What to know before going to Iceland

This video is about twenty things you need to know before going to Iceland. The country has some differences to other European countries. Some of them might be surprising.

[@topguydave]

An excellent video, well executed, with no irritating music and fast paced. I found it very informative and interesting, as I am going next week. You would make it big in broadcasting in England, as your English and narration are brilliant with the accent adding character.

[@heatherjustcreate]

Wow, thanks Einar! This was super helpful. I'm from Los Angeles and I'm visiting Iceland for the first time in two weeks. I'M SO EXCITED! Loved getting these tips from a local. :)

[@Ambrosia__]

Heather Ramirez I loved your Iceland vlogs! You seemed to have a great time.

[@heatherjustcreate]

Thank you for watching them! 😊

[@okdaddy5414]

Very enlightening. Informations like these go a long way in putting things right. you are doing a great job sidsson. thanks for that useful piece

[@VaughnBender]

I like your #3rd, I am in Canada and it is polite and customary to take your shoes off as well. Thank you, I am going to your country middle of June-2016, so looking forward to it, bring my drone as well as my camera gear. Your information takes much fear away coming to your country. Thanks for sharing.

[@heidikaup3149]

I love all of your videos! Thank you for this information. Very nice to hear from a local! I will be coming to Iceland in September 2016.... Can't wait!!!

[@erta3100]

Thank you for posting this video! I'm really thinking about moving to Iceland next year.

[@neilrampersad4291]

we took your advice and enjoyed our stay in Iceland, so much that we will be back next year, you have a beautiful country and wonderful people, I hope it stays that way..

[@TastemyAtrocity]

Wow, this a a great rundown on Icelandic culture. Much better than the advice you find in tourism books (which are often written by tourists). I often wondered about the tipping thing. I know many countries don't do it but in the U.S. It's like coughing in someone's face or running into an elderly without saying "excuse me". We feel squeamish and embarrassed to not leave a tip. I can't help but leave a little something when dining abroad but after watching this, I don't think I'll do it anymore. I don't want to convolute an economy by spreading this American custom. We're not that crazy about it anyway.

[@tackssherbo7104]

No doubt Iceland has regulations requiring waitresses and waiters to earn a living wage. In the USA, wage scale for those workers is a convoluted mess because there is apparently an exception to the Federal minimum wage for restaurant workers. There are only 7 states in the USA which pay them the Federal minimum wage or a bit more. Most of the states in the central USA from Oklahoma and Idaho southward, then east and west through the south are only required to pay $2.13 per hour!! Even Texas, the oil state! States like Pennsylvania and Virginia, including D.C. where all the politicians eat their lunch, pay less than $3 per hour. Those restaurant workers have not had an increase in their minimum for 20 years. Pathetic.

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

thanks so much!

[@AminaCamille]

Thank you for these tips!!! Love from NYC- see you in October!!

[@juanredondo8813]

I've remember having heard number 19 on TV, we were all very surprised in my family (actually I don't remember why do i remember that, it was some years ago!) Very cool video, BTW, man, I'd love to know more things about Iceland!

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Juan Redondo No problemo, glad to help

[@rebyooper9358]

Thanks for the information. It's very helpful. We're visiting there next month and a lot of this is good to know..

[@arnipavfmz2406]

thank you for making this video! I can't wait to visit that wonderful place! An huge from Portugal !

[@aintyourmama2095]

Just got back from Iceland and I love your country! Your tips are great! :)

[@d3r3kyasmar]

thank you very much... i was searching about iceland because i am planning to go there soon. hopefully next year. this video is so helpful.

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+d3r3kyasmar No problem, my pleasure

[@markrogers1117]

Thank you Einar! I learned more about visiting Iceland in 10 minutes from you than hours -of other videos. You have a good style. Perhaps you should put up a web site. Kind of a more realistic version of "I Heart Iceland". The real things visitors will encounter...See you in June!

[@neilrampersad4291]

great information, my wife and I will be there in April, cant wait to visit.

[@cherylrutz7717]

thanx for the tips!! looking forward to exploring your country cheri from the states

[@LilouChupie]

This dude is a legend!

