If you are interested I had vlogged each day from packing for the trip till the flight back here. There are also posts about the itinerary and other things here. In today's post I am covering the logistics about the trip and what to expect while visiting Iceland.
4. Food
5. Internet + Wifi
Seven Logistics To Plan Your Icelandic Getaway
1. Expense + Currency
One US dollar is equal to 8 Icelandic Króna (Jan. 2018). We usually rely on our ATM to exchange currency as we do not wish to travel with too much cash. In most European countries credit card are the best option as long as your card offer no foreign transaction fee. For street purchases and tickets to tourists spots and such we need some cash on hand.
As for expenses, Iceland is an expensive country. Only place you have access to multi cuisines and food options is Reykjavik, and other parts of the country are a hit or miss. We replied on having a breakfast at the B&B we were staying at, fixing a self-made sandwich from a local grocery story and then a bite from a gas station restaurant while on the go.
Icelandic is the official language of Iceland. It is an Indo-European language, belonging to the sub-group of North Germanic languages. However, everyone in Iceland speaks english, and we had absolutely no problem in communicating. As for expenses, Iceland is an expensive country. Only place you have access to multi cuisines and food options is Reykjavik, and other parts of the country are a hit or miss. We replied on having a breakfast at the B&B we were staying at, fixing a self-made sandwich from a local grocery story and then a bite from a gas station restaurant while on the go.
2. Transportation
Except for main cities, public transport is not an options for traveling. Most visitors rent a car or use tour buses to get around the country. We rented a car (details here) and had absolutely no problem. A liter of petrol was about $1.75 USD. Some of the roads are tricky to drive in, up high in the mountains but are safe and well connected nonetheless. We would suggest not driving after sunset as a lot of roads do not have street lights and if it is raining or snowing driving through them can be a little tricky (read: risky).
3. Language
4. Food
Icelandic food is mostly meat and fish. It is easy to find basic food options in Reykjavik, Akureyri and other cities, but like mentioned above that while being on the go it is not easy find food. As a vegetarian the options are limited but there is always make-your-sandwich or fruits and potatoes.
5. Internet + Wifi
I had carried Skyroam while on the trip and it was easy to find wifi throughout. Most hotels and tourist spots offered complimentary wifi as well. We did not have any problem with connectivity on the trip.
6. People
6. People
Trivia: In Iceland, a country with a population of 320,000 where most everyone is distantly related. People we met were extremely friendly and kind. They do not necessarily interact with tourists but if spoken to are always wonderful. I have read that they are concerned about the rise in tourism as some of the people visiting are either littering or disrespecting the country's natural beauty. And I can't say I blame them.
7. Safety
Iceland is an extremely safe country. At no point did we have a bad experience or felt unsafe. There is no culture of tipping in Iceland. People do not expect anything in return for their service (as a profession) or help (as kindness). Crime rate is extremely low and medical care is excellent. However, it is necessary to take precaution when traveling in Iceland due to natural hazards caused by weather and nature, where conditions can change at a moments notice.
Pictures taken in Reykjavik, Iceland
Jacket - Tommy Hilfiger // Same
Vest - Ralph Lauren // Similar
Thermal Leggings - GAP // Similar
Shoes - Columbia // Same
Beanie - DeNada // Similar
Backpack - Hartmann // Same
Lovely post, looks like you had a great time! so in love with the red jacket
ReplyDeleteyou look like you had a great time! My husband is dying to go to Iceland!! I'll have to share this with him!
ReplyDeleteSo now Iceland is next on my list! Great post x
ReplyDeleteI never thought about visiting Iceland, but I will definitely add it to my places to vacation list. It sounds like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteI am soooooo incredibly jealous Tanvi. Iceland has been on my bucket list since forever. What an amazing experience, especially for someone like me who never even seen snow before. It looks like you had a lovely time. You look so relaxed
ReplyDeleteUseful advice. It seems everyone I know is going there.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, so cool that you get to travel to places like this! I'm not a traveler so I didn't realize there was so much to consider. It's funny, we kind of take internet access and transportation for granted... Thanks for all the helpful information.
ReplyDeleteIceland is on my list!! Thanks for all your tips and tricks I'll have to remember them for my trip!!
