Here is a little fun Iceland tourism fact.
Over the past several years the number of tourists visiting Iceland has more than tripled.
Before the pandemic Iceland was welcoming some of it’s largest number of visitors topping well over 2 million people! And with Iceland open back up to tourist it is estimated that 2022 will bring around 1.2 million people to the country.
For a country of only 366,000 people, this means that over 3 times the amount of the total population is expected to join the Iceland party this year alone! Iceland is clearly the place to be, but if you all have been reading my blog for very long you already knew I felt that way too:)
So what does this booming number of visitors mean for those of you with a trip to Iceland on the calendar??
It can make finding accommodation VERY difficult.
It is already getting difficult to find accommodation for this coming summer and fall, so if you are planning your own trip to Iceland my number one tip I will say over and over again…
BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE!
If you are anything like me choosing the best accommodation for your trip can be a bit tricky. And when you have the time pressure added to the mix, well it can make things overwhelming. To help you out with your Iceland accommodation search here is an overview of the different accommodation options you can choose from in Iceland.
Hotels and Hostels
Starting this off with the most common accommodation option travelers tend to go for, hotels and hostels.
A quick stroll around downtown Reykjavik and you will find hotels being built up faster than you would believe, which means there is a nice range of options for travelers to choose from. From luxury hotels with impressive decor to quirky hostels that show off Iceland’s hipster vibe, you can find a hotel or hostel to fit all travel styles.
Hotels and hostels book up very quickly, especially during popular times such as the summer months and Christmas time, so be sure to reserve your room well in advance. Otherwise, you will be left with very pricey options or none at all.
4-star countryside Hotel Rangá. Read more about the Viking and I stay at this here.
What type of hotels and hostels are in Iceland?
Travelers will find a range of options in Iceland when it comes to hotels and hostels. From chain hotels such as Center Hotel and Icelandair Hotels, luxury 4-star hotels, and no-frills hotels you can find one to suit everyone’s taste and budget.
Hostels can be found all around the country, even in the remote Westfjords of Iceland. In downtown Reykjavik, guests can stay at hostels right in the city center including one quirky hostel that used to be an old biscuit factory. All over the country, you can find a hostel to spend the night in, and they are great places to meet fellow travelers looking for an adventure in Iceland!
A few hotel and hostels ideas to check out for your stay in Reykjavik:
Grand Hotel – a stylish four-star hotel located a short walk from city center, the hotel offers many amneities for guest such as a fitness center, spa and resturant.
City Center Hotel – Center Hotels is a popular hotel chain in Reykjavik with 6 different locations. If you are looking to be in the center of all the action their City Center Hotel location is perfect for you!
Loft Hostel – This modern hostel is a great option for travelers who are looking to mingle with others visiting Iceland while enjoying the action of downtown Reykjavik.
Where can I search for hotels and hostels in Iceland?
Searching for hotels and hostels is best done on online search engines. Not all hotels and hostels in Iceland are on the more popular booking sites so it is best to use a mix of Icelandic sites as well. A few great sources to start your search are:
Inspiredbyiceland.com
Booking.com
Hostels.com
What is the price range for hotels and hostels in Iceland?
The price range for hotels and hostels in Iceland greatly depends on the type of accommodation, location, and time of year. When traveling to Iceland during the peak season (May-September) be prepared to pay a higher rate than the off-season months. Hotels and hostels in Reykjavik will as well come with a higher price so keep this in mind when planning your trip.
A few examples of price ranges to expect around Iceland are:
* Hostel Dorm – $40-$60 USD
* Double Room w/shared bathroom – $120-$150 USD
* Double Room w/ensuite bathroom – $140 – $320 USD
Note: These are just an average range of prices in Iceland in 2017. Prices quickly change based on availability. During the off-season rates can drop as much as 30% of what the peak rates are.
Airbnb
Airbnb has quickly been gaining popularity in Iceland and is personally my favorite accommodation option when I am traveling. I feel like staying in an Airbnb can be a great way to get a feel for how the locals live, and it is a big plus being able to have your own kitchen to cook some meals to help keep your food costs down, which will be very helpful in Iceland where food can get pretty expensive. Renting an Airbnb apartment is especially great for bigger groups who want to stay together in one place.
An added bonus of staying in an Airbnb in Iceland, the cozy Scandinavian design most Icelandic homes favor will have you feeling right at home!
For booking go to Airbnb’s website where you can search a variety of price ranges, locations, and apartment sizes to find the best accommodation to suit your needs.
Summer Houses and Cottages
This accommodation option is perfect for those who want to fully immerse themselves in Icelandic nature. I mean, what better way to experience Iceland with your family than enjoying a charming cottage surrounded by beautiful nature?
Summer houses and cottages vary in size as well as the amenities they feature. Some cottages offer just the basics, and others will be fully equipped with wi-fi, tv, and best part, a hot tub. Even just a short stay at a summer house and you will see why Icelanders enjoy their summer houses so much!
