THE TRUTH about traveling to Iceland in 2024

Traveling to Iceland will never be the same. Let's check out some changes that could affect your future travels and why you should perhaps plan a trip to Iceland in near future. Let's talk about prices, crowds,, nature, locals and more.
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Tourism in Iceland
00:45 Is Iceland crowded?
01:55 Prices in Iceland & new expenses
02:58 How is tourism changing nature
04:34 Are locals still friendly?
06:24 Is it too late to visit Iceland?
06:46 The positive side of tourism
07:36 Accommodation in Iceland
07:57 Activities in Iceland
08:40 Language barrier
09:04 Predictions
#iceland #icelandtravel

[@janiniceland]

Let me help you plan your trip in Iceland : janiniceland.com/custom-itinerary

[@backyardprovence]

I went to Iceland for the second time in July 2020, during Covid. At that time they were letting in people who lived in Europe already. I spent the best 3.5 weeks there. NO ONE was there. It felt like I had the whole place to myself and most of the time I was the only car on the road. I even did a glacier hike with a local guide and I was the only one in the "group". It was glorious. I will forever be thankful that I was able to take that trip and those memories always make me smile.

[@janiniceland]

So glad you got to experience that! For me personally, even though Covid was stressful as my income here relies on the tourism, it was also some of my favourite moments. Looking back I wish I did more traveling to normally crowded places during that time

[@jameshummel7349]

Pro tip. Going during midnight sun hours.. sleep in, and explore late when people have left the busy spots

[@janiniceland]

I think this is a way to go if you want to visit famous spots here in the summer. I have to document some of those places this summer and so I might need to be doing more of that. I've tried it few times and it's always worth it. The light is also amazing during those late hours. The only downside is having to completely change your sleep schedule which always messes me up for the first day

[@MarkYaklich-fm3ty]

Iceland is a beautiful country. We've been there twice. First time was in Summer 2012 and second time was in January 2017. There was a definitely noticeable more tourists when we returned in 2017 even though it was "off-season". Still the country is beautiful - like a different world and people were very friendly. Our next trip we want to drive the entire ring road - maybe we can stay at your airbnb :)

[@janiniceland]

You should definitely do the ring road. There're soooo many nice places everywhere. Even after all those years, I still feel like a barely scratched the surface sometimes haha. Always welcome, maybe see you here some day!

[@LRT104]

I live in a beautiful tourist town. For me, I love the tourists. I get to see my home with fresh eyes every time I see a tourist in awe of something I am very used to looking at, and have perhaps lost notice of. It makes me feel very fortunate to be able to be here and work. I will be in Iceland very soon and surely in awe and I hope that enthusiasm can be as contagious to locals as it is for me in my town. I agree about the "zoo" feel of the ropes and paths...There is a popular trail near me that recently got the zoo treatment and signage with rules, but also facts about the nature. I read all of the information signs and learned some new things along with the other locals and tourists. There are so many wild areas to explore as well. Thanks again for another lovely video Jan.

[@janiniceland]

So well said and I couldn't agree more. Even though I am being reminded daily by the beautiful landscapes, sometimes it is can be easy to simply get used to things and tourist are the ones always reminding us how fortunate we are to live where we live. I remember how excited I was when I came here for the first time. It was the best. I think that tourists have to simply do their best to respect nature, culture and people of the place they're visiting and the locals should do their best to make people feel welcome (and not throw everyone into the same baskets only because of few ,bad apples'). I promise you will love it here and I look forward to hearing about your trip and what you liked the best :)

[@fiucik1]

A tip to visit popular places on Iceland in the summer: go there veeery late. I visited Iceland last summer. Late June, early July. I was on Gulfoss, Geysir and Dettifos among other place almost alone, because I was there around and sometimes past midnight. And to witness a sunset that doesn't come(polar day) at Dettifos was something truly magical.

[@janiniceland]

that's true. thanks for sharing! I've done that once here and like you say, when weather's good, then the light can be truly magical and there's nobody there. I think the best would be to have a camper van so one doesn't have to worry about check-ins and outs from the hotels and just sleep during the day and travel during the night since the sun doesn't set.

[@thoseUNheardRsweeter]

This was really interesting! Most of these things I had never even thought about in relation to travelling to Iceland. Thanks!

[@janiniceland]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers! 🙏

[@soggybawsmoto]

Visit Iceland in December, and you will have alot of these places to yourself. We visitied 11th - 19th December 2023, the only busy place was Geysir. We rented a 4wd Dacia Duster and went touring on our own. It was a magical holiday capturing the Northern Lights, and the start of the erruptions on 18/12/23. It was super exciting. The Perlan was fantastic. It wasnt on our radar before we travelled. We went twice there was so much to see.

