Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget
Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget - Get There for Less - Tips to find cheap flights to Iceland
Iceland may seem like a faraway, exotic destination, but it doesn't have to break the bank to get there. With some savvy flight-booking tricks, you can find affordable airfare to this Nordic island nation.
The first tip is to be flexible with your travel dates. Flights to Reykjavik tend to be cheapest during the off-season months of November through March. Fares typically spike in the busy summer travel season. If your schedule allows, aim to visit Iceland in the fall, winter or early spring. Signing up for fare alerts from airlines and flight deal sites can help you snag a good price when airfare dips.
Another money-saving tactic is looking at fares into Iceland's secondary airport in Akureyri. While most flights go into the main Reykjavik Keflavik Airport, flying into Akureyri in northern Iceland can shave a couple hundred dollars off your ticket price. From Akureyri, you can rent a car or hop a bus to other parts of the island.
Be sure to check both low-cost and full-service airlines when searching for deals. WOW Air and IcelandAir offer some of the most affordable fares from North America. However, major carriers like Delta, United and American Airlines sometimes run sales too. Sign up for emails from a range of airlines to stay on top of promotions.
Consider flying through a European hub city as another way to lower costs. Search for fares from your home airport into a major European airport like London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Oslo or Copenhagen. Then book a separate discount ticket onward to Reykjavik. The connection may add some time, but the overall savings could make it worthwhile.
No matter what flight search site or app you use, check prices in both directions. Sometimes one-way fares can be hundreds less than round-trips. You may be able to buy two one-ways for less than a round-trip ticket. Just be sure to account for any extra taxes and fees when comparing the bottom line price.
Finally, don't forget to factor in baggage fees. Most low-cost airlines charge extra for checked bags, which can quickly erase any upfront savings on your ticket. Travel light with just a carry-on when possible or look for ways to avoid bag fees. Some credit cards will reimburse you for checked bag expenses, for example.
Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget - Save on Lodging - Affordable hotel and hostel options
Finding affordable places to stay is key for an Iceland trip on a budget. While hotels in Reykjavik and other hot spots can be pricey, savvy travelers can uncover quality lodging options without breaking the bank.
Hostels are an obvious choice to save money, with shared dorms starting around $30 USD per night. What you sacrifice in privacy, you gain in meeting fellow travelers and built-in social activities. Hostelling International Reykjavik is a top-rated choice located right downtown. Bonus perks include free WiFi, complimentary breakfast, and walking tours.
Camping is another budget way to sleep in Iceland. Numerous campgrounds around the Ring Road provide tent pads, restrooms and cooking facilities for under $20 per night. Pack warm sleeping bags and cold weather gear to comfortably camp even when temps dip below freezing. Sites book up months in advance during peak season.
For a step up from hostels without the hotel price tag, guesthouses and Airbnbs are smart lodging picks. Guesthouses offer private rooms with shared baths starting around $60 per night. Airbnb listings for entire apartments or cottages can be found for $100 or less outside the capital. Opt for a place with a kitchen to whip up cheap meals yourself.
While mainstay chains like Marriott are scarce, Iceland has its own homegrown value hotel brands. Keahotels and Centerhotels both operate affordable properties in good locations around Reykjavik and beyond. Nightly rates are generally $100-150 for simple but modern double rooms. Amenities like free breakfast and WiFi add value.
Timing your visit in the shoulder or off-season will yield cheaper hotel pricing too. Five star hotels that go for $400+ per night in July can be had for under $200 in November. Shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October offer a nice compromise of lower rates combined with acceptable weather and daylight.
For a few nights in the capital, City Center Hotel is a clean, contemporary choice with rates from $120. Their complimentary breakfast buffet fuels up travelers for long days exploring Reykjavik by foot. Outside the city, Hotel Husafell is an eco-friendly gem set alongside a glacier river with rooms starting at $150.
Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget - Public Transportation is Key - Using buses and shared rides to get around
Getting around Iceland without breaking the bank is easy thanks to the country’s extensive bus system. Convenient, comfortable coaches crisscross the entire Ring Road and Golden Circle, providing easy transportation between destinations for just a fraction of the cost of renting a car or taking tours.
The main bus operator SBA connects all the major towns and sites in Iceland. Their coaches run year-round along the Ring Road from Reykjavik through the South Coast, Golden Circle, Snaefellsnes Peninsula and up through Akureyri in the north. Fares average just $10-20 USD each way. SBA also offers bus passes for unlimited travel, which can save you money if journeying across multiple regions.
