Auður Ösp
Owner, blogger and Iceland expert
I Heart Reykjavík
+354-511-5522
http://www.iheartreykjavik.net
[email protected]
5 day solo traveler winter adventure
125.900 ISK (APPROX 1000 USD) PER PERSON
Hi fellow traveler,
We've put together this itinerary to help solo travelers like yourself to make the
most of your time in Iceland. We chose affordable tours and accommodation
where you get a bit more for your money and where you will have more
opportunities to interact with fellow travelers. The tours have smaller groups sizes
and the hostel is one of the best in the city with a great common area to meet new
friends.
The prices are in Icelandic krónur and are thought as an indicator of what an
itinerary like this will cost. The final price depends on the availability of tours and
the prices on the date of booking.
The ice cave tour included on the 2 day tour around the south coast is available
from November onwards. If you are traveling earlier than that we do recommend a
similar tour where you do an glacier hike instead of an ice cave tour.
We've put a lot of love and effort into this and we hope you'll consider
booking your tours and accommodation through us. We make a small
commission of everything we book for you but you don't pay anything extra.
This small commission allows us to carry on providing excellent, relevant and free
travel advice for you and everyone else traveling to Iceland through our blog.
For added convenience you will also pay for everything in one payment and you'll
have all your travel documents in one place. If you want, we can also get you in
touch with other solo travelers that are booking with us at the same time to get to
know them before your trip.
If you have more days in Iceland, or if you want to do some changes to this
itinerary to make it more "you" - we would be more than happy to help you with
that. Just send us and e-mail and we'll get right on it.
Love from Reykjavík
Auður
Page 2 of 11
TRIP SUMMARY
Page 3 of 11
Day 1: Exploring Reykjavík
6:30 AM
Arrival at Keflavík Airport - KEF
7:00 AM
Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík - BSI Coach Terminal
10:00 AM
The I Heart Reykjavík Walking Tour - Hallgrimskirkja, Austurvöllur
2:00 PM
Check in at Loft Hostel - Loft Hostel, Bed in a 8 bed dorm with bathroom - linen included
2:30 PM
Free afternoon in Reykjavík
9:00 PM
Northern Lights Small Bus Tour
Day 2: Geysers and waterfalls and the wonderful secret lagoon
10:00 AM
The Hot Golden Circle - Þingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Secret Lagoon
Day 3: Day one of an exciting 2 day adventure of the south coast
8:00 AM
Check out of Loft Hostel for your trip around the south coast - Loft Hostel
8:45 AM
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon - Eyjafjallajökull
volcano/glacier, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vík
Village, Extra fee for single room occupancy
Day 4: The second day of your south coast adventure - including a visit
to an ice cave (eeek!)
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon2 Day - South Coast, Ice
Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon - Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, Vatnajökull National
Park, Skaftafell National Park
8:00 PM
Check in at Loft Hostel - Loft Hostel, Bed in a 8 bed dorm with bathroom - linen included
Day 5: Last day in paradise
8:00 AM
Check out at Loft Hostel - Loft Hostel
9:00 AM
The Blue Lagoon (with transfer) - Blue Lagoon
5:00 PM
Leave Iceland (with a tear in your eye already counting the days until you can come back)
How do I book this awesome adventure?
DAY 1: EXPLORING REYKJAVÍK
6:30 AM
Page 4 of 11
Arrival at Keflavík Airport
Arrival
This is a common landing time for Icelandair flights arriving from the US. These flights leave
the US the day before so if you are flying out of the US on Sunday you land in Keflavík Airport
on Monday morning.
If you are flying in with WOW air a common landing time is 4:00 to 5:00 am
AIRLINE
Icelandair or WOW
KEF
SOUTHERN PENINSULA, IS, 235
7:00 AM
Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík
Departure
45 min
After every flight you'll find a Flybus right outside of the arrival halls at Keflavík Airport and they
leave every 20 minutes or so.
There are two types of tickets available: The normal Flybus ticket that will take you to the BSÍ
bus terminal or a Flybus + Ticket that takes your to your hotel or guesthouse.
If you are staying close to the BSÍ it's probably worth it to take the cheaper Flybus ticket that
will get you to the BSÍ and walk or take a taxi from there (especially if there's more than one
person traveling together) but if you are staying a little out of the city center the Flybus + is a
better deal.
Please keep in mind though that they say this only takes 45 minutes but that actually just refers
to the driving time between Keflavík Airport and the BSÍ bus terminal - the whole process from
when you sit inside the bus until they drop you off at your hotel (if you have a Flybus + ticket)
can take up to two hours.
PRICE
2,800.00
BSI Coach Terminal
Reykjavík, IS, 101
10:00 AM
2 hr
The I Heart Reykjavík Walking Tour
Page 5 of 11
On this walking tour we will tell you all about why we heart Reykjavík and why we think you'll
heart it too. On the tour we'll tell you a little bit about the history of Reykjavík, show you a few of
our favorite places and point out restaurants and bars you might want to enjoy during your stay
in Reykjavík.
