Photo by Konstantin Stroginov. Due to the fact that alcohol consumption was prohibited in Iceland for the greater part of the 20th century, the Icelandic drinking culture is still in its infancy. Supermarket shelves, however, are stocked with various brands of relatively cheap near-beer, a product which aims to replicate the taste of beer while totally eliminating its intoxicating effects.
Since many travellers don't know this, it is relatively common to see foreign visitors victoriously pushing full shopping carts, stuffed with the watered out near-beer, through Icelandic supermarket aisles, oblivious to the true nature of their loot. The near-beer might keep the party from taking off with a bang, but the upside is that it will never keep you from getting out of bed the following morning.
Sadly, these souvenir boutiques, which are exclusively tailored to travellers, have in recent years become one of the capital's most distinguishing features. Although the puffin shops supposedly sell "authentic" Icelandic souvenirs and memorabilia, most of the so-called "Iceland" branded products found in these shops are in reality mass-produced junk from China.
This is also a common theme for everything from the plastic Viking helmets to the over-priced puffin branded accessories. Sadly, the puffin shops make billions upon billions each year and will continue to grow in size and number so long as visitors coming to Iceland remain oblivious to the ploy. We hope this guide to the top 9 worst tourist traps in Iceland steers you away from some unfair experiences and helps to improve your trip. Get a vacation. Book your tours.
Rent a car. Find stays. Read info. Book your trip now. Guide to Iceland. Verified Expert. Popular cars. Read about the Top 11 Iceland Travel Tips 9. See also How to pack for travel in Iceland 8. Bottled Water The best drink in Iceland is free of charge. Some if not most of these extra insurances are, however, quite reasonable. An insurance you can definitely do without, however, is theft protection. See also T hings that can kill you in Iceland 6.
After the economic collapse of , the value of the Krona dropped to staggering depths. See also Ultimate Guide to Flights to Iceland 4. The Shops The most expensive grocery store in Iceland is Near Beer Photo by Konstantin Stroginov Due to the fact that alcohol consumption was prohibited in Iceland for the greater part of the 20th century, the Icelandic drinking culture is still in its infancy.
Top Ring Road Tours. Popular articles. When was Guide to Iceland founded and why? How has Guide to Iceland changed since its conception? Continue reading to learn all about the leading travel agency of Iceland How long does a sunset or a sunrise last? How long is the period in which you can experience the midnight sun in Iceland? How do you sleep during the Where do you need to travel to find the most spectacular waterfalls?
Are there waterfalls all around the country? Can you These beautiful pictures by renowned nature photographer Iurie Belegurschi are a wonderfu Mountains in Iceland Which mountains are the most beautiful mountains in Iceland, where are they located and what kind of mountains can you find in Iceland? Iceland is filled with interesting rock sculptures, lava form Other interesting articles.
What sites are within close proximity to the airport? Will you need a rental car and how will time restraints shape the nature of your stay? Read more. What equipment and shoes will you need to go in the ice caves or on the glaciers, lava caving or horseback riding?
Do tour operators provide Top 10 Apps for Travelling in Iceland What are the best mobile applications to download before travelling to Iceland? What are the handiest apps for finding nearby attractions, bars or ATM machines? Which apps allow you to keep track of Camping allows you to get closer to the nature that you are here to see and is by far the most sustainable option, providing that you leave the area in the state that you found it. When camping in Iceland, you still need the means to travel to your selected locations.
That is where car rentals and self-drive tours come in handy. You are provided with a vehicle, or a camper with a rooftop tent, as well as a detailed itinerary which makes you the guide, enabling you to navigate around the island and visit its sights on your own accord.
Remember, however, that Iceland is situated on the edge of the Arctic Circle, so camping is an infinitely easier option during the summer months. Camping in the Icelandic winter is an activity reserved for only the most avid trekkers, who are experts in reading the weather forecast and possess all the proper equipment, as well as having years of experience when it comes to surviving in the wild.
If you are feeling adventurous, there is also the option of hitchhiking, which is extremely safe in Iceland. If you are driving a rental, picking up hitchhikers and suggesting that they pitch in for petrol is an excellent way of saving gas money.
