Iceland’s capital requires some capital. Rating excessive on many “costliest cities in Europe” lists, Reykjavík just isn’t low-cost.
As with all Icelandic vacation spot, it’s oh-so-easy to be lured in with a flight which may be comparatively reasonably priced to different continental locations. However as soon as your boots are on the bottom, this volcanically morphed peninsula of a metropolis can really feel like a very unplanned spending spree.
Many components contribute to this, together with the necessity to import items to the island nation, plus excessive taxes and excessive common wages for the inhabitants of 200,000-plus dwelling all through the Larger Reykjavík area.
However there are methods to save cash in Reykjavík, and on a regular basis transactions are the place you will see probably the most alternatives, together with transportation, meals and passes for the largest sights. Listed here are some suggestions as you benefit from the metropolis’s bayside panorama, and the pleasant locals dwelling inside it.
For higher offers, avoid the summer time months
June by way of August are pure bliss in Reykjavík and past. Temperatures are the warmest all yr (with highs within the mid-50s°F), and the “midnight solar” radiates for 20-plus hours a day. That is when of us flock to town, so issues are dearer. January by way of Could is the timeframe for discounted flights and lodging.
Ebook your resort as far upfront as potential
As a lot of a tourism hotspot as Reykjavík could be, it does not have an infinite provide of lodging choices, or low cost resort websites to talk of. Whether or not you are a sequence resort (Icelandair and Fosshotel being well-liked), a boutique possibility or an Airbnb or guesthouse, e book properly upfront. Ready till you get to Reykjavík received’t prevent cash, and you might not have any choices on the final minute.
Fly to Reykjavík and weigh your choices
To achieve Reykjavík from worldwide locations in North America and Europe, Icelandair stays the go-to. Iceland’s flag-bearing service is headquartered outdoors of the capital at Keflavík Worldwide Airport, the place it has a whole bunch of nonstop and connecting flights per week.
Twenty-three different airways function out of the airport as properly, together with European funds carriers Play, EasyJet and Wizz. Keep watch over cut price fares from the low cost carriers, however be sure to learn the superb print for any in-flight or baggage up-charges.
Get to town middle by bus
Keflavík Worldwide Airport is situated roughly 50km (31 miles) southwest of Reykjavík’s city core. This may equate to a hefty taxi or shuttle price and take roughly 45 minutes, so the airport is a superb spot to get acquainted with the bus system, or Strætó.
The journey could take a bit of bit longer – usually an hour and 10 minutes – however line 55 goes backwards and forwards between the airport and metropolis middle, with one-way fares operating roughly $15. Past line 55, Strætó has greater than 50 complete routes all through the area, with buses usually stopping each quarter-hour on weekdays and half-hour on weekends.
Move on the bottled water
Whereas “don’t drink the faucet water” is a mantra that ought to completely be adhered to in some locations, this isn’t one in all them. Reykjavík has a number of the purest water of any metropolis you’ll discover, generated from Iceland’s untouched springs. So save the $3 to $4 per bottle – it’s not needed right here.
Stroll across the metropolis (or take a free strolling tour)
Reykjavík is a really walkable metropolis, the place you could be to the Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, Hljómskála Park and museums galore in a matter of minutes. Guided strolling excursions can assist you get your bearings, and there are a number of across the metropolis for a price; of the free choices, CityWalk is among the many finest. Simply be sure to tip your information.
Go for a a lot, a lot smaller geothermal expertise
Roughly 50km (31 miles) southwest of central Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon will get quite a lot of Instagram love. However you don’t need to enterprise out of town’s confines to get your geothermal spa on. The Grottá Scorching Pool is a way more intimate possibility, located within the coastal city of Grottá with a white lighthouse. It’s simply 5km (3 miles) northwest of town middle.
Snag a Reykjavík Metropolis Card for main financial savings on huge sights
If swimming pools, museums and bus journey are all on the Reykjavík itinerary, the Reykjavík City Card is a no brainer. With 24-, 48- and 72-hour choices, the cardboard grants holders free entry into the entire metropolis’s swimming swimming pools, free bus journey (excluding the airport route) and complimentary entry at choose museums. The price of a 24-hour cross is roughly $30.
Purchase your booze strategically
Iceland has one of many highest alcohol taxes on the planet – upwards of 75% of the acquisition worth of a bottle of booze – so if you are going to have a bottle of vino or Brennivín readily available in your Reykjavík journey, you might need to fill up on the airport’s duty-free shops. In any other case, control comfortable hours – usually throughout the 4pm to 7pm timeframe – alongside the pub-clad Laugavegur avenue and surrounding areas.
Snag the “finest scorching canine on the town” on the fly
Avenue meals is on the rise in Reykjavík, with meals halls, resembling Hlemmur Mathöll and the Outdated Harbour’s Grandi Mathöll, taking middle stage.
Typically made with Icelandic lamb, scorching canines are an affordable cultural expertise right here. The unassuming Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – translating to “the most effective scorching canine on the town” – stays an on-the-go heavyweight and has seven areas all through town. A scorching canine and soda runs lower than $6.
Store the Kolaportið market
Positive, there are dear purchasing choices aplenty within the Kringlan mega mall and alongside Laugavegur. However for price-conscious keepsakes, handmade Icelandic items and native meals, the Kolaportið market is as uniquely Reykjavík because it will get. It’s throughout the road from Reykjavík Harbor and Reykjavík Artwork Museum’s Hafnarhús, and open on weekends.
Each day prices
Hostel room: $45–50
Primary room for 2: $160–175
Self-catering house (together with Airbnb): $225–250
Public transport ticket: $3.50
Espresso: $4–6
Sandwich: $10–15
Dinner for 2: $90–100
Beer/pint on the bar: $7.50–10
