Known as the land of fire and ice, take in the hot springs, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers that make the dramatic setting of Iceland a geographer's dreamland.
School trips to Iceland offer students the opportunity to see a landscape that is so new and different to any they will have seen here in the UK.
Ideal for groups studying geography and science, Iceland is an unforgettable land that will leave your students feeling excited about the world around them and the need to protect it.
We offer a range of educational trips to Iceland, which you can check out below. Our advisors have personally visited Iceland on several occasions – we know the best places to base your group, the right mix of activities to enjoy, and the best time of year to visit. Get in touch and we'll help you build the perfect Iceland school tour.
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Why visit Iceland?
Bring the textbooks to life
Did you know that Neil Armstrong twice travelled to Iceland’s remote lava fields because the landscape was the closest thing on Earth to the lunar surface?
At every turn, the Icelandic environment brings textbooks to life and makes for the ultimate destination.
You'll walk between tectonic plates, explore a glacier, and watch geysers erupting. You'll learn about earthquakes and discover the impact of daily volcanic eruptions on local life.
The opportunity to see so many geological features and concepts in front of their eyes is something your students will never forget.
Not only will they better understand the topics they’re studying, but they’ll also return home with a greater understanding of why geography is such an important subject, and how it can help us to better understand the world around us.
Plus, a school trip to Iceland offers one of the best opportunities to see the Aurora Borealis – although we can’t guarantee you’ll see the real thing, even if the weather is unkind you can learn more about the phenomenon at Reykjavik’s excellent Northern Lights Centre.
Experience the rich Icelandic culture
Although it has its roots in Nordic culture, Icelandic culture is unique and one that your students will love the opportunity to explore.
Always a hit with students is the opportunity to take part in the Icelandic ritual of bathing in hot springs.
And make sure you take some time to enjoy some traditional Icelandic cuisine during your trip – skyr is always a popular, healthy choice!
Take a look at our range of trips to Iceland below, and then get in touch with one of our tour advisers to discuss your requirements.
Browse our trips
Geography School Trip to Iceland
School Science Trip to Iceland
See incredible physics, chemistry and biology in action in the Land of Fire and Ice.
£749PP
Geography Trip to Northern Iceland
Already been to Iceland countless times? Ready for a new adventure in an undiscovered part of the Land of Fire and Ice?
£1999PP
Activities in Iceland that your school group will love
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir became a national park in 1928 due to its historical importance, as well as the special tectonic and volcanic
Blue Lagoon
A visit to the Blue Lagoon is the perfect way to start or end your trip to Iceland. The warm,
Gullfoss
Visit Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in south-west Iceland and one of
Northern Lights Tour
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a spectacular natural phenomenon; fantastic colours often seen dancing across
Lava Tunnel Raufarholshellir
Just 30 minutes from Iceland's capital is one of the longest lava tunnels in the country. Here your students will
Secret Lagoon
A fantastic alternative to the Blue Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon offers a truly Icelandic experience.The fresh, warm waters of the
Whale Watching Tour
During this cruise youmay have the chance to see various species of whales, dolphins, seabirds and seals. An expert guide
FlyOver Iceland
Much of Iceland is still largely inaccessible - now you can see more of what this spectacular country has to
Great Geysir and Strokkur
Geysir, sometimes known as the Great Geysir, is located in the Haukadalur Valley and was the first geyser known to
Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Station
A visit to Hellisheidi will teach your students about how Iceland has harnessed its key natural resource - geothermal power.
Greenhouse village of Hveragerdi
Hveragerði is a town in the south of Iceland located 45 km to the east of Reykjavík on Iceland's main
Lava Centre
This interactive educational exhibit will help your students to better understand volcanic activity and earthquakes. They'll also learn more about
Krafla Geothermal Station
Discover how Iceland is harnassing its natural geothermal energy at Krafla Geothermal Station.
Dimmuborgir
Explore this volcanic landscape that's said to be home to child-eating trolls.
Grjótagjá
Explore this secret grotto which once featured in Game of Thrones.
Námafjall Geothermal Area
Explore this geothermal area with its smoking fumaroles, boiling mud pots and sulphur crystals.
Ásbyrgi Canyon
Explore this incredible canyon created by glacial flooding after a volcanic eruption.
Dettifoss
This impressive waterfall is one of the most powerful in Europe.
Godafoss
Utterly breathtaking and culturally significant - you don't want to miss this incredible waterfall.
Húsavík
Visit the historic 'Whale Capital of Iceland', which is also the site of the first house built in Iceland.
Víti Crater
Explore this spectacular volcanic crater created during the 18th century Mývatn Fires.
Mývatn Nature Baths
Relax in one of Iceland's geothermal pools to really experience this unique landscape.
Lake Mývatn
Lake Mývatn is a must-see when visiting North Iceland.
Hverfjall Volcanic Crater
Explore the destructive power of volcanoes with a walk around the rim of this magnificent crater.
