Just got back from 2 weeks in Iceland. Gorgeous! We didn’t use any cash, just credit card for everything. The Icelanders are very friendly and helpful. We had no problems with language. We had a great time.
I was in Iceland w a 17 hr layover in June. Found an affordable guest house w breakfast. Next day the rainy weather changed my outdoor plans. Visited the National Museum of Iceland for a few hours. Then walked to the bus terminal. Everyone spoke English and were super nice and helpful. I plan to make a real visit next time.
American tipping culture and Iceland: I was a domestic airline pilot during the Holuhraun eruption and did an incredible number of sight-seeing flights (19-seat turboprop) with everyone from scientists, regular tourists, domestic and foreign (and even Ben Stiller!). Many of these low-level flights around an active volcano were somewhat turbulent and I saw many a green face during those flights - but the experience was, to them, so exceptional that simply EVERYONE was really beaming by the time we landed in Reykjavík. I re-discovered my own country through the eyes of foreign tourists, for which I am forever grateful! My weirdest (well, not really weird, but certainly unexpected) experience was on a Holuhraun flight with elderly American tourists. An elderly lady lagged behind the disembarking passengers and when I exited the aircraft she fervently thanked me for the flight and on shaking my hand she pressed something in my palm and then walked away. By the time I looked at what she had given me (a $100 bill) she was gone. This was the first and only tip I have received in my life! I suppose it was generous but, on reflection I took it as a sign of her appreciation for the experience we had given her. I still have that $100 bill somewhere... Everything in Iceland is expensive, and we Icelanders are paid accordingly. Period. We have this eternal struggle between employers and employee unions about what is appropriate compensation for labor and while the results swing this way and that over time, the general result is that the only real poverty you see in Iceland is mostly due to poor personal choices (addictions of some kind) and some cases where regular people unfortunately fall through cracks in our social safety net. We try our best but we are far from being perfect...
Where i am from (south germany) tipping has nothing to do with how much the person that received the tip earns. Rather, it serves as a "thank you for the services". If you go to a small restaurant here and you don't tip i reccommend not coming back ever again as in some cases this might be considered unfriendly or disrespectfull. Usually the higher the bill the higher the tip. If i go to a restaurant and the bill is 500$ i will tip at least 50$.
We just returned from a two-week Iceland trip and many of your tips came in handy. Regarding the credit card PIN number, the only place we had to enter a PIN was when purchasing diesel fuel for our camper van. A few restaurants required signatures, but most of the time we ran the card and that was it.
hi there! we're planning to visit Iceland in 2024 and just started our search for information. just subscribed and plan on bingeing because I learned so much!
I have been to Iceland in June and did not have any local money with me. The only time I could not pay with card was for public transport, so when I wanted to take the bus through Reykjavik I got the App for mobile tickets (with help at the hotel reception). I travelled alone and felt completely safe in Iceland. No weired encounters, just friendly locals. As it did not get dark, I had some relaxed midnight walks, too.
Hey! I'm planning on traveling to iceland alone as well next year. Can I ask you what you did on your trip and how long you stayed? And in which month you visited? Thank you!!!
@@sea_1909 It was in June last year for ten days. As there was a volcano active at the time, I booked the helicopter tour to see it which was the highlight of the trip. As hiking alone can be dangerous in Iceland, I did not rent a car, but booked several tours. Only one night I did not sleep in Reykavik with a 3-day bus tour to the south until Jökulsarlon, the sublime glacier laguna with a boat trip through the icebergs. Absolutely worth it. The tour had the famous waterfalls on the way, a glacier walk, black sand beach and a jeep tour to a glacier cave from Vik. The golden circle was included, too, which is a must-see for the first visit. I also did the 1-day bus tour around Snæfellsnes with all the popular postcard motives, highly recommended. As I like Reykjavik with its colourful houses I walked around the town a lot and visited the penis museum and Perlon which is an awesome museum about Iceland's nature and perfect for starting a trip. As Iceland is famous for bathing I visited two swimming pools in town and went to the Blue Lagoon by bus. A walking tour of the town centre about Elves and other supernatural stories was very entertaining. I was too exhausted from all the action to sample Reykjavik's famous nightlife though, but enjoyed several original restaurants very much.
Visited Iceland last July. Amazing place. Never felt unsafe due to Icelanders. You can certainly put yourself in some unsafe conditions while hiking/exploring the outdoors! Be smart about that and enjoy one of the most amazing places on Earth. And English is widely spoken in Iceland. The only language “barriers” we experienced is when we asked , “How do you say that in Icelandic?” And immediately regretted the question!! 😂
Best Iceland channel on the net. One of the worlds greatest countries. Have been twice and this channel was a fantastic help to me. Was due to come in November but gutted I can’t due to the new quarantine rules 🥺 Hope everyone stays safe in Iceland and hope to be back again one day 👍
I just returned home from my second trip in June. I went solo this time. You are going to have an amazing time. If you plan to spend time on the volcano, how you dress is everything. Hiking up is very strenuous, you need to stay cool and dry, you'll be roasting hot. And then you just stop and sit and watch and things cool right off. It is mesmerizing, you'll want to stay and stay, if you can stand it. And it will be between 0 & 10C and very windy. You need to be ready to add many layers and really bundle up to the wind when you reach the top. Don't underestimate what it takes to sit out in those conditions and you'll have a trip of a lifetime. (I sure did)
@@320dereklopez Just the beauty of what you will pass driving from place to place will blow you away. Another wonder around every bend. Having a car gives you the flexibility to shift around the weather. Weather changes FAST. You'll run into many people doing the same ring-road tour. You're going to have a blast.
I will be coming over in February it will be mine and my new wifes honeymoon, iv always wanted to go but after watching Eurovision story of fire saga, i went straight to the travel agents to book it. It looks amazing and cannot wait to get there. ya ya ding dong...
Here's something that I found I needed when I got to Iceland: If you're planning on getting a SIM card in Iceland for data, bring along one of those pins that eject the SIM tray from your phone.
So glad I found this. At the ages of 70 and 68, my wife and I are taking a short trip at the end of February. This has been a great help to us and the winter packing list? LifeSaver. Thanks
I am loving your videos ! I visited years ago when I was around 10. (i’m 44) My parents let me go to the movies with their friends teen son and I saw the movie Big there. So safe! Now we are taking our 12 year old twins!
