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Most visitors reach this western highland ice cap via a 150 km drive from Reykjavík to Húsafell. From there, you transfer into a modified glacier truck to cross the ice.
Langjökull, Icelandic Highlands, Iceland
Take Route 1 north toward Borgarnes, then turn onto Routes 50 and 518. The paved drive covers about 150 km and passes the 1-km wide Hraunfossar waterfalls shortly before reaching Húsafell. Past Húsafell, the pavement ends. You'll need a 4x4 to handle the rough gravel of Route 550/518 up to Klaki Base Camp at the glacier's edge. This highland stretch only opens from 1 June to 15 October. Outside that window, the road is impassable and heavily affected by snow and frost. Icelandic law strictly forbids off-road driving, so stay on the marked route to avoid massive fines. Don't attempt this drive in a standard rental car.
Operators like Into the Glacier, Arctic Adventures, and Reykjavik Excursions handle the entire 150 km journey directly from your hotel. The bus heads out of the city, usually looping through Golden Circle stops like Þingvellir National Park before reaching Húsafell. There, you switch from the standard coach into a specially modified glacier truck. This vehicle makes the final ascent to the ice tunnel at 1,260 m elevation. You don't have to worry about highland driving laws or navigating gravel tracks in the dark. It takes 9 to 11 hours round trip — a full-day commitment. But it remains the safest way to access the glacier during deep winter, when daylight drops to just four hours.
If you rent a standard two-wheel-drive car, take the paved roads as far as Húsafell Center and park. From there, you board the Into the Glacier shuttle. The bus tackles the rough 30 km gravel stretch of Route 550 up to Klaki Base Camp. Use the dry toilets at Klaki before leaving. Facilities on the ice are limited to a single emergency portable toilet. At the camp, everyone transfers into a massive monster truck for the ride onto the ice cap itself. The drive time varies heavily. It takes anywhere from 30 to 75 minutes depending on seasonal snow levels. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your booked departure, or you'll miss the safety briefing.
You don't have to backtrack to Reykjavík to catch a ride. Operators run meet-on-location tours starting near Gullfoss waterfall or the Geysir geothermal area right on the Golden Circle. The Super Jeep covers the 60-70 km distance to the glacier. This entirely bypasses the need for your own 4x4 vehicle. Most of these departures pair the transport with a guided 1-hour snowmobile ride across the ice cap. Guides navigate around known crevasse areas while you weave between marked safe zones. Anyone driving the sled needs a valid driver's license. Passengers must be at least 8 years old to ride — you have to hold on with your own strength, as the sleds lack safety harnesses.
Park your standard rental car at Húsafell Center and take the tour shuttle. If you have a 4x4, you can drive directly to Klaki Base Camp between June 1 and October 15. Boarding the glacier trucks from either lot requires climbing five 40-centimeter steps, and only foldable wheelchairs fit inside.
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| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | Self-drive (4x4 required) | 2 to 2.5 hours | Variable (fuel plus rental) | Take Route 1 toward Borgarnes, then Routes 50 and 518. The final stretch on gravel Route 550/518 to Klaki Base Camp only opens from 1 June to 15 October. |
| Reykjavík | Guided coach tour | 9 to 11 hours (round trip) | From about $279 per person | Operators like Arctic Adventures and Reykjavik Excursions handle the driving and usually include Golden Circle stops before transferring you to a modified glacier truck. |
| Húsafell Center | Operator shuttle | 30 to 75 minutes | Included in ice tunnel tour (from 24,900 ISK) | Park your standard rental car here. The shuttle navigates the rough gravel up to Klaki Base Camp so you avoid damaging a non-4x4 vehicle. |
| Gullfoss or Geysir | Super Jeep tour | 4 hours | From $256 to $276 per person | Book a meet-on-location snowmobile tour to skip the long haul from the capital. You head straight onto the ice cap from the Golden Circle. |
The gravel road (Route 550/518) to Klaki Base Camp only opens to self-drive traffic from June 1 to October 15. Regular cars can't make this drive. If you visit outside these dates or have a two-wheel-drive rental, park at Húsafell Center and take the tour operator's shuttle.
Use the restroom at Húsafell Center or the dry toilets at Klaki Base Camp before boarding the glacier truck. The tunnel site only has an emergency portable toilet. You'll be away from plumbing for at least three hours.
The ice tunnel stays at exactly 0°C (32°F) all year, so pack thermal base layers and a windproof coat even in July. You'll need sturdy waterproof boots to walk the 500 meters of slushy snow inside. Bring sunglasses to handle the intense glare off the ice cap.
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure. Missing the safety briefing means you'll lose your seat on the modified glacier truck. Build in extra buffer time if you're making the 150 km drive from Reykjavík that morning.
Skip the long drive from Reykjavík if you just want to snowmobile. Operators run meet-on-location Super Jeep tours directly from the Gullfoss or Geysir area starting around $256. This cuts hours of driving and pairs easily with a Golden Circle trip.
The 150-kilometer drive takes about two to two-and-a-half hours. You take Route 1 toward Borgarnes, followed by Routes 50 and 518 to Húsafell. If you have a 4x4 and are visiting between June 1 and October 15, you can continue up the gravel Route 550/518 to Klaki Base Camp.
No, standard vehicles cannot reach the glacier edge. You can drive a 2WD car as far as Húsafell, but the final 30-kilometer stretch to Klaki Base Camp requires a 4x4. Without one, park at Húsafell Center and catch the tour operator's shuttle.
The highland gravel track beyond Húsafell closes entirely to self-drive traffic from mid-October through May. During these months, you have to park at Húsafell and ride to the glacier in a specially modified monster truck. The ice tunnel itself remains open year-round.
Several operators run full-day coach tours departing directly from Reykjavík hotels. These guided trips typically last 9 to 11 hours and cost roughly $279 per person. They handle the drive to Húsafell and the transfer into the glacier trucks, with some stopping at Golden Circle sights along the way.
Yes, you can book meet-on-location snowmobile or Super Jeep tours that depart from the Gullfoss or Geysir area. These options avoid the long drive back to Reykjavík and take about four hours total. Prices for these departures start around $256 to $276 per person.
The shuttle departs from Húsafell Center and drives the rough highland road to Klaki Base Camp, taking 30 to 75 minutes depending on the season. From there, passengers transfer into modified glacier vehicles for the final ascent to the ice tunnel. The ride is included in the base 24,900 ISK tour price.
Klaki Base Camp has basic dry toilets, but you should use the better facilities at Húsafell Center before heading up the gravel road. There is only an emergency-use portable toilet near the ice cave entrance. Plan ahead, as the round trip from Húsafell takes several hours.
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