Is Iceland a good place to go on holiday?

Question

my boyfriend and I were thinking of going some time next year, has anyone ever been?

Is it easy enough to get about places? because we want to see the geyers and aurora borealis, but not sure if it's cheaper/easier to pay for the tours or just make our own way there. Help!

Answer 1

I haven't been (sorry!) but I have heard from friends who have that it is amazing. It is quite expensive, especially if you want to drink. On par with the Scandanavian countries.

Iceland Air has a deal for 3 nights - £230-80ish pp including air fares.

http://www.icelandair.co.uk/

Iceland Express does budget flights, I was looking into flying with them when I was planning my trip.

http://www.icelandexpress.com/

I've found it cheaper to rent a car and organise trips myself as a general rule but you don't get some of the extras as you would get on the tour. You would probably need a 4X4 for some sections.

Answer 2

i liked iceland, but i like cool desolate places,,,,,,no really i had a good time- a very friendly people there, but if you see bjork, give here plenty of room...

Answer 3

yeah. You can see the northern lights!!

Answer 4

It's always cheaper to book your own flights and accommodation because travel companies are on commission.

Answer 5

We went a couple of years ago and it's lovely but can be very wet.  We stayed for 4 days and that was long enough to see everything.  We stayed in Rekyavic and did a full day bus tour to see the geysers and waterfalls.  We had a trip booked to see the aurora borealis but it was cancelled as the weather was bad (which can happen quite often).  Be aware that Iceland is very expensive for food and drink and most other things.  We visited the Blue Lagoon - you must do that it's so wonderful.  We booked our trips through our travel agent but most of the hotels can organise these for you too.  I'm sure you will have a super time.

Answer 6

If you do some research about the specific attractions you are interested in before heading out you should be able to find your way around.

Keep in mind that Iceland is considerably more expensive than the mainland.

Here are a couple links to get you started...

http://www.icetourist.is/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g...

http://www.randburg.com/is/

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

It's a great place to holiday, but I cannot stress this enough, it is EXPENSIVE. Be expected to pay a lot more for pretty much everything than you normally would back home.

If I were you, I'd do things separately, as in away from the tour groups. It sounds pretty stupid, but it's a lot more fun when you do everything by yourself (or in your case, selves). Just my 2 cents.

Answer 8

I've heard it's a fantastic place to go on holiday, a really different experience.

Tourists are well catered for and as far as transport goes it's not a huge problem because the place is quite small. The only bad thing I have heard is it is extremely expensive, a bottle of beer could set you back around £6!

I would have a look at tripadvisor.com has genuine reviews from holiday makers - very informative

Answer 9

I have been many times, and its not cold in summer like some people think, i have slept out in the open with no problem at all, obviously it can be so go prepared.

Rekiovik is a great place,, good night life but not cheap, last time i was there two years ago a pint of Beer was £7.50, there is a Coach system for getting around although i have never used it, and internal flights.

Iceland Air used to be the only air line flying there, but now there are other choices.

Good luck

Answer 10

I went to Iceland last year.  I went in May and it was very very cold.  Course I live in Florida, so I'm used to a warmer climate.  If you go, splurge on the expensive winter wear from 66 North or Northface.  We were bundled up in as much clothing as was possible and everyone else was wearing one or two layers of 66 North or Northface and they weren't even cold!  I highly recommend doing Blue Lagoon Spa.  We did this on a tour, so we only had a couple of hours, but if I was to do it again - I'd just pay the price to spend all day.  It was fantastic!  It isn't close to town though - it's way out, not within walking distance.  You'll need to rent a car or take a cab.  We also did a whale watching tour - saw lots of whales and dolphins and other things.  We took a tour for the geysers and waterfalls.  I recommend this.  You'll find out more unique facts along the way and not have to worry about getting lost.  We flew on Iceland Air and spent 4 days here before flying onto Paris to finish off our trip there.  As many others stated, food is very very expensive.  We ate nearly every meal from the video store across the street.  It had a small deli.  Every meal was about $20USD - 2 burgers 1 fry 2 drinks.  The average income in Iceland is $200,000 a year - so the cost of living is much different than in the states - but most hotels / inns - offer free breakfast, which helps.

Answer 11

Fantastic, do it.

Answer 12

It's very hot, so make sure you can both stand the heat, otherwise it won't be very enjoyable, promise.

Answer 13

Great place to go.

We went in March five years ago. We timed it with information gleaned from websites about the Northern Lights saying whens best to time it to give yourself a chance of seeing it.

It worked! We saw them on the 6th night in the middle of nowhere (no light pollution) and i got down on one knee for my, now, wife.

It blew us away. The sky was full of colour and we could hear a tinkling sound. It was minus 15c at 1am and we didn't care.

We went with Discover the World on a fly drive. They sort your hotels, car and flights for you. I would recommend them to anyone. We have since been to New Zealand (on honeymoon) with them.

You can find them at;

www.discover-the-world.co.uk

Do it and have a magic time.

Forget getting drunk though. Unless you pick up a bottle in duty free.

Its extortionate for alcohol.

Answer 14

If you like cold weather