what to prepare for a trip to iceland
Republic of iceland is known for beingness an expensive destination and after visiting Republic of iceland three times and helping over 30 people plan their Iceland trips, I've gotten a adept sense of the boilerplate Iceland trip cost. While it is pricey, your Iceland vacation cost tin still exist inside reach if you build your Republic of iceland upkeep carefully.
To be honest, I've seen everything from people that constitute a cheap flying, stay in hostels, and sign up for group bus tours to keep costs down to luxury travelers that volume private drivers, luxury hotels, and go all out with adventure experiences like private helicopter rides. How much a trip to Republic of iceland costs really depends on what type of experience yous are looking for, what kind of traveler yous are, and ultimately, how much you want to spend.
And while I wouldn't recommend taking big autobus tours, if that is the just mode y'all tin can meet Republic of iceland, it is still worth information technology to visit this incredible land. There are few places in the earth that take touched my soul and captured my center like Iceland. For its raw beauty, fire and water ice extremes, vast emptiness (outside of main tourist stops), to the endearing quirkiness of the Icelandic culture, information technology is a place I volition return to again and once again.
The good news is that Republic of iceland trip costs are really going down. Pre-pandemic, Iceland had greatly expanded its hotel inventory, which helps residual supply and need. The exchange rate from U.S. Dollars to Icelandic Króna has likewise been trending in the favor of American tourists recently. And, the contempo introduction of Play Airlines brings a budget airline option back to Iceland afterward the demise of WOW Airlines in 2019.
Average Republic of iceland Trip Toll
I'll cut to the chase and requite you the bottom line on how expensive a trip to Iceland tin can be, but be sure to read on to see the breakdown and ways that you can save money in each category. The average trip to Republic of iceland cost adds up to about $250 per person, per 24-hour interval including airfare. If you are traveling solo, your best bet volition probable exist staying at a hostel or renting an Airbnb. It defiitely helps to travel with others so that yous can split costs.
Since hostels and bus tours aren't our thing, I've based the average cost for a trip to Iceland for a family of four off staying in nice (simply not extravagant) hotels or guesthouses and renting a machine for a self-driving holiday. I've also included a few actvities, since I think it would be a shame to get to a bucket list destination like Iceland and not become to take function in a few adventures. But keep in mind, at that place is enough natural beauty and hiking available that y'all tin can easily bypass these to conserve your budget.
The boilerplate Republic of iceland trip cost for a family spending a calendar week in Iceland is around $vi,500-vii,000 including airfare. Yup, that is nigh a $1,000 a day. I accept worked with families of five that take spent $25,000 on a 10-twenty-four hours trip, and couples who have spent $five,000 on a calendar week-long trip. I've fifty-fifty planned an Republic of iceland holiday for a solo traveler that price them nearly $2000, all costs included, for a five-day trip.
Iceland Upkeep Tips
Note: This mail contains affiliate links. If you click a link and brand a buy, I may receive a modest commission.
If you do want to save some coin, my partner Hidden Republic of iceland offers my readers 10% off scheduled group tours if you utilize promo code WE3TRAVEL. We have traveled with Hidden Iceland and highly recommend this company for its expertise, professionalism, and friendliness. Run into all their available tours. You can also book private tours or get help planning your whole itinerary — but exist sure to mention We3Travel when y'all contact them.
You tin can visit Iceland on any budget, at least in theory, only here are some suggestions for keeping costs down:
- Try camping instead of staying at hotels or guesthouses. You can rent a campervan that fits two people for most $xc a night, up to well-nigh $250 per night for larger campervans. You lot tin can camp for free in Iceland simply if you are in a camper van, you will probably want to stay at a campground with facilities so budget in another $x-l per nighttime for a campsite reservation.
- If y'all don't want to camp, you could also stay in hostels, which volition run you lot around $twoscore-100 per person per night in Reykjavik.
- Airbnb or vrbo is another selection for vacation rental apartments and cabins, which is a not bad option for families compared to renting two hotel rooms because there are but a few hotels in Reyjkavik for families that offer family unit-size rooms with beds enough for 4-5.
- Nutrient is one of the peculiarly high expenses in Iceland so to save money, purchase and gear up your own nutrient or buy snacks at the gas station convenience stores. If you lot want a foodie experience, you are going to pay through the nose for it so go used to sandwiches, burgers, and those famous Icelandic hot dogs.
- Avoid paid attractions like the Blue Lagoon and costly excursions like off-roading tours and focus instead on scenic drives, stops at waterfalls, and nature hikes.
- Stay in the countryside and avert the biggest tourists spots instead of Reykjavik every bit things are going to be more expensive in the capital urban center. I was surprised past how affordable the accommodations are in the Westward Fjords and Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Before you worry virtually having to convert and carry a ton of cash around Republic of iceland, don't stress. Near everywhere takes credit cards in Iceland. Be sure to read my Iceland tips for some caveats.
How Much Does an Iceland Trip Cost?
