I remember last winter meeting a Korean girl while watching the aurora in Iceland. Due to lack of preparation, she spent nearly 30,000 yuan extra just on flights and accommodation. That night, we sat at a campsite outside Reykjavik, waiting for the northern lights. While sipping hot coffee, she shared her regretful experience with me.
"I should have prepared better in advance," she said, gazing at the dark sky. At that moment, I deeply understood the importance of advance planning. As a travel blogger who has visited over 20 countries, I've seen too many similar situations. Some people waste money due to insufficient preparation, while others miss amazing experiences by overlooking details.
For traveling to Iceland, detailed preparation is most important. From deciding when to travel, you need to consider the local climate characteristics. Iceland offers completely different experiences in winter versus summer: winter has aurora viewing but short days and long nights, with many sites potentially inaccessible due to weather; summer offers midnight sun but accommodation costs rise significantly.
I recommend visiting in spring or fall. For example, late April to early May, or mid-September to early October, when temperatures are moderate and you can avoid peak tourist season. When I went last September, I not only saw the aurora but also enjoyed relatively mild weather, and most importantly avoided the summer tourist crowds.
Regarding documentation preparation, this might be the most easily overlooked yet crucial step. Besides passport validity, visa preparation requires special attention. Iceland is in the Schengen Area, and visa applications require detailed itineraries, round-trip flight reservations, accommodation proof, and other materials. I suggest starting visa preparation at least two months in advance, as sometimes additional materials may be needed.
Last year I had an interesting experience. While preparing visa materials, I specifically created a detailed electronic itinerary that included not only daily plans but also booking confirmation screenshots for various attractions. Seeing such complete materials, the visa officer directly gave me a six-month multiple-entry visa, which allowed me to visit Iceland again later.
Regarding insurance, I want to emphasize this particularly. Medical costs in Iceland are extremely expensive - even a common cold treatment can cost thousands of kronur. I recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes, besides basic medical coverage, the following: 1. Baggage delay and loss coverage 2. Trip cancellation coverage 3. Outdoor activity coverage 4. Car rental liability insurance (if planning to drive)
Budget management is crucial for determining the overall quality of your trip. Besides the previously mentioned "321 rule," I want to share some specific money-saving tips.
First is flight booking. Many people don't know that Icelandair often offers special deals in January and September each year. I bought discounted tickets for this February during last September. Additionally, choosing flights with layovers might take longer but can save significant money. My round-trip tickets only cost 4,800 yuan because I chose a flight with a connection in Helsinki.
For accommodation, besides the advantages of booking early, location choice is crucial. Many people insist on staying in downtown Reykjavik, but if you're willing to walk 10-15 minutes, accommodation in surrounding areas can be over 30% cheaper. The hostel I stayed at in Reykjavik, though a 15-minute walk from downtown, had new facilities and a well-equipped kitchen, most importantly at an affordable price.
Speaking of kitchens, this reminds me of another important money-saving tip - cooking your own meals. Iceland is famous for high restaurant prices, with a regular meal costing at least 2000 kronur (about 100 yuan). During my two-week stay, I cooked almost every breakfast and dinner, taking sandwiches for lunch. This alone saved me at least 6000 kronur.
Communication issues are often overlooked, but they're very important when traveling abroad. Besides the previously mentioned eSIM cards, I want to share some practical communication tips.
First, download offline maps. Even with network access, signals might be unstable in some remote areas of Iceland. I used Maps.me, which allows downloading the entire map data for Iceland. Once near Vatnajökull glacier, my phone suddenly lost signal, and this offline map helped me find my way back to my accommodation.
Second, I recommend downloading some useful local apps. For example, Strætó (Reykjavik bus app) and Veður (Iceland Meteorological Office official app). The latter is particularly essential when traveling in Iceland because the weather changes so quickly. Once when I was preparing to visit the Golden Circle, I checked Veður and found potential blizzards at my destination, immediately adjusting my plans to visit indoor museums instead.
Regarding tool preparation, besides basic clothing and electronic devices, there are some special items essential for Iceland:
Waterproof and windproof jacket: Iceland's weather is changeable, experiencing four seasons in one day. My Gore-Tex jacket, though expensive, was worth every penny.
Anti-slip shoe covers: Iceland's roads often ice over in winter, and good anti-slip shoe covers provide more confidence while walking. Thanks to these, I could safely visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall on icy paths.
Insulated water bottle: While Iceland's tap water is drinkable, an insulated bottle is particularly important for outdoor activities. I used a 500ml vacuum insulated cup for hot coffee, especially useful during cold nights waiting for aurora.
Multi-tool pliers: Though seemingly unnecessary, they can be very useful when needed. I used mine to repair a camera tripod and help a campsite neighbor fix their tent.
Portable power banks: Phones drain quickly in Iceland's low temperatures. I brought two 10000mAh power banks, which generally met a full day's power needs.
Accommodation choice affects not only budget but also the overall travel experience quality. Besides the previously mentioned hostels and work exchanges, I want to share some special accommodation options.
Camping is a great choice, especially in summer. Iceland has a well-developed campground system with complete facilities at reasonable prices. Most campgrounds have showers, kitchens, and common areas. I stayed three nights at a campsite near Lake Mývatn, spending only 1500 kronur per night (about 75 yuan), right next to a geothermal area with free hot springs access.
Farm stays are also a unique option. Through the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) website, I found an organic farm in the south. There, I learned how to care for Icelandic horses and met volunteers from around the world. Most importantly, exchanging work for room and board maximized my travel budget savings.
Speaking of unique accommodations, I must mention Iceland's Mountain Huts. These small cabins scattered throughout the inland areas, though simple, let you truly experience Iceland's raw beauty. One night, I saw spectacular aurora through the window of my hut in Landmannalaugar - an experience impossible to get in a hotel.
Itinerary planning requires considering many factors. I suggest dividing activities into must-do and optional items.
Must-do items include: 1. Golden Circle (Geysir, Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss) 2. Reykjavik city tour 3. Blue Lagoon or other geothermal pools 4. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon 5. Black Sand Beach
Optional items can include: 1. Whale watching 2. Glacier hiking 3. Highland exploration 4. Westfjords 5. North Mývatn area
Why plan this way? Because Iceland's weather is truly unpredictable. Sometimes planned activities might be impossible due to weather, requiring backup plans. During my two weeks in Iceland, I adjusted my schedule several times due to weather, but having backup plans meant the overall experience wasn't affected.
Also, pay special attention to pacing your itinerary. Don't try to pack too many sites into one day, as distances between attractions in Iceland are often long and road conditions aren't always ideal. I suggest planning maximum 2-3 main sites per day, leaving plenty of time for unexpected situations and photography.
Gas stations require PIN codes for credit cards
Photography equipment:
Waterproof covers or bags (to protect cameras)
Food tips:
Hot dogs are Iceland's cheapest fast food and quite good
Daily expenses:
Tipping isn't mandatory but 5-10% appreciated for good service
Safety notes:
Leave space for souvenirs
Time management:
Reserve one flexible day for weather changes
Transportation:
Book airport bus in advance to save money
Photography tips:
After traveling in Iceland, I deeply understand that a successful trip requires not only thorough preparation but also the right mindset. Sometimes plans change, but with adequate preparation and flexible attitude, we can find surprises in unexpected situations.
Like the sudden rainbow I encountered at Seljalandsfoss waterfall - if rain hadn't changed our original plans, we wouldn't have been there at that perfect moment. This taught me that every unexpected event in travel might be a gift from heaven.
Finally, I want to say that travel's meaning lies not just in what we see, but in how the experience changes us. Through this Iceland trip, I learned not only better trip planning and saving unnecessary expenses, but more importantly, how to embrace the unknown with a more open mind and enjoy every moment of the journey.
I hope these experiences help those planning to visit Iceland, making your journey smoother and full of unforgettable memories. Remember, the best travel isn't about spending the most money, but experiencing unique stories in the most suitable way.
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