Epic Iceland Road Trip
Know before you go!
🤑 Money
Icelandic Króna | $100 USD = 13747.00 ISK (time of writing guide 01.2024)
Cash: I always bring cash for every country because you never know. What if your cards lock or get stolen? There was never a situation where I couldn't use my card, but I was happy I still brought some ISK cash. I just made sure to use it before I left, and even if I didn't use it, I knew I could exchange it when I got home.
Average Daily Cost Per Person: low end $92 | high end $491
How much I personally spent for 3 days: $1097 - incliding flight
💳 Credit Cards
I recommend applying for a 0% APR travel credit card. I have two, one from Capital One and the other from Bank of America. I have had no issues with them and no yearly fee! I even used my points from my Capital One to pay for a portion of my flight to Iceland!
✈️ Airport
Iceland has two airports: Keflavik Airport (KEF), Iceland's international airport, and the Reykjavik Domestic Airport (RKV). You will fly into Keflavik Airport (KEF).
Pro tip: Download the extension Travel Arrow to compare Google Flights with Skyscanner and other third-party sites, and then book directly with that airline.
📄 Visa
U.S. citizens may enter Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Equality Index
92/100
🚗 Rental Car
Car Company: Payless
Type: Hyundai 120 Automatic (make sure to purchase an automatic unless you are comfortable driving a stick. I accidentally booked the wrong one the first time 🤪)
Car Insurance: I did not get car insurance because my Bank of America CC covered me. If you're uncomfortable with that, I recommend purchasing insurance.
Pro tip - check prices a few days to a week before leaving and see if prices have dropped. I originally paid $335.05 and rebooked 1.5 weeks for $174.35. Score! I was proud of that one. You can do this with accommodations as well!
⛽️ Driving, Gas Stations, & Parking
Driving
⚪️ We went in September and had good driving conditions; it only rained once. Iceland can have wild weather, so be careful, and if you're going to be in harsh weather, I recommend renting a 4-wheel drive car.
⚪️ Right side of the road
⚪️ Speed cameras
⚪️ Drive with lights on at all time
⚪️ Slow down when passing on gravel roads
Gas Stations
⚪️ Need a card with a pin for gas stations (the zip code you put in for your credit card is not considered a pin). Bank Of America CC comes with a pin!
⚪️ Get gas in Iceland early and often!
⚪️ Iceland Gas Stations Offer Fresh Food And Groceries
⚪️ Many Gas Stations In Iceland Offer Free Self-Service Car Wash Stations
⚪️ Gas gonna expensive as fuck $80-$100
Parking
⚪️ We didn't have any issues paying with our card at the spots we went too. I always make sure to have some sort of cash on me but all places had a machine or QR code for us to scan.
Day 1
Sleep
Day 2 | 2 hrs 23 min
Sleep
Day 3
Sleep
Other Options
Want to stay longer??
Photography
Northern Lights
The best time to see the Northern Lights is from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am on clear nights from the fall to the early spring, with September and March being the best months in terms of solar activity.
Safety
Ma I'm Fine Resource
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