Iceland Coach Hire | Icelandic Coach & Bus Hire | Day Tours
GJ Travel is an Icelandic tour operator and coach company, providing complete land services in Iceland for B2B partners. We specialize in tailor-made group tours, scheduled escorted multi-day tours (SIC), Northern Lights holidays, and coach hire.
Our fleet of modern Mercedes-Benz street and highland coaches operates year-round, ranging from 4 to 69 seats. All vehicles meet high standards in quality and safety, with an average age of around 3 years and onboard WiFi.
Founded in 1931 by Guðmundur Jónasson, the company opened access to Iceland’s highlands and glaciers for early travellers. Today, more than 95 years later, GJ Travel remains family-owned and operated by third generation, built on long-term experience and trusted partnerships.
Our team works closely with partners to design and deliver complete travel programs, including accommodation, transport, guides, activities, meals, and other logistics. For winter travel, we also provide essential equipment such as crampons (non-slip shoe spikes) to support safe movement in icy conditions.
GJ Travel is a recipient of the Icelandic Incentive Award for Responsible Tourism, recognizing its long-standing commitment to sustainability, safety, staff training, and support for local communities.
GJ Travel
Vesturvör 34
Kópavogur
Iceland
Tel: +354 570 5900
Whatsapp: +354 771 4828
info@gjtravel.is
www.gjtravel.is
Key Contacts
Vesturvör 34
Kópavogur
Iceland
Tel: +354 570 5900
Whatsapp: +354 771 4828
info@gjtravel.is
www.gjtravel.is
Key Contacts
- GJ Travel Team – General Sales & Operations
Bus & Coach Hire Services Iceland - Why GJ Travel
- Family-owned Icelandic tour operator since 1931
- Known for safety, expert local knowledge, modern, specialized fleet
- Modern Euro 6 fleet and high safety standards
- Experienced drivers trained for Icelandic conditions
- Nationwide operations across Iceland
- Reliable long-term partnerships with tour operators
- Tailor-made group tours and fixed departures
- Strong commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism
Why Visit Iceland
Iceland is a North Atlantic island between North America and Europe, known for its clean environment, safe travel conditions, and diverse natural landscapes. The country offers a strong mix of waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, black sand beaches, and coastal scenery, all within relatively short travel distances.
For travel professionals and group organisers, Iceland presents a well-structured destination with year-round opportunities. GJ Travel has been welcoming travellers since 1931, providing reliable land services, guided tours, and tailor-made group programs across the country.
- Northern Lights tours (mid-August to mid-April)
- Midnight Sun and extended daylight in summer (May to August)
- Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and black sand beaches
- Safe, well-organised destination
- Easy access between major highlights
Travel Overview
- Airport: KEF (Keflavík International Airport)
- Visa: Schengen area
- Travel time: 2–3 hours from Europe, 5–8 hours from North America
- Accommodation: 3–4 star hotels, guesthouses, selected 5-star options
- Food: Local specialities, fresh seafood, lamb, and growing vegetarian options
The Country
Iceland covers 103,000 km², with over 11% of the land covered by glaciers, including Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe. Most of the population lives in and around Reykjavík, while the interior highlands remain largely uninhabited.
The main travel route is Route 1, the Ring Road, connecting key regions around the island. A full circle journey typically takes 8 days or more, depending on routing.
Best Time to Visit Iceland
Iceland is a year-round destination:
- Winter: Northern Lights, snow landscapes
- Spring & Autumn: Fewer visitors, changing nature
- Summer: Long daylight hours, ideal for outdoor travel
Climate
Iceland has a cool maritime climate influenced by the Gulf Stream. Winters are relatively mild, and summers are cool. Weather conditions can change quickly, so layered clothing is recommended year-round.
Experiences in Iceland
- Northern Lights viewing
- Glacier walks and ice caves
- Hot springs and geothermal bathing
- Whale watching and wildlife
- Ring Road journeys
- Coastal and highland exploration
- And more unique experiences across Iceland
Reykjavík - What to Do
Reykjavík is the starting point for most journeys in Iceland and a destination in its own right. Small in scale but rich in character, the city combines Nordic culture, modern design, and everyday life with direct access to nature and easy access to the countryside and Iceland’s main travel routes.
Set on the edge of the North Atlantic, Reykjavík is one of the world’s northernmost capitals. It runs on geothermal energy and has a strong focus on sustainability. Despite its size, Reykjavík offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a strong sense of community, often described as a small city with a big heart, where culture, creativity, and everyday life are closely connected.
