Finding crazy deals on transatlantic flights is getting easier. If you’re willing to stop halfway, in Iceland, Wowair or Icelandair’s airfare will be hard to beat. As you can probably tell by the increasing presence of Icelandic landscapes on your Facebook and Instagram feed, some of your friends know the trick!
Now, it's up to you to decide whether you stay inside the airport or if you extend your layover enough to go on an adventure across this awesome land of fire and ice! Since you are currently browsing the Yulair website, I assume that you are the kind of person who wants to see as much as possible for the least. I got you some tips, fellow adventurer!
True story: I was in an isolated icelandic grocery store to grab something to eat. I happened to decode that "pönnukökur" had to mean pancakes (pon-kake). How disappointed was I to realize that my pancakes, bought at such a high price, were ash flavored? You read right : big brown soot on both sides of my much desired little pancakes. Their aromas, just like the bill, remain bitter. We laugh at it now, but beware of the pönnukökur of hell (ironically bought in Hella!).
There is a catch though. Let me show you ;) The landlord used to let cars drive all the way to the plane wreck but he changed his mind after hoards of tourists damaged his land by not following the designated path. So since the spring of 2015, you have to walk your way to the plane after parking your car along the road. We’re talking about an 8 km round trip, around 2 hours of walk on a pebbles trail-ish . A little bit of good will is therefore needed to skate over the hull of the plane with the inimitable glamor of the Bie (#MeWhileTakingThisPic). If you are still interested, wear proper footwear, arm yourself with patience and know what to expect. But I confirm you that it is totally doable, even if you are a madman with a 800km itinerary in one single day.
Did you know :
- Iceland has seriously considered adopting the Canadian dollar as its currency. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/could-iceland-adopt-the-loonie-1.1239195
- The Icelandic government aims to boost its recovering economy with tourism. That’s the actual reason why those cheap transatlantic flights, with an imposed layover in Reykjavik, are increasing in popularity. The strategy works wonderfully for the small country as you can tell by the analysis on page 35 of this document.
Finally, as if Iceland was not inviting enough, there are often northern lights up there! Check out this website for the most recent auroral forecast (top right) and do not forget to look for the sunset time and the phase of the moon which, when full, can spoil the spectacle.
Enjoy planning your trip and don’t forget to share this article if you liked it : Your turn to flood your friend’s feed with Iceland ;)
Now, it's up to you to decide whether you stay inside the airport or if you extend your layover enough to go on an adventure across this awesome land of fire and ice! Since you are currently browsing the Yulair website, I assume that you are the kind of person who wants to see as much as possible for the least. I got you some tips, fellow adventurer!
Budget
Everything is expensive in Iceland. EVERYTHING. A cheap fastfood breakfast meal will cost you over $18. I’m not even kidding. BUT, there are several ways to save some money especially if you are only in Iceland for a layover. Here are four budget tips:Tip 1: Bring your own food
Pamper yourself with everything that you are allowed to bring on a plane: soft bars, nuts, chips, cereals. Remind yourself that for everything you manage to bring you’ll have more money in your pocket.True story: I was in an isolated icelandic grocery store to grab something to eat. I happened to decode that "pönnukökur" had to mean pancakes (pon-kake). How disappointed was I to realize that my pancakes, bought at such a high price, were ash flavored? You read right : big brown soot on both sides of my much desired little pancakes. Their aromas, just like the bill, remain bitter. We laugh at it now, but beware of the pönnukökur of hell (ironically bought in Hella!).
Tip 2: Think of Airbnb
If you consider sleeping a night or two, I advise you to use the sharing economy! It is the cheapest option after camping. You will easily find something fair for less than $100 a night. It's pretty good if you share it with a few friends.Tip 3: Familiarize yourself with the currency
http://themoneyconverter.com/EN/ISK/CAD.aspx
That said, if you are two or more, it's really worth renting a car and going on your own (see next section).
How much does it cost? Plan about $120-150 per day for a compact if you are not in the peak season. You can pick up and drop off your car at the airport. All the big rental companies are there.
How about the gas? It’s approximately $2.20 on the liter! Allow yourself around $ 60-70 for a busy day of travel.
Is the Canadian driver's license valid in Iceland? Yes! No need for anything else. I even asked the Canadian Embassy if it could change in the near future and it shouldn’t!
