FlyOver Iceland is the flight-ride attraction down in Grandi, by Reykjavík’s old harbor. You hang in a chairlift-style seat with your feet dangling in front of a twenty-meter curved screen, and the film takes you over glaciers, volcanoes and coastline while wind, mist and scent get thrown at you. It is genuinely good, and it is one of the few things in Reykjavík that doesn’t care what the weather is doing.
I have negotiated 20% off for Stuck in Iceland readers. That is the biggest single discount I have managed to get out of any partner, and it applies to the standard ticket when you book direct.
20% off FlyOver Iceland
My readers get 20% off admission. The code is free — it goes to everyone on my newsletter list.
No cost, no catch. Sign up and the full list of codes appears straight away.
What you actually get for your money
The whole visit runs about 35 minutes. Most of that is the two pre-shows — storytelling pieces about Icelandic nature, folklore and time, made by Moment Factory, the Montreal outfit that does the big projection work. Then there is a short briefing, and then 8.5 minutes on the ride itself.
The pre-shows are not filler — they are well made, and they set the thing up properly — but if you are only interested in the flying bit, know what the split is before you buy.
The ride is exhilarating. You are seated, you are strapped in, and the movement is slow. It is not a rollercoaster. What makes it work is the screen’s scale and the fact that your feet hang over nothing. It also adds to the experience that when you fly by waterfalls, you get a gentle spray. I just love that feature.
Who it suits, and who it doesn’t
It suits families, it suits people who can’t or don’t want to hike, and it suits a rainy afternoon when your outdoor plan has fallen apart. Grandparents and small children both tend to come out happy. It is also a decent thing to do early in a trip because you see parts of the country you will never reach by car, and it gives you a sense of the place’s scale before you head out into it.
It suits you less if you are prone to motion sickness or badly afraid of heights. FlyOver themselves say a small number of people find it uncomfortable. Pregnant women are not permitted on the ride. Flashing lights are involved, so anyone with epilepsy should think carefully.
One practical thing that trips people up: the experience involves standing for 20 to 30 minutes and using the stairs. If that is a problem, say so to a flight guide when you arrive. They keep folding chairs for certain points and can route you via the internal lift. Do ask — they are used to it, and it is a much better outcome than struggling through.
Before you go
- Where: Fiskislóð, in the Grandi neighborhood. Walkable from the city center in about twenty minutes, or a short bus ride. There is parking on site.
- Height limit: children must be at least 100 cm to ride, and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Departures: roughly every 15 to 20 minutes through the day, year-round.
- Payment: they do not take cash. Cards only.
- Allow an hour rather than 35 minutes, so you are not rushing. There is a café and a shop on site.
Book ahead in summer. Slots go, and turning up on spec in July is optimistic.
How to use the discount
- Sign up to my newsletter — it is free, and the full list of reader codes appears immediately on the next screen.
- Go to the FlyOver Iceland booking page and pick your date and time.
- Enter the code in the promo box at checkout, before you pay.
- Check the price has dropped by 20% before you confirm.
The discount is applied on FlyOver’s own site, not on mine. If the code does not seem to work, the usual cause is that it has been typed into the wrong field, or that you are booking a package the offer does not cover.
Questions people ask me
Is there a FlyOver Iceland promo code, and what is it?
Yes. Readers of Stuck in Iceland get 20% off admission. I negotiated it directly with FlyOver, and it is not available elsewhere. The code goes out free to everyone on my newsletter list — sign up, and it appears straight away, along with the codes for around a hundred other Icelandic operators.
How long does FlyOver Iceland take?
About 35 minutes in total. That covers two pre-shows, a short briefing and 8.5 minutes on the flight ride itself. I would allow a full hour for the visit so you are not watching the clock, especially if you want to use the café afterward.
Is FlyOver Iceland suitable for young children?
Generally yes — it is one of the better family options in Reykjavík. Children must be at least 100 cm tall to ride, and anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. There is no upper age limit and plenty of older visitors enjoy it.
Will I get motion sick?
Most people don’t. The ride is gentle, and the seats move slowly. But a small number of people do find it uncomfortable, and if you are strongly affected by motion sickness or afraid of heights, it is worth considering whether it is for you. Have a word with the staff on arrival if you are unsure — they will tell you honestly.
I can’t stand for long. Can I still do it?
Probably, but tell them when you arrive. The experience involves standing for twenty to thirty minutes and going up and down stairs. Flight guides can provide a folding chair at certain points and can reduce the stairs or use the internal lift. They would much rather you asked than struggled.
Is FlyOver Iceland worth doing?
I think so, with one caveat. It is well made, it is genuinely immersive, and it shows you parts of Iceland that are difficult or impossible to reach on a normal trip. It is also completely weatherproof, which matters more here than most visitors expect.
Can I book on the day?
Sometimes, but I would not rely on it in summer. Rides run every 15 to 20 minutes, which helps, but the popular afternoon slots fill up. Book online in advance — you will also get a better price than at the door, on top of the reader discount.
If you are putting a Reykjavík day together and want more ideas that work regardless of the weather, have a look at my guide to a perfect day in Reykjavík. And if you want the rest of the reader discounts, they are all on one page here.