I'm from Austria and REALY surprised to hear that there are CC or debit cards WITHOUT a PIN. lol As for getting cash: I'd recommend getting it before, from your home bank.
Here in Canada I can get ISK from my bank. Takes a few days after you ‘order’ it for it to arrive but if you have a really good banking plan you aren’t hit so hard by conversion fees. I never get my money when I land in a country unless I run out of cash. I always get it in advance.
Icelander here. So fyi I can not remember the last time I used cash. Everything here is super card based/Apple pay. If you have a visa or a mastercard you shouldn’t have any trouble.
Greetings Jeannie. Great Podcast. Well presented. I do plan to visit Iceland soon as I've come across a few podcast on Iceland and very much sold on this beautiful country. I am from Malaysia, retired. Do have a bit of time on my hands, GOD willing. Also tqvm for the check list. Invaluable. Bye for now!
Great video! The only thing that also might be useful is that it is a good idea to make sure that your credit card doesn't charge international transaction charges. I didn't realize this until I had bought my plane tickets. I got charged 20 dollars in international transaction fees. You can save alot of money by getting a travel card that doesn't charge them.
We are headed to Iceland in October for our Honeymoon! Your videos have been incredibly helpful. Although I have seen that cards are widely accepted on tons of blogs and videos, I was still unsure about smaller purchases like parking and bathrooms. Thank you for clarifying and letting people know that there isn't a minimum purchase and that there are card readers available! Your videos are great! 🤩
What about washrooms/restrooms? Do we need to pay a fee like in other European countries? Are there enough of them? It's a small country with so many tourists.
Jules 005 went last summer for a week and there are plenty of restrooms. Think in a week we paid twice but even in the middle of nowhere the restroom that charged took a debit card! I never needed cash anywhere. Sorry but I disagree about the alcohol. The drinks were cheaper than what I am used to but I go into NYC frequently!
I signed up for your RUclips channel years ago and now one of my sons is planning a trip to Iceland and I was like I have got the lady for you with the information you will need. I just sent him your link ❤️
Thank you so much for the tips. I like the no tipping in Iceland and where to get US Dollars exchanged for the Iceland Krona. I'm leaving next week. My boyfriend was born in Reykjavik and his mom and sister live in there.
Do you know if the horse stables commonly take cash or card? Please do a video on several horse stables around the island. Like where is the best place to go riding?
I want to doa two week trip in late August. I plan on back packing the trails in the south east part of the country (the "L" trail and and the water fall trail. Those hikes will take five -six days total. Before that I want to to do the circle route clockwise out of Reykjavik. I will rent a car from Blue Car. May rent a compact or the next size car up from that. Last step is getting places to stay along the road trip. Advice please. Richard
Hi Richard! Sounds like an epic trip! Check out my Ring Road Travel Guide (icelandwithaview.com/product/self-drive-road-trip-guide/) and my Highlands Guidebook (icelandwithaview.com/product/self-drive-highlands-guidebook/) to help you plan! Oh, and if you're looking to do this trip in August of 2023 - beware that accommodation options along the Ring Road are extremely limited and you'll need to camp in your own tent along the Laugavegur trail as the mountain huts are surely booked already. Happy planning!
hi Jeanine, the new thing that I learned from this video is about letting babies sleep outside, I think that's good because it exposes kids to fresh air and can get a person used to colder weather. Thanks for putting out videos I'll be in Iceland this year, plan for May/June.
I've been living with an Icelandic family for 2 months now and the thing that shocked me the most is that the keys are on the car day and night and the house never closed. WOW. Coming from France I can safely say that'd be a no-go there :D
Great video hun! Jam-packed with helpful tips (youve saved our butts on our last 3 Iceland trips!) One thing about safety I want to briefly mention, unfortunately at the campsites, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and alert. We had an unexpected and horrible experience on our 2nd trip to Iceland, and it still has scarred me from trusting campsites & fully being comfortable now. No matter the country, some people will unfortunately do whatever they want and we must remain on alert and cautious, especially after long exhausting days of exploring, when all you want to do is unwind and relax for the evening. Stay safe out there my friends.🙏🏻 This experience has not & will not deter me from going back every chance we get. Iceland has become one of our favorite places on this planet.🇮🇸 It speaks to my SOUL on another level, to pure & beautiful for words.🤗 I can't wait to head back for a 4th time. Thank you for your continued travel tips and excellent content, Jeannie. I don't know what we would do without your helpful videos, lists & maps! Much love from the states, dear!💖
Thank you this video was so helpful! I just got back last week, I’d recommend this place so much to anyone who wants to go. There is so much this country can offer in terms of its landscape. The black beaches, ice caves, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes and mountains and snow are incredible!!
I have one question on using a card for payment. I remember in the past, quite a while ago, each foreign currency transaction incurred a fee. Not the exchange fee, but a per transaction charge. If this is $0.50 per transaction, it can add up quickly. Paying $0.50 to use a bathroom just doubled in price. I do not know if this is a thing any more, because it has been a long time since I traveled outside the USA.
Funny thing about the Tax refund thing, it took roughly a year for me to see that credited back onto my card. I had completely forgot about it honestly, was looking at my statement and was like what the heck is this, and then it all made sense. So, yes, it can take a LONG time! Great video, it was certainly strange not tipping (coming from the USA), but when people say the food was expensive, when you take away leaving an extra 15-20% for a tip, the costs were much closer than what people might think. 100% agree on the duty free, beer/wine is pretty insane!
It's just a matter of perspective. Personally I think the whole tipping culture in the U.S. is ridiculous. Restaurants should pay their personnel normal wages. There are more countries where tipping is not appropriate.
That's rough and will add up VERY quickly! Consider getting a credit card offered/partnered with an airline. Often they have 0% foreign transaction fees!
Very helpful vid, but worth pointing out it’s aimed at a US audience. I’m baffled that the US doesn’t have chip and pin payments, they’ve been around for at least 20 years in Australia and Europe. I’m guessing contactless card payments are not in use in the US there either?
