Iceland is one of the most beautiful and unique countries in the world. It is a country rich with culture, history, and natural wonders. The landscape is what makes Iceland so special. It’s unlike any other place on Earth. Visitors come from all over the world to see its geysers (which are some of the oldest in existence), waterfalls (the tallest ones in Europe), glaciers (the second largest ice mass after Antarctica), mountains (including another volcano called Eyjafjallajökull) and volcanoes (that they have to worry about). If you’re planning a trip there soon, then make sure you follow these tips:
Tips for planning your trip
Visit in winter. In the summer, most of Iceland’s roads are only accessible by 4×4 vehicles, which makes them inaccessible to most tourists. Winter is also a great time to explore since you’ll have fewer crowds at major attractions and more opportunities to photograph wildlife (think: puffins!).
Book accommodation in advance. Hotels get booked quickly, especially during the peak tourist season (June through August). If you cannot book beforehand, consider renting an Airbnb or looking for rooms on Airbnb. Plenty are available!
Rent a car/campervan/4×4 vehicle if possible. And don’t forget insurance! You’ll want something rugged enough for rough terrain but comfortable enough for long drives between stops on your itinerary. If possible, rent one with GPS navigation to avoid getting lost along the way!
Know Before You Go
Buy travel insurance. Iceland is beautiful, but it can be dangerous if you’re unprepared. Before you go, check the weather forecast and make sure to pack appropriate clothing. You’ll want at least one warm jacket (it’s cold in Iceland) and shoes to keep your feet dry when walking outside in the rain or snow. Don’t forget your umbrella!
Bring sunglasses! The sun shines brightly in Iceland during summertime (June through August). Pack some sunscreen, too. Even though it doesn’t get very hot here compared to other places on earth, UV rays are still prevalent during those months, so be sure not to forget about protecting yourself from them while exploring this beautiful country!
Rent a campervan
Rent a campervan. The best way to explore Iceland is by renting a campervan, which you can do from many locations in Iceland. Campervans are more comfortable than tents and cheaper than hotels, so it’s the perfect option for those who want to escape without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
Rent a 4×4 vehicle
Renting a 4×4 vehicle is essential when driving in Iceland. The country’s terrain is extremely varied and rugged, making navigating difficult without proper equipment. The roads are not always paved and can be quite narrow at times. Many rental companies require you to have experience driving off-road and on paved streets before they let you rent one of these vehicles. That is if they allow rentals at all!
Renting a 4×4 vehicle will cost more than renting other types of cars: they’re more expensive to repair if something goes wrong with them. They use more fuel than regular cars, and parking spaces are hard to come by in Reykjavik because there isn’t much space between buildings (and some streets don’t even allow parking), so finding somewhere safe where someone won’t hit your car while it’s parked outside could prove difficult.
Book accommodation in advance
As with any popular destination, accommodation in Iceland can be expensive and hard to come by. If you’re planning a trip that requires you to stay in hotels or guesthouses, booking your accommodation well in advance is best. This will allow you to find the best hotel deals and ensure your room is available when you arrive.
If possible, try booking through an online travel agency like Expedia or TripAdvisor rather than directly with the hotel itself. This will allow them more flexibility when pricing out their rooms and may result in lower rates overall than if they were doing so on their own (especially if multiple people are sharing). Additionally, booking early gives travelers time to research options based on location preferences (close proximity to tourist attractions), amenities offered (free Wi-Fi), and other factors such as price per night/person versus the number of occupants per room. It also allows travelers who plan ahead enough time before departure date(s) so that anything unexpected doesn’t throw off plans too drastically.
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this article helpful and that it will help you plan your trip to Iceland. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to visit the country, so just go with whatever works best for you! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!