Facts About Iceland

Iceland Toolbar

The Iceland toolbar is a must have for anyone thinking of travelling to Iceland. It contains all the most importants links you'll need to access when planning your trip!

Download it for your Firefox or Internet Explorer browser here:
http://icelandtravel.ourtoolbar.com/

Icelandic Touring Associations

Below are two of the biggest and best Icelandic t ouring associations:

• Ferðafélag Íslands (The Iceland Touring Association)
  http://www.fi.is/
• Utivist - An Icelandic Travel Association
  http://www.utivist.is/utivist/english/

Iceland Gas Prices

The gas prices matter if you are going to be driving a lot during your stay in Iceland.

If you have your own car or hire a car, you should think about how much you are paying for the gas. The prices of gas (petrol) vary and there are some gas stations much cheaper than others. See where ÓB petrol self service stations are located in Reykjavík or look at this map.

Orkan bensín is another possibility. Check their information in English.

December 2009: The cheapest prices are ca 184-186 IKR pr liter 95 okt

Iceland Swimming: Swimming on a Budget..

One of the most "delicious" things to do while in Iceland is to go swimming. And it doesn't cost much. If you stay for a while in one place (such as in Reykjavik or in a village in the countryside) and like to go swimming, check how much a discount card costs which allows you to enter the same swimming pool e.g. 10 times. Bring your own swimming suit and towel because it costs a lot to rent those things.

Cheap Restaurant in Reykjavik

If you really want to save money, eating out in Iceland is a "no, no". Stay away from the restaurants and buy your food at the budget stores, supermarkets or hypermarkets.

However if you really want to eat out at a restaurant,  you might find some good offers at lunch time in various restaurants.  You will probably find it interesting that the Thai and Chinese restaurants are the cheapest...

There are four cheap restaurants in Reykjavík a whole lot cheaper than many others - one Thai, two vegetarian and one fish restaurant:

• Núðluhúsið - A Thai noodle restaurant, very popular for its huge portions
  http://www.nudluhusid.is/
  Vitastígur 10
  101 Reykjavík
  552 7088
• Grænn kostur - A vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Reykjavík
  http://graennkostur.is/english.htm
  Skólavörðustígur 8,
  101 Reykjavík,
  tel. 552 20208
• Á næstu grösum - A vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Reykjavík
  Laugavegur 20 b, tel. 552 8410 and Suðurlandsbraut 52, tel. 581 1065
• Sægreifinn
  http://www.saegreifinn.is/
  Verbúð 8 v/ Geirsgötu
  101 Reykjavík
  Tel: 553 1500

Last but not least - a tasty Icelandic hot dog is a cheap, good choice too.

Tips from Travellers: The Best Hot Dog Stand in Reykjavik - "Bæjarins bestu"

"Bæjarins bestu: This is a very good hot dog stand and there are always queues to get here. We were down around the ship yard around lunch time one day. There was a queue of more locals than tourists to be honest, sailors and business men in suits, which is a good sign."

And here I might add that even Mr. Bill Clinton stopped there to have a taste some years ago! (Photo by Mr. Gunnar V. Andresson, press photographer).

An Icelandic hot dog (pulsa or pylsa) is not a bad choice at all if you want something quick, cheap and tasty. In fact, some travelers find it the best hot dog in the world! 

Tips from Travellers: Iceland Mobile Phones - Cost

"Using your home operator's roaming services in Iceland can be tricky and full of surprises, especially when you have received your first monthly bill following your nordic adventure.

There's a cheaper option: You can buy a prepaid mobile pack, Icelandic cell phone number, SIM card and your first top-up voucher. No need for registration. No roaming overcharging. No surprises."

Iceland Food Prices - Icelandic Food Stores

Food is one of the major expenses when traveling and you would be well adviced to shop where it is least expensive.

If you plan to travel from Reykjavík with a car it would be smart to start by shopping for food in a food chain store called Bónus or Krónan. You won't find a cheaper solution! These chain stores can be found in the following towns:

• Bónus:
  Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Mosfellsbær, Ísafjörður, Akureyri, Selfoss, Borgarnes, Egtilsstaðir, Reykjanesbær, Hveragerði, Stykkishólmur.
• Krónan:
  Reykjavík, Mosfellsbær, Selfoss, Reyðarfjörður, Vestmannaeyjar.

Fjarðarkaup is a supermarket in Hafnarfjördur - low cost (although not as cheap as Bónus/Krónan) but offers very good service and selection.

You might want to check my blog on Prices in Iceland.

Iceland Tipping

What about tipping in Iceland? Well, the short answer is: You don't have to tip in Iceland! And nobody will get offended.  We don't expect it. So you can at least save some money there :-). However if you are extremely satisfied with the service you get, let's say in a hotel or very pleased with your tour guide - you can tip without offending anyone.

Bus Passports in Iceland

If you are traveling without a car or a bike, you should think about getting a "bus passport" to travel around the country which is a somewhat cheaper way of travelling than buying tickets from one place to another all the time. The passport is available from June to August - comes in various types with different time limits and could really help you with surviving in Iceland on a budget.

There are 4 different types of passports available:

    * Highlights Passport
    * Highland Circle Passport
    * Beautiful South Passport
    * Beautiful South Circle Passport

Iceland on your own - information about bus passport travel and bus schedulesl in Iceland.

Photo: Reykjanes, South-west Iceland.