park round the lagoon before the ice, moderate going up and slippery coming down.
Taana V. · Family · August 2026
★★★★★
The 3-hour Skaftafell glacier hike
Boots, jackets and trousers are all for rent at the meeting spot. The guide took good care of the whole group, our two children included.
gautampurdue · Family · August 2026
★★★★★
The 3-hour Skaftafell glacier hike
We were shown how to use the equipment properly. The ice was so clear, and the water running across it held our attention the whole way.
Lori O. · Couple · August 2026
★★★☆☆
The 3-hour Skaftafell glacier hike
Everyone had to put on a harness that was never used. The bus could not reach the glacier car park that day, so there was a further walk of about 20 minutes.
Anita L. · August 2026
★☆☆☆☆
The 3-hour Skaftafell glacier hike
Three hours meant an hour getting to the glacier and into the gear, an hour getting back, and about an hour on the ice. Fine with children or older travellers, not for a real hike.
Pahul M. · June 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle and glacier snowmobile day
The stops at the geyser and the waterfall were about 30 minutes each and did feel short. The snowmobiling was the highlight, and it was easy to learn.
Ella · Couple · United Kingdom · September 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle and glacier snowmobile day
Our only complaint was the walk to the snowmobiles on wet ice in the rain, which was treacherous. The rest of the day was great.
Helene · Couple · United States · July 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle and glacier snowmobile day
The snowmobiling was fun and simple to pick up. The waterfall and the geyser were good, but the ride on the glacier is the part you remember.
Jeff · Couple · United States · July 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle and glacier snowmobile day
A full day of sightseeing with plenty of commentary from the driver-guide. Then snowmobiling for the first time, which was exhilarating.
Sarah · Friends · United Kingdom · May 2026
★★★★★
The glacier snowmobile ride from Geysir
None of the 22 riders in our group had driven a snowmobile before. Everyone managed fine and had a great time.
Dale · Couple · United States · September 2026
★★★★★
The glacier snowmobile ride from Geysir
Well-kept machines and a professional crew. Hot chocolate and a small cake at the end warmed us up.
Bruno · Family · France · August 2026
★★★★★
The glacier snowmobile ride from Geysir
Supportive of beginners, and the waterproof overalls are supplied. Make sure your own shoes are waterproof too.
Pamela · Couple · Australia · July 2026
★★★★★
The Langjökull snowmobile day from Reykjavík
Freezing, so dress warmly. The snowmobiles are easy to ride, and it was our favourite thing we did on the trip.
Karen · Couple · Australia · September 2026
★★★★★
The Langjökull snowmobile day from Reykjavík
We had white-out conditions on the ice. The guides still made sure it was a good day out in the snow.
Joseph · Solo · United States · August 2026
★★★★★
The Langjökull snowmobile day from Reykjavík
From the shuttle pickup to the ride itself, everything ran smoothly. There were restrooms on site as well.
Hannah · Couple · Germany · August 2026
★★★★★
The glacier lagoon boat day from Reykjavík
The boat ride among the icebergs moved me. It is a long day and can feel a little rushed.
Letitia · Solo · Netherlands · August 2026
★★★★★
The glacier lagoon boat day from Reykjavík
A long day, and worth it. The lagoon itself left me in awe.
Jenny · Solo · United States · June 2026
★★★★★
The South Coast sightseeing day
The waterfalls were the high point. We wanted more practical tips on the stops and on the crowded lunch restaurant, where time was tight.
Patricia · Couple · United States · September 2026
★★★★★
The South Coast sightseeing day
Wear waterproofs, gloves and a warm hat at the glacier, and keep your phone in a waterproof bag. It rained and I was soaked.
Prakash · Solo · Australia · September 2026
★★★★★
The South Coast glacier hike day
My granddaughter, aged eight, and I both loved it. The three-hour glacier hike was the best part of the day.
Grace · Family · United States · August 2025
★★★★★
The South Coast glacier hike day
Smooth from start to finish. The waterfall stop could have been longer.
Aourik · Friends · France · March 2026
★★★★★
The lagoon kayak and glacier hike
Kayaking between the icebergs was relaxing and close up. The glacier guide on the hike was exceptional.
Gina C. · June 2026
★★★★★
The lagoon kayak and glacier hike
The weather cancelled the kayak half. The hike was moved to the next day for safety, and it was one of the best things we did.
Hyla K. · September 2025
★★★★★
The glacier hike and iceberg boat
My sister and I loved the boat ride and the hike. The small group made it feel personal, and the guides kept it safe.
