This is a great value DIY trip to Iceland for 3 nights, leaving from Luton on 30th November. Whilst I have seen packages for 2 and 3 night stays, they have always been more expensive and tend to be in January.
I think this time of year is perfect as you have lots going on in Reykjavik and with the start of Christmas season, it will get you in the festive spirit and it's a nice pre-Christmas break. Whilst I do think a car is a good option for exploring Iceland, I know for some people driving in the winter and in snowy and icy conditions probably puts most people off. I did it in summer and drove all round Iceland including the Westfjords and even some of the roads were scary then without bad weather!
You arrive into Iceland mid afternoon and after making your way to your hotel in central Reykjavik, you will go on your Northern Lights tour (it is best to do this on your first night as if you don't see the lights you get another tour for free so this gives you plenty of opportunity for another tour on the next two nights). Hotel pickup is included.
You will stay in Iceland for 3 nights in central Reykjavik.
Flights are with easyJet. Book on easyjet.com £102.96
Ironically, you're better off staying in the far north of the UK to see the lights. We have the advantage of better weather. Iceland is in an awful position mid Atlantic.
Personally I wouldn't visit there in November /December as the days are just to short to enjoy the absolutely stunning scenery.
rachelandgromit
12 Sep 17#15
I know this may not be helpful for this season, but we hired a motorhome with Airbnb. It doubled up as our transport and accommodation and was comfortable, had shower, toilet, heating, fridge, freezer, hob and all utensils which allowed us to cook meals. We also took around 2kg each of food into Iceland as we had hold luggage (there is a maximum limit). I think we paid around £2100 for two weeks (it was our wedding and honeymoon) but we saved such a lot by cooking our own meals and would have had to pay for a car in addition to accommodation otherwise.
We were able to do omelette for breakfast, along with the lovely Skyr yoghurt, pasta dishes and also bought meat we could freeze and some tinned fruit and veg from home as fresh fruit and veg is expensive. This may be helpful for anyone going in summer.
ghostm4n
12 Sep 17#14
If Breakfast is included, do NOT skip it, as you will be throwing away money. By all means have a hearty breakfast and skip lunch instead :-)
The prices really are like nothing you have seen before. Their average wage over there is slightly more than twice ours, so prices are to suit. We had a tapas meal for 4 in a nice pub, with a couple of drinks each and that was about £380. A pint is circa £10 min everywhere.
Pretty much EVERYTHING is significantly more expensive than here. That having been said it is a beautiful place, was very clean, people friendly, and was certainly on the bucket list.
Trumpet777
12 Sep 17#13
Eek, it is so very expensive when there. We went nearly 11 years ago and a cooked chicken I. The local supermarket cost £11!
CaptainSocks
12 Sep 17#10
I know loads of people over the years that have travelled to see the Northern Lights in Iceland (some multiple times).
Not one of them ever has.
Elusive things.
SFJnet to CaptainSocks
12 Sep 17#12
Yes, it's really down to luck. I also know several people who've travelled to Iceland and elsewhere to see the lights and were disappointed, but we saw them on the first night out. Much jubilation on our coach from others who had been out waiting in the freezing cold for several nights in a row!
gadget68
12 Sep 17#11
Recently did the Laugavegur Trek, amazing place but very expensive and beer is around £10/11 a pint. We stayed at Hotel Cabin one night which was fine, clean rooms but probably the smallest hotel room I have ever been in (about a foot of space around the bed) breakfast was continental and OK. Hotel Cabin is a good 25-30 min walk from downtown but there is a bus that stops right outside the hotel but we walked and it was a nice walk along the harbour. Personally I did not think much of Reykjavik but others who stayed extra days loved it. I would recommend the Blue Lagoon, it is an expensive tourist trap but it is also pretty spectacular. Tempted to go back just to see the Northern Lights. The Icelandic people are really nice and welcoming, certainly a place to visit if you have the budget.
