My Recent Three Days in Iceland
I am so glad that I researched different ways to return to the United States from Europe this year. I looked at all the major airlines, and even a Trans-Atlantic voyage from Southampton to Brooklyn in NY on Cunard’s Queen Mary II. (Something I will do one way in the future as if you time your reservation close enough to departure you can find incredible fares that compare with one-way economy plus on any major airline. The added benefit you get full room and board and entertainment for 6 days at sea).
At first I considered just flying on Icelandic Air from Paris, via Reykjavik, to Chicago but quickly decided to take the opportunity for a layover in Reykjavik before proceeding to Chicago with no increase in airfare. I believe you can stay from one to seven days - I decided upon three but in hindsight would recommend four nights depending if you can get a late departure from Reykjavik to your destination in the US.
I stayed at the Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel it was perfect, it had breakfast service and most importantly one of the hotels on the pick-up and drop off service for the tour operators and the Bus Service to and from the airport. It was about a 1.5 km easy walk from Reykjavik Town Center but also close to some great restaurants that of course I tried out.
Bus to and from Airport and Tour Operator
The airport is about 45 minute bus ride from Reykjavik. I used the same tour operator to book my airport transportation as I did my tours.
I arrived in the mid afternoon on a Sunday, and I left for Chicago around 1900h on the Wednesday. I booked tours on the Monday and the Tuesday and since I was leaving in the evening on Wednesday, I used that final day to tour Reykjavik. If I had stayed one more day I would have taken a full day tour to see the Valley of Tears and the Highlands or a Lava and Volcanic Tour. I will return and do those last two tours on my next trip, as well as a hot-spring relaxing sojourn.
I used their Airport Direct option and the fare to and from the airport cost 4990 IKR or $36US each way. They pick-up right outside the terminal, and first take you to a central point in Reykjavik on a large bus and then transfer you to a smaller shuttle bus to your hotel. It was clean and efficient.
Each of the tours were about 18,000 IKR $130US but lasted a full 10 hours, in a medium sized Mercedes Bus - 18-20 people on each of my two tours and both English speaking guides were knowledgeable and terrific hosts. They pick you up and drop you off at your hotel if it is on their list - you will be able to verify that on the booking website.
Both tours were varied, stops were frequent with enough time to enjoy the scenery and explore. I particularly enjoyed the South Coast to see the magnificent waterfalls, glaciers, black beach and cute Puffin colony but the Golden Circle was equally magnificent with spectacular scenery, food experiences at both farms, geysers, volcanic rims, and more waterfalls. The days started around 900h and ended around 1900h.
Reykjavik
Since my bus for my onward flight did not leave until the evening on Wednesday, I spent the day touring the capital of Iceland. I walked everywhere never needing to get a bus or a taxi and saw the famous Lutheran Church, the Harbor Area, the various architecture, and sampled a little food and drink too.
It is a relatively compact City and easy to visit al of its landmarks and highlights.
Food
I know this will shock you, but I love food, and thoroughly enjoyed their take on soups, fish dishes and seafood and local vegetables, especially during the tomato farm visit on the Golden Circle Tour.
Two places I visited close to my hotel were Skál! and Reykjavic Kitchen and then in the downtown at Icelandic Street Food
This was lunch on the Circle Tour at a Tomato Farm - delicious!
I do hope that you are encouraged to visit Iceland. It is a spectacular place and like nowhere else for its volcanic driven scenery. The people are friendly, and it offers so much in both landscapes, and adventures such as glacier caves, trekking, aurora borealis (best in the winter months) active volcano and lava fields, geo thermal lagoons to bathe in and wonderful fresh food.
Please don’t hesitate to ask me any other questions, pleased to help.
A land of Puffins, Spectacular Waterfalls, and Landscapes, the friendly people and current geothermal activity!!!