How to Get to Seljalandsfoss Waterfall by Bus

A persistent misconception among independent travelers exploring South Iceland is that Strætó Line 52, the official year-round public intercity bus service, pulls directly into the parking lot of Seljalandsfoss waterfall. In operational reality, Strætó Line 52 is designed as a regional trunk route rather than a sightseeing shuttle.

Its mandate is to maintain efficient intercity transit along Route 1 (the Ring Road), connecting the Capital Region (Reykjavík) to South Iceland's major population nodes—such as Hveragerði, Selfoss, Hella, and Hvolsvöllur—before terminating at the Landeyjahöfn ferry terminal or continuing eastward toward Skógar and Vík í Mýrdal.

Strætó Line 52 does not divert off the Ring Road onto Þórsmerkurvegur (Route 249) to service the Seljalandsfoss visitor area. Bypassing minor tourist turnoffs ensures that public transit maintains predictable schedules for commuters, regional residents, and ferry passengers connecting to the Westman Islands.

The Closest Public Bus Drop-Off Points

• Hvolsvöllur N1 Station: Located approximately 21.8 km west of Seljalandsfoss on Route 1, serving as the primary commercial and public transit hub for South Coast transfers.
• Route 1 / Route 249 Junction: Situated approximately 3.5 to 4.0 km west of the waterfall base, this unsheltered highway intersection is where certain regional line variants or drop-off requests allow passengers to alight directly along the Ring Road shoulder.

Final Transfer Options to Reach the Waterfall

To complete the journey from Route 1 or Hvolsvöllur to the base of Seljalandsfoss, travelers can utilize three distinct transfer mechanisms:

Detailed Transfer Option Breakdown

• Option A (Summer Mountain Buses): During the highland hiking season, private mountain bus operators (Trex, Reykjavík Excursions Highland Bus, Southcoast Adventure) utilize specialized high-clearance 4x4 coaches heading into Þórsmörk. These services pick up at Hvolsvöllur N1 and deliver passengers directly into the Seljalandsfoss parking lot.
• Option B (Local Taxi / Shuttle): Outside the summer season, local taxis or pre-arranged private shuttles represent the primary motorized connection from Hvolsvöllur N1 (21.8 km, ~17 minutes, costing 8,000 to 11,000 ISK each way). Taxis must be reserved in advance.
• Option C (Pedestrian / Cycling Access): Alighting from Strætó Line 52 at the Route 249 Ring Road junction allows travelers to walk the final 3.5 to 4.0 km (40–50 minutes walk) along Route 249. Route 249 is paved but lacks dedicated sidewalks; pedestrians must walk along narrow roadside shoulders amidst coastal winds.

Public bus transit along the South Coast operates on a strict timetable with low daily departure frequencies. Strætó Line 52 runs daily service throughout the year, supplemented by morning Line 51 feeder buses connecting Reykjavík to major regional hubs such as Selfoss and Hvolsvöllur.

Strætó Line 52 & Line 51 Timetables

Summer Trex & Highland Bus Timetables

Private commercial operators run scheduled mountain buses between mid-June and early September to accommodate hikers and sightseers traveling directly to Seljalandsfoss and Þórsmörk.

In-Vehicle Travel Durations

• Hvolsvöllur N1 to Seljalandsfoss: 15 to 20 minutes along Route 1 and Route 249.
• Reykjavík (BSÍ / Mjódd) to Seljalandsfoss: Direct transit aboard summer mountain buses takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes.

Parking fees are actively managed and enforced at the primary Seljalandsfoss parking lot.

The vehicle parking charge is enforced continuously throughout the day via license plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Drivers must pay via Parka.is or outdoor kiosks. Unpaid parking sessions result in automated fines billed directly to vehicle owners or car rental agencies (which add ~2,000 ISK admin fees).

Crucial Fact for Bus & Pedestrian Visitors: There is no individual pedestrian admission fee to view Seljalandsfoss or Gljúfrabúi. The parking fee is strictly a per-vehicle parking charge, not a per-person admission ticket. Passengers arriving on foot, by bicycle, via Strætó transfers, or aboard tour coaches access all trail networks and viewing platforms at zero cost. Using public transit completely avoids vehicle parking fees!

On-Site Visitor Amenities

• Heated Restroom Facilities: Clean, climate-controlled restrooms adjacent to the main lot (requires a small electronic payment, ~200–300 ISK).
• Seljalandsfoss Shop: Indoor gift shop offering wool garments, outdoor gear, waterproof covers, postcards, and souvenirs.
• Seljaveitingar Food Kiosk: Food service point offering coffee, hot soups, pastries, and packaged sandwiches.
• Automated Payment Kiosks: Touch-screen terminals allowing drivers to pay parking fees with credit or debit cards.

Seljalandsfoss cascades 60 meters over former ocean cliffs. Its primary highlight is a wide recess behind the water veil, allowing visitors to walk a continuous loop behind the falls.

