How to Visit Iceland on a Budget

[@ecrashe]

I went to Iceland in 2016 for my honeymoon at the end of August. Best trip I have ever taken in my entire life (i am in my late 30's and have traveled quite a bit). I would love love love to go back. We were there for 12 days and did a ton of amazing stuff. We went inside a volcano, went whale watching in Akureyri and rented a car and drove the entire Ring Road. We stayed mostly at bed and breakfasts where breakfast was included in the deal. Some of the coolest places we stayed at were sheep farms. We shopped at the Bonus grocery stores for our lunches and went out to dinner. If I went back to Iceland again I would not go out to dinner as much because for two of us to eat hamburgers for dinner at a sit down it was about $60 USD without alcohol. My absolute favorite thing in all of Iceland was in the southeast of the country and that was the mossy lava fields that go for miles. All of the sudden they just appear while you are driving down the ring road. Breathtaking. My second favorite place in Iceland was Gjain. It is off the beaten path and a little hard to find (you will need 4x4 as the road is dirt and very bumpy) but it is well worth the trip. What seems to be a road to nowhere with nothing but volcanic rock soon turns in to this gorgeous oasis of lush green plants, waterfalls and hiking trails. All in all if you have the chance definitely go to Iceland. Don't let the cost scare you. It is so worth it. Trip of a lifetime!

[@authentic_traveling]

Emily, thanks for sharing the details of your amazing trip to Iceland and for encouraging travelers who are uncertain about visiting! You're making me want to book a flight right now--especially with your mention of the mossy lava fields. :) I hope you get back soon.

[@teriod100]

OK 60 dollars 💵 eating burgers 🍔 for two persons, indeed is expensive

[@nala3055]

When I was in Iceland on a school trip we just filled up our water bottles straight from rivers and waterfalls. Best water I've ever tasted

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for sharing that story, Nala! Yes, the water is absolutely incredible there. Wish I could have a sip right now, actually. :)

[@nala3055]

I know right! now i really want some too...

[@authentic_traveling]

An excuse to go back perhaps?

[@nala3055]

Andrew Scott absolutely. Going back in the summer :)

[@authentic_traveling]

That's great! Drink a bunch of water for me, please. :)

[@matteofrancon9727]

Less than 100 a day, i spent less than 30 per day there. Its easy, just use a tent, buy food in supermarket and hitchike.

[@cheersupchoose9050]

Do they have an apps or anything to show where to camp in Iceland? Thanks in advance

[@GwenchanaHabibi]

How much did it cost yo rent a car? How much did you get it per day???

[@ohyeahnyx]

Mattéo Francon I will go in the winter so tent is out of the option. Hitchhike is not a guaranteed thing and your itinerary will have to match up the driver’s?

[@maxpainmedia]

Ehh im not that white im too scared lmaoooooooo .. i need hotel or resort for my first time

[@maxpainmedia]

Ehh im not that white im too scared lmaoooooooo .. i need hotel or resort for my first time

[@CheapHolidayExpert]

Couldn't agree more that it is just about the planning and the preparation! We saved soooo much money by doing things like making a meal pland and a shopping list. After doing things like that, I genuinely think Iceland can be classed as a budget destination!!

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad to hear you were able to travel Iceland affordably!

[@CheapHolidayExpert]

@@authentic_traveling And you!!

[@SarahSmith-le5ei]

I recently went to Iceland. I put a loaf of bread, bread buns and teacakes and cans of tuna in my suitcase. I took various snacks in my carry on bag. We stopped in an apartment so used it for toast every day. And had the bread buns and Tina for lunch each day. I took a dry vegetarian Nut roast that you mix with water and if I'm UK get from Holland and Barretts. Had that for dinner one night with vegetables from Icelandic supermarket. Iceland is an amazing country.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey Sarah! Thanks for sharing your strategies--I think bringing some of your own food is a great budget-friendly tip!

[@curseofkazar4539]

Went to Iceland in October 2016. Amazing experience and can't wait to go back. My suggestions for saving money would be to pack food items such as noodles, biscuits, chocolate, packet soups - (ie, anything you can snack on) in your luggage. Also, rent a small car. You don't need to take one of the tour coaches to visit the Golden Circle. If you want to see the Northern Lights, follow one of the tour buses from the Harpa building. One final thing - cheaper option than the Blue Lagoon is the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir. OK it doesn't have that milky blue water but my wife and I virtually spent the whole day there.

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Iceland and thanks for the great tips! I hadn't thought of following a tour bus from Harpa before. :)

[@liamzh]

Secret Lagoon ain't no secret anymore, am I right? Lol.

