How to Plan a Perfect Trip To Iceland

Known as the “edge of the Earth,” magnificent and incomparable Iceland is full of harsh nature and thrilling stories – legends and myths that cover this land as thickly as the snow in winter. It is worth planning a vacation to Iceland not only for viewing puffing volcanoes and exploding geysers, kilometer-long glaciers and waterfalls, but also to get acquainted with Icelandic culture and cuisine. In this article, we will review the main points for planning a perfect trip in the vastness of Iceland. Here we go!

How to plan a perfect trip to Iceland 2

Step 1: Create a perfect plan

If you meet a group of boy Scouts during your vacation in Iceland, you will most likely hear their motto “Ávallt viðbúinn!” which means “Always ready!”

For a youth militarist organization, this slogan is excellent, and besides, it is ideal for a traveler who has started to plan their trip to Iceland. Pay attention to the keyword: ready, which can be easily achieved together with Triptile vacation planner. Our perfect plan suggestions would include – at least a couple days in the capital of Iceland, with downtown hotels and a city tour, and then heading out to explore the incredible nature.

Iceberg, Iceland

By the way, when creating your Iceland itinerary, you need to decide on the duration of your trip. Therefore, it would be good to read about all the attractions and available tours and make an informed decision about how many days you will need for all these ambitious plans.

If that sounds too complicated, and you don’t know where to start, you can find ready-made Iceland templates on Triptile too. The earlier you start planning your itinerary, the better. So get down to business and start creating a perfect vacation right now!

Iceland Landscape

Step 2: Attention to the documents

Where is my passport? Did I print my boarding pass? Do I need to prepare any medical certificates? These and similar questions might torment you before leaving the house. Allocate enough time to get a Schengen visa, travel insurance, and a tourist voucher. Without these documents in the proper form, your plans may be in danger.

By postponing the packing and document preparation until the last moment, you might leave yourself a reason to worry. Hence, start thinking about them early on.

Iceland Lake

Step 3: Things to see, do & taste

It is better to start reading about the country, its sights and cultural features long before leaving. Your choice of tours will determine how well-rounded your Icelandic vacation is going to be. We recommend adding unforgettable activities in nature and combine them with gastronomic experiences in the cities.

You might want to begin your acquaintance with Icelandic nature by snorkeling or diving in the crystal clear ice spring in the Silfra fault. It’s an amazing experience. Afterward, you could attempt to understand the geology of Iceland by going down into the volcano and see with your own eyes the colored mosaic of minerals “imprinted” into the walls of the magma hearth. Sounds great, right?

Crater Lake, Iceland

As for the national Icelandic gastronomy, there are different yummy things around every corner. For example, you could make your way to BSI, the largest bus terminal in Reykjavik, and try a traditional dish called svid, which is made from half of the boiled lamb head. However, the appearance of this genuinely Icelandic delicacy might be unusual for you, but it’s definitely worth a try. If svid is not your cup of choice, opt for fish. You will be amazed by the palette of various fish dishes. However, it is worth noting that the most dubious fish dish in Icelandic cuisine is undoubtedly hakarl or dried shark. It is usually served with a glass of Icelandic schnapps Brennivin. What is more, hakarl is also served in the “month of Thor” – Thorramatur, when traditional Icelandic food festivals are held (from mid-January to mid-February).

Step 4: Money-saving tips

The use of promo codes, attention to “hot offers” on accommodation and car booking sites can significantly save the budget, and this is a well-known fact. But there’s one untold Icelandic trick regarding supermarkets, or rather time-price range. So let us explain everything now.

The local stores raise prices by 8% at night. That is, when you leave a party in search of a snack at night, you will overpay. In this regard, it is worth allocating an hour in the afternoon and running for shopping, and then use the saved krones for future adventures.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Step 5: Communication

As you know, Icelanders are good philologists. In addition, they speak English and often a couple additional European languages quite fluently. Because everyone speaks English and other foreign languages so well, travelers practically do not face any communication problems. Ask how to get there, or ask for advice, and they will easily understand you and assist you. The same is the case with ordering food at a restaurant and generally, with any small talk with Icelanders.

Horse, Iceland

You can look into the phrasebook before your trip and choose a few useful phrases:

HelloHalló
My name is…Ég heiti …
I’m from… Ég er frá …
Have a good dayEigðu góðan dag
ThanksTakk / Takk fyrir
How much does it cost?  Hvað kostar þetta?

A trip to Iceland will be a bright moment, full of unforgettable adventures, new experiences, and everlasting memories. For the first time stepping on the “edge of the Earth,” you will feel the absolute unity of the world and mankind. However, it is always worth remembering the fundamental steps in achieving a perfectly organized trip are:

  • Preliminary journey planning;
  • Preparing the necessary documents;
  • Precise budget planning;
  • An open attitude to everything new.

With the proper approach to travel every minute spent on the trip will give a feeling of lightness and happiness.

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip?

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully.
Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times.
Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

4 comments

  1. I am planning my itinerary for trip in next April and thinking, how many days to spend in Reykjavik? Do you think, just 2 days in Reykjavik will be enough and another 6 days in south and east coast?

  2. Hi, me and family, friends will be take cruise ship to Iceland on May, 2023, itinerary will be one day dock at Akurayri, next day dock at Isafjordur, and last 2 days, over night dock at Reykjavik.
    Do you have any good tours for our small group of around 14 passengers ??

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