Getting from Reykjavik to Snaefellsnes Peninsula

About 3 hours by car from Reykjavik, on the west coast of Iceland, the 90km-long Snaefellsnes Peninsula offers mountain ranges, glaciers, windswept beaches, seaside fishing villages, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and wildlife viewing. It seems a world away from Reykjavik, but actually it’s quite close and easy to get to.

By car

The drive from Reykjavik to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is an easy one, on mostly paved roads. It can be undertaken any time of year (just give yourself extra time in winter). From Reykjavik, head north on Hwy 1 (the Ring Road) until you reach Hwy 54, which heads into the peninsula and circles it’s western edge. The drive should take 2.5-3 hours, depending on road conditions.

You could make it in a day trip, but it would be a long day and you’d be quite rushed. Instead, plan for at least 1-2 nights in the area.

By bus

The bus from Reykjavik makes four stops on the Snaefellsness Peninsula – Vatnaleid, Grundarfjordur, Olafsvik, and Hellissandur. The total journey takes about three hours and runs several times per week. If you are traveling without a car in this area though, be sure to pick a hotel that offers activities, or schedule some that include transportation. The villages are small here, with not much more than a smattering of houses, and many of the hotels are located in very rural areas.

Photo by Greg Kruk