Iceland Travel Guide: Everything You NEED TO KNOW Visiting Iceland

Summary

In this episode of Hopper TV, the host discusses the affordability and attractions of visiting Iceland, highlighting the high cost of taxis and the benefits of renting a car. He covers the unique phenomena of the midnight sun and northern lights, the volcanic activity, and the island's natural beauty. The video also touches on transportation options, local currency, the friendly nature of the people, and various activities available, including the Golden Circle and South Coast tours. The host recommends packing appropriate clothing for the unpredictable weather and trying local cuisine, while also noting the vibrant nightlife and the importance of respecting local culture.

Takeaways

• 🚖 Taxis in Iceland are expensive; it's more affordable to rent a car for transportation within the city.
• 🏨 Accommodation options like hotels and hostels are reasonably priced, but the average hotel cost is around $200 per night.
• 🌍 Iceland is known for its natural wonders like the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter, and its geothermal activity.
• ⏱ In the winter, Iceland gets as little as five hours of sunlight in December, with the sun rising late and setting early.
• 🌞 In summer, there is almost continuous daylight, even affecting sleep due to the light peeking through blackout curtains.
• 🚗 For transportation, rental cars are recommended due to the high cost of taxis, and buses are a more affordable alternative.
• 💰 Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Iceland, with Mastercard and Visa being particularly common, though American Express is less so.
• 🌐 The local currency is the krona, not the euro, and 2000 krona is approximately equivalent to $20 USD.
• 🏞 Iceland has a diverse population with a mix of Scandinavian ancestry and immigrants, particularly from Poland.
• 🧳 When packing for a trip to Iceland, bring weatherproof hiking boots, a light raincoat, and warm layers as the weather can be unpredictable.
• 🎉 Iceland is known for its vibrant nightlife, with lively music and social scenes that continue into the early morning hours.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is to provide information about things to know when visiting Iceland, including affordability, transportation, weather, and activities.

Why is it suggested to rent a car instead of taking a taxi in Iceland?

It is suggested to rent a car instead of taking a taxi in Iceland because taxis can be very expensive, with the cost of a taxi ride within the city limits of Reykjavik potentially matching the daily cost of a rental car.

What is the average price for a hotel stay in Iceland according to the script?

The average price for a hotel stay in Iceland is around 200 dollars on the low side.

What is Iceland known for, apart from the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun?

Iceland is also known as the land of fire and ice due to its volcanic activity, and it has a rich natural landscape including glaciers, fjords, and waterfalls.

How many hours of sunlight can one expect in December in Iceland?

In December, one can expect a maximum of five hours of sunlight in Iceland.

What is the most affordable way to get from the airport to Reykjavik according to the script?

The most affordable way to get from the airport to Reykjavik is by taking a bus, such as the Fly Bus, which can cost around 40 to 50 dollars.

What is the currency used in Iceland?

The currency used in Iceland is called the krona, not the euro.

What percentage of Iceland's residents are immigrants?

About twenty to thirty percent of Iceland's residents are immigrants from other places.

What is the weather like in Iceland during the summer?

During the summer, Iceland experiences long daylight hours with almost continuous light, even at night, and the weather can be unpredictable with rain and cold temperatures.

What are some popular activities for tourists in Iceland?

Popular activities for tourists in Iceland include seeing the Northern Lights in winter, visiting volcanoes, exploring fjords, whale watching, and visiting hot springs like the Blue Lagoon.

What is the recommended attire for someone visiting Iceland?

Recommended attire includes hiking boots, a light raincoat, possibly long johns for warmth, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen due to the bright sun.

What is the name of the tour company mentioned in the script?

The tour company mentioned in the script is called Troll.is.

What is special about the nightlife in Iceland?

