Iceland

Is it even possible to travel Iceland on a bidget as a student?
I want to see the northern lights, hot springs volcanoes, what else is there to see; and more importantly are there hostels and public transport to go around? My research has show mostly not and what is available is pretty expensive.

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  1. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    How to frick iceland hotties?

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      tanks for the bump but I'm kinda serious here

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      > Is it even possible to travel Iceland on a bidget as a student?
      Doubt it. You might want to try taking foodstuffs with long shelf life from your home country and cooking your own meals.
      If you want to see more than, like, 3 cities and their vincinities then you can forget about hostels, because those don't exist outisde places with large housing base i.e most of fricking Iceland. You'll find single hotels and guesthouses here and there but those obv won't be cheap. Options you have are: rent an rv (not cheap either, but some rental places might have options to just get a 4x4 car with roof tent), camp around (if you have the gear and can plan ahead where to do so) or couchsurfing (which carries with it the risk of your host changing their mind last minute)

      > what else is there to see
      waterfalls, I guess? Iceland is very boring outside the nature views and the obvious tourist places that every travel guide mentions.

      > public transport to go around
      You can get to most places, eventually. But there are those that have only 1 or 2 connections a day or suspend service altogether during winter.
      You could try hitchhiking, even if it's not the greatest country to do so, someone will eventually stop.

      Other than that, good and vibrant northern lights are a rare sight, for hot springs check reykjadalur, it's free (there's a parking fee if you come by car) and at the top of the bathing area over 40C even in winter. No volcanic activity on the surface right now, I'm afraid.
      If I could redo my trip, I'd probably go in the summer and just hike across the continent, but you do you.

      Good question. I have no idea. Mainly because finding frickable Icelanders is surprisingly difficult when half the people you meet are Poles immigrating for work and Chinks on tours. You'd probably have better luck with either of those 2 groups anyway, since my impression of the natives was that they're not exactly... fun at parties.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Thanks for the detailed answer

        https://i.imgur.com/pwuy5EY.jpg

        >public transport to go around Iceland
        Trust me when I say this OP, I've researched this extensively when planning my trip to Iceland and while not impossible it is extremely inconvenient and expensive to travel the country by bus. So expensive in that you are probably better off financially renting a vehicle. The bus routes on nice around the capital and southern parts of Iceland are alright but the Eastern Fjords are a pain in the ass to plan around. Some buses don't run on random days like tues and Weds and some in the northern parts of the country don't run on weekends so you're either going to be stuck in a small town in bumfrick nowhere and forced to stay in a overpriced hostel (cheapest ones in Iceland are like $100 USD a night iirc) or going to just catch one expensive bus ride after the next. It's like $75 USD one way on some routes and it will be a few hours longer than just driving. Hitch hiking is a better option at this point imho
        https://straeto.is/en
        Here's the official bus website if you want to look into it more.

        ok thanks

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        https://i.imgur.com/pwuy5EY.jpg

        >public transport to go around Iceland
        Trust me when I say this OP, I've researched this extensively when planning my trip to Iceland and while not impossible it is extremely inconvenient and expensive to travel the country by bus. So expensive in that you are probably better off financially renting a vehicle. The bus routes on nice around the capital and southern parts of Iceland are alright but the Eastern Fjords are a pain in the ass to plan around. Some buses don't run on random days like tues and Weds and some in the northern parts of the country don't run on weekends so you're either going to be stuck in a small town in bumfrick nowhere and forced to stay in a overpriced hostel (cheapest ones in Iceland are like $100 USD a night iirc) or going to just catch one expensive bus ride after the next. It's like $75 USD one way on some routes and it will be a few hours longer than just driving. Hitch hiking is a better option at this point imho
        https://straeto.is/en
        Here's the official bus website if you want to look into it more.

        I have been to Iceland multiple times, mainly for hiking and birdwatching.

