how do we do Iceland??

[Jessie40]

Hi Ive been researching Iceland for an eternity with the intention of going jan/feb2022 but can't quite work out how to plan it. Any tips if you've been and where to stay.

So we don't want to drive whilst there but does that mean we can't do all the tourist things so easily if were staying in Reykjavik. Or should we do a 2 part holiday but then how do we get around?

Also with this new variant am I being ridiculous still thinking we can do this?

Thank you

[TizerorFizz]

Discover The World would sort it out for you.

[Nanasueathome]

My son had a 5 night holiday in Iceland earlier this month
Did all of the excursions
Everything booked with Trailfinders ( he uses them a lot)

[elizabethcharlotte]

@ODFOgrinch

We went in February and booked coach tours/whale watching in advance.
DH told me the day before we left that he hated coach yours. Fortunately the guides were so brilliant and we learned so much in spite of the slight 'round em up and head em out' feel of the coach tours that we absolutely loved it. One DC was too young for the glacier trip so we missed that but from Reykjavik we saw Northern lights, whale watching, golden circle, ring of fire. Best short trip ever. The city itself is gorgeous and worth a day to potter and enjoy. Viking house museum, cathedral, the graffiti, any of the Hot spring lidos (several around town). Eat seafood, lamb and soup. If you want alcohol buy it at the airport on arrival.

Could you tell me who you booked your excursions with please? We are thinking of going in October and staying in Reykjavik but I don't know where to start with excursions. I know we want to do the golden circle, blue lagoon, maybe horse riding or whale watching and hopefully the northern lights.

[TizerorFizz]

They are all there in better weather too!

[ODFOgrinch]

@TizerorFizz

Whale watching in February would be very cold! January isn’t great for whales. End of Feb much better as migrating whales are returning. Early summer much nicer all round!

It was really cold!
But we saw whales, The Northern Lights, Geysers, ponies, volcanic plains, a stunning waterfall, a stunningly simple cathedral, a buried turf house, met a man who believes in elves and runs a museum about them, swam in waters warmed by a volcanic spring: all in a mon-fri break!
Loved it. Once the last DC has left home we'll go in the summertime to walk the glacier a as bd see the puffins.

[OldTinHat]

I stayed in Reykjavik in January a few years ago. Best. Holiday. Ever.

I didn't hire a car because there are so many coach tours which will collect you from your hotel to wherever that a car wasn't needed.

The streets in Reykjavik are small so they send out mini buses which take you to the coach station, there you get decanted onto proper coaches.

There's also a lot to see in Reykjavik which are in walking distance.

Have a fabulous time, it's an amazing country!

[TizerorFizz]

Whale watching in February would be very cold! January isn’t great for whales. End of Feb much better as migrating whales are returning. Early summer much nicer all round!

[ODFOgrinch]

We went in February and booked coach tours/whale watching in advance.
DH told me the day before we left that he hated coach yours. Fortunately the guides were so brilliant and we learned so much in spite of the slight 'round em up and head em out' feel of the coach tours that we absolutely loved it. One DC was too young for the glacier trip so we missed that but from Reykjavik we saw Northern lights, whale watching, golden circle, ring of fire. Best short trip ever. The city itself is gorgeous and worth a day to potter and enjoy. Viking house museum, cathedral, the graffiti, any of the Hot spring lidos (several around town). Eat seafood, lamb and soup. If you want alcohol buy it at the airport on arrival.

[SarahMused]

We went in April, partly work, partly vacation so no choice of dates. We started off in Reykjavik and then travelled to Akyureri in the North. Even in April the road conditions were treacherous and we saw vehicles blown over. We were glad that we had an experienced driver who knew what they were doing. In a week there was every kind of weather you could imagine so be prepared! Only 4/5 hours of daylight in January and average temperatures around freezing too. It was an amazing experience but next time I’m going in May or June.

[Frazzled2207]

We went in june and the weather was pleasant. I seem to remember sitting out with jumpers but not coats. Days were very long -didn’t get properly dark at all- and we struggled to sleep in cheap hotel with thin curtains! Will take an eye mask next time.

[TizerorFizz]

I suggested May or June upthread. Summer half term would be great for families. Having been in September I would go earlier if we went back. We would like to see the puffins!

