Thirty minutes from Reykjavík, a crack in the earth opens into one of Iceland’s longest lava tunnels — a 1.4 km underground corridor carved by flowing lava during an eruption 5,200 years ago. Raufarhólshellir is what happens when the outer shell of a lava flow cools and hardens while molten rock continues to rush through the centre, eventually draining out and leaving behind a hollow tube with walls striped in red, orange, black, and blue.
You walk on elevated footbridges through a tunnel the size of a cathedral nave, lit strategically to reveal geological formations that took thousands of years to develop. In winter, ice stalagmites and stalactites grow from the floor and ceiling. The temperature inside is a constant 2–4°C year-round. The silence is total. Multiple visitors describe it as “the most unexpectedly beautiful thing we did in Iceland.”
This guide covers every tour option, what to actually expect inside, what to wear, how it compares to other Icelandic underground experiences, and the honest details that booking pages leave out.
If you’re looking at other volcanic experiences in Iceland, see our guides to the Þríhnúkagígur volcano tour (descend into a real magma chamber), the Fagradalsfjall volcano hike (walk on fresh lava fields), and Eyjafjallajökull volcano tours (glacier-capped stratovolcano on the South Coast).
Book Your Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour from Reykjavík
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Tour with Reykjavík Transfer
Duration: ~3.5 hours total (1 hour inside the tunnel + transfers) Price: From ~$75 USD per person (adult) / ~$35 USD (child 3–12) Departure: Reykjavík hotel pickup (bus transfer included) Group size: Small to medium (max ~20) Rating: 4.6/5 (1,400+ reviews) Includes: Round-trip bus transfer from Reykjavík, guided tunnel walk, helmet and headlamp, professional English-speaking guide
The most popular option and the one most first-time visitors book. A bus picks you up from designated stops in central Reykjavík, drives 30 minutes to the tunnel entrance, and you’re underground within the hour. The guided walk takes approximately 60 minutes along an elevated footbridge that follows the path lava once flowed. Your guide explains how the Leitahraun eruption formed the tunnel, points out lava stalactites (called “lavacicles”), colour changes in the rock walls (iron = red, sulfur = yellow, copper = green), and the “skylights” — collapsed ceiling sections where daylight streams in. At one point, the guide turns off all the lights for a moment of total darkness. Reviewers consistently call it “one of our favourite activities in Iceland” and praise the guides’ knowledge and humour. The tunnel is rated easy — footbridges cover the roughest terrain — but you’re walking on uneven volcanic rock in places, so sturdy shoes are essential. Not recommended for people who cannot manage stairs or uneven ground. The bus returns you to Reykjavík, making this an efficient half-day activity that pairs well with a Golden Circle day trip or an afternoon at the Blue Lagoon.
Key activities: Guided walk through 1.4 km lava tunnel, geological commentary, lava formation viewing, total darkness experience, winter ice formations (November–March).
Raufarhólshellir Underground Expedition (Self-Drive — Meet at Tunnel)
Duration: ~1 hour (tunnel walk only) Price: From ~$52 USD per person (adult) / ~$25 USD (child 3–12) Departure: Meet at Raufarhólshellir tunnel entrance (self-drive — 30 min from Reykjavík) Group size: Small to medium Rating: 4.7/5 (900+ reviews) Departures: Multiple times daily, year-round Includes: Guided tunnel walk, helmet and headlamp, professional guide
The same tunnel, the same guides, the same experience — minus the bus transfer. You drive yourself to the tunnel entrance (30 minutes from Reykjavík via Route 39, free parking on-site) and join the tour at your booked time. This is the cheaper option — you save ~$20–25 per person by handling your own transport. It’s also the more flexible option: departures run multiple times daily (every 30–60 minutes in peak season), so you can slot it into your itinerary wherever it fits. Reviewers rate the guides highly — names like Mac, Steinunn, and Bjarni appear repeatedly with praise for making geology genuinely entertaining. One reviewer noted: “I thought this would be a nice small outing on our way to the Blue Lagoon, but this turned out to be the highlight of the day.” The tunnel entrance has a small reception building with restrooms and a gift shop. No café on-site — eat before or after. Winter visits are especially spectacular because of the ice formations, but the access road is fine for 2WD vehicles year-round.
Key activities: Guided 1-hour walk through lava tunnel, geological formations, lava stalactites, colour-changing rock walls, total darkness moment, ice stalagmites (winter).
Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel Express Tour from Reykjavík
Duration: ~3 hours total (tunnel + transfers) Price: From ~$82 USD per person Departure: Reykjavík (multiple pickup points) Group size: Small group Rating: 4.5/5 (350+ reviews) Includes: Round-trip transfer from Reykjavík, guided tunnel walk, helmet and headlamp, English-speaking guide
An alternative transfer-included option with a slightly shorter total time (3 hours vs 3.5 hours). The itinerary is identical — bus from Reykjavík, 1-hour guided tunnel walk, bus back — but operated by a different company (Arctic Adventures vs The Lava Tunnel’s own operation). The main practical difference is the pickup logistics and schedule: this tour runs fewer departures per day but may offer pickup points closer to your hotel. Reviewers praise the guides equally, with multiple mentions of “witty,” “knowledgeable,” and “made geology fun.” One thing some reviewers note: group sizes on this tour can occasionally be slightly larger than the self-drive option, which matters for photography (fewer people in your shots) and the total darkness moment (more impactful with a smaller group). If you don’t have a car and want the simplest possible booking, either this or the previous Reykjavík transfer tour works — compare pickup points and departure times when booking.
Key activities: Round-trip transfer, guided 1-hour lava tunnel walk, geological commentary, lava formations, darkness experience.
Tour Comparison: Which Lava Cave Tour to Choose
| Tour | Price (from) | Duration | Transport | Departure Times | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lava Tunnel + Reykjavík Transfer | ~$75 | ~3.5 hrs | Bus included | 2–3 per day | No rental car, want it simple |
| Underground Expedition (Self-Drive) | ~$52 | ~1 hr | Drive yourself | Multiple daily | Have a car, want flexibility + lower price |
| Express Tour from Reykjavík | ~$82 | ~3 hrs | Bus included | 1–2 per day | No car, prefer smaller operator |
Highlights Inside the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel
Arrival: You check in at the reception building (restrooms, gift shop). The guide gives a brief safety talk, hands out helmets and headlamps, and explains what you’ll see.
The entrance: A set of metal stairs leads down into the tunnel mouth. Daylight fades within the first 50 metres. The tunnel opens up to roughly 10 metres wide and 10 metres high in places — genuinely cathedral-sized.
The walk: An elevated footbridge runs through the tunnel, covering the roughest volcanic rock. You walk roughly 500 metres into the tunnel (the tour doesn’t cover the full 1.4 km — the far end is too unstable). The guide stops at key geological features to explain how they formed.
What you’ll see:
- Lava stalactites (“lavacicles”) hanging from the ceiling — formed when molten rock dripped and cooled mid-fall
- Colour bands in the walls — red (iron oxide), yellow (sulfur), blue-green (copper), black (fresh basalt)
- Flow marks — ripple patterns in the walls showing the direction and speed of the lava
- Skylights — holes in the ceiling where the tunnel roof collapsed, letting natural light stream in
- Ice formations (November–March only) — stalagmites growing from the floor, stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and ice curtains along the walls. These form when water seeps in and freezes in the constant 2–4°C temperature
The darkness moment: At one point, the guide turns off all lights and headlamps. You stand in total, absolute darkness — the kind of dark that doesn’t exist on the surface. It lasts about 30 seconds. Visitors describe it as “profound,” “eerie,” and “one of the most memorable 30 seconds of my life.”
Duration: The guided walk takes approximately 50–60 minutes. You exit the way you came in.
What to Wear and Bring
The tunnel is 2–4°C year-round — even if it’s 15°C and sunny outside. Dress for cold.
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Warm layers (fleece + jacket) | 2–4°C inside the tunnel, regardless of outside weather |
| Sturdy closed-toe shoes with grip | Uneven volcanic rock, metal staircases, potentially wet/icy surfaces |
| Waterproof outer layer | Water drips from the ceiling in places; winter ice can be wet |
| Gloves (winter) | Cold rock and metal railings |
| Hat or beanie | Heat loss through the head in 2°C |
| Camera (phone is fine) | Low light — the strategic lighting creates dramatic photos |
Provided by the tour: Helmet and headlamp. You don’t need to bring your own.
Don’t bring: Tripods (not practical on the footbridge), flip-flops (dangerous on wet rock), children under 3 (not recommended).