Lauren G. · August 2024
★★★★★
The Skaftafell ice climbing hike
My first time top-roping, and I was nervous. The guide made it fun and a good lesson.
Amanda B. · May 2023
★★★☆☆
The Skaftafell ice climbing hike
Our group of six moved slowly because two were over 70 and less fit. The guide was kind; we had hoped for more adventure.
Lisanne H. · October 2023
★★★★★
The long ice climbing day at Skaftafell
Five climbs, including one small and safe free climb, in a small group. One of my favourite days outdoors anywhere.
elena c. · March 2025
★★★★★
The Sólheimajökull hike and climbing intro
Challenging for us at 50 and 57, but doable for anyone who is fairly fit. Our climbing coaches made it an adventure we will not forget.
Tiffany C. · Couple · June 2026
★★★★☆
The Sólheimajökull hike and climbing intro
Everything we hoped for: climbing ice, walking a glacier and the views. One star off because we were charged for hiking boots on arrival.
marcusandrachel · July 2025
★★★★★
The Skaftafell ice cave hike
You travel a long way onto the glacier, which is good value. The guide kept us safe and made it fun.
Melissa M. · April 2026
★★☆☆☆
The Skaftafell ice cave hike
Parking was poor, and four hours walking in one area felt too long. Two hours would have been better.
Kaitlyn F. · October 2024
★★☆☆☆
The Skaftafell ice cave hike
The glacier hike was enjoyable, but the cave looked nothing like the pictures. It was so small my husband could not get inside.
Natalie B. · March 2023
★★★★★
The Jökulsárlón ice cave and glacier walk
Hard on the body, and worth every penny. The guide has done this for eleven years, and I felt safe the whole time.
Katie · Couple · United States · April 2026
★★★★★
The Jökulsárlón ice cave and glacier walk
Walking on ice is an experience of its own, and everything was explained clearly. The caves were the highlight.
Paula Caínzos · Couple · Spain · March 2026
★★★★★
The Skaftafell natural ice cave hike
A good day out. The guide got us to the ice cave first, ahead of the other groups.
Mark L. · March 2024
★★★★☆
The Skaftafell natural ice cave hike
A simple, gentle way to experience a glacier that anyone could manage. I prefer something more demanding myself.
jennifer P. · January 2026
★★★★☆
The Skaftafell blue ice cave hike
The staff were good and the ice was a pleasure to walk on. Do not expect the cave in the photos: we were told the caves are melting.
Sofia L. · February 2025
★★★☆☆
The Skaftafell blue ice cave hike
We saw one ice cave, and it was so small we could barely get back out. The crevasses were the best part.
sandrine L. · March 2026
★★★★★
The four-hour Skaftafell hike by 4x4
The guide took us up a different part of the glacier and cut steps with the ice axe where we needed them. It felt personal and fresh.
Leslie M. · August 2025
★★★★★
The extended Skaftafell glacier trek
We love hiking, and this went as far up the glacier as you can safely go. Views all the way, and a look down into the ice while clipped in.
Mark M. · Family · July 2026
★★★☆☆
The extended Skaftafell glacier trek
Nearly six hours, and the hike starts a long way from the drop-off. Tired at the end, we still had a walk of about 13 minutes back to the bus.
Awilda C. · June 2023
★★★★☆
The Skaftafell glacier hike from the airfield
Easy, gentle and well organised, and right for a first time on a glacier. Most of the equipment is provided.
Simon B. · July 2026
★★★☆☆
The Skaftafell glacier hike from the airfield
The experience itself was great; the booking was not. After a two-hour drive we were phoned on arrival to say the meeting place had changed.
Madeline M. · May 2025
★★★★★
The Sólheimajökull hike from the car park
A reasonable level of fitness is needed, but nothing too strenuous. The guide read the group well, and the time on the ice went quickly.
Clare B. · Family · February 2026
★★★☆☆
The Sólheimajökull hike from the car park
Check-in was confusing, and we ended up in a group of sixteen, which is not small. The first guide was good.
Christina L. · February 2025
★★★★☆
The Sólheimajökull hike from the car park
Be ready to hike, and it is a beautiful, informative one. The listing photo shows an ice cave, and there was none.
Christian S. · April 2025
What travellers keep saying
The guide makes the day
Almost every five-star review names the guide first: the pace, the safety talk, the tips on crampons. The scores follow the guide more closely than they follow the glacier.
