Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [3]
For a true idea of how much a trip to Iceland will cost, you’ll also need to factor in things such as nightlife (in Reykjavík and Akureyri at least), museum admission (usually Ik500 to Ikr800) and activities such as horse riding (Ikr3000 an hour), whale watching (Ikr8000) or a snowmobile tour (Ikr10,000). Budget travellers who camp regularly, self-cater and take the bus could scrape by on as little as Ikr3000 a day per person. Add in sleeping-bag or guest-house accommodation, a meal out, a bus tour and a shared hire car, and you’re looking at about Ikr10,000 to Ikr16,000 a day. Those staying in average hotel accommodation, driving their own car, eating decent restaurant meals, and taking advantage of Iceland’s tours and activities should budget for expenses of at least Ikr25,000 per day.
Our top tips for budget travellers:
Bring a tent or use sleeping-bag accommodation in guest houses.
Look for places where you can use a kitchen and cook for yourself.
Become a member of Hostelling International (HI) before leaving home.
Buy a bus pass if you’re planning a round-Iceland trip.
Choose a smaller area of the country to explore and plan to do plenty of walking.
Travel outside high season.
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TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
Iceland’s reliance on geothermal and hydroelectric power gives the country an enviable environmental reputation. Iceland is suffering, however, from the rest of the world’s reliance on fossil fuels – global warming is having a particularly devastating effect on the country’s glaciers.
Short of avoiding the flight to Iceland in the first place, try to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible. Consider using the bus service, which is not too bad in summer, particularly along the south coast.
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WARNING: FLUCTUATING PRICES
This book contains prices researched in high season of 2009, but be warned that by the time you get there, the country’s unstable financial situation might make prices look very different.
Many companies have begun listing prices in euros only, as it’s a more stable currency; and now that Iceland has applied for EU membership, it’s likely that Icelanders will abandon the króna altogether in favour of the euro around 2011.
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ESSENTIAL VIEWING
Watch the black comedy 101 Reykjavík before leaving home to understand Reykjavík’s late-night hedonistic spirit. For a glimpse of teen angst in rural Iceland, try the quirky Nói Albínói, a touching coming-of-age movie with plenty of dark humour. The thriller Jar City, adapted from Arnaldur Indriðason’s award-winning novel Tainted Blood, follows world-weary Detective Inspector Erlendur as he investigates a brutal murder and some dodgy doings at Iceland’s Genetic Research Centre.
For more information on Icelandic films, Click here.
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Recycling schemes are uncommon, although the youth hostelling association encourages travellers to separate their rubbish.
There’s a growing Slow Food Movement – look out for restaurants participating in locally grown food schemes, and choose Icelandic lamb and reindeer dishes over those made from imported ingredients.
It isn’t a crime to buy bottled water in Iceland – but it ought to be! Icelandic tap water generally comes from the nearest glacier, and is some of the purest you’ll ever drink.
Although it looks huge, harsh and eternal, the Icelandic landscape is surprisingly fragile. If you’ve hired a 4WD vehicle, you must stick to marked trails. Off-road driving is illegal due to the irreversible damage it causes. See the boxed text, for tips on low-impact camping and hiking.
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TRAVEL LITERATURE
For a gritty glimpse of the Icelandic soul, Halldór Laxness’s humorous, heart-breaking, deep-minded work Independent People is an absolute must. Follow it up with the dark humour and