10 Things to Know BEFORE You Visit ICELAND! | Ultimate Iceland Travel Tips 2024 🇮🇸

Summary

Chu from 'Choose to Explore' shares invaluable tips for first-time travelers to Iceland, highlighting the benefits of a stopover due to Iceland's strategic location and cost-effective flights. He emphasizes the convenience of the airport's proximity to Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon, discusses the best times to visit, and stresses the importance of a rental car for flexibility. Chu also offers insights on saving money through grocery shopping, using local transportation, and staying in budget accommodations. He touches on the language barrier, the breathtaking landscapes, and the ease of using cards for transactions, concluding with a tip on VAT tax refunds for tourists.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Iceland is a great stopover destination due to its strategic location between the US and Europe, offering cheaper flights with airlines that have free stopover programs.
• ✈️ The airport in Keflavík is 45-50 minutes away from Reykjavik, and it's modern with early opening hours for shops and restaurants.
• 🚌 Taking a bus to Reykjavik from the airport is significantly cheaper than a taxi, saving over a hundred dollars.
• 📅 The best time to visit Iceland depends on personal preferences, with winter offering Northern Lights and fewer tourists, and summer providing 24-hour daylight and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• 🚗 Renting a car in Iceland provides flexibility and affordability for exploring the country at your own pace.
• 💸 Iceland is known for being expensive, but there are ways to save, such as grocery shopping at Bonus and getting gas at Costco.
• 💦 Tap water in Iceland is safe and refreshing, eliminating the need for buying bottled water.
• 🛏 Accommodations can be made more affordable by choosing hostels, Airbnb, or camper vans, and staying outside of downtown areas.
• 🍺 Alcohol is expensive in Iceland, so purchasing it at duty-free before arrival is recommended.
• 🗣 English is widely spoken in Iceland, making it a great destination for solo travelers and those concerned about language barriers.
• 🏞 Iceland boasts stunning landscapes, including beaches, ice caves, waterfalls, and glaciers, but visitors should always be prepared for unpredictable weather.
• 💳 Cards are widely accepted in Iceland, so there's no need to exchange currency or carry Icelandic bills, but having a card without foreign transaction fees is beneficial.

Q & A

Why is Iceland a good destination for a stopover when traveling to Europe from the Northeast of the United States?

Iceland is a great stopover destination due to its strategic location between the east coast of the United States and Europe, making it a convenient midpoint. Flights to Iceland are often cheaper than direct flights to Europe, and airlines like Iceland Air offer free stopover programs, allowing travelers to stay in Iceland at no extra cost.

How long is the flight from New York to Iceland?

The flight from New York to Iceland is approximately five and a half hours.

What is the distance between the Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavik?

The airport is about 45 to 50 minutes away from Reykjavik.

Why is it recommended to take a bus from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavik instead of a taxi?

Taking a bus is significantly cheaper than taking a taxi, which could cost over a hundred dollars more.

Why is the Blue Lagoon a recommended place to start or end a trip to Iceland?

The Blue Lagoon is one of the 25 wonders of the world and is conveniently located close to the Keflavík International Airport, making it easily accessible for travelers.

What are the general characteristics of Iceland's climate throughout the year?

Iceland is generally cold year-round with unpredictable weather. Winters have less sunlight and can have as little as three to five hours of daylight, while summers offer extended daylight hours with the sun barely setting in mid-June.

What are some advantages of visiting Iceland during the shoulder season?

The shoulder season, which is between winter and summer, offers the best of both worlds. It provides opportunities to see the Northern Lights, some snow, wildlife, and enjoy longer daylight hours without the peak tourist crowds.

Why is renting a car in Iceland beneficial for travelers?

Renting a car in Iceland provides flexibility and affordability, allowing travelers to visit various locations at their own pace without worrying about crowded tours or public transportation schedules.

How can travelers save money on food while in Iceland?

Travelers can save money by grocery shopping at local supermarkets like Bónus, which is the cheapest option, although still relatively expensive compared to American prices.

What is the best place to get gas in Iceland as an American tourist?

The cheapest place to get gas in Iceland for American tourists is at Costco, where the American Costco card is accepted.