[@bonniecastro1549]

I was in Iceland at the end of June and I had a fantastic time. I stayed in a hostel far from the city as it had free parking. I rented a car for SAD or SADD car rentals and they picked me and dropped me off at the airport. I received a discount for paying in advance. I cooked all my meals at the hostel and yes I bought my groceries from Bonus Supermarket. Dunkin' Donuts had some inexpensive sandwiches but I did not have an opportunity to take advantage. I bought a small tasting of their famous shark at the flea market and I didn't pay much for it. I paid for 3 entrance fees to museums, one at the Viking Museum which I enjoyed because I received a good synopsis on their history and took a cool picture in the end with their Viking costumes for free. One to watch a film about volcanos which was nice but not worth the money and entrance fee to a new volcano museum on my way to VIK which was interactive and really cool. I paid for a tour in a lava tube and that was interesting. The best was the Blue Lagoon, it was worth every penny but I recommend just buying their basic ticket entrance.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for sharing your story, Bonnie! I'm so glad to hear you had a great time in Iceland without breaking the bank. As you said, planning ahead can really save you some money. What were your thoughts on the shark? Were you able to finish it?

[@bonniecastro1549]

Andrew Scott I ate all the fermented shark and I didn't think it was that bad. I had some Icelandic vodka or whisky? But I didn't need it. I drank some of it anyway just because I wanted too. I will go back to Iceland.

[@authentic_traveling]

I'm impressed you were able to handle the smell and taste, Bonnie! Yes, I think they usually serve it with Brennivin, a clear potato schnapps that is also knowns as 'Black Death'. :o What did you think of it? Glad you'll be making it back to Iceland in the future!

[@yullyyully9406]

Bonnie Castro Hii Bonnie i will go blue lagoon on Nov9, why we just have to pay basic ticket ? Do u bring ur own towel ?

[@bonniecastro1549]

Yully Yully i bought an upgraded ticket which included an algae face mask and one drink. I don’t recall if it included a towel or whether towels are always included. I didn’t think the algae mask was with the added cost. You’ll get a bracelet on which you can charge drinks whether or not it’s in the package. You can ask for a free ponytail band at the cashier when checking in.

[@capailldubh]

Hire a car from home before you go. Fraction of the price. Food in big supermarkets in dock area in Reykjavik are cheap. Enjoy..

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the tips, Capailldubh!

[@buddhapiyao1315]

The background music is wayyyyy too loud!!!! Too distracting to hear what you are talking..sorry cannot watch till the end.

[@waynebelfast]

Just a wee tip for your videos. Try to talk more naturally. Talk lik you're chatting to to friends. It works better for a vlog than the travel show style you're going with. Aside from that, great video!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the advice (and kind words), Wayne! I want to share the best content possible, so I'll be sure to keep that in mind for future videos. :)

[@thelifeofjools8384]

I disagree.... I enjoyed the style of presentation, along with a couple of hundred thousand other viewers.

[@ohyeahnyx]

Wayne Donaldson I see no problem with it

[@mhtinla]

Hi Andrew I enjoyed your no nonsense, presentation style talk. I came to learn how to visit Iceland on a budget and that's exactly what I got. I watched another video with similar title, and I was taken for a ride to 2 waterfalls and 1 hot spring before being shown a Bonus market, which I already knew.

[@Molzhon93]

Planning a honeymoon to Iceland next November. Got a budget of around 10k but feel like we still may be stressed money wise. I used to live there when I was 5 and the military base was open. Forgot how many volcanoes they had but one erupted when I was there. Will be a blast to see how it’s changed after 20 years!

[@authentic_traveling]

That sounds like a fantastic honeymoon! For how long are you planning on staying there? Yes, that should be exciting to see how much things have changed (I imagine it will be quite a lot).

[@66CJMatt]

If you are spending a couple days in Reykjavik, get a City Card. Most of the museums and public pools are included, as well as the public bus.

[@authentic_traveling]

Great advice, Carolyn!

[@skyeandbeyond6311]

Dipping in the blue lagoon while it is having a snowfall makes your experience 10x more relaxing. The views in Iceland were really amazing indeed. It did not disappoint though everything there was expensive. Will definitely visit the place again after saving up. Thanks for sharin tips on how not to go broke while in Iceland :)!

[@vanessaruiz4705]

as acommodation is one of the most expensive elements in visiting Iceland, as a solo traveller and considering that I like to have some privacy, I found a kind of capsule hotel which is one of the most inexpensive acommodations in iceland while still providing a bit of privacy, it´s called galaxy pod. I havent been there yet but it looks to me like the cheapest option that it´s not just a bunk bed.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for sharing this, Mara!

[@pragop80]

Nice Video, perfect advises. I had been to Iceland in July-August 2016. What a country! I spent only 5 days, so could only visit south east of the country till Jökulsárlón from Reykjavik. I'm a vegan and outside of Reykjavik, they probably don't even know the meaning of it. I pretty much lived on fruits, chips and juices. I knew the places I wanted to visit but did not want to plan. Covered many places, did snorkeling, Glacier walking, Hiking, Cave walking etc. Visited puffins, Crashed war plane, Black Sand beach and more. I had a car which I payed through my nose but slept in it more because I was in the middle of nowhere without realizing it was already past mid night. Pulled the car over to the side and slept in it. Not very cozy but saved money. I gave ride to 2 French hitch hiking girls and a 19 year old Japanese kid who was a world traveler already. He said Iceland food was pretty bad which is in line with most of the people have said. I did eat in a vegan restaurant on my last day in Reykjavik and the food was wonderful and expensive. Incredible place, must visit once a lifetime. I plan to cycle around the country in the ring road. Need partners. May be sometime....

