There are so many things written about what to do and what not to do when visiting Iceland. Everyone has different ideas and expectations about things to know when travelling in Iceland. We visited Iceland in January.
We were told it was an expensive place to visit, but we were still not prepared for the cost of a trip to explore Iceland. We were told it was beautiful, but we never imagined the landscape was going to be so different from place to place on our Iceland trip.
The amazing attractions in Iceland just keep coming, Þingvellir National Park, The Blue Lagoon, The Golden Circle Ring Road, Gullfoss Waterfall, Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, The Black Beaches near Vik, Glaciers, Whale watching, The Aurora Borealis and so on. We have been to places that inspire us to keep traveling, and traveling in Iceland is one of them.
So we have put together a little easy post of travel tips for Iceland we think may come in handy when you are travelling in Iceland. Everyone will have different Iceland travel advice such as the best hotels, we suggest taking it all in and doing what works for you.
Do– Save some extra money for travelling to Iceland
People told us that a trip to Iceland was expensive but they did not tell us just how expensive everyday items could be. While we had enough money for us it was still a worry.
If you can save a little extra to have in the kitty I highly recommend it. With this, you can have an extra meal out or pick yourself up an extra souvenir to take home. The prices in Iceland are expensive for everything including Pizza. The best thing to bring to Iceland is extra money!
Don’t leave Iceland without trying the lamb
Use some of that extra cash you saved up for your family trip to Iceland to sample the famous Icelandic lamb. It is highly recommended when you visit Iceland.
We finally had some on our last night, and it was magnificent, but it was seriously expensive. I think one serving was $80AUD and there are 4 of us that needed to eat. It was very much one of the best things to do in Reykjavik but it was a costly one.
Do– Buy the voucher booklet if you fly Icelandic Air
This is a little book that you can buy on your Iceland Air flight that provides you with discounts within the Reykjavik area at bars, restaurants, and some other places.
Recently, we have also found a smartphone app that does coupons as well to help you save when you travel to Iceland. The app is called Icelandic Coupons, and you can download it here
Some range from 10% off up to 30%, while others have bought one get one free or a discount on entry. It does have a limited use-by date so just check that it will cover your entire stay in Iceland.
We found this great to use when we ate out as our apartment wasn’t the easiest to cook in. Little things like this can bring down your Iceland vacation cost. This is one of the best Iceland travel tips if you plan on eating out regularly when you are traveling in Iceland.
Don’t forget to read the small print
Some of the places in the voucher booklet will have certain times or set days when you can use the voucher. It pays to mark the places you would like to go and check if the discounts are available then or plan using the booklet as a guide.
You can save a good amount of money if you plan and use your vouchers. This is one of the best things to know.
Do– Have faith that your fellow travel companions don’t smell that bad in the bathroom!
If your teenagers in Reykjavik complain about the smell of the water don’t worry! The hot water comes straight from the geothermal pools and smells like rotten eggs. Poor Mark got a few dirty looks until Willow showered next and we read the sign on the bathroom door! The water does not make your skin or clothes that you wash smell.
Don’t Waste your money on buying bottled water
It was the one thing that we were constantly told about Icelandic water when we got there. So we finished off the bottled water we already had from the airport and topped it up from the tap in our room. They say Icelandic water is one of the freshest purest water sources in the world! This is a great tip when you are traveling in Iceland.
Traveling in Iceland – Do get a bus transfer from the airport
Pre-book convenient and economical bus transfers between Keflavik Airport and your hotel in Reykjavik City. Let the driver negotiate the Icelandic roads while you relax in our modern and comfortable coaches. The airport is 45 minutes from Reykjavik, so a taxi will cost you an arm and a leg.
Do– Find the barcode scanner in the Supermarket
While we were wandering around trying to figure out how much some meat was going to cost us in the supermarket called Bonus a local came up to us and showed us the barcode scanner.
This was a lifesaver for us as it was starting to get hard to find prices on some things, especially in the large fridge section. We ended up using the scanner to check everything and add up costs as we decided on purchases to make in Iceland.
This also helped us stick to a budget when we were buying. You can’t avoid high prices in Iceland as everything needs to be shipped into the country.
⇒ Did you know the Blue Lagoon is 50 minutes out of Reykjavik? We have an article on Getting to Blue Lagoon Iceland by car, bus and tour ⇐
Don’t– Go crazy at the supermarket or at the little convenience stores
On our first night, we arrived late, and the weather was turning bad, so we just bought it quickly. It was a very expensive exercise and one we learnt from. If you have to go only by small bits at a time and then pick it up as you need it to save money.
But know your prices. We paid nearly 4 times the amount at the convenience store than we did at the supermarket. The price of beer and alcohol alone could send you broke when visiting Iceland.
