Icelandic Winter Chronicles: Recap
Recap
Our 11-day road trip in Iceland during one of the coldest winters in 50 years was an unforgettable journey. When we returned, many people asked how we dared to travel to Iceland with temperatures dipping below -20°C (-4°F). For us, it was the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime winter adventure. Traveling off-season meant we had Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes mostly to ourselves, especially outside Reykjavik and Akureyri. The solitude only deepened the beauty of the land of ice and fire, and, if asked, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Driving along the Ring Road, we were captivated by Iceland’s endless, rugged vistas—every destination, from popular sights to hidden gems, offered something uniquely awe-inspiring. But if I had to choose the top three highlights, they’d be
soaking in Húsafell Canyon Baths under the shimmering Northern Lights
ringing in New Year’s Eve at the Perlan Museum amidst Reykjavik’s spontaneous fireworks spectacle, and
exploring the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel alongside fellow spelunkers.
Each of these experiences showcased the rich contrasts Iceland has to offer.
Budget
When I booked a budget-friendly flight to Iceland that Play offered, I hadn’t fully thought about what we’d do there in winter. I estimated we’d need around $6,000–$8,000 for accommodations, a rental car, and meals. But after factoring in last-minute adjustments and cancellations due to snowstorms, our total cost ended up around $11,000.
Here’s the breakdown, excluding costs associated with entering and leaving the country, such as flight tickets and airport parking. For simplicity, I converted 1 point into 1 cent. Numbers are rounded, so they may not add up perfectly to the total.
| Category | Expense ($) | Expense (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Accomodation | $2,833 | 32% |
| Dining | $1,690 | 19% |
| Entertainment | $2,817 | 32% |
| Transportation | $1,563 | 18% |
| Grand Total | $8,904 | 100% |
Here’s the full breakdown:
| Category | Expense ($) | Expense (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Accomodation | $2,833 | 25% |
| Dining | $1,690 | 15% |
| Entertainment | $2,817 | 25% |
| Transportation | $3,956 | 35% |
| Grand Total | $11,296 | 100% |
Two factors contributed to this increase. First, we faced higher accommodation costs, especially during holiday season rebookings. Second, we opted for more indoor activities due to the short daylight hours and freezing temperatures. With the sun rising after 11 a.m. and setting just after 3 p.m., we had limited time outdoors and found ourselves exploring more indoor attractions, like the New Year’s Eve party at Perlan.
Map
Here’s a list of the places we visited, the hotels we stayed at, and the restaurants we dined in. Our original plan was to drive a counterclockwise route around Iceland, covering the entire country. However, due to road blockages caused by severe snowstorms, we had to adjust our route and focus primarily on the west and north. We hope our map still serves as a helpful guide for fellow travelers planning their own unforgettable Icelandic adventure.
