Iceland: travel budget

As a rule, everyone starts exploring Iceland from its capital Reykjavík. It is the starting point of most tours, excursions, as well as the center of the country’s highways and just a colorful city. Despite one of the most difficult languages in the world, it is easy for a tourist with knowledge of English here — Icelanders know it like a native tongue.

Where to stay in Iceland

When planning a trip to Iceland, decide what you want to see and how many days you are willing to stay there. If it is a short tour to the capital for 1—2 days, it is better to spend the night in Reykjavik. If you have about a week and you are ready to travel around the island, choose an overnight stay on the way.

Where to live in Reykjavik

Reykjavík is divided into 10 administrative districts, but it is compact and walkable enough that travel costs can be minimal. You can cross the city in less than 30 minutes by vehicle. The main attractions can be bypassed on foot by simply taking a convenient walking route.

1. The most interesting things are located in the central district of Midborg (Miðbær), or District 101. It has the most expensive housing, the noisiest streets with the most bars and stores, and the most expensive parking spaces.
2. The districts adjacent to the center, within 10—15 minutes walking distance, are Vesturbær, West Town (107), Hlíðar, East Town (105) and Laugardalur, district 104. The latter has a long stretch of land, so it is possible to live in a remote part of it, then it takes about 7 minutes to get to the center by bus. This is the greenest neighborhood in Reykjavik with a park and a thermal pool, as well as paid camping within the city.
3. A 10-minute bus ride from the center takes you to the quiet neighborhood of Háaleiti, 108 and a little farther to Árbær, home to an open-air museum.

There are no dangerous neighborhoods here: Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. It’s not your safety you have to worry about, but your wallet: inexpensive accommodation in Reykjavik is hard to find.

• An inexpensive option for accommodation — kuchsurfing. For those who are ready to share their homes with strangers in exchange for the opportunity to get in touch with the life of the locals.
• A modest room with a bed will cost from 47 €.
• Apartments — from 85 € per day.
• A room in a guesthouse will be almost the same price as a studio apartment — from 95 € per night.
• Standard double room in a 3* hotel — 145 €.
• A room in a 5-star hotel in Reykjavik from 300 €.

Overnight accommodation in campgrounds in Iceland

The most budget-friendly overnight stays on the island are at campgrounds, of which there are many throughout the country. A place for your tent will cost from 2 €, while the average price for a place with a rental tent and access to kitchen, showers and other facilities is 10 €.

Theoretically in Iceland it is allowed 1 free overnight stay with a tent on any uncultivated public land, but in reality it is difficult to find out where the private territory ends and the free one begins. And the prices in campgrounds are affordable, the land is checked and equipped with everything you need, including Wi-Fi.

Where to stay when traveling across the country

Along the route of the ring road, you can spend the night not only in a camping site. There are hotels and apartments in almost every settlement. I recommend staying in the towns closest to the sights, where there is tourist infrastructure: hotels, cafes, stores.

• On the southern shore of the «ice island», it is convenient to spend a night in the southernmost town of Vík. Prices per night start from 50 € at The Barn hostel or 170 € at the 3* Hotel Katla by Keahotels.
• In the southeast of the island, around Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður Park and the glacial valley of Jökulsárlón — stay in Höfn. A room at the Hvammur guesthouse will cost from 80 €, and at the 3* Hotel Höfn from 130 €.
• In the north I recommend Akureyri. There is a great choice of hotels here, prices are 60 € for a double room. Another colorful northern town is Húsavík, where a room in the 3* Fosshotel Husavik costs from 70 €.
• When traveling along the country’s eastern fjords, it is better to stay in Egilsstaðir. Double room in Lyngás Guesthouse from 80 €, and in 4* Icelandair Hotel Herad from 133 €.
• The western beauty of the island can be explored with an overnight stay in Borgarnes. Here you can stay in the eco-hostel HI Hostel for 33 € or in the 4* hotel B59 for 140 €.

An alternative is a ready-made tour of Iceland, which already includes the cost of overnight accommodation (usually a 3* hotel) with breakfast.

How much does it cost to eat in Iceland

Like everything in this «icy country», food on the island is not cheap. In the cities you can buy food in supermarkets, have a fast food snack or visit a cafe or restaurant. And if you are planning tours to natural attractions, it is better to take food with you.

For example, in Reykjavík, the prices for meals in cafes are about the same. They do not differ much from the prices for food in other cities of the country.

• Hot dog with coffee or sandwich — 5—6 €.
• A burger with fries and a drink will be 10—13 €.
• A two-course lunch in an inexpensive cafe is at least 15 €.
• Coffee — 4 €.

Tourist Card (Reykjavik City Card)

If you have a tight deadline for a 1—2 night trip to Reykjavík, but have a burning desire to see as much as possible, it is better to use a tourist card. It will help you save money and organize a tour of the capital.

The City Card provides free access to top museums and art galleries, Strætó public transportation within the city, a trip to Viðey Island and entrance to the city’s thermal pools. There are three fares:

• 24 hours — 31,10 € (children 6—17 years old — 13,70 €)
• 48 hours — 43,10 € (21,10 €)
• 72 hours — 52,10 € (28,00 €).

You can order the card here or buy it at the points of issue. The voucher received by e-mail must be exchanged for the card at one of the points of issue: Reykjavík City Hall (address: Tjarnargata 11, 101), Open Air Museum (Árbær Open Air Museum, 110), Maritime Museum (Grandagarður 8, 101).

How much does it cost to travel to Iceland?

For a budget day trip around Reykjavík you need at least 100 € per person: about 30 € for a City Card, 30 € for food and 40 € for cheap accommodation for 1 night. Look for lodging in an area away from the center, to the sights reach the tour card and visit them for free. There are many parks in the city, entrance to which is also free.

1-day tours of Reykjavík and nearby attractions cost from €40 per person.

A 6-day tour of Iceland costs from 1600 €, the price includes accommodation in a 3* hotel, breakfast and transportation by bus. From the additional costs here should be added the fee for meals per day.

Minimum budget per person:

Despite the high prices, Iceland is worth the trip, if only for a couple of days. Come and realize that you want to come back again and drive all over it, up and down its incredible landscapes.