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Holidays
SaltyTootsieToes · 22/02/2021 08:52
I went in an October, 4 night trip. Rained the whole time so never saw the lights, all my night excursions were cancelled.
Still a great place to visit and I did go on an all day coach tour that was fabulous and a food walking tour. This was so much fun.
You can stay much longer at the lagoon than last bus back and just call a taxi back to your hotel. Dinner there was lovely. Highly recommend.
Boopear · 22/02/2021 08:52
We went in Oct half term and it was perfect. Not too cold at all but dark enough to see the lights. It may have been a rather unseasonably warm tear though (loads of sun and about 16deg). We were based in Reykjavik and took day trips out - 5 days was ideal. Stayed at the Cabin which isn’t highly rated at all but was actually, again, a great choice as it had relatively cheap basic dinners as an option, which allowed us to save (some) money on the exorbitant cost of eating out. It’s also a great location and the staff were lovely.
puppygalore · 22/02/2021 09:01
We went in October and it was gorgeous. Cold, obvs but dry, sunny and beautiful. Scenery like no other, it was a pleasure to just drive and look around. We flew with Iceland Air which was fantastic and stayed at Hotel Ranga which was amazing. We hired a car and did the usual tourist things eg Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, geysers, also snowmobiled up a volcano to watch sunset which was insane. Also spent a night in Reykjavik which wasn't great as we arrived late and had to be up early for return flight so only had time for a quick meal and bed, we feel we missed out on properly seeing the city, I'd go for maybe 2 if we did it again.
TitsOot4Xmas · 22/02/2021 09:05
Have done new year and august. Both stunning in completely different ways. My favourite place on the planet (so far) - I’m desperate to spend a year there.
Chased the NL in Jan without success. Didn’t expect to see them in August and they were right above the city. 💕
CaptainMyCaptain · 22/02/2021 10:13
You can stay much longer at the lagoon than last bus back and just call a taxi back to your hotel. Dinner there was lovely. Highly recommend.
The Blue Lagoon is one of the few things in life that is better than the hype. Spend as long there as possible.
SaltyTootsieToes · 22/02/2021 10:22
@CaptainMyCaptain I agree. We went late and most people were leaving so the lagoon was very empty. Amazing experience and as we decided not to take the bus back, very relaxing. Had a few drinks from the bar in the lagoon followed by leisurely dinner in the restaurant. So even though we didn’t see the lights, had a fabulous time.
TomHardyAndMe · 22/02/2021 10:37
@CaptainMyCaptain
The Blue Lagoon is one of the few things in life that is better than the hype. Spend as long there as possible.
Ooh, I didn’t like the Blue Lagoon. Way too commercial. Much preferred the Secret Lagoon near the Golden Circle.
The sliminess of the stones in the bottom of the Blue Lagoon made me want to heave (silica mask that people had washed off).
Lots of food for thought here, will enjoy sitting and planning! I figure as last year all my holidays were cancelled, this is something to look forward to. 
PuffinShop · 22/02/2021 16:45
November to January is usually horrible (on average, obviously there are nice windows), very dark and lots of storms in a typical winter. I much prefer the autumn side of the dark period - late winter is a bit sort of brown and soggy. I would firmly recommend September or October out of your options! (I've lived here for a decade).
The Blue Lagoon is rubbish for the extortionate price. Unless you're very keen for the mud, I'd recommend just going to an ordinary swimming pool instead.
TitsOot4Xmas · 22/02/2021 17:10
@PuffinShop
The Blue Lagoon is rubbish for the extortionate price. Unless you're very keen for the mud, I'd recommend just going to an ordinary swimming pool instead.
I’m very envious.
picklemewalnuts · 23/02/2021 07:01
Puffin, how does finance work for locals? I can't quite work out how anyone can afford to live there- presumably wages are high, or something else is cheap to counterbalance the cost of food.
It did seem to me a great place to live, politically and socially.
TitsOot4Xmas · 23/02/2021 08:57
@picklemewalnuts
It did seem to me a great place to live, politically and socially.
I recall that there are no heating/water costs due to the geothermic supply.
sansou · 23/02/2021 09:36
We went in August a few years ago and hired a campervan/RV and self toured the southern half of the island staying 1/2 nights in a different location. It was still cold enough to wear our ski stuff/thermal layers for most of the time. Would like to go again for longer and have the time to circuit the entire island so 10 days at least if not 2 weeks.
PuffinShop · 23/02/2021 10:33
I don't know, you just sort of get used to the cost of food and everything. I don't know what my wage would be in the UK, it probably is higher here but I'm not sure. People often buy clothing abroad when they are on holiday.
Yeah heating and water is very low cost. We also pay basically peanuts for our excellent preschools and afterschool clubs because they are very heavily subsidised - I don't understand how anyone in the UK can afford to have young children!
If you want to save money, some supermarkets are a lot more expensive than others - go to Bónus or Krónan, not Hagkaup. Never ever go to 10-11. Never buy bottled water, it is exactly the same as the tap water (make sure you run the tap cold for 30 seconds or so otherwise it might have some of the hot water in it and will taste of sulphur). It's a good idea to bring non-perishable food for lunches like other people said, if you can be bothered. Hiking is free, e.g. you can hike up Reykjadalur and sit in a hot river for the cost of the petrol to get there, compared to whatever the fuck the Blue Lagoon costs nowadays. Most of the best things in Iceland are free, imo.
notacooldad · 23/02/2021 10:39
We went in August.
It was raining as soon as we got off the plane!
It was mostly cold but we knew that and was prepared.
We took waterproof jackets. They were definitely needed!
It was a fantastic holiday. We circumnavigated the island and it was so different in the different regions. I'm hoping to go back.
PuffinShop · 23/02/2021 11:02
Based on my purely objective assessment, out of the whole year, the best month is May when it is becoming properly green again and the nights are getting shorter and shorter. Iceland in May is heaven on earth. But that wasn't in your options :D
I'll never understand why people choose to come in bloody November when it could be their only trip here ever. I see them struggling around downtown with a gale force wind blowing sleet in their faces and I just think why are you doing this to yourselves. But it's horses for courses I suppose!
TitsOot4Xmas · 23/02/2021 11:29
Speaking of horses, Icelandic ponies are 😍.
I was struck by how different August and January were in terms of colour and light. Desperate to come during the 24hr sunshine period just to see how it affect me (I loved the winter 5 hours of daylight, personally!)
Alberto3221 · 24/06/2021 19:30
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LeonardF13 · 25/06/2021 07:18
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WaterFell0w · 25/06/2021 08:45
Pre covid went in January
Booked own flights & SC accommodation 10 mins walk to city centre & next to a supermarket
Visited Blue Lagoon
Booked a minibus trip of the golden circle
Saw the Northern lights
It snowed & the wind chill was minus 15
We enjoyed our trip
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