[@kaisar1]

this dude is a legend? how? i thought Muhammad Ali is a legend. Gandhi is a legend. MJ is a legend. Nelson Mandela is a legend.

[@LilouChupie]

Welcome to the thread Einstein. For all you with time to waste on a stupid argument, please refer to the urban dictionary and try loose your blinkers. Many thanks.

[@diegooliveirabenjamin]

The item 20 is very cool, that means if I do some blow it'll be very easy to blend in ;)

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Diego Oliveira This is indeed true !

[@danielruiz1050]

HI Einar . Very useful video. would you recommend renting a 4x4 vehicle to do only the Golden Circle route during winter (January), or a normal car would do the job. GRACIas!!

[@klexos2185]

thank you my friend! I hope to be in Iceland someday soon

[@kathryngonzales6826]

He deserves an epic icelandic clap! Cant wait to visit iceland next month! 🙌🏽

[@erezkoter]

My Icelandic friend convinced me to go to Iceland next year with my local close friends and I'd love for recommendations for some good attractions or places to go in Iceland! By the way, the video was very helpful. Thanks!

[@twilson976]

Lol..."its not like in America where floors are dirty".

[@JoeCroninSHOW]

it really depends....America is like 100 different countries...depending where you are in america...it can be so clean nice friendly ..... or dirty rude and horrible. America is huge. as an american who is not big on pride but I am thankful to be here. I feel this is a fair view.

[@peterbrewer1116]

@Joe Cronin Show from your word choice it sounds like you are referring to 'America' as the 2 separate continents of North and South America. Keep in mind that it is common vernacular in the US, Canada, most Western countries, most of Asia, most of Africa....pretty much everyone that is not Latin America, to call someone from the United States as ''American'. It is widely accepted through out the world that 'America' refers to the Unites States, not the 'Single American Continent' model that is only taught in Latin America.

[@immrpandabear]

Ikr it's like French people saying Americans are so unhealthy and all you see are people chainsmoking in paris.

[@hnwtk1367]

thanks i cant wait to go to Iceland

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Millie Wharepapa Iceland is great now! The spring has had awesome weather, sunny and 8-11 degrees every day

[@hnwtk1367]

+Einar Sigurdsson awesome now i know when to go but no1 wants to come with me coz they said its too cold lol

[@EkkiSvenni]

+Millie Wharepapa Too cold, HAHAHA! Just becouse it's called Iceland doesn't mean it's covered in Ice all year, I advice you, go to all your friends who said that, and yell in their faces! (Or just kick them in the nut zack...)

[@hnwtk1367]

Lol nut zac, i know its not cold all the time just from other people i know that have been there. I currently Australia so im guessing this is the reason why they think it would b too cold for them

[@hoi988]

damn icelandic people are nice we dutch allways pretend to like foreigners and imigrants in front of a camera we say ahh yes we want to help everybody and travel allot ourselves thats why we want the best fror all people :D but at home 95 % are racist and want nothing to do with not utch culture or people that come from outside the west to live here meight sound harsh but yea you would feel welcome in amsterdam but in fact you probably arent welcome at all

[@blatherskite]

thanks for the tip..ill be going there on october..all by myself...its my first time and excited...from canada here

[@susansullivan2071]

Just got back from my first Iceland trip I can’t wait to go back Wonderful country and people

[@sheharyarshaikh2008]

thank you, bro. that was pretty informative! Im learning the history of this region right now :)

[@samis7427]

I appreciate the advice from a local. thanks.

[@emilywilliams9698]

Hey, I'm think about studying icelandic at univesity of iceland. Is there anything I should be worried about? I'm moving from the UK to iceland. Thanks for the video. :)

[@ko2dragon1]

i like the way he says that is who we are we are vikings!

[@budoka92]

yeah vikings are known to get irritated from too much ice in their soda :DD

[@zeddez1005]

Yeah but their favourite hisorical Chieftain and lineage was bore from a Celtic Irish Slave.

[@zeddez1005]

terry sadlier I watched a few fantastic historic videos of Iceland. Then read up on it to find out if what they documented was accurate, turned out it was. I live quite close to Iceland, and hubby and I have spoken often about visiting.