How is driving in Iceland? If you stay 2-3 hours away from the airport, you should always drive on the beautifully paved asphalt road. The speed limit in town is 50 km/h and 90 on the main roads. The weather can change rather quickly, but if you have already driven in Canada it won’t impress you.
However, you are strongly advised to pay a special attention to the animals. In Iceland, there are more sheeps than humans and it shows! (https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=iceland+sheep+livestock+vs+population). If you ever drive into one, you must report it to the police or nearest farm (who normally have a sheep insurance).
Anything else I should know? Avoid the Highlands. This large area in the center of the island is beautiful, no doubt, but do not go there by yourself. Roads are generally impassable. Moreover, your insurance coverage will probably provide a total exclusion for this wild area.
Oh yeah, also, 911 does not exist. As elsewhere in Europe you have to dial 112 if ever.
If you’re worried about having to drive too far north from the capital, there is good news. There are several points of interests located in the country’s extreme south, close to the capital. Naturally you can personalize your itinerary according to your interests and the time you intend to spend on the road. With this in mind, I prepared a map for you that locates the cool stuff to visit within a radius of a 3 hour drive around the airport. You will find in the additional options, on the left side of the screen, two suggested itineraries : a long one and a shorter one that remains mostly on Route 1. I invite you to click on the red markers. They indicate what is there to see and at what price. Descriptions might be in French, but the map and pictures shouldn’t need translation. Have fun exploring the map!
That said, I have to insist on a few places you must see.
Tip 4: If you are alone, consider an organized tour
I’m far from a strong supporter of organized trips, much the opposite actually, but given the cost of living in Iceland, it is probably the cheapest way to see the most in a short time. For something between $100 and $150 per person, you can find interesting day tours on the outskirts of the country’s capital. You may be interested in those two companies: https://www.extremeiceland.is/ or https://www.keflanding.com/.That said, if you are two or more, it's really worth renting a car and going on your own (see next section).
Tip 5: Rent a car
Nature is always free in Iceland. National parks, glaciers, waterfalls, caves : you will never pay to access them. Free parking is also the norm. So, renting a car gives you a freedom of movement that is probably worth the investment.Accéder à un parc national, c'est toujours gratuit en Islande.
Une photo publiée par Simon-Pierre Poulin (@simonpierrep) le
How much does it cost? Plan about $120-150 per day for a compact if you are not in the peak season. You can pick up and drop off your car at the airport. All the big rental companies are there.
How about the gas? It’s approximately $2.20 on the liter! Allow yourself around $ 60-70 for a busy day of travel.
Is the Canadian driver's license valid in Iceland? Yes! No need for anything else. I even asked the Canadian Embassy if it could change in the near future and it shouldn’t!
How is driving in Iceland? If you stay 2-3 hours away from the airport, you should always drive on the beautifully paved asphalt road. The speed limit in town is 50 km/h and 90 on the main roads. The weather can change rather quickly, but if you have already driven in Canada it won’t impress you.
However, you are strongly advised to pay a special attention to the animals. In Iceland, there are more sheeps than humans and it shows! (https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=iceland+sheep+livestock+vs+population). If you ever drive into one, you must report it to the police or nearest farm (who normally have a sheep insurance).
Anything else I should know? Avoid the Highlands. This large area in the center of the island is beautiful, no doubt, but do not go there by yourself. Roads are generally impassable. Moreover, your insurance coverage will probably provide a total exclusion for this wild area.
Oh yeah, also, 911 does not exist. As elsewhere in Europe you have to dial 112 if ever.
What to visit
We landed at 4:30 AM and immediately hit the road for our daylong layover. We only came back at sunset, around 10pm! We travelled over 800 km through amazing scenery. An overly packed day, you might say. Perhaps, but I really wanted to maximize what we see of Iceland for the price and for the time. Don’t forget that the day length will work in your favor during the summer season, as the night gets shorter near the Arctic Circle.If you’re worried about having to drive too far north from the capital, there is good news. There are several points of interests located in the country’s extreme south, close to the capital. Naturally you can personalize your itinerary according to your interests and the time you intend to spend on the road. With this in mind, I prepared a map for you that locates the cool stuff to visit within a radius of a 3 hour drive around the airport. You will find in the additional options, on the left side of the screen, two suggested itineraries : a long one and a shorter one that remains mostly on Route 1. I invite you to click on the red markers. They indicate what is there to see and at what price. Descriptions might be in French, but the map and pictures shouldn’t need translation. Have fun exploring the map!
