Solo trip to Iceland

[FormerlySpeckledyHen]

Has anyone done this, either independently or with a tour company?
Any experiences or recommendations welcome please.

I did this a few years ago - I stayed in a private room in a youth hostel in Reykjavik and I had a day in Reykjavik, a day doing an organised tour of the Golden Circle and a day doing an organised tour of the South Coast. I also did an evening trip to see the Northern lights. I had a good time, but it wasn't the easiest place I've travelled to solo, in terms of meeting other travellers. Four days was long enough.

Thank you @NannyR, that’s very useful. I guess it is easy to pick up tours when you arrive? Just out of interest, if you are an experienced solo traveller, do you mind me asking where the best place was as a solo?

Also what is the best time of year to go?

I pre-booked my tours - I picked a company that had good reviews on TripAdvisor, but you could book them through the hostel too. If you want to see the Northern lights, it's probably best to book that trip when you get there as the weather and conditions have to be just right.
I loved Australia and New Zealand for travelling solo - there were so many people of all ages and nationalities travelling around and it was very easy to meet people and chat in the youth hostels. I was last there about ten years ago though, not sure if things have changed much.

I went on a small group tour on my own. Some people had come in pairs but most of us were solo travellers which was nice. It was G Adventures if I remember right. Had a great time. I've also got allergies which they catered for very well. Spent a day or 2 in Reykjavik on my own after the tour too in a hostel but ended up hanging out with other people from the tour, hiring a car and driving to a few places as well as exploring the city.
I went in November as it was cheaper and didn't actually see the Northern Lights as it was too cloudy so not the best time of year to travel there! It was an amazing experience anyway though so I didn't feel I'd missed out. I was planning to go again but COVID and then general life have put paid to that so far.

I went in early February - the weather was very cold and dark, I saw the northern lights and the big waterfalls were all solid ice which looked spectacular.

Any more experiences, or company recommendations?

Bumping for myself! Final call…. Thank you 😀

Has anyone been just after Christmas into the New Year?

@FormerlySpeckledyHen I didn’t reply earlier as we did an expensive trip by expedition boat. I was assuming you didn’t want to pay this much.

Time of year: we’ve been in September and it was a real mix of weather. Sun, rain in stair-rods, high winds with roads closed and snow. We went in July this summer. We had good mild weather but the two weeks previously were very wet apparently. So you either do freezing cold or hope for the best. The northern islands are in the Arctic Circle!

We saw more wildlife in July. Especially puffins. They have gone in Sept. Whales were surprisingly difficult to find. We saw a few but thought we would see more. Everywhere is open in the summer and the scenery is fantastic. If you like short days and ice, go in the winter. We much prefer the summer.

Thank you very much @TizerorFizz

Troll.is - local company, does everything from day trips to ring road tours. I did a few days in Reykjavik then the 8 day ring road tour with them in July. Fabulous, not cheap at all, but saw amazing scenery, waterfalls, lava caves, glaciers, wildlife. Small mini bus with a great mix of nationalities.
Iceland, generally, is a very expensive destination though. But everyone speaks immaculate English, all friendly, very safe, clean, definitely recommend a visit.
Just be aware that visiting in winter will mean that much of the island is not accessible due to snow. And it’s also dark nearly all day as well. It’s such a beautiful country I think it would be a shame not to be able to fully see it. Each part has different scenery.
And also in summer, take wind-and water-proof clothing. The wind can be perishing even with the sun shining.

Thank you so much @Losalamo, this is exactly the information and recommendation I was hoping to get.

I’ve been to Iceland over New Year. My brother lives there. The New Year fireworks were spectacular. It felt like a very safe and welcoming place.