Iceland isn’t a cheap destination. Lots of things have to be imported. We stayed in decent hotels and of course a 4x4 wasn’t cheap. However I’m glad we had it. We were also allowed to drive the super jeep off road! Totally brilliant driving across rivers! Our guide came with us! No standard car could access this national park.

[PuffinShop]

Yeah I completely agree. Those lovely days can be few and far between so a huge gamble imo. You could so easily get a week of dismal squally blizzards.

Iceland in May is heaven on earth. January is to be endured, despite the handful of glorious frosty days.

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

We had a 5 day trip booked in April 2020 that was cancelled.* We were due to fly to Reykjavik and had excursions booked to the places we wanted to go to. Car hire was very costly!!

The main piece of advice I was given was to consider hours of daylight and temperature at the time of year you plan to travel. Easter and October half term seem to be the best times if you are tied to school holidays.

• As an aside, we’d booked everything - flights, transfers, accommodation, excursions, insurance - through Trailfinders, who were superb throughout the whole run up to lockdown. They contacted us in mid March 2020 to say that they were cancelling all trips in March and April, and they’d contact us re:refund by x date. By x date we’d got every penny back, no effort on our behalf, no quibble.

[TizerorFizz]

Yes. I’ve driven on gravel all over the world. However for the OP getting tours out of Reykjavik is best. But I would definitely wait until spring. Just much nicer unless you really like winter. Some of the unpaved roads had big potholes. Driving on them in poor light/visibility isn’t great. However on a lovely day it’s amazing.

[PuffinShop]

Yes I'd always recommend a 4x4 in the summer as it gives you that option to go into the highlands! The F roads are simply closed in Jan/Feb, though, so it doesn't matter either way.

It was only 4 years ago that they actually finished paving the entire ring road. But normal cars can handle reasonable quality gravel roads, you just have to go a bit easier.

[titchy]

Dear God people don't suggest OP drives in winter!

There are plenty of tours you can book, led by experienced people with experienced drivers who know how to drive on ice. Do as many as you can!

Check daylight hours. We went end of Jan so we stood a chance of seeing the Northern Lights, but I wouldn't want to go any earlier than that as you're too limited in terms of seeing stuff.

[TizerorFizz]

Super hero?!!! Super jeep

[TizerorFizz]

Top Gear wax fun last night. Their river drowsing was tame though! Our huge super hero tackled serious water!

[TizerorFizz]

I was grateful for our 4x4 in September. We went on Unpaved roads not open to some vehicles. Plus if you venture off the ring road it can be unpaved on even B roads!

[PuffinShop]

The main roads can certainly be slippery and icy. That is not a responsible thing to tell people. Every winter people skid off the road and of course some are seriously hurt. You have to respect the conditions and don't be blase about it.

You don't need a 4x4 to drive the ring road even in winter, but you may have to take considerable care in some conditions and you may be delayed by storms. Gently falling fresh snow is no problem, but there is a wide range of winter conditions and of course some of them are dangerous.

I think January and February are slightly nicer than November and December as they tend to be snowier and therefore feel brighter than the gloomy grey raininess of early winter. I still think it's a bit silly to come at a time of such low daylight, though, if it's a once in a lifetime thing.

[Porridgeislife]

I’ve been a handful of times and really had no issues driving in winter, even when snowing. The roads are excellent and certainly the main ones never slippery nor icy.

I much prefer it in winter to other seasons, if has a fantastic otherworldliness.

[ChristmasCurry]

There are no trains in any part of Iceland.

Tours can be booked in Reykjavík and you can be picked up and dropped off from where you are staying.

The Blue Lagoon is excellent been many times.

The Sky Lagoon looks very good, but not been yet.

[TizerorFizz]

Around 7 hours daylight at the end of January.

[Frazzled2207]

Anyway OP when we went although we did drive for a few days (easy) there were lots of one day bus trips available from reykyavik which were good.
Regardless of the covid situation I’m not sure I’d want to go in jan/feb though as it will be so dark

[Frazzled2207]

@coodawoodashooda

There are trains.

Fairly sure there are not. Or weren’t when I went!