How to Travel Iceland on a Budget

Iceland is one of the windiest (and expensive) countries in the world. However, it’s also one of the safest! 

Here’s what I what I learned while staying there for the summer:

What to pack for Iceland:

1.) Layers, layers, layers! You can experience all four seasons in a day, so be prepared for each one. I brought one or two of everything I typically wear and find myself taking off and putting on extra clothing multiple times in a day due to the crazy weather. In the summer, temperatures rarely reach the 60’s (Fahrenheit) so you don’t need much summer gear besides tee shirts (for layering) and maybe one pair of shorts if you have the extra room in your bag. Blue jeans and a windbreaker are must-haves. Again, this is the third windiest place in the world! Be prepared for freezing rain (even in the summer) and chilly temps year round. 

2.) A pair of hiking boots. If you want to get up close and personal with much of Iceland’s natural beauty, prepare yourself for a lot of hiking. Make sure your boots have durable, non-slip soles – bonus points if they’re waterproof.

3.) An eye mask. What’s a perk of living so close to the arctic circle? The sun doesn’t set in the summer! If you need your darkness, make sure to pack an eye mask to block the rays. The birds also chirp through the night, so if you’re outside of Reykjavik you may need to bring white noise to block them out. I just downloaded a white noise playlist to my phone and played it all night. 

4.) A bathing suit. Even if it’s the middle of December and you haven’t seen the sun in weeks, there’s bound to be a hot spring somewhere for you to relax in! Iceland is covered in hot springs and waterfalls, and you don’t want to miss the bubbly goodness, even if it’s far below zero outside. 

5.) A fat wallet! Iceland is very expensive and you’ll need every cent. A sandwich at a roadside gas station can cost $15 (in USD) and gas prices typically equal $8 or higher. If you’re like me, you might pack a gallon of trail mix and live off that for a while. 

6.) A good camera. Iceland is filled with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and stunning glaciers, among many other natural wonders. You’ll be thankful you brought something to capture it. 

Transit:

If you’re traveling outside Reykjavik, you’re going to need some form of durable transit. “Towns” (hardly large enough to qualify as such) are few and very far apart, so if you’re not willing to spend the $$$ on a bus trip or flight, your next best option is carpooling! There is a carpooling website here that has the whole schedule for the months ahead. If you’re comfortable traveling in close quarters, this is the place for you. Make sure there is room for your luggage, and you’re good to go! 

Lastly, Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. If you somehow end up stranded, broke or lost, or you simply want to save money, hitchhiking is a common form of travel on the island. It’s super safe, and if all else fails – it’s reliable! I’ve had no trouble hitchhiking from the village 18km across the fjord. Just stick out that thumb!

Do you need a Visa?

Iceland is a member of Europe’s Schengen Agreement, which mandates that any stay shorter than 90 days does not entail a visa. However, if you do stay 3 months and do not care to apply for a visa, you cannot visit any other part of Europe for the period of time detailed in the Schengen Agreement.

If if you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments section below!