Permit's interruption downward the average Iceland budget. As with other posts where I've broken down vacation costs for Italy, London, Hellenic republic, and Paris, this mail outlines pricing for two adults and 2 children betwixt the ages of 6-eleven, traveling from a major airport hub in the United states of america during the summer loftier flavor, and spending a calendar week in Republic of iceland.
I notice that in Republic of iceland, some hotels listing their prices in Euro and well-nigh show rates in Icelandic Krona. To make information technology easier, I've converted to U.S. dollars to create an even playing field.
Airfare
I can't fifty-fifty count the number of emails that I've gotten from people traveling to Iceland that start with "I found a great airfare to Iceland adjacent month (or another close fourth dimension frame)…" I then go on to pop their bubble most how expensive the rest of the trip volition exist.
Once WOW went out of business, prices went up a bit but I all the same accept institute rates on IcelandAir from Boston for about $500 per person, roundtrip. However, I was very excited to read about the launch of Play Airlines. I was looking at flights from Boston to Keflavik (KEF, the international airdrome about 45 minutes outside of Reykjavik) for only $300 round trip.
Total airfare cost ($300 per person, round trip x iv people): $1,200
Accommodations
If y'all are traveling solo, it is easy enough to stay in a hostel to salve money on accommodation in Republic of iceland. Only virtually families volition adopt either a hotel or Airbnb/VRBO. A rental will certainly save you coin every bit there are only a few hotels that offering family rooms.
Most hotel rooms either have a double bed (two twins pushed together) or two twin beds. Occasionally you can find a triple or a family unit room, but a family of four often needs to reserve two rooms. A squeamish hotel in downtown Reykjavik with a family room will toll between $400-600 per night. Y'all tin can also get ii rooms at a moderate hotel for about $150-250 per night.
Renting an Airbnb apartment will relieve you a pregnant amount, as long equally you are comfortable as an independent traveler. You should be able to find an apartment in the city big enough to fit anybody for about $200 per night. And if you have been saving up your hotel loyalty points, Hilton Honors members are now in for a care for with multiple Hilton properties now bachelor in Reykjavik.
Full-service hotels in the countryside volition get-go around $150 per night for a standard room and $300 per dark for a family room. There are likewise some guesthouses that start around $150 per night, per room or lower, especially in less crowded areas.
In the countryside, there is a big selection of holiday cabins bachelor on vrbo. Await to pay nigh $175+ per night for a cabin that sleeps four. Just plan in advance if y'all want to stay in popular locations along the south coast or by the glacier lagoon, equally these sell out early.
If you are looking to do Republic of iceland on a budget, renting an Airbnb or VRBO is the fashion to go unless you want to army camp or stay in hostels, every bit covered to a higher place.
Total adaptation cost: assuming you observe a vacation rental for your entire stay at $250 per night 10 seven nights = $i,750
Automobile Rental
When visiting Republic of iceland, if you desire to get away from crowded motorbus tours and see the country or drive the Ring Route, you volition demand to rent a car. If you don't rent a car, you will demand to take a shuttle bus (well-nigh $thirty per person) from Keflavik airport into downtown Reykjavik and so conform group tours with pick up and drop off from there. Just don't accept a taxi every bit those can run about $150 one way between the drome and Reykjavik.
Car rentals tin can exist pricey and you may exist tempted to save money past skipping the insurance. Before you lot practice, check with your credit card or automobile insurance provider because you probably still need to buy the ash and rocks coverage. Insurance can profoundly increase the cost of the rental car, but you may need it. In that location are plenty of budget car rentals only before you book, double bank check their hours and location (how far from the aerodrome, shuttle hours), and see the cost of add ons and then that you lot tin can compare apples to apples. (Run into other tips for Republic of iceland auto rentals.)
If you are visiting in the winter, you will definitely want an SUV or four-bicycle drive. Otherwise, if you are sticking to the Band Road, a four-wheel drive isn't necessary. Even so, access to some hikes and activities volition exist on gravel roads and you volition exist more comfy (and less probable to sustain damage from rocks) in a car with a higher clearance. I've seen a sedan get stuck on a rock in the parking lot for a hike before and people literally had to lift the automobile to get it off. Luckily information technology wasn't totally ruined.
Also, continue in listen that to drive on the interior "F roads", yous will need a automobile that is allowed on those roads. Since many of those roads aren't passable for much of the year, or extremely difficult to navigate (I've literally seen a road sign in the centre of a field of snow), I wouldn't bother with F roads.
The other thing to pay attention to is that you will want to brand sure that your car is big enough to fit baggage for your family. Unless you are super light packers, you will probably need checked bags for Republic of iceland to make sure you are prepared for any weather condition. (See my Iceland packing list for tips!) I would recommend either a station railroad vehicle or an SUV for a family of iv.
I use Auto Europe to check for the cheapest car rental rates in Iceland. Don't forget to budget for gasoline also (and please, if you rent a diesel motorcar, make certain y'all use diesel petro!). Currently (Jan 2022), gas costs about $eight.00 per gallon.
