 Have you ever wanted to travel to Iceland or see the Northern Lights? Did you know Iceland is only a 5hr 50 min flight from NYC? I sure didn’t! If you want somewhere close to the US but feel like you’re WORLDS away, WITHOUT breaking the bank, THIS is the place for you! 

Start off in Reykjavík and make your way on an awesome road trip, that will lead you all the way to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and back, with iconic Waterfall stops, Black Sand Beaches featured on Game Of Thrones, The Blue Lagoon & More! 

 With this itinerary you have options that will keep you busy for days, seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth, in a short amount of time! I personally did this trip from a Thursday to Monday including the travel days! Let’s go adventure! ✈️


Norðurljósavegur

Skógafoss

Reykjavík

Laugarvatn

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Höfn

New York

5 Day Icelandic Adventure- quick trip on a budget 

Thursday-Day One         ✈️Travel Day ✈️

 Have you ever wanted to travel to Iceland or see the Northern Lights? Did you know Iceland is only a 5hr 50 min flight from NYC? I sure didn’t! If you want somewhere close to the US but feel like you’re WORLDS away, THIS is the place for you! 

 With this itinerary you have options that will keep you busy for days, seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth, in a short amount of time! I personally did this trip from a Thursday to Monday including the travel days, but I would’ve been happier with at least ONE more day! Here’s how the tour went leaving at the end of March ➡️

6:15 arrival @ KEF- grab your bags and have one grab the car from the rental spot! Find a quick breakfast or grab some snacks at the hotel and do tour out of Reykjavik! 9 hr tour leave at 830am return at 530pm in Reykjavik! Pick up & drop off available from Hotel Island!

Golden Circle & Snorkeling

* 		 Warm and waterproof outdoor clothing

* 		 Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)

Snorkeling in Silfra Fissure Iceland - March 2016 (HD)

Golden Circle and Snorkeling Tour at Silfra Fissure-

* Pick-up 930pm & drop off 1am from/to Hotel Island!

If you want to get the MOST out of your trip and totally exhaust yourself like we did 😂do this tour for your first night in Iceland, hey you’re already running on adrenaline might as well 🤷🏼‍♀️

Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour In Iceland

Geirsgata | Tommi's Burger joint

Once you finish up with your first tour, grab some food in Reykjavik before doing an optional Northern Lights tour! (September-April)

Omnom Chocolate Reykjavík - Iceland Store

Bastard Brew and Food - Bastard brew and food

the best thai restaurant in Iceland

Kaffivagninn - Iceland's oldest restaurant

Bring snacks or a grab and go sandwich, as there’s no where to eat but inside the gift shop at The Geysir Center, located across the street from Strokkur Geyser. Try the Icelandic Lamb Soup: Kjötsúpa

Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Saturday: Day Three- Self guided tour Road Trip to Air b&b.

Geothermal bread baking (11:45am) get here 10 min early to get with your tour group. Afterward we relaxed in the Saunas, geo thermal pools & be sure to do the Viking challange and take a plunge into the lake! They also have facilities to change, shower and dry off! We did eat lunch here, but unfortunately 🙈 I wouldn’t recommend it. 

Kaffivagninn Grandagarði - Síðan 1935 - kaffivagninn.is

Head to this gorgeous waterfall, but be sure to wear waterproof clothing and a poncho! You’ll get soaked but it’s worth it! If you get hungry stop at a gas station on the way and snag a hot dog 🌭 Iceland’s famous for them! From this waterfall to the Black Sand Beach Reynisfjara is 53 mins!

Visit this breathtaking black sand beach with caves and cliffs, game of thrones style! Just 30 mins from the Terf house detour or 53 mins from the last waterfall!

Options! You can stop here for groceries (keep in mind it closes at 8pm, so check where you are with time!) and cook a cute dinner when you reach the air b&b or there are different options I’ll link below, depending on your mood and time of day you make it here! After these stops it will likely be too late or you’ll be too tired to see anything else!  

We had a WONDERFUL stay with Jon and Linda, their place was small but perfect for a romantic stay as a couple! It had a perfect kitchen that I cooked a lovely pasta meal, had everything I needed for that, and best part, there’s a hot tub we enjoyed after dinner that was fabulous! If you’re lucky enough on a clear night you might catch the northern lights. Bonus! For a small fee they will also provide breakfast!

https://abnb.me/MXKWRenUxpb

We pulled off on the first exit to the right before the bridge and had a great view and headed over to the lagoon after that! It was SO cold!! Dont stay on this side too long, the glaciers on the other side are just BREATHTAKING!

 If you need a little more room, this has great reviews and is in the same area! Bonus that it has a restaurant bar/lounge that you can also perhaps eat at on the way into town for dinner! Always call to check if they’re open & for availability first!

Across the street on the other side of the bridge ( you can’t miss it!! ) is the Glacier Lagoon!! So gorgeous with lots of seals 🦭   If you’re lucky and lots of activity with ice flowing from the Diamond Beach you were just at under the bridge and through to the lagoon! 

Sunday: Day Four- Glaciers, Ice Caves, & Canyons oh my! 

* Vatnajökull - Europe's largest glacier

https://https//adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/ice-caves/crystal-ice-cave/

If you’re an early riser you can see more things! One option is to stop before your glacier hike at The Fjaðrárgjúfur Canyon. You’ll wanna spend 30mins to an hour here to at least walk around the area for a bit, a full hike would take more time and unsure of the open areas. Be sure to give yourself time to get to the 11:20 (takes an hour from here) ice cave & hike on time!

Our lovely guide pointed this “gas station” that also has a mini restaurant inside (think Icelandic Wawa! Get the chicken tenders they were delicious lol), on the way back from the ice cave & glacier hike! 