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.