[@oldschooltakingyaback]

Thanks for the tips! this will be my first out of country trip, and we have always kept a tradition of taking your shoes off in our house, not all Americans houses are dirty, but you'd be correct in assuming that a good majority of Americans don't care about the shoes.

[@Txcqunx]

I will maybe move in Iceland and oh my freaking god, I hope I will, I love Iceland and now that I've seen your video I feel exhilarated, thank you!! ^.^ Greetings from Greece, man!!! :)

[@Robert-jk7de]

It will be exciting for a year then after that you will be depressed

[@georgebennett8114]

Despite Iceland being the 3rd happiest country in the world?

[@Txcqunx]

+The Rubody I have searched about it, it's just taking care better of yourself when the sun isn't out. I'm used to it tho, in Greece we have sometimes not enough sun and believe me or not, I like the atmosphere and psychologically I'm prepared too about it, so with some good mood and some lights near we will be fine and we'll probably get used to it. plus, Icelandic people are pretty friendly too, so I guess this will psych us up even more.

[@Txcqunx]

+George Bennett stereotypically it's a depressed country but I heard that icelandic people are more cheerful than some others in other northern countries. maybe they know how to take good care? maybe the depressed ones didn't do the right moves? I have no idea what they do, but I guess they get used to it etc. I like that idea of Iceland and its people tho. :)

[@accidentaltourist837]

Dude you're a classic. I love #19 and #20. So how many cousins have you unknowingly dated (#19)? #20 is just hilarious. Now I want to go to Iceland because of #20. LOL. I've watched this video about 3X now fast forwarding to #s 19 and 20. Keep doing what you're doing. Peace All.

[@mlb2533]

I was curious if you could tell me if tipping guides in excursions is expected? Headed there on December and want to be sure I'm prepared. Thank you!

[@Angelina-hh7zj]

Thank you for the tips! very useful.

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Angelina My pleasure

[@snowbird29803]

How well or badly are senior citizens treated? Assuming a senior with sufficient financial resources moves to Iceland, can it be a good life for a senior person? What type activities are available for seniors? Would you consider making a video about this subject?

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

very well treated in general

[@barlinianka]

Thanks Einar ...im hope to see Iceland in march this year...

[@jonhermannsson9231]

great video - but honestly not all USA homes have dirty floors :) there are many states that have similar weather to Iceland and very common to take shoes off - yes in warmer states like AZ or FL or CA where is warm and dry there is not that much wet dirt so not alway the need to take shoes off :)

[@lucieh.3726]

Hi, how are you doing? Thank you for this video! It´s very useful. How long have you been living in Iceland?

[@kisslordorochimaru]

I really want to go to Iceland! I live in Canada and never been anywhere else,but the one place I want to go is Iceland for sure.I wonder if our prices are the same for a lot of things because when you mentioned it can be $2-$3 for bottled water, that is the price of our water here in Halifax too.

[@jspaceman71]

I also heard that, when driving, you have to keep your headlights and taillights on. Not the day running lights, but the full headlights. When I was there four years ago I had a couple of people flash their high beams at me because I forgot to turn the headlights on in my rental car.

[@PolarMary]

Nice video :D One thing I really don't like about Iceland is the fact I can't buy beer at the supermarket...every time I forget about it and I get so disappointed :D except for that, I pretty much love it

[@ghosttoast6161]

Being from Oregon, a lot of these things are the norm for me and the things that aren't don't sound bad at all and some sound better. Iceland sounds awesome.

[@wilsonsantos2398]

Lol.... Thanks!!! you should be a touristguide. Congratulations for your national soccer team! 👏👏👏

[@H1GHD3FF]

Some places in America don't have liquor store open on Sundays. Yes, they are closed all day long on Sundays

[@ShraddaNiche]

Thank you for the help. I am at the airport now waiting to go!!!

[@nelmakrieger]

Manner on the table are not very good however people are very kind and warm. Also, they never arrive on time

[@marysibayan1]

thanks for the tips. God bless you.

