The bus to Hvolsvöllur in 2026

What changed on Strætó's South Iceland buses in 2026?

Since 1 January 2026, route 51 runs only Reykjavík to Selfoss, route 53 runs Selfoss to Hvolsvöllur and Landeyjahöfn, and route 52 is a long-distance bus to Höfn.

Strætó's announcement sets it out. Route 51 "operates only between Selfoss and Reykjavík" with more weekday trips. Route 53 runs "between Selfoss, Hvolsvöllur, and Landeyjahöfn", connects with the Herjólfur ferry to the Westman Islands, and adds trips between Hvolsvöllur and Selfoss. Route 52 goes all the way to Höfn, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays only.

For Þórsmörk this means one change of bus, at N1 in Selfoss. The timetables changed twice since: a summer schedule from 20 July to 23 August, and the winter schedule from 24 August, which cut some off-peak trips on route 51. The times below are from that winter timetable.

How do you get from Reykjavík to Hvolsvöllur by bus?

Route 51 from Mjódd to Selfoss N1, then route 53 at 08:54. You arrive in Hvolsvöllur at 09:39, seven days a week.

Route 51 starts at Mjódd, the bus terminal in Breiðholt; city buses link it to downtown. On weekdays the 07:55 from Mjódd reaches Selfoss N1 at 08:49, five minutes before route 53 leaves at 08:54. If that feels tight, take the 07:00 and wait an hour in Selfoss. On Saturdays and Sundays the 07:45 from Mjódd reaches Selfoss at 08:39. Route 53 then calls at Hella at 09:27 and Hvolsvöllur at 09:39.

To arrive the day before, route 52 leaves Mjódd at 14:18 and reaches Hvolsvöllur at 15:53, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Weekday afternoons also have route 53 departures from Selfoss at 14:00 and 16:15 (Hvolsvöllur 14:44 and 16:59). Full timetables: route 51, route 52, route 53.

How much does the bus to Hvolsvöllur cost?

4,800 ISK for an adult from Mjódd on route 52. On 51 and 53 the two legs cost 2,400 and 3,000 ISK. Half price for ages 12 to 17, seniors and disabled riders.

Strætó charges by zone outside the capital. The South Iceland fare sheet for 2026 prices Mjódd to Hvolsvöllur at 8 zones, 4,800 ISK, on route 52. Route 51 from Mjódd to Selfoss is 2,400 ISK and route 53 from Selfoss to Hvolsvöllur is 3,000 ISK. The sheet does list a through fare from Mjódd to Landeyjahöfn via route 53 (6,000 ISK), so ask the route 51 driver for a ticket through to Hvolsvöllur before you pay for two legs.

On countryside buses you can pay on board by debit or credit card, in cash, or with a countryside bus card. The capital-area single fare of 690 ISK does not apply here.

Can you reach the Þórsmörk base camps without a car?

Midgard Base Camp, yes: it is in Hvolsvöllur. Brú base camp on road 249 has no Strætó stop, and the only shuttle there runs until 1 November.

The Midgard super jeep day starts at Midgard Base Camp, Dufþaksbraut 14, in the same small town as the bus stop. The 09:39 arrival works only if your start time is later than that, so check the time on your confirmation before you plan around it. If it is earlier, take the afternoon bus the day before and sleep at the base camp, which is part hotel, part hostel.

Southcoast Adventure's day leaves at 10:00 from Brú, about 7 km up road 249 from the Seljalandsfoss turn. Until 1 November 2026, Southcoast's own Þórsmörk bus leaves the N1 in Hvolsvöllur at 09:00 and stops at Brú at 09:30. That is before Strætó arrives, so you need a night in Hvolsvöllur. After 1 November there is no public link to Brú. Ask Southcoast Adventure about transfers when you book.

How do you get back to Reykjavík in the evening?

The last route 53 leaves Hvolsvöllur at 21:03 every day and connects with the 22:00 route 51 to Mjódd, arriving at 22:54.

A 7-hour tour starting at 10:00 ends around 17:00, which makes the 17:05 weekday bus a gamble. Plan on the evening ones. On weekdays route 53 leaves Hvolsvöllur at 20:13 and 21:03; at weekends only at 21:03. Both reach Selfoss N1 in time for the 22:00 route 51, which gets to Mjódd at 22:54. The 20:13 arrives at Selfoss at 20:59, the same minute the 20:59 route 51 is due out, so do not count on that one.

Two hours between the tour and the bus is fine. Midgard's restaurant is at the base camp, and several guests mention dinner there after the jeep day.

Is the bus worth it, or should you book a tour with Reykjavík pickup?

For one person, the bus saves money. For two or more, or in winter, a Reykjavík pickup tour or a night in Hvolsvöllur is less stress.

The math for one adult: about 9,600 to 10,800 ISK in bus fares for the round trip, plus $320 for the Midgard day. The 4x4 day from Reykjavík costs $339 with pickup from 32 points in the city, but it has only two reviews so far and lunch is not included. The bus wins on price; the pickup tour wins on a 15-hour day you do not have to manage.

In winter, with darkness at both ends and Hellisheiði sometimes closed, we would take the bus the afternoon before and sleep in Hvolsvöllur. Our day trip from Reykjavík guide compares every way of doing it in one day.

Pickup in Reykjavík, a shared super jeep into Þórsmörk and back the same evening. No bus changes.

★ 5.0 · 10 hours · from $339

Explore the 4x4 day from Reykjavík → Tour details

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