If you don't want to drive, your best bet is to stay in Reykjavik and take tours that offer pick ups from the city as twenty-four hour period trips. If you want to hire a individual driverguide, you should wait to pay at least $500-1500 for the solar day.
Total car rental cost: Station railroad vehicle with insurance and unlimited miles will exist approximately $one,000 for a week.
Food
You have probably heard that nutrient in Iceland is expensive. If you have traveled to Scandinavian countries in the past, then you are probably used to high food prices, simply for many, information technology can exist a shock. This is especially true in the nicer restaurants in Reykjavik.
In Iceland, fifty-fifty a hamburger can run you $x-15 and most fish entrees volition exist closer to $30+. So dinner for a family of 4 can easily price $100.
I've talked to many people who have felt Iceland was the most expensive place that they accept traveled to when it comes to food. My communication is to splurge on one meal just go on the rest casual to keep the costs downwardly.
You will want to endeavour some of the specialties like Arctic char, langoustines, lamb, and if you are brave even try some reindeer or puffin. But to balance out those specialties, you can accept a hearty luncheon of meat soup or lobster bisque with breadstuff. In the countryside, you tin can observe many restaurants that offering buffets of amazing fresh, homemade food that volition fill yous upwards for hours so endeavour to have a light breakfast, one big repast, and one lighter repast.
There is also no need to buy bottled water in Iceland equally clean tap h2o is readily available (although it could take a flake of a sulfur smell at times), just be sure to bring along a refillable water bottle. You tin also save past stopping at one of the markets, similar the BONUS grocery store, and picking up supplies, especially if you are staying in a rental home or apartment.
Exist sure to cheque out my recommendations on where to eat in Reykjavik.
Total nutrient cost for a family of four: $175 10 seven = $one,225 (proceed in mind that this can vary widely depending on if y'all cook and how much you splurge)
Tours and Activities
How much you spend on tours is entirely a personal preference. Yous can plan a private helicopter tour for over $3,000, or you lot can take a free hike. And merely about everything in betwixt. There are as well plenty of free things to exercise in Reykjavik too.
Whatever yous do, don't feel like you need to take a tour for everything. You don't. For instance, you can easily do the Golden Circle and Thingvellir National Park on your ain full-day road trip. But you may want to splurge on something like a glacier hike or super jeep tour that you CAN'T practise on your ain.
Y'all can besides forgo the touristy and expensive Blue Lagoon (if you go you need to book in advance), in favor of other hot springs around the country, like Krauma, the Secret Lagoon, or Fontana Spas.
At that place are a few things that I ever recommend to clients. First, this is the land of ice and fire. Do at least 1 action that takes you out onto a glacier (the water ice part) such as:
- A glacier hike
- Snowmobiling on a glacier
- Ice cave trip (winter merely)
Another option is to take a boat tour of the Glacier Lagoon.
For the "burn down" part, I would recommend either a lava tube cave bout, a finish at the Lava Centre, and/or a visit to at least one hot jump or spa.
There are so many fun things to do in Iceland. If you lot are adventurous, I would recommend splurging on something like a super jeep tour or ATV/buggy adventures.
I would recommend staying away from large grouping jitney tours (e.m. Reykjavik Excursions) and instead book a small group or private tour with one of my preferred providers: Hidden Republic of iceland or Activity Republic of iceland. You can save 10% on scheduled group tours with Subconscious Iceland using promo code WE3TRAVEL or for private tours, just tell them I referred you lot when you contact them.
If you can splurge on a few activities, hither is what they would cost:
- Hugger-mugger Lagoon (2 adults, kids are costless) = $48
- Into the Glacier (ii adults, two kids) = $498
- Lava Cave bout (2 adults, 2 kids) = $110
- Super jeep bout (2 adults, ii kids) = $737
Total Activities Price for 2 adults and 2 kids under 12: $one,393
Total Republic of iceland Upkeep: $6,568
| Category | Cost |
| Airfare | $1200 |
| Accommodations | $1750 |
| Transportation | $grand |
| Food | $1225 |
| Tours & Activities | $1393 |
| Total | $6568 |
Then yes, Iceland holiday costs are high. If you lot look closely at the breakdowns, you can detect means to salvage coin. You can also hands spend more. This was meant to be a guide to how much a trip to Iceland costs based on my feel helping so many families. Larger families or groups will price more. Couples or solo travelers will exist much less.
Traveling off-season will save you money (see my tips for visiting Iceland in the winter.) You lot can besides reduce the number of days you lot stay. If you stick to simply 1 region, you tin can actually pack a lot into but v days, but I wouldn't recommend staying any less.
Where to Become in Iceland
If you need some help deciding where to go in Iceland, exist sure to cheque out our guides and itineraries:
- Iceland five day itinerary on the South Coast
- 4 days in the West Fjords
- Day trip to the Reykjanes Peninsula
- Mean solar day trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
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Source: https://we3travel.com/iceland-budget/
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