ReplyDeleteHolly
@styledbyhollyblog
www.styledbyholly.com
Is it weird that I want to go to Iceland but I don't want to be cold? I've heard that a lot of tourists were going there and the Icelandic people weren't happy with the influx. I still want to visit, but I'll probably wait a couple more years. Glad you -- as a vegetarian -- were able to find food to eat! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope to make it to Iceland this year, I keep saying that I will go but I never make time for it. It's such a beautiful country. Good to know that people are friendly and that you can get connected to the WiFi pretty much everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI've been dreaming of an Iceland trip! It's looks so magical!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Thanks for all the tips! I'd love to travel here.
ReplyDeleteGreat travel tips! My friend just got back from Iceland a month or so ago and can't stop talking about how amazing it was! On my bucket list, for sure!
ReplyDeleteWe loved Iceland as much as you did. I hope to go back & you have reminded me of how great it is. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy brother got engaged in Iceland last year and their pics were amazing! It's on my list to go there soon!!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Iceland! Good to know they love fish so much since I just went pescatarian a month or so ago :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got some great advice here, certainly things I wouldn't have known. I've always wanted to go to Iceland, it looks like such a beautiful country and thats fantastic about the low crime rates!
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a great time over there!! I love your boots!
ReplyDeleteTanvi a very informative post 👍 surely convinced me to visit Iceland 😁 and u look lovely as always !!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post. Such interesting and helpful information. What an amazing opportunity to visit Iceland. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletethis is such great info! Iceland looks absolutely gorgeous. I might have to visit it soon.
ReplyDeleteLove your touristy look in that lovely red jacket. And your tips on Iceland are great. I would love to visit someday. But I think finding veg food may be a bit of a challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all of your tips! This is so helpful. Iceland is on my bucket list. I love your outfit!
ReplyDeleteIceland is awesome! You are so lucky to visit it))) Thank you for tips, they are very helpful for travelers, especially those who have never been there!
ReplyDeleteI have Iceland in my head for a while now and your post makes me want to go even more! I will keep your tips handy for when we do our planning!
ReplyDeleteLovely post Tanvi. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Iceland is on my bucket list :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a super helpful checklist especially since I am arranging a trip to Iceland this year!! thank you x
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. I am planning for a Iceland trip this year.It's good to know about skyroam.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely amazing trip! I think it would be so fun and wonderful to visit this country one day! Your photographs are absolutely beautiful. Shell
ReplyDeleteLove this cozy winter look. Looks like you had a blast. I want to go!
ReplyDeleteYou look so pretty, love your red jacket. Iceland is so beautiful and your post is so informative for planning a trip to Iceland.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Iceland is on my bucketlist! What was your favorite thing you did while there?
ReplyDeleteIceland is on my bucket list! Hoping to travel there in the next few years. These tips will come in handy!
ReplyDelete-Tristan
I'm dying to go to Iceland! That's one place I definitely want to visit in my 20s!
ReplyDeletexx
Lauren
Looks like this was such a great experience! Iceland is def. on my travel list and It's great to read about how fun and safe it is to travel there! I'm loving the "No tips" and not because I don't like giving them but because I think it's wonderful that they expect nothing in return for service or help! Thanks for sharing your travels x
ReplyDeleteIceland is the next place I want to go to. I'm so glad to have found this post! It will for sure be super helpful. I'm glad Iceland is super safe and that you could communicate wherever you went.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you on some points. Iceland is one of the safest places which I visited. By the way, You look beautiful in your red sweater. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteIceland is very attractive country. That's one place I definitely want to visit in my vacations. I'm so glad to have found this post!
ReplyDeleteIceland is one of my bucket list to visit. I really want to explore the beautiful scenery and to explore beautiful tourist spots there.
ReplyDeleteVisiting Iceland has been a dream of mine. I've been there once; but only has a 3 hour layover, and I deeply regret not extending my stay to a few days. It looks like a wonderful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteIceland is on my bucket list too, thanks for sharing this it will surely help in planning my trip :)
ReplyDeleteIceland looks beautiful, I'd love to visit. Your red jacket is amazing and looks so good on you :)
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this! Iceland has been on my list of travel goals!
ReplyDelete