[@janiniceland]

Thank you for sharing! Winter months are great for avoiding crowds, that's for sure. The downside for some however can be short days and more challenging weather. I personally like it but I know it can be too much for some 😀 But I'm happy to hear you had a great time here!

[@julianjaramillob]

Thanks for all of your very truth full videos. Very nice, simple with really use full info. Hope to enjoy it in 2 weeks from now!

[@janiniceland]

Glad it's helpful, Julian! I'm sure you will have a great time, excited for you!

[@matthewtanksley8458]

I'm from Wyoming in the US and it's the same here with our Yellowstone National Park and Gand Tetons. We as locals even have a growing resentment towards people who have moved here and started changing our way of life. It's not the same small community i grew up in.

[@janiniceland]

thank you for sharing! Yes I've see some videos of people talking about this problem there..Here in Iceland I think there's a resentment rather against bigger corporations rather that individuals moving here, but still it depends who you talk to. Reykjavík is an example where things that never occurred there are now becoming part of the new reality - theft, drugs, violence...all that started mainly with foreigners moving in. Which is sad for the majority of people, who just like me are not doing anything wrong, yet, many times I feel like we're all being thrown into the same bucket.

[@benburns5995]

Hi Jan, the old saying of a few bad people can ruin it for everyone else is so true. It's sad that they have enough bad people to create a Facebook page highlighting that point. The page is probably very successful for the person that created it. One positive point about the increase in tourists is that it is good for your Airbnb business. The picture you showed of the Rainbow by your home is really outstanding. Best wishes to you and the people of Iceland that the increase in tourism will bring more positive than negative experiences.

[@janiniceland]

Thank you Ben. Yes, sadly it takes just few people sometimes and I think it is very important that locals, wherever the place, remember that this is the case and they should never throw everyone into the same basket. I think that there are many positive sides of tourism and we can't forget about that and as someone directly dependent on tourism I can't imagine the life here without it (as me and so many others learned during covid)

[@lunavx]

I noticed it's got busier too on our 3rd trip, but we tend to just like chilling out in Reykjavik for a few days - I really enjoy it and hope to be back again soon

[@janiniceland]

Glad you like it there. Reykjavík is nice city and there're still many places to see and things too do in its proximity, so it's definitely a good place to be too :)

[@yvonnevandermeer8471]

Hi i Jan, I’ve experienced by my self. I was in 2019 by Kfernufoss, the path was a small mountain path and and you had to climb over a rock. It felt great for me to made it to behind the waterfall. I went back there in 2022 and they made a easy gravel path and the rock was moved away. At that moment I felt said that there are more people now. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@janiniceland]

Thank you for sharing this Yvonne. Yes, that is a bummer. Like I mentioned I think that Iceland is doing still a good job in trying to keep the changes at least as aesthetically pleasing as possible, but on the other hand I don't think that there should be an easy access everywhere. Some places should remain harder to access as the nature intended them to be.

[@burgseeli1911]

Thanks Jan i guess you're right very soon Iceland will be to touristy, but honest in my own experience you always will find breathtaking spots where you're can be completely alone.and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you and gives you the feeling to be on your own on an other planet . ❤

[@janiniceland]

That is very true :) One just need to go a little bit off the beaten path

[@Bragi71]

Yes, a lot of things changed the past years. 20 years ago I could build up my tent at Jökulsárlón, I just walked 15 minutes away from the Café… and I was the only one. Or going to Geysir for example, in the late 90s there were tourists, of course. But compared to nowadays allmost no one…

[@bobcat6653]

I have my 3rd solo trip to Iceland scheduled for May 2024, a 2 week visit, where I will focus on the North Coast. the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes. Thanks for sharing your videos, very helpful and I too will be shying away from the well known destinations and focusing on the less traveled, quieter spots. The Troll peninsula is high among my plans.

[@janiniceland]

That sounds like a great plan and you can also see so much in 2 week. Excited for you and fingers crossed for some good weather!

