Iceland on my own without driving
#1
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Join Date: May 2008
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Iceland on my own without driving
I'm considering going to Iceland in June 2019. I don't drive so exploring the country by myself won't be possible. Would I be OK basing myself in the capital and taking a few day trips around? Would 7-10 days be too much there? I'll have 2.5 weeks off from work so maybe I could combine Iceland with somewhere else in Europe...
#2
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
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I'm considering going to Iceland in June 2019. I don't drive so exploring the country by myself won't be possible. Would I be OK basing myself in the capital and taking a few day trips around? Would 7-10 days be too much there? I'll have 2.5 weeks off from work so maybe I could combine Iceland with somewhere else in Europe...
But three days would be plenty. Hop over to London! Three hours by plane, and reasonable air fares.
#3
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Join Date: May 2008
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There are interesting day trips in Reykjavik, including an excellent one to a volcano, another to boiling springs. Sightseeing in the city is also nice, and the Blue Lagoon deserves a visit despite naysayers' claim it's a tourist trap. And after all, when you return home the first question you'll be asked is whether you went there.
But three days would be plenty. Hop over to London! Three hours by plane, and reasonable air fares.
But three days would be plenty. Hop over to London! Three hours by plane, and reasonable air fares.
I could maybe add a few places in between as I have 2.5 weeks total off from work. For some reason, Finland and Sweden are also interesting to me...
#4
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
We looking into doing a 7-day tour around Iceland, till someone's schedule changed so we doing some day tours instead (up to 14 hours!).
With a 7-day tour, you hop on in Reykjavik and go around the ring road, stopping off at a different hotel each night. These tours are usually small, with only 19 passengers. And you can get to places not possible to get from on a day trip.
With a 7-day tour, you hop on in Reykjavik and go around the ring road, stopping off at a different hotel each night. These tours are usually small, with only 19 passengers. And you can get to places not possible to get from on a day trip.
#5
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We looking into doing a 7-day tour around Iceland, till someone's schedule changed so we doing some day tours instead (up to 14 hours!).
With a 7-day tour, you hop on in Reykjavik and go around the ring road, stopping off at a different hotel each night. These tours are usually small, with only 19 passengers. And you can get to places not possible to get from on a day trip.
With a 7-day tour, you hop on in Reykjavik and go around the ring road, stopping off at a different hotel each night. These tours are usually small, with only 19 passengers. And you can get to places not possible to get from on a day trip.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
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I just came back from a week in London but I actually just saw a cheap fare that would take me to London and I would fly back home from Reykjavik. I would be in Reykjavik for my birthday and their national holiday.
I could maybe add a few places in between as I have 2.5 weeks total off from work. For some reason, Finland and Sweden are also interesting to me...
I could maybe add a few places in between as I have 2.5 weeks total off from work. For some reason, Finland and Sweden are also interesting to me...
#7
Join Date: Apr 2016
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I did a small day tour with an outfit called GeoIceland Tours.
I found the Golden Circle Tour to be really nice. Small bus. Fun people. Great guide.
That being said, I had a quick 2 night stay. I could have done a 3rd day, but that would be about it.
I found Iceland fascinating, but too stark and cold for my tastes, and I was there in June. I am glad I went, I have no compelling desire to return.
I went on to Germany and had a blast there.
I found the Golden Circle Tour to be really nice. Small bus. Fun people. Great guide.
That being said, I had a quick 2 night stay. I could have done a 3rd day, but that would be about it.
I found Iceland fascinating, but too stark and cold for my tastes, and I was there in June. I am glad I went, I have no compelling desire to return.
I went on to Germany and had a blast there.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Multi day tours are the best option, either a couple 2-3 day tours or that Around the Island tour, although 7 days is an Express Ring Road trip
There is also this option: https://www.re.is/iceland-on-your-own/ that might work for you, taking buses from place to place on your own schedule
There is also this option: https://www.re.is/iceland-on-your-own/ that might work for you, taking buses from place to place on your own schedule
#10
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Strangeville
Posts: 29
Yh, there are many day tours you can enjoy directly from Reykjavik.
Most famous tours are the Golden Circle and Vík, the south coast, Jokursarlon, and Snaesfellness peninsula.
You can also join a Whale watching tour from the old harbor in Reykjavik!
Sadly, the agency-made round trips would mean huge groups...
Most famous tours are the Golden Circle and Vík, the south coast, Jokursarlon, and Snaesfellness peninsula.
You can also join a Whale watching tour from the old harbor in Reykjavik!
Sadly, the agency-made round trips would mean huge groups...
#12
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Belgium
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Posts: 146
I went to Reykjavik in 2011, only 2 weeks after the last major eruption (the one of the Grimsvötn) and before Iceland became a tourist hotspot.
I stayed for 5 days and took 3 day trips from Reykjavik:
- combi tour Whale watching and Golden Circle. Bus ride with 5 people in total: bus driver, his wife, another tourist, my sister and me so rather empty bus but so nice and calm
- trip to Thorsmork valley and the base of the Eyjafjallajökull. guide + 5 people in a jeep. The movie the guide made that day is still online
- trip to Vik with stops along several waterfalls. Again in a jeep so small group.
The first day I spend walking through Reykjavik and the last day was for the Blue Lagoon and flying back home.
I stayed for 5 days and took 3 day trips from Reykjavik:
- combi tour Whale watching and Golden Circle. Bus ride with 5 people in total: bus driver, his wife, another tourist, my sister and me so rather empty bus but so nice and calm
- trip to Thorsmork valley and the base of the Eyjafjallajökull. guide + 5 people in a jeep. The movie the guide made that day is still online
The first day I spend walking through Reykjavik and the last day was for the Blue Lagoon and flying back home.
#13
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I just came back from a week in London but I actually just saw a cheap fare that would take me to London and I would fly back home from Reykjavik. I would be in Reykjavik for my birthday and their national holiday.
I could maybe add a few places in between as I have 2.5 weeks total off from work. For some reason, Finland and Sweden are also interesting to me...
I could maybe add a few places in between as I have 2.5 weeks total off from work. For some reason, Finland and Sweden are also interesting to me...
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I don't think Iceland National Day is too big a deal for the average tourist. Yes, some pools and museums are closed. But it's not like they shut the waterfalls off or dim the midnight sun