Some Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Iceland
Recently we spent one week in Iceland and now I’d want to share some good-to-knows with those who are also planning to go there. Might come handy. :)
First of all, why to choose Iceland as a holiday destination, you ask?
I know a lot of people who say or will say, ‘why’d you visit such a cold place in the middle of summer, when there’s beaches and pina coladas in less expensive places?’ Well, the answer is really simple.
You won’t experience mother nature and the Earth in this way in any other place on the planet. You just won’t. Iceland is truly one of a kind. You’ll see shapes and colours that you won’t find anywhere else. And for people like me, who like active holidays filled with hiking, adventure and exploration, this will be a real treat, trust me. Besides, the weather is not that cold. It’s not Budapest hot, but frankly, I can barely function in the summer in Hungary, so 15-17 centigrades are just perfect for me (and for the human body in general to be honest - ask the British scientists). So no, it’s not a cold place, it has perfectly normal temperatures.
Besides, weather won’t matter one bit once you laid your eyes upon what Iceland’s unspoiled nature has to offer. This is truly a place that will expand your mind and will make you feel more respect towards the planet we call Earth.
Those who prefer hot weather and beaches and doing nothing just laying around on your holiday, I respect your opinion, but you’re wrong and you’re missing out big time. ;)
1. How to get to Iceland?
Unless you want to have the journey to take days, you’ll take a plane. Wizz Air now has direct flights to Keflavík from Budapest Airport. It’s not that cheap, but it’s not that expensive either. Two return tickets for me and Viktor cost 175.000 HUF with one big baggage and Wizz Flex (in case we wanted to change the date and stuff). We booked 3 months in advance,
Iceland’s only international airport (Keflavík International Airport) is just a 40 minutes drive from the capital, Reykjavík. As public transport is non existent on the island (population is only about 320.000 people) the only way to get around and explore this country is to use a car.
2. Renting a car and driving in Iceland
You will have to rent a car. There’s no way around it. Well, one: you can do backpacking, but I like to be in control of my own time, or maybe I’m just too comfortable, but that’s not for me. Although few people are doing it, and I think it’s not that hard to get a ride in Iceland, we too picked up a few backpackers along the way. So if you really want to visit Iceland, but you’re a bit short on money, and you’re not afraid to backpack, then that can be your way.
But we rented a car. When we planned the holiday we went on and on about which car rental to use. Should we go to a big international one (like Hertz or Avis) or should we choose one of the locals (Iceland Car Rental). And after a lot of debate, we realized that the prices are pretty much the same everywhere, there are no big differences. What we were more worried about was the deposit amount we will have to pay. We called some of these companies (if you have general questions, you can just call the local client service of Hertz for example, as general rules are pretty much the same everywhere), and realized we won’t have to pay deposit if we pay with a credit card. That’s easy you say, you use your credit card everywhere anyway, and who has that kind of cash on them anyway. Well, maybe only I was the dumbo about these terms, but a credit card is not your regular debit card, and you shouldn’t mix these two up. So a credit card is a card that has not your money, but the bank’s money, that you can loan upto a limit (or unlimited) and then pay it back. I think the confusion for me came from the fact that we translate debit card (bankkártya) into credit card in English, while credit card is really: hitelkártya in Hungarian. Anyway, you’ll need a credit card. It’s easy to apply for one, and it might come handy later as well. If you really don’t want to get a credit card, then Hertz accepts debit cards as well, but then you will have to pay a deposit amount of 320.000 ISK, which is around 800.000 HUF. This amount will be blocked on your account during the time of the rental, and I heard they’re not too fast unblocking it. Bottom line is: get a credit card.
Ok, you have your credit card and you decided on one of the car rentals. We chose Hertz, because they had all the info we were looking for on the website, everything was clear, we knew for how much we could get all the insurances, and how much will be the end amount. Not all rentals were this transparent with the prices, and it’s better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t, right?
Pre-book the car you want online. This will give you a discount, but you won’t have to pre-pay, it will be enough to pay on spot. We chose a 2WD (Toyota Yaris or similar) and got a KIA Rio in the end. It’s a neat little car, but car choice all comes down two this: 2WD or 4WD.
If you have enough money and your budget allows it, I’d say go for the 4WD. There are a lot of roads in Iceland not suitable for 2WD vehicles, to be more precise it is forbidden to drive on those roads with a 2WD. These roads are marked with an F before their number, but even if you get to one, there will be a huge sign there saying do not go on this road unless you have a 4WD!
