This page was contributed by fellow traveler, Zeke Ramos in 2018 during his visit to Iceland. We hope you enjoy his tips and tricks!
Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
From waterfalls to mountain ranges to gorgeous landscapes, Iceland is sure to impress.
Even though it is one of the most expensive countries in the world if you can get over the high prices, you will be extremely happy you visited this beautiful country.
How to get around Iceland
The main airport you will be flying into is Keflavik International Airport.
You can take the Flybus shuttle from the airport to downtown Reykjavik. Prices range from 2500-3000 ISK ($22-$25 USD) to take the shuttle.
We strongly recommend renting a car, however.
Why Rent a Car?
There is not much of a public transportation system in Iceland and most of the sites you will want to see are in the countryside.
If you choose to not rent a car, you will need to purchase bus tours from Reykjavík, which can get pricy. You also will not have much flexibility since you will be on the tour bus schedule.
Having a car is the best way to see Iceland. It will especially come in handy when trying to catch the Northern Lights, since you will never know in advance where the best area will be to see the lights. You will be able to jump in your car if a certain night is better than another.
Unfortunately, gas is expensive in Iceland.
You will save money by renting a manual car that runs on diesel, but not by much. We recommend renting with SADcars, their prices and options are the most competitive.
If you are using your credit card to cover your car insurance, be sure to decline ALL insurance options, including CDW, which other car companies will automatically include on your bill.
Otherwise, your credit card company will not cover anything if you were to damage the rental car.
Another thing to keep in mind is: Do not speed.
You will not see any police, but there are a lot of speeding cameras hidden on the main roads.
Another way to get around is by something you may not do in your home country: hitchhike.
Iceland is extremely safe and hitchhiking is common. It is popular during the summer months, but when we visited during the winter, we picked up a couple of German tourists along the way on one of the routes.
Tourists are usually traveling the same direction around the island (Golden Circle, South of Iceland) so it is not out of the way to pick up hitchhikers.
Costs in Iceland
The currency is the Icelandic Króna. Nothing is cheap here. The good thing is many of the tourist sites are free.
The most money you will spend is on food. Small sandwiches are around 1500-1800 ISK ($10-$15 USD).
If you are renting a car for a week, you will spend approximately 17,000 ISK ($150 USD) in total for gas.
Iceland is credit card friendly.
You do not need to take money out of an atm or change currency at the airport if you do not want to. Every retailer and food establishment accepts credit cards, in addition to cash.
You do not need to tip in Iceland, the locals are not accustomed to receiving tips, so there is no need to leave one.
Budget for 6 days (accommodations, food, attractions):
10,000-11,000 ISK ($88 – $97 USD) per day.
Where To Stay in Iceland
Reykjavik resembles a small town, rather than a city. There is not much to do here and you do not need to spend more than one night in the city.
Hostel beds are around 4000-5000 ISK ($35-$45 USD) and the cheapest hotels (with a shared bathroom) cost 12,500-15,000 ISK ($110-$130 USD) a night. If you want a private bathroom, expect to spend at least 20,000 ISK ($175 USD) a night.
The countryside of Iceland has very small towns with just a few hotels. They fill up very quickly so we suggest booking early.
If you are planning on driving in the south of Iceland to see the waterfalls and the glacier lagoons, stay overnight in the Kirkjubæjarklaustur area. Once you come back up to the Golden Circle, stay in the Laugarvatn area.
What to Do in Iceland
You will only need one day here.
Explore Reykjavík
- Visit Reykjavik’s main landmark Hallgrímskirkja Church.
- Go to the Icelandic Phallological Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of penises and penile parts from marine mammals. It is one of the unique things to do in Reykjavik in January especially, to get out of the cold.
- You can walk around downtown and buy some souvenirs.
- At night, grab a drink at a local bar. This is the only time you have the option to “party” while in Iceland, as the rest of the country has very small towns with no bars or nightclubs.
See the Northern Lights
Do not come to Iceland expecting to see them. It is very difficult and depends on the weather and clouds. Here is a list of things to do if you can’t see the Northern Lights.
Ask a local in the late afternoon what the chances are of seeing them in the area you will be in. You can download the Aurora app to see the KP index and keep track of the expected visibility for that night.
Keep in mind that the lights come and go quickly. Sometimes they will only be visible for an hour. We caught the best view from Thingvellir National Park. Make sure you get away from the city lights as well.
