isabel

Since Iceland Air so kindly allows you to stopover for no additional charge we are thinking of adding a couple of days and doing that. It would be next June - so lots of daylight! We can really only afford two nights so I was thinking visit Reykjavik on the first day and do the Golden Circle Tour on the second, flight out would be early the following day. So my concern is whether or not it is 'worth' it in terms of hassle factor - getting to and from the airport into Reykjavik. I realize Reykjavik is pretty small but a quick search it looks like the airport is quite a ways out. We would arrive at 6:15 on a Sunday and leave at 7:45 on Tuesday.

valtor

We did this (we had three nights, we arrived at midnight - so this was our first day). In the first day we visited the city in the morning and afternoon and then took a tour (it was named Mistery tour and it was nice, took us around the city and to some places out of city). The tour started at 8:00 pm , finished after midnight, but it was not yet dark (we were in June 2010).
The second day we did Golden Circle Tour - very interesting.

We do not regret about this stopover. From airport to city and back there is a very good bus. When we booked the hotel they recommended us to take the bus (which waits outside the airport before each arrival) and in any case to not take a taxi which is very expensive. The bus stopped in the front of our hotel. Very easy!

Gordon_R

Isabel - we've done the stopover on the way from London to Seattle. I can absolutely recommend it - especially in June, when the weather will be at its kindest and the days long. We also stayed 2 nights and did an amazing Golden Circle day tour with Gray Line Iceland. We're not normally organied tour people at all, but this one was really excellent an we still talk about the amazing scenery we saw that day.

As for transport beteen the airport and Reykjavic, we took a pre-booked taxi on arrival (as it was late in the evening), but on the way back we used the airport shuttle bus which picks up from the hotels in town (though you need to book the previous day at your hotel's front desk). I can give you plenty more info later, but I'm on the way out the door right now...

Aduchamp1

We did it many, many, years ago and glad we did. The topography is so different than other places and so are the many quirky aspects of Reykjavik.

qwovadis

Have done it in the past was great easy to get around

www.bluelagoon.com/Geothermal-spa

coolest hot springs on the planet for me

there is a nice hotel there too...

booking.com other options with distances from airport.

insuremytrip.com wise burping volcanoes off and off

I got caught in Europe a year ago but recovered 100%

thanks to my insurance.. Have fun!

annhig

we spent 10 days or so in Iceland and definitely recommend going, even if you can only manage 2 days.

it's weird and fascinating, and you'll have a lot of fun.

oliverandharry

Yes, we did last June and stayed 3 nights in Reykjavik which was expensive, but we thought worth it. The airport bus loads and leaves when full and is very efficient. However, Reykjavik is 45 minutes from the airport, so if you have an 8am flight it a very early departure. We did a city tour and wandered around on our own, and then on Day 2 went on a whale watch. Yes, there's a lot of daylight in June! We are flying Iceland Air again in June since they start flying direct from Denver on May 11, but we are not stopping this time.

isabel

Thanks for the responses, sounds like we should do it.

Can any of you recommend your hotel?

valtor

We booked Luna Apartments Hotel. After booking, they told us that a group stay there aand they want to extend their stay, and upgraded us at their Hotel Odinsve, in junior suite. It was a splendid apartment, and the locaation is 2 minutes from Luna, 10 minutes walk from the lake.
We loved it.

Gordon_R

You don't say what your budget is. All I can tell you is we used the Hotel Bjork, which is about 15 minutes walk from the centre of Reykjavik. It's a simple but clean and well run-hotel, with very helpful staff. Get's great reviews on Trip Advisor, and we'd happily stay there again. Of course if your budget is higher, there are other choices....

Gordon_R

One thing about Iceland's reputation as an "expensive" destination. Generally speaking it is, but at least the price you see is the price you pay. Taxes are included and tipping is not customary in Iceland - in fact we were told it causes embarrassment/offence. I would actually say we found the mid-range restaurants in Iceland to be cheaper than those we visited on a recent trip to the US - the difference was not having the 9% sales tax and 18% tip added to the bill.

basingstoke2

A friend recently returned from Iceland and tells me prices have gone down since the financial crisis.

As far as the stopover, we did it and it was perfect for an introcuction to the country. Another benefit is that you will not be as jet lagged when you get to Iceland and even less so when you get to your final destination.

opaldog

We did it on a Boston-Paris trip about 5 years ago. It was definitely worth it. We did the stopover on the return trip. We booked with a company that picks you up at the airport and brings you directly to the Blue Lagoon and from their to your hotel in Reykjavik. We stayed at the Hotel Fron and liked it very much. The next morning we walked around central Reykjavik and saw quite a bit before we took a bus back to the airport and flight to Boston. Oh yes, we were there in late March, early April. It was cold, but that only made the Blue Lagoon experience better.

Aduchamp1

This is frightening, I have never seen such agreement on any topic.

isabel

Yeah me either. Guess we better go!

I just looked at Hotel Fron which looks good. When we originally thought of this trip (the year of the volcano, we changed our plans) we were thinking of 'Gallery Central Guesthouse'. Has anyone heard of that? We are 'budget' (but not super cheap) travelers and at about $75 it beats Hotel Fron ($150) and is way under Hotel Bjork which looks to be in the $250 range. I figure we are only going to be sleeping there, and only two nights so it doesn't need to be fancy.

opaldog

The Hotel Fron was nice. When we stayed in the early spring if I remember correctly we just caught the end of the lower rates. The location was very good. At any rate, enjoy your stay in Iceland. I have considered doing that stopover again. Last February we used Icelandair as they have the best rates, however we just connected and didn't stop.

Gordon_R

We didn't pay anything like that much ($250) for our stay at the Bjork Hotel. We were there in early Spetember last year for 2 nights - in USD the price per night for a double room was about $110 inc continental b/fast. Perhaps next June is just too far off for discounted rates to be available.

sassy_cat

June is the start of peak season and I think your rates reflect that.

I'd add an extra night to your stopover if possible. We tried a long 'stopover' 5 nights last July and wished we could have stayed an extra night or two.
Consider renting a car for your brief stay as driving on the A roads is a breeze.

burnhamski

Stayed in 2006 @ Hotel Centrum - very well located (right beside the Reyjavik City Museum) good access for restaurants, but not right in the Laugevegur hustle & bustle. Upscale but not formal. We liked the hotel better than Hotel Odinsve, where we stayed @ end of same trip. Loved Iceland, and you can see a great deal in just 2-3 days, especially in June with extended daylight. It is beautiful & fascinating. And if you like lamb, Iceland has the best lamb on the planet (sorry New Zealand)! Good fish as well, especially Arctic char.

mobilemc

A slight modification to Isabel's question ... we're also making the flight from NYC to Europe but can only afford the time for a one day & night stopover. Also, we'll make the stop in the early October. We also arrive ~ 6:15 am and would continue to Europe the next morning ~ 7:30. I'll arrange a tour to pick us up at the airport for just one day and deposit us at our hotel in the evening. It'll only be a taste of Iceland but is it worth the stop? Since it's so short, I'm thinking we might stay in a hotel in Keflavik nearer the airport. Your reactions? Thanks.