How A lot Does an Iceland Journey Value? (2024 Iceland Funds)

Iceland is understood for being an costly vacation spot and after visiting Iceland 3 times and serving to over 30 individuals plan their Iceland journeys, I’ve gotten a very good sense of the common Iceland journey price. Whereas it’s dear, your Iceland trip price can nonetheless be inside attain for those who construct your Iceland price range fastidiously.

To be trustworthy, I’ve seen every thing, from individuals who discovered an inexpensive flight, stayed in hostels, and signed up for group bus excursions to maintain prices down, all the best way to luxurious vacationers who e-book personal drivers, luxurious accommodations, and go all out with journey experiences. Did somebody say personal helicopter rides?

So how a lot does a visit to Iceland actually price? It is dependent upon what kind of expertise you might be searching for, what sort of traveler you might be, and finally, how a lot you need to spend. And whereas I wouldn’t suggest taking massive bus excursions, if that’s the solely means you possibly can see Iceland, it’s nonetheless value it to go to this unimaginable nation.

There are few locations on the earth which have touched my soul and captured my coronary heart like Iceland has. For its uncooked magnificence, fireplace and ice extremes, huge vacancy (outdoors of major vacationer stops), to the endearing quirkiness of the Icelandic tradition, it’s a place I’ll return to repeatedly.

The excellent news is that Iceland has enormously expanded its resort stock, which helps stability provide and demand. The alternate price from U.S. {Dollars} to Icelandic Króna has additionally been trending within the favor of American vacationers not too long ago. And, Play Airways has introduced a price range airline possibility again to Iceland.

Common Iceland Journey Value

I’ll minimize to the chase and provide the backside line on how costly a visit to Iceland might be, however you should definitely learn on to see the breakdown and methods that you would be able to lower your expenses in every class. The typical journey to Iceland price provides as much as about $300-350 per particular person, per day together with airfare. (Primarily based on present alternate charges) This assumes price range airfare, price range lodging, restricted organized actions, self-driving, and being cautious in your meals decisions.

If you’re touring solo, your greatest guess will possible be staying at a hostel or renting an Airbnb. Although it undoubtedly helps to journey with others to be able to break up the prices.

Since hostels and bus excursions aren’t our issues, I’ve primarily based the common price for a visit to Iceland for a household of 4 staying in good (however not extravagant) accommodations or guesthouses and renting a automotive for a self-driving trip. I’ve additionally included a couple of actions since I feel it could be a disgrace to get to a bucket record vacation spot like Iceland and never get to participate in a couple of adventures. However remember, that there’s sufficient pure magnificence and mountain climbing obtainable that you would be able to simply bypass these to preserve your price range.

The common Iceland journey price for a household spending per week in Iceland is round $8,545 together with airfare. Yup, that’s about $1,220 a day for your entire household. In fact, I’ve labored with households of 5 which have spent $25,000 on a 10-day journey, and {couples} who’ve spent $5,000 on a week-long journey. I’ve even deliberate an Iceland trip for a solo traveler that price them solely $2000, all prices included, for a five-day journey. Making Iceland one very versatile trip.

Iceland Funds Ideas

Observe: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. If you happen to click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. 

If you wish to avoid wasting cash, my accomplice Hidden Iceland gives my readers 10% off scheduled group excursions for those who use promo code WE3TRAVEL. Now we have traveled with Hidden Iceland and extremely suggest this firm for its experience, professionalism, and friendliness. See all their obtainable excursions. You can even e-book personal excursions or get assist planning your entire itinerary — simply you should definitely point out We3Travel if you contact them.