Where can you book summer houses in Iceland?
To book a summer house in Iceland you can use a few different websites.
* VisitIceand.is has a great list of summer houses from all over the country
* Use booking websites such as Bunglo or heyiceland.is
* Research summer houses in the region you want to stay. For example, if you want to
stay in the South of Iceland search for summer houses in the South of Iceland and you
will be shown a list of options to choose from.
What is the price range for summer houses in Iceland?
The great thing about summer houses in Iceland is that you can find one for almost any budget! You will find a range of prices based on the size of the summerhouse, location, and additional features you are after. A general idea for the price for a basic summerhouse for 4 people would be anywhere between $100-$200 per night, which evens out to be between $25-$50 per person. There are many options so you can search around for one that best suits your budget.
Farm stays
If you are looking to have a hands-on experience with the Icelandic culture and nature a farm stay is a perfect option for you. Enjoy the peace and quiet of Icelandic farm life while learning about the local culture at the same time. An added bonus of a farm stay, you will get to enjoy some adorable animals running around outside your window.
The type of accommodation you will find at a farm stay varies from a dormitory-style room to a fully furnished cabin.
Here are a few farm stay locations to check out around the country:
Efstidalur II Farm Hotel – Not only does this location have a restaurant with the best ice cream in Iceland (in my opinion), but it is also located right along the Golden Circle making it a great place to base yourself while exploring this area.
Hestaland Guesthouse – If you love horses this farm stay is for you. Located in the west of Iceland spend your time either relaxing in their cozy rooms, playing with the horses, or enjoying just views of the gorgeous landscape all around you.
Fljótsbakki Farm Hotel – Located right in the middle of the top attractions in the North of Iceland, this newly opened accommodation is in a renovated cowshed.
The price range for a farm stay varies greatly depending on the accommodation chosen. For booking a farm stay check out Hey Iceland and find the perfect farm getaway for your trip to Iceland.
Camping in Iceland
Camping may not be the first option that comes to mind when thinking of where to stay in Iceland, but trust me camping in Iceland is awesome! Not only is it much cheaper than the hotels in the country, but it also lets you stay right up close to Icelandic nature. Imagine waking up with a waterfall as the view from your bed! At this campground, you can make that happen.
While I definitely wouldn’t recommend relying on camping during the winter months, if you are heading to Iceland during the summertime camping is a great option for accommodation. Although fair warning, I have gone camping in early June and the nighttime temperatures dipped around freezing, so make sure to pack your thermal underwear even in the summer months!
While I defintely wouldn’t recommend relying on camping during the winter months, if you are heading to Iceland during the summertime camping is a great option for accommodation. Although fair warning, I have gone camping in early June and the night time temperatures dipped around freezing, so make sure to pack your thermal underwear even in the summer months!
Iceland has over 200 campgrounds around the country and most do not require booking in advance giving you freedom in deciding where to set up camp each day. The following websites are great resources in helping you map out the campgrounds around the country.
Campingcard.is
Camping.info
Tjalda.is
What are the campgrounds in Iceland like?
A little side story for this one.
A few summers ago I took my Viking camping while we were in Oregon. As we pulled up to our spot in the middle of the trees H got out and asked me where the grass was to set up the tent. When I told him we were going to be camping right there in the dirt he looked at me like I was crazy. It was here that I learned that camping in Iceland (and to my Viking) meant camping in a fluffy grass field somewhere.
So, the point of the story is that there are a few things about camping in Iceland that may be different from other camping trips you have taken.
Here are a few examples:
* Fires are not allowed. This explains why my Viking has never had a s’more while camping and kept asking why I was bringing marshmallows to our dirt camping trip.
* Almost all campgrounds in Iceland are equipped with running water and a bathroom. Big bonus in my opinion!
* Wide open spaces and nice soft grass fields. Since there aren’t many trees in Iceland the campgrounds tend to be located in open fields typically on the outskirts of town.
The view from our tent on a camping trip in the Westfjords. Like I said, wide open spaces!
How much does camping cost?
Camping in Iceland is cheap, which means you can spend your money on having more days to explore this gorgeous country! Campgrounds typically charge $8-$16 USD per person for each night. This fee includes access to the bathroom facilities and running water.
If you are planning on camping in Iceland for a longer period of time purchasing the camping card may be a great option for you. The card costs $125 USD and lets you camp in 41 different campgrounds around the country for up to 28 days. You can find more information on the different campgrounds the camping card works for and purchase one here.
Will there be showers at the campgrounds?
While you will find running water at the campgrounds it is not a given that there will be shower facilities, be sure to check with the campground you plan on staying at regarding this. Typically the more expensive campgrounds include showers, and maybe even a geothermal pool. Some of the less expensive campgrounds may have showers that you can use for an additional fee, around $4 USD.