My husband and I are taking our honeymoon to Iceland later this year and your videos have been soooo helpful ! Is there somewhere once you are in Iceland to put your money on a card with a pin?
Iceland is known as the land of ice, water and fire This can be seen from the flag which has 3 colors, namely blue, white and red The blue color symbolizes that Iceland has stunning seas, waterfalls, rivers and lakes and lagoons the white color symbolizes that Iceland has snowy areas, has glaciers and stunning crystal ice caves The red color symbolizes that Iceland has an active volcano 🙏🤗
What do you mean by entering PIN number. I’m from the US, US’s credit cards don’t have PIN numbers when making purchases. You just either insert it in a POS terminal or scan it.
Travelling to Iceland in two weeks time, I couldn’t be more excited as I’ve waiting for this moment for so long to be able to go! 🥳 I am now just worried about how Covid19 could affect the trip and not being able to go :( UPDATE: Cancelled my trip ☹️💔
If you're coming from the US, check @travelgov for the latest advisories. It's their job to tell you if it’s safe to travel, and they’ll be monitoring CDC recommendations. Iceland Monitor is a local trusted source of information in Iceland for the latest updates on COVID-19, travel, closures within Iceland, and more.
We have just returned from Iceland this week and didn’t take or need any cash while we were there for 4 days, as everyone/place accepted Card payments. A wonderful country, very friendly people and No litter anywhere! We watched loads of your videos before our visit and your advice was very helpful, keep up the great work. 😁👍🏻
Are you from the USA? And if so it would really help to know if a typical debit card with a PIN number works over there or if you need a special type of credit card
@@stevenuseda6317 apologies for my late reply. I have only just seen your question. Visa or MasterCard both work just fine used as contactless or entering your pin number in the usual way, the choice is yours.
@@GamezGuru1 we spent a day in Reykjavík, a day in the blue lagoon on the day of our return as it’s close to the airport, a driving out to the black Sands beach along the southern coastline, a day snowmobiling on the glacier and visited the geezers on the way there, and a trip out to see the currently erupting volcano. I would highly recommend hiring a car at the airport, book it before you arrive. The cheapest place to buy petrol is Costco which is located in Reykjavík next to IKEA.
Love this channel soooo much. So informative and interesting and fun. Please keep it coming! Off topic question ... where I can find that pizza shown at 5:41?? It looks amazing. Thanks Jeannie!
I'm going to iceland from the 19 Jun to the 26 July 2020. We will be 4 people. I'm thinking to maybe stay in 2 different Rbnbs and from there explore. Maybe the first 3 days in on place and the rest of the time in another place. I dont really know in witch areas we should stay, so we can just drive from that Airbnb and explore around. Should I first explore the south and then the west? Or should I stick to the typical tourist area around all the south? I really need to plan an itinerary for 6 days and coordinate a trip for 4 people (my, my girlfriend and another couple)😅🤦🏻♂️
Hi I am from Iceland and I would recommend exploring the west and north part of Iceland. A great place to stay at is Akranes which is about 40-60 minute drive from Reykjavík, and from there it is like a half way between the south and the west. Also in the summer it is sunlight 24 hour a day so you can explore the more touristy places late in the evenings when there are not as many people around. The west fjords in my opinion as a local is one of the most beautiful parts of the country ( there is also a lot less tourist there). I would also recommend renting a car with four wheel drive.
Hi! Thanks for all the tips. By the way, do you have a estimated budget for 6 days trip? Is better to rent a car for Transportation o just local buses? Thanks 😊
Hi Bruce! Budget can vary greatly depending on how you travel and what you want to do/see. And I definitely recommend renting your own car so that you can travel to the places you want and when you want. The local transportation system is only semi-reliable for getting you around the city, not to the best sights in the wild. If you don't want to rent a car your other realistic options are to do a multi-day guided tour with a group and you travel by mini-bus OR base yourself out of Reykjavik and take guided daily excursions. My guidebooks and pre-written itineraries will help you have the best.trip.ever! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop/
They don't really take Discover according to people I know there. I have some Krónur, but they are old. I just keep gathering currency when I come across it.
Hi Peter! This is a common question that gets many people confused so thank you for asking! Most gas stations will require a PIN number as well as some other merchants. However, this does NOT mean you have to us a DEBIT card. Call your CREDIT CARD company and ask for the 4-digit PIN required for international purchases. Also, be sure to put a travel note on your account so that your card isn't flagged for fraudulent activity when you use it in Iceland! Happy planning!
Jeannie, we love your videos! My husband and I are headed for Iceland in August. I was wondering if you could tell us the name of the store full of sweaters at 6:46 in your video. I want to get a bunch!
Hi Jeannie, great videos and I just bought your guide bundle for our upcoming trip. Here's a question that I haven't seen you address - for those of us without credit cards that use PINs, what is the Apple Pay/NFC payment situation in Iceland? Is relying on Apple Pay a realistic alternative to CC and PIN for everyday use including gas stations?
I am planning to travel to Iceland on April , which main cities do you recommend to stay in ? And from those cities I will travel on day trips . My vacation will be for 10 days
Hi there! Which cities to stay in depends on what type of trip you want to do! Ring Road (different city every night)? Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snaefellsness (a few different hotels)? Just day trips from Reykjavik? Are you renting a car or only doing guided tours? There is so much to consider! Head over to my website ~ icelandwithaview.com ~ for more guidance. And, check out my video all about April in Iceland: icelandwithaview.com/april/ ~ I also offer guidebooks, digital maps, pre-made itineraries, and custom itinerary planning, all to help you have the best.trip.ever! Happy planning!
Following your Channel and it's too good with information, Just have few questions, 1: About business opportunities for a investors, 2: What are prices of automobile and apartments or Houses, 3: best time to visit Iceland and transfer of amount from my current country would it be easy?
Great channel! Thanks for al the great videos, going to Iceland next week for the first time and watched a bunch of your videos and learned at lot. Looking forward to my trip!
Nice Video, good info on cash. Please excuse me, but regarding Duty Free Alcohol on entry, what is the limit on how much one adult person can bring into Iceland? Thank you. I'm new to your channel, so lots of questions but I will wait until I see if you answered them elsewhere. I see the pinned links in the intro are to videos to your youtube channel. Please, may I ask if you have a written blog as well? Thanks again.