[@authentic_traveling]

Sounds like you had an amazing adventure, Praveen--thanks for sharing it!

[@LoveThemGorillaz]

hi there im vegan as well and looking to travel to iceland. Would you say that you were able to find staple food items at food stores that you could make meals out of? are fruits and veggies super expensive?

[@face2much]

Showed up here yesterday, knew it was expensive but didn’t know the cardinal rule of avoid taxis like the plague .... forgot my laptop on my flight and had to go back to the airport halfway through the ride. When I saw the fair I thought I must’ve googled the wrong conversion rate ... costed me 130$ for 25 mins. To put that in perspective: A budget flight from New Jersey USA is 240$ Round trip from the airport to Reykjavik in a taxi is 260$. You read that right. It costs more to go from airport to the hotel than it is to cross an ocean .

[@authentic_traveling]

I'm sorry to hear that. Yes, taxi rates are extremeIy high to the airport (I'm glad you got such a great deal with your flight, however!) I hope it didn't ruin your time in Iceland!

[@katzervas9338]

You are also allowed to carry 2.5 liters of wine and up to 6 lbs of food with you excluding meats and cheeses and a few other items which could definitely defray your cost.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the great tip, Kat! That's a really smart way to save some more!

[@TippiPeppermint]

Great tips! I just got back from Iceland earlier this week. Glad I saved money on flight/hotel costs in the off season .... and yes, eating and drinking out is very expensive. I could add a tip for your viewers. The majority of bars we went to offered happy hour specials at varying times. We found that we saved a lot of money on alcohol that way.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Mark! So glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for that great tip! Happy hour it is next time I visit Iceland. :)

[@tdbsnr]

Thanks for this, v useful, going to Iceland on Feb. On my budget travels to extreme places I take pre-packaged freeze dried meals for hiking/mountaineering, just add boiling water & leave to stand 15 mins, add salt/pepper/chilli/sugar to your taste. In the past FD meals were pretty grim, but now very good indeed, big cals, vits & minerals, sterile & easy to digest. They are relatively expensive, but require minimal fuel, & very convenient.

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you found it useful! And thanks for the suggestion--that's a good idea, especially if you plan on camping. I hope you enjoy your time in Iceland!

[@lindabenke6448]

I take tuna/salmon in foil pouches, about $1 @, they are flat so don't take up much room, under 3 oz to go through security if you don't check bags. Also, I stop at local stores and pu small packs of cheese. I also take my own trail mix, all good sources of protein that stays with you. Going to Iceland in May for 2nd time. Absolutely incredible place!

[@sarahmentock3655]

Thanks for the video. I especially liked the tip on buying alcohol at the duty-free shop. My son and I went to Iceland three years ago, and it's one of my favorite places on earth. I would add that if you are a knitter, or know a knitter, there is AMAZING yarn to be had in the grocery stores, and it's crazy cheap. We came home with a duffle bag full of yarn, european chocolate and tumbled basalt rocks.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Sarah! I'm so glad you and your son enjoyed your time in Iceland. What a great idea! I bought some wool socks and gloves when in Iceland (which were, as you can imagine, not cheap), but I didn't think about buying the wool and having someone knit it at home. Thanks for the tip!

[@laurapenty6017]

This has been very helpful, thank you. I'm planning to go to Iceland next month and have been watching as many videos as I can. I have found a lot of do's and dont's which is good.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks Laura--I'm so happy the video helped you! Enjoy your time in Iceland!

[@oskarpetursson7652]

I live in Iceland and I think that it is dumb to be in reikjavík it is much better to be in hafnarfjörður the prices isn’t nearly as much as in Reykjavík

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Óskar. Thanks for the tip! I've not been to Hafnarfjörður myself, but I just looked up some photos of it and it looks lovely. And a lower price is always nice as well. :)

[@martiniversen4898]

Went for 3 days with family recently. Want to go back and do more camping and hiking. Great informative and straightforward video.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the kind words, Martin! Yes, Iceland is an amazing place that makes you want to go back no matter how many times you've visited. :)

[@Sofia-xn2ei]

WHY DO YOU ONLY HAVE 1 VIDEO !!! I really liked those tips, very useful thank you.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks so much for your kind words-I can assure you we’ll have more content for you in the near future!

[@charissagabrielle6810]

We're planning on doing a trip next year and your video is extremely informative. Thanks for the tips!

[@dasctravel3451]

Your video was massively helpful when planning money for our trip! It's so expensive over there! Amazing place though so it makes up for the cost :)

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the kind words! And yes, the incredible sights absolutely do make up for the cost. :)

[@stenhard61.46.1]

Try the bakeries for cheap great sandwiches. Look for "Bakari" and the pretzel sign. There are all over so won´t be hard to find.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for sharing this advice, Sten! As you said, bakarí are another great option for budget-friendly (and tasty) meals. In fact, my first meal in Iceland--after landing early in the morning--was at the Sandholt Bakarí in downtown Reykjavík.

