Road 
Weather 
About
Vatnajökull is an ice cap in the Highlands.
Iceland’s largest ice cap, southeastern Iceland. The name comes from the many large rivers and streams. It's also recorded as Vesturárjökull.
Don't walk on glaciers without a guide. Ice caves are winter-only. Tours run from Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón, and other points. The ice is retreating noticeably — see it while you can.
Map of Vatnajökull
Map
64.4000°N, 16.8000°W · Highlands
Plan your visit
Off the main road- 45.8 km from Route 1
Nearest town- Nesjahverfi — 76.4 km away
Distance from Reykjavík- 250 km in a straight line
What else is close- 3 mapped places within 20 km
Tours that include Vatnajökull
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & Diamond Beachfrom 29.999 ISK · 14 h 30 min
Skaftafell Beyond The Limit - 6 hour Adventurefrom 25.419 ISK · 6 h
Glacier Kayaking Icelandfrom 17.500 ISK · 1 h 30 min
Breidamerkurjökull Glacier Hikefrom 15.377 ISK · 3 h
Glacier Hike + Ice Cave Adventurefrom 40.000 ISK · 5 h
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon & Boat Tourfrom 35.999 ISK · 14 h 30 min
Skaftafell 3 Hour Glacier Walkfrom 17.900 ISK · 3 h
Vatnajökull Premium Ice Cave Tourfrom 25.900 ISK · 3 h 30 min
Snowmobile tour on Vatnajökull Glacierfrom 31.500 ISK · 3 h
Blue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavíkfrom 32.990 ISK · 13 h 30 min
Golden Circle and Laugarás Lagoon Lerki Admissionfrom 23.039 ISK · 9 h 30 min
Spirit of the Aurora (28 person max vehicle)from 14.990 ISK · 5 hAll 1,648 toursBy activity and regionVatnajökull weather and conditions
Last updated
-12°Covercast · feels -19°C6 m/sgusts 99 h 56 mdaylight · 07:55 – 17:51
Tonight
Northern lights forecast by region
In season now · Winter in IcelandBlue Ice - Glacier Hike & Ice Climbing from Reykjavíkfrom 32.990 ISK · 13 h 30 minAll 1,648 tours
Cars & campers
−12%exclusive discountFree cancellation
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Transmission
Fuel
Seats
Drive
SleepsPhotos & videos
Nearby
km column = your drive
- 1
Snæhetta17 km - 2Skarphéðinsjökull30 km
- 3
Kverkjökull34 km - 4
Skaftárkatlar36 km - 5
Dyngjujökull40 km
Waterfalls
Hot springs
- 1Guðlaug43 km
- 2Hoffell Hot Tubs68 km
- 3Geothermal hot spring near Hornafjörður70 km
Fuel
Supermarkets
Tours
(Cruise Ships) Lake Mývatn and Goðafossfrom 25.300 ISK · 6 hours 30 minutes
(RS) Lake Myvatn & Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyrifrom 25.900 ISK · 6 hours 
A Gourmet golden circle - a taste of Iceland combined with amazing nature attractions!from 159.000 ISK · 8 hours
Frequently
asked
questions
Can I walk on Vatnajökull without a guide?
No. Crevasses on Vatnajökull are often hidden under fresh snow and can be lethal — every glacier walk needs crampons, ropes and a certified guide. Book through a licensed tour operator, never freelance it.
How do I get to Vatnajökull?
Vatnajökull is located in Highlands. Check live road conditions on this page before you drive — highland access often needs a 4×4 and some routes only open in summer.
When is the best time to visit Vatnajökull?
Vatnajökull is most accessible in summer, when access roads are clear of snow. Check live road conditions before you drive.
Is Vatnajökull shrinking?
Most Icelandic glaciers have retreated measurably over the past few decades. Exact edges and access points shift year to year — treat any online map, including this one, as approximate.
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
Wikimedia CommonsHero & gallery photography · Zairon · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
USGS Professional Paper 1746Glacier facts · Public domain
VegagerðinVisitor access & practical facts
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
Spotted an error, or have something to add? Help us keep this page accurate.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10