Why is it unnecessary to buy bottled water in Iceland?

Icelandic tap water is safe, refreshing, and comes straight from the glaciers. It's unnecessary to buy bottled water when the natural water is of high quality and readily available.

How can travelers save on accommodation costs in Iceland?

Travelers can save on accommodation by choosing hostels, Airbnb, or camper vans, which are popular and more affordable options in Iceland. Staying outside of downtown areas and driving into the city can also reduce costs.

Why is Iceland a recommended destination for English speakers?

Iceland is a great destination for English speakers because everyone encountered by the traveler in the video spoke English, eliminating any language barrier issues.

What are some of the unique natural features that Iceland offers to tourists?

Iceland offers a variety of unique natural features including beaches, ice caves, waterfalls, glaciers, unique animals, whale watching opportunities, hot springs, volcanoes, and geysers.

Why is it important for tourists to bring waterproof gear when visiting Iceland?

It's important to bring waterproof gear due to the unpredictable weather in Iceland, which can change rapidly from rain to clear skies.

Why can tourists use their cards almost everywhere in Iceland?

Tourists can use their cards almost everywhere in Iceland because the country has a high rate of card acceptance, eliminating the need for cash or exchanging currency.

What is the one instance where cash might be necessary in Iceland according to the traveler's experience?

The one instance where cash was necessary was at a private hot spring in Runalog, which was off the beaten path and the owner only accepted cash.

What is the VAT tax refund, and how can tourists benefit from it in Iceland?

The VAT tax refund is a system where tourists can get reimbursed for taxes paid on Icelandic products if they keep the receipts and claim the refund at the airport before leaving Iceland.

What are some of the free natural attractions in Iceland that tourists can enjoy without paying admission fees?

Many of Iceland's natural attractions, such as waterfalls and hiking trails, are free to access. Tourists can simply park their car and explore these sites without additional costs.

How can tourists save on parking fees at popular attractions in Iceland?

Tourists can save on parking fees by asking other tourists who are leaving the attraction for their used parking tickets, which are valid for 24 hours, and passing them on to others as needed.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Iceland as an Affordable Stopover Destination

The video script introduces the channel and the host's recent trip to Iceland, highlighting it as an ideal stopover location for those traveling from the Northeast to Europe due to its geographical position. The host emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of flying to Iceland with airlines like Iceland Air, which offer free stopover programs, and shares their personal experience of a round trip ticket for just $275 per person. Additionally, the script mentions the convenience of the Keflavík International Airport's proximity to Reykjavik and the Blue Lagoon, suggesting taking a bus to save on transportation costs.

05:01

📅 Best Time to Visit Iceland and Tips for Travel

This paragraph discusses the optimal times to visit Iceland, detailing the characteristics of winter, summer, and shoulder seasons. Winter offers the chance to see the Northern Lights and is cheaper, but has less sunlight and challenging driving conditions. Summer, the high season, provides 24-hour daylight and opportunities for wildlife viewing but is more crowded and expensive. The shoulder season, around March to May and September to October, is recommended for a balance of experiences. The host also shares personal travel tips, such as the convenience of having a rental car for flexibility and affordability, and the importance of being prepared for unpredictable weather.

10:02

💰 Cost-Saving Strategies and Language in Iceland

The script provides various strategies for saving money while in Iceland, including grocery shopping at Bonus, the cheapest supermarket, and filling up gas at Costco. It also suggests avoiding bottled water by drinking from the tap, as Iceland's water is safe and refreshing. Accommodation tips include staying outside downtown areas and considering camper vans for a combination of transport and lodging. The video mentions that alcohol is expensive and recommends purchasing it at duty-free shops. The host notes that English is widely spoken in Iceland, making it a safe and accessible destination for solo travelers or those concerned about language barriers.

