Anyone done an Iceland vacation?

[Stewie]

My family is looking into vacationing in Iceland this summer. Non-stop flights from/to KC make it really appealing ($640 round trip) AirBnB shows some really nice accommodations in Reykjavik. A ton of interesting sights to see, too.


Looking for ideas and input from anyone that's done the trip.

[Third Eye]

It’s on the bucket list. I have a number of friends who’ve been and every one of them have raved about it.

[Bwana]

My brother just got back from there last week, he loved it.

[BryanBusby]

I'd love to go. The idea of a flight across the Atlantic with a 3 year old makes me want to shoot myself, so probably in a few years.

[eDave]

Too cold.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

If you go , take a coat.

[Stewie]

If you go , take a coat.


Got it. Done my research. In July the highs are around 55-60 and nights are cool. Not a problem.

[chinaski]

We come from the land of the ice and snow from the midnight sun where the hot springs flow...The hammer of the Gods.

[srvy]

Karli Ritter of Fox4KC took a news crew and documented the maiden nonstop flight KC to Iceland. Might be some info in there has a link on how to get nonstop roundtrip flight $349 dont know if its still available.

https://fox4kc.com/2018/06/15/everything-you-need-to-know-to-travel-through-iceland-like-karli-ritter/

[Bump]

I bet that would be a pretty great place to go.

[DaFace]

I've got a few coworkers who have been if you have any specific questions. I've flown through the airport twice, but that's it.

[Stewie]

I've got a few coworkers who have been if you have any specific questions. I've flown through the airport twice, but that's it.


Great!


Flight and accommodations are simple. We need to know about getting to the interesting sites w/o paying a bundle. There are so many great places to see and we'd love see as many as possible.

[MahiMike]

Would love to go. They used to have a really cheap flight from Orlando to Zurich with a stop over in Reykjavic. Must be something to see. Anything vikings interests me.

[kc rush]

My in-laws went a few months ago and enjoyed it. Be ready to be raped on food prices though.

[Frazod]

My in-laws went a few months ago and enjoyed it. Be ready to be raped on food prices though.

My best friend and his wife were there not too long ago. This pretty much sums up what they said.

[Kiimo]

It's extremely expensive, especially booze. Everything on the island other than ice, water, lava and Bjork is seemingly imported.

[GloucesterChief]

Lived there for a year and a half back in the mid-80s.

[penguinz]

On my bucket list to go there and scuba dive between the tectonic plates.

[HonestChieffan]

Some of the most beautiful women on earth. Great food. Salmon fishing is out of this world. Take many $$

[noa]

Yes, it's awesome. Beautiful country and great people. As others have said, it's definitely expensive once you're there. But a great visit. I'd recommend spending some time outside Reykjavik too, like renting a car and driving to the western peninsula for a day or two. Amazing waterfalls and volcanoes to hike, and some landscapes just seem like a different planet.

[GloryDayz]

You should.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190227/da961bdd70d8d9b13ddb822b9972ef95.jpg

[Rain Man]

I've been to very few "I" countries. I've done India. But I haven't done Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, or Israel.

[BWillie]

Going to go someday. I imagine I'll encounter alot of goofy dudes named Snorri or something.

I've heard everything on that island is SUUUUPER expensive though.

[Great Expectations]

Looks like a beautiful place. They have some really strange nazi/socialistic government policies that makes it hard for me to support. I’ve read that they have mandatory abortions for any fetus that shows signs of special needs.

The government is obviouslysubsidizing flights/tourism. Their inhumane stances are still too much for me.

[Great Expectations]

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/

[DaFace]

From a guy I work with:

Iceland is definitely a place you'll want to explore via roads (watch out for "F" roads which are 4x4 roads only). If you really don't want to bother with a car, there are guided services/tour buses that will take care of everything, especially on the Golden Circle near Reykjavik. Otherwise, renting a car is really no different than in other countries. Check that you're insured either through the rental agency or via your credit card provider since your normal insurance won't work there.

Iceland has definitely gotten popular in the summer so if you're picky about your accommodations, book early. Guest houses are the norm, especially outside of Reykjavik, and perfectly acceptable.

