Reykjavík on a funds – Lonely Planet

Iceland’s capital requires some capital. Rating excessive on many “most costly cities in Europe” lists, Reykjavík shouldn’t be low cost.

As with every 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 elements 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 residing all through the Better Reykjavík area.

However there are methods to economize 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 points of interest. Listed below are some ideas as you benefit from the metropolis’s bayside panorama, and the pleasant locals residing inside it.

For higher offers, keep away from the summer season months

June by 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 Could is the timeframe for discounted flights and lodging.

E book your lodge as far prematurely as doable

As a lot of a tourism hotspot as Reykjavík will be, it would not have an limitless provide of lodging choices, or low cost lodge websites to talk of. Whether or not you are a sequence lodge (Icelandair and Fosshotel being common), a boutique possibility or an Airbnb or guesthouse, guide nicely prematurely. Ready till you get to Reykjavík gained’t prevent cash, and it’s possible you’ll not have any choices on the final minute.

Fly to Reykjavík and weigh your choices

To succeed in 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 tons of of nonstop and connecting flights per week.

Twenty-three different airways function out of the airport as nicely, together with European funds carriers Play, EasyJet and Wizz. Control discount fares from the low cost carriers, however ensure to learn the high quality print for any in-flight or baggage up-charges.

Get to town middle by bus

Keflavík Worldwide Airport is positioned roughly 50km (31 miles) southwest of Reykjavík’s city core. This could 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 slightly bit longer – sometimes an hour and 10 minutes – however line 55 goes forwards and backwards 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 typically stopping each quarter-hour on weekdays and half-hour on weekends.

Go 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 among 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 mandatory right here.

Stroll across the metropolis (or take a free strolling tour)

Reykjavík is a really walkable metropolis, the place you will be to the Hallgrímskirkja cathedral, Hljómskála Park and museums galore in a matter of minutes. Guided strolling excursions may help 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 greatest. Simply ensure 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 a variety of Instagram love. However you don’t need to enterprise out of town’s confines to get your geothermal spa on. The Grottá Sizzling 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 massive points of interest

If swimming pools, museums and bus journey are all on the Reykjavík itinerary, the Reykjavík Metropolis Card is a no brainer. With 24-, 48- and 72-hour choices, the cardboard grants holders free entry into all the metropolis’s swimming swimming pools, free bus journey (excluding the airport route) and complimentary entry at choose museums. The price of a 24-hour move is roughly $30.

Purchase your booze strategically

Iceland has one of many highest alcohol taxes on the earth – upwards of 75% of the acquisition value of a bottle of booze – so if you are going to have a bottle of vino or Brennivín available on your Reykjavík journey, it’s possible you’ll wish to replenish on the airport’s duty-free shops. In any other case, regulate completely happy hours – typically in the course of the 4pm to 7pm time-frame – alongside the pub-clad Laugavegur road and surrounding areas.

Snag the “greatest sizzling canine on the town” on the fly

Road meals is on the rise in Reykjavík, with meals halls, resembling Hlemmur Mathöll and the Outdated Harbour’s Grandi Mathöll, taking middle stage.

Usually made with Icelandic lamb, sizzling canine are a reasonable cultural expertise right here. The unassuming Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – translating to “the perfect sizzling canine on the town” – stays an on-the-go heavyweight and has seven areas all through town. A sizzling 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 condominium (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