Höfði
Head to this rocky promontory for unbeatable views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
Skútustaðagígar Craters
Explore this incredible otherworldly landscape of pseudo craters.
Diamond Circle Tour
Enjoy an unforgettable adventure through some of Northern Iceland's lesser-known but equally spectacular landscapes.
Hrísey Island with School Visit
Head to the beautiful island of Hrísey for an unforgettable visit to a local school championing sustainability.
Where to visit in Iceland
Reykjavík
A trip to Reykjavik offers students the unmissable opportunity to see geography in action in the land of fire and ice!
Reykjavik is a popular choice because of the many wonderful experiences available here - from walking on glaciers and exploring behind waterfalls to seeing geysers erupt and bathing in geothermal waters.
Learn more
22 Mar 2023
Last week, four of our school travel specialists headed out to Iceland for the first time since the pandemic, to find out what’s new for our school groups in one of our favourite destinations for geography and science school trips!
21 Feb 2022
Need some inspiration for your next geography field trip? Here are some of our top picks for geography trips.
10 Apr 2018
Travel Etiquette in...Iceland!
About to head off on a school trip to Iceland? Here are a few trips to ensure your trip is a smooth one!
Why choose Halsbury?
We build your trip around you
Tell us your learning objectives, curriculum and budget and we’ll do the rest.
Contact usWe’re trusted for a reason
We’re members of ABTA, ABTOT and the School Travel Forum. We also hold an ATOL and the LOtC Quality Badge.
Read moreOur Education specialists
Laura Lucas
Tour Consultant
Paul Hudson
Tour Consultant
Laura Martin
Language Sales & Product Manager
Emma Gray da Silva
Tour Consultant
Meet our education specialists and get to know more about the people committed to making your school trip the best it can be.
FAQs
I can't see the exact destination I want to visit on this page - does this mean you can't arrange trips there?
Not at all. Most of our groups choose to base themselves in Reykjavik - as the capital, it offers a great choice of accommodation and is one of the key jumping-off points for many of the most popular tours. It's also pretty handy for the airport.
But we also have groups that choose to head to other parts of the country, like the North or West. These are great options as they do tend to have fewer tourists and so are a little quieter, while still offering similar experiences to those you'd find around Reykjavik.
We have really great relationships with suppliers all over Iceland, so we're sure we'll be able to take you wherever you want to go. Just get in touch and we'll see what we can do.
When is the best time to visit Iceland on a school trip?
The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you'd like to see and do during your visit. If the Northern Lights are high up on your list, then the best time to visit is between November - April. Our dedicated Tour Advisers have visited Iceland many times and can advise you on the best time of year based on your needs and budget.
What clothing should students bring?
This is one of the questions we get asked most by groups travelling to Iceland. With extreme weather conditions and varied terrain, it's important that you and your students are well-prepared. Essential items include walking boots, a warm waterproof jacket, gloves, a hat and a scarf. Check out our Iceland packing guide for more tips.
Do you offer travel insurance?
We do. Travel insurance is an optional extra and you can find out more about it in our travel insurance resource (which includes the policy documents and FAQs).
If you decide against arranging this insurance through us (which is absolutely fine, by the way), please just remember you must have suitable travel and medical insurance to cover your group.
Can the trip itinerary be adapted to my curriculum and requirements?
Every single trip we arrange is tailor-made, so yes, the itinerary can be adapted.
Our Tour Advisers and Itinerary Coordinators are all experienced school travel specialists. They'll work closely with you to make sure your itinerary supports your learning objectives. They'll be able to offer suggestions and advice to make sure you make the most of your time.
So, when you're browsing through our school trips, just remember that the itineraries and activities you see are there for inspiration only - your own itinerary can look as similar or as different as you want.
Equally, we've suggested trip durations based on what groups usually request - if you want to go for a shorter or longer duration, just let us know.
How far ahead should I start planning my trip?
As a general rule, we recommend that you start planning your trip 12-18 months before you want to travel. This gives you plenty of time to get it approved and launched to students and parents.
Planning early will mean you have a greater choice of accommodation and travel options - and it will make paying for the trip easier for families, as they'll be able to break it down into smaller, more manageable payments.
You can check out our trip-planning timeline for a better idea of the process and when you should expect to be doing things.
If you are looking to travel sooner than this, it is possible. It will depend on availability and you may find prices are a bit higher, but get in touch and we can see what's possible.
What accommodation can you arrange in Iceland?
For such a small country, Iceland offers a great variety of accommodation. So, your Tour Adviser will chat to you about your dates, budget and accommodation requirements and will make suggestions of accommodation options they think would work best for you.
If you have very specific ideas, just let them know - it's always easier for us if we know what you want (or what you don't want).
We'll only offer accommodation that we believe is safe and suitable for school groups - and you can find out a bit more about how we decide that in our Safety Management System.
Let's chat!