Hi -- as part of a layover, my wife and I will have 3 days in Iceland in mid May. We'll rent a car and would like to drive to some exciting sites. Given the short duration, which coastal area tours (either in the west, south, or east) might give us the biggest bang for the buck? Thoughts/recommendations?
Thomas! The multi-day layover option to/from Europe has boosted Icelandic tourism SO MUCH! It's a great option and I'm sure you'll love it that you'll come back for more time! There is just so many beautiful things to see! With your timeline I do not recommend going to the East. Stick with the South Coast. You'll likely only get as far as Vik but if you arrange your schedule just right, you may get to the glacier lagoon & diamond beach (a super highlight and must-see). The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is also do-able in a day and has a bazillion stops, it's like a mini-Iceland, offering many the cool things Iceland has to offer in miniature. And, the Golden Circle is always at the top of first-timers' lists. Check out my website for guidebooks and digital maps to help you plan! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop
@@IcelandwithaView Hello @IcelandwithaView: Thank you for taking the time to respond. I very much appreciate it. I've been enjoying your videos and have learned a lot from them. W/ your permission, please allow me to ask a follow-up question. Quick background first. - Thus far, I have booked a hotel only for the 1st night in Reykjavik. - Based on your recommendation, my wife and I will now focus our travel within the South Coast only. - As Americans, we'd usually enjoy the flexibility of NOT booking any hotels (e.g., while traveling in the US) and simply "pull over" (get a hotel) when we feel like it. Here's my question: - Given the season of mid May, is it feasible to NOT book any hotels in advance? Or, - Is there some risk that we easily could get stranded and not find any hotel vacancies w/o making any reservations? Thank you, Tom
I am headed to Iceland in April and I assume that is still winter? So bringing warm clothing, boots, gloves and hats is a MUST for any hiking/outdoor activities near Selfoss?
Hi! Yes, April is still winter but towards the end of the month we start to see spring. Here's my packing list for April: icelandwithaview.com/spring-packing/
You glossed over that pay to use the toilet bit entirely too quickly haha. The currency exchange being roughly 10,000 to $100 sounds similar to Japan's ¥ exchange, also no tipping is just like Japan. Sounds like I'll be alright. As for getting a refund on taxes, I've never been one to care about paying sales tax while traveling. Kinda seems more fair all around. I've been to Japan many times and have been planning a different trip. The similarities sound crazy lol. Can't wait.
Just got back from 2 weeks in Iceland. Gorgeous! We didn’t use any cash, just credit card for everything. The Icelanders are very friendly and helpful. We had no problems with language. We had a great time.
I was in Iceland w a 17 hr layover in June. Found an affordable guest house w breakfast. Next day the rainy weather changed my outdoor plans. Visited the National Museum of Iceland for a few hours. Then walked to the bus terminal. Everyone spoke English and were super nice and helpful. I plan to make a real visit next time.
I'm so glad you had a chance to explore a little...you will definitely have to return so you can see more.
I also want to visit Iceland. Can I talk to you please for some advice 🙏
American tipping culture and Iceland:
I was a domestic airline pilot during the Holuhraun eruption and did an incredible number of sight-seeing flights (19-seat turboprop) with everyone from scientists, regular tourists, domestic and foreign (and even Ben Stiller!). Many of these low-level flights around an active volcano were somewhat turbulent and I saw many a green face during those flights - but the experience was, to them, so exceptional that simply EVERYONE was really beaming by the time we landed in Reykjavík. I re-discovered my own country through the eyes of foreign tourists, for which I am forever grateful!
My weirdest (well, not really weird, but certainly unexpected) experience was on a Holuhraun flight with elderly American tourists. An elderly lady lagged behind the disembarking passengers and when I exited the aircraft she fervently thanked me for the flight and on shaking my hand she pressed something in my palm and then walked away. By the time I looked at what she had given me (a $100 bill) she was gone. This was the first and only tip I have received in my life! I suppose it was generous but, on reflection I took it as a sign of her appreciation for the experience we had given her. I still have that $100 bill somewhere...
Everything in Iceland is expensive, and we Icelanders are paid accordingly. Period. We have this eternal struggle between employers and employee unions about what is appropriate compensation for labor and while the results swing this way and that over time, the general result is that the only real poverty you see in Iceland is mostly due to poor personal choices (addictions of some kind) and some cases where regular people unfortunately fall through cracks in our social safety net. We try our best but we are far from being perfect...
Where i am from (south germany) tipping has nothing to do with how much the person that received the tip earns. Rather, it serves as a "thank you for the services". If you go to a small restaurant here and you don't tip i reccommend not coming back ever again as in some cases this might be considered unfriendly or disrespectfull. Usually the higher the bill the higher the tip. If i go to a restaurant and the bill is 500$ i will tip at least 50$.
@@skullflower354 Ja so sehe ich das auch mindestens 10-15% und man gibt es für den Service nicht dem Boss
I'm not reading all of that
Yes, for people we really respect we give a private palm tip because it is more private than handing money over.
We just returned from a two-week Iceland trip and many of your tips came in handy. Regarding the credit card PIN number, the only place we had to enter a PIN was when purchasing diesel fuel for our camper van. A few restaurants required signatures, but most of the time we ran the card and that was it.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience and for subscribing to my channel!
Wow that's awesome 😊😊. Which country are you from?
@@ruthK256 USA, California.
@@humboldtfisher8319 ok nice am from Uganda
hi there! we're planning to visit Iceland in 2024 and just started our search for information. just subscribed and plan on bingeing because I learned so much!
I have been to Iceland in June and did not have any local money with me. The only time I could not pay with card was for public transport, so when I wanted to take the bus through Reykjavik I got the App for mobile tickets (with help at the hotel reception). I travelled alone and felt completely safe in Iceland. No weired encounters, just friendly locals. As it did not get dark, I had some relaxed midnight walks, too.
Hey! I'm planning on traveling to iceland alone as well next year. Can I ask you what you did on your trip and how long you stayed? And in which month you visited? Thank you!!!
