Iceland - what do I need to take?
Discussion
I went for the 2nd time. Over Christmas.
1. Firstly buy cheap crampons
2. I forgot how much it was to eat out and we couldn't really afford this ??. Luckily lots of our accommodation had a kitchenette. That said was around £1600 for 2, all in, including a 4x4.
3. Scrub the blue lagoon and head to the geothermal river just out of selfoss (around an hours walk through the mountains in the snow)
4. Watch out for Chinese drivers. They can't drive. Had to flash about 1 in 4 on coming cars just driving with full beams on. They stop on the side of the road, have no awareness and are generally space cadets.
5. Keep an eye on the road condition website. - I failed to do this and had to drive 50miles on sheet ice.
6. It wasn't that cold when we went, around 0 degrees, layers are key to stop the windchill.
7.keep some supplies in the car if driving.
8.you don't really need cash, next time I wouldn't take any cash with me.
9. Download offline maps on Google maps, super handy to navigate by GPS with your phone/tablet.
1. Firstly buy cheap crampons
2. I forgot how much it was to eat out and we couldn't really afford this ??. Luckily lots of our accommodation had a kitchenette. That said was around £1600 for 2, all in, including a 4x4.
3. Scrub the blue lagoon and head to the geothermal river just out of selfoss (around an hours walk through the mountains in the snow)
4. Watch out for Chinese drivers. They can't drive. Had to flash about 1 in 4 on coming cars just driving with full beams on. They stop on the side of the road, have no awareness and are generally space cadets.
5. Keep an eye on the road condition website. - I failed to do this and had to drive 50miles on sheet ice.
6. It wasn't that cold when we went, around 0 degrees, layers are key to stop the windchill.
7.keep some supplies in the car if driving.
8.you don't really need cash, next time I wouldn't take any cash with me.
9. Download offline maps on Google maps, super handy to navigate by GPS with your phone/tablet.
Edited by orangesrule on Wednesday 10th January 20:10
Cobnapint said:
+1 on the Chinese drivers. We saw only two examples of stand out poor driving all fortnight, and both fitted that description.
+2 we drove the golden circle the night after fresh snow and each and every bit of poor driving we witnessed was by someone who like you say fitted that description.I found once on clear roads overtaking them and getting well clear (they love to dawdle) seemed to work.
orangesrule said:
I went for the 2nd time. Over Christmas.
1. Firstly buy cheap crampons
2. I forgot how much it was to eat out and we couldn't really afford this ??. Luckily lots of our accommodation had a kitchenette. That said was around £1600 for 2, all in, including a 4x4.
3. Scrub the blue lagoon and head to the geothermal river just out of selfoss (around an hours walk through the mountains in the snow)
4. Watch out for Chinese drivers. They can't drive. Had to flash about 1 in 4 on coming cars just driving with full beams on. They stop on the side of the road, have no awareness and are generally space cadets.
5. Keep an eye on the road condition website. - I failed to do this and had to drive 50miles on sheet ice.
6. It wasn't that cold when we went, around 0 degrees, layers are key to stop the windchill.
7.keep some supplies in the car if driving.
8.you don't really need cash, next time I wouldn't take any cash with me.
9. Download offline maps on Google maps, super handy to navigate by GPS with your phone/tablet.
Just got back yesterday. What a fabulous, crazy place. Wild, rugged, beautiful, extreme, and I will never look at another winter day in the UK and think it's anything more than just a bit "meh".1. Firstly buy cheap crampons
2. I forgot how much it was to eat out and we couldn't really afford this ??. Luckily lots of our accommodation had a kitchenette. That said was around £1600 for 2, all in, including a 4x4.
3. Scrub the blue lagoon and head to the geothermal river just out of selfoss (around an hours walk through the mountains in the snow)
4. Watch out for Chinese drivers. They can't drive. Had to flash about 1 in 4 on coming cars just driving with full beams on. They stop on the side of the road, have no awareness and are generally space cadets.
5. Keep an eye on the road condition website. - I failed to do this and had to drive 50miles on sheet ice.
6. It wasn't that cold when we went, around 0 degrees, layers are key to stop the windchill.
7.keep some supplies in the car if driving.