You’ll be able to go to Iceland on any price range, not less than in concept, however listed below are some options for holding prices down:

• Attempt tenting as an alternative of staying at accommodations or guesthouses. You’ll be able to lease a campervan that matches two individuals for about $130 an evening, as much as about $300 per night time for bigger campervans. You’ll be able to camp free of charge in Iceland however if you’re in a camper van, you’ll most likely need to keep at a campground with services so price range one other $10-50 per night time for a campsite reservation.
• If you happen to don’t need to camp, you might additionally keep in hostels, which can run you round $40-100 per particular person per night time in Reykjavik.
• Airbnb or vrbo is an alternative choice for trip rental flats and cabins, which is a good possibility for households in comparison with renting two resort rooms as a result of there are only some accommodations in Reykjavik for households that supply family-size rooms with beds sufficient for 4-5.
• Meals is among the particularly excessive bills in Iceland so to save cash, buy and put together your individual meals or purchase snacks on the gasoline station comfort shops. If you’d like a foodie expertise, you’ll pay via the nostril for it so get used to sandwiches, burgers, and people well-known Icelandic scorching canine.
• Keep away from paid sights just like the Blue Lagoon and dear excursions like off-roading excursions and focus as an alternative on scenic drives, stops at waterfalls, and nature hikes.
• Keep within the countryside and keep away from the most important vacationer spots as an alternative of Reykjavik as issues are going to be dearer within the capital metropolis. I used to be stunned by how inexpensive the lodging are within the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Earlier than you are worried about having to transform and carry a ton of money round Iceland, don’t stress. Virtually in every single place takes bank cards in Iceland. You should definitely learn my Iceland ideas for some caveats.

How A lot Does an Iceland Journey Value?

Let’s break down the common Iceland price range. As with different posts the place I’ve damaged down trip prices for Italy, London, Greece, and Paris, this submit outlines pricing for 2 adults and two kids between the ages of 6-11, touring from a serious airport hub in the US through the summer season excessive season, similar to NYC to Reykjavik, and spending per week in Iceland.

I discover that in Iceland, some accommodations record their costs in Euro, and most present charges in Icelandic Krona. To make it simpler, I’ve transformed to U.S. {dollars} to create a fair enjoying subject.

Airfare

I can’t even rely the variety of emails that I’ve gotten from individuals touring to Iceland that begin with “I discovered an important airfare to Iceland subsequent month (or another shut time-frame)…” I then go on to pop their bubble about how costly the remainder of the journey will likely be.

As soon as WOW went out of enterprise, costs went up a bit however I nonetheless have discovered charges on IcelandAir or Play Airways from Boston for about $300-500 per particular person, roundtrip. Nonetheless, you then must construct in the price of checked baggage (until you might be an superb packer Iceland will usually imply a checked bag) and seat choice. This will simply add one other $100-200 per particular person.

I extremely suggest signing up for a membership to Going to get alerts on flight offers and arrange preferences to your dream locations.

Whole airfare price ($500 per particular person, spherical journey x 4 individuals): $2,000

Lodging

If you’re touring solo, it’s simple sufficient to remain in a hostel to save cash on lodging in Iceland. However most households will want both a resort or Airbnb/VRBO. A rental will definitely prevent cash as there are only some accommodations that supply household rooms.

Most Reykjavik resort rooms both have a double mattress (two twins pushed collectively) or two twin beds. Often you’ll find a triple or a household room, however a household of 4 usually wants to order two rooms. A pleasant resort in downtown Reykjavik with a household room will price between $400-600 per night time. You can even get two rooms at a reasonable resort for about $150-250 per night time every.

Renting a vrbo house will prevent a major quantity, so long as you might be comfy as an impartial traveler. You must be capable to discover an house within the metropolis giant sufficient to suit everybody for about $300 per night time. And you probably have been saving up your resort loyalty factors, Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy members are actually in for a deal with with a number of properties now obtainable in or close to Reykjavik.

Full-service accommodations within the countryside will begin at round $150 per night time for the standard room and $350 per night time for a household room. There are additionally some guesthouses that begin round $150 per night time per room or decrease, particularly in much less crowded areas.

Within the countryside, there’s a giant choice of trip cabins obtainable on vrbo. Anticipate to pay about $200+ per night time for a cabin that sleeps 4. Simply plan prematurely if you wish to keep in widespread places alongside the south coast or by the Glacier Lagoon, as these promote out early.

If you’re seeking to do Iceland on a price range, renting an Airbnb or VRBO is the best way to go until you need to camp or keep in hostels, as lined above.

