By Liam Isola Iceland is one of the most popular international destinations for Americans to visit, and it’s easy to see why. The island nation packs a huge natural punch in an area smaller than the size of Kentucky. While there’s plenty to do, it is expensive, and you can see plenty with just two days in Iceland.
I’ve previously written about cheap summer flights and free stopovers in Iceland, which I took full advantage of when I visited last month. I had a Gaelic football tournament in Boston, and it made sense to fly through Reykjavik to get to Helsinki, Finland, from there.
The flight from Boston to Reykjavik is listed as being five hours and 15 minutes. Even so, we weren’t in the air for much longer than four hours.
Iceland is only about a five-hour flight away from most of the Northeastern US. Even Seattle is only around a seven-hour flight away, making Iceland a highly accessible destination for many Americans.
On the way back, after visiting Helsinki and Tallinn, Estonia, I had a free stopover in Reykjavik for two days in Iceland. Well, free only in terms of airfare, as Reykjavik is the most expensive city I’ve ever traveled to.
Logistics
A bed in a six-bed dorm at KEX Hostel ran me nearly $75 USD per night, and it was far from the nicest hostel I’ve ever stayed in. Every meal I ate out ran me at least $25. Even picking up a couple of rolls of grocery store sushi isn’t cheap.
What I did appreciate about KEX Hostel is that it was a two-minute walk from the waterfront promenade. On a sunny day, which I had on my final day in Reykjavik, you can see stunning views of the mountains across the bay.
I’d recommend looking into a car rental, especially if you’re traveling in a group. Even the transportation from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik is pricey. A round-trip ticket on the Flybus is around $60 US.
You can also avoid paying for a tour if you have a rental car. For a Golden Circle Tour, which also included admission to the Kerid Crater and Secret Lagoon, I paid over $160.
Then, after my friendly tour guide, Iga, with Arctic Adventures, mentioned that the viewing conditions were supposed to be right for seeing the Northern Lights that night, I booked a night tour that cost just under $170.
So, if you don’t want to pay $330 per person to do the Golden Circle and see the Northern Lights, renting a car is the best option. However, when I was there in late August, the cheapest cars were $200 per day or more.
If you opt to rent a car, just be aware that gas prices in Iceland are among the highest in the entire world. During the winter, there’s also a risk of extreme weather, like winds that take car doors right off the hinges.
With Only Two Days in Iceland Consider Booking a Tour
To avoid the risk, tours are a good option, even if I’m not much of a tour person. I thought the Golden Circle tour was excellent. You start the day at Thingvellir National Park, located in the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The highlight of the day is Gullfoss, or Golden Falls. Gullfoss is the most stunning waterfall I’ve seen in person. If I could’ve had more time in any place in Iceland, it would be at Gullfoss.
Later, we went to the Geysir area, where the Strokkur geyser erupts every few minutes. We also got nearly two hours at Secret Lagoon, a geothermal hot spring that locals and tourists alike visit. It is a more economical alternative to the Blue Lagoon.
We ended the day at the Kerid Crater, which is a volcanic crater with a small lake that a couple of people were diving in while we were there.
With a car, you can add more stops to this itinerary, but with two days in Iceland, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on the Golden Circle.
Northern Lights
If you want to see the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, you’ll want to get far enough away from Reykjavik where there’s not much light pollution. On the tour I went on with EastWest, we spent most of our time viewing the phenomenon from Thingvellir National Park, one hour away from Reykjavik.
Most importantly, there has to be sufficient solar storms and a lack of full cloud cover to be able to see the Aurora, which is most visible from late August to mid-April.
I got incredibly lucky that the conditions were right during my last night there. It was faint to the naked eye, but still awe-inspiring. I will say, cameras do a much better job of capturing it. Before booking a tour or committing to driving to see the Northern Lights, check this forecast.
Two Days in Iceland: More in Reykjavik, Food Options
In Reykjavik itself, there are a few interesting places to check out. Hallgrímskirkja is architecturally fascinating. The centrally located church was built 40 years ago, intended to honor Icelandic tradition. I personally think it looks like a spaceship.
The Laugavegur pedestrian street is nice for a stroll, along with the Hljómskálagarðurinn park. The city center is quite compact, so you really only need a couple of hours to see most of it.
Iceland is incredibly expensive, and that extends to food as well. With only two days in Iceland, I didn’t cook. However, I did make sure to buy yogurt and fruit at the grocery store. That way, I didn’t eat out for all three meals each day. I also brought a sandwich and some nuts on the tour to hold me over.
I made sure to get my money’s worth at a restaurant called Icelandic Street Food. Here, you’ll find what is probably the best food deal in Reykjavik.
You can get unlimited refills of lamb or tomato soup in a bread bowl for 3500 Icelandic krona (~$29). I had six bowls (apparently the record is 18), and it was delicious and filling by the end.
Just make sure to hydrate aggressively if you’re going to down multiple bowls. Otherwise, all of the salt might make you feel bloated. The restaurant also conveniently offers free waffles for dessert.
I also ate at the Hlemmur Food Hall, which had pho, pizza, and Icelandic cuisine among other things. You can get a meal for under $30 here, but it won’t be as good a deal as Icelandic Street Food.
Is Two Days Enough?
Two days in Iceland barely scratches the surface of all the country has to offer. The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is stunning by all accounts. Driving the Ring Road, which could take over a week, is another popular activity.
Still, two days in Iceland is a good option if you’re short on time and money and visiting other European destinations.