[@alexandraeyjajohannsdottir4071]

Sten hård almar bakari is the best

[@davidmclean3465]

Thank you for sharing the really good tips and advice. You cover the basics very well.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, for the kind words, David--they mean a lot! I hope it's inspired you to visit Iceland sometime in the near future. :)

[@ramapradhan4613]

David McLean hi

[@ramapradhan4613]

Andrew Scott hi

[@Catch52London]

Thank you for the tips! I'm looking to visit this year at some point and cant wait! :)

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks! Iceland is a fantastic country and I'm sure you'll have a blast whenever you visit. :)

[@rozegon6920]

thank you SO much for the this great video :) , specially for the blog post, it was great way to understand many words that not familiar with voice and made the coping it to my guide book very easy too :)

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Roze. I'm glad the video (and the blog post) helped. I hope you enjoy your trip to Iceland! :)

[@privatename542]

My advice ... don't spend more than a day in Reykjavik, it's a very expensive tourist trap. Rent a car and explore the island.

[@davidrose1838]

Great video. Very informal enjoyable presentation!

[@davetullis]

Thanks for the great info! I’d love to know which guided-tours you strongly recommend. Thanks !

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, David! So glad you found the video useful. One tour that really stood out to me while in Iceland was the Inside the Volcano Tour, which--as the name suggests--takes you down into a dormant volcano using a specially built elevator. This half-day tour is not cheap (42.000 króna, or c. $400 per person), but it's a one-of-a-kind experience. Another worthwhile tour is the Zodiac Boat Tour on the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón. It's not everyday that you get to speed past massive floating chunks of ice. This is also not cheap (9.800 króna, or c. $100 per person). Nordurflug provides a series of helicopter tours of Iceland, ranging from happy hour trips to volcano an glacier expeditions, with prices varying widely. I've also heard good things about the Into the Glacier tours, which take you inside Iceland's glaciers.. The CityWalk Reykjavik History and Culture walking tour (marketed as free, but really they're working on tips), provides a nice--and more affordable--overview of the city upon arrival.

[@66CJMatt]

There is an app called "Appy Hour" that will tell you where all the happy hours are , what hours, and what the deals are. Lots of bars had BOGO beers, which is a big deal when they charge $10 a pour...

[@authentic_traveling]

This app sounds fantastic! I'll have to give it a try next time I'm in Reykjavik.

[@maverickbna]

Also fly on Icelandair, if you do this you can split up your itinerary and stay over in Iceland for free, unless this has changed.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the tip! Yeah, it's called a stopover, and it's offered by both Icelandair and WOW Air. It's a nice way to break up a trip over the Atlantic while also seeing one of the most incredible incredible countries on Earth. :) For more information, you can visit www.icelandair.us/flights/stopover/ or wowair.us/flights/wow-stopover/.

[@maverickbna]

I always equated a stopover as the same as a layover, guess I got my definitions mixed up.

[@authentic_traveling]

I had no idea what one was either until I decided to take one. :)

[@shashibw]

Great video Andrew...Really appreciate your efforts in make a video. It is really encouraging and inspiring for any budget travelers. I’m planning to do Iceland in mid or last week of May. And being a photographer I’m planning visit when the landscapes is lush green with some wildflowers. Do you have any idea about weather and conditions toward end of May

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Shashidhar! Thanks for the kind words; you just made my day. :) May has the most sun on average and the least rain--both of which will make for excellent photographing conditions. The temperature averages around 7°C, so depending on where you're coming from it might be a bit cooler than you're used to for May. Typically, by the end of the month some of the flowers will have emerged and you will start to see those lush green landscapes you are hoping to photograph, especially in the southern part of the island. If you venture north, however, things may still be a bit brown. If that's a problem, give it a few weeks and things should be brighter. Best of luck. I'd love to see your work when you get back!

[@yeseniasplace]

I love this video!! Thank you so much!! Not sure about hitchhiking being a woman and I love all your tips. Thank you for this video.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Yesenia! I hope it helps you on your next trip to Iceland! :)

[@showkathossain9638]

Thanks for this video, I am visiting Iceland this August

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you liked the video, Showkat! You're going to have a fantastic time in Iceland. :)

[@jzhou03]

Really? Only 375 subs? You deserve better

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Joe! More videos should be coming shortly!

[@jzhou03]

Andrew Scott I just subbed and turned on the bell!

[@authentic_traveling]

That's awesome, Joe! Thanks so much! :)

[@jzhou03]

Andrew Scott oh and can’t wait to see your new videos

[@thordisunnur472]

I live in Iceland🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸🇮🇸and the hotdogs are amazing

[@authentic_traveling]

Yes they are!!!

[@ohyeahnyx]

Thordis Unnur would love to visit your country

[@scrotube]

They really are very good! I pretty much lived off them and hardfiskur and butter for 3 weeks.

[@davidisrael8537]

I don't really have a choice. I'll be reliant on tours, transport and probably include hotels in that. Not possible for me to drive and may be on my own. Still want to go though.

