Reykjavik in december

[petemurphy]

following on from another thread has anyone been to reykjavik in december - looking at going just before christmas.

is it christmassy? is it silly expensive? is the weather tolerable?

thanks

[chopper602]

Going to be very dark . . . average of about 5 hours daylight in December

[QuartzDad]

We went in Feb this year.

petemurphy said:

is it silly expensive?

Hilarously so.

[petemurphy]

QuartzDad said:

Hilarously so.

in what way - we're not into fine dining etc just want normal meal with 8 year old in tow is that still silly price?

thanks

[hacksaw]

petemurphy said:

in what way - we're not into fine dining etc just want normal meal with 8 year old in tow is that still silly price?

thanks

I stayed briefly at the hotel at Keflavik airport earlier this year for business, if I remember correctly, fish and chips and a couple of pints was about £35 - £40.

[caelite]

hacksaw said:

petemurphy said:

in what way - we're not into fine dining etc just want normal meal with 8 year old in tow is that still silly price?

thanks

I stayed briefly at the hotel at Keflavik airport earlier this year for business, if I remember correctly, fish and chips and a couple of pints was about £35 - £40.

Yeah, I've been twice, once in March where I saw the fairly dramatic Icelandic transition between winter & summer, one night the temperature just decided to jump 10 degrees and melt all the snow. And yeah it is fairly silly expensive, expect ~£15/head for a casual restaurant 'main', drinks in a bar are £5-10. Don't fall into the trap I did & pre-drink in the hotel & forget the currency exchange before you go out, not realising how much 1800krona (about £8.50 at the time) actually was until after ordering a half dozen 'cheap' pints.

[silverthorn2151]

My chums visited last year and cheerily tell of a pizza meal for 2 costing > £150. I say cheerily, I mean through gritted teeth.

[V1nce Fox]

IT was the crappiest bit of Iceland for me.

[djc206]

It’ll either be wet or beautiful and snow covered, you take your chances with Iceland.

Food is fairly expensive but you could get an Air BnB and cook yourself of course.

I love Iceland and I’ve had so many good nights out in reykjavik but I can’t see it being a great place to take an 8 year old in the depths of winter.

[craig1912]

Loved it but not sure I’d go with an eight year old.
Yes it’s expensive (house wine £35, beer £9 (although happy hours are available and fairly non fine dining meal £35-£50 a head), but fantastic place both the city and the scenery

[coffeebreath]

I went in first week of Jan, recorded -14 celsius on the drive out of Reykjavik. £6 for a 250ml of craft beer IIRC.
Better spent your money hiring a car... the drive to Geysir and back through Thingvellir national park can be done in half a day.
Of course it's christmassy, everywhere is snow and ice and the houses are quite quirky and the city is nicely lit.

[QuartzDad]

petemurphy said:

in what way - we're not into fine dining etc just want normal meal with 8 year old in tow is that still silly price?

thanks

4 x 330ml craft beers = £52
Dinner for two with one bottle of wine = £170
Perlan museum = £28
2 x taking a bath with 400 strangers = £195
6" Subway = £6.50 (the only reasonably priced thing I saw)

And my favourite, two ready made sandwiches, 2 x 500ml water, 2 small yoghurts, small bag of pastries from a supermarket = £42

Edited by QuartzDad on Tuesday 15th October 21:39

[QuartzDad]

chopper602 said:

Going to be very dark . . . average of about 5 hours daylight in December

Good point, will be pretty dismal.

1st December
Sunrise 10:44
Sunset 15:47

21st December
Sunrise 11:22
Sunset 15:28

[Coilspring]

Agree with all comments. Food and drink is expensive. Very expensive.

But would add, don't underestimate the cold. Especially if you get to any windswept areas.

And boots with good grip if you go to any out of the city sights. Physically difficult to stand and walk in some places.

But great place to go. Almost certain to see the northern lights in December too.

Edited by Coilspring on Tuesday 15th October 23:24

[M42L]

Agree with all the above. Have heard that Costco if you are a member is a place to stock up on. If in dire need of wine, and you will be with 5hrs of day light, head to the Vinbuin state run stores. Check the restrictive opening hours. I only consoled my partner with the cost of Iceland last year with this years jaunt around Switzerland saying ‘this would be twice the price in Iceland’ gulp!

[djc206]

M42L said:

Agree with all the above. Have heard that Costco if you are a member is a place to stock up on. If in dire need of wine, and you will be with 5hrs of day light, head to the Vinbuin state run stores. Check the restrictive opening hours. I only consoled my partner with the cost of Iceland last year with this years jaunt around Switzerland saying ‘this would be twice the price in Iceland’ gulp!

The Appy Hour App will see you drinking in Iceland for the same as you would in the UK and a fraction of the cost of Switzerland.