Two Icelandic airlines, Icelandair and WOW Air, are your best choice for direct, low-cost flights to Iceland. One-way tickets on WOW Air to Iceland typically cost $99 from major airport hubs in the United States, but as of late, prices have plummeted to as low as $70. Flights depart from cities around the United States, including SFO, LAX, CHICAGO, PIT, DCA, MIA, NY, BOS, and BOS.
Soft beverages, tea, and coffee, as well as one checked bag, one carry-on, and one personal item, are all free of charge for passengers flying Icelandair. Tickets are more costly than those offered by WOW, but the airline has made a name for itself thanks to a free stopover program that allows passengers to stay up to seven nights in Iceland at no additional cost. The Stopover Buddy program provides visitors with a local guide who will show them the country’s major attractions at no extra cost.
As Iceland is a member of the Schengen Area, citizens of the United States do not require a visa to visit the country (a group of 26 European countries with visa and passport-free borders). Nonetheless, your passport must be valid for travel for at least three months beyond your planned departure date.
Keflavk International Airport, where all international flights land, is about 40 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik, the capital. Visitors may take the Flybus airport shuttle to Reykjavik Bus Terminal for 2,500 ISK ($21.50) or pay a little extra for the Flybus+ option, which will bring you straight to your hotel or Airbnb. Taxis run frequently between the airport and the center of Reykjavik and will cost you about 15,000 ISK (about $130).
Keflavk Airport, which historically solely handled foreign aircraft, will begin offering local connections in February 2017. It is possible to fly to Akureyri, in Iceland’s north, three times a week, but getting there might be challenging when snow and ice close off the single road leading to the country’s second largest city.
Driving throughout Iceland is the best way to see the country unless you just want to hang out in the capital city. Travelers interested in seeing the whole island on a budget might look into Campervan Iceland and Green Motion, two European rental agencies that specialize in environmentally friendly cars.
Travelers to Iceland should know that the speed limit is posted in kilometers per hour (km/h) and that gasoline is a very costly import. The average price for a gallon is 194 ISK (approximately $7.50).
Regardless of the season, drivers should invest in a reliable vehicle with four- or all-wheel drive. In contrast to the ice and snow that need studded snow tires in the winter, sandstorms may occur in the summer. It’s important for motorists to remember that strong winds may occur at any time of the year.
Whichever time of year your vacation is planned, be sure to include enough clothes to accommodate all four seasons. Don’t bother bringing your best phrazle clothes since you’ll need to make place for the essentials, particularly if you’re on a cheap flight. Pack your T-shirts, thermal underwear, a raincoat, hiking boots, at least two swimsuits, a cap, sunglasses, hiking trousers, gloves, and any extra jackets you may need before you depart. Bring a light if you plan on doing a lot of hiking, especially in the winter. Anybody visiting Iceland in the summer should pack an eye mask to help them nap when the sun is up.