Iceland is known for its lively nightlife with loud music, pubs, and clubs that stay open late, and a party atmosphere that continues even with the Midnight Sun.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Transportation and Cost Considerations in Iceland

The first paragraph of the video script discusses the affordability of visiting Iceland, emphasizing the high cost of taxis and the more economical choice of renting a car. It mentions that a rental car can cost around $135 per day, which is cheaper than taking a taxi within Reykjavik city limits. The script also touches on the high prices of hotels and food, with an average hotel room costing a minimum of $200, and the wide range of tour prices from $100 to $200. Additionally, it highlights Iceland's natural attractions, such as the midnight sun in summer and the northern lights in winter, and the country's nickname 'Land of Fire and Ice' due to its volcanic activity.

05:06

🌞 Sunlight Hours and Icelandic Demographics

This paragraph delves into the unique daylight conditions in Iceland, with only five hours of sunlight in December and almost continuous daylight during the summer months around the summer solstice. It also addresses transportation options, including the cost of airport transfers, the availability of buses, and the convenience of domestic flights for exploring the country. The script notes that while the local currency, the krona, is used, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. The demographic makeup of Iceland is also discussed, with approximately 20-30% of residents being immigrants, predominantly from other EU countries, and the majority having Scandinavian ancestry.

10:06

🧳 What to Pack and Expect When Visiting Iceland

The script provides practical advice on what to pack for a trip to Iceland, recommending hiking boots suitable for various weather conditions, a light raincoat, and warm layers due to the unpredictable weather even in summer. It also suggests bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the bright sun. The paragraph discusses the various activities available, such as viewing the northern lights, exploring volcanoes, visiting fjords, whale watching, and enjoying the numerous waterfalls and hot springs. The script also mentions the local cuisine, highlighting dishes like lamb, salmon, herring, and the popular Icelandic hot dog.

🎉 Nightlife and Culinary Experiences in Iceland

The final paragraph focuses on Iceland's vibrant nightlife, with lively pubs and clubs that stay open late into the night, especially during the summer months when the midnight sun keeps the nights bright. The script describes a typical Icelandic dining experience at a local restaurant, featuring fresh seafood such as salmon and herring, and mentions the famous Icelandic hot dog. It also provides a glimpse into the accommodations, showcasing a comfortable hotel room in the city center, conveniently located near attractions and dining options.

Keywords

💡Affordability

Affordability refers to the state of being reasonably priced or within financial reach. In the context of the video, it highlights the cost considerations for travelers visiting Iceland, such as the high cost of taxis and the average price of hotels. The script mentions that taxis can be very expensive, suggesting that renting a car might be more cost-effective for getting around.

💡Midnight Sun

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the summer months at latitudes north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun remains visible at midnight. The video script describes Iceland as the 'land of the midnight sun,' emphasizing the extended daylight during summer, which is a key aspect of the country's unique appeal for tourists.

💡Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is a natural light display in the Earth's sky, predominantly seen in the high-latitude regions during winter. The script mentions this as another reason why Iceland is a popular destination, as visitors may have the opportunity to witness this spectacular event.

💡Land of Fire and Ice

This term metaphorically describes Iceland due to its volcanic activity and extensive glacial coverage. The script uses this phrase to explain the country's geological features, which include volcanic eruptions and glaciers, contributing to its nickname and attracting visitors interested in its natural wonders.

💡Transportation

Transportation in the video refers to the various means of getting around Iceland, including taxis, rental cars, buses, and domestic flights. The script elaborates on the costs and practicality of each option, advising viewers on the most economical ways to travel within the country.

💡Krona

The Krona is the official currency of Iceland. The script briefly touches on this to inform viewers about the local currency, mentioning that while local currency can be handy, most places accept credit and debit cards, with the exception of some establishments that may not accept American Express.

💡Local Cuisine

Local cuisine refers to the traditional and popular food of a particular region or country. The video script provides examples of Icelandic dishes such as lamb, salmon, herring, cod, and hot dogs, which are part of the country's culinary culture and an important aspect of the travel experience.

💡Tours

Tours are organized trips or excursions that allow visitors to explore and experience the attractions of a place. The script discusses various types of tours available in Iceland, such as full-day tours, multi-day tours, and themed tours like the Golden Circle and South Coast, which are integral to the travel itinerary of many visitors.