We used Nordic Visitor to put together the reservations and car rental for us, even though we designed the trip. With the package it was better than we could do on our own, plus we had an agency to help if anything went wrong and still had the freedom of doing everything on our own.

He also posted a blog about it here (https://exposurebydjk.com/2016/05/21/recap-lessons-learned-on-our-iceland-and-lofoten-photo-trip/) if you're interested (he's a photographer), though his tips are more about traveling there in the winter.

[CoMoChief]

Well, whatever you do...watch out for this asshole.

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/disney/images/8/87/Wolf-Stansson-e1365003351189.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20150529000135

[Reerun_KC]

Expensive as shit.

[Coochie liquor]

My wife has talked about wanting to go there someday. To me I can’t think of anywhere I have to wear a coat the whole time to be fun or a vacation. I’ll probably be forced to do it someday, but hopefully it’s in the very distant future! Have fun if you go, sounds/looks fun except for the cold part.

[Marco Polo]

I was there back in 2015. One of my favorite places in the world. The month you determine to go will determine your itinerary due to weather.

[58-4ever]

My family is looking into vacationing in Iceland this summer. Non-stop flights from/to KC make it really appealing ($640 round trip) AirBnB shows some really nice accommodations in Reykjavik. A ton of interesting sights to see, too.


Looking for ideas and input from anyone that's done the trip.

What airline are you looking at for 640? Just curious.

[Stewie]

What airline are you looking at for 640? Just curious.


Icelandair. Non-stop from KC to Iceland and back. $640 includes a 50 lb. checked bag and a 22 lb. carry-on.


Icelandair flies modern Boeing aircraft with great service.


AirBnB has great places to stay in Reykjavik. $600 for a week gets a really nice place.


Still looking...

[Stewie]

Looks like a beautiful place. They have some really strange nazi/socialistic government policies that makes it hard for me to support. I’ve read that they have mandatory abortions for any fetus that shows signs of special needs.

The government is obviouslysubsidizing flights/tourism. Their inhumane stances are still too much for me.


That's an odd take on a country that has a population of 300,000. How does a small population subsidize all that expense? Nazis? Scandinavians are the opposite of the Nazi bullshit.

[htismaqe]

Freezing cold. Recent history of violent volcanic eruptions.

Sounds like a dream vacation.

[Eleazar]

Never been, supposed to be an extremely expensive place to travel though.

[PunkinDrublic]

You can visit Bobby Fisher’s grave.

[Great Expectations]

That's an odd take on a country that has a population of 300,000. How does a small population subsidize all that expense? Nazis? Scandinavians are the opposite of the Nazi bullshit.

Did you read this link?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/

[DaFace]

Did you read this link?



https://www.cbsnews.com/news/down-syndrome-iceland/Sounds more like a societal decision than radical government policy.

[Great Expectations]

Sounds more like a societal decision than radical government policy.

Nazi sympathizers made similar statements regarding their decision to eliminate the Jewish population.

[DaFace]

Nazi sympathizers made similar statements regarding their decision to eliminate the Jewish population.

I mean, I get your point, but the article says that 67% of people in the US do the same thing. :shrug:

[Donger]

There's a direct from MCI to Iceland? That's a joke, right?

[Strongside]

I went for 2 weeks last April.

Ask me anything.

[Great Expectations]

I mean, I get your point, but the article says that 67% of people in the US do the same thing. :shrug:

Only one or two children per year are born with down syndrome there and they are because the pretest results were inaccurate. Their state provided health care is basically mandating termating the pregnancies that match the pre-testing.

In the US 67% of the people who elect to have the test in the first trimester terminate the pregnancy. Around 20% of women have the test in the first trimester. There are other tests that happen closer to birth where most women in the US have the test.

[Stewie]

There's a direct from MCI to Iceland? That's a joke, right?


Not a joke. During the summer months there are non-stop flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Same coming back.


Last year was the first year for Icelandair to offer non-stop flights to/from MCI. It was so popular they didn't hesitate to do it again.

