Geothermal Helicopter Tour Iceland

50–60 minutesGroup: Shared flightEasyHelicopter, meet in ReykjavíkAll agesAll year

Passengers walking at the geothermal landing site

A geothermal helicopter tour flying over the Hellisheiði plateau and Hengill geothermal area, with a landing next to hot springs and boiling mud pots. You see geothermal power plants, lava fields and craters from the air before stepping out on the ground.

Reykjavík heliportHellisheiði plateau and Hengill geothermal areaLanding at a geothermal site

A longer helicopter flight than the city tour, over active geothermal country
Views of the Hengill geothermal area and two working power plants
A landing beside real hot springs and boiling mud pots
Lava fields and craters from the Kristnitökuhraun eruption
Views back over Reykjavík and the Bláfjöll mountains

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Meet at the heliportMeet your pilot at the heliport near central Reykjavík.

Helicopter over snow and steaming ground

Flight over Hellisheiði and HengillFly over the geothermal plateau, power plants and lava fields.

The route passes the Hengill geothermal area and the Nesjavellir and Hellisheiði power plants, which turn underground heat into electricity and hot water for the capital area, then the Kristnitökuhraun lava field and craters and the Bláfjöll mountains. You fly for about 25 to 35 minutes.

Time here · about 25–35 minutes of flying

Landing at a geothermal siteLand next to hot springs and boiling mud pots.

You step out of the helicopter onto active geothermal ground, with steaming hot springs and mud pots nearby, for about 15 minutes. Stay on marked paths, as the ground can be dangerously hot.

Time here · about 15 minutes on the groundTip · stay on marked paths, the ground can be dangerously hot

4Return flightFly back to the heliport in Reykjavík.

About the geothermal helicopter tour

This tour is a step up from the short city flight: a 25–35 minute flight over the Hellisheiði plateau and the Hengill geothermal area, taking in the Nesjavellir and Hellisheiði power plants that turn this underground heat into electricity and hot water for the capital area.

The route also passes over the Kristnitökuhraun lava field and its craters, and the Bláfjöll mountains, with Reykjavík visible in the distance. The helicopter then lands beside an active geothermal site, where you can walk around near real hot springs and boiling mud pots for about 15 minutes.

As with all helicopter flights here, it depends on the weather, and the operator needs a minimum of two passengers to run the tour. It's a good option if you want to see Iceland's geothermal energy and volcanic landscape up close without a long day trip.

Included

Helicopter flight with pilot
One landing at a geothermal site

Not included

Transport to the heliport
Food and drinks

What to bring

Warm jacket
Sturdy shoes for the geothermal ground stop

Good to know

50–60 minutes total, including the ground stop
Runs all year, subject to weather
Minimum of two people to run the tour
Departs from the helicopter terminal at Reykjavík Domestic Airport (Nauthólsvegur), about 5 minutes from the city centre
After booking, the operator emails you the exact start time and asks for each passenger's approximate weight

Questions people ask

What do you actually see on the ground?

The helicopter lands at an active geothermal site with hot springs and boiling mud pots, where you can walk around on marked paths for about 15 minutes.

Is there a minimum number of people?

Yes, this tour needs at least two passengers to run.

What's the difference from the shorter city tour?

This flight is longer and covers geothermal power plants, lava fields and craters, rather than just the city and one mountain landing.

Is it safe to walk around the geothermal site?

Yes, staying on the paths your guide shows you. Some ground nearby is genuinely hot, so you don't wander off marked areas.

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From68,750 ISKPer person