[@raimondasmarciulevicius7599]

Andrew Scott, good job. Together we are strong :) :)

[@isabellenatalya]

So so excited to go here! thanks for your tips:)

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you enjoyed the video, Isabelle! Iceland is a wonderful country; you've got a lot to look forward to! :)

[@MentalPolution]

i wish I would have known a few of these things during my visit last weekend. I spent about $300 round trip to fly there and about $700 during my weekend there. I know I could have done better and spent less but I dont have any regrets.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey! I love the attitude! As you said, there's no reason to regret great memories. :)

[@marlineharrold1937]

Really enjoyed watching it. 😀

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Marline!

[@kristinawashington1773]

sweet work! Thanks heaps. 😃

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Kristina!

[@susandcosta2256]

Iceland on a budget, I've done this one too :D

[@ehkuflute]

Great info. You mention there are tours you'd recommend. Can you name some? Going in mid-late May (10 days) and traveling the ring road.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Evelien! I'd be happy to send you a list of recommendations. It's a bit long so if you send me an email at [e-mail], I'll get back to you!

[@jellyfish_adventures9877]

Which tours do you suggest? I'm going to Iceland in a few days and got cheap accommodations and flight but all of the caves/waterfall/geothermal and other nature tours I've found are over $100 each.

[@scrotube]

There is no need to pay for a tour. Rent a car from sadcars and drive yourself around when you feel like it. I've been there twice and am heading back this summer for 2 more weeks.

[@tonyromeusa]

great and helpful information i intend to use soon.

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you liked it!

[@DeannaTorress]

great video ! I always need to learn how to travel on a budget

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you enjoyed it, Deanna!

[@lorneparklandscaping5400]

Incredible.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks--Iceland is an incredible country!

[@judyfiebig8304]

Can't wait.

[@authentic_traveling]

I'm sure you'll love Iceland, Judy!

[@selesaid4367]

would love visit there

[@authentic_traveling]

I hope you are able to in the near future, Sele!

[@FedericaDiNardo]

Super useful suggestions! Iceland is sooo beautiful!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the kind words, Federica! Yes, Iceland's reputation for beauty is well deserved. :)

[@lynnburgess8755]

What places do you highly suggest going in Iceland? I'll be staying 3 days in Reykjavik and would like to know what not to miss. Thank you!

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Lynn! Wow, there are so many and it really depends on what you're interested in. Shoot me an email at [e-mail] with some of your interests and I can help you out!

[@matthewd7765]

Great video. Thank you!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Matthew!

[@jakobpetersohn7266]

thanks for the video. nice work! I am going to iceland in july for 2 weeks and my buget is very small in comparison. But my plan is to camp only (to this point i thought its ok camping everywhere -like in norway i was before) and hike alot while cooking for myself. Did you hiked in inceland? what was your place to be there?

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Jakob! Honestly, you could do what I did for under $50 a day--the $100 just gives you a bit more flexibility. I think that camping out and cooking for yourself sounds fantastic! Just be sure to bring warm/waterproof clothes as it can still be quite cold in July (especially if you're hiking). I didn't do any multi-day hikes in Iceland, but I did climb to the top of every waterfall and cliff that I came across. While not physically difficult, I really enjoyed wandering around Fjaðrárgljúfur, as I was the only person there. If you're looking to go on a more intense hike, I've heard good things about Jökulsárgljúfur, Skaftafell, and Sveinstindur-Skælingar. I think you'll enjoy your hike, no matter where you go!

[@bonniecastro1549]

Andrew Scott I bought a heated jacket and gloves from a brand called Raeven? Something like that. It uses back up battery pack. I thought it would come in handy since I live in Los Angeles and I'm only accustomed to warm weather but I never used the jacket. I was hiking everywhere and generating enough heat to keep me warm with a light sweater and waterproof wind breaker.

[@authentic_traveling]

I had the same experience, Bonnie (although I'm used to a slightly-colder climate, having spent much of my life in the Midwest). My warmest outfit was a sweater under a windbreaker and I was sweating half the trip! The heated jacket and gloves sound interesting--maybe I'll have to try those out at home! :)

[@KM-bu8ec]

Great information!

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you found it informative, Kathleen! :)

[@supernova6177]

Why u keep moving ur chair

[@CheapHolidayExpert]

I found it much cheaper to do a road trip - it would have cost us a lot more if we stayed in Reykjavik!

[@michellej8529]

Thanks for the tips! What guided tours do you recommend?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Michelle--I'm so glad you enjoyed the tips! It really depends on what you're looking to do while in Iceland. Are you looking for relatively passive outdoor activities, more intense physical activities, or cultural immersion? :)

[@brenchiebrench6558]

Hey there! Planning a trip for next year, your video help a loooot! Amazing tips!!!! :D

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the kind words! I hope you have an amazing time in Iceland!

[@Yeldur]

Something I learned about pronunciation (I learned it because I own a pair of glasses from the company Reykjavík Eyes) - You pronounce Reykjavík "Rey Kya Veek" with a soft k on the end, a lot of Icelandic people have a speech impediment which makes a "K" sound like a "G" - So in this case, I tend to try and make my K sound a bit like a G.

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the explanation, Yeldur--good to know!

