Want to discover Lake Myvatn and its volcanic wonders? But you’re wondering if it can be easily integrated into your trip.
Here’s our advice on how to get to Lake Myvatn: road trip, excursion…
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Summary: How to get to Lake Myvatn
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- Located in northeast Iceland,
- about 480km from Reykjavík (6h drive) and 100km from Akureyri (1h drive)
- By car: Route 1 (the circular road) is the most practical and essential way to explore the many attractions around the lake.
- By plane: domestic flights Reykjavík → Akureyri (45min), then 1h drive to the lake. Compare available flights.
- By bus: Strætó seasonal bus service from Akureyri to Reykjahlíð village (summer only)
- Excursions: organized departures from Akureyri for those not wishing to drive. See options from Akureyri.
- No, you can’t take a day trip to Lake Myvatn from Reykjavik (6-hour drive one way).
See our selection of the best attractions in Myvatn.
Where Lake Myvatn is located
Lake Myvatn is located in the Nordurland eystra region of northeast Iceland. It covers some 37km² and lies at the heart of an active volcanic zone, close to the Krafla system. The main village bordering it is Reykjahlíd, a natural starting point for exploring the surrounding sites.
Here are the distances from the main cities:
- From Reykjavík: about 6 hours’ drive via Route 1
- From Akureyri: 1h drive east via route 1
- From Egillstadir: 2h15 drive west via Route 1
- From Höfn: 5h drive
RENTING A CAR IN Iceland
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On Route 1, no 4WD required, off Route 1, it depends on your plans.
By car: a must
The car is by far the best way to reach Lake Myvatn and explore all its nooks and crannies. The sites are scattered over several kilometers around the lake, and public transport only covers part of the territory. We always recommend a car for those wishing to visit at their own pace.
Route 1, also known as the Icelandic Ring Road, runs along the north of the island, passing directly through Reykjahlíd, the lake’s main village. The northern section is well maintained and passable all year round, although conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter. We advise you to check road conditions on the official website road.is before setting off.
From Reykjavík
The journey from the capital takes around 6 hours without a stopover. In practice, almost all travellers take advantage of this route to make a stop along the way: the Goðafoss waterfall, 30 minutes to the west of the lake, for example, is a natural stopping-off point. The route mainly follows the north coast of the island, via Akureyri.
From Akureyri
From Akureyri, it’s a quick 1-hour drive east on Route 1. The road crosses open landscapes of valleys and volcanic plateaus, already foreshadowing what awaits at the lake.
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VISIT Myvatn
- Attractions around Lake Myvatn
- Where to sleep: hotels and accommodation
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days
- How to get there
- Hverfjall
- Hverir
- Dimmuborgir
By plane from abroad or from Reykjavík
Akureyri Airport (AEY): the gateway to the north
There is no airport at Lake Myvatn. The nearest airport is Akureyri (IATA code: AEY). Domestic flights connect Reykjavík (domestic Reykjavík airport, RKV) with Akureyri several times a day all year round. Flying time is about 45 minutes.
Please note that the international airport is in Keflavik, so you’ll have to change airports and go to Reykjavik domestic airport, then take a domestic flight. It takes just under 1 hour to drive from one airport to the other!
The airline operating this route is Icelandair. In the high season (June-August), frequencies increase.
As far as we know, there are no direct international flights to Akureyri.
From Akureyri airport to Lake Mývatn
Once in Akureyri, it’s another 1-hour drive to the lake.
The main rental agencies are represented at Akureyri airport. We advise you to book in advance, especially in July and August: rates increase rapidly and available vehicles are scarce at this time of year. A standard car is sufficient for Route 1, but if you’re planning side roads (such as Route 863 to Krafla), a 4WD or SUV is preferable.
Compare car rental offers in Iceland.
Organized excursions from Akureyri
Day excursions from Akureyri allow you to discover the lake’s must-sees without having to drive. These guided outings usually cover the major sites: Hverir, Dimmuborgir, the Skútustaðagígar pseudocraters and sometimes the geothermal baths. We find this formula particularly well-suited to day-trippers, or to those who prefer to delegate logistics to take full advantage of the scenery.
See available excursions from Akureyri.
By bus from Akureyri
In summer, the Strætó public bus network runs between Akureyri and Reykjahlíd, the main village on Lake Mývatn. This option is suitable for travelers who do not wish to drive and whose itinerary does not require them to travel around the lake independently.
Frequency remains limited (generally one or two round trips a day in high season), and service is suspended in winter. We recommend that you consult the updated timetables directly on the Strætó website before planning your trip, as schedules change from season to season.
Good to know: the bus takes you to Reykjahlíð, but the main sites (Hverir, Dimmuborgir, Leirhnjúkur) are difficult to reach from the village without a car. The bus is more suited to a stopover on a longer itinerary than to a complete exploration of the region.
An organized road trip around Iceland
All tours of a week or more around Iceland stop at least 1 day at Lake Myvatn with Hverir and Dimmuborgir.
You’re not on your own or free to explore, but you don’t have to manage anything, just enjoy the scenery and learn more about the country, geology and legends.
Where to stay on Lake Mývatn
WHERE TO STAY IN myvatn
Fosshotel Myvatn, with beautiful lake views
See top-rated accommodations
Salt – Hotel Myvatn, near the pseudo-craters
See top-rated accommodations
Dimmuborgir Guesthouse, by the lake
See top-rated accommodations
And once at Lake Myvatn…
Once there, the list of sites to visit is long. The lake itself, the geothermal zones of Hverir, the lava labyrinth of Dimmuborgir, the pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar, the Hverfjall crater, the steaming lava fields of Leirhnjúkur, the Víti crater – these are just some of the sites we explored, and each deserves a stopover.
- Geothermal zones (Hverir / Námafjall)
- Dimmuborgir lava field and its natural arches
- Pseudocraters of Skútustaðagígar
- Hverfjall crater (360° panorama)
- Leirhnjúkur and the Krafla fires
- Víti crater and its turquoise lake
- Earth Lagoon (Mývatn Natural Baths) – under construction, reopening summer 2026
- Tour of the lake by car or bike (approx. 36km loop)
See our full article on Lake Mývatn attractions.
PLAN YOUR SUMMER TRIP TO iceland
- Best of
What to do in Iceland
The most beautiful waterfalls
The most beautiful black sand beaches
Volcanic craters to climb
Lava caves to visit
Best excursions from Reykjavik
- Practical advice
Summer travel tips
How to rent a car in Iceland
Driving tips
Where to stay in Iceland
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
What to do in Reykjavik
Best attractions in the Golden Circle
South Coast attractions
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Silver Circle
Lake Myvatn attractions
