Living This World

Category: Tips for Travel

Iceland: 5 Ways to Rest Your Head

Posted on by Heather

Where you stay in Iceland can really impact your experience of the island.  There are options ranging from luxury hotels to camping and pretty much everywhere in between.  Keep in mind that Iceland is the least densely populated country in Europe. Even though there are a wide range of lodging options, you may not find a specific choice everywhere on the island.  You can have entirely different experiences in Iceland solely based on where you choose to rest your head.

1. Hotels & Guesthouses

Hotels and guesthouses are the more traditional approach to lodging.  Hotels usually have more rooms and are corporately owned. Guesthouses usually have fewer rooms and are locally owned (think bed & breakfast).  With either option, you call, you reserve your room, and you have a warm bed waiting for you. There are many hotels and guesthouses that have great reviews about their cleanliness, friendly staff, and tasty food.

One convenience is that many of the hotels have is an inhouse restaurant.  Keep in mind that this is probably the most expensive way to eat in Iceland.  Eating out is not cheap. The hotels are no exception. Think restaurants with cloth napkins and some ambiance kind of prices, not McDonald’s.

Another detail you are going to want to check is whether or not you have a private bathroom.  Some hotel rooms do have shared bathrooms. If this is an issue for you, be sure to check the details of the room before you book.

On the downside, this is definitely the most expensive option.  Depending on the season, it can be significantly more expensive.  The availability of hotels can be very limited, especially outside of Reykjavík.  They fill up particularly fast in summer, so you need to book a room months in advance to ensure your spot.  Booking in advance will usually get you a better price, as well. As demand increases, so does the price.

If you want to book a hotel or guesthouse, you may want to try contacting the hotel directly.  You can also try websites like Hotel.is, which is an Iceland-specific hotel booking site, or more general hotel booking sites like Booking.com or Agoda.com.

2. AirBNB

Not going to lie, this is my current favorite travel option and the route my husband and I chose for our vacation to Iceland.  We had a very pleasant experience with caring hosts that would check in (email or phone) to make sure you made it and were able to access the property.  Every place we stayed in was clean and very private, which is what we look for in lodging.

AirBNB is usually less expensive than booking a hotel room.  Of course, if you look at booking a large house, it will probably be more expensive than a standard hotel room (though not always).  It is still not the least expensive way to go, but it will save you quite a bit from a standard hotel. You also don’t have a daily maid service, so there is a trade-off.

If you thrive on being social, this may not be your favorite option.  Many of the AirBNBs can be very isolated. If you’re wanting an interactive experience with other travelers, this wouldn’t be the ideal choice.  If you like to retreat to a quiet getaway in the evening, this could be perfect for you.

3. Hostels

If you’re wanting to drastically cut costs while still sleeping in a building and a more social travel experience, try a hostel.  The dorm rooms of a hostel are significantly less expensive than a hotel or AirBNB. You will be bunking with other travelers and sharing a bathroom.  This is definitely the most social lodging option. It can be a great way to exchange stories, travel ideas and tips.

Private rooms are often available, as well.  You do pay for the privacy, though. Private rooms are usually much more comparable in cost to a hotel or AirBNB.  If you have a larger family or group, some hostels have larger private rooms that house up to 6 people for less than reserving 2 hotel rooms.  

If you’re wanting to try a hostel, start by checking HostelBookers.com or HostelWorld.com.

4. RV Camping

What could be more convenient than taking your room with you?  You wouldn’t have to pack up every time you changed locations, you’d be able to cook your own food (if it has a kitchen) saving a lot of money on food, and you be having an out of the box experience!  Sounds great, right?

If you were already planning on renting a car, this actually does save you some money.  There are some rules to this way of travel, though. You can’t just pull to the side of the road and call it a night.  In fact, that is against the law in many places. Using a campsite is your best bet. They cannot be booked in advance and are first come, first serve.  Usually, this isn’t a problem. It is good to keep in mind, though.

