Bindery

My wife and I keep changing our vacation plans, here is the latest.
Fly out of New York on icelandair with a 1 or 2 day stopover in Reykjavik.
We would then fly on to London and rent a car and drive around the countryside, returning to New York from London
My question is should we rent a car in Reykjavik, or use cabs and tours?
What would be the best things to see and do in Reykjavík?

SusanInToronto

You'll probably get more replies on Tripadvisor for Iceland, but here goes.

When are you going? Renting a car worked well for us, but we had 11 nights. Last 3 nights we spent in Reykjavik, so we returned the car before staying there. I really liked Reykjavik - nice little city, but we did do a tour from there for 1 day (Into the Volcano, which was quite amazing). If you've only got a couple of nights, you may want to take tours, as you'll likely see more.

If you're going when it's still winter, driving on your own can be extremely risky, depending on the weather. I sure wouldn't do it.

marvelousmouse

2 days- 1 day for Reykjavik, which you can basically just walk around. And 1 day for a nature tour, or the blue lagoon, if either interest you.

There's a good walking tour for Reykjavik, so I did that in the morning and then spent the afternoon and evening exploring by myself. Felt like I saw most things.

Hobbert

For just a day or two, I wouldn't rent a car. Reykjavik is very compact and easy to navigate on foot and a tour to the Blue Lagoon or Golden Circle will be much cheaper than renting a car.

StCirq

If all you have in Reykyavik is one or two days, just stay there. Buy and read a guidebook or go on the Reykyavik official website - it's all there. I wouldn't shell out the money for the Blue Lagoon - the city is full of local hot springs and spas for a fifth of the price. Take one of the free student-led tours.

SusanInToronto

We did a cycling tour in Reykjavik and totally enjoyed it. If the weather is good, it's an excellent way to see more of the city.

Leyden

Try to fit in a Golden Circle tour. The countryside in Iceland is very interesting -- due to its volcanic nature. It is different than places we have traveled before. There are several companies that offer the tours.

isabel

I did the two night Iceland Air stopover a few years ago. I spent the first day (arrived early in the a.m.) exploring Reykjavik (which did not take long) and the second day I took the Golden Circle Tour )about 9-10 hours, two different companies offer the same tour). I thought it was a perfect introduction to Iceland. Now I want to go back and rent a car and see more. But I think that would only be worthwhile if you had at least 5 or 6 days. For just two, stick with the Golden Circle Tour. But if you are going to bother stopping at all I think you should give it two days so you can see the city and a bit of the countryside.

Here's my trip report.http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pover-trip.cfm

powhatangal

I did a 2 night stopover when I flew Icelandair in July '15. My first day I did the "I Heart Reykjavik" walking tour and then explored the city on my own. The second day I did the Golden Circle tour which was amazing!

Definately try to get out in the countryside on a tour if you don't rent a car.

Fodorite018

I agree, definitely get out of town to see the countryside! The city is fine, but no reason to stay put and not see what Iceland has to offer. We did the Golden Circle Tour which was very good!

Our adult kids went a few months after us and did that as well as the Blue Lagoon, and they loved both. They did the BL first thing one morning and said it was wonderful! Going at that hour it was not crowded at all.

The free walking tour(you tip what you feel it was worth) is very good, but you need to book in advance. Our guide turned away quite a few people who just showed up hoping to go, but the group was already large enough and he had to tell them sorry.

Bindery

Well I booked the trip. We arrive in Iceland on April 30 at 6:15am and leave May 2 (which is my wife's birthday) at 4:10pm. I am going to book someplace to stay, maybe in the town and do some kind of tour. Dont think I will rent a car, but I could change my mind.

Fodorite018

I would do Reykjavik on your day of arrival and then an excursion the next day. Then you would still have time on your last day before your flight to see any last things in town that you might have missed on your first day. We did the walking tour on our day of arrival, and we too arrived very early. We just went to out hotel, dropped our bags and then started walking to check out the city. Doing that and the tour was a good way to stay awake after our flight (we came from Seattle, so a long flight). DH finally crashed around 5:30 that night, but I kept going for a few more hours. Being outside with fresh air makes such a difference.

Since tours sell out, I would decide what you want to do and get those booked now so you don't miss out.

liljakatrin

Skip the Blue Lagoon - do the Reykjanes peninsula instead if you're looking for a day trip. I enjoy that far more than the Golden Circle Tour.