[@Yeldur]

No problem, glad to help :D

[@paulinariquelme4142]

I am going next week!!! I was thinking about just bringing to changes of clothes and fill the 10 kilos with food haha jk. Thank you very much for the bottle of water advice I did not think of that. There is only one thing I did not quite get. The sheets and pillow at the hostels are included but I will need extra blankets? Did you see any aurora boreal?

[@authentic_traveling]

That's exciting, Paulina. I know you'll have an incredible time! So there will always be a pillow and a sheet to cover the mattress, but most hostels will charge you an additional fee, usually listed as 'with made-up bed', if you want a duvet to cover yourself. And unfortunately, I was not able to see the Aurora Borealis while in Iceland on this past trip as the weather did not cooperate. Next time! Hope this helps. :)

[@JamieBanksTravel]

Yay thanks for this!!!!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Jamie! I appreciate the positive feedback; I hope it inspires you to visit Iceland! :)

[@agentderk3612]

Hello Andrew! Thank you so much for making this video- it was extremely helpful. 3 days ago I saw a pic of Iceland and I’m booked and ready to go. This place looks incredible:) I said screw it and going alone- I’m nervous traveling alone but I’m sure I’ll be fine. What I’d like to ask you is which tours do you recommend? Also, you touched on rent a cars, my plan was to rent one after I’m done in Reykjavik- which I’m told you only need a day there. I was gonna just drive around Iceland and check things out alone. Do you think this is a good plan? Cheer!

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Dee! So glad you liked the video and I'm happy you're heading to Iceland. You'll have a wonderful time for sure! Iceland is super safe so you'll have no problems there. When are you going there? A lot of the tours depend on season. Let me know and I can give you some recommendations! As for the renting a car, it's the easiest way to get around Iceland if you're willing to pay a bit more (or you can ride share like I talked about in the video). It allows you to stop wherever you want to take beautiful pictures or explore on foot. Just be sure you get a vehicle that's graded out for the activities you want to do/and the places you want to go! Hope this helps! -Andrew

[@greatguy6503]

hello, nice video, i was planning to go to iceland for 5 days but im only 19 and i cant rent a car, i was thinking about bus tour do you think theyre worth it ? or should i wait to be 20 ? thank you !

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, thanks for the kind words! It depends on what you're after. Do you want maximum flexibility and freedom to explore the more remote regions of the island? Then I'd wait so you can get your own car. Do you want to stay in Reykjavik and just take day trips via bus? Then you'd be fine going now. My preference would be to get the rental car because I think Iceland's natural beauty is best enjoyed by oneself (as opposed to a tour group), but that's just me. :)

[@dronepilot6716]

Great tips - vetted from an Icelander ;), subbed!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Edvald--that's the highest praise I can get! :)

[@revaddict]

I am thinking of a trip in April.. Do you think it will be worth it or too much snow?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Rahul! There will definitely be snow in April, but this shouldn't prevent you from going! And you'll be able to see the Northern Lights!

[@revaddict]

@@authentic_traveling I am currently in Toronto but found out that it won't be worse than it will be here.. And that's good enough for me.. :D

[@TheOnlyCollection]

Anyone know if you can roam like home in Iceland? (UK)

[@hashimq.2911]

what were some of the tours you'd recommend?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Hashim--feel free to email me at [e-mail] and I can send you a list. :)

[@frankp8385]

I'm going alone for around 3 days in the middle of September ..... Since I don't want to get lost what Tours are good?Where is the best place to see the Northern lights ?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Frank! The further north and farther away you get from light pollution (thankfully there isn't too much of that in Iceland), the better. Having said that, you can see the Northern Lights all over Iceland. As for the tours, if you send me an email ([e-mail]) saying what kind of tours you're interested in (what you want to do/see), I can send you a list of suggestions. Take care!

[@frankp8385]

Andrew Scott Thanks for the reply..Will email you soon 🤓

[@strkeout]

As much as I loved Iceland, it is really expensive. If you can figure out a way of eating cheaply, you will save a lot of money while you visit. Also, it would have been good to find out that tipping in Iceland is not normal. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it is so expensive to eat there. We actually had an American waiter that explained this all to us but unfortunately this happened on the last night of our trip. Of course he said they will always accept gratuities but it's not expected.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Strkeout. You're right to point out that food is one of the biggest expenses when traveling to Iceland. Cooking for yourself, buying in bulk, and choosing less-expensive food options like hot dogs and pizza vs. fancy meals can all help. And yes, tipping can be confusing--especially if you're from a country where it's expected!

[@marouanhajmabrouk162]

I've encountered a problem at a restaurant in Canada because of the tipping, they expected me to tip but I came from a country where it is a shame or not expected to tip. After a while I got used to it.

[@JOAMELJESS]

Everything is so much more affordable if your traveling as a Brit, it all appears to be cheaper for us in Iceland

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Jordan! You're absolutely right--there's a better conversion rate for the British Pound to the Icelandic Krona than there is with the US Dollar....which gives anyone from the UK a great excuse to visit Iceland. :)

[@JOAMELJESS]

Andrew Scott also I find that simply booking from a UK provider is cheaper, I paid £50 for car hire for 5 days, & £170 for my hotel for the 5 nights in 4* apartments including flights, perhaps Americans can book through UK sites to find cheaper deals?