@@sea_1909 It was in June last year for ten days. As there was a volcano active at the time, I booked the helicopter tour to see it which was the highlight of the trip. As hiking alone can be dangerous in Iceland, I did not rent a car, but booked several tours. Only one night I did not sleep in Reykavik with a 3-day bus tour to the south until Jökulsarlon, the sublime glacier laguna with a boat trip through the icebergs. Absolutely worth it. The tour had the famous waterfalls on the way, a glacier walk, black sand beach and a jeep tour to a glacier cave from Vik. The golden circle was included, too, which is a must-see for the first visit. I also did the 1-day bus tour around Snæfellsnes with all the popular postcard motives, highly recommended. As I like Reykjavik with its colourful houses I walked around the town a lot and visited the penis museum and Perlon which is an awesome museum about Iceland's nature and perfect for starting a trip. As Iceland is famous for bathing I visited two swimming pools in town and went to the Blue Lagoon by bus. A walking tour of the town centre about Elves and other supernatural stories was very entertaining. I was too exhausted from all the action to sample Reykjavik's famous nightlife though, but enjoyed several original restaurants very much.
@@aenwynsnow2828 around how much did the trip cost?
Visited Iceland last July. Amazing place. Never felt unsafe due to Icelanders. You can certainly put yourself in some unsafe conditions while hiking/exploring the outdoors! Be smart about that and enjoy one of the most amazing places on Earth. And English is widely spoken in Iceland. The only language “barriers” we experienced is when we asked , “How do you say that in Icelandic?” And immediately regretted the question!! 😂
Yes, it's so true - some of the pronunciations can be pretty tough!
How the girls like there? 🫣
Best Iceland channel on the net. One of the worlds greatest countries. Have been twice and this channel was a fantastic help to me. Was due to come in November but gutted I can’t due to the new quarantine rules 🥺 Hope everyone stays safe in Iceland and hope to be back again one day 👍
I'm planning on going solo in July 2021!! Excited but nervous
I just returned home from my second trip in June. I went solo this time. You are going to have an amazing time. If you plan to spend time on the volcano, how you dress is everything. Hiking up is very strenuous, you need to stay cool and dry, you'll be roasting hot. And then you just stop and sit and watch and things cool right off. It is mesmerizing, you'll want to stay and stay, if you can stand it. And it will be between 0 & 10C and very windy. You need to be ready to add many layers and really bundle up to the wind when you reach the top. Don't underestimate what it takes to sit out in those conditions and you'll have a trip of a lifetime. (I sure did)
@@yzScott thank you for the tips! Very excited and hope I have enough to keep me warm
@@320dereklopez What do you plan to see? Will you have your own car/van?
@@yzScott I will have a car and planning to do the ring road and see the volcano
@@320dereklopez Just the beauty of what you will pass driving from place to place will blow you away. Another wonder around every bend. Having a car gives you the flexibility to shift around the weather. Weather changes FAST. You'll run into many people doing the same ring-road tour. You're going to have a blast.
I will be coming over in February it will be mine and my new wifes honeymoon, iv always wanted to go but after watching Eurovision story of fire saga, i went straight to the travel agents to book it.
It looks amazing and cannot wait to get there. ya ya ding dong...
We’ve always wanted to go too but after seeing Fire Saga...forget about it!!!! We HAVE TO GO NOW!!! Ja Ja Ding Dong!!!!!💖💖💖
Iceland 🇮🇸 very beautiful language, very high-quality education to everyone living in Iceland 🇮🇸 Greetings from beautiful Hawaii islands ⛵️ 🏝
Here's something that I found I needed when I got to Iceland: If you're planning on getting a SIM card in Iceland for data, bring along one of those pins that eject the SIM tray from your phone.
I did not know about the value added tax. Thank you!
So glad I found this. At the ages of 70 and 68, my wife and I are taking a short trip at the end of February. This has been a great help to us and the winter packing list? LifeSaver. Thanks
Great to hear Pete I’m so glad I could help! Enjoy your February trip I’ll cross my fingers for good weather 🙏🏼
I'm hoping to go to Iceland next summer (July 2023) and I've found your videos very helpful. Thank you.
Honestly love your videos, did a trip there a while back watched tons from your library, was so so helpful. Thank you!
Love to hear that! Thanks for the support!
Thank you for this. So many travel bloggers only talk about destinations, they dont go over the fine details. TY!!
I am loving your videos ! I visited years ago when I was around 10. (i’m 44) My parents let me go to the movies with their friends teen son and I saw the movie Big there. So safe! Now we are taking our 12 year old twins!
Awesome! Sounds like you have some great memories to re-live with your kids! Happy planning!
Very helpful info re money and card usage! Thanks!
Hi There, please make an updated video according to the current situation and conditions?
Curious what changes you're referencing here?
I would love to visit iceland
We'll be here waiting for you!
I'm from Austria and REALY surprised to hear that there are CC or debit cards WITHOUT a PIN. lol
As for getting cash: I'd recommend getting it before, from your home bank.
Here in Canada I can get ISK from my bank. Takes a few days after you ‘order’ it for it to arrive but if you have a really good banking plan you aren’t hit so hard by conversion fees. I never get my money when I land in a country unless I run out of cash. I always get it in advance.
Icelander here. So fyi I can not remember the last time I used cash. Everything here is super card based/Apple pay. If you have a visa or a mastercard you shouldn’t have any trouble.
Let the babies sleep outside. Thats how you make vikings!
wut
Hilarious
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That is after you made them . A lot of activities happened before..
They get to sleep in longhouse tonight..
Also add go to Bonus for cheap food and snacks, because the food at restaurants is so expensive!
True!
Greetings Jeannie. Great Podcast. Well presented. I do plan to visit Iceland soon as I've come across a few podcast on Iceland and very much sold on this beautiful country. I am from Malaysia, retired. Do have a bit of time on my hands, GOD willing. Also tqvm for the check list. Invaluable. Bye for now!
I am coming this July, so excited, hope the virus will burn out soon.
G T no your not.
Great video! The only thing that also might be useful is that it is a good idea to make sure that your credit card doesn't charge international transaction charges. I didn't realize this until I had bought my plane tickets. I got charged 20 dollars in international transaction fees. You can save alot of money by getting a travel card that doesn't charge them.
Absolutely! Those foreign transaction fees can add up FAST! Thanks for the tip!