[@abbefannin516]

thanks for your video I found it very informative. I would like more info on more affordable rooms for 2 people May 28- June 2. I'm not opposed to staying in a home with a family. My husband and I will be attending seminar !

[@hamidmaghlawi4866]

Hi and greetings from spain i love your video its great

[@adnanjassim8307]

thank you for your information and guide about your good country Iceland , i am interest to visit your country and i wish to hope fully in future . i want to know do you have fish market and do they sell lobster and crab and how much the price of 1kgs of both . 2nd i want to know can i cook my own food in hotel like motel style ( i mean is there hotel or motel where they have small kitchen i can cook my own food . thank you and your acknowldge for this is haighly apprecated .

[@kevinjermaine]

same thing like in Finland with the taking off the shoes and everyone speaks damn good English. their public transport is very very efficient.

[@slsedriks]

Thanx Ainar a lot for video and information 😊

[@oOBubbleStreamOo]

very informative! thank you so much

[@urumqi123]

Planning to go there, it's very useful

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Amy Saim Thanks, it is indeed

[@garyclayton3760]

thank you for the tips, great.

[@squardson8769]

the ice in the soda is like that in at least some places of america, at least that is how it is in Nevada, Oregon, and California. also, I thank you for this, moving to live in Iceland is my goal

[@garyjsimm]

loved the video. I am coming in September

[@surfinbird71]

September, me too!

[@Bingusginghs]

"It's not like in America where the floor of the house is dirty" lmao he's got us pegged XD

[@hayabusa1x]

Thanks for the tips.

[@steppenwolf584]

In all my 44 years of living in the United States, I had no idea that we kept dirty floors. Or that it was a well-known fact in Iceland that the typical American home has a dirty floor. Wow. I had no idea.

[@RyokanDaigu]

Very useful! Can we drink the water if it smells like sulfur, or do we need to filter it?

[@ridinwithjake]

Thank you. am going in 4 weeks!

[@tonybro_1376]

Thanks for the video I really need this

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

+Tony Bro_13 Awesome, glad to help

[@trentriver]

Thanks -- very helpful!

[@gracepen1418]

Thanks! I can't wait to travel there :D

[@tngodncr]

Hahaha... In the US, if you get a soda, the glass is almost always pretty much filled up with ice first. You usually get very little soda and a lot of ice. I guess that is how most Americans like it. :-)

[@mrkongsimr]

Are all the men as handsome as you ? Then I´ll be on the next plane .

[@tobiassol8343]

lol more handsome

[@pyrrhocratic]

Well isnt unique ill tell you that much

[@johnorsomeone4609]

He said you are Vikings. Do you still invade because I live on Cape Cod. It’s poorly defended, not all that far, and especially weak when it comes to fending off unmarried invaders. I’ll send maps.

[@rahviel]

Yes this Viking is very sexy. Agreed

[@Morrigan070671]

Icelandic liquor laws are like those in Canada. Also, when I was in Iceland, I never saw any garbage cans or dumpsters.

[@raychristheatheist4701]

Iceland Is The Alaska Of Europe, And Portugal Is The Florida Of Europe. Two Of My Favorite Countries

[@asutkaprosh2492]

hello, my cousin and I are visiting in January, thanks for all the awesome tips and would love to have your advice... we are renting a car and will be going to Jökulsárlón - Glacier Lagoon area for a tour... the car we will have will be just a regular rental, would that be a problem? how are the highways in the winter? thanks for your time

[@Namarasan83]

Asutka Prosh Hello, my friend and I are going in February. I would love to hear about your experience and tips you could offer. Anything you share would be greatly appreciated!

[@Valhalla_Heathen]

Iceland: So much better than America

[@masturofbating8164]

Ég samtykker

[@e.v.6389]

Hey stringbean not really, as an American, I can tell you that our standard of living is relevantly "comfortable" because we rob all the countries in the world, and in exchange of import of real goods (oil, Lumber, manufacturing) we export little green pieces of papers we call "dollars." One day the world will wake up to this theft and the roosters will come home to roost... All them dollars coming back to their home will result in the most depraved standard of living in the world! No American city will survive an inflation or famine.

