HOW TO SAVE MONEY IN REYKJAVIK

Posted by Sarah Jay on October 29th, 2016

I’ve walked Reykjavik’s main looking street repeatedly before. There’s not every day that goes by once I visit the town that I don’t find yourself there somehow. The street, running through the middle of the town and sometimes closed off to cars, is lined with restaurants, hostels, cafés, and stores. But on this, my third visit to Iceland and this town, one thing felt completely different. Reykjavik had modified. Although still a cute town crammed with active cafés, colourful buildings, and a bohemian ambience, however wanting up from my phone, I found myself standing before of that change: a Dunkin’ Donuts, the North yank low chain. within the year I had been gone, Dunkin’ — in addition as Joe and also the Juice, varied burger retailers, additional Taco Bells, and Subways — had perceived to sprout up on this high street and round the town. The mass market had finally come back to Iceland. Though I actually have no solid proof, in my opinion, this can be in response to the strain of the ever growing visitant numbers. although crowds are detonating at the seams for years, to American state the chains replicate the growing crowds drawn in by Iceland’s rising fame and cheaper flights to the country due to budget airlines like WOW Air and Iceland Air’s seven-day free stopover. And my Icelandic friends lamented the changes this delivered to the country: clogged roads, enhanced accidents, environmental degradation, and better costs. The town could also be dynamical, and whereas there's another journal post on however business has modified things, these days i would like to debate the issue that may have an effect on you the most: the upper costs. While Reykjavik has invariably been dear, I found it plenty more durable to remain on a budget this trip. Nevertheless, some ways in which still exist, and these days i would like to share them: Cook your own food – feeding go into Iceland is dear is dear is pricey and — like most capital cities — Reykjavik is very expensive. this is often be a town wherever a fried cake can value , a hamburger will value , a dinner for 2 with wine will value 0! whereas there are some places I like to recommend (more on those later), it’s best to avoid feeding out very much like very much like potential if you wish to stay to a budget. Groceries (basic alimentary paste, eggs, skyr (an Icelandic polite dairy farm product), rice, chicken, and a few veggies) can value eight,700 ISK ( USD) per week. Most hostels, Airbnbs, and even hotels have kitchens that enable you to cook your food. to boot, several grocery and convenient stores have pre-made sandwiches and salads for around four hundred ISK (.50 USD). Drink on a budget – Reykjavik has a number of the simplest nightlife within the world. It goes late into the night, with bars closing at four or 5am! Why? as a result of nobody goes out till oneam! during a country wherever alcoholic drinks value most (around 1,200 ISK (.50 USD)), individuals sit reception and acquire sauced till the last potential second. Hit the happy hours at the bars or hostels and acquire brewage for 600-700 ISK (.25-6.15 USD). Even higher than hour costs is to get your alcohol duty free after you arrive within the country or at the state stores known as Vinbudin. You’ll save regarding four-hundredth off the bar costs. Couchsurf – Reykjavik contains a terribly active Couchsurfing community. obtaining attached the community may be a surefire thanks to get native insights, meet fantastic individuals, and economize with a free place to remain. The simplest thanks to lower your accommodation prices is to not need to get it! Split associate Airbnb home rather than employing a hostel – If you’re visiting with friends, i'd advise against obtaining student residence rooms. Hostel dorms value three,500-7,500 ISK (-65 USD) per person, however you'll get entire homes or residences on Airbnb from eleven,500 ISK (0 USD) per night. If you’re traveling during a cluster of 3 or additional individuals, Airbnb is your most cheap alternative. Camp – If you don’t mind staying somewhat out of the town center, you'll camp at Reykjavik camping area for one,900 per night! It’s the most affordable paid choice within the town. Eat at the road stalls – Not into cooking? Persist with the road stalls serving pizza pie, sandwiches, kebabs, and Iceland’s illustrious hot dogs that line Ingólfstorg sq. round the main tourer info center and Lækjartorg (the sq. close to the gray Line office). You’ll notice sandwiches and kebabs for around one,000 ISK (.75 USD) whereas the recent dogs are four hundred (.50). Everybody loves the illustrious Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dogs (President Clinton went there); they're price feeding if the road isn’t long. Eat some soup – If you’re craving for a heat meal to fill your abdomen, you'll notice some Asian noodle places that supply hearty parts for around one,000 ISK (.75 USD). My favorite’s ar Noodle Station and Krua Thai, a Thai place that simply spread out. Take a free tour – need to understand the history of the town and Iceland however don’t need to get the museums? Don’t miss the free walking tour travel by Free Walking Tour Reykjavik. It’s very informative and takes you around plenty of downtown. Another free exhibits: Harpa hall and also the outsized topographic map of Iceland within the hall. Get the town the town pass -If you propose to check plenty of the sights within the city (and you should), the Reykjavik Pass gets you free entry into all the most important attractions, 100 percent off most tours, and even 100 percent off some restaurants. although atiny low town, Reykjavik additionally has some tremendous museums and art galleries (to that the pass gets you discounts into). (I particularly love the National repository. it's an especially elaborated history of the country.) The 48-hour pass is USD however simply pays for itself. Rideshare outside the town – If you want to move out of the town (to visit the Blue lake, Golden Circle, or anyplace else), expect to pay plenty of cash for a tour. you may rent a automobile, however that’s still around every day. the most affordable thanks to get out of the town and explore is to envision for rides on hostel bulletin boards (even if you aren’t staying at one), Couchsurfing, or Samfredi, Iceland’s ridesharing web site. They crammed with travelers wanting — and giving — rides throughout the country! All you've got to try and do is share costs! Enjoy the outside – Reykjavik is crammed with wonderful things to check and do at no cost. If the weather is good (or a minimum of not terrible, like May-September), walk around. relish the slim streets and colourful homes, watch the ducks within the massive lake within the center of city, hang around during a park, walk the city district, walk the long walking and biking path close to the airdrome (it’s gorgeous and goes through some little beaches, parks, and a dominion, visit Nauthólsvík Beach and its natural spring, or visit the Grotta island pharos at the way finish of city.