[@authentic_traveling]

Interesting discovery, Jordan, and yes, they can (assuming that the exchange rate from USD to British Pound doesn't mitigate the savings)! It always pays (pun intended) to shop around when looking for rates, as they can vary so much between sites! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@Sonjablaahblaah2]

I live in Iceland

[@nitochi3]

Hulda Valsdóttir how expensive are the average restaurants there?

[@bibhuchandanrath4390]

Hi

[@IMMAAUG]

can you offer me anight on your sofa lol, im coming in july. I love iceland!

[@martinmazivisa1326]

How are you doing I'm from ZIMBABWE tell me about the hospitality of Icelandic people I don't want to come where I'm not welcomed need to stay for a month

[@poonamchopra4223]

How expensive are the hotels there? Will an Airbnb be decently priced?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hotels and AirBnB prices can range anywhere from $20 a night to over $500, depending on the time of year. For an entire place, I would expect to pay at least $100 a night.

[@poonamchopra4223]

@@authentic_traveling ahh okay thank you so much!!

[@livinggreatzero4196]

Hey I love your video, I’m planning on going to Iceland the blue Lagoon in October with my girlfriend for her birthday, I was wondering if there anything outside of that to see or do?

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the kind words! There is sooooo much to see in Iceland (or did you mean directly outside of the Blue Lagoon location?). How much time do you have and what kinds of things are you interested in?

[@SarahSmith-le5ei]

You should buy The Lonely Planet book on Iceland it tells you all the places to visit. I took it with me on recent trip to Iceland it was great. At Blue Lagoon to save cash wear a lightweight show you can wear in the water. At the face mask station they give it out and do not check to see if you paid for it. Take a bottle of water in with you.

[@ryancomelli8404]

Are you ever gonna post more videos man?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Ryan! Yes, I promise I will. I've been writing fairly consistently on my website,--AuthenticTraveling.com/blog--but will start creating more videos soon!

[@hcccss12]

Great video! What guided tours would you recommend?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Carol! Great question. There are so many fantastic tours to take in Iceland that it can be hard to choose sometimes. Because of this, I think the answer to your question really depends on what you're most interested in doing. If you like history or want a broad overview of Reykjavik, any of the "free" (they work for tips) walking tours are good. These can either be booked in advance online or joined in the Austurvöllur (main square). If you're looking for something more adventurous, I would recommend the Inside the Volcano tours (insidethevolcano.com/), which literally takes you inside a volcano; the Into the Glacier tour (intotheglacier.is/), which also literally takes you inside a glacier; and one of the helicopter tours from Norðurflug (helicopter.is/). Will you have a car? If not, then it would be worthwhile to take one of the many Golden Circle tours. None of these tours are budget friendly, save perhaps the "free" city tour, but they are well worth it if you're looking to do something you can't do anywhere else (ex: that's the only volcano in the world you can actually enter). I hope that helps!

[@kenw5619]

Was there in September this year, 2 musts are northern lights and Blue Lagoon. I would recommend booking both before you get there (the blue lagoon sells out even in september). The "Golden Circle" tour was made up of 3 parts..."Thingvellir National Park", "Geysir" geyser thermal field and "Gullfoss" water fall, 7 hour tour.. Thingvellir was incredible, it is where the north American and euro-Asian techtonic plates meet, the water fall was cool, but not awesome and the "Geysir" was a waste of time.

[@jossemark8686]

great information!!!!!

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks, Josse!

[@jossemark8686]

Andrew Scott my pleasure, amigo from México

[@panotkrukkratoke8765]

What is better between Couchsurfing and Hostel?

[@authentic_traveling]

Depends on what you're looking, but overall I'd say hostels give you more flexibility in terms of availability and privacy.

[@panotkrukkratoke8765]

@@authentic_traveling I have already booked the hostel from your recommendation. Thank you very much for your advice. It was very useful to me.

[@authentic_traveling]

@@panotkrukkratoke8765 I'm so glad it helped. Enjoy your time in Iceland!

[@marianokowal6753]

Hi there! I'm planning to visit Icealnd by March-April. Is the weather good between that months or is it very cold? Is it a good time to see the aurora's borealis? Thank you very much!

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Mariano! I'm glad you asked--it's still going to be fairly cold in March, with an average temperature right around 1°C. April will be a bit warmer, with an average of around 3°C. :) Fortunately, there's still a good amount to do in Iceland, even if it is cold, and the prices will be much cheaper since it's the off season. It should still be dark enough at night for you to see the Aurora Borealis until the end of April. I hope that helps!

[@marianokowal6753]

Hi, Andrew! Thank you very much for your kind response! Which part of the country would you recommend to see the Aurora Borealis? Once again, thank you very much!

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Mariano. Happy to help. :) The nights are longer up north, so that will give you the best chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Having said that, you can potentially see them anywhere that is dark and clear enough. It really comes down to luck and patience (if you're there long enough, you will see them). Here's a helpful forecasting tool I found that should give you a better sense of when and where to look once you get there (it's hard to predict their location this far in advance): en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/ Take care!

