Reykjavík Campsite

Reykjavík Eco Campsite is Iceland's largest campsite and stays open year-round, so it works as a base even in winter. Tent space is usually available, but midsummer (June - August) and the days before the Laugavegur start get busy, so booking ahead removes the risk. The maximum stay is roughly 7 nights; check the current terms on the official site.

Roughly, per adult: a tent is about 3555 ISK, a camper about 3735 ISK, and about 5715 ISK with 16A electricity; an extra adult is around 3150 ISK, children under 12 are free, plus a municipal fee of about 400 ISK. The price already includes the shared kitchen with gas, hot showers, WiFi and the swap zone for goods and food - so there is no separate charge for showering or cooking. Check-in is from about 13:00 and check-out by 11:00; the prices are approximate, so verify the current ones on the official site.

The most popular option is the Flybus by Reykjavík Excursions: about 3999 ISK one way, roughly 45 minutes, to the BSÍ terminal; a drop-off closer to the campsite costs extra. Airport Direct is similar, but the service has occasionally been suspended, so check that departures are running. Cheaper is the Strætó city bus route 55 (about 2000 ISK, 70 - 75 minutes), while a taxi is expensive, roughly 18000 - 25000 ISK. Handy detail: the airport buses often stop right in front of the campsite and hostel, so you can frequently get off at the door.

The city centre of Reykjavík is about 2 - 3 km away, so in good weather it is a short walk or a few minutes by bike (rental is available nearby). Strætó city buses stop close by, but our travellers once recalled the "quest to find the right city bus", so it is best to check the route in the Strætó app in advance. Parking at the campsite is free, so it is convenient to leave the car on site and reach the centre without the hassle of paid parking.

Yes, there is luggage storage for a separate fee - and it is a key convenience for the start/finish scenario. You can leave spare bags for the duration of the Laugavegur trek or a Ring Road loop and set off light. It is worth checking the current price and storage terms at reception or on the official site.

The trek start is served by a highland bus from Reykjavík (BSÍ terminal) to Landmannalaugar; the operators are Reykjavík Excursions (re.is) and Trex (trex.is), the season is roughly 13.06 - 20.09, the ride takes about 4 - 4.5 hours (BSÍ around 07:00 - arrival around 11:30) and costs roughly 12000 - 13500 ISK one way. Back from Þórsmörk (the end of the trek) to Reykjavík, buses run daily from about June to late September, around 3.5 - 4 hours. There is a Hikers Bus Pass for several legs; book ahead, since in bad weather a departure can be cancelled a day in advance. Conveniently, the highland buses also stop by the campsite, so you can set off almost from your tent.

Yes, as a base for the southwest of Iceland the spot is excellent: year-round operation, free parking, a supermarket (Bónus/Krónan) about 1 km away and bus stops right at the door. The large shared kitchen with gas and the swap zone make a long stay easier without daily spending on every little thing. And right next door is Laugardalslaug, Reykjavík's largest geothermal pool, perfect for warming up after a day out (admission is charged separately).

The kitchen is large and shared - four cooking areas with two burners each, and gas is already included in the nightly price. The most valuable feature is the "swap shelf": travellers flying off the island leave food, spices and often gas canisters here, since these cannot be taken on a plane. So before spending money at the shop, take a look at this shelf - people often find ready gas and supplies for the first days of the trail right there.

Besides the kitchen there are hot showers, free WiFi, a laundry, a lounge, and also heated toilets and shower rooms - an important detail for cold Icelandic nights. The campsite shares a building with the Reykjavík City HI Hostel, so some indoor facilities are close by and under a roof. All of it runs year-round, so it stays comfortable as a base even in the off-season.

The campsite sits in the green Laugardalur valley, so just outside the gate are a park, a botanical garden and a family zoo, with the Laugardalslaug geothermal pool right next door. The centre is about 2 - 3 km away, where Hallgrímskirkja church and the waterfront with the famous "Sun Voyager" await. It combines nicely: a day in the city, and in the evening a return to the quiet green base by the pool.