8.you don't really need cash, next time I wouldn't take any cash with me.
9. Download offline maps on Google maps, super handy to navigate by GPS with your phone/tablet.
Edited by orangesrule on Wednesday 10th January 20:10
On orangesrule's notes above:
1. Firstly buy cheap crampons
Yes, really really do this. I ran out of time to sort before I went but there were many times I wished I had them. There were times where amazingly the car was parked on a hill (studded tyres) and I could hardly make my way over to it. Think about that when stopping to take photos at dusk in remote areas. If you fall over, sprain an ankle and slide away from your car you could be well in the s
t very quickly!3. Scrub the blue lagoon and head to the geothermal river just out of selfoss (around an hours walk through the mountains in the snow)
We did the BL, at night as soon as we arrived. We enjoyed it...it is a little touristy I guess but arriving at the BL at 1900 it was very quiet indeed and just an amazing intro to a crazy country.
4. Watch out for Chinese drivers. They can't drive. Had to flash about 1 in 4 on coming cars just driving with full beams on. They stop on the side of the road, have no awareness and are generally space cadets.
Not just Chinese TBH. Lots of muppets with no lights (you must always drive with headlights on at any time of year by law), t
ts with unnecessary fogs or even hazards or total disregard of stopping distances.5. Keep an eye on the road condition website. - I failed to do this and had to drive 50miles on sheet ice.
Yes, although once used to it, it's not an issue.
6. It wasn't that cold when we went, around 0 degrees, layers are key to stop the windchill.
Yup...windchill can be crazy. Don't go anywhere without at least 3 layers, ice spikes, hat, gloves, neck gaiter
7.keep some supplies in the car if driving.
Definitely!
8.you don't really need cash, next time I wouldn't take any cash with me.
Only time I needed it was to park in the Harpa in Reykjavik. Comedy situation with a parking machine marked as not taking non-Icelandic cards, go to the security office, which was empty, so had to call a number,security then sent me upstairs to an ATM and change machine, however this had been removed a few days ago. The coffee shop in the Harpa took pity on us and actually emptied their tips pot to pay for our parking...amazing. Needless to say once we'd been round Reykjavik we found and ATM and paid them back (although they kept trying to refuse it!).
9.Everyone speaks perfect English. I hate being a tourist and not knowing basic phrases but really in Iceland there is no point. Although I did learn how to pronounce Eyjafjallajökull!
10. Check your hire car very carefully. Mine was a Dacia Duster 4WD, the wiper blades were crap which was a total pain. The radio aerial was missing, and the lights were terrible. Cue me in a blizzard at night reconnecting both headlamp levelling cables which sorted it. Also, don't be a cheapskate...just hire a 4x4, not a 2wd. It will probably be a Duster/Vitara but it's fine, the spiked tyres make all the difference, and it'd good to know you have a bit more snow/ice ability than a marginally cheaper 2wd. The Duster is quite capable (and I drive a Defender!)
11. Buy some lined winter hiking trousers...something like this, which were brilliant. http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/kiwi-winter-lined-trou...
12. Big parka with a furry hood is an absolute must.
13. Stock up on booze at the airport and preload in your hotel room.
14. If Aurora hunting, and assuming you are staying in Reykjavik, head up to the Thingvellir national park and find somewhere dark. You could also follow a super jeep convoy if you see one...just sayin'
15. Bend over sir. Went to a mid range restaurant and the cheapest bottle of wine was £55.00
16. Enjoy, enjoy enjoy...it's truly fabulous.
Edit...Reykjavik..."meh" to be honest. Unless you want to "do" lots of museums, set aside half a day max. Bear in mind at this time of year daylight is roughly 1100 to 1600, and Iceland has so much more incredible natural stuff to offer instead of what is TBH a fairly unremarkable little town. There's two main semi-pedestrianised streets...just do them at night and don't waste your daylight. Maritime Museum is shut for refurb until mid Feb if anyone was planning on going BTW.
Edited by Hard-Drive on Monday 15th January 12:28
Can't agree with the above comments more, amazing place. Went in November, can't wait to go back again some time in the future to see the country in summer as well.