So it’s really hard to miss. If you have more than one week to explore Iceland and you really want check out the less touristy spots as well, you’ll need a car suitable for the highlands.
But for first time visitors with around 7-10 days to spare, it’s perfectly enough to get a 2WD. It’s half the price and there are plenty of things to check out before one gets to the highlands.
Here is some useful info from Hertz on driving in Iceland:
You can drive on gravel roads that are not F roads, don’t worry. Although speed limit there is 80, but trust me you won’t be able to drive any faster there anyway.
I know that saying ‘please, respect the speed limits, they are for your own safety’ is such a grandma thing to say, but homie, it’s true. Even if you don’t care that much for your own safety, respect them, because Icelandic police are practically hunting for tourist drivers over the speed limit. And the fine is very very high, so you wouldn’t want to risk that. Besides the landscape is so beautiful you won’t want to drive too fast anyway.
This also comes down to the choice whether you want to move around backpacking or you’d want to use a basecamp with hot shower. For first time goers I would recommend to get accomodation in a hostel outside of Reykjavík. As in all countries the capital is the most expensive region, and frankly in Iceland’s case it’s the least interesting thing on the island given the many natural wonders. Choose a hostel a bit outside of the capital region, prices will come down, and you have a car anyway, you can get around easily. We chose the Ljósafossskóli Hostel, just a few kilometers away from one of Iceland’s most beautiful national parks: Thingvellir.
It’s a hostel, it has everything you want, free parking, free wifi, breakfast, but don’t expect a 5 star hotel. It’s basic, but it’s perfectly okay. The staff is very nice. You will only be there for sleeping anyway.
4. Don’t exchange any cash
You won’t need any cash for your stay in Iceland. Just use your Mastercard or Visa or whatever you have. Even in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone reception, there will be a terminal to pay with your card, I’m not kidding.
5. Pack enough snacks and sandwiches for the road
As there won’t be nice restaurants where you’re going, always pack enough food for the road. We’ve been eating these pre-packed sandwiches for a week, plus yoghurt and chocolate. It’s not ideal, but it’s easily accesible at gas stations, and it’s fine for a short period of time.
6. Fill up the tank whenever you have a chance
As Iceland is very thin on population, you won’t find a gas station every 500 meters. Better fill up the tank whenever you have the chance, even if you’re not out yet.
7. ‘Enjoy Iceland’s unspoiled nature’
Not my phrase, I think I’ve read it on the airport on one of those super big banners.
The thing is tourism in Iceland have really come up in the last couple of years. While they’re doing everything they can to protect their natural assets while still letting in the tourists, there are some spots that can be very touristy. Not to worry thou! It’s still not the Eiffel Tower, but if you want to enjoy these landscapes with a little less people, I highly recommend you visit them in the late evening. As there’s no full darkness in Iceland in the summertime, you can still enjoy them in the light. These quite touristy spots are: Gullfoss waterfall (1), Strokkur Geysir (2), Seljalandsfoss waterfall (3).
These are along Iceland’s famous Golden Circle, so they’re very easily accesible with any car and for their beauty they’re very popular as well. But don’t worry, you can still enjoy them, just go there a little late (10-11 PM or midnight). That’s a hack I didn’t know, but I wish I did, so you’re welcome. :)
8. Visiting all the ‘mandatory’ places vs. exploring the unknown on your own
There are sights in Iceland that are on the must-visit list for a reason. For example the 3 abovementioned ones. Don’t skip them just because there are more people there, because you won’t want to miss out on them, they’re the most famous sights for a reason. But in the meantime never stick to just these places you found on a travel blog. Go out on your own, explore! Every hidden corner of this island is amazing, so don’t be afraid to go offroad (not literally, as offroad driving is illegall in Iceland!). But just go out and find your own little peacespots. Those are the quiet, unique places that will make you really fall in love with Iceland.
Found a lovely, hidden hot spring in the middle of nowhere. We skipped the Blue Lagoon for this, and I don’t regret it.
This was just 15 minutes from the hostel.
Adventure is out there, people! Iceland will be a special experience, I promise.
PS: If you need more scecific guidance or have more questions, hit us up, we’ll try to answer the best to our ability.
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