        >budget
        Food? Possible, if you buy supermarket food all the time and heat it yourself with a portable stove. It's expensive but it's on par with Scandinavia in general (especially Norway).
        Most expensive thing in Iceland was public transport (I rented a car but I took a bus once, 60 fricking euros to take me from my hiking destination back to the parking where I have left my car) and hotels/lodging.
        A generic hotel is more expensive than a boutique hotel in central Oslo or Stockholm.
        Last time I was there was during the whole world under lockdown in 2020, and some extremely basic hotel in a small southeastern town has cost me around 200 euros per night. Mind you, that was when there weren't any tourist around.
        In 2019, it was around 300 for an extremely basic room in a small town. Never tried hostels but I have seen some in Akureyri, Reykjavik, and some other towns. Not sure about the price but it was at least 100 euros per night.

        >what else is there to see
        Great country for outdoors; however due to the high amount of instaprostitutes ruining the surrounding nature, they made wild camping illegal.
        However the hikes are beautiful and there are many species of birds. Combining the two of these make it very worthwhile.
        Again, if you're not into outdoor stuff, not into hikes or wildlife, then don't come. The country is already a victim of mass tourism with the masses having no idea what to do apart from taking the same fricking picture.

        >and more importantly are there hostels
        Yes, in main cities. Some popular small towns as well. However, there are not many of these and the Eastern part of the country is mostly devoid of these, except, again, in main villages and towns such as Egilsstadir.

        >public transport to go around
        Possibly the worst country in Europe for that matter. Rent a car/bike or get on a tour bus like a boomer.

        If the northern lights were the only big reason I wanted to go there in the first place, would you say sweden or finland would be better options for now?
        (And go to iceland in a couple years with a wife or something and enjoy the hotsprings and whatnot then)

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          Northern lights are never guaranteed, so you have to accept that you may not see these. Not only they kinda randomly happen, but you also need crazy good weather. For that alone, Iceland is not the best contender for northern lights because the weather is absolutely batshit, in the sense that you can experience the four seasons in the same day, and the weather is almost always unpredictable, while it is indeed more "predictable" in northern Sweden and Finland (and Norway), which is a little more typical of the polar climate.
          And at last, the odds are much higher on winter, and the closer you are to the Arctic circle (or north pole), the more chances you'll get to see these. You have to take all of these in account, which means you'll most likely be stuck in snowy northern Sweden or Finland.
          If you love skiing, or hiking with snowshoes, and don't mind not seeing the northern lights because you ran out of luck, go ahead.
          This is the thing when you do nature/outdoor-centered tourism such as hiking or birdwatching, never expect everything as you wished for. Just take it as granted.

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          Flying to ivalo in january- february might be best bet just to see northern lights.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        >they're not exactly... fun at parties.
        What? Reykjavik is a fricking party and a half
        Those vikings dont go out to the bar until alsmost midnight but they dont go home until daylight
        They cant really hold their liquor though , you have to bang them by 3am because after that its a pukefest

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          What are some good bars and areas to peruse in Reykjavik?

          • 1 year ago
            Anonymous

            You'd fit right in here:

            The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn)

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      Like in most countries you have to be good looking. In Iceland the popilation is snall and most people are related in some way, so a handsome foreigner will attract all the local pussy because women tend to not like fricking their cousins.
      But be aware Icelandic handsomeness standard might be high and get you filtered.

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Lmao Iceland women are just slightly less swarthy than British women. Hardly high praise.

  2. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    >public transport to go around Iceland
    Trust me when I say this OP, I've researched this extensively when planning my trip to Iceland and while not impossible it is extremely inconvenient and expensive to travel the country by bus. So expensive in that you are probably better off financially renting a vehicle. The bus routes on nice around the capital and southern parts of Iceland are alright but the Eastern Fjords are a pain in the ass to plan around. Some buses don't run on random days like tues and Weds and some in the northern parts of the country don't run on weekends so you're either going to be stuck in a small town in bumfrick nowhere and forced to stay in a overpriced hostel (cheapest ones in Iceland are like $100 USD a night iirc) or going to just catch one expensive bus ride after the next. It's like $75 USD one way on some routes and it will be a few hours longer than just driving. Hitch hiking is a better option at this point imho
    https://straeto.is/en
    Here's the official bus website if you want to look into it more.

  3. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    I have been to Iceland multiple times, mainly for hiking and birdwatching.