We are headed to Iceland in October for our Honeymoon! Your videos have been incredibly helpful. Although I have seen that cards are widely accepted on tons of blogs and videos, I was still unsure about smaller purchases like parking and bathrooms. Thank you for clarifying and letting people know that there isn't a minimum purchase and that there are card readers available! Your videos are great! 🤩
Hey. How are you where you from dear.... ❤️
Kewling off ur marriage ? Haha
What about washrooms/restrooms? Do we need to pay a fee like in other European countries? Are there enough of them? It's a small country with so many tourists.
Jules 005 went last summer for a week and there are plenty of restrooms. Think in a week we paid twice but even in the middle of nowhere the restroom that charged took a debit card! I never needed cash anywhere. Sorry but I disagree about the alcohol. The drinks were cheaper than what I am used to but I go into NYC frequently!
I've been told that most hotels have converted to US plugs for powering electronic equipment. Do we need to get a converter?
I signed up for your RUclips channel years ago and now one of my sons is planning a trip to Iceland and I was like I have got the lady for you with the information you will need.
I just sent him your link ❤️
Thank you so much for the tips. I like the no tipping in Iceland and where to get US Dollars exchanged for the Iceland Krona. I'm leaving next week. My boyfriend was born in Reykjavik and his mom and sister live in there.
You're so welcome! I hope you have the best.trip.ever!
@@IcelandwithaView We found an Airbnb that was just built. We will be the first guests to stay there. My guys mother lives in Garðabær.
very good and valueable information god bless you 🙏 i have plan to go in iceland in november
Very informative - especially money, tipping info
So glad you have found it helpful!
Do you know if the horse stables commonly take cash or card? Please do a video on several horse stables around the island. Like where is the best place to go riding?
I want to doa two week trip in late August. I plan on back packing the trails in the south east part of the country (the "L" trail and and the water fall trail. Those hikes will take five -six days total. Before that I want to to do the circle route clockwise out of Reykjavik. I will rent a car from Blue Car. May rent a compact or the next size car up from that. Last step is getting places to stay along the road trip. Advice please. Richard
Hi Richard! Sounds like an epic trip! Check out my Ring Road Travel Guide (icelandwithaview.com/product/self-drive-road-trip-guide/) and my Highlands Guidebook (icelandwithaview.com/product/self-drive-highlands-guidebook/) to help you plan! Oh, and if you're looking to do this trip in August of 2023 - beware that accommodation options along the Ring Road are extremely limited and you'll need to camp in your own tent along the Laugavegur trail as the mountain huts are surely booked already. Happy planning!
I learnt so much from your video. Very informative and useful. Thanks very much! 🍻
hi Jeanine, the new thing that I learned from this video is about letting babies sleep outside, I think that's good because it exposes kids to fresh air and can get a person used to colder weather. Thanks for putting out videos I'll be in Iceland this year, plan for May/June.
I will be immigrating to Iceland in the next few years and I might end up meeting you and seeing you.
Hey, I wonder what kind of electric outlet they use in Iceland? I imagine we need an adapter
I've been living with an Icelandic family for 2 months now and the thing that shocked me the most is that the keys are on the car day and night and the house never closed. WOW. Coming from France I can safely say that'd be a no-go there :D
It’s a bit like that in Cyprus. I asked about it to a local and he said the car would be on the island somewhere!
@@BuddhaSunn hahah that’s very true though!
Please elmast how was it moving from france to Iceland?
Great video hun! Jam-packed with helpful tips (youve saved our butts on our last 3 Iceland trips!) One thing about safety I want to briefly mention, unfortunately at the campsites, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and alert. We had an unexpected and horrible experience on our 2nd trip to Iceland, and it still has scarred me from trusting campsites & fully being comfortable now. No matter the country, some people will unfortunately do whatever they want and we must remain on alert and cautious, especially after long exhausting days of exploring, when all you want to do is unwind and relax for the evening. Stay safe out there my friends.🙏🏻 This experience has not & will not deter me from going back every chance we get. Iceland has become one of our favorite places on this planet.🇮🇸 It speaks to my SOUL on another level, to pure & beautiful for words.🤗 I can't wait to head back for a 4th time. Thank you for your continued travel tips and excellent content, Jeannie. I don't know what we would do without your helpful videos, lists & maps! Much love from the states, dear!💖
So...what do we have to look after as a tourist at Iceland camp sites? Just say it out straight.
Probably other tourists. Icelanders are not going to mess with you.
You are soooooo fabulous! Love your style and information you share! ❤
All the references you quoted on how safe Iceland is!
Thank you this video was so helpful! I just got back last week, I’d recommend this place so much to anyone who wants to go. There is so much this country can offer in terms of its landscape. The black beaches, ice caves, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes and mountains and snow are incredible!!
Do you need to rent a car?
I have one question on using a card for payment. I remember in the past, quite a while ago, each foreign currency transaction incurred a fee. Not the exchange fee, but a per transaction charge. If this is $0.50 per transaction, it can add up quickly. Paying $0.50 to use a bathroom just doubled in price.
I do not know if this is a thing any more, because it has been a long time since I traveled outside the USA.
Funny thing about the Tax refund thing, it took roughly a year for me to see that credited back onto my card. I had completely forgot about it honestly, was looking at my statement and was like what the heck is this, and then it all made sense. So, yes, it can take a LONG time! Great video, it was certainly strange not tipping (coming from the USA), but when people say the food was expensive, when you take away leaving an extra 15-20% for a tip, the costs were much closer than what people might think. 100% agree on the duty free, beer/wine is pretty insane!
It's just a matter of perspective. Personally I think the whole tipping culture in the U.S. is ridiculous. Restaurants should pay their personnel normal wages. There are more countries where tipping is not appropriate.
Also tipping isn’t “required” in the uk. I have noticed that tipping in America is mandatory unfortunately people in the us depend on their tips.
I'm assuming there is no duty free outside the airport, I don't feel like dragging along souvenirs with me for 1-2 weeks throughout my trip.
This is such a GREAT channel! I'm going in July (2021). I've already watched your "Iceland in July" vid.
The pin info was helpful! My credit cards do not have a pin and I will be able to take care of that prior to arriving. Thank you!