🏞️ Iceland's Scenic Beauty and Practical Travel Tips

The host describes Iceland's breathtaking landscapes, including beaches, ice caves, waterfalls, glaciers, and geysers, and shares a preference for the black sand beaches. Practical advice includes always carrying waterproof gear due to unpredictable weather. The script also touches on the convenience of using cards for all transactions in Iceland, as cash is rarely needed. It recommends obtaining a card without foreign transaction fees to save money and mentions an instance where cash was necessary at a private hot spring. The host also points out that many natural attractions in Iceland are free, but some require tour participation or have admission fees, suggesting a tip for sharing parking tickets to save costs. Lastly, the script advises on VAT tax refunds for tourists, which can be claimed at the airport.

Keywords

💡Stopover

A stopover refers to a brief stay in a place during a journey, often an intermediate point between the starting point and the final destination. In the context of the video, the presenter mentions that Iceland is an ideal stopover destination for those traveling from the Northeast of the United States to Europe due to its strategic location and cost-effectiveness of flights, with airlines offering free stopover programs.

💡Landscapes

Landscapes refer to the visible features of an area of land, often appreciated for their aesthetic appeal. The video emphasizes the beauty of Iceland's landscapes, which include a variety of natural wonders such as glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. The presenter highlights the country's unique scenery as a major draw for tourists.

💡Seasons

Seasons are the four periods of the year marked by particular weather patterns and temperatures, typically spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The script discusses the best times to visit Iceland based on the different seasons, noting the pros and cons of traveling during winter for the Northern Lights and summer for the midnight sun and wildlife.

💡Rental Car

A rental car is a vehicle that is hired for a temporary period. The video mentions the importance of renting a car in Iceland for flexibility and affordability, allowing tourists to travel at their own pace and avoid the higher costs associated with public transportation and taxis.

💡Expense

Expense refers to the cost of something. The script acknowledges Iceland's reputation for being an expensive destination but offers tips on how to save money, such as grocery shopping at Bonus, a local supermarket, and taking advantage of the country's tap water instead of buying bottled water.

💡Accommodation

Accommodation is a place to stay, such as a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb. The video suggests various types of accommodations in Iceland, including the option of staying in camper vans for both mobility and cost savings. It also recommends staying outside of central Reykjavik to reduce accommodation costs.

💡English

English is a widely spoken language and the primary language used in the video's script. The presenter notes that English is commonly spoken in Iceland, which is beneficial for American tourists as it eliminates language barriers and makes solo travel more accessible.

💡Lupins

Lupins are a type of flowering plant that are mentioned in the video as a part of Iceland's summer wildlife. The presenter suggests that summer is the best time to see these purple flowers, adding to the visual appeal of the country's landscapes.

💡Weather

Weather refers to the atmospheric conditions at a given time and place. The script describes Iceland's unpredictable weather, which can vary greatly even within a single season, and advises travelers to always carry waterproof gear regardless of the time of year.

💡Credit Card

A credit card is a payment card issued by a financial company that allows cardholders to borrow funds to make purchases. The video recommends using a credit or debit card without foreign transaction fees in Iceland, as cards are widely accepted and can help avoid the need for cash.

💡VAT Tax Refund

VAT (Value Added Tax) Tax Refund is a refund of the VAT paid on goods purchased in a country by tourists. The script mentions that American tourists can get a VAT tax refund for Icelandic products at the airport, providing an additional incentive to buy local items.

Highlights

Iceland is an ideal stopover destination for Northeast US to Europe travel due to its location and cost-effective flights.

IcelandAir and PLAY Airlines offer free stopover programs, allowing extended stays in Iceland without additional flight costs.

The airport in Keflavík is 45-50 minutes from Reykjavik, with modern facilities and early opening hours.

A bus ride to Reykjavik is significantly cheaper than a taxi, saving over a hundred dollars.

The Blue Lagoon, one of the world's wonders, is conveniently located near the airport.

Iceland's population is primarily concentrated in Reykjavik, making it a central point for travel.

The best time to visit Iceland depends on personal preferences for weather and activities, with distinct seasons offering different experiences.

Winter in Iceland offers a chance to see the Northern Lights and is the off-peak tourist season.

Summer brings the midnight sun and increased wildlife visibility but is the peak tourist season.

Shoulder seasons offer a balance of winter and summer activities with fewer tourists.

A rental car in Iceland provides flexibility and affordability for travel.