[@lynnmarad9121]

I understand your concerns. My home is the beautiful Maine coast where the population of tourists and those with summer homes explodes during the high season. Full confession, we depend on those people for our tourist dollars, so its a love/hate relationship. I will be a first time visitor to Iceland within the next 2 weeks, so I hope by traveling in a shoulder season we will miss the crowds. Unless the volcano has other ideas to keep us away…

[@janiniceland]

thank you for sharing :) I directly depend on tourism and honestly I love meeting people traveling here and sharing their excitement for this island. In my opinion as long as people respect the place, they should feel welcomed, we can't forget we're all tourists somewhere at least at some point in our lives. I don't think the volcano will be cause any problems and I'm sure you will love it here. There will be some crowds in the south even now at but still there are so many places which are completely empty :)

[@lynnmarad9121]

Thank you Jan. I look forward to experiencing Iceland firsthand. Yes, it’s true. We are all tourists at some time and place.❤

[@FalconX88]

Visited last year, it was amazing. Golden circle was crowded but on the east coast there was no one.

[@janiniceland]

Glad you enjoyed it! It is interesting to see how different/more quiet in suddenly becomes once you go further east/north. And it is understandable that places like golden circle are crowded, it is just such an easy and convenient trip to do

[@machnumber]

Create more tourist spots near Reykjavik to retain and scatter the tourists that just want to do tourists things while making the island spots less crowded. They will still see wonderful things. Could be museums, cultural places or even put a sign somewhere random "PARK HERE" and be sure it will be crowded !

[@evanlucas8914]

Another thing that's been driving this is Iceland Air has been making a bunch of new direct routes between Keflavik and major cities. They're opening one up in May for my home city of Pittsburgh and the promotional price was under $500 USD for a nonstop plane ticket in June July and August. That's insane for international travel from Pittsburgh.

[@janiniceland]

Thanks for sharing Evan! Yeah, that is a good deal for a direct flight. I've just spoken to a couple of folks from US the other day, I think they mentioned paying somewhere around $400

[@catohnine511]

I first visited Iceland in 1994 and it was amazing! Subsequent visits in 2015 and 2017 and sadly it had become a victim of its own success.... barriers everywhere, parking charges and overcrowding; so sad 😞

[@janiniceland]

You're very lucky to experience it before tourism took off, must have been amazing. But still now there are plenty of places there're no people - it's usually those where you need to hike or where there's no easy access, but that works for me hah

[@KODELINER]

Just got back from my first trip to Iceland, very much enjoyed the beautiful landscapes, the food, the people. It's a special place, felt very different to Norway which I've spent a lot of time in. It never felt that busy in Reykjavik (Friday night in the Posthus was probably the busiest it got) - the one thing I noticed was American tourists seemed to struggle with cultural differences more than others. The weather didn't bother me or fellow Brits I bumped into either.

[@janiniceland]

thank you for sharing! Glad you had a great trip here. It usually gets busier in summer, but it really depends, the experience always vary with when, where and how people travel. Just out of curiosity, since you mention cultural differences - is there something that stands out that you've noticed people struggled with here?

[@KODELINER]

@@janiniceland I noticed American's had a lot of trouble understanding how and when to pay in restaurants, they kept insisiting waiters take their credit cards prior to eating the meal and didn't seem to believe that it wasn't the done thing. I overheard quite a few US tourists complaining about tours being cancelled and rescheduled too as if they didn't quite understand that weather and nature changes on its own whim and isn't controlled by tour companies. Again, I had an amazing trip and felt very welcomed by all Icelanders I spoke with! also everywhere I visited seemed to be playing excellent music, Icelanders have a killer taste in bands!

[@welshlad6427]

I have visited Iceland 8 times and there is definitely a difference from my first to last visit. My first visit was 2016 and my last was just a few days ago. Iceland is still wonderful but it’s definitely not the same especially in the more popular places. My favourite places now are East Iceland and Westfjords as they still have that old Icelandic feel.

[@janiniceland]

I agree and I think that these other regions won't really ever to the same level which we see at the most famous spots at the south. I'm sure their popularity will raise and I think that's good for small local communities in those areas but as many people still look to do a quick trip and visit the places they see promoted everywhere ( black beach, jökullsarlón, geysir, skogafoss etc) the south is just too convenient

[@martinpickard5818]

We live in a beautiful part of southwest England and we HATE tourists,sadly we all become tourists at some point….we arrive in Iceland tomorrow…..we will do our best to go unnoticed……I may be in touch for some help….😁😁

[@janiniceland]

Honestly I enjoy people's excitement when they come here because I remember how i loved every bit of landscape the first time I came here. Travel & tourism is in my opinion so important and I think that all we can do as individuals is to be respectful to the place we're visiting and people. But also I think that locals should always do their best to be good locals and don't throw everyone into the same basket. I've been to places where I didn't feel welcome as soon as someone found out I wasn't from there. It changes the whole vibe so drastically. As a foreigner living here I now understand the both sides of this. Sadly there'll always be some brainless individuals disrespecting places they're visiting, and it is a shame that the good tourists then have to ,,pay for it''. Have a great trip Martin, looking forward to hearing some travel stories!