Raufarhólshellir vs. Other Lava Caves in Iceland: How the Largest Lava Adventures Compare
| Experience | What It Is | Depth | Duration | Price | Difficulty | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raufarhólshellir | Walk through a lava tunnel | Surface level (horizontal) | 1 hour | ~$52–82 | Easy | Longest accessible lava tube, ice formations in winter |
| Þríhnúkagígur (Inside the Volcano) | Descend into a magma chamber via cable lift | 120m below surface | 5–6 hours | ~$400 | Moderate (3.2 km hike + lift) | Only accessible magma chamber on Earth |
| Víðgelmir | Walk through Iceland’s largest lava cave | Surface level | 1.5 hours | ~$55 | Easy | Widest lava cave in Iceland, west Iceland location |
| Lofthellir | Crawl into an ice-filled lava cave | Surface level | 1.5 hours | ~$85 | Moderate (crawling required) | Natural ice sculptures year-round |
Key distinction: Raufarhólshellir is a horizontal lava tunnel — you walk through a tube that lava once flowed through. Þríhnúkagígur is a vertical descent into an actual magma chamber — the place where molten rock accumulated before an eruption. They’re completely different experiences. Raufarhólshellir is quick, affordable, and accessible. Þríhnúkagígur is a half-day expedition and one of the most expensive activities in Iceland. If you have time and budget for both, do both — they complement each other perfectly.
Best Time to Visit This Iceland Cave
Year-round — Raufarhólshellir operates daily, all year. The tunnel temperature (2–4°C) doesn’t change with seasons.
Winter (November–March): The ice formations are the highlight — stalagmites, stalactites, and curtains of ice inside the tunnel. The visual impact is dramatically better in winter. Evening tours are available and the drive from Reykjavík in the dark adds atmosphere.
Summer (June–August): Longest daylight hours make it easy to combine with other activities. No ice formations. More departures and slightly larger groups.
Shoulder (April–May, September–October): Fewer crowds, some ice formations may still be present early/late in the season. Best balance of availability and atmosphere.
How to Get to the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel: Combine Great Tours
From Reykjavík (self-drive): 30 minutes via Route 1 (Ring Road) east, then Route 39 south. Well-signed. Free parking at the tunnel entrance. Any rental car — no 4×4 needed, even in winter (the road is maintained).
From Reykjavík (with transfer): Bus pickup from designated hotel stops in central Reykjavík. Total round-trip transfer time: ~1 hour.
From Keflavík Airport (KEF): 25 minutes. Makes an excellent first or last activity — visit the tunnel on the way from the airport to Reykjavík, or on the way to the Blue Lagoon (15 minutes from the tunnel).
Combine with: Blue Lagoon (15 min away), Golden Circle (en route to Þingvellir), South Coast drive (Raufarhólshellir is at the start of the South Coast route).
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Your Lava Tunnel Adventure
- Wearing flip-flops or fashion shoes. The footbridge covers most rough terrain, but sections are uneven volcanic rock and metal stairs. Sturdy shoes with grip are essential. In winter, ice makes surfaces slippery.
- Not dressing warmly enough. It’s 2–4°C inside — colder than most people expect, especially in summer when it’s 15°C outside. A fleece plus a jacket is the minimum. Gloves and a hat in winter.
- Skipping the winter visit. If you’re in Iceland November–March, the ice formations inside Raufarhólshellir are spectacular — stalagmites, stalactites, and ice curtains that don’t exist in summer. It’s worth timing your visit for this.
- Booking a transfer tour when you have a rental car. The self-drive option is $20–25 cheaper per person and offers more departure times. The tunnel is 30 minutes from Reykjavík with free parking — no reason to pay for a bus.
- Expecting it to be the same as Þríhnúkagígur. Raufarhólshellir is a horizontal lava tunnel (walk-through, 1 hour, ~$52). Þríhnúkagígur is a vertical magma chamber descent (cable lift, 5–6 hours, ~$400). Completely different experiences. Both are worth doing.
- Not combining it with nearby attractions. The tunnel is 15 minutes from the Blue Lagoon and on the route to the Golden Circle and South Coast. Slot it in — it’s only 1 hour.
FAQ
How long is the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel?
The tunnel is approximately 1.4 km (0.9 miles) long, making it one of the longest lava tunnels in Iceland. The guided tour covers roughly 500 metres — the far section is too unstable for public access. The walk takes about 50–60 minutes.
How much does the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel tour cost?
The self-drive option (meet at the tunnel) costs from ~$52 USD per adult and ~$25 per child (3–12). Tours with Reykjavík bus transfer cost from ~$75–82 per adult. Children under 3 are free but not recommended. The price includes a guide, helmet, and headlamp.
Is the lava tunnel tour suitable for children?
Yes — children aged 3 and up can do the standard tour. The footbridge makes most of the walk manageable, but there are stairs at the entrance and some uneven sections. Children must be comfortable walking on uneven ground. Strollers and baby carriers are not practical inside the tunnel.