If your campground does not have a shower have no fear, finding a shower in Iceland is quite easy thanks to the local swimming pools! Almost every town will have a local pool (and I recommend checking them out!) where you can take a nice shower and spend some time relaxing in the warm pools. The fee for using the pools is around $4-$6 USD with some of the more expensive pools charging $10-$12 USD.
Where can you rent camping gear?
Packing a tent and all your camping gear onto the plane may not sound like the most convenient option, but don’t worry, you can actually rent all the gear you need once you have arrived in Iceland. Prices for renting camping gear depending on the equipment you will need, but for a basic tent and sleeping bag rental, it is around $18 USD per day. You can rent camping gear for your trip here.
Campervans in Iceland
In my opinion there is no better place for an epic road trip adventure then Iceland. And when your accommodation is in the backseat you never how to worry about where your road trip will take you or how many stops you make along the way. You can keep on exploring until you are ready to call it a day in whatever town you may end up in. Sounds amazing right?!
Where can you stay with a campervan in Iceland?
This has been a question I have gotten a lot lately and a topic that has clearly caused some confusion. While it used to be allowed to camp where ever you pleased, a recent legislation has made it a legal requirement that you camp only in designated campgrounds. This is an important law to respect as it is in place to help protect the unique Icelandic nature.
While you can no longer park for the night wherever you please you will still have plenty of freedom traveling with your campervan. Most campgrounds do not require advanced booking, so if you see a free space it is yours for the taking.
A few ideas of some awesome campgrounds to check out are:
Hamragardar – Want to wake up with a view of a waterfall from your sleeping bag?? This campground located right next to Seljalandsfoss waterfall will make that happen!
Þakgil Campground – Set up camp in a valley surrounded by mountains and a landscape that looks like it is straight out of a fairytale.
Hellissandur – Spend the night with Snæfellsjökull glacier as your neighbor and enjoy exploring the many walking trails near the campground.
Where can you book a campervan in Iceland?
Booking can be done directly on the campervan companies website. There are several campervan operators to choose from in Iceland, a few of the most popular ones are:
What is the price range for a campervan in Iceland?
For the basic campervan for 2 people the average price range is:
Low season (October – May): $100 – $140 USD per day
High Season (June – September): $160 – $200 USD per day
Waking up with views like this!
Mountain Huts
A stay in a mountain hut is perfect for those who plan on spending time hiking around some of Iceland’s most rugged and remote locations. Mountain huts are large cabins with a hostel-like atmosphere with open bunk beds inside. Cabins are equipped with running water and access to a dining hall. Depending on the location there will be showers available, and if you are lucky a hot spring!
Where can you book mountain huts?
Booking can be done directly on the mountain huts websites. There are several mountain huts to choose from around Iceland, here are a few resources to search for available mountain huts:
- Nat.is – for information of mountain huts all around the country
- Volcano Huts – for those traveling to Þórsmörk Nature Reserve
- VisitIceland.is – a great resource to search for mountain huts that allows you to narrow your search by regions
What is the price range for mountain huts?
For a one-night stay per person in the mountain huts expect to pay between $20 – $35 USD. If you are planning on traveling to the more popular areas such as Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar be sure to book in advance as these locations fill up quickly.
Are the mountain huts open year-round?
The mountain huts are located in the interior of Iceland, a region that is only accessible during the summer months. If you are planning a visit from June to August the mountain huts will be open. However, some locations may be open in May and stay open until September. If you are coming during one of these months make sure to confirm that the location is open and accessible.
Couchsurfing
If you enjoy meeting locals and/or are traveling on a tight budget couchsurfing while in Iceland is a great option for you! Iceland has a very active couchsurfing community with hosts who enjoy sharing their local insight with visitors. Use the couchsurfing website to find places to stay in Iceland and be sure to treat your hosts with respect, they are welcoming you into their home so treat it well.
Tips for accommodation in Iceland
Now that you have a breakdown of all the different types of accommodation options in Iceland here are a few tips to keep in mind when booking your accommodation:
- Book early! With Iceland welcoming more and more visitors each year the number of places for these visitors to stay can’t grow fast enough. As soon as you know your dates start looking to book your accommodation. Not only will this lower your stress level but it will also help you find better deals on accommodation.
- Accommodations outside of the cities are few and far in between. In the more remote places in Iceland, it can be tricky finding available accommodation, be sure to research accommodation options in the region you want to visit first or opt for camping or renting a campervan.
- If you decide camping or rent a campervan you may be wondering where to shower. Take use of local pools or relax in some hot springs. No matter what tiny town you are in Iceland you will most likely be able to find a pool
With so many wonderful accommodation options to choose from, you will have no problem tailoring your Icelandic adventure to exactly your needs! Now time to get planning.