💡Nightlife

Nightlife refers to the various recreational activities and entertainment options available after dark. The video script highlights Iceland's vibrant nightlife, particularly in Reykjavik, where pubs and clubs offer lively music and a social atmosphere, contributing to the overall appeal of the country for night owls and party-goers.

💡Weather

Weather in the context of the video refers to the atmospheric conditions encountered in Iceland, which can be unpredictable with gray and cloudy skies even in summer. The script advises viewers to be prepared for varying weather conditions by bringing appropriate clothing, regardless of the season.

💡Respectful Tourism

Respectful tourism is the practice of being considerate and mindful of the local culture, environment, and people while traveling. The script encourages tourists to be respectful of the locals and their customs, contrasting the behavior of some tourists with the friendliness of the Icelandic people.

Highlights

Taxis in Iceland can be very expensive, making it more affordable to rent a car for personal transportation.

The average cost of a hotel in Iceland is around 200 dollars per night, with hostels being a more budget-friendly option.

Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice due to its volcanic activity and glacial landscapes.

In winter, Iceland experiences only five hours of sunlight in December, with the sun rising at 11 a.m. and setting around 3 or 4 p.m.

During summer, Iceland enjoys nearly 24 hours of daylight, especially around the summer solstice in June and early July.

Transportation in Iceland is best managed by renting a car due to the high cost of taxis and the convenience of traveling at one's own pace.

Icelandic currency is the krona, not the euro, with 2000 krona being approximately equivalent to 20 US dollars.

Approximately 20-30% of Iceland's residents are immigrants, with a significant number of Polish immigrants due to Iceland's EU membership.

Locals in Iceland are generally friendly, but tourists can sometimes be the most difficult to deal with, displaying a lack of respect for local customs.

Iceland offers various natural attractions such as fjords, glaciers, and waterfalls, as well as historical sites related to early settlers like Leif Erikson.

Whale watching and visiting hot springs are popular activities for tourists in Iceland.

Local hot springs outside of tourist hotspots can provide a more authentic experience without the crowds.

Icelandic weather can be unpredictable, with summer temperatures sometimes requiring a jacket despite the season.

Visitors should pack hiking boots, a light raincoat, and warm layers to accommodate the variable weather conditions in Iceland.

Icelandic nightlife is vibrant, with lively music and a party atmosphere that continues even after bars close.

Local cuisine in Iceland includes a variety of fish dishes, lamb, and traditional hot dogs, which are popular among visitors.

Multi-day tours are a cost-effective way to explore Iceland, including food and accommodation for around $250 per person for an eight-day tour.

Troll.is is a recommended tour company in Iceland, offering a variety of tours to cater to different interests and time frames.

Transcripts

[Music] what's going on everybody  this is hopper tv today we're going  

to talk about the things to know when  visiting iceland let's do it [Music]  

so the first thing to talk about is affordability  how affordable is iceland well let me just tell  

you the taxis will eat you alive if you don't get  a car okay so if you're here it's better to just  

run a yaris or something and drive around yourself  than actually get a taxi okay because sometimes  

a rental car might cost you 135 dollars a day but  you can easily get into a taxi and pay 135 dollars  

just to go within the city limits of reklavik  okay so it can be a real pain in the butt as  

far as hotels go i have found some reasonably  priced hotels here uh but the average price  

seems to be around 200 on the minimum on the low  side uh hostels are limited as far as food goes  

also expensive uh tours i have done tours it  seems like on average to do like a full day tour  

about a hundred dollars you can get them from 100  to 200 dollars depending on what you're going to  

do so iceland is known as the land of the midnight  sun and the northern lights which you get in the  

winter the midnight sun in the summer but also  they call it the land of fire and ice because they  

get the volcano activity out here in the hawaiian  islands they call pele out here it's just fire  

but anyway so with that being said let's elaborate  on the hours of the sun in the summer and the  

winter in the winter you get maximum in december  five hours of sunlight that's it five hours  

sun comes up at 11 a.m and it goes down around  three or four okay in the summer time which it is  

now it's june you can see it's raining it's still  cold i'm wearing a coat even in actually july it's  

