A popular way to avoid the high costs of visiting Iceland is to rent a car or camper van. This allows travelers to make their way around the country without having to rely on the limited service available on local buses to get them from place to place. Taking the bus in Iceland could not only be a hassle, it could even be more expensive than renting a car!
Although gasoline prices in Iceland are outrageous by North American standards, the savings add up when you’re traveling with another person or two. Even solo travelers will definitely want to hunt up some friends for this excursion. Having companions on the long ride around the Ring Road will help break up monotony of driving and it will reduce the per person cost of the trip. Going during the autumn months will also help travelers save money since many of the campsites are officially closed. At such times, there’s no admission charge but some of the facilities can still be used year round.
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Renting a car and camping out is another popular budget option. But it might not be the best choice if the weather turns particularly nasty. In such instances, you might have to seek out a hotel or hostel. Dorm beds in much of Iceland are generally on a par the cost of those in London and travelers that value their own privacy will find themselves paying even more.
By comparison, having a camper van protects travelers from the elements and some units even come with space heaters to keep their tenants warm through the night. Camper vans also allow travelers the option of cooking up hot meals. Since even pre-made grocery items are very expensive in Iceland, this is a wonderful bonus for travelers that plan on saving money by doing their own cooking. Just be sure to stock up on nonperishable items before leaving the capitol because grocery prices elsewhere are more costly.
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The Ring Road trip itself usually takes about two weeks. It can nonetheless be done in a shorter period of time if you’re willing to drive longer hours on a more regular basis. For those that don’t think their time frame will allow them to make the journey, a trip around the shorter Golden Circle might be more manageable. The route only takes about a day to complete from Reykjavík.
Gas prices should run anywhere from $300 to $500 for the entire Ring Road journey, depending on what sort of detours your party plans on making. On your trip, you’ll definitely want to be sure to top off your tank whenever you see a station. You don’t know where the next one will be and Iceland is not the place where you want to be left alone in the cold, waiting for the next helpful car to pass by. The crime rate is non-existent but then so is traffic on the road at times.
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You’ll need to put warm clothes, waterproof shoes, a protective covering for your phone, sleeping bags, and a towel or two are on your packing list. The benefits of the first three items are obvious but having to pay for multiple sleeping bag or towel rentals at hostels will quickly eat into your budget. Despite the additional cost, it’s also very sensible to consider purchasing insurance that will cover environmental damages if you don’t already have it. The weather conditions in Iceland tend to be very hard on rental vehicles. Yet local companies are very meticulous when it comes to dings, scratches, and other problems of that nature. Besides, the country is full of suicidal sheep that obviously can’t read road signs. So be careful and have fun!
Where are ewe going?
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Sources: Wikipedia; Be My Travel Muse; Nomadic Matt; Brendan’s Adventures; Bruised Passports; Expert Vagabond
