Iceland in January
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just wondering if there are any Icelandic PHers around who could let me know whether it's a good idea to visit Reykjavik and the surrounding areas in the second half of January?
I've looked up the daylight hours around then and we're prepared for it to be cold as well. I was more wondering whether January is usually crisp and clear (& good for northern lights!) or whether the mid-winter is more cloudy and murky, as obviously the scenery is the no.1 reason for going. Overall any comments on visiting at this time of year are welcome and appreciated.
Cheers,
Tom.
Just wondering if there are any Icelandic PHers around who could let me know whether it's a good idea to visit Reykjavik and the surrounding areas in the second half of January?
I've looked up the daylight hours around then and we're prepared for it to be cold as well. I was more wondering whether January is usually crisp and clear (& good for northern lights!) or whether the mid-winter is more cloudy and murky, as obviously the scenery is the no.1 reason for going. Overall any comments on visiting at this time of year are welcome and appreciated.
Cheers,
Tom.
I was thinking about going towards the end of Feb and contacted a travel agent, went through a list of what they had adevrtised on their website and got "no that's not available / that's closed / they don't start until April" etc. etc. Travel around the country outside of the big towns and cities requires a 4x4 much of the in winter I think (these are proper 4x4's with huge wheels and very expensive to rent). The northern lights are supposed to best around the equinoxes, so Sept and March 21st-ish. I decided against it in the end, it may be ok but the impression I got was much of the tourist industry was wrapped up for the winter so it was pretty much organize it yourself.
If you're interested there seems to be more chance of organized trips (if that's what you want) in Northern Norway and Scandanavia or Greenland or so all the emails I keep getting from the travel companies I contacted would imply.
If you're interested there seems to be more chance of organized trips (if that's what you want) in Northern Norway and Scandanavia or Greenland or so all the emails I keep getting from the travel companies I contacted would imply.
ninemill said:
Hi guys,
Just wondering if there are any Icelandic PHers around who could let me know whether it's a good idea to visit Reykjavik and the surrounding areas in the second half of January?
I've looked up the daylight hours around then and we're prepared for it to be cold as well. I was more wondering whether January is usually crisp and clear (& good for northern lights!) or whether the mid-winter is more cloudy and murky, as obviously the scenery is the no.1 reason for going. Overall any comments on visiting at this time of year are welcome and appreciated.
Cheers,
Tom.
Been there at the end of December purchasing a Fishing Vessel some years ago. It was cold, windy and dark - not suitable IMHO for a holiday that time of year. Leave it until March/april at the earliest I suggest. Lovely place though, my initial viewing of the purchase was in September and it was great then - albeit pricey!Just wondering if there are any Icelandic PHers around who could let me know whether it's a good idea to visit Reykjavik and the surrounding areas in the second half of January?
I've looked up the daylight hours around then and we're prepared for it to be cold as well. I was more wondering whether January is usually crisp and clear (& good for northern lights!) or whether the mid-winter is more cloudy and murky, as obviously the scenery is the no.1 reason for going. Overall any comments on visiting at this time of year are welcome and appreciated.
Cheers,
Tom.
Shaolin said:
If you're interested there seems to be more chance of organized trips (if that's what you want) in Northern Norway and Scandanavia or Greenland or so all the emails I keep getting from the travel companies I contacted would imply.
I was about to say the same thing, never been to Iceland but went to northern Norway in march, was amazed at how accessible everything was given we were a couple of hundred miles north of the arctic circle. No problem driving around in our rental Audi A4, it had studded snow tires and the roads were cleared to a layer of packed snow which was perfectly drivable even up in the remote areas. We didn't partake in any dog sled, snowmobile, or snow shoeing but all seemed available. We did do a boat trip (organized the same day) for the norther lights and were lucky to see them given its a 100 year low in the solar cycle at the moment. Don't forget also that Iceland is broke, I was reading just the other day that McDonalds has just closed down its operations there as its not worth it. They may also not be too keen on Brit's given they think we nicked all their money.
I go to Iceland annually and I'd definately avoid January as the darkness can quite depressing, unless you're going for New Year, which is amazing. Icelanders are only allowed fireworks once a year, at New Year. Each person spends a small fortune on them, which are all set off at midnight which is quite a sight to behold in Reykjavik. Also they are the direct opposite of British people when it comes to Christmas Lights - it's the weirdos and oddballs in Iceland who don't have a few hundred thousand fairy lights adorning their house - they really get into the Christmas Spirit.
Despite what people say you will still be able to do most of the main touristy things in Jan such as the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Hekla, etc, however, some of the more adventurous activities won't be available as the weather will be bad and you won't see much as the days are very short. Plus they close the internal roads during the winter.
Go in Spring or summer. You'll still be able to all the snow based activities plus see alot more of the countryside. If you're going in the summer try and rent a summerhouse in the countryside - it's what all the locals do and it means you see alot more of the country. However, you'll probably need your own transport to get there. As with everything else in Iceland Car Hire is quite expensive, although the exchange rate at the moment is fantastic.
Despite what people say you will still be able to do most of the main touristy things in Jan such as the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Hekla, etc, however, some of the more adventurous activities won't be available as the weather will be bad and you won't see much as the days are very short. Plus they close the internal roads during the winter.
Go in Spring or summer. You'll still be able to all the snow based activities plus see alot more of the countryside. If you're going in the summer try and rent a summerhouse in the countryside - it's what all the locals do and it means you see alot more of the country. However, you'll probably need your own transport to get there. As with everything else in Iceland Car Hire is quite expensive, although the exchange rate at the moment is fantastic.
Shaolin said:
Travel around the country outside of the big towns and cities requires a 4x4 much of the in winter I think (these are proper 4x4's with huge wheels and very expensive to rent).
The massive 4x4's are purely for driving on Glaciers and very very serious off-roading (which is illegal in Iceland). You can get round most of the island in a normal car, however, if you want to go into the countryside you may need a small 4x4 as the roads are quite rough and if you go a long way into the country you'll need to cross some rivers (great fun). In the winter all cars going outside Reykjavik have spiked tyres, hence why you can still get around. I've done the Golden Circle at New Year in a rented Corsa without any problems.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff