Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
We flew from Johannesburg to Amsterdam with KLM. From R8 000 return. klm.com From there it’s a four-hour flight to Reykjavik with Icelandair. From R4 000 return. icelandair.com TIP Sign up to the airline newsletters and book when you spot a good deal.
GETTING AROUND
We booked a Subaru Forester because it had all-wheel drive. We took out all the insurance policies on offer, additional travel insurance and, of course, those snow tyres. Be sure to rent a GPS too. Google Maps can’t always be trusted. We paid about R11 000 for the lot for nine days. geysir.is
WHAT IT COST US
Flights R13 000 pp Accommodation R9 000 pp (sometimes three to a room) Vehicle R3 500 pp Fuel R1 500 pp Food, drinks and activities R3 000 pp TOTAL R30 000 pp
NEED TO KNOW
South Africans need a visa. About R1 800. vfsglobaldenmark.com/southafrica Book at the end of winter for powdery snow almost daily and spectacular sightings of the Northern Lights. Currency is the Icelandic króna (R1 = 7kr). Credit-card facilities are common, as are ATMs. A local SIM loaded with 10GBs data is about R400 at duty free. Stock up on liquor there too (it’s super expensive otherwise).
STAY HERE
Iceland is incredibly popular year-round so book well in advance. Always opt for the ‘breakfast included’ option. It’s much cheaper than paying for breakfast when you’re there. Icelandair Hotel, Egilsstaðir is in a great location, clean, tidy and good value. From R1 200 pp B&B. icelandairhotels.com Vogafjós Guesthouse is near the baths at Mývatn and has a cosy restaurant inside a working dairy. Try the traditional lamb stew (R200). Rooms from R1 200 pp (including breakfast). vogafjos.is Hvammstangi Cottages in the northwest are adorable but the town pretty much shuts down for the winter, so you’ll have to take snacks with for breakfast. From R791 pp. booking.com/hvammstangicottages
DO THIS
Step inside the Vatnajökull glacier. It costs R3 500 pp if you book in advance, but if you just rock up there’s a chance you’ll get a discount. We found a tour operator at the glacier. extremeiceland.is Stand beneath the Skögafoss waterfall just outside the town of Skógar. Entrance is free. Swim in the geothermal pool at Laugar í Sælingsdal. You’ll find the location on Instagram. Swim in the Mývatn Nature Baths. They’re the same colour as Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon but half the price and less crowded. From R450 pp. myvatnnaturebaths.is Walk the fairy-lit streets of Egilsstaðir. It felt like Christmas. visitegilsstadir.is Visit the harbour in Akureyri. I would have loved to spend two nights in this town. It has some great little coffee shops and restaurants. visitakureyri.is Buy an iconic Icelandic jersey at the Kidka Wool Factory Shop in Hvammstangi. They cost around R2 500. kidka.com *Prices and conversions correct at time of going to print