[@nopretribrapture2318]

well you'de hate me too then as i'll be a tourist south west uk, and im part Cornish and Welsh and have the rights to travel wherever i want , disabled as well !

[@JoelRiveraMD]

What about visiting Iceland in September ? I’m more interested in nature photography and wildlife . What’s the best month for photography of animals and wildlife ?

[@janiniceland]

I think that September is great month to visit - northern lights are back, it is still summer-ish and great for wildlife photography I would say, too. I'm just not sure about puffins, I think that you can generally see them nesting between June and September, but something tells me its only until beginning/middle of the month.

[@oyvind-b]

We have done extensive research and have now a list of sights, big and small, containing 140. Can we do this in 3 weeks? I don't think so, but it will at least keep us busy. Can't wait for july!

[@janiniceland]

in your case I think that no matter how many you'll visit, you'll be here for 3 weeks and I think just that itself guarantees you an absolutely amazing adventure! Way to go! 🙏

[@phillester1362]

I want to immigrare to Iceland. how much for 3-4 acres?

[@crandallcrute3918]

HI Jan - me again! Intersting and so true - but honestly - you could substitute British Columbia in your video every time you said Iceland and the video would still be on point! Cheers!

[@janiniceland]

Always happy to see your comments! So basically I should probably visit BC soon! :D And I thought that you're already past the big wave and things are more steady. Is tourism there still growing?

[@crandallcrute3918]

For many reasons - Covid among them - the province is getting busier every year - especially those areas popular on Social Media such as Whistler. It doesn't appear to me to be slowing at all. Cheers Mate!@@janiniceland

[@PeteDarrell1972]

Sadly it's everywhere the same! I think they call it progress... Not me! ;-) I remember 'my' Portugal (West Algarve) back in the '90th to how it changed quickly till 2014. Haven't been there since, guess I'll be shocked in some points if I will go again. Just like there where nearly no paved roads, just a few cars but still a lot of horses (mostly donkeys) and buggys, no surfer and most important, the locals were poor but happy plus it was damn cheap and unregulated. The same like in Iceland by the changing of the lanscape by artificial pavements at all the used to be wild 'tourist' destinations. Sadly we can't turn back time... I would if I could! Good that I've been to Iceland already in 2017! I thought already back than, that I will not come back that soon. It was already in 2017 much too expensive to be there... ;-) Or think about your hometown in Czech. Don't promote that area too much, or it will follow this trend! I remember beautiful, kind of wild and free, 'East' Germany with the iron curtin and shortly after. Go there today, wild and free is long time over, signs everywhere and everything everywhere cost money. Yeah, they call it progress... Dang it!

[@janiniceland]

Thanks so much for sharing this Pete! Now when I've been on both sides of it, as a tourist and a local it is a big dilemma for me now. Do I like or do I not? Am I just trying to find positives in it because my work depends on this....It's sad to see the negative sides of it but then there're so many positives too. Jobs, new businesses, infrastructure...when I travel around Iceland now I often avoid touristy places but when I boil it down to individuals, I love meeting people traveling here and sharing their excitement. People just need to respect the places they're visiting and locals should be welcoming to tourists. But I know it is often more easily said than done. I can just hope that at least some of my videos will educate people to not become a bad tourist.

[@anaelhonings8683]

I first heard about Iceland at 13 in 1994. I wanted to visit it since 1999 but, as a broke student, I waited until 2005 (when my then boyfriend invited me). I was quite ill but I loved it. Since then I wanted to go back but I had that fear it had became a paradise for stupid tourists. My fear is now confirmed and sadly, I don't think I will return.

[@janiniceland]

Thank you for sharing this. But even though some places are like that, there are soooo many places all around the island where there're still no people at all. I don't think you should get discouraged, the only thing that's changed is that now you will need to do a little better research and not rely on the popular tourist guides which everyone follows.

[@behramkhan9537]

Kindly tell which one is more beautiful iceland or finland

[@janiniceland]

Honestly I don't know, I haven't visited Finland yet :) but I heard it's beautiful

[@marcelapaskova7390]

My letime za tři týdny. Moooc se těšíme. Budeme mít 10dni 4x4 auto.

[@janiniceland]

Preji krasny pobyt! 10 dni je super, muzu garantovat hromadu zazitku 😀 berete to kolem celeho ostrova?

