Getting to Hvammsvik Hot Springs by bus or rental car
Hvammsvik Hot Springs sits on the shore of Hvalfjörður, roughly 45 to 60 minutes' drive from Reykjavík. You can ride ICELANDIA's bus from the BSÍ terminal with entry included or drive yourself and buy the ticket on its own. The two days look alike on a map and feel quite different.
The road is short either way
The listings put the drive at about 45 to 60 minutes from Reykjavík, and reviewers on the bus mostly describe it as about an hour. The road follows the coast north past Mount Esja, which rises over the city.
The springs sit on the southern shore of Hvalfjörður, the long fjord whose name means Whale Fjord. The coast road runs around it, while through traffic heading north takes the tunnel under the water.
Because the trip is short, the choice is less about distance than about time at the pools and how tied you want to be to a timetable. The table puts the two side by side.
| Way | From | Whole trip | Time in the pools | Start | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICELANDIA bus with entry | ~$160 | About 4.5 h | About 2 h | BSÍ Bus Terminal or hotel pickup | 4.8 from 600+ reviews |
| Self-drive with the entry ticket | ~$80 | Your choice | 1.5 h to a full day | Wherever your car is | 4.8 from 300+ reviews |
The self-drive price leaves out the car itself. If you have rented one for the week, the trip costs you little extra in fuel; if not, add a day's rental before comparing.
How the bus day runs
ICELANDIA's trip from BSÍ at ~$160 leaves from the BSÍ Bus Terminal at Vatnsmýrarvegur 10. The listing asks you to be there 15 minutes before departure, and hotel pickup is available, so check the options for your address.
The round trip takes about 4.5 hours, with roughly an hour on the road each way and about two hours at the springs. One reviewer mentions a short photo stop on the way, and there is Wi-Fi on board.
The fare includes entry to all pools and facilities, among them the changing rooms with showers. You pay extra on site for a towel and swimsuit, and for food. GetYourGuide lists groups of up to 16, and nobody under 10 can join.
Leave the driving to the bus
ICELANDIA's round trip from BSÍ in Reykjavík, about 4.5 hours with two of them in the pools. Entry and the changing rooms are covered; bring a towel and swimsuit or rent them there.
What the bus does well
The bus takes the road off your hands. After two hours in hot water most people feel pleasantly heavy, and not having to drive back along the fjord in the dark is a real comfort.
It also suits travelers without a car at all. There is no simple public bus to the springs, so for anyone spending a few days in the city without a rental, this is the most direct way out.
The ratings back it up. On GetYourGuide it holds 4.8 across 600+ reviews, on Viator 4.9 across 200+. Reviewers mention smooth transport and clean facilities, and that record is why we chose it as our pick.
Where driving wins
The main cost of the bus is time in the water. Reviewers say two hours goes quickly once you have tried the steam room and a dip in the sea, and a meal at the bistro can feel rushed.
With your own car and the entry ticket from ~$80, you stay as long as you like, from about 1.5 hours up to a full day. That leaves room for a slow lunch at Stormur Bistro and a second round in the pools afterwards.
A car also opens the rest of the fjord. You can follow the Hvalfjörður road further, or hike to Glymur, one of Iceland's tallest waterfalls, at the head of the fjord. One reviewer did that hike first and soaked afterwards.
Driving in the dark months
Iceland's winter afternoons grow dark early, and the fjord road can be icy or windy. If you are not used to those conditions, the bus is likely the calmer way to reach the shore between late autumn and early spring.
Evening soaks for the aurora are a special case, since the drive back comes late at night. Our northern lights guide covers that option, and the best time to go looks at daylight and weather through the year.
A third way between the two
North Escape's private return transfer at ~$330 gives you a driver and a return time you agree together. The listing mentions about 55 minutes each way past Mount Esja, with photo stops on request.
It costs far more per person than the bus and has only 2 reviews on GetYourGuide. Our private car guide looks at it in detail, and the price comparison shows every fare together.
How to decide
Take the bus if you have no car, if you would rather not drive on winter roads, or if two hours in the water sounds right. Drive if you want a longer, slower day on your own schedule.
If you plan to drive elsewhere in Iceland later in the trip, this makes an easy first outing on roads close to the capital. It gives you a feel for the car before longer routes.
Either way, the ticket type deserves a moment. Our Classic or Comfort guide explains what the upgrade adds, and the packing list keeps you from paying for rentals you could have avoided.