Travel to Reykjavík

Travel to Reykjavík means landing at Keflavik International Airport, KEF. Find it around 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik and within easy access to the the Iceland capital. The airport was originally built by the United States military during World War II.

Getting to Reykjavik from the airport takes around 45 minutes and is most affordably accomplish by bus companies that work out of the airport. A fare will around $34 per person, or slightly more for a drop off at designated hotels. Taxis will run five times this amount: upwards of 21.500 krónur (154 euros/171 US dollars).

Most arrivals head for car rental booths, especially if they plan to explore the country, which is slightly smaller than Kentucky, on their own.

Welcome to Iceland

If you are heading to Iceland for business or pleasure, keep these odd facts in mind. Most of the people in Iceland believe in elves. That said, it is one of the oldest democracies on the planet; police do not carry guns, every one loves a good geothermal soak no matter what the season, and the country does not have mosquitoes.

Travel to Reykjavik: Top Things to Do

Hallgrimskirkja Church

This is the largest church in Iceland and one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, located in the center of the city. The monument was name after a 17th-century poet and pastor and harbors a 25-ton pipe organ inside the church. The construction of this church took 40 years to complete and has become a prime symbol of Reykjavik. As one of the tallest structures in the country it is worth the elevator ride that takes visitors up the 244 feet to get a panorama of the city.

Whale Watching Tour: Travel to Reykjavík

Summertime is whale watching time along Reykjavik’s cold shores. There are scores of tours companies offering day tours into humpback territory or you can just watch them frolic and spout from shore, binoculars recommended.

Downtown Reykjavik: Travel to Reykjavík

While Reykjavik is not a big city by American city standards, it is spread out. Roughly the size of San Francisco and divides into 10 districts. This is the historic and walkable city center is the best place to hub, for its small and eclectic dwellings and shops and concentration of bars. Shopping is not a great pastime in Iceland, though. As so much is import, food and goods are pricey.

Harpa Concert Hall: Travel to Reykjavík

The venue is notable for its glassy and futuristic architecture – a honeycomb design unusual window designs that change hues at night.

Find two restaurants inside serving classic Icelandic cuisine: fish fare, whale meat and sea bird entrees. Also find agift shop presenting works and crafts of local artists. Consider staying to see a concert or philharmonic performance in the 1,800-seat hall.

Thermal Pools

Iceland runs on geothermal energy and there are some 17 hot pools around the city to soak in and take in the experience. This is one of the key things to do in Reykjavik, whether visitor or local.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a prime spot for a spa day, Icelandic style. The Blue Lagoon is the most famous of these soaking palaces. Most bathhouses are casual affairs with locker rooms and showers and a rough-hewn pool that takes all stress away. But the Blue Lagoon is a full-service hotel, spa and treatment center with restaurants, bars and a massive natural hot springs lake that glows sky blue from the glacial silt that runs into it.  The base fee to enter is around $55 per person. Location is around 30 minutes from the city.

Travel to Reykjavik: Visitor Tips

Weather of Iceland

The weather inIceland is in constant shift, so layers should pack and worn. July is the hottest month in Reykjavik with an average temperature of 52°F. The coldest month is January at 32°F (lower with wind chill) and it is also the wettest month with plenty of rain and snow. In winter, there are around five hours of effective daylight. In summer, the sun sets for around three hours.

Northern Lights Search

You can easily view the northern lights in Iceland and the best months for seeing them are from late August to mid-April. However, late September to late March, the darkest time of year in Iceland, mark the best months for catching this sky show.

Harofiskur: Travel to Reykjavík

When in Iceland, eat like a local. Moreover That means Harofiskur, a snack of dried and salt codfish. Youcan get large bags of it from any grocery store or gas stations.

Rent a car

In Iceland, a place where there are no trains and buses are nearly non-existent, it’s best to rent a car as taxi fares can become prohibitive. Explicitly Most car rental companies are located directly at the Airport and rentals upon landing are recommended. Extra insurance is also recommended as the road conditions are unpredictable and usually include lots of loose gravel, ash and ice – not to mention wandering sheep, horses and birds. Also, if planning to drive out into the country’s amazing wilderness, pick a plan that does not charge by the mile or kilometer.

Take weather reports seriously

Although driving around Iceland is easy and freeing, the changing weather conditions can make it unpleasant and dangerous. Keep a check on the weather no matter where you are driving and cancel plans if the climate predictions bring warnings. They should be taken seriously.

Go the Speed Limit

A 90 KPH speed limit is placed on most of the roads – roads where there will likely be no other cars. But the country employs efficient speed traps that result in odd charges on the credit card used for renting the vehicle many months later.

Fuel Up: Travel to Reykjavík

Occasionally Gas stations along these lengthy, astoundingly beautiful country roads are hard to come by.

Winter Season Visit

While winters are cold in Iceland, they need not ignor. Winters mean glimpsing the aurora borealis, less expensive hotel rates, fewer crowds and a sense of what life in the northlands are really like. Unquestionably The city’s thermal pools stay open all year and soaking up the weather in a pool of warmth can feel sublime.

Take a Tour: Travel to Reykjavík

Iceland’s visitors’ authority offers plenty of information on tours that can be taken to hidden waterfalls, fishers and fjords. Particularly If not renting a car and planning to stay mostly in Reykjavik, a tour of the island nation may be the best way to go.