Whole lodging price: assuming a median of $300 per night time (for those who primarily use trip leases) x 7 nights = $2,100

Discover extra locations to remain in Iceland:

Automotive Rental

When visiting Iceland, if you wish to get away from crowded bus excursions and see the nation or drive the Ring Street, you will have to lease a automotive. If you happen to don’t lease a automotive, you will have to take a shuttle bus (about $30 per particular person) from Keflavik airport into downtown Reykjavik after which organize group excursions with choose up and drop off from there. Simply don’t take a taxi as these can run about $150 a method between the airport and Reykjavik.

Automotive leases might be dear and it’s possible you’ll be tempted to save cash by skipping the insurance coverage. Earlier than you do, examine along with your bank card or automotive insurance coverage supplier since you most likely nonetheless want to purchase the ash and rocks protection. Insurance coverage can enormously improve the price of the rental automotive, however it’s possible you’ll want it.

There are many price range automotive leases however earlier than you e-book, double-check their hours and placement (how removed from the airport, shuttle hours), and see the price of add-ons to be able to evaluate apples to apples. (See different ideas for Iceland automotive leases.)

If you’re visiting within the winter, you’ll undoubtedly need an SUV or four-wheel drive. In any other case, if you’re sticking to the Ring Street, a four-wheel drive isn’t needed. Nonetheless, entry to some hikes and actions will likely be on gravel roads and you’ll be extra comfy (and fewer more likely to maintain injury from rocks) in a automotive with a better clearance. I’ve seen a sedan get caught on a rock within the car parking zone for a hike earlier than and other people actually needed to elevate the automotive to get it off. Fortunately it wasn’t completely ruined.

Additionally, remember that to drive on the inside “F roads”, you will have a automotive that’s allowed on these roads. Since a lot of these roads aren’t satisfactory for a lot of the 12 months or are extraordinarily laborious to navigate (I’ve actually seen a highway signal in the course of a subject of snow), I wouldn’t trouble with F roads.

The opposite factor to concentrate to is that you’ll want to be sure that your automotive is giant sufficient to suit baggage for your loved ones. Except you’re a tremendous mild packer, you’ll most likely want checked baggage for Iceland to be sure to are ready for any climate. (See my Iceland packing record for ideas!) I’d suggest both a station wagon or an SUV for a household of 4.

I take advantage of Auto Europe to examine for the most affordable automotive rental charges in Iceland. Don’t overlook to price range for gasoline as properly (and please, for those who lease a diesel automotive, be sure to use diesel petrol!). At present (December 2023), gasoline prices about $8.82 per gallon.

If you happen to don’t need to drive, your greatest guess is to remain in Reykjavik and take excursions that supply pick-ups from town as day journeys. If you wish to rent a personal driver-guide, you need to count on to pay round 120-350 per particular person, so not less than $500-1500 for the day.

Whole automotive rental price: A station wagon with insurance coverage and limitless miles will likely be roughly $650-1,200 for per week. Additionally, add about $300 for gasoline if you’re driving rather a lot.

Meals

You could have most likely heard that meals in Iceland is pricey. When you’ve got traveled to Scandinavian international locations previously, then you might be most likely used to excessive meals costs, however for a lot of, it may be a shock. That is very true within the nicer eating places in Reykjavik.

In Iceland, even a hamburger can run you $15 and most fish entrees will likely be nearer to $30+. So dinner for a household of 4 can simply price $100.

I’ve talked to many individuals who’ve felt Iceland was the costliest place that they’ve traveled to relating to meals. My recommendation is to splurge on one meal however maintain the remainder informal to maintain the prices down.

You’ll want to attempt a number of the specialties like Arctic char, langoustines, lamb, and if you’re courageous even attempt some reindeer or puffin. However to stability out these specialties, you possibly can have a hearty lunch of meat soup or lobster bisque with bread. Within the countryside, you’ll find many eating places that supply buffets of fantastic recent, home made meals that may fill you up for hours so attempt to have a light-weight breakfast, one giant meal, and one lighter meal.