Shuttles operated by Reykjavik Excursions cover the popular Golden Circle route taking in highlights like the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir geothermal area and Thingvellir National Park. Their buses depart at least six times per day from Reykjavik. Roundtrip tickets are around $60, but single leg fares offer flexibility to hop on and off as you please.
The Flybus is the easiest and most budget-friendly way to reach Reykjavik from the international airport with fares under $30 each way. The 45-minute ride drops you right at major hotels, sparing the high cost of a taxi. Return Flybus tickets can be added to your initial flight booking for convenience.
For exploring closer to Reykjavik, public bus fare is just $3.50 for trips within the city limits. The Strætó system accesses key attractions like the Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja Church via a network of routes that converge at the Hlemmur bus station. Day passes are available if you’ll be hopping on and off frequently.
Those traveling in small groups may find it cheaper to use shared shuttles like Hreyfill rather than buses. You can browse their website for seat availability and prices on popular routes like Reykjavik to Vik starting around $30 per person.
Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget - See the Sights for Free - Top natural attractions with no entrance fees
Iceland dazzles visitors with its raw, natural beauty. Rugged cliffs, roaring waterfalls, steaming hot springs, epic glaciers - this Nordic island overflows with jaw-dropping sights. The best part? Many of Iceland's most magnificent attractions won't cost you a single króna.
Start by gazing up at the ethereal Northern Lights dancing across the night sky during winter months. This cosmic display of green, violet and pink auroras ranks as a top bucket list experience for travelers. Just find a spot away from city lights, bundle up to brave the cold, and look to the heavens when solar activity peaks between September and March. Joining a pricey guided tour is unnecessary when Mother Nature's own show is free.
Thundering waterfalls like Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss in southern Iceland are dramatic, must-see sights that won't drain your wallet either. Watch cascades of water plummet over cliff edges as you get soaked by the mist. Photograph the classic views or venture behind the falls when pathways allow. Arrive in the morning to beat crowds and capture optimal rainbows when sunlight streams through the spray.
No trip to Iceland is complete without getting up close to a magnificent glacier. Sólheimajökull in the south and Svínafellsjökull in the southeast are accessible, icy giants you can walk right up to on foot for spellbinding views. Listen for creaks and groans as these frozen behemoths slowly grind along. The stark blue hue and icy seracs make for incredible photos. Just take care on slippery terrain.
Bask in Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon or make like a local by soaking in one of the island's many natural hot springs. While the commercial lagoon charges admission, you can slip into relaxing waters at off-the-beaten-path geothermal pools dotting the countryside for free. Ask locals for tips or stop whenever you spot rising steam.
Take Flight: Exploring Iceland's Natural Wonders on a Budget - Budget-Friendly Tours - Affordable day trips and excursions
From glacier hikes to lava tunnel caving, Iceland serves up adventure in spades. Booking group tours makes exploring easier, but costs add up fast. Savvy travelers can experience Iceland's natural wonders on guided excursions without draining their wallet. Joining up with just a few others keeps prices low while ensuring safety with an expert leader.
Small group operator Adventure.is makes Iceland's awe-inspiring landscapes accessible to budget travelers. Their 8-10 person Super Jeep day trips hit major sights along the South Coast like glaciers, waterfalls and black sand beaches for around $180 per person. Knowledgeable guides unravel Iceland's unique geology and culture along the way. Or for $99, experience snorkeling in crystalline Silfra fissure between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
ATV tours are always a hit for adrenaline junkies looking to go off-road. Quad bikes let you rev along rocky trails and riverbeds for views you can't get on foot. Family-run ATV Adventures offers 5-hour Golden Circle tours starting at $150 that include stops at frizzy geysers, heart-pumping waterfalls, and Icelandic horses. Their knowledgeable guides keep newbies safe while showing them the ride of a lifetime.
Small group operator Arctic Adventures proves that under-the-radar experiences in Iceland don't have to break the bank. Their 5-hour northern lights hunts by minibus start at just $65 per person and feature stops in optimal viewing locations away from light pollution. Or tap into your inner Viking on a caving adventure through LAVA Tunnel for only $99. Stomp through 800-year-old lava tubes beneath the earth's crust.
For DIY sightseeing on the cheap, Reykjavik Excursions' bus pass gets you access to three essential Iceland regions. Hop on and off their coaches over 24 to 72 hours to hit top sights along the Golden Circle, South Coast and Reykjanes Peninsula for just $60 - 90. Creating your own itinerary gives flexibility at a fraction of dedicated tour prices.