That said, I have to insist on a few places you must see.
The capital
Whatever your itinerary, it should pass through downtown Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital where half the Icelanders live. The pretty colorful houses are worth the detour alone. Honorable mention for the audacious architecture of the cathedral and the opera (photo).#Iceland #Operahouse #Harpa in #Reykjavik #modern #architecture #mininalism #basalt #geologyinspired
Une photo publiée par Simon-Pierre Poulin (@simonpierrep) le
Geysir
The place gave its name to the actual phenomenon of geysers. With an "eruption" every 5 minutes and, of course, a free access, this place must be somewhere on your list. It is the second northernmost point of the map, adjacent to Gullfoss - the country’s largest waterfall which you also shouldn’t miss.#Strokkur #Geyser near #Geysir in #iceland #Mouhahahahaaaaaa
Une vidéo publiée par Simon-Pierre Poulin (@simonpierrep) le
Reynisfjara
I recommend you extend your exploration to this magnificent black volcanic ash beach that stretches for several kilometers. You will be impressed by the basalt columns which impose themselves before the beach in regular prism. Off the coast, frozen lava chimneys are a reminder of the dormant strength of nature. This place is also a nesting area for seabirds. Really, you have to go there.#iceland #blacksandbeach #plage de #sable #noir en #islande pres de #vik
Une photo publiée par Simon-Pierre Poulin (@simonpierrep) le
The famous plane wreck
You’ve probably already seen it, perhaps without even knowing (like in a Justin Bieber videoclip: https://youtu.be/PfGaX8G0f2E?t=133), but there is in this area an abandoned US military plane wreck that just lies there since it crashed in the 50s. The scene is surreal. In a desert of dark volcanic rock almost lunar looking, lies this metallic vessel. Photo op alert! after which, I guarantee you too will contribute to the increase of Iceland’s presence on your friend’s feed!There is a catch though. Let me show you ;) The landlord used to let cars drive all the way to the plane wreck but he changed his mind after hoards of tourists damaged his land by not following the designated path. So since the spring of 2015, you have to walk your way to the plane after parking your car along the road. We’re talking about an 8 km round trip, around 2 hours of walk on a pebbles trail-ish . A little bit of good will is therefore needed to skate over the hull of the plane with the inimitable glamor of the Bie (#MeWhileTakingThisPic). If you are still interested, wear proper footwear, arm yourself with patience and know what to expect. But I confirm you that it is totally doable, even if you are a madman with a 800km itinerary in one single day.
#lost #airplane #planewreck #dc52 #iceland #islande
Une photo publiée par Simon-Pierre Poulin (@simonpierrep) le
Varia
To forgive me for having imposed the Bieb upon you, I’d like to share with you my song of the moment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGJiWg2-rto), Hold on from Pablo Nouvelle, whose magnificent videoclip was also filmed in southern Iceland. It is said to be actual footage from the artist’s wedding trip. Plot Twist : the couple has since separated. My sources are comments on Youtube so don’t hold me to that. Great footage anyhow and good song by all means.Did you know :
- Iceland has seriously considered adopting the Canadian dollar as its currency. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/could-iceland-adopt-the-loonie-1.1239195
- The Icelandic government aims to boost its recovering economy with tourism. That’s the actual reason why those cheap transatlantic flights, with an imposed layover in Reykjavik, are increasing in popularity. The strategy works wonderfully for the small country as you can tell by the analysis on page 35 of this document.
Finally, as if Iceland was not inviting enough, there are often northern lights up there! Check out this website for the most recent auroral forecast (top right) and do not forget to look for the sunset time and the phase of the moon which, when full, can spoil the spectacle.
Enjoy planning your trip and don’t forget to share this article if you liked it : Your turn to flood your friend’s feed with Iceland ;)
Simon-Pierre Poulin
Véritable cascadeur culturel, photographe amateur, juriste à temps partiel et blogueur à ses heures, je ne me contente jamais des sentiers battus. Ma passion pour l’architecture et l’histoire m’amène toujours un peu plus loin. Suivez-moi!