not june it's july uh in the summer it's pretty  much light all day like i don't think the blackout  

curtains are stopping the light from coming  in at any time even though they are blackout  

curtains i could still see the light peeking in  throughout the night even at three in the morning  

and those peak hours are basically june summer  solstice around june 22 july early july as  

it goes towards august it kind of brings back  the darkness let's talk transportation because  

we did talk about the rental car situation  but let's actually elaborate on that so  

the first thing i want to say is the airport is  about an hour drive away the airport ride if you  

take a taxi is about a hundred to 150 dollars  if you took a bus like the fly bus for example  

you can get down to your hotel in reykjavik for  around 40 dollars they're about 40 to 50 depending  

on peak pricing also the transportation when  you're down here they do have buses and that seems  

to be the most affordable way because taxis are so  expensive but they do have a city airport here in  

reykjavik that you can take for domestic flights  unfortunately you can't get a flight to london  

or copenhagen from here you have to go domestic  to the north or somewhere else but if you're  

trying to do domestic flights that might just  be your best option trying to fly out of there  

they have boats ferries but they don't really  do long range ferries that i know of i've heard  

some cruise ships come in here i did see  holland america in here while i was here  

but rental cars seem to be the best way to get  around from what i've been told if you did do  

a tour company uh you can do the ring road that's  the road you need to know about because that goes  

all circle around the island it's called ring road  and then they have a few different tours that you  

can do the tour companies offer but you can do  it in your rental car like the golden circle  

they also have the south coast which  is considered the best let's keep going  

let's just touch on the money real quick you don't  really need to have the local currency on you  

although it does come in handy at times  but everyone's going to take credit cards  

uh debit cards for the most part it's 50 50 with  amex but i've noticed mastercard and visa they do  

work good here the currency is not the euro it is  called the krona so you would notice that around  

2000 krona is around just about twenty dollars  let's talk about the people here so i would say  

around twenty to thirty percent of the residents  here are immigrants from other places that means  

about sixty percent are scandinavian descent  ancestry with a little bit of mix from other  

european countries because remember iceland is  part of the eu one of the largest demographics for  

immigrants from the eu is poland so you'll meet  lots of polish people overall the people are  

very friendly here probably the most difficult  people that you're going to encounter on your  

whole journey across iceland is going to be  the tourist that's at least been my experience  

the tourists are usually the ones who are pushy  they get in the way they uh they're rude they  

want it their way they have no respect for the  locals really at least that's what i've been told  

so if you're a tourist coming here try to be  respectful of the people who are living here  

and working here to serve you uh i think we all  need to hear that every once in a while right  

so what are some activities that you can do while  you're out here you might see the northern lights  

that's winter only also are you guaranteed to  see a volcano well it's mother nature nothing  

is guaranteed and if the volcano is not going  off then you won't see it but if it is going off  

and you decide to go over there you will  see the volcano lava flowing they have a  

few volcanoes here because remember fire and ice  right so it's always interesting to see volcanic  

eruptions in the middle of a glacier or something  that has snowpack on it right with that being  

said glaciers there's also fjords the fajords  fjord they're like these uh canyon islands and  

you'll notice that there's some history to  be told because that's supposedly where the  

original inhabitants actually were living like uh  eric the red or leaford eriksen lee ferrickson we  

know him as leif erikson but some of you may know  him as leaford that's what they call him here  

but yeah the fjords are very cool whale  watching also and many tours but waterfalls  

are common all across the island there's many  streams rivers i would mostly call them rivers  

and there's of course the blue lagoon the sky  lagoon which just opened up and then one of  

the other hacks that a lot of people don't know  about is there's many different pools like hot  

ponds hot pools that you can go to that are where  the locals go not where the tourists actually go  

the tourists go to blue lagoon and there's a  waiting list or they go to some of the other  

popular lagoons that just opened up and i would  say from what i've been told just going to one of  

the regular local lagoons across reykjavik you'll  have just as much a good time without the crowds

weather even in the summertime you will get  gray and cloudy skies you also could get an  

