(Back From) Going to Iceland Next Month

DPinBucks

Well, we're back.  A fantastic holiday.

We had a close call, though.  Our itinerary, arranged through Nordic Visitor, was for a full circle anti-clockwise from Reykjavik.  On the first day, we got an urgent call from the agency lady that the main Route 1 on the south coast would be closed the next day because of sandstorms.

Yes, sandstorms.  In bloody Iceland!

But within 2 hours she had reversed our route clockwise; rearranged all the hotels and rebooked the whale watching & glacier lagoon boat rides. We found out later that some guests had been stuck in hotels down there for 4 days!  That would probably have been us without her help.  After that, it all went supremely, without a hitch.

Highlights: Wind, whales, wind, icebergs, wind, geysers, wind and waterfalls.  Oh yes, and wind.

If anyone's interested I'll post more details or answer questions.

domtheone

Very good chance that i’ll be booking flights to Iceland in the coming days for me and my mate.  4 days in late March (probably have my Birthday there too).  Might go easy on the alcohol given how expensive everything seems to be there though.

Min £100 for a very average hotel.  £1-£200 for any kind of day tour.  Probably end up costing a grand all in for the 4 days.

Still, Icleand is very high up on the bucket list of places to visit so whatever it costs, it costs.

Think we’ll be doing some ice climbing.  Northern lights (fingers crossed).  Would like to do a hot/thermal spring thing (maybe not as commercialised as the BL).

Think theres a mountain just outside Rek that tou can hike up in a couple of hours.  That shouldn’t cost too much

Will have a more detailed read of this thread in the next 48 hrs.

hyperfish

We rented a car at the airport in 2010. Great to have the freedom and the cost was offset somewhat by not needing a transfer taxi to Rek and back.

Delvey

One of the places I want to visit as well. Used to the prices as I've been to Norway and Switzerland.

Shimrod

There is an duty free off licence in the airport after baggage reclaim which is very popular! If you are comfortable driving in snow and ice, then as others have suggested a car hire can save a lot of money over tours and gives flexibility to go and look for the northern lights earlier than a tour would pick you up.

You are probably thinking of this: Mount Keilir | Visit Reykjavík

yokozuma

Posted earlier in the thread but the hot spring hike I did was superb. The guy who took us was like a young blonde Bear Grylls Well worth doing while you're there, might never get the chance again.

The Cutlery Chronicles: ICELAND: mountain and hot spring hiking

RE: the Blue Lagoon I made a point to friends going recently that it's just a big heated swimming pool, packed, expensive and as far away from a real hot spring as you can get.

His Mrs still made him go...said it was the most expensive trip ever just for a Facebook post.

domtheone

Didn't want to create a new thread so.....

Going back to Iceland next March, after a great trip there last March.

This time, we're going to be hiring a car/van (sleeper) etc and drive around the whole island.  What we save on hotels will mostly be spent on the van rental, which we'll sleep in.

Obviously i'll be googling in due course but wondered where other peeps (who have visited) had hired their cars/vans from..?

Shimrod

Happy campers (Happy Campers - Camper Van Rental in Iceland) were one of the first camper van companies to set up, although there are several now. I'm assuming you are aware that most of the camper vans don't have toilet or washing facilities - over the last couple of years it has not been uncommon to see people washing or doing dishes in the toilets of a service station. There has also been a bit of a backlash against this style of camper van as a number of holiday makers have been using the countryside as a toilet.

Recent legislation means that camper vans must now overnight at a registered campsite (so extra costs on your trip). I'd check what campsites are open in winter to make sure your route is feasible - especially on the north side of the island. Be prepared for lots of snow up north and possibly blocked roads. If you haven't booked anything yet, I'd suggest October as a better time to do this trip (assuming you are also hoping for the northern lights along the way).

DPinBucks

I'd agree with @Shimrod.

Although Iceland is very expensive, comparative costs between camper van vs rental car & hotels are very much the same everywhere; it's just the actual figures which are different.  I've costed it a few times, and done it once (in the USA).  The overall costs were notably higher for the van.

I suggest you cost it all very carefully.  Hotel rates might include breakfast.  A camper van would be limited in where it could go.  There are roads in Iceland which are for 4wd only, and many others are unpaved. It would use more fuel.  An SUV is best for getting about.  We had a Kuga, which was fine.

domtheone

The costs may well be pretty similar, since car/camper van hire etc etc is looking like a similar price.

The freedom of the camper van appeals though and this is why we've plumped for it.   Last year the main ring road was fine to travel on (slightly dicy in one bit that was high up) so that's were we would mainly stick too.    We have a couple of locations that we'll be going to, the rest we've yet to decide.  Hell we may well spend a night/2 in accommodation on the way around if the opportunity arises.

Have accepted that it'll be a very expensive trip.   That's Iceland for you.  Did it once, loved it (despite it being pretty much my most costly 4 day trip ever).  Less worried about it this time since I know what to expect