A trip to Iceland is a dream come true for many travel lovers. Nowadays many of them are making this dream a reality. However, not all of those adventurers are aware of how expensive the country is until they start planning their trip. Some of them even discover the high cost of living life once they arrive in Iceland. If you do not want to be surprised, then checked our Traveling and Camping on a Budget in Iceland article.
That is the reason why I thought this article would be useful for many people organizing a trip to Iceland on a budget. I will give you advice and tips to save some money and make the most of this opportunity… Let’s get started!
How to get to Iceland?
Obviously, because of its location, the great majority of travelers arrive by plane. The price of tickets will depend on the season when you travel and where you are coming from, but our advice is to look for flights making a stopover. Common destinations include flights headed for Norway, the United Kingdom or Belgium. You can use Skyscanner, as it will save you a lot of time looking for possible alternatives. If your dates are not set but flexible, try to check the whole month, so you can find the cheapest tickets.
How to organize your trip to Iceland?
I always recommend organizing your own trip, which means not to join a group or an organized tour. This way you can control your budget, choose where you want to go each day and spend the time you like in each place. Renting a car is always the best way to explore the island, as it gives you flexibility and freedom. You can bring your own tent or even better, rent a campervan! This way you will have your hotel room with you all the time. Found a waterfall you love? Find a campsite nearby and sleep there. Camping on a budget was never this easy, right?
Renting a campervan, preparing your own food and paying for campsites instead of hotel rooms will always be cheaper in Iceland. Motorhomes are often more expensive, as they have extra features such as toilet, but this is not always needed, as all campsites offer toilet facilities.
In case you decide to sleepover in campsites with a tent or camper, check the CampingCard, as you can save a lot of money depending on how many people are traveling and how many days you will stay.
It can be difficult to get to certain sightseeing places with a normal car or camper, as a 4×4 vehicle is required to travel to the highlands. But don’t worry, you don’t need to go over your budget and rent a 4×4 for the whole trip. Just book an excursion for one day, you can enjoy the trip and views from the bus or jeep and just relax! There are many companies offering this kind of tours.
Eat and drink on a budget
If you’d like the opportunity to cook your own meals – for example in a campervan- head to a Bonus supermarket (the cheapest on the island) and shop for soups, bread, pasta, cookies, milk… and why not? Get some traditional Icelandic food as well, like hardfiskur!
Local pubs usually have a happy hour where you can treat yourself to an Icelandic beer and some bakeries also offer a 50% discount before closing time.
Traveling and Camping on a Budget in Iceland
Believe it or not, Hot dogs – or pylsur in Icelandic – are a traditional food here. Try the most famous ones from Baejarins Beztu, the red shop you’ll see in every city.
You can enjoy a nice barbecue using the ones provided in petrol stations. Anyone can use them, and if you are lucky maybe you’ll meet some new Icelandic friends as this barbecues are very popular among locals.