Definitely bring some form of tripod if you want to get photo's of the Northern Lights (the real vibrant colours show up far more in a photo than to the naked eye, but you need a long exposure.) Though there's only so much a tripod can do to hold the camera steady in 30mph winds:-(
And on the same subject, download one (or more) of the Aurora apps, though checking these can become a highly addictive pursuit and can lead to dinners being wolfed down because the app say's viewing will be good in the next 15 mins.
A tip we got just before going was to bring a hip flask and buy some whisky in duty free on the way out. This was great advice as standing in the dark and cold staring at the night sky becomes a bit more bearable after a few sips. (Obviously not something to do if you're out driving, but if on a tour or within walking distance of the accommodation, it's all good.)
And i really wish I had brought some crampons, even the cheap ones are a huge step up from rubber soles on ice. The ones with big metal teeth they gave us for going to the ice cave would probably be overkill at most of the tourist destinations.
Definitely bring some form of tripod if you want to get photo's of the Northern Lights (the real vibrant colours show up far more in a photo than to the naked eye, but you need a long exposure.) Though there's only so much a tripod can do to hold the camera steady in 30mph winds:-(
And on the same subject, download one (or more) of the Aurora apps, though checking these can become a highly addictive pursuit and can lead to dinners being wolfed down because the app say's viewing will be good in the next 15 mins.
A tip we got just before going was to bring a hip flask and buy some whisky in duty free on the way out. This was great advice as standing in the dark and cold staring at the night sky becomes a bit more bearable after a few sips. (Obviously not something to do if you're out driving, but if on a tour or within walking distance of the accommodation, it's all good.)
And i really wish I had brought some crampons, even the cheap ones are a huge step up from rubber soles on ice. The ones with big metal teeth they gave us for going to the ice cave would probably be overkill at most of the tourist destinations.
Just got back.
We had a 4 days there and as bullet points are easier:
Didn't see the lights, it was stormy and mild over there (8 degrees). Just like a wet miserable day in the UK
It has 330,000 inhabitants and 6.8 million visitors a year!
Prices are VERY HIGH on most things. A beer is £9 and that's not shocking because its so much for a beer, its shocking because its just an example of the prices there. I think it is the world's most expensive place to visit.
Blue lagoon was very nice and modern
Waterfalls were very scenic
Driving is easy as there is so little on the roads. We had a Subaru Forrester which was nice and didn't have any issues with other drivers.
It would have looked lovely in the snow (90% had melted) but given how much driving we did I was slightly glad it wasn't snowing.
It was so mild we never used our cramp-ons, thermal undies, or even warm socks. As above you defiantly need a good coat that blocks out the wind, ideally with a hood.
We had a good time but for me there wasn't much 'wow' as there was for others on here, probably because a windy, cold and wet country anywhere is always a bit depressing. I am sure in the snow it'd more 'picture postcard'.
Would I go back? No.it was interesting but nothing more than that for me.
We had a 4 days there and as bullet points are easier:
Didn't see the lights, it was stormy and mild over there (8 degrees). Just like a wet miserable day in the UK
It has 330,000 inhabitants and 6.8 million visitors a year!
Prices are VERY HIGH on most things. A beer is £9 and that's not shocking because its so much for a beer, its shocking because its just an example of the prices there. I think it is the world's most expensive place to visit.
Blue lagoon was very nice and modern
Waterfalls were very scenic
Driving is easy as there is so little on the roads. We had a Subaru Forrester which was nice and didn't have any issues with other drivers.
It would have looked lovely in the snow (90% had melted) but given how much driving we did I was slightly glad it wasn't snowing.
It was so mild we never used our cramp-ons, thermal undies, or even warm socks. As above you defiantly need a good coat that blocks out the wind, ideally with a hood.
We had a good time but for me there wasn't much 'wow' as there was for others on here, probably because a windy, cold and wet country anywhere is always a bit depressing. I am sure in the snow it'd more 'picture postcard'.
Would I go back? No.it was interesting but nothing more than that for me.
Frimley111R said:
Just got back.
