Travelling to Iceland? Video of the Iceland Adventure and Some FAQs.

Are you thinking about planning a trip to Iceland? We travelled to Iceland in the Summer of 2021. In this article, I share the video of our Iceland adventure and list some of the FAQs, which you might find helpful.

Iceland Adventure

Iceland - Some Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best time to travel to Iceland in the summer season?

June, July, August would be the best time to go, with one caveat. Almost, everybody likes to go in those months. We found end of August timeframe better suited as the attractions were less busy and days were long enough (sun sets around 8pm) for exploring things.

2. How long ago should I start looking for hotels, BnB for stay in Iceland?

Iceland gets very busy in the summer. So, your best bet is to start looking for places for your stay at least 2-3 months before your trip.

3. As a tourist, do I need to carry cash with me to Iceland?

Short answer is No unless you want to use washroom in a very remote area. Carrying small change, therefore wouldn’t hurt. Iceland is technologically quite advanced. Mobile payment as well as credit card payment systems are easily available in gas stations and other stores even in the remotest of areas.

4. I heard you must pay for using the toilets?

Yes, that is true. Expect to pay in most of the public washrooms. It’s just 200 or 500 Icelandic Krónas (2 to 5 CDN dollars).

5. Words in Icelandic language can be difficult to pronounce. Do you have any tips, which can make it easy for us to say things in Icelandic?

Yes, if you make note of some simple tips, it will make your life a lot easier. For example, ‘“j” is pronounced as a “y” (Reykjavik -> Reykyavik). For language specific tips, I would recommend watching the Iceland with Cameron Hewitt video starting from here.

6. What is the emergency number in Iceland?

If you ever need rescuing or police, remember 112, which is Icelandic version of 911.

7. I am going to Iceland in summer. Do I still need a jacket?

Yes. Weather can change very quickly in Iceland. Trust me on that. I have seen rain, high winds, sun, few degrees drop in temperature and then rise all in one day. So, yes make sure you carry with you different layers.

8. Is there an official Icelandic website for information on up-to-date travel conditions?

Yes, safetravel.is is the official source of safe adventure in Iceland.

9. Do I have to take special care while disembarking from the car in Iceland?

Yes, make sure you hold the car door while disembarking. Why? ‘This is because it can be very windy in Iceland.

10. Is there anything important do I need to know about getting rental car insurance?

Yes. Get SAAP (Sand And Ash Protection) if you want to drive worry free and don’t want to take any chances. This will cover you from damage to the rental car caused by ash, gravel, sand etc. in high winds.

Also, note that the insurance doesn’t cover river crossings and I believe it doesn’t cover damage to tires either. The last point you might want to double check.

Some, insurance companies may also require you to wash the car before return. Car wash is free, you might want to wash it anyway.

11. I am planning a 2-week trip to Iceland. What attractions can I visit or how much I can see?

You can get an idea of what can see in 2 week is by watching this video of our adventure. We were able to enjoy all those attractions/hikes etc. in roughly 2 weeks.

12. Is there any official weather app in Iceland that I could use during my adventure?

For real-time weather information, official warnings and notices we frequently used the VEDUR app. You can find it on Google and Apple App store.

13. Do I have to rent a 4x4 for my adventure in Iceland?

You don’t unless you are driving on the f-roads. You use f-roads (highland roads or mountain roads) to access the Icelandic Highlands. There is a further requirement of a raised 4x4 if you are driving on the f-road with rivers.

14. What is the maximum speed limit in Iceland?

On gravel roads the speed limit is 80 km/hr and 50 km/hr or less on the bridges.

15. Who has the right to go first on a narrow bridge in Iceland?

Although the answer to this is obvious but it’s good to keep this in mind. If you see a car closer to the bridge than your car, let them pass first.

16. I have a 4x4. Can I drive off road in Iceland?

No, it is illegal, since it can damage delicate life, moss etc. Drive on designated f-roads and other paved roads only.

17. I heard there are 2 roads that lead to Dettifoss. Which one should I take?

Yes, that’s an important question if you care about how you want your pictures to come through. You can access the fall from East Side or West Side. If you are going there in the afternoon and it’s sunny then you might want to drive to west side parking instead of the east side parking.

18. I have heard that Iceland is great for drone flying. Are there any places in Iceland where drone is not allowed?

Yes, there are a few places where you are not allowed to fly the drone. For example, Goðafoss, Geysir, Skógafoss etc.

19. How long is the hike to warm natural baths in Reykjadalur?

Hike to Warm Water Baths in Iceland from Reykjadalur.

It can take you almost an hour (one-way, 3.5 km) to hike to natural warm water baths from Reykjadalur. Take note of this waterfall. When you see this on your left, maybe then you are left with only 20-25 minutes of hike.

20. How long is the hike to the plane wreck in Soleheimasandur and any safety tips?

The hike/walk to the plane and back is 7 km roughly. Hike both ways is going to take 3-4 hours. Make sure you have extra layers in case you need them. Be prepared for any kind of weather. Don’t be surprised if you start the hike in sunny conditions and end it in soaking wet conditions. Keep on the track. It would be good to turn on any GPS, Tracking app before you start your hike. The hike is flat, with easy difficulty level.

21. Why there were so many birds on the ring road in Iceland? Some of them dead, some wounded.

You will find many birds sitting on the ring road, especially between Selfoss and Vik area, south of Iceland, very early in the morning. However, as the day goes by traffic increases and many of these birds get hit by the vehicles. So, therefore please drive carefully.

In some areas you will see northern fulmars, while in others arctic terns. It could be that the warm road surface attracts them from the nearby hills, or another reason could be that they are not strong enough yet to find their way to the ocean. Nonetheless, it is heart wrenching to see so many of them dead or wounded.

22. Is car wash free in Iceland?

Yes, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the car wash was free. Free in a sense that you can use water and long brush for free and wash it yourself. Some, of the insurance companies may require you to wash the car before returning, as due to the nature of the roads the cars can get dirty very quickly.

23. Could you summarize safety/travel tips for Iceland for anyone going there for the first time?

Off the top of my head …

Always have extra layers, boots, pants etc.
Get cigarette lighter charger for your phone. I know it’s old but most of the rental cars don’t have USB chargers.
Also, get a phone holder, as it’s likely that your rental won’t have apple CarPlay or android auto.
Get SAAP (see above) for your rental insurance, if you think you will be doing a fair bit of driving.
Check https://safetravel.is before making any plans.
If you are hiking, always stay on the marked path.
Follow the rules and regulations, respect nature and you will be fine.
Enjoy.

Good Luck with your adventure!