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This thread is marked as being about Iceland
1.
Posted by
lizinka
(Budding Member 5 posts)
14y
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Hello everyone,
I would like to travel to Iceland - which is the best time of year to visit? Can you recommend me any cheap ways how to get there and also some cheap accommodation tips? It would be great if you recommend me someone with "free room or free beds" - I don't want to pay a lot so that's why i don't look for the best hotels.
Which places are definatelly worth visiting?
Thanks
2.
Posted by
citybell
(Full Member 419 posts)
14y
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Since you wish to travel economically to Iceland, the best period is to be there from mid Aug to end Aug. Or last week of Aug to early Sept. During this time most tourists would have left and you can get accommodation, transport etc without any problem. Also the prices would be a bit low during this time and in some cases you get discount too. I was there from last week of Aug09 to early Sept and enjoyed very much.
To my knowledge there is no free room nor is free bed concept in Iceland .In fact Reykjavik one of the costliest places in the world according to some survey. After the economic crisis, prices have come down. Not sure how is it now.
There are youth hostels in the main city centre and if you really need it, I will furnish the names later as I need to check my old travel papers.
Let me know how long you wish to spend in Iceland. Accordingly I can suggest the places to visit.
The scenery of Iceland is terrific and very difficult to put in writing; best is to be seen. I have some photos taken and if you wish to see let me know your e-mail to send them to you.
There are two airlines that operate having base in Iceland…Iceland air and Iceland express. I suppose Iceland express is cheaper.
Have a nice trip.
3.
Posted by
lizinka
(Budding Member 5 posts)
14y
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Thanks citybell! I would like to travel for 7-10 days (and this would be according to my budget). Which places are the best? Which did you like the most? And If you'd be so nice could you also send me some names of hostels? And if I can ask you - how much did you pay for your holiday in Iceland? Thank you very much.
P.S. as for the airlines - I have found at -snip- that Air Berlin, Germanwings and Iceland Express could be the cheapest. But of course it depends on day of departure.
[ Edit: Spamming own website. ]
4.
Posted by
daveh
(Travel Guru 1027 posts)
14y
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It is pretty hard to do Iceland on the cheap. If you want to see the beauty on offer then my advice is to hire a car and do a 4/5 day trip along the southern coastal road taking in alll the waterfalls, glaciers and some spectacular landscapes. There are a few hostels on the way. I agree september is probably a good time to go. I went in mid-october and once we left Reykjavik we pretty much had the country to ourself which was great. Quite a few places had closed for the winter.
You could always go with the camping option, but if you do that then don't go any later than september. Remember if you go in the summer it is unlikely you will have a chance of seeing the northern lights.
5.
Posted by
jckangus
(First Time Poster 1 posts)
14y
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We spent 10 days in Iceland this past week. We used Go Travel Iceland for the majority of our day trips, Reykjavik Excursions for one and Timi Tours for another. I can only say that Go Travel Iceland was incredible.
Blue Lagoon. Some suggestions: Bring a towel (avoid 3 euro charge).Women should consider bringing there own shampoo/conditioner and putting on conditioner before going in the water. They have shampoo/body soap and hair dryers in the locker room. A waterproof camera, great photo opportunity.
I heard about Apartment K really good place for accommodation. The apartment is new and run by a Icelandic/American couple. It had beautiful wood floors, well styled modern furniture and a great big TV with an Mac Mini filled with movies. It was right out of Wallpaper magazine.
6.
Posted by
lizinka
(Budding Member 5 posts)
14y
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Thank you all for your tips - and as for the season - I would like to travel in summer / beginning of autumn because I don't have enough choice because of school and work.
Do you have any tips for reasonable priced restaurants with some speacial Icelandic meals maybe?
7.
Posted by
citybell
(Full Member 419 posts)
14y
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At first suggest you to visit IcelandTourist office located at:
Geirsgata 9 · 101 Reykjavík Tel.: +354-535-5500. There is one more office located on the main shopping street too.
Take some brochures and decided which ones you would be interested in with the available days at your disposal.
Whole of Iceland is awesome !! a perfect picture post card nation. The likings can differ from person to person.
Later i will send a personal message your inbox about the cheapest hostels.Incase i mention here, it can be edited as no promotions are to be made.
How much did i spend for my holiday in Iceland? It is so difficult to say because prior to visiting Iceland i spent nearly 25days in Russia and then another about 20days in parts of Europe. I lost track of the spending because i was passing through Copenhagen where currency was (is) different (though it is a schengen zone, was a big surprise to me!) When i landed in Reykjavik, a different currency (again a schengen area.)
However, one very good thing that i noticed in Iceland (or more specially in Reykjavik) is that you can use credit cards even for the smallest amount!! So i used it very happily.
There is a 24x 7 convenient store in the main shopping street.
In Reykjavik, don't miss out to go in for a whale and dolphin watching tour.Ofcourse we could see baby whales and Dolphins very near from our boat. The tour operator gave whale of information about the marine life in general and about whales and dolphins found in that region.
Happy travels.
8.
Posted by
flyingbob
(Inactive 842 posts)
14y
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Check out the Icelandair website. They occasionally have some very good flight offers from all over Europe to Keflavik (the international airport. Reykjavik is only for domestic flights apart from trips to Greenland). There are often returns available for under £150 return including tax. If you don't mind buying split tickets, then there are bargains to be had doing budget to either Oslo or Copenhagen, then a flight from either of those two onward to Keflavik.
Once there though, it becomes very expensive. It is one of the dearest places in the world.
You may like to consider some of the package deals around. They might look expensive, but once you've bought a filght, food, bed and a couple of trips, it could well save you money to buy an all-in-one.
9.
Posted by
lizinka
(Budding Member 5 posts)
14y
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thank you all again!
10.
Posted by
stoa
(Budding Member 17 posts)
14y
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Hi lizinka.
I live in Reykjavik so I may not have the objective traveler's view (though I do travel around my country all the time myself, but as a local) but I do want to give you my 2 cents.
First off, when my own friends from abroad ask me when they should come and visit I always recommend June through early August, because of one simple reason, the bright nights. For every Icelander this is almost a holy time of the year, the time when the sun doesn't sit and it is incredibly energizing and reviving. For the tourists one of the perks is that technically you can go sight-seeing 24-7. Let's say you'd like to have some alone-time by Gullfoss (a waterfall that's part of the "golden circle" and during summer pretty crowded) you have the option of going there after midnight when it's still light, only you're very likely to have it all to yourself.
If you're interested in visiting the highlands and the wilderness this is also the best time to do that because even in late spring or early autumn hiking and camping in the mountains will be off limits unless you have some pretty extensive gear.
One excellent and ever-popular route to take is "the ring-road", e.g. highway no.1 that goes around the whole island. This is something you can do in as little as 2 (very strenuous) days, but is perfect to do in a week or two if you rent a car. You can do this economically by bringing a tent as there are good camp sites in every small town in Iceland, usually located close to a swimming pool where you can shower.
The bottom line is, when you come to Iceland, do the nature thing. Reykjavik is friendly and cute, but you really don't need more than 3 days there to start knowing the city center like the back of your hand If you're here for 7-10 days like you say, I'd recommend you spend the weekend in Reykjavik to sight-see and check out the nightlife, then spend the rest enjoying nature and the country-side.
Hope this helps!
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