Although we often have people coming straight from the airport to our tour without any
problems you can still experience delays with your flight in which case we cannot refund the
tour but we try our best to book you in on the next available tour that fits your schedule.
PRICE
5,500.00
Hallgrimskirkja
101 Skólavörðustígur, Reykjavík,
HÖFUÐBORGARSVÆÐIÐ, IS, 121
2:00 PM
Austurvöllur
Reykjavík, CAPITAL REGION, IS,
101
Check in at Loft Hostel
Check-in
This itinerary assumes you will stay in a 8-bed dorm at Loft Hostel as this is the cheapest
option available. You can upgrade to a smaller dorm or a private room and pay the difference
in price.
We chose Loft hostel for this itinerary because the location is excellent, the value is good and
they have an excellent bar where you can socialize with your fellow guests and make new
friends.
Loft hostel is our top choice for solo budged-minded travelers in Reykjavík.
PRICE
10,600.00
Loft Hostel
7a Bankastræti, Reykjavík,
CAPITAL REGION, IS, 101
2:30 PM
Bed in a 8 bed dorm with
bathroom - linen included
Free afternoon in Reykjavík
You are going to be tired after a long flight and lack of sleep so we recommend you don't plan
anything big on your first day. If you have the energy you can go and check out some of the
things you learned about on the walking tour or you can simply take a little nap to have some
energy for dinner and such.
If you do take a nap - remember to set an alarm so you don't sleep too long and completely
turn your body clock upside down.
Page 6 of 11
9:00 PM
Northern Lights Small Bus Tour
4 hr
If you are up for it and you take a nap in the afternoon you can do a northern lights tour in the
evening of your first day.
Because you get to go again if you don't see them the first time it's good to schedule this tour
early on in your trip to maximize your chances of seeing the lights.
If you absolutely can't do this on the first night, due to fatigue and general laziness you can
combine it with the Golden Circle tour the next night.
Please also keep in mind that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and there are no
guarantees that you'll see them. So no being mad at us if you don't see them
PRICE
8,900.00
DAY 2: GEYSERS AND WATERFALLS AND THE WONDERFUL SECRET
Page 7 of 11
DAY 2: GEYSERS AND WATERFALLS AND THE WONDERFUL SECRET
LAGOON
10:00 AM
The Hot Golden Circle
8 hr
The Golden Circle is to Iceland what the Empire State and the Statue of Liberty is to New
York: Very touristy but kind of not to be missed.
On this tour you will visit the three big places of the Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park
(where Iceland's parliament was founded in 930 and where the tectonic plates meet), the
magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir geothermal area (with the ever chipper Strokkur that
bursts with excitement every 5-8 minutes or so).
We always recommend this tour (it's by far our best selling partner tour) because the groups
are small, the guides really nice and it includes a visit to the wonderful Secret Lagoon. All that
without being stupidly expensive (it only costs marginally more than the cheaper big bus
tours). Plus it leave a little later than most of the tours which allows you to sleep in (score) and
you escape the biggest crowds at most places.
PRICE
13,500.00
Þingvellir
South, IS
Gullfoss
Gullfoss Parking, Gullfoss, SOUTH,
IS, 810
Geysir
Haukadalsvegur, IS
Secret Lagoon
Flúðir, IS
DAY 3: DAY ONE OF AN EXCITING 2 DAY ADVENTURE OF THE
SOUTH COAST
8:00 AM
Check out of Loft Hostel for your trip around the south coast
Check-out
Loft Hostel
7a Bankastræti, Reykjavík, CAPITAL REGION, IS,
101
8:45 AM
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
Page 8 of 11
2d
This tour offers a small group experience, giving travelers a very comfortable and personal
environment. This sightseeing and hiking journey begins down the scenic route 1. The driver
will pick you up from your desired accommodation in Reykjavik before the morning departure
and returns you there safely after the tour.
Day One - The Grand South Coast and Northern Lights
Imagine this: Huge thundering waterfalls, endless rolling valleys, beautiful black beaches,
extraordinary glaciers and small villages with unusually unique landscapes in between. This is
exactly what you can expect as you venture your way down the south coast of Iceland.
Experience the secluded drive down route 1 to the famous Eyjafjallajokull, home of the
massive eruption that halted all European air travel in 2010. Here you will have the chance to
explore two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. On
a clear day, you will have the opportunity to see the two surrounding glaciers,Eyjafjallajökull
and Myrdalsjokull. Continuing on, the drive leads to the coastal village of Vik where you will
find Reynisfjara, the black sand beach, with some fantastic sights such as the picturesque
basalt column formations and the famous Reynisdrangar peaks. Throughout the entire
drive, guests can expect to see breathtaking landscapes consisting of vast lava fields
covered by fluffy moss and surrounding endless mountain range.
After enjoying the south coast marvels, we’ll head deeper into the countryside to our
accommodation. Here we will enjoy a relaxing evening and recharge for the coming day.
