Right now, the price is good to head to Iceland!
What You Should Know Before You Go to Iceland.
- Need a passport
- It is cold even in the summer
- Food is expensive
- Endless beauty
- This trip is amazing and you will love it. Thank me now!
What You Should Know About the Flight:
Gone are the super cheap flights to Iceland but deals are still available!
Living in Columbus, Ohio – I learned the best way is to drive to Baltimore and get a deal (last trip was $99 each way to Iceland)
Right now, $320ish round trip from Baltimore most days. PLAY, Iceland Air, etc.
It is important to know that you do not get a carry on, personal item, and luggage with discount airlines and depending on the airline – luggage may be additional in cost.
Discount airlines have certain restrictions on luggage and even personal item (the size and weight) so make sure that you read that information instead of showing up at the airport and paying more than you should. Leaves the United States in the evening; arriving in Reykjavik in the early morning hours. Just double check what is covered and not. (40 pounds v 50 pounds as an example)
What We Did:
I had a personal item and checked bag only. I wore my coat on the plane and also wore my Sorel heavy boots while my tennis shoes were packed in the suitcase. All of my heaviest items were worn on the plane. I live in Ohio and based on the deal; drove 6 hours to Baltimore to catch the flight. Gas cost $99.00 roundtrip from Columbus, Ohio to Baltimore, MD.
What You Should Know About Iceland
You can spend very little in Iceland if you rented a car, paid for gas, and stayed at the least expensive hotel/ Air BNB/ hostel. Airfare including bags, taxes, and seats: $283.00 per person roundtrip Rental Car: Blue Car Rental for a Land Rover SUV with insurance including the wind, volcanic ash, etc. coverage for 4 full days was $767.12 USD This included a wi-fi transmitter in the car so we could talk on WhatsApp and use the google map feature on the cell phone with no additional costs.
Pro Tip: the wind is so strong and a volcano can erupt on a whim so get full coverage insurance. Ash, door ripped off, or an accident or off road issue can have you stuck in Iceland until you are released financially – with full coverage insurance – you can leave!
Day 1: Drive from Airport to Glacier Lagoon with stops along the way at waterfalls and at Vik. (7 hour drive) Hotel Stay Expenses: Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon: $146.30 USD. Pictures from Day 1 below. Hotel was very nice; the dinner at the hotel was very expensive. $60.00 USD per person.
Day 2: Drove from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon to the Golden Circle and then to Hotel Husafell; on the way stopping along the Golden Circle and the Solheimasandur Plane Crash! It was a long walk to the plane and there are no restrooms along the path; maybe close to 5 miles roundtrip. The Solheimasandur Plane Crash is 10 miles from Skogafoss and 17 minutes from Vik. Look for stopped cars.
Hotel Husafell was a wonderful hotel $263.61 for the night and it included a viewing of the Northern Lights. The hotel is located near the Glacier and is removed from most lights; absolutely stunning location. We arrived late and dinner was no longer served, however, the chef brought us some food anyway. Highly recommended. The next morning included an excursion: Into the Glacier (for 2 people: $344.80) riding in a NATO missile truck with wifi that will climb the glacier so you can see the inside. It was incredible. We walked next door to board the truck for our excursion.
After the morning spent on the Glacier, we packed up and did the Golden Circle Tour for a second day.
We headed toward our next hotel: Ion Adventure Hotel for $345.23 a night; close to our next morning’s excursion. Included a geothermal pool experience (Northern Lights can be viewed if it is clear) and the accommodation was quite spectacular. Guide to Iceland Silfra Fissure included a Dry Suit to experience swimming in the Silfa Fissure (snorkeling between tectonic plates between North America and Europe). for $300.36 for two people. The Dry Suit allows you to float; you can see me floating on my bottom and see the pictures from the GoPro.
After the excursion, it was time for a ride into Reykjavik to explore the city and take in some of the shopping. Our hotel was the Fosshotel Reykjavik for $202.32 for the night. It was centrally located.
Our last day was spent in the morning at the Blue Lagoon before boarding the plane to return to Baltimore. $108.19 for two people. There are several price points with the Blue Lagoon; we opted for the least expensive and brought our own travel towels and had flip flops. It saved us around $100.00.
Travel Insurance $144 for 2 people.
Travel items to take and what to pack. Here is a Packing list you can print
This trip is absolutely amazing and while we could have gone much cheaper; it was a quality vacation with above average accommodations. Book the trip and Go! Questions, Just Ask!
Flight: $320ish round trip from Baltimore plus luggage ($100)
Travel insurance: $144 for 2
Hotels: $800-$1200
Car: $800
Gas: $200
Excursions: $600-1200 depending
Food: $300 per person (depends on what you eat)
Xoxo,
Heidi
Follow me: trendywithapassport1 on Facebook on most social media: @trendyheidi