Heading to Iceland in July. BOA charges 3% for every international transaction with a debit card.
That's rough and will add up VERY quickly! Consider getting a credit card offered/partnered with an airline. Often they have 0% foreign transaction fees!
Very helpful vid, but worth pointing out it’s aimed at a US audience. I’m baffled that the US doesn’t have chip and pin payments, they’ve been around for at least 20 years in Australia and Europe. I’m guessing contactless card payments are not in use in the US there either?
Hi there! Chip, pin and contactless card payments have been here in the US for a very long time!
I went to Iceland two years ago and I loved this country! I am really worried about Coronavirus
My husband and I are taking our honeymoon to Iceland later this year and your videos have been soooo helpful !
Is there somewhere once you are in Iceland to put your money on a card with a pin?
yay!! My prints look great in your background. Thanks, Jeannie
Thanks for the info. Just for your awareness the blue cars link didn't actually offer any discount to booking without the link.
Iceland is known as the land of ice, water and fire
This can be seen from the flag which has 3 colors, namely blue, white and red
The blue color symbolizes that Iceland has stunning seas, waterfalls, rivers and lakes and lagoons
the white color symbolizes that Iceland has snowy areas, has glaciers and stunning crystal ice caves
The red color symbolizes that Iceland has an active volcano
🙏🤗
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this, I'm sure many of my followers would love to hear this interpretation. You're the best!
Ok sister. 🙏. I from Indonesian ❤️ your channel. I have a content of beauty of view
@@IcelandwithaView may I ask how you moved there as a U.S citizen?I want to move but reading it's virtually impossible
Do you have a travel tour service you recommend for someone looking to do a self drive 12+ day tour? Thank you
@adam try gate 1 travel or intrepid
You’re so informative and helpful! We’ll be in Iceland May 23-June 7!!
Thx so much this video was so helpful
Are ATMs or Bankomats common as you travel around the ringroad?
What do you mean by entering PIN number. I’m from the US, US’s credit cards don’t have PIN numbers when making purchases. You just either insert it in a POS terminal or scan it.
aghh! thank you so much! i'm traveling there next wednesday!!
Travelling to Iceland in two weeks time, I couldn’t be more excited as I’ve waiting for this moment for so long to be able to go! 🥳 I am now just worried about how Covid19 could affect the trip and not being able to go :(
UPDATE: Cancelled my trip ☹️💔
That's my concern too. Hope everything is going to be ok 🤞😐
@@CookieDoughYumYum me too!
Cookie dough update: cancelled my trip 😭☹️💔
How much do you recommend tipping tour guides?
Thank you so much! I leave for Iceland later this month.
This Iceland a better place to have a new life?
Coins for the shower! That was a pain. Wish there was a change machine at the airport.
We're do we go to get a nice Christmas dinner?
My family and I have a trip scheduled for this upcoming Thursday. Being that you are there, any advisories from Iceland on the corona virus?
If you're coming from the US, check @travelgov for the latest advisories. It's their job to tell you if it’s safe to travel, and they’ll be monitoring CDC recommendations.
Iceland Monitor is a local trusted source of information in Iceland for the latest updates on COVID-19, travel, closures within Iceland, and more.
My husband and I are bringing my two adult sons and their gf in June. So excited but anxious about the planning! Thanks for the videos.
How was it?
We have just returned from Iceland this week and didn’t take or need any cash while we were there for 4 days, as everyone/place accepted Card payments. A wonderful country, very friendly people and No litter anywhere! We watched loads of your videos before our visit and your advice was very helpful, keep up the great work. 😁👍🏻
Are you from the USA? And if so it would really help to know if a typical debit card with a PIN number works over there or if you need a special type of credit card
only 4 days? what did you choose to do?
@@stevenuseda6317 apologies for my late reply. I have only just seen your question. Visa or MasterCard both work just fine used as contactless or entering your pin number in the usual way, the choice is yours.
@@GamezGuru1 we spent a day in Reykjavík, a day in the blue lagoon on the day of our return as it’s close to the airport, a driving out to the black Sands beach along the southern coastline, a day snowmobiling on the glacier and visited the geezers on the way there, and a trip out to see the currently erupting volcano. I would highly recommend hiring a car at the airport, book it before you arrive. The cheapest place to buy petrol is Costco which is located in Reykjavík next to IKEA.
Love this channel soooo much. So informative and interesting and fun. Please keep it coming! Off topic question ... where I can find that pizza shown at 5:41?? It looks amazing. Thanks Jeannie!
I'm going to iceland from the 19 Jun to the 26 July 2020.
We will be 4 people.
I'm thinking to maybe stay in 2 different Rbnbs and from there explore.
Maybe the first 3 days in on place and the rest of the time in another place.
I dont really know in witch areas we should stay, so we can just drive from that Airbnb and explore around.
Should I first explore the south and then the west?
Or should I stick to the typical tourist area around all the south?
I really need to plan an itinerary for 6 days and coordinate a trip for 4 people (my, my girlfriend and another couple)😅🤦🏻♂️
Hi I am from Iceland and I would recommend exploring the west and north part of Iceland. A great place to stay at is Akranes which is about 40-60 minute drive from Reykjavík, and from there it is like a half way between the south and the west. Also in the summer it is sunlight 24 hour a day so you can explore the more touristy places late in the evenings when there are not as many people around. The west fjords in my opinion as a local is one of the most beautiful parts of the country ( there is also a lot less tourist there). I would also recommend renting a car with four wheel drive.
@@kristinorradottir2852 thanks you so much Kristín! This helps a lot 😄
Hi! Thanks for all the tips. By the way, do you have a estimated budget for 6 days trip? Is better to rent a car for Transportation o just local buses? Thanks 😊
Hi Bruce! Budget can vary greatly depending on how you travel and what you want to do/see. And I definitely recommend renting your own car so that you can travel to the places you want and when you want. The local transportation system is only semi-reliable for getting you around the city, not to the best sights in the wild. If you don't want to rent a car your other realistic options are to do a multi-day guided tour with a group and you travel by mini-bus OR base yourself out of Reykjavik and take guided daily excursions. My guidebooks and pre-written itineraries will help you have the best.trip.ever! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop/
Can you give me some info about arive whit a cruiseship in Reykjavic en stay for 2 days.