Iceland is known for high costs, but there are ways to save, such as grocery shopping at Bonus.

Gas is cheaper at Costco, and using cards for transactions can save on foreign transaction fees.

Icelandic tap water is safe and refreshing, eliminating the need for bottled water.

Accommodations can be more affordable through options like hostels, Airbnb, or camper vans.

Icelandic English proficiency makes it a safe and accessible destination for American travelers.

Iceland boasts diverse landscapes, including beaches, ice caves, waterfalls, and glaciers.

Weather in Iceland is unpredictable, necessitating waterproof gear and appropriate footwear.

Most establishments in Iceland accept cards, reducing the need for cash or currency exchange.

Nature in Iceland is largely free to enjoy, with some attractions requiring tours or admission fees.

Tips for saving on parking and VAT tax refunds are provided for budget-conscious travelers.

Transcripts

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what's up YouTube welcome back to my

channel it's Chu here from choose to

explore where I teach you guys how to

see the world and save a dollar so we

just came back from an amazing trip to

Iceland and this is the first time that

we've been to Europe in years

and while we had an amazing time we want

to give you guys 10 things that we wish

that we knew before we went to Iceland

so stay tuned you don't want to miss

this one so the first thing that I want

to talk about is Iceland is an amazing

destination to do a stopover if you're

from the Northeast and you want to head

to Europe and this is really because of

its location and where it is it's really

in between the Atlantic Ocean between

the east coast of the United States and

Europe from New York it was only about a

five and a half hour flight and it's so

worth it because the Landscapes and

everything that Iceland has to offer is

so beautiful but most importantly it's a

lot cheaper to fly to Iceland than it is

to go directly to Europe and Airlines

like Iceland Air and play Airlines have

free stopover programs where you could

fly to Iceland stay as long as you want

and fly to Europe and it's all included

there's no extra cost so for example my

wife and I we flew to Iceland with plate

Airlines and our round trip ticket was

275 US dollars per person now that is

seeing the world and saving a dollar so

we just touched down in Iceland and the

first thing I wish I knew the airport is

actually about 45 to 50 minutes away

from Reykjavik and we are in cavalovic

so it's still not so far away and most

airports aren't directly in the city but

I wish I would have knew that before I

came and the airport is really modern so

we got here at around five in the

morning and all the stores and the

restaurants inside are open so you don't

have to worry about things being closed

it's open pretty early also duty-free is

open so be sure to come here and stock

up on things before you go so you can

actually take a bus us into Reykjavik

instead of taking a taxi which could end

up costing you about a hundred dollars

more than a hundred dollars

so taking a bus is much cheaper

colors per person with one of the bus

companies and you'll see that right here

on the screen another good thing about

this location being in kevlavik is

actually it's so close to Blue Lagoon

which is one of the 25 wonders of the

world so I think Blue Lagoon is a

perfect place to either start your trip

or end your trip just based on the

proximity of it to the airport and

Iceland actually is not that populated

as a country and majority of the people

live here in rectory now the next thing

that I want to talk about is when is the

best time to come and visit Iceland so

we did a lot of research to try to

figure out when we wanted to come now if

you guys have been checking out our

Channel we usually go to a lot of

tropical destinations and let me just

say Iceland is not one of those in

actuality Iceland is pretty cold year

round so I'm going to talk about the

different seasons so you can determine

when is best for you to travel because

Iceland has Beauty in both seasons but

it just depends on what you're looking

for with your Icelandic experience so

the first one that I'm going to talk

about is the winter so as you guys could

comprehend the winter is very cold there

usually is a ton of snow ice and

unpredictable weather here in the winter

I mean even in the summer the weather is

not predictable but especially in the

winter it has a lot less sunlight and

there are days where you have three four

five hours of sunlight this is

definitely in the low season so there

are a lot less tourists in the winter

time also in the winter in Iceland it's

one of the best places in the world

especially to see the Northern Lights so

I've seen the Northern Lights is

important going into the winter will

give you your best chances to see it

also something that I like is the winter

is a lot cheaper and another thing to

consider is driving in Iceland in the

winter is very difficult because the

roads can freeze over it snows there's

not a lot of people out and it gets dark

really early so you guys could decide if

