How To Spend 5 days in Iceland for Just a Little Over $1,500 Including Airfare

We dream of travel destination such as Hawaii, Thailand, The Caribbean Islands, and more… but dreaming about Bhutan, Nepal, The Arctic Circle, and Iceland sometimes remains as a dream because we thought it would cost us thousands and thousands of dollars to get there.

Knowing that Reykjavik, Iceland is an expensive city, let’s check how we did our Iceland trip for just a little over $1,500 per  person.

AIRFARE

 

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From California to Iceland, it takes an 8-hour flight to be there.  We took the WOW Air to get to Iceland, booked it direct on their website.  Comparing to other airlines, WOW Air is the cheapest.  Our ticket cost $643.98 per person, plus the cost of our seat of choice and 1 check in luggage for both of us, come up to:

$1,339.92 for 2 person  ($669.96 per person)

+   135.98 (round trip 1 piece check-in luggage)

Cost: $1.475.90 for 2 person.

 

 

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels in Iceland are expensive.  You can book a bed in a hostel dorm for $25-30, a hotel room from $100-350+ per night.  Airbnb is one best option to save.  In Reykjavik, you can book a guest room  through Airbnb for $25-45 per night per person, plus a little  more for 2 people (depends on location) and you can even cook your own food.

Hotel, hostels, and guesthouses in Iceland are clean, and Guest house owners are nice and accommodating  We booked our stay through Airbnb, close to city center (10-minute walk).  Our room can sleep 4 persons.  Beds were comfortable, clean sheets and towels. Complete kitchen amenities if you want to go grocery shopping and cook. Free parking,  and free wifi.  There’s just one downside, 1 bathroom for 4 rooms (so possibly 8 people if guest house is fully booked).  During our stay no conflicts using the bathroom, guest come and go at a different time of the day.

Cost: $360.00 for 6 nights for 2 person

 

 

TRANSPORTATION

The main public transportation in Reykjavik is the bus.  One-way fares cost about ISK 350 (about $3.00) and can be bought on the bus. Note that no change is given on the bus and you will need to have the correct amount. When you pay your bus fare, be sure to ask for a transfer ticket, or ‘skiptimidi’ in Icelandic. The transfer ticket is the fare for your second bus trip, as long as it is taken within 75 minutes of receiving the transfer ticket.  The City Card is the easiest way and most inexpensive way to travel within the city: 24hours $30,  48hours  $40 and 72hours  $47.   The Reykjavík City Card offers free entry to a great selection of museums and galleries, all swimming pools in Reykjavík and free unlimited travel by bus within the Reykjavik Capital Area. In addition, the card also gives you a free ferry trip to Viðey island and discounts on various tours, in shops and on services.

Car Rental is one way to enjoy the freedom of self-drive and reach some places outside the city at our own pace. We rented our small size car from Procar, but got upgraded to a medium size car.  We also go a discount card for gas and free coffee from a gas station store.

$360.00 for 4 days (insurance included) + $100 gas allowance

COST: $460.00

 

 

SIGHTSEEING

It is easy to go around Reykjavik, and most of the city attractions are free.  The most visited attraction is the Blue Lagoon and will cost you a bit.  Here’s a sample of our activities:

• Hop In Hop Off Bus for City Sight Seeing at your own pace – $30.00 per person
• The Golden Circle Tour allows you to visit some of Iceland’s most stunning sights, The Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss (Golden Falls) waterfalls, The Thingvellir National Park, the Idyllic Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre. –  $80.00 per person
• Northern Lights Tour – $54.00 per person
• Blue Lagoon – Entrance ticket range from:

Standard $56; Comfort $74; Premium $90; Luxury $220 (prices also depends on the time of day).   We took the Standard at 4pm for $74 per person.

COST: $238.00 per person / $476 for 2 persons

 

 

FOOD

Food is so expensive in Iceland.  That is why it is recommended to rent an accommodation with kitchen for you go grocery and cook your own meal.  Some hostels and Airbnb rooms let you use their kitchen, inquire your host before booking).  To save some money when you eat outside, go to some fast food chain, and don’t forget to try Iceland’s famous hotdogs.  A hotdog will cost you about $4.00 and a hamburger with fries no drinks for $15.  If you want to try some exotic meal from a touristy restaurant it will cost you around $25 for a slab of whale and puffin meat.

$30/day/person = $210.00 per person for 7 days  X 2 person

COST: $410.00

 

Total cost for a week (7days) trip to Iceland:

$3,191.90 for 2 persons / $1,595.95 per person

I’m sure this will help travel to see Iceland’s Natural Landscapes and Cultural History.

 

 

 

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