They don't really take Discover according to people I know there. I have some Krónur, but they are old. I just keep gathering currency when I come across it.
Great information indeed. Can you carry an open bottle of liquor in the trunk and drive in Iceland?
Great video.
We are planning on camping and we noticed that the showers frequently require coins. Any tips for where to get coins?
I enjoyed watching this great video 👍❤❤❤❤
Is there an easy (and preferrably cheap :)) way to get from the Keflavik Airport to just the Keflavik city? Around 5-6 km ride.
Please advise if we can use (a) credit card with pin or (b) credit card just swap/sign . Thank you.
Hi Peter! This is a common question that gets many people confused so thank you for asking! Most gas stations will require a PIN number as well as some other merchants. However, this does NOT mean you have to us a DEBIT card. Call your CREDIT CARD company and ask for the 4-digit PIN required for international purchases. Also, be sure to put a travel note on your account so that your card isn't flagged for fraudulent activity when you use it in Iceland! Happy planning!
@@IcelandwithaView Thank you
Jeannie, we love your videos! My husband and I are headed for Iceland in August. I was wondering if you could tell us the name of the store full of sweaters at 6:46 in your video. I want to get a bunch!
Hi Jeannie, great videos and I just bought your guide bundle for our upcoming trip. Here's a question that I haven't seen you address - for those of us without credit cards that use PINs, what is the Apple Pay/NFC payment situation in Iceland? Is relying on Apple Pay a realistic alternative to CC and PIN for everyday use including gas stations?
I am planning to travel to Iceland on April , which main cities do you recommend to stay in ? And from those cities I will travel on day trips . My vacation will be for 10 days
Hi there! Which cities to stay in depends on what type of trip you want to do! Ring Road (different city every night)? Reykjavik, Golden Circle, South Coast, Snaefellsness (a few different hotels)? Just day trips from Reykjavik? Are you renting a car or only doing guided tours? There is so much to consider! Head over to my website ~ icelandwithaview.com ~ for more guidance. And, check out my video all about April in Iceland: icelandwithaview.com/april/ ~ I also offer guidebooks, digital maps, pre-made itineraries, and custom itinerary planning, all to help you have the best.trip.ever! Happy planning!
I will be renting a car
@@drmohammad4422 I'm DM-ing you on Instagram
I am still confused about which cities to stay in !!! Any way , I wii try to do more search and watch more videos, thanks
Love this thank you!
You're welcome Tony!
Very nice story
Thanks for watching!
@@IcelandwithaView what kind of outlet does iceland use
Following your Channel and it's too good with information,
Just have few questions,
1: About business opportunities for a investors,
2: What are prices of automobile and apartments or Houses,
3: best time to visit Iceland and transfer of amount from my current country would it be easy?
I'd like to ask, where can I buy a map like the one behind you? Takk!
Hi thank you for your video great whst is the best hotel to use for one week thanks
Great channel! Thanks for al the great videos, going to Iceland next week for the first time and watched a bunch of your videos and learned at lot. Looking forward to my trip!
Please am a medical assistant tell me about working and studying in that pretty country i realy loved it
Nice Video, good info on cash. Please excuse me, but regarding Duty Free Alcohol on entry, what is the limit on how much one adult person can bring into Iceland? Thank you.
I'm new to your channel, so lots of questions but I will wait until I see if you answered them elsewhere. I see the pinned links in the intro are to videos to your youtube channel. Please, may I ask if you have a written blog as well? Thanks again.
What would be an appropriate tip for a tour guide? 10% 15% or what? Thanks.
Hi -- as part of a layover, my wife and I will have 3 days in Iceland in mid May. We'll rent a car and would like to drive to some exciting sites. Given the short duration, which coastal area tours (either in the west, south, or east) might give us the biggest bang for the buck? Thoughts/recommendations?
Thomas! The multi-day layover option to/from Europe has boosted Icelandic tourism SO MUCH! It's a great option and I'm sure you'll love it that you'll come back for more time! There is just so many beautiful things to see! With your timeline I do not recommend going to the East. Stick with the South Coast. You'll likely only get as far as Vik but if you arrange your schedule just right, you may get to the glacier lagoon & diamond beach (a super highlight and must-see). The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is also do-able in a day and has a bazillion stops, it's like a mini-Iceland, offering many the cool things Iceland has to offer in miniature. And, the Golden Circle is always at the top of first-timers' lists. Check out my website for guidebooks and digital maps to help you plan! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop
@@IcelandwithaView Hello @IcelandwithaView:
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I very much appreciate it.
I've been enjoying your videos and have learned a lot from them. W/ your permission, please allow me to ask a follow-up question.
Quick background first.
- Thus far, I have booked a hotel only for the 1st night in Reykjavik.
- Based on your recommendation, my wife and I will now focus our travel within the South Coast only.
- As Americans, we'd usually enjoy the flexibility of NOT booking any hotels (e.g., while traveling in the US) and simply "pull over" (get a hotel) when we feel like it.
Here's my question:
- Given the season of mid May, is it feasible to NOT book any hotels in advance? Or,
- Is there some risk that we easily could get stranded and not find any hotel vacancies w/o making any reservations?
Thank you,
Tom
I am headed to Iceland in April and I assume that is still winter? So bringing warm clothing, boots, gloves and hats is a MUST for any hiking/outdoor activities near Selfoss?
Hi! Yes, April is still winter but towards the end of the month we start to see spring. Here's my packing list for April: icelandwithaview.com/spring-packing/
@@IcelandwithaView Thank you! I'll be arriving Tuesday the 11th. I can only DREAM that my daughter and I will get to see some of the Aurora Borealis
Thank you
thank you for the helpful info and the packing list!
You glossed over that pay to use the toilet bit entirely too quickly haha.
The currency exchange being roughly 10,000 to $100 sounds similar to Japan's ¥ exchange, also no tipping is just like Japan. Sounds like I'll be alright.
As for getting a refund on taxes, I've never been one to care about paying sales tax while traveling. Kinda seems more fair all around.
I've been to Japan many times and have been planning a different trip. The similarities sound crazy lol. Can't wait.