Discussion
I’m looking at doing the loop around Iceland next year. Perhaps May although I could go anytime.
Has anyone done this? I’m a bit concerned that it’s going to be like the NC500, full of tourists (yes I get the irony) and the locals hating it.
Is it easy to get accommodation? Anything else I should know?
Drawweight said:
I’m looking at doing the loop around Iceland next year. Perhaps May although I could go anytime.
Has anyone done this? I’m a bit concerned that it’s going to be like the NC500, full of tourists (yes I get the irony) and the locals hating it.
Is it easy to get accommodation? Anything else I should know?
Done it a few years back, great trip, would recommend to anyone.Has anyone done this? I’m a bit concerned that it’s going to be like the NC500, full of tourists (yes I get the irony) and the locals hating it.
Is it easy to get accommodation? Anything else I should know?
Accomodation wasn't too bad, but we camped most of the time. If you're looking to hotel/hostel it then plan ahead. Camping sites and facilities were pretty good.
We went in September and it wasn't too bad with tourists, bar the obvious areas. Food options outside the tourist traps and Reykjavik weren't great, but we didn't go hungry.
Locals were great, I would imagine if you aren't being a dick then they'll be fine with you.
Roads were pretty good. We did it all in a rented Toyota Yaris and had no problems at all, though we didn't stray off the main roads too much.
There is a website/app which keeps updated about volcanos and what roads might be closed. Worth keeping an eye on as situation can be 'fluid' and detours are not always pleasant. There was lave flows when we were there but didn't cause us any problems. Seeing the red glow on the horizon was pretty cool though.
Don't hesitate to go, you absolutely won't regret it.
They're about to implement a per-km tax on Hybrid/EV/Plug-In because they aren't earning enough from fuel duty. It's due to be implemented 1st July and is causing carnage with car rental companies. You won't see anything about it if you do a search on Expedia/Rentalcars etc, but if you are at all concerned, it's likely to add a good £20-30 per day to most rentals depending on how they implement it. The fee is only 2-6isk per km, but there is talk of blended daily charges or admin fees on top.
Iceland is already challenging due to the various on/off-road insurance options, hail, sand/gravel/volcano coverage etc, so do some research before committing.
Iceland is already challenging due to the various on/off-road insurance options, hail, sand/gravel/volcano coverage etc, so do some research before committing.
Outside of the golden circle where all the tour groups go, it's pretty much totally empty.
Hotels can be pretty sparse so I'd plan a route and book in advance rather than winging it, similar to the NC500 in that regard.
I probably wouldn't try going on any of the F roads (don't think they're open in May anyway) unless you're feeling adventurous. Most of the main attractions are accessible via normal roads. Speeding is very tempting given the lack of traffic but I got caught by a copper from very far away doing 110kph (NSL is 90kph) and ended up £200 poorer.
Overall it's one of the best places in the world for a road trip, the variety of scenery is like nothing else. Get it booked!
Hotels can be pretty sparse so I'd plan a route and book in advance rather than winging it, similar to the NC500 in that regard.
I probably wouldn't try going on any of the F roads (don't think they're open in May anyway) unless you're feeling adventurous. Most of the main attractions are accessible via normal roads. Speeding is very tempting given the lack of traffic but I got caught by a copper from very far away doing 110kph (NSL is 90kph) and ended up £200 poorer.
Overall it's one of the best places in the world for a road trip, the variety of scenery is like nothing else. Get it booked!
Assuming an anti clockwise tour once you get past Jokulsarlon you’ll likely not meet many tourists until you hit Akureyri and even then not a huge number. I loved the area around Akureyri and Vik when I went before Christmas. After you leave Akureyri heading west it’s very non touristy. I drove out to Fosslaug one day and saw no other tourists at all. If you’re doing it the other way reverse the order of my comments!
I rented a Suzuki Jimny for my time there and bloody loved it, a few minor off roading experiences and quite a lot of sliding around. As above be careful with speeding. The Jimny was the perfect choice there as at anything over 100km/h it’s unbearably noisy so I kept it at or below that which on ice and snow felt more than enough anyway.
I rented a Suzuki Jimny for my time there and bloody loved it, a few minor off roading experiences and quite a lot of sliding around. As above be careful with speeding. The Jimny was the perfect choice there as at anything over 100km/h it’s unbearably noisy so I kept it at or below that which on ice and snow felt more than enough anyway.
Worth ticking the extra boxes for the insurance. I've driven through their dust storms. They do strip paint. I saw a couple who'd cracked the plastic grill over the radiator. On return they were charged well over a £1000 quid for the part. They did have the full insurance and parts have to be shipped over.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff