Reykjavik Guide for Budget Travelers
Part of downtown Reykjavik |
Reykjavik is the largest city in Iceland by more than 200,000 people. This mega metropolis in the eyes of Icelandic people boasts gorgeous views of far off mountain ranges, bright sunrises and a vibrant city center.
Because Iceland is such a small country, locals treat each other with respect. There's little to no violence in the entirety of the country. Take a walk down the main drag as locals say hello. Drop by a bar on Friday or Saturday night to meet locals while experiencing Icelandic musicians. There's plenty to do in this Icelandic city. Be sure to check out the Top 6 things to do in Reykjavik near the bottom of the page. |
Price of Services in Reykjavik
Hostels - Hostels in Reykjavik aren't cheap. The starting price is 2,250ISK ($17USD or 16€) on a weekday in the non-peak season. You'll get a 10-20 dorm room at this price. Anything under 10 beds will usually cost more. Expect to pay 2,400ISK ($19USD or 18€) or more for an 8 person dorm room during the non-peak season during the week. Private dorm rooms will start around 3,745ISK ($29USD or 27€). During the peak season, prices will increase because of demand. Weekend prices will always increase because of availability and demand.
Food Costs - Food in Reykjavik is outrageously expensive. Expect to pay 1,020ISK ($8USD or 7€) for a budget sit-down breakfast, 1,457ISK ($11USD or 10€) for a budget sit-down lunch and 21,185ISK ($17USD or 15€) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will a bit triple the price. Expect to pay at the very least 2,500ISK ($19USD or 17€). Beer (.5L) 1,200-2,000 in a restaurant or bar ($9USD or 8€ - $15USD or 14€).
Transportation - Transportation in Iceland is expensive in general. Gas prices don't help a backpackers cause. At 1.25€ a liter, filling up will be expensive. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 10BGN 14,087ISK ($105USD or 97€). Avoid this at all costs... A taxi will charge 1,311ISK ($10USD or 9€) per 3km of travel. A public bus from the airport to the city center is the best option at 1,600ISK ($12USD or 11€). Be sure to take Bus 55 from Reykjavik to the Airport. Allow 1.5 hours to get there as the bus stops frequently. To get to Reykjavik to the city center, take the only public bus (yellow and blue) to the left of the long tunnel outside of arrivals. If you can't find it, there's an information desk next to the large sliding doors of arrivals. When in the city, walk it. Metro buses are 364ISK ( $3USD or 2.50€) for one way. The city is walkable.
Activities - There's plenty to do in the city of Reykjavik. If money is tight, be sure to walk around the city one day. This costs nothing! Take your camera and explore this pristine city. Museums will cost upward of 1600ISK ($12USD or 11€) for the popular exhibitions like the National Museum of Iceland. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 7,000ISK ($52USD or 48€) for these or more. The famous touristy Blue Lagoon will cost 5,367ISK ($40USD or 38€) for entry fee. The transportation is only included in more expensive packages. There are plenty of cheaper geothermal pools and lagoons in Iceland that trump the Blue Lagoon. Be sure to read more about Iceland's geothermal lagoons in my blog post.
Food Costs - Food in Reykjavik is outrageously expensive. Expect to pay 1,020ISK ($8USD or 7€) for a budget sit-down breakfast, 1,457ISK ($11USD or 10€) for a budget sit-down lunch and 21,185ISK ($17USD or 15€) for a budget sit-down dinner. Upper scale restaurants will a bit triple the price. Expect to pay at the very least 2,500ISK ($19USD or 17€). Beer (.5L) 1,200-2,000 in a restaurant or bar ($9USD or 8€ - $15USD or 14€).
Transportation - Transportation in Iceland is expensive in general. Gas prices don't help a backpackers cause. At 1.25€ a liter, filling up will be expensive. A taxi from the main airport to the city center will cost around 10BGN 14,087ISK ($105USD or 97€). Avoid this at all costs... A taxi will charge 1,311ISK ($10USD or 9€) per 3km of travel. A public bus from the airport to the city center is the best option at 1,600ISK ($12USD or 11€). Be sure to take Bus 55 from Reykjavik to the Airport. Allow 1.5 hours to get there as the bus stops frequently. To get to Reykjavik to the city center, take the only public bus (yellow and blue) to the left of the long tunnel outside of arrivals. If you can't find it, there's an information desk next to the large sliding doors of arrivals. When in the city, walk it. Metro buses are 364ISK ( $3USD or 2.50€) for one way. The city is walkable.