[Stewie]

I went for 2 weeks last April.

Ask me anything.


Is renting a car essential?


We're going to do an AirBnB which is way cheaper than hotels.


Did you stay in Reykjavik? I've seen a couple of places outside/near that offer nice accommodations.



What are the essential places to see? We're definitely doing whale watching and doing the loop of volcano activity. Might even do a helicopter ride to a volcano.


Restaurant recommendations in Reykjavik would be nice. We're doing an AirBnB so we'll have a kitchen, but a few nights out would be nice.

[Donger]

Not a joke. During the summer months there are non-stop flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Same coming back.


Last year was the first year for Icelandair to offer non-stop flights to/from MCI. It was so popular they didn't hesitate to do it again.

That's really cool!

[Donger]

Wait, a 737?

[Stewie]

Wait, a 737?


They fly 737, 757 and 767.


The 737 is a 737 Max and is configured differently than US airlines. It's not like flying Southwest and the like. They have first class, business, coach.

[DaFace]

They fly 737, 757 and 767.


The 737 is a 737 Max and is configured differently than US airlines. It's not like flying Southwest and the like. They have first class, business, coach.

Well, almost. They have their business class (Saga I believe), but Icelandair doesn't do first class on any flight as far as I know.

[Stewie]

Well, almost. They have their business class (Saga I believe), but Icelandair doesn't do first class on any flight as far as I know.


My bad. It looks like Saga is more like first class than business. More room, meals and a lounge. I'm just flying coach, so it's not a big deal.

[Fish]

I heard that everything on the island is super cheap.

[GloryDayz]

There's a direct from MCI to Iceland? That's a joke, right?

https://www.google.com/flights?q=flight+MCI+to+Iceland&source=lnms&impression_in_search=true&mode_promoted=true&tbm=flm&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyjLfNweLgAhXHhOAKHfxBCM4Q_AUIDigB#flt=MCI.r/m/03rj0.2019-03-17*r/m/03rj0.MCI.2019-03-21;c:USD;e:1;sd:1;t:e

[Strongside]

Is renting a car essential?

IMO, yes. Absolutely. Just rent from a reputable dealer. We went cheap and had to put something like $3k down as a deposit on our card because I didn’t want their damn insurance which was crazy expensive and non-refundable. Also, if you do get a rental, make sure it’s a 4x4 that is certified for F road driving if you’re planning to explore. If not, don’t worry about it and get AWD.


We're going to do an AirBnB which is way cheaper than hotels.

We stayed in one and it was our favorite.


Did you stay in Reykjavik? I've seen a couple of places outside/near that offer nice accommodations.

We did the first and final three nights of our trip. It’s small. You can see the whole town in a day. The real adventure is outside the city.


What are the essential places to see? We're definitely doing whale watching and doing the loop of volcano activity. Might even do a helicopter ride to a volcano.

Whale watching. Look up Bruarfoss...it’s a hike but well worth it. Silfra diving. Eat Langoustine in Hofn. My favorite was Seljavallalaug...the oldest man made pool in Iceland. It’s a hot spring about a mile up in the mountains, so you swim in the most incredible scenery you’ve ever seen. Google will tell you how to get there. The facilities are like 100 years old so they are a bit dirty, but whatever. It’s amazing. Last but not least, GO TO BONUS GROCERY AND BUY BREAD, PB&J. Food is INSANE expensive in Iceland and this will save you a TON of $$$.

Restaurant recommendations in Reykjavik would be nice. We're doing an AirBnB so we'll have a kitchen, but a few nights out would be nice.

Restaurants aren’t great in Iceland and the food is crazy expensive. There are a few good Italian places, burger/beer pubs in the main strip in Reyk...but my recos are to cook when you can and spend your money elsewhere. There’s an awesome craft beer place in Reyk...don’t recall the name but it was great.

See above

[suzzer99]

Holy shit I can't believe there's a direct flight from KC to Reykjavic. That's insane. What other international direct flights are there from KC?

[Stewie]

See above


Thanks for the input. We're excited about making this a great/affordable vacation.