If you are wanting to visit the highlands, this is not the right choice.  RVs are not suited for the highland roads and not allowed. If you’re not planning on visiting the highlands, this may be the perfect choice to have a unique experience in a unique landscape.  You’ll get the experience of camping while still being shielded from the elements.

To book an RV, you could try a booking site like Extreme Iceland, which we used to book some of our tours, or contact the businesses directly.  Some well-known RV rental businesses include Camper Iceland, Campervan Iceland, Kuki Campers, Motorhome Iceland, or Snail Motorhome Rental. You may also want to look into a camping card.  It gives you access to around 40 campsites.

5. Tent Camping

Another out of the box way to see Iceland is in a tent.  It is the least expensive and some nights even free, depending on where you stop.  Since Iceland does not have any dangerous wildlife, you don’t even have to worry about a bear or other predator walking into your campsite.

If you want to camp in Iceland, you need to be tough.  The weather is unpredictable and at times unforgiving. You may face harsh winds, cold temperatures, and surprise storms.  I’d recommend camping in the summer months. This is especially true for the highlands, which may not be accessible at other times of the year due to snow.  Summer weather is more mild and predictable than spring or fall. If you’re crazy enough, you could even try the winter. There will only be a couple of hours of daylight, though.  

Make sure your equipment is rated for the conditions.  Since campfires are completely illegal, you won’t be able to warm yourself by the fire at night.  Even if it was legal, in most places you couldn’t find firewood if you tried.  

You may want to bring a sleep mask along as well.  In the summer, you’ll be enjoying the midnight sun and it will never get fully dark.  This isn’t an issue in a building or even an RV. You can just close the curtains. It may be an issue in a tent if you’re a light sleeper.

Research where camping is permitted.  Remember, parking along the roadside is illegal in many areas.  You also cannot camp on private land without the owner’s permission.  Be sure to research your route so you know where the campsites are located and where wild camping is permitted.

If you don’t want to bring your own camping gear, this self-drive tour package has all your gear included.  For information on places to camp, try these articles by Inspired by Iceland and UST.is.  Also, look into a camping card.  It gives you access to around 40 campsites.

Hopefully that gives you a starting point for planning your stay in Iceland.  Please comment below if you have any insights or ideas to share. I’d love to hear from you!

6 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Trip

Posted on by Heather

Let’s face it.  Not all trips are created equal.  There are those who seem to always have wonderful vacations no matter where they go and others that seem underwhelmed by almost anything.  So how do you get the most enjoyment out of a vacation?

1.    Know Before You Go

Do a little research about the places you plan to visit.  We live in the information age. The information is there, so use it!  Understanding the nature, cultures, and even a brief history of the people and places that you are visiting can elevate your experience to the next level.  

  • Snorkeling around a sunken ship is cool, but it’s even more amazing if you also know that it is a German ship from WWII that was sunk by its own crew to avoid turning it over to Dutch marines.  
  • The piles of rocks in Iceland are an interesting addition to the landscape, but it’s even more interesting when you realize you’re looking at trail markers for an old Viking route that have been standing for a 1000 years.  
  • Being able to literally walk inside of a giant redwood is neat, but it’s even more so when you know that it’s hollow because it has survived forest fires.  The only living part of the trunk is just below the bark, which has a very high water content and is difficult to ignite. So even when a fire burns up their inner core, they’re still very much alive and can live to be not just hundreds, but thousands of years old.

Little details like these can make your experience go from good to fascinating.  It allows you to appreciate what you are seeing and experiencing and why it’s significant.  Knowledge is power, my friends.

2.    Be Prepared

While you are investigating the places you plan to travel, and the transportation you’ll be using to get there, take note of possible problems that may arise.  