Activities - There's plenty to do in the city of Reykjavik. If money is tight, be sure to walk around the city one day. This costs nothing! Take your camera and explore this pristine city. Museums will cost upward of 1600ISK ($12USD or 11€) for the popular exhibitions like the National Museum of Iceland. For tours outside of the city, don't expect to find anything on the cheap end. Expect to pay 7,000ISK ($52USD or 48€) for these or more. The famous touristy Blue Lagoon will cost 5,367ISK ($40USD or 38€) for entry fee. The transportation is only included in more expensive packages. There are plenty of cheaper geothermal pools and lagoons in Iceland that trump the Blue Lagoon. Be sure to read more about Iceland's geothermal lagoons in my blog post.
Best Ways to Save Money
Book in Advance - To save some added dough, always book your transportation, hostels and tours in advance. Doing this can save upward of 40-50%.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 70-80% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 800ISK ($6USD or 5.50€) per bottle. At a restuarant or bar it'll be 1600ISK ($12USD or 11€) or more. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 1500ISK ($12USD or 11€) a day if you budget right.
Don't Drink - Drinking in Iceland is extremely expensive. A nice craft beer at a bar will cost around 1,600ISK ($12USD or 11€). If you must drink, take a look at the happy hour deals on certain days.
Rent a Car Instead of a Tour - Be sure to use SADcars.com for car rentals. Grab 4 people for a road trip to the north or south part of the island. This method of travel is much less than a tour. Expect to pay 30€ a day for the car rental and two tanks of gas ($54USD or 50€ per 10 gallon tank) to get to Akureyri in the north or Hofn in the south and back.
Buy Food at Grocery Stores - Buy your food and beer at a grocery store. Food and beer will be 70-80% cheaper than a restaurant. Beer in a grocery store is usually 800ISK ($6USD or 5.50€) per bottle. At a restuarant or bar it'll be 1600ISK ($12USD or 11€) or more. Buying food at a grocery store can be done with 1500ISK ($12USD or 11€) a day if you budget right.
Don't Drink - Drinking in Iceland is extremely expensive. A nice craft beer at a bar will cost around 1,600ISK ($12USD or 11€). If you must drink, take a look at the happy hour deals on certain days.
Rent a Car Instead of a Tour - Be sure to use SADcars.com for car rentals. Grab 4 people for a road trip to the north or south part of the island. This method of travel is much less than a tour. Expect to pay 30€ a day for the car rental and two tanks of gas ($54USD or 50€ per 10 gallon tank) to get to Akureyri in the north or Hofn in the south and back.
Red Flags
The Winter - In the winter time, temperatures will get to -10 Celsius Reykjavik. Be sure to pack warm for you trip. Bring snow boots, long johns, a fleece or flannel and a warm coat.
Hostels - Every hostel in Iceland will charge for linen and blankets. Be sure to bring a sleeping bag when traveling in this beautiful country.
Hostels - Every hostel in Iceland will charge for linen and blankets. Be sure to bring a sleeping bag when traveling in this beautiful country.
Best Hostel
Bus Hostel Reykjavik - This is by far the best cheap hostel in the city. For what you get, $18USD or 17€ is a steal. Plus, SADcars.com rental spot is operated out of the same building. It's a convenient place to stay. Only 1.5 miles from the city center, the Bus Hostel is the place to be and meet other backpackers. Be sure to bring a sleeping bag if you do not want to pay 1000ISK ($8USD or 7€) for a rental blanket.
Top 6 Things to Do in Reykjavik Area
#6 Mink WhaleIf you are an adventurous eater, try Mink Whale. It's a controversial topic in Iceland, but eating a sample at Sægreifinn for 300ISK ($2,50USD or 2€) is worth the experience. It tastes like a chewy bloody steak.
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#5 Lobster SoupYes, lobster soup is a pricey dish in Reykjavik. But if you have a chance to try one local dish, head to Sægreifinn near the water's edge. The soup is served with large chunks of lobster and bread. It's a delicious meal for $10 or 9€.
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#4 HallgrímskirkjaThis mega church is the center point of the city. When lost, look up to find the top of the church from any part of the city. It in itself is a nice looking structure. Many tourists flock to take photos.
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#3 See NatureTen minutes outside of Reykjavik is some of the most beautiful mountains in the country. Take a public bus to the outskirts of town to hike.
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#2 Walk ReykjavikGet lost in Reykjavik. Take your camera and explore this unique city with its bright red houses and delightful local people. There are free walking tours in town. Click the link below for more details.
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#1 Golden CircleThis impressive area 30 minutes outside of Reykjavik boasts a waterfall, a glacier, geysers and a volcano. The Northern Lights are also visible from this location.
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