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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Solo trip to Iceland? Reassurance needed!

36 replies

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 16:28

DH hates going away, and the friend I used to go with died with Covid. She'd been ill before that so I haven't actually been away for four years. I want a little adventure! Too knackered for an affair Have always wanted to go to Iceland and yesterday a cheapo flight offer came up, so I booked a seat for late March 2024 for 3 nights/4 days. Have I made a horrific mistake? If I have it's not a lot of money to write off. Some points:
I'm retired. Will book a budget hotel or hostel so that I meet people as I feel a twit eating alone and hope to buddy up with someone or book onto a couple of trips, particularly Northern Lights. Can walk on the flat OK but find hills a challenge and need loo quite frequently. I do have friends but no-one I'd want to be with for four days! I won't be driving. If I love it I could always go back and do more. So, is it doable, solo, from Rekjavik? TIA.

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Original poster
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 16:43

Forgot to add, I've never been skiing or to a cold country in winter and I don't have the clothes so advice on that too pls!

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Pip1402 · 12/05/2023 17:07

No you haven't made a mistake, it's a wonderful place and I'm sure you'll love it! Booking tours is a good idea. You can get a whale watching boat from Reykjavik if you want a break from walking and there are lots of great swimming pools with outdoor hotpods which are lovely. Take lots and lots of layers, a warm coat, a decent pair of hiking boots and hat, gloves etc. Places are very warm inside generally though. Enjoy!

MarkWithaC · 12/05/2023 17:09

I think Iceland is meant to be very safe.
Could you look to see if there's any sort of informal supper club in the city? That would help with the eating alone and the meeting people.
I'm sure you can easily book either a group trip to the things you want to see, or (budget depending) get a private guide to drive you.

On clothes: look at the Scandi brands (Kari Traa, Ilse Jacobsen, Rains, Didriksons, Stutterheim...) they know about cold weather and the stuff tends to be quite stylish (pricy sometimes, but look for sales and outlet-style sports/outdoors websites). I should think at that time you'd need at least a light thermal layer (merino wool is the best) and a mid-weight raincoat/parka.

Lucky you! I'd love to go to Iceland.

Orangesandlemons77 · 12/05/2023 17:12

Lovely but expensive. Hostels may be cheaper.

Mercurial123 · 12/05/2023 17:22

Yes, it's totally doable. You can catch a coach from the airport which will take you directly to your hotel which you can pre book in advance to save money on a taxi. There are coach trips to the Golden Circle and other highlights.

I did a husky ride which was amazing. Look on Viator and Get Your Guide for trips. I think the local bus for tours, is Gray Line.

Mercurial123 · 12/05/2023 17:23

For clothes North 66 is an Icelandic brand, excellent quality but expensive.

Cheetahmum · 12/05/2023 17:28

My sister (40 years old) did a solo trip there last year. She pre-booked various tours so felt safe and had company. Had an amazing time. Also managed and phenomenal trip to see Northern lights while there!

NutellaEllaElla · 12/05/2023 17:34

The perfect place for a solo trip in terms of safety. I also found it to be super friendly. Apart from it being expensive, there are no down sides. Enjoy!

biedrona · 12/05/2023 18:14

I was in Reykjavik solo, the safest place ever. Blue lagoon is worth recommending

DanielSpaniel · 12/05/2023 18:19

There were a few solo, female travellers on the organised trips I went on to see the Northern lights, Golden Circle and Blue Lagoon. You’ll have a great time.

lljkk · 12/05/2023 18:19

You'll have a grand time. I cycled solo in 1990s, so what you;re doing will be a doddle.

GCWorkNightmare · 12/05/2023 18:20

Northern lights might be tricky in late March.

RoseslnTheHospital · 12/05/2023 18:24

Sounds wonderful. Totally doable. There should be plenty of day excursions you can do, and there is a lot just in Reykjavik itself.

throwawayaway1 · 12/05/2023 18:24

I think you'll have a fantastic time. It feels very safe and like it would be an extremely welcoming place for a solo female traveler.

This blogger has some great recommendations

http://www.aspiringkennedy.com/home?category=iceland

Blog — Aspiring Kennedy

http://www.aspiringkennedy.com/home?category=iceland

Original poster
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 19:37

Wow, thank you all! Such positive comments, and very helpful. I can see I've got a lot of research to do but have loads of time. Exciting! Re the Northern Lights, if I don't see them I'll have to go back :) I really didn't want to go in the depths of winter.