that's worth it or not now the complete

opposite of the winter is the summer so

we were there in the end of April and

they actually said that that was summer

now summer is the high season if you

don't want any tourists it'll be really

hard for you to go in the summer and not

see any so during the summer season is

High season for a reason and that's

because mid-june the Sun never sets it

goes low and comes back up so if you're

somebody that needs your beauty sleep

and you want to go into summer bring

some blackout curtains or an eye mask to

block out it because it'll be really

difficult for you to sleep when it's

light out old hours of the day it's

actually will be really confusing also

in the summer time a lot of wildlife

come out so if you want to do any whale

watching if you want to go see any

puffins if you you want to see some of

the purple lupins summertime is the best

time to go see that and even though it

is summer

generally speaking the highs are usually

around 50 degrees Fahrenheit so it's

really not that warm and like I said the

weather is unpredictable so you still

can have rain you're still going to have

high winds and it's really challenging

to plan for weather in Iceland now

personally my favorite time to go and

when we decided to go is the shoulder

season and that's in between winter and

summer so sometime March April even

early May is the show this season in the

same regards September October will be

the shoulder season as well and you get

the best of both worlds because you can

still see the Northern Lights you still

may see some snow you still can see some

animals you still can see a lot there in

Iceland so you really determine what you

want to do and what you want to

prioritize in your Iceland trip when we

were there in April the sun set at 10 pm

and it actually Rose at like 5 30 a.m so

it was crazy because we were out all day

and we got a good night's sleep but I

like having long days like that because

you can see so much in a day like we did

a glacier Trek or an ice cave tour where

we actually went inside of the cave in

the first day of winter so so shoulder

season and even in the summer time in

Iceland you still can do some of these

winter activities so the next thing you

need to know is a rental car in Iceland

equals flexibility and affordability

so we got this rental car for four days

for 120 so it's gonna take us all over

Iceland so we'll see as much as we can

and by having a rental car we can go at

our own pace you can see what we want to

see spend as much time as we want your

destination not worry about crowds not

worrying about tours and do the things

that we want to do here in Iceland also

at 30 for the day it's a lot cheaper

than taking buses taxis and any other

sort of Transportation so that's a must

here in Iceland if you feel comfortable

driving the next point that I'm sure you

guys know if you did any research on

Iceland is that Iceland is expensive but

even though it is expensive there's

still a lot of ways you can save

so here in Iceland food is very

expensive as well but the way you get

around that or try to is by grocery

shopping yeah so we're here at bonus you

can't miss it has a great big pink pig

on the outside and we're gonna try to

save some money back getting some food

here so the thing with this store is

that it's not open 24 hours but this one

that we're at right here is literally

right next to the airport so it was a

quick drive about less than 10 minutes

from the airport so highly recommend

coming here as soon as you get here

so even though bonus is the cheapest

Supermarket it still is relatively

expensive when you compare it to

American prices but it'll still save you

some money new grocery shop so when we

say everything expensive we got the car

but you got to put gas into it so the

cheapest place to get gas on Iceland is

Costco so our American Costco card works

here I just filled it up and a lot

cheaper and save me some money

so another way people end up wasting

money in Iceland is by buying bottled

water so the water here comes straight

from the glaciers and it's really

refreshing really safe to just drink

like that it has a lot of flavor and in

New York I buy Icelandic water every day

not every day but I buy it often so why

would I come to Iceland and buy water

like I'm drinking the street from the

glacier here so saving money and drink

it straight for an attack

so there's a lot of different ways you

can save on your accommodations so

usually the hotels are going to be

really expensive but you can get a

hostel which are a lot cheaper you can

get an Airbnb and what is really popular

in Iceland are these Camper vans now the

camper vans they double as

accommodations as well as getting you

around

so you have the freedom and flexibility

and you can spend the night there as

well another thing that I'd recommend to

save on accommodation is if you have a

car or you plan to drive around not

staying directly in the downtown area in

Reykjavik so if you stay oh like 10

minutes 15 minutes outside of downtown

and just drive in you can get parking

and you can save a lot in accommodation

costs and in our Icelandic travel guide