    >budget
    Food? Possible, if you buy supermarket food all the time and heat it yourself with a portable stove. It's expensive but it's on par with Scandinavia in general (especially Norway).
    Most expensive thing in Iceland was public transport (I rented a car but I took a bus once, 60 fricking euros to take me from my hiking destination back to the parking where I have left my car) and hotels/lodging.
    A generic hotel is more expensive than a boutique hotel in central Oslo or Stockholm.
    Last time I was there was during the whole world under lockdown in 2020, and some extremely basic hotel in a small southeastern town has cost me around 200 euros per night. Mind you, that was when there weren't any tourist around.
    In 2019, it was around 300 for an extremely basic room in a small town. Never tried hostels but I have seen some in Akureyri, Reykjavik, and some other towns. Not sure about the price but it was at least 100 euros per night.

    >what else is there to see
    Great country for outdoors; however due to the high amount of instaprostitutes ruining the surrounding nature, they made wild camping illegal.
    However the hikes are beautiful and there are many species of birds. Combining the two of these make it very worthwhile.
    Again, if you're not into outdoor stuff, not into hikes or wildlife, then don't come. The country is already a victim of mass tourism with the masses having no idea what to do apart from taking the same fricking picture.

    >and more importantly are there hostels
    Yes, in main cities. Some popular small towns as well. However, there are not many of these and the Eastern part of the country is mostly devoid of these, except, again, in main villages and towns such as Egilsstadir.

    >public transport to go around
    Possibly the worst country in Europe for that matter. Rent a car/bike or get on a tour bus like a boomer.

  4. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Iceland is beautiful and great to visit.
    I live there for a while so here*'s my 2 cents.
    Nice locals mostly but generaly not very initiative (you have to take the steps, they keep to themselves and let things happen as they happen)

    >budget
    It' s an exepensive country. And public transport doubly so.
    Travelling in iceland in the winter to see northern lights is a b***h. Getting from place A to place B can be completely imposible from on day to the next. So finding a place where you can stay for a while and taking trips from there with a chance of it not happening that day is a Good options, but in winter you are nowhere without a (Good) car.

    >Hostels
    There are decent ones in reykavik but not as cheap as in other countries.
    >food
    Go to bonus, get Goods that lasts you a while with lots of nutrition (canned fish, travel read etc)
    Fish in gereral is the cheapest option. Or buying far after experation Date.

    >general take away
    If you want to visit in winter to see northern lights find a place/bigger ish town to stay, rent a car and take trips but keep in mind everything might change.
    Don't take stupid risks! If you get stuck somewhere there is rescue service but you might not be able to reach them before you freeze to death.
    On a lighter note. You can check this website for northernlight predictions and general weather. Vedur.is

    Its easier to visit in warmer months and gives you more hitchhike options as well (and easier camping).
    Find work there (with housing) and take trips on that basis.

    Or, get in contact with somebody in iceland (tinder gold?) and get their help travelling their country.

    Or become a student in iceland! There is a small University in isafjordur where you can study a bunch of subjects.
    There is an emediate social netwerk of studentes and locals. Options for relatively cheap student housing, partie and in the winter semester definitely northern lights!

    Good luck

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      Thanks for the tips I'll keep them in mind. What should I know regarding the car?

      • 1 year ago
        Anonymous

        Had great experiences with BlueCar. Theres usually a discount code online for them.
        Although we booked in August 2021 right as things began opening up again. Cars where very limited (As they where globally).
        Cost us £1500 for a Kia Rio for 2 weeks. That little thing was rugged as hell

        The contactless pick up was excellent. Literally a small room next to their office, they email you a box number and a code and you pick the key up. Didnt even need to show them my license or insurance details. I may have verified that online before.

        GET THE ADDITIONAL INSURANCE

        Iceland is genuinely a 50/50 as to whether your rental car will get damaged every time you drive it. Be it from sand or dust damage, or idiots parking with the wind behind them and it bending the door frames due to the sheer force of the wind when opening a door.

        Dont be an idiot who tries to drive a miniature Kia Rio, or Hyundai i10 on an F road, in winter. Youll just get stranded. You need 4x4 for most if not all F roads.

        Driving in Iceland is honestly BASED. One of the best things I have ever done. The scenery is incredible. Obey the speed limits, even if they are slow, as the fines and tickets can be quite high.

