Iceland's East Fjords by Bus: What Visitors Should Know

The routes that actually run

Long-distance coaches in the east mostly follow Route 1 between Höfn and Egilsstaðir, with a stop at Djúpivogur and a link up to Seyðisfjörður. Services are sparse outside the June-to-August high season, when you might find one departure a day in each direction on the main road; from September to May you should assume a single weekday departure on some stretches. Every journey needs to be built around the timetable rather than the other way round, and the Strætó route pages are the only source worth trusting for current times.

The most useful transfer point is Egilsstaðir, the regional hub with the airport at Egilsstaðir (Egilsstaðaflugvöllur), a compact town centre and connections east to Seyðisfjörður and south along the coast. Höfn, at the southern end, links onward towards Vatnajökull and the south coast. Buses are comfortable, with luggage space underneath, and drivers generally accept card payment, but you should carry a little Icelandic cash as a backup. Book seats ahead for the July and August services, which fill up with through-travellers.

Where to base yourself

Egilsstaðir is the practical choice for two or three nights. It has the widest range of accommodation in the region, from guesthouses to the larger hotels near the airport, and it sits within an hour of Seyðisfjörður, the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest and the lake at Lagarfljót. Most rooms sit in the middle bracket, and you should expect summer rates to rise noticeably in July. Book a room with breakfast included, since the town's restaurants keep short evening hours and few places open early.

For something quieter, Seyðisfjörður, at the end of the fjord reached by a road climb from Egilsstaðir, suits walkers and photographers: the old town, the blue church and the harbour are all within a short stroll, and the bus connects in summer. Höfn in the south is a working harbour town facing Vatnajökull and makes sense as one night if you are continuing on the south coast. I would book Egilsstaðir as the anchor and add one night in Seyðisfjörður rather than splitting the stay evenly across three towns.

Getting around once you arrive

Villages along the fjords are separated by long stretches of water and mountain, and the bus will only drop you at the main road. Some guesthouses in remote spots offer pickup if you ask when booking; otherwise plan on walking and using organised day tours from Egilsstaðir for the more distant valleys. Taxis exist but are few, and a one-way trip of 40 kilometres is not cheap. Do not assume you can hitchhike at dusk, and do not plan a hiking day that ends after the last coach has passed.

If you want flexibility, the practical answer is a day tour east of Egilsstaðir or a short-term car hire from the airport for two days, which works better than trying to bend a bus timetable around side trips. Renting from the airport saves a transfer, and returning the car before the bus leaves gives you the freedom of the fjords without committing to a full week of driving. Whatever you choose, check the bus back before you set out on a walk.

Season, weather and what to skip

The best months for a bus-based trip are June to August, when daylight lasts long, roads are clear and the summer services run. From late September the light shortens quickly and some services drop to weekly, making multi-stop itineraries impractical. Roadside services such as the pool halls and cafés in small villages often close outside the summer. Pack layers, a windproof shell and footwear that can handle wet gravel; weather can change fast along the fjord roads, and the forecast for Egilsstaðir often differs from the coast.

Skip the ambition to cover the whole east in three days. Egilsstaðir, Seyðisfjörður and the lakeside forest make a satisfying short break; trying to add Höfn and the south coast on the same bus pass means dawn starts and long waits. If time is tight, choose two bases and let the bus do the rest. And if you are visiting in late August, confirm the last summer departures in advance and keep a printed timetable in your bag.