Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Iceland
#1 - It is EXPENSIVE
One of the things that usually keeps people from visiting Iceland is the expense. It is a very expensive destination. From the food, to the accommodations, and the overall cost of activities, Iceland is a place you can only afford once. For example, an average meal cost $35 (entree only). Museum average cost is $20 a ticket. Accommodations are going to vary based on need and location. However, there are some tips to help you save a bit of money. When we travelled around Iceland, we rented a camper van, so we paid for a spot at the campsite, which was an average of $40 per night. We mainly bought groceries and cooked in our camper van, which was an average of $80 per few days’ worth of food. While in Reykjavik, we bought the city pass, which gave us access to most attractions and museums in the city for $40 per person. There are ways to get around it, but it is still a more expensive trip than your average holiday to mainland Europe.
#2 - The Weather Can Change Suddenly
During our 10-day journey around Iceland, we saw snow, rainfall, extreme wind storms, and hot sunny days (all in the same day sometimes). The weather is extreme in Iceland, and it really doesn’t matter what time of year you visit. We were told not to trust the weather app, and the locals weren’t joking. It can change in a period of minutes. And, it can change based on where you are on the island. While we drove from Vik to Höfn, we experienced all the extremes of weather over a few hours. We were having to white-knuckle it at some points because of the strong winds. So, when you see beautiful clear blue skies - take it all in because you don’t know how long it will last.
#3 - Just Follow the 1 Road
If you are driving around the island, all you really need to know is the 1 - yep, that’s it. Just the 1 road. The 1 is the main road that is a ring around the entire island. You can’t really get lost in Iceland, as long as you ensure you are on the 1. And they keep the 1 in very good shape. The roads are very well-managed and easy to drive on. There are no huge potholes like in the UK (otherwise it would take much longer to drive around the country). Snow and ice patches are usually resolved quickly, so no need to be concerned about black ice. It is very safe and well taken care of.
#4 - Be Sure to Pack Layers
As I’ve stated before, weather can be unpredictable. If you’re coming in the summer, you will still need to pack some jackets or jumpers. We came during the winter/spring months and had to triple layer our hats. We typically had 3-4 layers on when we explored outside. In the summer, you’ll probably need 2 layers. And like I said above, it can change at any minute. Also, be mindful of waterfalls and geysers, as you might get wet. Prepare to have extra clothes handy in case this happens. I didn’t do that and was quite miserable for 6 hours until I had a chance to change into some dry clothes after getting a little too close to a waterfall.
#5 - Don’t Have Your Hopes Too High on Seeing the Northern Lights
What was our main motive to go to Iceland? To see the northern lights. Why did we go in the winter? To have a better shot at seeing them. Did we see the northern lights? Nope. This image we took is not what we got to see in person, but it’s an image we took at the Perlan Museum in Reykjavik. This is what we were hoping to see while there, but we weren’t so lucky. Unfortunately, for us, we had a lot of rain and cloud coverage in the night, so it blocked our view of seeing them. There are tours available for you to catch them, but be aware that there are no guarantees to see them. Nature doesn’t always work the way we want it to, but that makes it more special when it does happen.
#6 - Iceland Can Be Dangerous if You’re Not Careful
Iceland is a nature-lovers’ paradise. Sometimes it feels like you’re on another planet. Black sand beaches, ice chunks on the beach, crazy-looking terrain? No wonder it’s used as a filming location for so many sci-fi films. That being said, some people get a little too ambitious out here. My personal favourite spot, the black sand beach in Vik, is considered one of the more dangerous places in Iceland. The currents are strong and can suck you in fast. We were told by some locals who jokingly said that they bet on how many bodies of tourists they’ll find washed up on shore each week. Don’t turn your back on it, or you’ll quickly get surprised. We also saw countless people trying to get the perfect photo by risking their safety. At one of the waterfalls, we saw someone with a tripod who got a little too close to the edge and almost fell in. It’s not worth your life to get the perfect photo. Nature sometimes is not so forgiving. Sometimes these places will have barriers, and sometimes they won’t. Be safe regardless.
#7 - Tap Water is the Best in the World
Iceland is full of glaciers and waterfalls, so it’s going to have some of the freshest and cleanest water in the world. Locals will laugh if they see you buying a water bottle because the water is so clean here. You can’t drive 2 minutes without seeing a waterfall in the distance.
#8 - Accommodations are Scarce Outside Reykjavik
If you’re traveling around the island, you won’t find many hotels. Instead, Iceland offers more guesthouses as accommodations. These can get expensive, and they’re not the most extravagant places. To save a bit of money, we rented a camper van. It wasn’t anything fancy either, but we saved about $150 per night by going that route, and we were in nature. In some places, there are more options for campsites than guest homes. If you do choose the guest home route, be sure to book well in advance, especially in the summer, as these can book up fast. For campsites, you do not usually need to book in advance.
#9 - Be Aware of Volcanic Activity
If you weren’t aware, Iceland is full of volcanos. While we were there, a large volcano erupted. In some areas that are considered red zones, like Vik, you might need to be aware of their evacuation plan. Just meet at the top of the hill with the church. Every town or village in the red zone has an evacuation plan. Chances are you won’t see a volcano erupt, but if there is one, you should have the preparation on what to do in case it does happen while you’re there. Like, however with the northern lights, don’t expect it to happen. You may not see any volcanic eruptions while you’re here.
#10 - Icelanders are Very Kind and Helpful (and funny)
One of the best things about Iceland is the people. We won’t often talk about Icelanders being kind and funny… we usually assume they’re cold because of the weather, but that’s not true. These people are among some of the kindest and accommodating people we’ve come across on our travels. You can tell they love their beautiful land, and they want to share it with anyone who wants to immerse themselves in it. They also love a good joke. They have a funny sense of humour that is contagious. The jokes we got when we ate the infamous fermented shark was priceless - they even gave us a badge to wear afterwards. If you take the time to talk with the locals, you will have a warm welcome! And, you probably will want to come back again for that reason… but if only it wasn’t so expensive!