Seljalandsfoss and Skógarfoss
These are two spectacular waterfalls that you should not miss. You can walk behind Seljalandsfoss, and at Skógarfoss you can walk up a long staircase for an amazing view.
Geysir
This is exactly what the name implies, a geyser. A very popular tourist destination where a hot spring ejects water into the air every 5-10 minutes.
Dyrhólaey Bird Cliff
If it is summertime and around puffin season, you can see puffins from this cliff. Puffins are small black and white birds with colored beaks.
Ask a local if it is puffin season, since the animals are only there for a short amount of time before heading out to the sea for the rest of the year.
Vík and Reynishverfi
These are two small towns along the water. The black sand beaches are famous and you can walk along them for some stunning views.
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
Here is where you can see the glaciers and icebergs. You can go on a boat tour to see them up close.
During the colder months, book a tour to visit the ice caves, which was one of our favorite excursions.
We recommend getting a tour guide since the roads are extremely bumpy and you will not be able to drive on it. Keep in mind these tours do sell out so book them early!
Skaftafell National Park
You can hike some beautiful trails and see glaciers. Make sure to bring food with you, as there is no place to purchase food. There are also public restrooms
Gullfoss
A short drive from Geysir, this is Iceland’s most famous waterfall. There is a parking lot and a small gift shop.
Thingvellir National Park
One of the geological wonders of the world. You can see where tectonic plate movements have opened cracks in the earth’s crust, and walk around the area.
Kerið Volcano Crater
A volcanic crater lake located on the Golden Circle is worth a short visit.
Secret Lagoon
Less expensive and less crowded than the Blue Lagoon, this natural hot spring is one the best places to relax at any time of the year. It is approximately 2800 ISK ($24 USD) for a day pass.
Blue Lagoon
A geothermal spa that is also a major tourist trap. It is crowded, and expensive, yet the most popular tourist destination. All opinions aside, it is still worth a visit.
You MUST reserve a time slot to visit this location.
We suggest you visit on your way to or from the airport, since it is about 15 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes or more, from downtown Reykjavik.
What and where to eat and drink in Iceland
Iceland is not known for its cuisine. Since the country imports just about everything, the high prices keep the locals from dining outside of their homes.
If you are going to eat out, here are some suggestions:
Icelandic Hot Dog
These are not your typical hot dogs. They are made of local lamb and are very delicious. They are probably the best hot dogs you will ever have and we rarely eat hot dogs back home in the United States.
You can order them just about anywhere.
The best place to try them is in downtown Reykjavik at Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur. Ordering the hot dog with everything on it is the best way to enjoy this Icelandic treat.
Brauð & Co
Located in downtown Reykjavik, this is one of the best bakeries you will ever go to in the world. You can smell the cinnamon rolls down the block. You can watch the pastry chefs make the pastries, so you know they will be fresh. Make sure you try the Orange Almond Roll, it is divine!
Fermented Shark
Also known as Hákarl, this is something that you may want to skip. It smells like rotting fish and is something that is not worth trying in our opinion.
Make your meals
The cheapest and most popular supermarket in Iceland is called BONUS. You will see them everywhere.
Stock up on groceries make small sandwiches, and carry snack bars with you while you are on the road, so you are not spending your money eating at restaurants for every meal.
Drinking alcohol
If you want to go out and socialize, it is best to do it your first night in Reykjavik. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages are very pricey here. Even local beers are around 950 ISK ($8 USD).
We recommend that you buy a bottle of your favorite spirit at the duty-free shops in an airport before you arrive in Iceland, and make drinks in your hostel or hotel, to save money.
You are better off drinking ice-cold Glacier water everywhere you go anyway, to avoid hangovers!
Other Tips for Winter Travel to Iceland
Wear layers
You need a base layer, a fleece jacket, a packable down jacket, and a waterproof outer jacket. If you bring these layers, there is no need to take a heavy coat. With the ever-changing weather in Iceland, it will be windy one minute, hail or rain the next, then sunny and warm right after.
Bring waterproof boots
Due to the bi-polar nature of the weather, it is highly suggested to bring a pair of waterproof boots.
Wear Merino wool socks
You can wear these Merino Wool Socks multiple times without having to wash them as they are antimicrobial. They are slightly more expensive than cotton socks, but well worth the extra cost.
Here is a weekend away packing list if you are only going for a few days!
