Reykjavík on a Budget
A country famous for being expensive still has a genuinely free tectonic plate boundary and a church tower worth every krona, here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down.
Iceland has a genuine reputation for being expensive, but several of its most striking sights, Þingvellir, the harbourfront, most of the Golden Circle’s viewpoints, cost nothing at all. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Visit outside peak summer for lower prices
Summer brings Iceland’s highest accommodation prices and heaviest crowds, particularly around the Golden Circle. Shoulder season, spring or autumn, instead offers noticeably lower rates, and the landscape holds up regardless.
Þingvellir and most Golden Circle stops are free
Walking Þingvellir National Park costs nothing, only the parking has a small fee, and Geysir’s geothermal area and the Gullfoss viewpoints are free too. Hallgrímskirkja’s ground floor is free to enter, only the tower lift charges admission.
Rent a car and self-drive the Golden Circle
A rental car split between a small group works out considerably cheaper than individual tour tickets for the Golden Circle, and it lets you set your own pace at each stop. Central Reykjavík itself is genuinely walkable, no car needed there.
A hot dog stand beats a tourist-priced restaurant
An Icelandic hot dog from a proper stand is widely a local institution, cheap and genuinely tasty, considerably better value than a sit-down meal downtown. A grocery store run for skyr, bread and cheese covers a proper budget lunch too.
Consider a guesthouse over a hotel
Hotels in central Reykjavík sit at the top of the price range given Iceland’s overall cost of living. A guesthouse or hostel with shared facilities runs noticeably cheaper while still keeping you close to the centre.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
