Reykjavik: Lava Field Buggy Adventure

The most memorable part of this tour is the shift from Reykjavik’s streets to Iceland’s raw volcanic country. You ride a side-by-side buggy across lava fields and toward the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, with the Blue Mountains and Reykjavik spread out below. The steam rising near the power plant can look wonderfully strange on a clear day.

I like the easy pickup from many Reykjavik hotels and bus stops, and I like that helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear are supplied. Guides such as Paula and Marco have earned especially warm praise for being helpful and good company. The main caution is the price: at $305 per person, this is a costly way to see the countryside, especially if you need a single rider.

Key points

• Two hours behind the wheel: The full outing lasts up to 3.5 hours with transport, but the actual buggy ride lasts two hours.
• A volcanic route near Reykjavik: Expect lava fields, the Hellisheiði geothermal area, Blue Mountains views, and a high viewpoint over the city.
• Side-by-side seating: Every buggy carries two people, with a single-rider option available at extra cost.
• Strong guide service: Paula and Marco are specifically praised for friendly, helpful instruction and a good sense of fun.
• Weather-ready equipment: Helmets, gloves, overalls, ski masks, and rain gear when needed are included.
• A real driving requirement: Drivers must be at least 17 and carry a valid driver’s license. Passengers can be as young as six.

Leaving Reykjavik for the lava fields

This is not a sightseeing bus ride with a quick photo stop. You get behind the controls and follow a guide into Iceland’s volcanic backcountry. The route reaches the Hellisheiði area and Hveradalir Geothermal Area, where dark lava, open mountain country, and geothermal activity give the trip its character.

The experience begins with pickup about 30 minutes before the listed departure time. You can be collected from a long list of Reykjavik hotels, hostels, bus stops, and the Skarfabakki cruise terminal. That is useful if you are staying in central Reykjavik and do not want to arrange a taxi to the base.

If you prefer to meet the operator at Safari Quads, contact them ahead of time. Do not assume the listed departure time is your pickup time. For a 9:30 start, for example, pickup begins at 9:00.

The ride to the basecamp is part of the total outing, which explains why the advertised duration ranges from two to 3.5 hours. You should plan on about 3.5 hours if transport is included. The actual buggy driving time is two hours, a fair amount of time for a powered off-road activity without turning the day into an all-day commitment.

The 30-minute safety briefing matters

Before you set off, the guide gives a safety briefing lasting about 30 minutes. That may sound like a large slice of a short tour, but it is time well spent. You are handling a motorized vehicle on uneven ground, and the group needs to understand the route, the controls, and how to travel safely behind the guide.

You must bring a valid driver’s license if you plan to drive. The minimum driver age is 17. Non-driving passengers must be at least six years old.

All buggies seat two people side by side. You can share with a companion, or choose a single-rider option. This detail affects both comfort and cost. An odd-numbered group of one, three, or five people requires one person to book as a single rider, so check the booking arrangement before paying.

The stated weight limit is 220 kilograms, or 485 pounds, per person for a single rider or a shared buggy. If that may affect your booking, contact the operator before arriving.

Riding the route through Hellisheiði and Hveradalir

Once the briefing is finished, the guided tour heads toward the Hellisheiði geothermal area and Hveradalir. The route is described as a two-hour buggy adventure, with sightseeing over the Blue Mountains and access to the volcanic country outside the capital.

You should expect a mix of rough track and open scenery rather than a nonstop technical obstacle course. One rating specifically wished for less gravel road and more trail. That is a useful warning for anyone picturing a full mud-and-rock challenge. The outing has an off-road flavor, but parts of the route may feel more like a broad gravel track than a narrow mountain trail.

That balance will suit some people better than others. You get the fun of controlling a buggy, the sound of the engine, and a change of scenery from Reykjavik. At the same time, the route is guided and structured, not a free-form race. You follow the group and the guide’s instructions.

The vehicles are described as brand-new and well maintained, with safety features designed for a comfortable ride. You should still expect dust, wind, vibration, and changing weather. Icelandic outdoor clothing is sensible even when the forecast looks calm.

Geothermal steam and Iceland’s volcanic ground

The geothermal section is one of the more unusual parts of the trip. The route takes you toward a power plant, where steam may rise dramatically on clear days. The sight has a stark, industrial quality that contrasts with the volcanic ground around it.

This is a good example of Iceland’s appeal. You are not looking only at untouched scenery. You are also seeing how the country uses its geothermal forces for energy. The steam makes the setting feel active, even when the surrounding lava fields look still and empty.

The tour description links this part of the route with the lava fields that shape Iceland’s distinctive appearance. You will see dark volcanic ground and broad mountain views rather than the green farmland and colorful streets found closer to Reykjavik.

The conditions matter. Steam and weather can change the view, and the biggest spectacle is not guaranteed every day. Still, the geothermal stop gives the tour more substance than a simple vehicle ride. You get a glimpse of the forces beneath Iceland, not just a fast trip over a rough road.

Reaching Reykjavik Peak for the city view

The trip culminates at Reykjavik Peak, where the high viewpoint opens toward Reykjavik City. From here, the appeal is less about a single landmark and more about seeing the capital in relation to the volcanic country around it.

I like this contrast. After driving through open lava fields and geothermal territory, you look back toward the city where the tour began. It gives the outing a clear sense of place. You are not simply taking a buggy ride anywhere in Iceland. You are seeing how close Reykjavik is to mountains, lava, and geothermal activity.