What defines Reykjavík
- Compact and easy to explore
- One of the cleanest and safest capitals in the world
- Strong design, music, and cultural scene
- Gateway to Iceland’s main travel routes
- Direct connection between city life and nature
- Key landmarks and experiences
- Hallgrímskirkja for panoramic city views
- Harpa Concert Hall and the harbour area
- Sun Voyager facing the open sea
- Perlan with nature exhibitions and observation deck
- Austurvöllur and the historic city centre
- Food walks offering insight into local cuisine and traditions
- Old harbour area with cafés, whale watching, and coastal views
- Sky Lagoon for a modern geothermal bathing experience by the ocean
- Local geothermal swimming pools, an important part of Icelandic culture and listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, where residents gather year-round for relaxation, socialising, and daily routines
A city shaped by nature
Reykjavík sits between mountains and ocean, where weather and light change quickly. In winter, the city becomes a base for Northern Lights viewing, while summer brings long days and bright evenings.
From the city centre, visitors can easily access popular highlights or set out on longer journeys to explore the island in more depth.
Reykjavík works well for short stays, pre- and post-tours, and as a base for multi-day programs across Iceland, making it an ideal starting point and final stop for longer journeys around the country.
Practical information
- 45 minutes from Keflavík International Airport
- Wide range of 3–4 star hotels and centrally located accommodation
- Well-developed infrastructure for groups and individual travellers
- Easy transfers by coach, private vehicles, or Flybus
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Northern Lights in Iceland
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Iceland is one of the most reliable destinations to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). The season runs from mid-August to mid-April, when nights are dark enough for aurora viewing.
The Northern Lights occur when solar particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere. To see them, three conditions must align: dark skies, clear weather, and solar activity. If you cannot see the stars, you cannot see the Northern Lights.
- Best Time to See Northern Lights in Iceland
- Season: mid-August to mid-April
- Best months: September, October, February, March
- Best time of day: typically between 21:00–01:00
- Best location: countryside areas away from light pollution
Northern Lights Iceland – Chances of Seeing Them
The chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase with the number of nights spent in Iceland countryside:
- 2 nights: 25–30% or higher
- 4 nights: 50–60% or higher
- 5 nights or more: 85% or higher
Staying longer and travelling outside city lights significantly improves visibility.
What to Expect
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. They can appear suddenly, vary in intensity, and change quickly depending on weather and solar conditions.
Patience is essential. Viewing often requires time outdoors in cold conditions, so warm clothing, proper footwear, and layered outfits are recommended. Iceland’s coastal climate makes winter temperatures milder than many other Northern Lights destinations.
GJ Travel Northern Lights Concept
GJ Travel designs Northern Lights tours in Iceland to maximise viewing opportunities:
- Most nights spent in countryside hotels away from light pollution
- Limited stays in Reykjavík (typically first and last night)
- Northern Lights viewing often possible directly from hotel surroundings
- Guided evening searches based on real-time weather and aurora forecasts
- Daytime programs include nature, culture, and soft adventure, while evenings focus on aurora viewing.
- Additional features:
- Northern Lights presentations and guided insights
- Wake-up call service when lights appear
- Explorer gear included (non-slip shoe spikes and flashlight)
When are the Northern Lights not visible in Iceland?
The Northern Lights are not visible in Iceland from May to mid-August due to the Midnight Sun and continuous daylight, when nights are too bright for aurora viewing.
But this is when Iceland changes character — with long days, bright evenings, and the Midnight Sun, offering outdoor activities, and exploring more of the country.
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Bus & Coach Hire Services in Iceland
Our modern fleet of Mercedes-Benz and Setra street and highland coaches ranges from 3 to 69 seats, supporting everything from small private groups to large-scale operations.
We provide more than transport. Our team supports the full travel setup, including experienced guides, accommodation across all categories, airport and city transfers, day tours, multi-day itineraries, and additional services.
Our fleet is built around safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. All vehicles are Euro 6 compliant, helping reduce emissions while maintaining high operational standards. Advanced safety systems, including anti-collision radar, auxiliary braking, and satellite tracking, are integrated across the fleet.
Buses are available year-round and maintained to a high standard, with an average age of around 3 years. Onboard features include WiFi, USB charging at seats, and for larger vehicles, a fully equipped onboard bathroom (available all year around).
With strong local knowledge, experienced drivers, and a focus on consistent delivery, GJ Travel provides transport solutions that support both simple transfers and complex travel programs across Iceland.
Iceland Guided Tours – SIC (Seat-in-Coach)
GJ Travel is one of the most experienced coach tour operators in Iceland, offering guided Iceland tours and Iceland travel packages with guaranteed departures.