[@ylfawh3336]

Yea, like the president (:

[@porkychop6970]

my husband has lived all around the world, and he says there's nothing as wonderful as the USA. He said every opportunity and dream is here...if you work for it.

[@barrona6314]

Daniel Reyes waaay beter than the U.S

[@hugh308]

Thank you!! This is awesome!!

[@kaja9968]

Thank you for tips and tricks. I am planning to visit Island at May, and I wanna rent a car and to drive all around Ring Road , but you said there is too windy, so I am a little bit afraid of driving to the North. So can someone tell me is it difficult to drive a car in Iceland?

[@johnhonsky6404]

Good video, very helpful. Tak

[@vorthora]

I want to go to Iceland!

[@sukantamaikap3366]

you have a nice watch in the background ...

[@julietpenna4361]

Thanks! This is awesome!

[@ingridgazo7539]

Hi Einar ! You look much darker than other icelanders . Is your family from Spain , Greece or Morocco ?

[@kiaralebron2276]

very helpful, thank you

[@MichaelShum]

awesome video! thanks

[@mobileoppressionpalace6728]

The signs on the highway say 90, but how fast can you actually drive without being stopped by police? For example, in Ontario when it says 90, that means you can actually "safely" go at 109.

[@helgioskarsson4440]

@Millie Wharepapa then come to Akureyri. Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland but Akureyri show's better how things are.

[@mjdekro9144]

Iceland sounds very similar to Australia. just opposite temperatures.

[@scottthomason2635]

This guy is awesome! Wonder if he could be my tour guide?

[@519djw6]

I've asked this question on someone else's video, but I'll ask it again here: Is it possible to travel around Iceland's coast by coach (long-distance bus/*rúta*), for example from Reykjavik to Akureyri? Þakka þér fyrir!

[@arnaruningvarsdottir4579]

+519DJW Yes, it is possible :) you can get informations about the timing and departure places here if you still need it: s.is/journeyplanner/showJourneyDetailsPage.do?rid=1460473638538&hss=RXWsV211245163&lang=en Since I don't know where you'll be in Reykjavík, I couldn't find the nearest stop to you but I hope this helps :)

[@519djw6]

+Arna Rún Ingvarsdóttir Thank you! This information is, indeed, very helpful.

[@juanitasullivan3372]

Hi, at 7:34 on your video you were talking about not throwing trash on the street which I agree with 100%. But you said something I couldn't quite make out. Sorry. You said there is something the locals do throw on the ground and that's ok. What is it that they throw?

[@einarsigurdsson3701]

I said that people in Iceland throw chewing gum on the street. Actually it is not okay but people do it anyway! Which is strange

[@juanitasullivan3372]

Thank you. I totally misunderstood you. Sorry about that.

[@raulpisko7]

When you say that places take cards, do you mean every major card? (Visa, Master Card and American Express) Is one of them the most widely accepted or all business accept them?

[@ms.crystal6814]

Is there smaller towns by the city to live in or do you have to live in the city?

[@LuisEduardoGalindo]

it´s has something to do with the clouds, and ... yeah.. very insightful explanation

[@davidoconnell7404]

You can only buy beer in Ireland in the off licence only the same as Iceland

[@none23517]

yea even in india we have custom to open shoes before entering houses

[@garystobbs5269]

hey man looking too come too iceland in the end of august with 4 friends would renting a car and driving around be a good idea?

[@Robert-jk7de]

Or get a camper and drive around iceland

[@dhirendramaharaj9407]

thank you for your honesty...I hope to keep in touch with you I would like to work in your country

[@mewis1596]

this is great vedio but could you tell us more about how easy to get work in iceland ? and is the wages there better than norway or not ?

[@jebes909090]

Basically the icelandic theme is it will worl itself out. Basically hakkuna matada.

[@billwilson3665]

I didn't notice any forests in Iceland and was wondering how people heated before geothermal technology

[@jasdeepbrar6871]

your accent is so cool!

[@ibnumahmud3501]

Einar how about the smoking rules? because i'm a smoker, is it okay to smoke in the street or..? i'm indonesian and smoking cigarette is kindda culture here