Is it claustrophobic inside the tunnel?
Most visitors with mild claustrophobia report feeling comfortable — the tunnel is up to 10 metres wide and 10 metres high in places, more like a large corridor than a tight space. The total darkness moment (30 seconds) may be challenging for some, but you can keep your headlamp on if needed. If you have severe claustrophobia, this is not recommended.
Do I need to book in advance?
Recommended, especially in summer (June–August) when tours can sell out. The self-drive option has the most departures (every 30–60 minutes) and is easiest to get into. Winter is less crowded but advance booking is still advised.
Can I visit the tunnel without a guide?
No. All visits to Raufarhólshellir must be guided. This is for safety — the terrain is uneven, sections of ceiling have collapsed historically, and the tunnel is dark. The guides provide helmets, headlamps, and essential safety oversight.
What is the temperature inside the tunnel?
A constant 2–4°C (36–39°F) year-round, regardless of outside weather. Dress warmly even in summer.
How does Raufarhólshellir compare to Þríhnúkagígur?
They are fundamentally different experiences. Raufarhólshellir is a horizontal lava tunnel — you walk through a tube that lava once flowed through (1 hour, ~$52). Þríhnúkagígur is a vertical descent via cable lift into an actual volcanic magma chamber (5–6 hours, ~$400). Raufarhólshellir is accessible, affordable, and quick. Þríhnúkagígur is a half-day expedition and one of Iceland’s most exclusive activities. Both are worth doing if your budget allows.
What volcanic activity formed the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel?
The Raufarhólshellir cave was created by the Leitahraun volcanic eruption approximately 5,200 years ago. During the eruption, a powerful flow of molten lava rushed across the landscape. The outer shell cooled and hardened while the molten lava continued to flow through the conduit beneath, eventually draining out completely. What remained was a hollow lava tube stretching 1.4 kilometres — the fourth-longest lava tube in Iceland. The stunning rock formations and mineral deposits visible on the cave’s walls today are the direct result of this volcanic activity that formed the tunnel.
Can I explore the Raufarhólshellir tunnel on the Golden Circle route?
Yes — Raufarhólshellir is located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík on Route 39, making it an easy addition to a Golden Circle day trip. Many visitors explore the tunnel in the morning and then continue to Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss in the afternoon. It’s also just 15 minutes from the Blue Lagoon, so you can combine great tours into a single day. The standard tour takes on average 3–4 hours including transfers, or just 1 hour if you self-drive directly to the cave’s entrance. This is a highly recommended way to add a unique underground experience to Iceland’s most popular beaten path route without losing significant time.
Do I need good hiking shoes or hiking boots for the lava tunnel tour?
Good hiking shoes with solid grip are highly recommended, though heavy hiking boots aren’t necessary. The standard tour allows visitors to walk along a footbridge that has been built over the roughest terrain, but some sections involve uneven volcanic rock, metal stairs, and potentially slippery surfaces — especially in winter when ice forms on the walkway. A waterproof jacket is also advisable as water drips from the cave’s ceiling in places. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, or any smooth-soled shoes. Several reviewers who wore casual sneakers said they wished they’d brought something sturdier.
Is a shorter tour available, or does the lava falls adventure tour take longer?
The standard Raufarhólshellir tour is approximately 1 hour inside the tunnel — this covers roughly 500 metres of the 1.4 kilometre lava tube. There is no shorter tour option. However, an extended “Lava Tunnel Extreme” expedition is available for adventure seekers — this goes deeper into the tunnel beyond the lit walkway, with an experienced guide and head torches to navigate the raw, unlit sections. The extreme tour takes on average 3–4 hours and involves scrambling over volcanic rock in depth, crawling through narrow sections, and seeing magnificent lava falls — frozen cascades where lava once poured down from upper tubes. It’s a spectacular unique experience for those who want to go beyond the standard path and explore the source of the cave’s most impressive geological formations.
Can I combine the Raufarhólshellir tour with a northern light hunt
Yes — during winter months (September–March), several operators offer an evening lava tunnel tour followed by a northern light hunt. You explore the tunnel with impressive lighting highlighting the ice formations and stunning rock surfaces, then head to a dark-sky location nearby to search for the aurora. The cave is located just 30 minutes from Reykjavík in an area with minimal light pollution, making it an ideal starting point. This combination would be highly recommended for visitors during long winter days who want to maximise their evening with two spectacular experiences.