we give you guys a ton of accommodations

places to eat experiences and ways to

save money in Iceland so if you guys

want to save money in Iceland please be

sure to look at our Icelandic travel

guide Linked In Our description also

know that alcohol in Iceland is very

expensive so I would recommend if you

are going to get liquor to get it in

duty-free the next thing that was really

good about Iceland as an American is

that everyone really speaks English so

even though we stayed mostly in the

southern coast everyone that we

encountered spoke English

so we didn't have any language barrier

but the only thing that I would say is

that the Icelandic language reading it

is very difficult but it wasn't an issue

because everybody spoke English

and this is why as an American I would

highly recommend Iceland as a great solo

travel destination or somewhere that you

can go and be safe

the next thing to know is that Iceland

has some of the most beautiful

landscapes I have ever seen in this

world and I've traveled to so many

countries already Iceland has so many

beaches Ice Caves

waterfalls glaciers

unique animals whale watching Hot

Springs volcanoes and even geysers also

I love the black sand beaches here

just driving around you get blown away

by the landscapes one tip that I would

say about these Landscapes is the

weather here is unpredictable so

sometimes you may get a lot of rain or

it may be clear but you're going to get

some rain again so always bring

waterproof gear and jackets

also bring rain boots boots

and those will be linked in the

description the next thing that I'm

going to talk about Iceland is that you

can use your card everywhere

so if you guys can see on my wall every

person I go I collect the bills

and in Iceland I didn't even get a bill

because I didn't need it I couldn't even

put a bill on my wall because everybody

accepts cards you don't even need to

exchange your money or take out

Icelandic currency there's only one

instance where we did actually need

Icelandic currency and and this was when

we were in runalog and this was an off

the beaten path kind of private hot

spring and it was an owner there who

only accepted cash

so we actually did have US Dollars and

we gave her the US dollars but I would

just recommend converting maybe ten

dollars twenty dollars just so that you

can have it for instances like that or

just take back home but with the card I

highly recommend getting a credit card

or debit card that has no foreign

transaction fees because using your card

everywhere it will definitely add up if

you have to pay these foreign

transaction fees

the point that I'm going to talk about

Iceland is that even though it is

expensive a lot of the nature is free

and that's what I love now some things

require a tour such as doing whale

watching because you don't have a boat

and you don't know where the whales are

but a lot of the nature such as seeing

the waterfalls or going hiking are just

free you literally just get out the car

and you walk literally just driving on

the highway you can see so much

beautiful nature that you don't even

need to park and hike and this was

something that I know my wife likes

because even though she loves going on

these trips with me hiking is not her

best friend sometimes and this is

especially good if you go in the winter

because you may not want to get out and

hike and then in the snow and then have

to find where the car is and it'd be

covered in snow or just really be an

unsafe unfamiliar terrains and while I

say that a lot of nature is free there

are some things that you have to pay

either admission fees or parking fees

and I'm going to give you guys a tip to

save money on some of these as well so

in place this is like the waterfall

cilantro Force I believe it's called

where you can go behind the waterfall

you have to pay a parking ticket here's

a tip if you see somebody leaving ask

them for the for their plane ticket and

from my experience all of the tourists

were very eager to give those away

because those parking tickets are good

for 24 hours and you're only going to be

there for an hour two hours at most the

only thing that I'd recommend is if you

see somebody at the payment kiosk and

you have a parking ticket don't let the

pay for it give it to them and keep

passing on and this will help you save

on those parking tickets as well and my

last tip about Iceland is the vat tax

refund so as an American you don't have

to pay taxes on everything in Iceland so

if you do buy Icelandic products and you

keep the receipts right at the airport

they have a vat tax refund where you can

get reimbursed for a lot of those things

if you do buy them in Iceland and there

you guys have it 10 things that I wish I

knew before I went to Iceland as an

American

are you guys surprised by any of these

let us know Below in the comments so

thank you guys so much for checking out

our Channel please be sure to like

comment and subscribe and stay tuned

because we got a ton of dope content

coming with Iceland so you don't want to

miss this so we'll see you on the next

one

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thank you