Do– Take a change of clothes
We rented a car for a couple of days on our Iceland trip. We set off on the first day sown the south coast towards the black sand beaches and waterfalls, I did not take any extra clothes with us for the day.
It was a decision that I would regret later on in the day after going to two waterfalls and a black sand beach! They would have been used a few times and the next day when we were out they came in very handy for the three of us… I won’t name names! This is an essential family travel tip for traveling in Iceland.
Don’t Think that the waterfall will allow you to stay dry
If it has even the slightest chance of drenching you within seconds,it absolutely will. We thought we were safe, with no wind, no splashing, no access to the water (to keep Marley dry) and BAM, a gust of wind picks up out of nowhere at the perfect moment and we are all drenched!
This is one thing to be careful of in Iceland: getting wet! The poor car heater just could not dry that amount of water; the perils of traveling in Iceland with kids. Just another amazing Iceland tourist spot to visit.
Do– Read the fine print for car hire in Iceland
If you are unsure of anything, do not leave the office until you know or understand exactly what you can and can’t do. I asked plenty of questions before we left, and I was very nervous that we had missed something.
Don’t think you will be covered for everything
Unless you’re staying in the city, car hire in Iceland is the best way to get around. In saying that, there were so many things that I thought you would be covered for that you just weren’t, even though we got the highest possible coverage.
We were lucky that I asked a heap of questions about car insurance, and our provider was more than happy to go over all the little details with us. I am not surehow many tourists are this thorough. You may not be covered for.
- Wind damage
- Hitting an animal (which apparently is more common in summer)
- Damage to the chassis of the car
- Any driving on gravel, including car parks
We also discovered,d after a couple of adventures, that our car was not suitable for two of the main tourist roads out of Reykjavík. These two roads were the main tourist roads in Iceland as well, which I thought was quite strange.
Before driving, check the weather forecast, know the speed limit and road safety rules. Be aware that secondary roads may be rough, and most of Iceland is single-lane.
Car rental in Iceland is available in Reykjavik and from Iceland Airport Keflavik.
Do- Get a place where you can cook or prepare some meals
As I have said above an Iceland trip is very expensive, so I would recommend staying in a place where you will be able to make some of your food either at night or to take with you during the day.
We stayed in Downtown Reykjavik Apartments, which had a fridge and some cooking facilities. Since we were in Iceland during winter, we could leave things in the car without worrying that they would get hot or go bad.
Don’t Think fast food will be the cheaper option
After a day of sightseeing in Iceland, we decided that going to KFC for dinner would probably be a cheaper option and a quick one, too. I was impressed with how quickly we got served our food but yet again the cost was crazy.
We got a family meal there which was 12 pieces of chicken, 2 medium chips (fries), a 1.5l Pepsi, 2 small coleslaw and a pot of gravy.
Marley had a small popcorn chicken and Willow and I had a piece of corn each. This meal in Australia would cost between $30 and $35. With the conversion from Australian dollars into Icelandic Krona, it ended up costing $120 Australian dollars…I nearly choked on the piece of chicken I was eating. I thought that this might give you a real idea of the true cost of traveling in Iceland.
Also, another tip if you are at a fast-food restaurant, sometimes you have to get a number to be served
Do- Book a tour in Iceland
If you are traveling to Iceland from September, October onwards to winter a tour is a must. The Icelandic weather and hours of daylight vary highly between seasons, from being light for 24 hours in summer to only being light for 5 hours in winter. Many people will tell you summer is the best time to visit Iceland.
Tour companies will have ideal Iceland itineraries to visit national parks, black sand beaches, natural hot springs, and famous landmarks that work around the fast-fading light.
While we were in Reykjavík, we took advantage of the free city walking tour with Eric. It was a brilliant way to see and learn about the history and culture of Reykjavik
We also went on a Gray line City tour that took us out of Reykjavík and to some surrounding towns. This was an amazing tour as we were on a small minibus and our guide Tanja was absolutely brilliant.
She spoke to us as we cruised around and answered any questions we had. For the people at the back of the bus, we just passed down their questions, and Tanja answered them over the little pa system she had.
Luckily we visited the best time to visit the Northern Lights in Iceland. Hence, we did an Iceland Northern Lights Mystery Tour as well. This was a brilliant tour and the best bit is if you do not see or have what is deemed not a great view of the lights you are given the option of returning until you do get a good viewing!
We had 2 nights available during our stay. We recommend a Gray Line Iceland Northern Lights tour.
Don’t think you will be the only ones on the tour
Best time to visit Iceland? We visited in winter and it was still so busy. We think winter is the best time to visit Iceland. Everywhere we went, there was a minimum of 5 large buses.