There’s additionally no want to purchase bottled water in Iceland as clear faucet water is available (though it may have a little bit of a sulfur odor at occasions), simply you should definitely deliver alongside a refillable water bottle. You can even save by stopping at one of many markets, just like the BONUS grocery retailer, and selecting up provides, particularly if you’re staying in a rental house or house.

You should definitely take a look at my suggestions on the place to eat in Reykjavik.

Whole meals price for a household of 4: $200 x 7 = $1,400 (remember that this will range broadly relying on for those who prepare dinner and the way a lot you splurge)

Excursions and Actions

How a lot you spend on excursions is completely a private choice. You’ll be able to plan a personal helicopter tour for over $3,000, or you possibly can take a free hike. And nearly every thing in between. There are additionally loads of free issues to do in Reykjavik too. I’d suggest making an attempt not less than a couple of of those distinctive issues to do in Iceland.

No matter you do, don’t really feel like you could take a tour for every thing. You don’t. For instance, you possibly can simply do the Golden Circle and Thingvellir Nationwide Park by yourself full-day highway journey. However it’s possible you’ll need to splurge on one thing like a glacier hike or an ATV tour that you just CAN’T do by yourself.

You can even forgo the touristy and costly Blue Lagoon (for those who go you could e-book prematurely), in favor of different scorching springs across the nation, like Krauma, the Sky Lagoon, the Secret Lagoon, or Fontana Spas.

There are some things that I all the time suggest to shoppers. First, that is the land of ice and fireplace. Do not less than one exercise that takes you out onto a glacier (the ice half) similar to:

Another choice is to take a ship tour of the Glacier Lagoon.

For the “fireplace” half, I’d suggest both a lava tube cave tour, a cease on the Lava Heart, and/or a go to to not less than one scorching spring or spa.

There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Iceland. If you’re adventurous, I’d suggest splurging on one thing like an excellent jeep tour or ATV/buggy adventures.

I’d suggest staying away from giant group bus excursions (e.g. Reykjavik Excursions) and as an alternative e-book a small group or personal tour with my accomplice Hidden Iceland. It can save you 10% on scheduled group excursions with Hidden Iceland utilizing promo code WE3TRAVEL or for personal excursions, simply inform them I referred you if you contact them.

If you happen to can splurge on a couple of actions, here’s what they’d price (primarily based on present alternate charges):

• Secret Lagoon (2 adults, children are free) = $47
• Into the Glacier (2 adults, 2 children) = $727
• Lava Cave tour (2 adults, 2 children) = $122
• Tremendous jeep tour (2 adults, 2 children below 11) = $1052

Whole Actions Value for two adults and a pair of children below 12: $1545

Whole Iceland Funds: $8,545

So sure, Iceland trip prices are excessive. If you happen to look carefully on the breakdowns, you’ll find methods to save cash. You can even simply spend extra. This was meant to be a information to how a lot a visit to Iceland prices primarily based on my expertise serving to so many households. Bigger households or teams will price extra. {Couples} or solo vacationers will likely be a lot much less.

Touring low season will prevent cash (see my ideas for visiting Iceland within the winter.) You can even scale back the variety of days you keep. If you happen to stick with only one area, you possibly can really pack rather a lot into simply 5 days, however I wouldn’t suggest staying any much less.

Plan Your Iceland Journey

This text was sponsored partially by Moon Journey Guides. All opinions are my very own.

Planning a visit to Iceland could make your mind damage as you attempt to decipher between the entire phrases ending in foss (trace: that’s a waterfall), jökull (glacier), or vik (bay) and battle with the logistics concerned in mapping out an Iceland highway journey. I’d suggest ordering a duplicate of Moon Journey Guides’ Iceland with a Street Journey on the Ring Street.

This guidebook gives choices for quite a lot of itinerary concepts and highway journeys (with useful maps!) It gives trustworthy recommendation on the place to eat, the place to remain, and when to go, together with a useful phrasebook! Even after three visits to Iceland, I’ll be digging into this information with up-to-date info to plan my subsequent journey too.

The place to Go in Iceland

If you happen to want some assist deciding the place to go in Iceland, you should definitely take a look at our guides and itineraries:

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