We had a 4 days there and as bullet points are easier:
Didn't see the lights, it was stormy and mild over there (8 degrees). Just like a wet miserable day in the UK
It has 330,000 inhabitants and 6.8 million visitors a year!
Prices are VERY HIGH on most things. A beer is £9 and that's not shocking because its so much for a beer, its shocking because its just an example of the prices there. I think it is the world's most expensive place to visit.
Blue lagoon was very nice and modern
Waterfalls were very scenic
Driving is easy as there is so little on the roads. We had a Subaru Forrester which was nice and didn't have any issues with other drivers.
It would have looked lovely in the snow (90% had melted) but given how much driving we did I was slightly glad it wasn't snowing.
It was so mild we never used our cramp-ons, thermal undies, or even warm socks. As above you defiantly need a good coat that blocks out the wind, ideally with a hood.
We had a good time but for me there wasn't much 'wow' as there was for others on here, probably because a windy, cold and wet country anywhere is always a bit depressing. I am sure in the snow it'd more 'picture postcard'.
Would I go back? No.it was interesting but nothing more than that for me.
Sorry to hear that, but you aren't likely to get anywhere near the full experience in just 4 days. I'm guessing you did the touristy Golden Circle. That's good, but there are far better sights and experiences going Eastwards beyond Selfoss to be had. The scenery along the South coast is stunning, a giant 4x4 trip up Eyjafjallajökull is amazing, then there's the whale watching in Husavik in the North, ice lagoon boat trips up to the leading face of a giant glacier, plus you'll give yourself more chance of seeing the Northern Lights which are mesmerising, especially if they are directly overhead like they were for us at the Hotel Hali near Jökulsárlón.We had a 4 days there and as bullet points are easier:
Didn't see the lights, it was stormy and mild over there (8 degrees). Just like a wet miserable day in the UK
It has 330,000 inhabitants and 6.8 million visitors a year!
Prices are VERY HIGH on most things. A beer is £9 and that's not shocking because its so much for a beer, its shocking because its just an example of the prices there. I think it is the world's most expensive place to visit.
Blue lagoon was very nice and modern
Waterfalls were very scenic
Driving is easy as there is so little on the roads. We had a Subaru Forrester which was nice and didn't have any issues with other drivers.
It would have looked lovely in the snow (90% had melted) but given how much driving we did I was slightly glad it wasn't snowing.
It was so mild we never used our cramp-ons, thermal undies, or even warm socks. As above you defiantly need a good coat that blocks out the wind, ideally with a hood.
We had a good time but for me there wasn't much 'wow' as there was for others on here, probably because a windy, cold and wet country anywhere is always a bit depressing. I am sure in the snow it'd more 'picture postcard'.
Would I go back? No.it was interesting but nothing more than that for me.
Not being funny, but it sounds like you didn't touch it.
You need two weeks really to do it properly, and even then you can't see all the peninsulas and fjords.
For the thousandth time you do not need to pay £9 for a beer in Reykjavik. Use the Appy Hour App and it’ll be no more expensive than the U.K.
I’d second the recommendation to take a superjeep up to Eyjafjalljokull. I went years ago before it went pop and have been back since. Snowmobiles on Langjokull. Driving along to Jokulsarlon past Vatnajokull. It’s an incredible place.
I’d second the recommendation to take a superjeep up to Eyjafjalljokull. I went years ago before it went pop and have been back since. Snowmobiles on Langjokull. Driving along to Jokulsarlon past Vatnajokull. It’s an incredible place.
Whilst 4 days might not be enough it is plenty to get a feel for the place. We went for four days and loved it and could have had a few more days there if self driving.
Yep it is expensive (food and alcohol)and paid £8 a couple of times for a beer (later in the evening out of happy hour) but also paid £4 at happy hour.
I too would go back as would like to see some snow - we went in September and whilst very cold was clear blue sky and sunny.
Yep it is expensive (food and alcohol)and paid £8 a couple of times for a beer (later in the evening out of happy hour) but also paid £4 at happy hour.
I too would go back as would like to see some snow - we went in September and whilst very cold was clear blue sky and sunny.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff