Nordic Countries - Thinking of Iceland

Been seeing and reading some nice write ups on Iceland and have started looking at a trip. Looking at a 5 day trip in either May or June, I understand the weather should be pleasant around this time, but is there a better time to make this trip? And should I adjust the schedule plus or minus a day? Is there more to see with an extra day? Or will I get bored and should shorten the trip?

Hi,

My guess would be that spring is a good time to go to Iceland, just as my trip in November was a good time. Not too crowded with a lot of tourists, but the weather should probably be past its worst.

I did a 5 day trip. If I would do it again, I would rent a car 3 days instead of 2(possibly have a day of organised excursions) and only stay in Reykjavik for 2 days (of which one is Blue Lagoon). I would even consider driving around the whole island, and spend a night or two in another place than Reykjavik.

In my opinion, Reykjavik isn't much to see. One day is more than enough and the best parts in Reykjavik are the fabulous restaurants. However, you don't have to go far outside Reykjavik to see amazing things, and that's why staying in Reykjavik and renting a car and making day-trips from Reykjavik is not a bad option.

Niksal

Iceland is a destination that defies words! I'd allow a day for Reykjavik ... good half day tour with Reykjavik Excursions visiting the Presidential Residence, Perlan etc and then wandering ... possibly having a meal at the Seabaron eatery and visiting Puffin Island, and there's lots of other things to see from Reykjavik, bearing in mind that some of the days are long ones .......... Snaefellsness peninsula, Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon, (these are the long days), and the Golden Circle and a half day at the Blue Lagoon ... really relaxing.

Car hire is very expensive, especially if you are hiring from the airport. You might consider taking the flybus for your transfers instead and hiring from the city centre. Should you want to explore without the stress of driving and perhaps even going off-road, up a volcano or onto a glacier, might I recommend the company we used - Iceland On Track (Omar Sigurdsson, Tel. +354 899 5438, Oli J Kristjansson, Tel. +354 895 0985, www.icelandontrack.com) - as we got to experience 'real' Iceland in the capable hands of well-informed and most friendly locals.

You'll have a great time whatever you choose to do.

Do they rent bicycles or motorscooters there?

Do they rent bicycles or motorscooters there?

Try these - http://borgarhjol.net/english. I have no first hand experience with them but they're closely associated with the Youth Hostel so I assume they're good at what they do.

Do they rent bicycles or motorscooters there?


Motorcyle rentals:

http://www.rental-motorcycle.com/europe/iceland/reykjavik_rental.html

http://www.bluemountain.is/rental/

Thanks for the tips.

I would love to do this on a bike as well, but the costs compared to getting a econo car just doesn't seem to make sense.

Been seeing and reading some nice write ups on Iceland and have started looking at a trip. Looking at a 5 day trip in either May or June, I understand the weather should be pleasant around this time, but is there a better time to make this trip? And should I adjust the schedule plus or minus a day? Is there more to see with an extra day? Or will I get bored and should shorten the trip?

Be sure that you get out of Reykjavik while you're there. You can take a bus out to the eastern side of the country via Landmannalaugar, which is an amazing trip and easier to do than be yourself.

I would rather come in June than May. You are more likely to have warmer weather then, than in May.

Rent a muscle car!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_D6nxAa7rA

I wonder if I could work out a visit with Björk whenever I make a trip there?

Note that she is here only about 1/3 of the year.

I´ve heard that some people suggest you to rent a 4 wheel drive. Do you really need to do that? Won´t a normal small car be sufficient if you come in summer or late spring?

Make time to visit the National Museum in Reykjavik. Great "stuff" and when I was there in 2006, a baggage carousel was part of one of the exhibits.

I´ve heard that some people suggest you to rent a 4 wheel drive. Do you really need to do that? Won´t a normal small car be sufficient if you come in summer or late spring?

Depends on where you want to go. When you leave the large roads it can get really rough.

I´ve heard that some people suggest you to rent a 4 wheel drive. Do you really need to do that? Won´t a normal small car be sufficient if you come in summer or late spring?

It depends on where you want to go. Small cars are restricted to the area directly around Reykjavik. You're able to drive out to Geysir and Thingvellir no problem, but you will not be able to drive to the remoter locations of Iceland. For that, you will need a 4x4. Things might have changed since I was there last, but I remember that detail very clearly. It was a cover on the steering wheel that told us that, along with advising us that "Sheeps do not obey road laws".

Also, if you intend to go into the central part of the country, you will be fjording rivers once the road stops. It's best to have a guide. Insurance doesn't cover pulling your 4x4 out of the river/water damage from that I remember reading.

Small cars are restricted to the area directly around Reykjavik.

This is simply wrong. You can of course go throughout the country, including vast "tunnels to nowhere" which seem to be there in great numbers - a legacy of the boom years.

Most car rentals restrict you from mountain roads (F-roads) irrespective of the car you rent.

Been seeing and reading some nice write ups on Iceland and have started looking at a trip. Looking at a 5 day trip in either May or June, I understand the weather should be pleasant around this time.

I was there first week of June and the temps were brisk by my standards- highs in the upper 40's and lows in the upper 30's F.

This is simply wrong. You can of course go throughout the country, including vast "tunnels to nowhere" which seem to be there in great numbers - a legacy of the boom years.

Just reporting my experience, sir: Picked up rental car at the bus terminal in Reykjavik across from the airport. There was a sign on the wheel which had a "YES" and "NO" map on it. Only the area around Reykjavik was marked "YES", with the entire eastern half of the country marked "NO". Also, "Sheeps do not obey traffic laws". I guess it's YMMV.