The exact view depends on weather and visibility. On a clear day, the panorama should be the payoff for the drive out from the city. On a cloudy or wet day, the ride itself may carry more of the experience than the viewpoint.

The route also includes sightseeing over the Blue Mountains. That adds visual variety to the day and helps explain why this tour works best for people who want scenery with their driving. If you want only technical off-road action, the scenic stops may feel like interruptions. If you want a broad taste of Icelandic nature without leaving Reykjavik for a full day, they are a major reason to book.

Sharing a buggy or riding solo

The side-by-side layout is central to the experience. Sharing a buggy lets you sit beside a friend or partner while you take in the views and trade driving duties. It also makes the outing social without requiring everyone to control a separate machine.

Two people fit in each buggy. If you want to drive alone, select the single-rider option. That can be worthwhile if you are focused on driving, but it raises the cost of an already expensive tour.

A single rider may also matter for group planning. If your party has an odd number, one person must be booked alone. Sort this out before arrival rather than expecting the operator to rearrange the vehicles at the base.

The tour is available as a private or small-group experience. The supplied information does not promise a fixed group size, so check the available option for your date if group atmosphere matters to you. A smaller group generally makes it easier to hear the guide and keep the pace comfortable, but the exact arrangement depends on the booking.

What you wear and what the operator supplies

The included gear is a real benefit in Iceland. Safari Quads supplies a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear if needed. That reduces the amount of specialist equipment you need to pack.

You still need comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. Shoes are not included, and this is not the place for delicate footwear. Wear something practical that can handle dust and wet ground.

Food is not included. Coffee is available at the basecamp, but you should not count on the tour as a meal. Have food before or after the outing, particularly if you are combining it with other activities.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Pregnant women and wheelchair users should not book this activity. These restrictions are important because the ride involves a motorized vehicle, outdoor conditions, and uneven terrain.

Does $305 per person make sense?

At $305 per person, this is one of the more expensive short activities you can add to a Reykjavik stay. The price includes pickup, drop-off, two hours of buggy driving, a professional English-speaking guide, safety gear, the geothermal route, Blue Mountains sightseeing, and coffee at the basecamp.

The value depends on how you measure the day. You are paying for more than vehicle rental. You are getting transport from Reykjavik, instruction, equipment, a guided route, and access to a type of outing that is difficult to arrange independently.

Still, the price is not easy to ignore. A shared buggy helps keep the cost more reasonable, while a single rider pays for extra space and control. If your main goal is simply to see lava fields and geothermal scenery, other Iceland excursions may offer more sightseeing time for less money. If the act of driving through that setting is the point, the price becomes easier to defend.

I would consider it good value for an active couple or small group that specifically wants a buggy adventure. I would be more cautious if you are comparing it with ordinary sightseeing tours or if your budget is tight.

The guides are a big part of the experience

The strongest personal praise goes to the guides. Paula is singled out for giving her group plenty of time and making the outing enjoyable. Marco is also praised for being an excellent guide during the geothermal and lava-field portion.

That matters because a buggy tour can feel hurried or impersonal if the guide treats it as a simple vehicle convoy. Here, the guide’s role includes the safety briefing, route management, and the tone of the day. A friendly guide can make the difference between merely following a track and feeling connected to the setting.

The working language is English. If you need instruction in another language, this is not the right choice based on the information provided.

The overall score is 4.9 out of 5 from 23 ratings, with perfect scores for transport from the available rating data. I would read that as a strong sign that the basic operation is reliable, particularly the pickup and guide service. It does not erase the gravel-road concern or the high price, but it supports booking if the route and activity match what you want.

Who should book this Reykjavik adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, active excursion that combines driving with scenery. It suits couples, friends, and families with children aged six or older, provided an adult or eligible driver handles the vehicle requirements.

It is also a sensible choice when you have limited time in Reykjavik. The tour takes roughly 3.5 hours with transport, leaving room for other plans. Pickup from hotels and bus stops makes it easier to fit into a city stay.

You should think twice if you want a demanding off-road course with very little gravel road. The available feedback points to some broad gravel sections, so set your expectations accordingly. You should also skip it if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, do not have a driver’s license, or dislike riding in changeable outdoor conditions.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Iceland schedule is still taking shape, though you should confirm the exact start time and pickup point before committing.

Should you book the Lava Field Buggy Adventure?

Book it if the idea of driving a side-by-side buggy through Icelandic volcanic country sounds more appealing than sitting in a vehicle and watching the view pass by. You will get two hours of actual driving, a geothermal stop, Blue Mountains scenery, a city panorama, and equipment suited to Iceland’s weather.

Skip it if $305 feels too steep for a half-day activity, or if you want a route made mostly of narrow trails rather than gravel roads. For the right person, this is a lively and unusual way to get beyond Reykjavik. For everyone else, the price may be better spent on a longer scenic excursion.

FAQ

How long does the full tour take?

The complete outing lasts about 3.5 hours when transportation is included. The actual buggy driving portion lasts two hours, and the safety briefing takes about 30 minutes.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many Reykjavik hotels, hostels, bus stops, and the Skarfabakki 312 cruise terminal. Pickup begins 30 minutes before the departure time. You can also meet at the Safari Quads basecamp if you contact the operator first.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. Every driver must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Passengers do not need to drive.

How many people fit in one buggy?

Each buggy carries two people side by side. A single-rider option is available. If your group has an odd number of participants, one person must be booked as a single rider.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear when needed. You must bring comfortable shoes and outdoor clothing. Shoes and food are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Non-driving passengers must be at least six years old. Drivers must be at least 17 and have a valid driver’s license.