When we were on the walking tour, it was also one of the largest groups Eric had ever had. In saying this, though, it did not stop us from learning about Icelandic culture and going to all the places we wanted to and had seen in other people’s photos.
Yes, we did most of the touristy places in Iceland and we really enjoyed them despite being there with a lot of people. Our guides did tell us in some places we were lucky as there were only about another 50 people there at the time we were there.
So I can only imagine how crazy it would be to visit Iceland’s points of interest during the summer months.
Iceland is a beautiful country and we don’t want to scare anyone off visiting there as it is one of the most beautiful, unique places on the planet. But we hope that these tips will help you manage the cost of a trip to Iceland. Help you budget your money better so you are able to see more, do more and experience more while you are traveling in Iceland.
Traveling in Iceland – Where do we stay in Reykjavik?
Downtown Reykjavik Apartments have accommodation for doubles and families. The apartments are fully self-contained with their cooking facilities. You are located just on the edge of the city centre and close to food and transport options.
There are so many accommodation options in Reykjavik that you will be able to find one within your budget range. You may have to extend your budget though at some stages during the year due to increased demand.
Where to stay in Reykjavik
Reykjavik has accommodation options for every budget, from hostels to apartments and hotel rooms, while traveling in Iceland.
Looking to book a hotel in the enchanting city of Reykjavik? Let me introduce you to some fantastic options! Hotel Fron is a charming boutique hotel located in the city centre, offering comfortable rooms and a cozy atmosphere.
For those seeking a touch of luxury, the elegant Center Hotel Thingholt awaits with its stylish design and impeccable service. If you prefer a modern and trendy vibe, the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina is a perfect choice, situated by the picturesque harbour.
With these hotels, you’ll experience the best of Reykjavik’s hospitality and make unforgettable memories in the Icelandic capital. They make a great base for seeing the stunning natural wonders by rental car or day tours.
Iceland packing essentials
Packing for Iceland is essential to having a successful trip. We can tell you first-hand that the Iceland weather can change in an instant. I think one misconception about Iceland’s weather is that it is one of the coldest places on Earth.
Well, that is just not true; you will find Central Europe much colder in the winter months. Still, our top Iceland Travel Tips say to pack with cold weather in mind. Maybe some waterproof shoes, thermal t-shirts and a sleeping mask are a must.
Remember to pack a sense of adventure and an open mind as well. Iceland is a land of unpredictable weather, breathtaking natural beauty, dramatic landscapes, stunning waterfalls, and otherworldly wonders. So, pack wisely, embrace the unexpected, and get ready for an unforgettable Icelandic adventure! Safe travels!
Travel to Iceland
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. Reykjavík is located in South Iceland. Travel to Iceland is via Keflavik International Airport. The airport is 50 kilometres away from Reykjavík.
The main carriers at Keflavík are Icelandair and WOW air
You can check the prices of international flights to Iceland with CheapOair. Domestic flights are operated out of Reykjavik city airport, which is 2 km from the city
The Airport Express return service between KEF airport and both Reykjavik and Akureyri is operated by Gray Line Iceland. Book your transfer HERE
You can book an airport transfer with Suntransfers whom we have personally used on many occasions.
You can reserve a rental car and have it waiting for you at Keflavik International Airport. Make sure you follow the speed limit and check road conditions when you rent a car in this beautiful country.
Getting around Iceland and Reykjavik
The city buses in Reykjavík are yellow. The Icelandic word for them is strætó, which is short for strætisvagn (streetcar). These buses are the only public transport in the city.
The Reykjavik hop-on, hop-off bus is another excellent option for seeing the sites of the city and the surrounding area. Check the current prices HERE
The Reykjavik City Card entitles you to entry to some of Reykjavik’s major attractions and free public transport on the buses. More information is available here
We hope this article from us here at Wyld Family Travel has you inspired to visit Iceland. We hope our experience in Iceland will help you navigate the traveling in Iceland do’s and not’s while you are on holiday in Iceland.
For more amazing ideas on where to holiday in Iceland click through to our Iceland Destination Guide page for more brilliant inspiration.
Great tips thank you! How long did you stay and how much was your budget for the trip?
Was the length of the stay good enough?
Try the whale meat.
Stick to the speed limits, even if the locals are blasting past you. Photo radar are located everywhere and your rental company will charge you credit card when you get home.
One of the nice things about living in an expensive city is that there’s no price shock when going to Iceland!
I’m always fascinated to see the prices of groceries in different places, as they vary so much from country to country and you can get an idea of what industries are subsidized and which rely on imports.
