Reykjavik to Selfoss: Driving and Bus Options Compared

Two ways to cover the 57 kilometres between the capital and the gateway to south Iceland's waterfalls, hot springs and farm country.

The Route Itself: Ring Road 1 South

Route 1, the Ring Road, runs from Reykjavik's eastern suburbs through the town of Hveragerdi and down the Hellisheidi plateau to Selfoss. The drive is roughly 57 kilometres and takes 45 to 55 minutes in good conditions. You leave the city past Keldur and the junction with Route 49, climb through the moss-covered lava fields of Hellisheidi, and drop into the Olfusa river valley. Hveragerdi, about 45 kilometres in, is worth a stop for its geothermal greenhouses and the Reykjadalur hot river hike. In winter, snow, sleet and crosswinds on the plateau can double the drive time.

The road is paved the whole way, signed and straightforward, with a single roundabout at Hveragerdi and a short stretch of dual carriageway near Selfoss. Petrol stations cluster at Hveragerdi and on the approach to Selfoss, and there are public toilets at the Hveragerdi service area. If you are picking up a rental car at Keflavik, the drive from the airport to Selfoss is around 100 kilometres and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes via Route 41 and Route 1, so most people head straight south rather than detour into Reykjavik first.

Driving: Cost, Timing and When It Wins

A rental car gives you the most freedom and is the option I would book for any trip that continues past Selfoss. Compact cars from Reykjavik agencies typically run from around 8,000 to 15,000 ISK per day in shoulder season, with higher rates in July and August, and you will want gravel insurance if you plan to use the F-roads north of Selfoss or the roads around Geysir and Gullfoss. Fuel is sold by the litre at stations such as N1 and Olis, and the 57-kilometre run uses very little. Parking in central Selfoss is generally free or cheap.

The advantages are real. You can stop at Kerid crater, detour to Fludir and the Secret Lagoon, or follow Route 35 east towards the Hjalparfoss waterfall without waiting for a timetable. Drive times from Selfoss to Geysir are about an hour, to Gullfoss around 1 hour 15 minutes, and to the Seljalandsfoss waterfall about 50 minutes. The downside is winter driving: the Hellisheidi plateau can be icy, and the Icelandic road administration posts conditions daily. If you are visiting between November and March and are not confident on winter roads, this is the moment to be honest with yourself.

Buses: Scheduled, Cheap and Slow

The public bus between Reykjavik and Selfoss is Route 51, operated under the Straeto network, departing from the Mjodd bus terminal in eastern Reykjavik rather than the city centre. Journey time is around 1 hour 15 minutes, with stops at Hveragerdi and a handful of smaller settlements. Services run several times a day but thin out considerably at weekends and in winter, so check the timetable before you commit. Fares are modest and paid on board or through the app. This is a commuter service, not a tour, and it does not stop at attractions.

Long-distance coaches such as those run by Reykjavik Excursions and Sterna connect the capital with Selfoss and continue east towards Vik and the south coast, often timed to meet flights at Keflavik. These are more comfortable and more expensive than Straeto, and some include commentary. Neither option gets you to Geysir or the Golden Circle without a separate tour, and Selfoss's bus stop is a short walk from the main street rather than the town centre proper. For a two- or three-night stay in Selfoss with day trips out, the bus works; for anything more ambitious, it does not.

Where to Base Yourself in Selfoss

Selfoss sits on the Olfusa river and makes a practical base for the Golden Circle and the south coast. The town centre around Austurvegur has guesthouses and small hotels, while the outskirts towards Route 1 hold larger properties with free parking. Book early for July and August, when rooms along the south coast fill quickly, and expect the best-value rates in May, September and early October. A room in Selfoss typically costs less than equivalent accommodation in Reykjavik, and you are 50 minutes closer to the waterfalls when you wake up.

If you are relying on buses, stay within walking distance of the Selfoss bus stop and the Austurvegur shops and restaurants. If you are driving, a guesthouse with parking on the edge of town saves hassle and often costs less. I would skip the hotels clustered right at the Hveragerdi junction unless you specifically want the greenhouse and hot river experience, because Selfoss has more restaurants and a better position for day trips. Wherever you land, book the room before you book the car.

Book the car if your trip includes the Golden Circle, the south coast or anything beyond Selfoss. Book the bus if Selfoss is your destination, you are staying two or three nights, and you plan to explore on foot or with a single organised tour. The hybrid that works best for many travellers is a bus or coach to Selfoss, two nights there, and a rental car picked up locally for the Golden Circle loop before returning to Reykjavik. That keeps the winter driving to daylight hours on roads you have already seen, and it costs less than a week-long rental.

Questions, answered

How long does the drive from Reykjavik to Selfoss take?

About 45 to 55 minutes in good conditions along Route 1, roughly 57 kilometres. Snow, sleet or crosswinds on the Hellisheidi plateau can double that in winter, so check road conditions before setting out.

Is there a public bus from Reykjavik to Selfoss?

Yes, Route 51 under the Straeto network leaves from the Mjodd bus terminal in eastern Reykjavik and takes around 1 hour 15 minutes. Services are frequent on weekdays but thin out at weekends and in winter.

Should I stay in Selfoss or Reykjavik for the Golden Circle?

Selfoss is the better base if you plan to drive the Golden Circle and the south coast, since you are 50 minutes closer to Geysir and the waterfalls. Reykjavik suits shorter city-focused trips with a single organised tour.

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