During the night we will hunt for the bright dancing Northern Lights. The countryside, away
from the city lights, is perfect for spotting this natural phenomenon.
PRICE
69,990.00
Eyjafjallajökull volcano/glacier
Hvolsvöllur, SUÐURLAND, IS
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
Þórsmerkurvegur, SOUTH, IS, 861
Skógafoss
South, ICELAND, IS
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach
Vík í Mýrdal, SUÐURLAND, IS
Vík Village
Vik, South, IS
Extra fee for single room
occupancy
DAY 4: THE SECOND DAY OF YOUR SOUTH COAST ADVENTURE INCLUDING A VISIT TO AN ICE CAVE (EEEK!)
Page 9 of 11
2 Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon2
Day - South Coast, Ice Cave, Skaftafell & Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon
Day Two - Land of Ice
Between stunning ice caves and widespread glaciers, day two is sure to unravel the
excitement of glacier exploration. We will head off early in the morning to the infamous
Jokulsarlon Ice Lagoon, home of the massive floating icebergs. Jokulsarlon is also where
two James Bond movies were filmed; A view to a kill and Die another Day, as well as Lara
Croft: Tomb Raider. During the drive the land of ice and fire will be before you creating a
beautifully dramatic environment, giving you the opportunity to view the numerous glacier
outlets displayed by Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull.
Next we head to an Ice Cave where our certified guides will assure a safe and exciting
experience. Ice Caves are only found during the wintertime when the glacial rivers retract and
the water freezes. New caves are formed in different locations each year. Ice Caves give you
unparalleled photographic opportunitywhere you can capture the blue light passing through
the glacier ice. On our trip we will visit one cave.
After visting an Ice Cave we start to head back. On the way back is when we will stop at
Skaftafell Nature Reserve, a part of Vatnajokull National Park. Surrounded by amazing
jagged mountains and glacier topped peeks, the scenery consists of indistinguishable
features making it a definite highlight of the tour. At the end of our Skaftafell exploration, we
will make our way back to Reykjavik. On the way we will make sure to look out for Northern
Lights and make quick stops to enjoy the various landscapes.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Suðurland, SUÐURLAND, IS, 781
Vatnajökull National Park
25 Klapparstígur, SOUTH, IS
Skaftafell National Park
Reykjavík, ICELAND, IS
8:00 PM
Check in at Loft Hostel
Check-in
PRICE
5,300.00
Loft Hostel
7a Bankastræti, Reykjavík,
CAPITAL REGION, IS, 101
DAY 5: LAST DAY IN PARADISE
Bed in a 8 bed dorm with
bathroom - linen included
DAY 5: LAST DAY IN PARADISE
8:00 AM
Page 10 of 11
Check out at Loft Hostel
Check-out
Don't forget to say good bye to all your new friends and the fabulous staff at the hostel.
Loft Hostel
7a Bankastræti, Reykjavík, CAPITAL REGION, IS,
101
9:00 AM
The Blue Lagoon (with transfer)
It's a great idea to visit the Blue Lagoon on your way back to the airport. The main reasons for
this is a) the Blue Lagoon is on the way to the airport where you are headed anyway and b)
you are going to be a bit tired from all the traveling so soaking in a hot pools is just what the
doctor ordered.
There are many different packages you can book at the Blue Lagoon but if you want a little
luxury without paying a stupid amount extra we recommend the premium package that
includes a towel, bathrobe and a face mask. For a departure at 09:00 you would book your
Blue Lagoon ticket at 10:00.
The admission to the Blue Lagoon is not included in the price!
The bus will pick you up from the hostel and take you to the Lagoon where you can store your
luggage for a small fee while you enjoy the lagoon. Then when you are ready you take the next
transfer to the airport. Just make sure you are there at least 2 hours before departure.
Please note that if you are flying out at 17:00 you can leave Reykjavík a little later.
PRICE
3,900.00
Blue Lagoon
Grindavík, SUÐURNES, IS, 240
5:00 PM
Departure
Leave Iceland (with a tear in your eye already counting the days until
you can come back)
If you are flying with Icelandair to the US you are likely to leave around 17:00 - if you are flying
with WOW on the other hand you are likely to fly between 15:00 and 16:00.
You need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before departure and we recommend you take
advantage of checking in online in advance or the self-service kiosks at the airport. That way
you can just drop off your luggage and head straight for security.
Page 11 of 11
AIRLINE
Icelandair or WOW
HOW DO I BOOK THIS AWESOME ADVENTURE?
It's super easy: Just send us an e-mail and we'll take care of everything for you!
To make the booking process smoother and quicker please remember to include the follow
information:
Day of arrival with arrival time and flight number
Day of departure with departure time and flight number
What kind of room you would like to stay at Loft hostel or information about whether you'd
be wanting to upgrade to a hotel.
At what time you want to book your Blue Lagoon visit.
Easy peasy lemon squeeze-y.