Rick Steves Loves This Budget Alternative To Iceland's Iconic 'Inside The Volcano' Tour

Once an oft-overlooked little island in the northern Atlantic Ocean, and now a popular stopover between the United States and Europe that attracts 2 million visitors a year, Iceland is truly a bucket list destination everyone should visit at least once. Tourists and adventurers alike come to the Land of Fire and Ice for the hot springs, wildlife, gushing waterfalls, the northern lights, iceberg-studded beaches, accessible wilderness, picturesque towns, and caves tunneling deep into the ground. One of these caves leads into the Þríhnúkagígur Volcano on the famous, arguably spectacular Inside the Volcano Tour. 

However, travel guru Rick Steves doesn't think this is one of Iceland's must-see attractions, especially if you have limited time. Instead, per his blog, Steves encourages travelers in Iceland to take a shorter, cheaper, and more accessible — yet still incredible — tour of Raufarhólshellir's Lava Tunnel. The Þríhnúkagígur Volcano tour takes at least six hours, including a mile hike each way to and from the volcano, and costs about $345. In contrast, Raufarhólshellir can be seen in as little as one hour, and the tour cost begins at just $62.

There are many reasons why you need to visit Iceland, and one of them is the country's spectacular natural wonders. This extensive list certainly includes Raufarhólshellir's Lava Tunnel, a burrowing cave formed by a volcanic eruption around 5,200 years ago. The molten lava was forced underground after the surface of the Earth hardened, and when the lava drained, the tunnel — the fourth-largest volcanic tunnel in Iceland, totaling about 4,461 feet in length — was left. Today, a tour through the tunnel takes you past colorful rocks and several holes that lead to the surface, essentially skylights. 

Iceland is known as the inspiration for Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth," and the expansive tunnels of Raufarhólshellir will make you feel as if you're making the journey yourself. In the winter, the caves are especially gorgeous, as snow comes in through the skylights, and impressive ice sculptures form in dazzling, sparkly displays throughout the tunnels. 

Most visitors to Iceland base themselves in the colorful and picturesque capital, Reykjavík. Although the most comprehensive tour of Iceland involves an approximately seven-day drive on the Ring Road, which encircles the country. The Golden Circle, an easy day trip from Reykjavík, is the most popular route tourists take, especially on shorter getaways and layovers. This, and many other sites, such as the famous Blue Lagoon, are all within an hour from the capital. Therefore, it makes sense for many people to base themselves in Reykjavík, to make their time in Iceland as efficient as possible. 

Rick Steves knows how to squeeze as much as possible from any travel experience, especially in Iceland. His perfect itinerary for one day in Iceland covers both Reykjavík and the Golden Circle. It also leaves time to customize your trip by incorporating one of the many other activities near the city. One of these is Raufarhólshellir, which is just a short 40-minute drive from Reykjavík. (If you don't have a car, you can choose a Lava Tunnel tour that includes transportation, starting around $100.)