Looking to spend a week in Iceland without breaking the bank? Our writer shares her best tips with you as she recounts her own solo trip to Iceland. A handy tip—last-minute flight bookings are a game of luck. One could either snag a good deal or break the bank. Since our writer fell into the latter group, here are her best tips to help you save money while not compromising on your Icelandic adventures.
Stay in a Hostel
Accommodation in Reykjavik is definitely not cheap! For those looking to save money, hostels are a great option, especially for the solo traveller! Staying at a hostel allows you to meet new friends and exchange many exciting travel stories. Furthermore, hostels come equipped with necessary home amenities like a kitchen, computer working space and a living area with a bar station.
We recommend Galaxy Pod Hostel, which features individual pods for guests to sleep in. Both bedrooms and bathrooms are shared by fellow travellers (separated by genders), and our writer notes that the hostel was clean, spacious and provides personal safes provided as well.
Total cost: US$300 (for 5 nights)
Join a One-Day Iceland Tour
Shortlist some tours that you would like to go on for maximum convenience—not all of them have to be expensive. With pick-ups and drop-offs provided right to your doorstep, this proves one of the most inclusive and affordable options to touring the rest of Iceland. We'd definitely recommend the Golden Circle Express Tour, which covered popular scenic attractions like Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Hot Spring Area. Book single-day tours with a long duration and fair coverage of places so that your day doesn’t feel wasted when you return to your accommodation come nightfall!
On the third night, she scheduled the Northern Lights Tour, spending 3-4 hours of her night scouring the best spots in the suburbs of Reykjavik to view the auroras. Whenever the lights disappeared, the local guide would whisk you off to the next best location, venturing deeper into the forest each time.
The tour package allows customers to rebook another tour for free if the hunt for the auroras were not a success that night, so you can be sure you'd be getting your money's worth here! Schedule your northern light tour at the start of your itinerary to factor unforeseen circumstances like bad weather conditions, so you will have sufficient nights left on the itinerary to rebook the tour.
Total cost for two tours: US$119
Pamper yourself at a Geothermal Pool
Rejuvenated your cold and exhausted body with an outdoor hot spring experience at the Blue Lagoon Iceland. You would have definitely seen millions of Instagram photos showing off the beauty of this geothermal pool. Remember to pack and bring a waterproof pouch for your phone to capture yourself in this gorgeous place!
Blue lagoon’s silica mud benefits include improving the skin’s radiancy and viscosity. While you thaw in the hot pool, get a dollop of free mud mask from the staff shuffling around with the bucket of clean silica mask.
Total cost: US$220 (inclusive of food, towel rental and my silica mask souvenirs)
Make your own food (Go grocery shopping in Iceland!)
A trip isn’t complete without café-hopping and trying some of Iceland’s top recommended food. However, the cost of living in Iceland is pretty high and dining at a restaurant for all three meals of the day isn’t a wise choice. Save money by visiting a grocery store for food. Visit local grocery stores to purchase daily items such as bread, picnic ham, skyr and other goods to last through some days of the week.
These items will be more than enough to fuel you through five days’ worth of breakfasts, any peckish moments and even on nights where you aren't craving a full dinner.
Total cost: US$60 (inclusive of chocolate souvenirs)
Go sightseeing with the Reykjavik City Card
This city attractions card costs 5,600 ISK (US$40) for 48 hours and offers free entry to some of the cultural attractions in Reykjavik. Another perk of the card includes discounts at popular restaurants across Reykjavik. Savings!
Total cost: US$40
Travel via Foot
Save money on transport by walking! Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is an accessible city to explore on foot. The city transportation system operates mainly on public buses, bicycles and cars. Forget the private hire taxis if you are on a budget. Uber and Grab doesn’t exist here anyway.
If you really need to, download the Strætó app on your phone and buy your standard fare ticket through it. The buses operate on a standard fare of 480 ISK (~US$3.50) regardless of your destination though, so if you can, save that money for a cup of good Icelandic coffee or pastry instead!
Total Cost: US$0
Total Cost Breakdown (US$)
Accommodation: $300
Airport Transfers: $58
Food and miscellaneous: $250
Tours (Golden Circle and Northern Light): $119
Blue Lagoon Admission (and souvenirs): $220
Reykjavik City Card: $40
Total Cost: US$ 987
Pro-tip: Choose a hostel that is located in or close to the city centre. It would be convenient when it comes to exploring the grounds of Reykjavik on foot and heading to the airport transfers dedicated pickup points in the city.