Time on the ice is shorter than the tour
The walk from the car park, the gear fitting and the walk back all come out of the headline hours. On the shorter hikes, travellers say it can leave about an hour on the ice itself.
Ice caves are not the photos
The low scores on the cave tours say the same thing: a small cave, a tunnel, or one cave where the pictures showed a hall. The high scores say the ice was worth it anyway. Go for the glacier, and treat the cave as a bonus.
Dress for rain, not snow
Soaked phones, wet ice by the snowmobiles and hikers too hot in ski jackets: the practical complaints are all about clothing. Waterproofs and layers fix most of them.
Operator ratings and review counts
These figures are the operators’ own, published on their booking pages and shown as they stand. They belong to the operators, not to us.
| Tour | Glacier, and what you do | Where it starts | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík: South Coast Waterfalls, Black Sand & Glacier Tour | Views the ice, no walk on it | Starts in Reykjavík | 4.8 | 12,636 | From $131 per person |
| From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Glacier Snowmobiling | Snowmobile on Langjökull | Starts in Reykjavík | 4.7 | 1,491 | From $337 per person |
| Glacier Hike and South Coast Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik | Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull | Reykjavík bus-stop pickup | 4.8 | 863 | From $197 per person |
| Skaftafell Glacier Hike 3-Hour Small Group Tour | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets at Hof, in Öræfi | 4.7 | 612 | From $112 per person |
| From Geysir: Snowmobile Adventure on Langjökull Glacier | Snowmobile on Langjökull | Meets at Geysir | 4.6 | 573 | From $217 per person |
| Solheimajokull Glacier 4-Hour Small-Group Hike | Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull | Meets at the glacier | 4.8 | 515 | From $121 per person |
| From Reykjavik: South Coast & Glacier Hike | Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull | Collected in Reykjavík | 4.8 | 506 | From $194 per person |
| Reykjavik: Glacier Lagoon Boat Ride & Diamond Beach Day Tour | Lagoon by boat, no walk on ice | Reykjavík hotel pickup | 4.7 | 296 | From $286 per person |
| Skaftafell Ice Caving & Glacier Hike | Ice cave in Vatnajökull | Meets at Hof, in Öræfi | 4.8 | 242 | From $163 per person |
| Skaftafell Glacier Explorer - Extended Small Group Trek | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets in Skaftafell park | 4.8 | 205 | From $168 per person |
| Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing Intro - Small Group | Glacier hike on Sólheimajökull | Meets at the glacier | 4.7 | 185 | From $211 per person |
| Reykjavik: Langjökull Glacier Snowmobiling with transfer | Snowmobile on Langjökull | Reykjavík bus-stop pickup | 4.9 | 158 | From $265 per person |
| Skaftafell: Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike on Vatnajökull | Ice cave in Vatnajökull | Meets in Skaftafell park | 4.5 | 158 | From $159 per person |
| Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike | Ice climbing on Vatnajökull | Meets at Hof, in Öræfi | 4.9 | 130 | From $256 per person |
| Skaftafell Glacier Hike & Natural Ice Cave Tour | Ice cave in Vatnajökull | Meets by the visitor centre | 5.0 | 96 | From $160 per person |
| Skaftafell: 4h Small Group Glacier Hike with Guide and Transfer | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets at a gas station | 4.9 | 89 | From $163 per person |
| Jökulsárlón: Blue Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Walk | Ice cave in Vatnajökull | Meets at Jökulsárlón | 4.9 | 69 | From $242 per person |
| Glacier Xtreme: Vatnajökull Ice Climbing + Hike from Skaftafell | Ice climbing on Vatnajökull | Meets in Skaftafell park | 4.8 | 62 | From $230 per person |
| Glacier Hiking In Skaftafell | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets at Skaftafell Airport | 4.8 | 53 | From $96 per person |
| Glacier hike and Iceberg Boat Tour | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets by Frost Restaurant | 5.0 | 27 | From $244 per person |
| Glacier Combo Kayking at Glacier Lagoon and Glacier Hike | Glacier hike on Vatnajökull | Meets at Jökulsárlón | 4.9 | 8 | From $232 per person |
A listing with thousands of reviews and one with a handful are not a verdict on each other. The gap is mostly how long each has been on sale and how many seats it carries. The day trips from Reykjavík hold most of the review weight because they fill a coach every day, while a hike at Skaftafell takes a small group at a time.
Read the practical detail in the visitor guide and check the FAQs. Then compare every tour on Iceland Glacier Tours.