Driving to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Complete Guide

Jökulsárlón is 370 km east of Reykjavík — far, but absolutely worth it. This glacier lagoon, where flat-topped icebergs calve from Breiðamerkurjökull and drift slowly out to sea, is one of the most otherworldly landscapes Iceland has to offer. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of the journey.

How to get to Jökulsárlón

The only route is Route 1 — the Ring Road. From Reykjavík you're driving east for 4.5–5 hours. The road is good year-round but can be icy in winter between Kirkjubæjarklaustur and the glacier area.

GPS coordinates: N63.998°, W16.178°. Search "Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon" on Google Maps.

Three nearby sites you must not miss

1. Jökulsárlón lagoon itself

You can take a boat tour on the lagoon (book at jokulsarlon.is) or simply walk along the shore. There are car parks on both sides of the bridge. In winter, the lagoon can partially freeze — icebergs lock together into patterns resembling cracked glass.

2. Diamond Beach

100 metres south of the Jökulsárlón bridge, east of the road, is Diamond Beach — black sand where icebergs wash ashore and glitter like diamonds. Extremely photogenic. Be aware of waves — never get behind icebergs that are close to the water line.

3. Fjallsárlón

5 km west of Jökulsárlón is Fjallsárlón — smaller but more peaceful. Far fewer tourists. The same landscape. Free parking and a short trail to the shore.

Best time to visit

Jökulsárlón is open year-round. Each season has its own character:

• Summer (June–August): Midnight sun. Very long days. But crowded after midday.
• Autumn (September–October): Possible Northern Lights over the glacier. Often the best photography conditions.
• Winter (November–March): Few visitors. Aurora possible. But the road can be challenging.
• Spring (April–May): Warming up. Clear days. Still relatively few tourists.

How to combine Jökulsárlón with more stops

Most people do this as a two-day trip from Reykjavík:

Day 1: Reykjavík → Seljalandsfoss → Skógafoss → Vík → overnight in Kirkjubæjarklaustur or Höfn.

Day 2: Skaftafell → Fjallsárlón → Jökulsárlón → Diamond Beach → drive home.

Fuel and services on the route

The only petrol station on this route is in Kirkjubæjarklaustur (about 100 km west of Jökulsárlón) and in Höfn (80 km east). Always fill up in Kirkjubæjarklaustur when coming from the west.