Our Seat-in-Coach (SIC) tours provide a flexible solution for the international travel trade, allowing individual travellers to join multi-day Iceland tours with no minimum number of participants required. Tours range from 3 to 17 days and cover popular routes such as the Golden Circle, South Coast, and full Iceland Ring Road.
All tours are operated with experienced English-speaking guides and include quality 3–4 star accommodation, ensuring a consistent and reliable travel standard.
Summer programs focus on Iceland nature tours, wildlife experiences, and visits to local communities, offering insight into Icelandic culture and everyday life. In winter, tours highlight Northern Lights in Iceland, winter landscapes, natural ice caves, and photography opportunities. Geothermal bathing in Iceland is available year-round, including geothermal spas.
With over 200 scheduled departures, our SIC tours offer easy booking, fixed itineraries, and reliable operation, making them ideal for partners selling Iceland vacation packages, Iceland group tours, and escorted tours in Iceland.
Tailor-Made Group Tours
GJ Travel specialises in tailor-made group tours in Iceland, creating fully customised travel programs designed around each group’s needs. We deliver private group tours in Iceland with a strong focus on flexibility, local knowledge, and reliable operations.
Each program is built from the ground up. You define the interests, travel style, and pace, and our team designs a custom Iceland itinerary to match your requirements.
We work with a wide range of group types, including:
- Incentive and corporate groups
- Educational and student groups
- Leisure and special interest groups
For partners new to Iceland, our specialists provide guidance and propose suitable routes, experiences, and logistics based on your group profile.
We arrange complete land services, including:
- Accommodation from 2–5 star hotels to luxury stays, hostels, or camping
- Private transport with experienced drivers
- Professional guides focused on safety and service
- Activities, excursions, and local experiences
- Meals and full program coordination
Tours can range from short stays to extended multi-day journeys, covering all key regions such as the Golden Circle, South Coast, Highlands, Westfjords, and full Iceland Ring Road.
Programs can focus on nature, culture, and visits to local communities, as well as special interests such as Northern Lights, hiking, wildlife, photography, and educational travel, all tailored to the needs of each group.
With flexible routing, adaptable service levels, and 24/7 on-ground support, we ensure smooth delivery from planning to execution.
By combining your ideas with our experience, we create well-structured and unique group tours in Iceland, making it easier for you to deliver high-quality travel experiences.
Regenerative Travel Programs: Workshop on Wheels
GJ Travel’s Workshop on Wheels is a regenerative travel concept designed for groups seeking a deeper understanding of sustainability in Iceland. These programs combine travel, learning, and hands-on participation, creating meaningful connections between people, nature, and local communities.
Developed within the CE4RT framework (Circular Economy for Regenerative Tourism), these tours go beyond traditional travel by contributing to the places visited and supporting long-term environmental and community value.
A Journey Through Iceland’s Value Chain
The program follows a structured journey, showing how Iceland’s natural resources influence energy, communities, and daily life.
These programs are ideal for educational groups, corporate teams, and organisations looking to combine travel with learning, sustainability, and real-world application.
GJ Travel integrates these experiences into tailor-made group tours across Iceland, aligning with a long-term commitment to responsible and regenerative tourism.
FAQ
What transport services does GJ Travel provide in Iceland?
GJ Travel offers coach hire, guided tours, airport transfers, and fully integrated travel programs across Iceland, including multi-day itineraries and group travel services.
Can you organise transport for group tours and multi-day programs?
Yes, GJ Travel specialises in multi-day tours and complete travel programs, including transport, accommodation, guides, and full itinerary coordination.
Do you operate year-round in Iceland?
Yes, services operate throughout the year, including winter travel with Northern Lights programs and summer tours with extended daylight.
What types of vehicles are available for coach hire in Iceland?
The fleet includes modern Mercedes-Benz and Setra vehicles ranging from small vehicles to large coaches (3–69 seats), adapted for both standard roads and highland conditions.
Do you provide transport for corporate and incentive groups?
Yes, GJ Travel supports corporate events, incentive travel, and business groups with tailored transport and logistics solutions.
How far in advance should transport in Iceland be booked?
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GPN
GJ Travel is the official GPN member for Iceland.
Global Passenger Network (GPN) connects leading transport companies worldwide, with one trusted member per country. Each member meets strict standards for safety, service quality, and operational reliability.
Through GPN, clients benefit from:
- Verified local expertise in each destination
- Consistent service standards globally
- Seamless coordination for international group travel