[@vaibhavshetye1]

Very encouraging video... i think now i am quiet positive of visiting Iceland this September-October, hope that time will be alright ?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Vaibhav! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You will definitely be fine traveling to Iceland in September or October. The weather will be wet and there will be a good number of clouds in the sky, but the temperature should remain above freezing (the average low is 3°C and the average high is 7°C). There will be fewer tourists--allowing you to enjoy Iceland's natural beauty in peace--and prices will be somewhat lower. And you'll have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights! I hope that helps. :)

[@vaibhavshetye1]

thanks much... thts very helpful

[@authentic_traveling]

Happy to have helped, Vaibhav. Have a great trip!

[@vaibhavshetye1]

I have one question, can thr northern lights be seen from Reykjavik town or do u hv to travel country side for the view...?

[@authentic_traveling]

You can absolutely see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik. You just have to find a place that's dark enough. Good spots include Miklatún and Hljómskálagarður parks, Öskjuhlíð, and the Grótta Island. If you have a car, you could drive a short distance into the countryside as well.

[@whereisamine]

Super helpful 👍

[@authentic_traveling]

Glad you found the video helpful, Amine! :)

[@javierflores6691]

This sounds as expensive as living in San Diego CA, even maybe a little bit cheaper

[@melbaterrell3529]

Planning this trip in September. What is the best place and rate when exchanging your money to Krona. Should I exchange US money before I come or will I get a better rate in the airport.

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Melba! If your credit card doesn't have a foreign transactions fee (you can find this out by calling your bank) then I would mostly use your credit card. Iceland is extremely credit card friendly, and you might not need to use cash at all. And if asked, always say you want to pay in Krona! Still, I often find it useful to pick up some Krona just in case. The ATMs at the airport and bus station allow you to take out more than some other ATMs, which will, depending on how your bank charges transaction fees (if at all), reduce the number of trips you take to the ATM and the overall fees you pay. The current exchange rate is 109.15 Krona to 1 USD, although you won't find that exact exchange rate with an ATM. I hope this helps!

[@AlexIlk]

Planning on going to Iceland on my winter break in December, great video but i have one question, are the people nice in Iceland lol

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Alex. I found the people in Iceland incredibly friendly--enjoy your time there!

[@eeliseb]

Hello! What guided tours did you do?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Emily! The list is a bit long for a KZbin response, but if you email me at [e-mail] I can send it to you along with a few additional recommendations. :)

[@eeliseb]

Great, thank you so much!

[@jam12732]

How much was the Helicopter and boat tours???

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Jamie! Thanks for your question. Since prices are always changing in Iceland, I don't want to quote you a price that's not accurate so here are links to the companies I used in both instances: helicopter.is/ icelagoon.is/ I really enjoyed both experiences, although they aren't necessarily the most budget-friendly. I'd still say they were well worth it!

[@layel9068]

I was interested in the info you provided in this video but the background music was very distracting

[@authentic_traveling]

Yeah, culpa mea. Next video will be better. :)

[@layel9068]

look forward to seeing more videos :) @@authentic_traveling

[@themortgageman_nz]

What was the name of the car pooling website?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Aaron. The website is samferda.net. :)

[@lebavu8260]

Do most places to eat or travel or site seeing etc take credit card? It would probably be one of the only ways I can afford it. Meaning low cash

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Le Ba Vu! Thanks for the question. Yes, you should be able to pay by credit card almost anywhere in Iceland!

[@cassc5330]

Thoughts on camper vans?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Cassy. I think camper vans are a great option when visiting Iceland, especially if you've got a group of people to split the cost with!

[@baharalli404]

I want to come Iceland

[@tourcenter9188]

Check out all the positive side of Reykjavik here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5LCZZWcpZ2kq7s

[@rmn878]

Can you camp in the winter?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey! You absolutely can go camping in the winter. Just be sure--if you're using more than three tents--to stay within the designated camping grounds.

[@rmn878]

Andrew Scott Thank you!

[@authentic_traveling]

Sure thing. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. :)

[@runanow]

Is it safe a woman traveller to travel alone in Iceland?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, Runa. Yes, it's absolutely safe for women travelers in Iceland! The biggest danger anyone faces there is the weather, but if you take usual precautions you should be fine!

[@scrotube]

Very safe for solo travelers, even women. I've been there twice and am going back for a third time. I traveled solo the first time and will again this time.

[@bery33]

great Video but since u was sometimes silent on the end of some sentences and the music was too loud I had to come back few times:) without music would have been perfect

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for the feedback--it's definitely something I'll change for future videos! :)

[@emmebot77]

What was the carpool website?

[@authentic_traveling]

Hey, M Robble. The website is samferda.net. It's a great resource; I hope you can take advantage of it!

[@TheGFS]

A "addon tip" since you talked about towels and sleepingbags.. you can go to "Rúmfatalagerinn" ( rumfatalagerinn.is | Store locations : rumfatalagerinn.is/stadsetning/verslanir/ ) and there u can buy things like towels for 4-10$ and in the sumertime they also sell cheap sleepingbags ( 35-70$ ) and all kinds of cheap camping gear and other things

[@authentic_traveling]

Thanks for sharing this tip, Gunnar!