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BonnieGlasses · 12/05/2023 19:50

Just to echo everyone else, I went to Reykjavik solo and it was one of the best holidays I've ever been on. I did a day tour of the Golden Circle attractions which was great. Also did a walking tour of Reykjavik one afternoon. There will be plenty to keep you busy and there are also some nice wee cafes if you just want to sit and chill for a bit. Have a great time!

EwwSprouts · 12/05/2023 19:57

I went with DS last September and it's a wonderful place. We booked a coach tour of the Golden Circle and he was expecting pensioners. Definitely not and we actually commented on how many solo travellers there were including the young and the blue haired (not blue rinse). You might get the northern lights, we did!

A number of small eating outlets in the old converted bus station where you could just eat at the bar. The Sky Lagoon is much closer to Reykjavik and has the same 7 step ritual.

ChiaraRimini · 12/05/2023 20:39

I went to Iceland as a solo female traveller a few years ago. Couldn't have been easier! You can book a coach from the airport to Reykjavik. I stayed in an Airbnb in central Reykjavik which was the spare room of a flat with 2 middle aged ladies. They were very nice although didn't have much English.
It was dead easy to book day trips to the main sights, leaving from the bus station. Reykjavik is a small city and you can walk around the centre easily. I felt totally safe on my own.
Food and drink is very pricy. Be prepared for that. I had a great time though!

ChiaraRimini · 12/05/2023 20:40

PS I went in mid March and took winter clothes, but found Reykjavik itself is not that cold because of the Gulf Stream.

LaurelGrove · 12/05/2023 20:43

I would think Iceland is very solo friendly. There were lots of people on their own on the tours we did. Swimming pools in Reykjavik are wonderful and really suitable for being alone. Lovely cafes; some good museums. Marvellous place.

GCWorkNightmare · 12/05/2023 20:51

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 19:37

Wow, thank you all! Such positive comments, and very helpful. I can see I've got a lot of research to do but have loads of time. Exciting! Re the Northern Lights, if I don't see them I'll have to go back :) I really didn't want to go in the depths of winter.

We went for new year and kept missing them.

had a cheeky couple of days as a layover from the states at the end of August and couldn’t move for them! You might be lucky :)

its my favourite place on earth.

Chompiemompie · 12/05/2023 20:51

Oh go for it!
I went so with work last year and loved it.
I had an Airbnb and met lovely neighbours sitting outside enjoying the late sun.
It was v easy to get around the city, I used the electric scooters alit as pooir puuc station.
I loved the Oldd Bus station for food and people watching but found food v expensive so it was handy to be in the flat with a kitchen for cooking. Used the happy hour app if I wanted a drink.
There's lots of tours to the sights and no issue for solo.
I was a bit shocked at the stripping Baked for showers before using the public pools. I treated myself to a date at the Secret Lagoon. I preferred it to the Blue Lagoon for pampering.
I'm back there later this year and have lots of exploring to do. I spent hours mooching round the city and suburbs.

Have a great time.!

Zonder · 12/05/2023 20:55

We have been to Iceland a few times and love it. It's very safe and beautiful. You won't need expensive winter clothes. Mountain Warehouse is reasonable - get a pair of walking boots and a set of base layers top and bottom. And some merino socks. It's not as cold as you think it will be.

Blue lagoon is overrated - there are nicer ways to do the thermal pool thing but it probably wins on convenience.

GCWorkNightmare · 12/05/2023 21:34

Chompiemompie · 12/05/2023 20:51

Oh go for it!
I went so with work last year and loved it.
I had an Airbnb and met lovely neighbours sitting outside enjoying the late sun.
It was v easy to get around the city, I used the electric scooters alit as pooir puuc station.
I loved the Oldd Bus station for food and people watching but found food v expensive so it was handy to be in the flat with a kitchen for cooking. Used the happy hour app if I wanted a drink.
There's lots of tours to the sights and no issue for solo.
I was a bit shocked at the stripping Baked for showers before using the public pools. I treated myself to a date at the Secret Lagoon. I preferred it to the Blue Lagoon for pampering.
I'm back there later this year and have lots of exploring to do. I spent hours mooching round the city and suburbs.

Have a great time.!

I like the secret lagoon better as well. It’s not slimy/commercial like the Blue Lagoon.

Original poster
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 12/05/2023 22:11

Ooh I'm starting to get excited! I've just remembered that DS has been. I might have to borrow some of his clothes - we are the same size altho he's taller than me. So all good 👍
A question - on the tours, are loos easy to find? Do the tour buses have loos? Thanks.

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