Trail Logistics & Gear Requirements

The trail behind Seljalandsfoss spans 400 to 500 meters across slippery stone steps and wet mud. The airborne spray mist created by the 60-meter drop generates intense humidity and local winds. Standard water-resistant jackets are insufficient; visitors entering the cavern loop require 100% waterproof outer shells (jacket and rain pants with sealed seams) alongside sturdy waterproof hiking boots with aggressive rubber tread.

Winter Hazards & Seasonal Closures (November to April)

During winter, spray mist settles on the stone steps, freezing into sheets of black ice. Additionally, large icicles form on the overhanging cliff ceiling directly above the trail, presenting severe falling ice risks. Consequently, local park authorities routinely rope off and close the cavern loop behind the waterfall throughout winter. Visitors must respect all barricades. For navigating the open front apron in winter, microspikes or crampons are strictly mandatory.

Walking Path to Gljúfrabúi (Hidden Cave Waterfall)

Located 400 meters north of Seljalandsfoss along the same cliffline sits Gljúfrabúi ("the Canyon Dweller"), a 40-meter waterfall concealed inside a vertical rock cavern.

• Access Route: A flat gravel footpath leads 400 meters north from Seljalandsfoss to Gljúfrabúi (5–7 minutes walk).
• Slot Canyon Conditions: Accessing the interior chamber requires entering a narrow rock crevice only a few feet wide. Visitors must wade directly through the shallow bed of the Gljúfurá river, stepping across submerged rocks. High-top waterproof boots or rubber wellingtons are required.

Strætó applies a zonal fare structure for countryside intercity routes operating outside the Capital Region.

Strætó Zonal Fares (Reykjavík ↔ Hvolsvöllur)

Traveling from Mjódd E in Reykjavík to Hvolsvöllur N1 spans 8 countryside transit zones, costing 4,800 ISK for a single adult ticket.

Commercial Mountain Bus Fares (Hvolsvöllur ➔ Seljalandsfoss)

Payment Channels

• Strætó Line 52: Pay onboard using contactless credit/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) or digital tickets in the Klappið app. Cash payments onboard countryside lines are discouraged due to strict no-change policies.
• Commercial Mountain Buses (Trex, RE, Southcoast Adventure): Advance online booking via operator websites is mandatory. Drivers do not handle walk-up ticket sales at roadside stops.

Attempting a same-day round trip from Reykjavík to Seljalandsfoss strictly using public Strætó Line 52 buses is not feasible for a standard sightseeing visit, because Line 52 departs Reykjavík in the afternoon (14:18) and does not pull directly into the waterfall lot. Passengers arriving in Hvolsvöllur at 15:53 lack immediate public transit connections to reach the site and return on the same day.

However, a same-day transit round trip is fully feasible by pairing morning commercial mountain buses (Trex or RE Highland Bus) with late afternoon return coaches!

Recommended 1-Day Summer Transit Itinerary

Multi-Day South Coast Transit Itinerary

• Day 1 (Reykjavík to Seljalandsfoss & Skógar): Depart Reykjavík at 07:00 aboard RE HB03 or Trex coach. Disembark at Seljalandsfoss (09:30) for morning exploration. Re-board late morning transit to Skógar (arrive 10:15). Explore Skógafoss, Skógar Museum, and overnight in Skógar.
• Day 2 (Skógar to Þórsmörk): Hike the 25 km Fimmvörðuháls trail between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers into Þórsmörk valley, or take a morning 4x4 mountain coach. Overnight at Volcano Huts Húsadalur.
• Day 3 (Þórsmörk to Vík & Return to Reykjavík): Board an afternoon 4x4 mountain coach out of Þórsmörk to Hvolsvöllur. Connect with Line 52 to Vík í Mýrdal to visit Reynisfjara beach, returning to Reykjavík in the evening.

Reaching Seljalandsfoss by bus requires understanding the distinction between public commuter infrastructure and private highland tour transit:

1. Strætó Line 52 Bypasses the Lot: Line 52 offers affordable intercity transport along Route 1, but drops passengers in Hvolsvöllur (21.8 km west) or at the Route 249 highway junction (3.5–4 km west).
2. Final Transfer Connection Required: Completing the final stretch requires booking summer mountain coaches (Trex, RE, Southcoast Adventure), reserving local taxis, or taking a 4 km roadside walk along Þórsmerkurvegur.
3. Zero Pedestrian Entry Fees: Arriving by bus transfer completely avoids vehicle parking fees (800–1,000 ISK per car), giving car-free visitors free pedestrian entry to Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi.
4. 100% Waterproof Outerwear Essential: Wear full waterproof jackets, rain pants, and sturdy boots to handle cavern spray behind the waterfall and stream wading inside Gljúfrabúi gorge. Respect winter cavern closures.