  • Does the weather change frequently? Plan to dress in layers.
  • What time of the year will you be there? Pack clothes that are appropriate.
  • Is the water safe to drink? Or do you need to plan on bottled water while you’re there?
  • Do they use a different currency? Make sure you have some with you and know how and where to get more.
  • Does your credit card charge a foreign transaction fee? Maybe you’ll want to get a different one.
  • What happens if your checked bag gets misplaced? Keep essentials in your carry-on and a change of clothes. (Especially underwear, please!)
  • Do they have reliable public transit? Or is it better to rent a car?
  • If you’re driving, did you make sure your spare tire is in good shape? Do you have water in case you have to wait for a tow truck?
  • Do you have a first aid kit? Or at the very least, a band-aid? Even something as minor as a blister can ruin a hike or a stroll around a city.

Trying to solve problems before they actually happen can make them seem less severe when they actually do happen.  Don’t go crazy. You can’t plan for everything. Just make sure you’re likely to survive comfortably should things go awry.

3.    Locals Are Not Your Servants

Even though they are likely providing a service to you, the locals are not your servants.  Don’t treat them as anything less than a friend helping you out. These are people. This is their home.  Show them respect and kindness and you will get it in return. The best inside tips and experiences I’ve had on a trip are directly related to treating my waitresses, bus boys, taxi drivers, forest rangers, tour guides, and other locals with respect and like they are human beings.  Be the sunshine in their day and they’ll likely be the guiding light in yours.

4.    Know Local Customs and Laws

Yes, there really are places that it’s considered an insult to tip or illegal to make a right turn on a red light (what?!).  Try to get an idea of the differences between your home and the place you are visiting. In general, it’s pretty easy to not get into trouble.  Just act like a decent human being. However, if you are traveling internationally in a variety of diverse cultures (think eastern vs. western cultures), you may accidentally cause problems.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When you rent a car, ask if they know of any differences in driving laws that you need to be aware of. When checking into a hotel, ask about tipping customs.  Most people are pretty good about helpfully correcting minor faux pas if they know you’re a tourist, but do your best to avoid it. It will save you some embarrassment and possible fines.

5.    Don’t Be THAT Tourist

Look, tourists already fight a bad rap.  You know you’ve seen them. We’ve all rolled our eyes at them, been shocked by them, been glad we’re not with them, etc.  It isn’t too difficult to avoid being THAT tourist.

  • Don’t be the tourist that is crossing barricades to get that “perfect selfie picture” with no regard to the vegetation they’re trampling or danger they’re causing.  
  • Don’t be the loud and obnoxious tourist that seems to lack volume control or basic manners.  
  • Don’t be the tourist that gets too drunk and makes a fool of themselves or damages property.  
  • Don’t be the tourist with the “me first” attitude because they “paid a lot of money for this vacation.”  (We all did, thanks.)
  • Don’t be the tourist that openly mocks the local culture or treats the locals badly.  
  • Don’t be the tourist making a huge scene over a small issue in hopes of getting compensation.  

It really should be common sense.  Be respectful. Be responsible. Pay attention to what’s around you.  Basically, don’t be a jerk. It’s pretty easy.

6.    Just Roll With It

Things will not go as planned.  They may go mostly as planned, but something will not go as planned.  Just roll with it. Don’t make it a big deal. It’s not a reason to fight or get angry.  Just roll with it and try to see it as a travel story that you’ll get to laugh about later. Some of my favorite trip memories are when things didn’t go as planned.  Like when our daughter decided to lock the doors of the truck with her and the keys inside…while it was running…during a heavy rainstorm…in the mountains. She was a toddler and thought it was hilarious to see us try to figure out a way to unlock the truck as we got more and more drenched.  What’s even better is she finally hit the unlock button when her dad told her “Don’t push that button!” I love that memory.

Your traveling experience is what you make it.  The outcome of your trip will largely depend on you.  If you’ve done your research, prepared for possible mishaps, are respectful and considerate, and just relax a bit, then I promise your trip will be all the better for it.

Was this article helpful to you? Share it on Pinterest or comment below!