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Major city · Iceland

Selfoss

Spend 1 night in Selfoss as a base for nearby day trips; otherwise skip it and stay in Reykjavik.

Selfoss is the largest town in South Iceland, 60 km east of Reykjavik on the Ring Road. It offers basic accommodation, a few cafés and easy access to Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Hveragerði and the coastal villages, making a single overnight stay sufficient for most itineraries.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
ISK
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Mar (short daylight, possible road closures)
Airports
Keflavík (KEF) · Reykjavík Domestic (RKV)
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Selfoss: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
  • Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
  • Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
  • Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
  • Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Selfoss112 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Selfoss, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee₭800–1,200
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))₭2,500–3,000
  • Metro or bus rideStrætó bus ticketReykjavik–Selfoss (check)₭1,400
  • Budget bedDorm bed, a night, per personISK 4,000 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomISK 12,000 (≈ US$100)
  • High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomISK 17,000 (≈ US$140)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget ISK 6,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ISK 9,000 (≈ US$75) · High ISK 13,000 (≈ US$110)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Bobby Fischer CenterSummer in Selfoss FestivalGateway to Golden Circle attractions
Airports
KEF Keflavík International Airport (About 2 h 30 min drive to Selfoss; no direct bus, so hire a car or take the airport bus to Reykjavík and change to Strætó route 51 (check)) · RKV Reykjavík Domestic Airport (About 1 h drive to Selfoss; Strætó route 51 leaves from Mjódd interchange in Reykjavík, about 1 h (check))

Map of Selfoss

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

EyrarbakkiStokkseyriHveragerðiHellaKópavogurHafnarfjörðurReykjavíkVestmannaeyjar

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Selfoss
  • Full city guide
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  5. May

    Best

    12°C (54°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    12°C (54°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (15°C (59°F)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Selfoss: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C (36°F)

−3°C (27°F)

12 rd

Feb

3°C (37°F)

−3°C (27°F)

11 rd

Mar

5°C (41°F)

−2°C (28°F)

10 rd

Apr

8°C (46°F)

0°C (32°F)

9 rd

May

12°C (54°F)

3°C (37°F)

8 rd

Jun

14°C (57°F)

5°C (41°F)

7 rd

Jul

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

6 rd

Aug

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

7 rd

Sep

12°C (54°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

Oct

9°C (48°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Nov

5°C (41°F)

−1°C (30°F)

12 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−2°C (28°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Town is walkable; Strætó bus route 51 connects Reykjavik–Selfoss (≈1 hour, 1,400 kr). Local taxis operate from the rank by Hótel Selfoss.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Þingvellir National Park

go

Door to door: ≈1 h round

Ring Road west, 45 km (28 mi), ~45 min by car

Historic rift valley and UNESCO site.

Gullfoss & Geysir

go

Door to door: ≈2 h round

Ring Road west, 70 km (43 mi), ~1 h by car

Golden Circle highlights.

Hveragerði

go

Door to door: ≈1 h round

Ring Road west, 30 km (19 mi), ~30 min by car

Geothermal park and hot springs.

Eyrarbakki

go

Door to door: ≈45 min round

Local bus or car, 15 km (9.3 mi) east, ~20 min

Coastal village with historic houses.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Hotel Selfoss

Four‑star hotel by the river; rooms 17,000–19,000 kr.

Bed and Breakfast Selfoss

Dorms 4,000 kr, double rooms 9,000 kr.

Fosstún Apartment Hotel

Apartments 15,000 kr, includes breakfast.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
₭5,000–7,000 excl. bed
Mid
₭7,000–11,000 excl. bed
High
₭11,000+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room1 × 1 night × ISK 12,000ISK 12,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ISK 9,000ISK 18,000
Strætó bus Reykjavik–Selfoss (one way)2 × ISK 1,400 · checkISK 2,800
eSIM data (1 week)2 × ISK 2,500 · checkISK 5,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeISK 3,780
Trip total≈ ISK 20,790 per person per day, bed includedISK 41,580≈ US$350

2026 estimate in ISK; flights and car rental excluded.

Prices of common things

Coffee₭800–1,200
Hot dog₭1,200–1,800
Taxi (5 km)₭2,500–3,000
Strætó bus ticketReykjavik–Selfoss (check)₭1,400

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Selfoss is safe; main concerns are weather‑related road closures and occasional icy sidewalks in winter.
  • Bus schedules to coastal towns are irregular; confirm locally.
  • Winter road conditions can affect Ring Road travel; check weather forecasts.

Emergency numbers

Police
112
Medical
112
Non‑urgent doctor
1700

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SelfossSelfoss

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Á þennan heimilisfang, vinsamlegastTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police/Medical112
  • Non‑urgent doctor1700

Embassy

US consulate in Reykjavik; other embassies also in Reykjavik.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Reykjavik → Selfoss (Strætó): ≈₭1,400, 1 h (check)
  • Taxi Selfoss → Hotel Selfoss: ≈₭1,200–1,500

Say or show

  • Afsakið — Excuse me / Sorry (af-sah-keeth)
  • Takk — Thank you (tahk)
  • Hvað kostar það? — How much is it? (kvaht koh-star thah?)
  • Hvar er klósettið? — Where is the toilet? (kvar er kloh-set-tee?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Selfoss. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (short daylight, possible road closures) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Add a car rental for flexible day‑trip timing.
  2. Combine Selfoss night with a stay in Hveragerði for a two‑night nature focus.

Meanwhile

Back to Iceland

Sources

Ask about Selfoss

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