You make some great points about renting a car! I’m always worried about the fine print, although luckily my credit card provides extra insurance.
It’s defenitely true that people have so many mixed opinions about Iceland! Since I’m working at a travel agency, I hear a lot more from people who’ve been there. On one side, it’s better to travel there in summer (because then you can go into the inland of the country), but on the other side It’ll be less crowded in winter. However, now I’m reading your article it’s actually very crowded with tourists in winter as well, haha.
I really like the tip about buying the vouchers booklet from Icelandic Air. That can be so handy! Especially since Iceland is very expensive.
These are really great tips! I just got back from a trip to Iceland and so many of these points I though, yes, absolutely! The fine print on the car is a big one. We were sure to get the extra insurance with our rental because people had told us that they rented a car and got some gravel damage, but they counted it as wind damage and charged them a lot extra for it. I don’t often get the extra-extra coverage, but it was great to have the peace of mind. I loved our time in Iceland and am already planning another trip in the summer! Cheers!
It is awful when you go somewhere and discover that your expectation of prices is totally off. I have just returned from Korea and some things were super cheap (local food) but other stuff was totally rip off. The skiing, whilst admittedly the venues for the 2018 Winter Olympics was seriously expensive!
Great tips. Similar to Scotland with the fresh tap water and delicious lamb. I’ve heard it is expensive, but wow your examples blew my mind. Better save more before I book the trip.
You are right, Iceland is not cheap. However, coming from another Nordic country, nothing feels too expensive. Hahaha! I recommend renting a car from the airport and returning it back there. It gives you freedom to go wherever you want and you don’t have to worry about public transport or booking a tour for example to Blue lagoon or Golden circle.
I love how you wrote in detailed for the do’s and donts in Iceland. I also heard its expensive but never thought how expensive it is after reading your post, Man that KFC food is expensive seems like I should bring more from outside the country to Iceland.. hahahaha.. I will definitely try Lamb! it must be the must for food
We’ve just come back and adored Iceland but the tourists are mad, there are so many. We explored South and West and found out of the golden circle route there were less. Great tips, it is so expensive isn’t it? We took a flask with us for day trips an ended up saving nearly £4 for every coffee.
I especially love your trip about DO NOT buy the bottled water. It is a very rare place where I will do that. I always carry a refillable water bottle with a filter. Anyway, Iceland’s water is the clearest on Earth and so fresh.
Great tips, guys! We came very close to making it there this winter (brrrr! say Californians), but hope to another time. I will bookmark these for future reference!
Thank you for these great tips. I haven’t been to Iceland yet even tho I am from Norway. It looks so nice and I completely agree with your tips here on what I know about Iceland. Iceland and Norway have their similarities, especially when it comes to prices and yes it is not needed to spend money on bottled water 😀
Great tips I will file away if I ever make it to Iceland. Cool to know about the bar scanners in the stores. Also, reading the fine print. Helpful in any case. Especially when renting a vehicle.
$100 for KFC! That is super crazy. I knew Iceland was expensive, and these sound like great ways to save some money while you are there, or at least, spend it more wisely. Thanks! Saving!
Love the concept of this post! Agree to go on the Reykjavik City Walk tour with Eric (you can tip in any currency)! Also hadn’t heard about the coupon booklet with Iceland Air. Did you save more than the 8 euros you bought it for? I’m always afraid that when I get coupon booklets I won’t really use them.
We absolutely loved Iceland when we visited but the cost of certain things definitely dented the bank balance. We also hired a car and learnt early on that if you got a coffee from the garage you were entitled to as many free top ups as you wanted which meant we started going there for our morning coffee as I could have a couple of cups. We also read up on places that did things like botttomless stew and soups which mean, should we wish we could get second helpings and fill ourselves up for less.
Which ones are the tourist roads you couldn’t go to with your car? Were they F roads?
What’s an F road?
In Iceland, they have different roads that are graded as per there conditions an F road is graded as not so good
Hey Rebecca,
Thanks for this blog post. My wife and I are trying to figure out what to do on our next trip. Morocco is on the list and Europe but were trying to narrow it down. Iceland has been on the list for sometime but the costs are insane! We’ve just opened up a hotel so are needing a vacation but not one that will kill us on the budget. A lot of this I didn’t even know about such as the convenient store versus supermarkets, and the coupon book! Solid post, very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Mark
HI – When in winter did you go? Jan-Feb?
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t understand then its
up to other visitors that they will help, so here it takes place.
Thanks very much, Sasha!
We really appreciate you taking the time to make a comment and we really hope you got some great tips on Iceland for your holiday.
If you have any other questions please feel free to message us and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Have a great day.
Bec
Magnificent website! Loads of helpful information here.