occasional blue sky day like i got my second  day here totally blue skies but i heard also  

you can get blue sky days in the winter although  it would be a lot cooler now people assume that  

it's extremely cold in the winter time they say  it's actually not that bad but the problem is  

they get a lot of wind in the winter time and  that's what makes it unbearable so just keep  

that in mind but even in the summer you can come  across cold temperatures so bring your jacket  

that goes on to the next thing what to wear okay  so what to pack i would pack a pair of hiking  

boots boots okay that are probably weatherproof  you're probably going to want to bring those so  

if you can get an all-terrain all-weather  boot for hiking that's recommended also  

a light raincoat because even if it is raining  it might be 50 degrees yes but i found that if  

i'm walking or hiking around i actually start  sweating so i have a light raincoat but then  

i also have a light shirt underneath right now  in the summertime but i might actually need an  

under shirt that's uh you know an under layer  that's thick and warm in case it does get cold  

so maybe a pair of long johns especially if you're  coming in the fall winter or spring summer time  

that's up to you depending on if you go do  some hikes to the glaciers or whatever but  

also maybe even consider a hat because i did  notice the sun is bright so bearing bringing  

sunglasses and a hat with maybe sunscreen i saw  people lathering on the sunscreen yesterday when  

it was blue skies out with lots of sun because  the sun for whatever reason it is bright up here

i did want to elaborate on the tours a little bit  more for example they do have these six day eight  

day tours multi-day tours you can do a three  day you can do a six day you can do an eight  

day and it just depends on how slow the pace is  to get around the whole of iceland or what area  

or region you're checking out but exploring  one of those if you're coming for over a week  

might just be the way to go they include the food  the hotel accommodation and it's around no more  

than twenty five hundred dollars per person so for  eight days twenty five hundred dollars to see and  

do all of iceland per person might just be the  route to go uh some of the tour companies that i  

went on or would recommend trolls they're called  troll ice troll is that's their website troll.is  

so look up troll uh excursions in iceland  those are the guys that i went with who  

have a whole bunch of different tours you can look  at iceland is actually known for its nightlife and  

loud music nice loud music you can see we've got  a pub there a pub there everyone's indoors they're  

not outside but you go inside one of those pubs  you'll see it's ruckus lots of people in there  

some of these pubs and clubs they really get going  i've seen it myself so if you're coming here for a  

good time you'll definitely find it guaranteed  at night it's a great time people come out  

after the bars close at three you'll see a party  in the streets with the midnight sun still going  

people don't even know they're like oh it feels  like it's uh 6 p.m but it's really like three in  

the morning and they're just out there partying it  up even though the bar said you got to go home all  

right so i'm going to show you guys an example  of some cuisine this here is the restaurant's  

name fiscal gated fish company you can look  them up but they've got lots of fish okay  

nice food that's the name of this restaurant  right here in the city center but here's some  

local cuisine lots of lamb salmon herring i've  had both salmon and herring while i was here  

they also get cod and then they have a hot dog  here that most people really like to gravitate  

towards it's like an iceland hot dog but i've got  great food here i had like maybe one breakfast  

that was okay it was a buffet the buffet was okay  food but when it's really good it's really good  

and when it's really bad it's just really not  that good but here's an example of one of these  

places that'll be open at 12 o'clock at night i  ate here this is right here in the city center  

at 12 o'clock at night i was like oh man i need  something to eat came right over here to the city  

center and there's the hot dog right there well i  just wanted to show you my hotel room even though  

it is messy because i was just taking a nap but  it gives you an idea of what kind of room you  

get the bed is super comfy this hotel is called  the city center hotel okay and it's right in the  

heart of it all and they give you one of these  maps you can see there's all the good stuff  

on the map right here right in the heart of the  city and then you can see i just look right out my  

window here right over there is the city center  and the english pub so you're right here in the  

middle of it all right at the city center  at this hotel about 200 a night all right  

everybody that's going to conclude this episode  island hopper tv from iceland hope you guys walk  

away from this feeling more educated on  iceland and we'll see you on the next one

[Music] you