[@marcelapaskova7390]

@@janiniceland ano, jedeme s dvěma dětmi, máme 4x4 obytné auto. Strašně se těšíme. Nejtěžší je odhadnout oblečení, myslím ❤️

[@janiniceland]

@@marcelapaskova7390 na tohle tema jsem taky delal nedavno video. Pokud ale kempujete tak bych se sbalil jak na zimu, i pres to, ze pocitam ze auto bude mit nejake topeni. Podvlikacky, teple kalhoty, teple ponozky, perovku, cepici, nakrcnik a rukavice. A nejakou nepromokavou bundu a boty na hory. Pripravil bych se jak na zimu. Teploty muzou byt kdekoliv kolem 0-15 C ale vitr je to co vas tady dostane :D nikdy tady clovek nevi, jeden den budete v tricku a druhy budete radi za vsechny vrstvy 😀

[@michaelwolff305]

... by the way, we say $3-7 in the US, not 3-7 $.

[@janiniceland]

Noted 🙏

[@mahieumahieu6398]

I am booked in to late now

[@janiniceland]

But that's good, that's my point - imo it only makes sense to travel to Iceland right now considering how it is slowly changing. You will have a great trip, I can promise you that :)

[@EyesofZoey]

Well... It depends.. I do have to say I did not enjoy the golden circle just because of the many people. IMO for a Photograph, you don't need to see the golden circle. As "normal" tourists who are used to crowded places it doesnt matter. I enjoyed the lonely places way more ( since im used to be alone in Lost Places) but lets be honest, its like in Urban Exploration... It got wayyyyy to famous last years- like Iceland - ... And because of... Us Photographs, Instagram Hype... And so on... Idk.. Its a difficult theme to discuss about... I like to visit places but I dont like Tourism... 😂🤷‍♀️

[@janiniceland]

Same here. Golden circle could be a bit too much for those who like the quiet places. For example I often enjoy a small random waterfall I stumble across when hiking or driving around, more that the big one all signs and guides are pointing to. It's difficult. If I take away the fact that my work depends on it, if I look on a tourism as a whole I don't really like that much about it, but when I boil it down to individuals, I love meeting tourist from all parts of the world and sharing their excitement about the place. I just think that tourists need to be respectful to the place they're visiting and locals should never put everyone into the same basket. btw - i've seen the urban exploration boom here on youtube so I can imagine how this can attract many people now 😁

[@EyesofZoey]

@@janiniceland yeah.. Basically youtube and IG Hype destroyed my Hobby 🙈😜 I pulled back into Nature since a while to find my peace and lonelyness ..but also I really loved to meet all the different characters from all over the World at the Eruption in July. Thats why I also like solo traveling.. You see.. Im very two sided with that theme 😂 Respect is very important indeed and the way the locals in iceland work and live with the tourism is absolutely great and organised imo

[@makeyour77]

What about if i like to work there and live there, is that hard for EU citizens to find a decent job. I subscribed to your channel

[@janiniceland]

Thank you! I will be making a video on this in a future, but it isn’t too difficult i think. Well, maybe the beginings are because of the competition but it also depends what you consider a decent job. The easiest it’s probably in tourims.

[@joningiolason4436]

I believe that iceland dosent naturaly have trees its why most houses where made out of dirt

[@tarik6990]

Are you Czech? :)

[@janiniceland]

yes, is the accent so bad? 😅

[@tarik6990]

@@janiniceland No it's just very obvious but that's ok :)

[@behramkhan9537]

It seems like you do not want people to visit Iceland

[@janiniceland]

oh no, that is not true. If there was no tourism I wouldn't be here. I'm just trying to raise awareness regarding the current situation so that people will know what to expect :)

[@ryder1128]

"Promo SM"

[@WojtinhoFCJ]

I will probably never visit Iceland, but those ''stupid tourists'' pics/pages are actually stupid, and it is not just about Iceland. You can be respectful while not following dumb rules because some are like crossing the street on red light when it is empty. And we are supposed to follow like slaves? Tourism is about exploration, and how can FREE MEN explore something when there are barriers and signs everywhere? What is wrong with sitting on grass behind a fucking barrier? Even on a cliff, people are resposnsible for themselves, just shouldn't do anything invasive, but free exploration on your own is not invasive and certainly not disrespectful towards the locals.

[@janiniceland]

While I agree with a lot of it, I’ve seen first hand how this doesn’t work at crowded places. You get thousands of people a day to one spot and so it perhaps makes sense to have to pointers to where you can or can not go if you don’t want to see the whole place turn into a mud pit and ruin fauna around it.