        You might be able to risk a little extra speed on the ring road when you can clearly see there is nobody about for miles, or the road is clear ahead.

        Again, GET THE EXTRA INSURANCE. Its worth the piece of mind, even if dearer.
        I left our car back in some state. Slight ding on the rear from an idiot american in a Range Rover reversing into me. The car was covered in mud and dust.

        BlueCar didnt care, as I had the extra insurance.

        Also, stopping at petrol stations for a hot dog and an ice cream can actually be a great way to save money. They are fairly inexpensive

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          The one place in the entire world a cop pulled me over was in Iceland. I was admittedly ragging it along the ring road but there was no one else on it for several miles. He was hiding behind a pile of lava and it was a slam dunk for him.

          Got away without a fine. I blagged that I thought the limit was 130kmh like in Europe and I had actually been driving conservatively. Guy probably couldn’t be bothered processing a British driving licence for the ticket so gave me a bollocking and let me go. anon I’ve obeyed the limit ever since

        • 1 year ago
          Anonymous

          Can confirm, bluecar is good. Try to book early, you can get cheaper.
          Although I paid about 800 euros for 12 days back then in summer 2020. I had a Kia Rio as well. You won’t be able to do 100% of the roads because some roads are really, really shitty. But good enough for most things.

  5. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    I cant stress enough, FRICK the speed limits in Þingvellir National Park

    They are capped at 50kph / 31mph. It honestly takes fricking forever to drive around and through that park, especially if you are visiting Þingvellir itself, or going to Silfra to snorkel. The roads are also so windy that its impossible to assess if anyone is coming up ahead so you can overtake anyone

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      > The roads are also so windy that its impossible to assess if anyone is coming up ahead so you can overtake anyone
      Gee, I wonder why the speed limit is set so low....

  6. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    I went recently and found a private taxi service to pick me up from the airport. The driver reminded me of my mother and immediately took a liking to me. I asked her if I could use her services if I need to get around and she told me I could buy her as a private driver for the day for what was roughly ~$100. I was planning on crashing but this opportunity came up and I was like what the hell Ill go for it. I really enjoyed our time together and bought her lunch and dinner, she gave me a private tour of reykjavik and surrounding area, taking me to cool local spots & offering good conversation the entire time. I did the golden circle tour but mainly used the scooters to get around, altho I had her taxi me back to the airport. would recommend. unfortunately she was married

  7. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    Fav Bathing / Lagoon Experience?

    For us it was Sky Lagoon, followed by Lagurvatn then Blue Lagoon.

    Its more expensive, but its vastly superior, and has less crowds due to limited bookings. Its worth paying the additional money to do the 7 step spa treatment. The views alone from inside the Suana looking out over the panoramic glass window is incredible, especially in bad weather.

    You can be a bit cheeky, and in the crowds, you can go back into a few of the spa experience rooms a few times. I found if you carry a GoPro and ask them could you just pop in to get a quick photo they usually dont mind (Free publicity)

    If you get the chance, make the trip to Lagurvatn Frontera. Its maybe a 30min detour from the Golden Circle, and youll experience proper Icelandic Leisure Pools outdoors. The ability to swim in the lake is also awesome too.

    Blue Lagoon is cool, but its utterly hectic. Far too busy, but its spacious enough you can swim away from the crowds. Not exactly relaxing. The best thing is seeing the Icelandic Penis Police shout at the Americans in the shower rooms for not stripping off naked to wash themselves.

    I believe there is a new "Forest Lagoon" opening in the North of Iceland soon.

    • 1 year ago
      Anonymous

      The tourist trap lagoons are worth doing once or twice but they’re expensive and full of fat American.boomers. You get a much better time going to one of the municipal pools ($5 at most), where you can chat to actual Icelanders with their guard down for once. Even the tiniest village has one

  8. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    For anyone visiting Jokulsarlon, pay the extra and get the Zodiac Boat Tours.The normal aqauabus tour barely takes you into the Glacier Lagoon. Its crowded with tourists and lasts maybe 30mins.

    The Zodiac Tours will take you right to the Icewall, and within a few feet of Seals. You can litetally lift chunks of ice out of the waTer

  9. 1 year ago
    Anonymous

    yeah

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