It is hard to resist the temptation to visit Iceland. The culturally rich country can give you the adventure of a lifetime with its mesmerizing glaciers and waterfalls, vibrant nightlife, mouth-watering cuisine, and many other things. You can make an endless list of what to see and do in this westernmost European country, which obviously can be costly. However, you can apply these tips to make the most of your budget for your upcoming vacation to Iceland.
1. Book Early on Off-Season
Flights and accommodations in Iceland can be 40-50% cheaper during the off-season, while tours and activities can go down around 25%. You can save even more by booking your tickets and reservations in advance. It will also help a lot to browse and wait for special discounts, which many travel platforms often offer.
Traveling during the off-season is not even a horrible idea. On the contrary, it may even improve your experience. Most attractions will still be available by then but minus the unnecessary crowd and long queue line.
2. Consider Hitchhiking
Most places in Icelandic towns are accessible with public transportation, so you can count on them to go around. However, this is not always the case when you go for wildlife adventure and nature exploration in remote areas.
Renting a car is 40% cheaper during the off-season, but it can still make a significant impact on your budget. One of the most popular solutions you can consider is hitchhiking. If you ride a car alone along off-beaten roads, you might find a few adventurers asking to hitchhike you.
Riding with strangers can be intimidating yet intriguing for some people. Thus, safe precautions are necessary whether you ask for a hitchhike or consider welcoming a hitchhiker into your vehicle. When things are fine, chances are you will make new friends and incredible memories.
3. Limit Your Alcohol Consumption
Sure, you must keep your guard up when you are in a strange place, but it is not the only reason you need to limit your alcohol consumption in Iceland. The main reason is that alcoholic beverages are expensive compared to other European countries.
You can buy alcohol only in Vinbuoin, government-owned stores that only open at specific times and locations. Besides the rare availability, taxes for such products are also high. Hence, the retail prices may shock you a little.
It costs you around 8 USD for a can of beer and 16 USD for a bottle of wine. For comparison, such prices are approximately quadruple than the average prices in other countries. In Iceland, 8 USD would be enough to fill your stomach with a regular-sized hotdog.
4. Research for Free Attractions – Iceland Has Many!
While you might have some specific places you want to visit or activities you want to do, it is advisable to try researching for free attractions in Iceland. Hence, you have more things to add to your itinerary without costing more money.
Interestingly, Iceland offers many free attractions for both locals and tourists. Any type of attraction you wish, there will be a few options you can consider. For example, you can visit Skofagos for hiking and enjoy the breathtaking views of a large waterfall from the hilltop. If you crave a cozy walk by the shore, Glacier Lagoon is your best bet to embrace the scenery of icebergs and glaciers. Perlan and Hallgrimskirkja are where you should head if you wish for historical tours.
5. Get A Reykjavik City Card
If your main destination is Reykjavik, then the Reykjavik City Card is a must-have investment. It can help you save a lot of money by providing discounts and free passes to various attractions, services, shops, and public transportation.
Some of the most interesting benefits of this card are unlimited bus rides around the city, free entry to thermal pools, and a 15% discount on various restaurants. However, you must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this card.
Bonus Tips: MySecondLine App to Lower Your Communication Cost
Calling your friends in Iceland from time to time will be necessary to arrange your activities together. However, this might be an issue for travelers with a limited budget. Using your regular SIM card for calling in this country would be expensive due to the roaming fees. There is also the hassle of readjusting the signal setting. Buying an Iceland SIM number is also not a cost-efficient option because it can be expensive.
No need to worry! You only need to download MySecondLine on your mobile phone. Once registered, you can generate a mobile number of your choice, which can also be an Iceland local number. You can use this number to make and receive phone calls within the country.
The fares are relatively cheap compared to conventional numbers, yet the connection is much more reliable. MySecondLine utilizes the internet to support the communication line, so there will be no roaming fees either. In Iceland, it is easy to get a strong and stable internet connection. Many places even offer free wifi!