NoelT
12 Sep 17#8
One thing worth noting with Reykjavik - there is an app called "appy hour" (not a typo) - both iOS and Android. Shows you the cheapest beer near you. Most bars have a Happy Hour. This keeps track of all of them and lets you know the nearest/cheapest.
Saved me a fortune a couple of years ago!
Heat added too.
Darthchaffinch
12 Sep 17#7
This year is quieter than previous years, there just happens to be some good flares recently.
SFJnet
12 Sep 17#6
Agreed with the others that it is quite expensive but so totally worth it, especially if you are lucky enough to see the northern lights. I think it's supposed to be a period of high solar activity so it could be spectacular. Make sure you do the Golden Circle Tour and Blue Lagoon as well if you can. BTW - we found the company called Reykjavik Sightseeing to be excellent (better than Reykjavik Excursions which is a bigger company and in our opinion not such a personal service).
psychoid
12 Sep 17#5
i heard £10 for a beer. a tea total trip, perhaps
rachelandgromit
12 Sep 17#4
And if you want alcohol, buy it at duty free when you arrive. It is the cheapest place in Iceland to get alcohol.
rachelandgromit
12 Sep 17#3
It is indeed. I got married there and we actually flew a photographer out there rather than pay for one in Iceland. That said, we had a motorhome so we cooked everything ourselves and if you find a Bonus supermarket (look for the pink pig) you can get some bargains. Farmers markets are also cheaper than restaurants.
We are out once on our last night and it was nearly divorce when the wife ordered a beer which worked out around £9.
Breakfast is included at the hotel which at least is something!
fossit
12 Sep 17#2
Yes very expensive place, friend who went as couple said a pizza and beer cost £80!!
rporteo
12 Sep 17#1
Just make sure you take plenty of spending money, it's flipping expensive over there
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Opening post
I think this time of year is perfect as you have lots going on in Reykjavik and with the start of Christmas season, it will get you in the festive spirit and it's a nice pre-Christmas break. Whilst I do think a car is a good option for exploring Iceland, I know for some people driving in the winter and in snowy and icy conditions probably puts most people off. I did it in summer and drove all round Iceland including the Westfjords and even some of the roads were scary then without bad weather!
You arrive into Iceland mid afternoon and after making your way to your hotel in central Reykjavik, you will go on your Northern Lights tour (it is best to do this on your first night as if you don't see the lights you get another tour for free so this gives you plenty of opportunity for another tour on the next two nights). Hotel pickup is included.
You will stay in Iceland for 3 nights in central Reykjavik.
Flights are with easyJet. Book on easyjet.com £102.96
Book Northern Lights tour on local-iceland-tour.com £72.21 for two people.
Book hotel on ebookers.com using discount code AFFMVC09 £224.06.
Total £399.23/£199.61pp
Airport transfers are additional cost.
Latest comments (18)
Personally I wouldn't visit there in November /December as the days are just to short to enjoy the absolutely stunning scenery.
We were able to do omelette for breakfast, along with the lovely Skyr yoghurt, pasta dishes and also bought meat we could freeze and some tinned fruit and veg from home as fresh fruit and veg is expensive. This may be helpful for anyone going in summer.
The prices really are like nothing you have seen before. Their average wage over there is slightly more than twice ours, so prices are to suit. We had a tapas meal for 4 in a nice pub, with a couple of drinks each and that was about £380. A pint is circa £10 min everywhere.
Pretty much EVERYTHING is significantly more expensive than here. That having been said it is a beautiful place, was very clean, people friendly, and was certainly on the bucket list.
Not one of them ever has.
Elusive things.
Personally I did not think much of Reykjavik but others who stayed extra days loved it. I would recommend the Blue Lagoon, it is an expensive tourist trap but it is also pretty spectacular. Tempted to go back just to see the Northern Lights. The Icelandic people are really nice and welcoming, certainly a place to visit if you have the budget.
Saved me a fortune a couple of years ago!
Heat added too.
a tea total trip, perhaps
We are out once on our last night and it was nearly divorce when the wife ordered a beer which worked out around £9.
Breakfast is included at the hotel which at least is something!