As for the case of inner city transport, do not take a taxi unless it's absolutely necessary, and only if you are going to be travelling short distances within the city. The flag rate starts at ISK and from there the meter runs fast.
The public transportation system outside of the capital, however, is quite lacking. If you are going to be travelling anywhere outside the city, you should know that renting a small car is always a lot less expensive than taking a public bus.
In the last few years, Iceland has witnessed a surge in its local food scene, with numerous world-class restaurants sprouting all over the capital. The possibilities for dining are endless; traditional Icelandic food is fused with other cuisines, or spiced up with exotic ingredients, to create venues for fine dining that stand tall amongst the competition.
Eating out is relatively expensive the average plate will cost between 2, and 4, ISK , so the locals consider restaurant dining as a treat, as opposed to a regular occurrence. If you are going to be eating out in Iceland every night of your stay, expect your expenses to soar.
What you should do instead is research the possibilities, and plan for one or two special occasions. As it is with most things in Iceland, they might come at a cost, but they are well worth it for the unique and quality experience.
Be careful when you buy fast food like pizza, burgers or sandwiches. A pizza usually goes for around 3, ISK —virtually the same price as a meal at a nice restaurant. Obviously, the most economical way of eating food in Iceland is to cook it yourself.
If you are going to be purchasing groceries, avoid the supermarket chain which is by far the most expensive grocery store in Iceland. Shopping there might go as far as doubling your grocery bill.
Photo from Nathan Dumlao. These stores are also ideal for lunch-pack shopping before you leave town and embark on your adventures. Road-side kiosks tend only to offer things like burgers and hot dogs, but for sky-high city restaurant prices. You might also have heard that Iceland just saw it first Costco Supermarket open for business, but that is an endeavour more intended for locals, who do flock there because of the incredible price drop.
Photo courtesy of Grillid. If you plan on going out, or even staying in, you are advised to stock up beforehand. Even in these state-run stores, taxes are high, so an even better bet is to shop duty-free at the airport when you arrive. Photo courtesy of Von Mathus Gastropub. You should also watch out for what appears to be beer on the shelves of local supermarkets - it's not.
It's a product designed to have the taste and appearance of the beverage but contains little to no alcohol content. If beer is not your drink, most happy hours include the house red and white. As for the case of coffee, everybody's favourite nectar of energy, you are advised to also consider it an odd treat as opposed to a daily buy. There are a few ways to get around this.
Since Iceland is one of the biggest coffee-consuming nations in the world, your accommodation might very well include it as complimentary. Last but not least; avoid buying bottled water. The water in the taps of Iceland is some of the cleanest and purest in the world, so unless you are situated in a dubious public bathroom with a warning sign on the sink, it is always safe to drink.
Just bring a water bottle with you, and rest assured that every honourable establishment will happily refill it for you. Photo courtesy of Smaralind mall. When it comes to shopping in Iceland, the estimation ultimately depends on what you're here for and what you're willing to spend.
Although enjoying Iceland is not solely reserved for the wealthy, shopping here might very well be. In fact, most locals prefer to do their biggest shopping online or abroad, heading to discount stores in Copenhagen or Berlin in unison with their travelling plans. The city offers a wealth of local design stores, each holding unique and hand-made garments, but for a handsome price. The market is only open during the weekend, so if you want to pay next to nothing for an Icelandic " lopapeysa " or vintage wear, roam the aisles just before closing on Sunday when the prices drop to near giveaways.
If you're looking for souvenirs, the so-called "puffin shops" that litter the local streets might promise a bargain deal on authentic Icelandic memorabilia, but in fact, they are specially tailored tourist traps that only sell mass-produced plastic ornaments from China. Besides, the best memories you can buy are the numerous adventures you will embark on and all the stunning natural sights you will behold.
Just remember to pack a camera, and you can bring all those memories back with you. The best things in life are free, they say. The Icelandic nature boasts of wonders unparalleled to anywhere else in the world; it is a place where the geothermally active terrain of hot springs and geysers meets with rural coastal villages, in contrast with wild and uninhabited Highlands. Although feasting your eyes on these marvels comes at no cost, you still need the means to get there and a place to stay, as well as the proper gear and guidance.
Nature isn't only there to be looked at; you can and should participate in activities offered to experience it fully. Or if you visit Skaftafell National Park, home to the largest ice cap in Europe, you can embark on a glacier hike , go ice-climbing , or venture inside an ice cave. Luckily, Iceland offers an array of guided services to make all of these activities available to visitors. This is the case even with a celestial phenomenon like the Northern Lights. Though they appear in the winter sky off their own accord, there are people who work around the clock to calculate their arrival for you, by using solar wind readings and weather forecasts.
If that fails, most companies offer you compensation for your tour. That compensation usually allows you to embark on the same tour a different night to try your luck again. It is therefore wise, if the lights are at the top of your bucket list, to book a Northern Lights excursion for the beginning of your stay.
Tours differ greatly in expenses, but our advice to you is to book packages, as one adventure will undoubtedly leave you thirsty for more. If you buy your tours one at a time, the costs will add up a lot faster than if you allow the experts to join a few together for you. Iceland also offers endless possibilities for hiking and trekking, where you can explore the vastness of the highlands over the course of a few days while staying in cabins in between.
Hikes are a summer activity, but you still need to possess warm clothes, good hiking boots and food, since there are no shops around. Remember to always make a travel plan and then leave said plan at safetravel. The nature of Iceland should not be underestimated, but if you follow the proper guidelines, you should be fine. Besides from embarking into the wild, there are also plentiful opportunities to sightsee within municipal limits. The pass also provides you with a discount on multiple tours and services for when you want to leave town, meaning you won't only save money if you stay in the city.
We hope this article has given you an idea of the different expenses and possibilities when travelling in Iceland. There's nothing left now except to present you with estimated budgets, as to better your abilities to plan the journey of your dreams. The Backpacker's approach to travelling in Iceland includes no essential transport except a round trip with the airport shuttle Flybus.
Otherwise, they can hitchhike. They would camp in the city , where the night goes for 1, ISK , provided they book the whole week. Included are a couple of additional spendings, such as electricity rent or using a washing machine once.
This person would cook their own meals, where 8, ISK should buy them groceries for the week. The Minimalist's approach includes hostel accommodation at 4, ISK per night, where cooking facilities enable them groceries for the week for 5, ISK.
Let's throw in a case of Icelandic beer for 1, ISK to keep the fridge stocked! They would purchase a round trip with the Flybus but otherwise use the public transport system or rent a small car for one day for 3, ISK. A small car will suffice if the season is summer. The Traveller would book hotels or a guesthouse for 10, ISK per night and rent a 4x4 car for the whole week, with gas prices at roughly ISK for the litre. That way they could enjoy the full extent of the land as well as the municipalities and capital city.
They wouldn't hesitate in matching their meals with wine and quality craft beer, which doubles restaurant expenses. The Big Spender could, of course, spend a whole lot more, but this data is meant to showcase a week where the goal isn't to spend money, but see Iceland off a budget. Now that you've seen the different approaches to estimated Iceland budgets, you can compare the costs with self-drive tours and all-included travel packages.
A week's self-drive tour around the whole country, with a car, accommodation, breakfast and a Blue Lagoon voucher such as this one is , ISK , where added meals and gas expenses would bring the estimation to 20, ISK a day. This would top the Traveller's approach - while including more comforts and a lot more sightseeing.
There are also budget self-drives such as this one available for 89, ISK that don't include breakfast or vouchers - ideal for the Minimalist! Add a few night outs to that, and the estimation would come down to 25, ISK per day, which matches the Traveller's approach and tops the Big Spender route by miles in being economical.
The selection goes on and on, but this should give you an idea. We'll do our best to keep them updated so they show the correct information.
If you have any additional questions on costs of travelling in Iceland, don't hesitate to place your questions in the comments below and we will answer them right away. Get a vacation. Book your tours. Rent a car.
0コメント