GreenDragon

I went through and found out the items on my itinerary that require F roads. There are enough that I'm certainly willing to pay for 4WD to see them. Mikeyred, that's what I was able to read. Fording rivers, though, even in a 4WD, is probably NOT covered by insurance. One site did recommend waiting to ford until another person showed up, in case one of you needs help getting a car unstuck. I hadn't thought about the narrow/deeper issue, good advice!

I've made my reservations (all refundable, none charged until I go) at the following. Input/critiques welcome!

Blue House B&B in Reykjavik
Hotel Lambafell
Skyrhusid Guest House
Langavatn & Klambrasel Guesthouse Farm
Hotel Borgarvirki
Hotel Olafsvik
Guesthouse Grindavik

My requirements were breakfast included, since food is so expensive (except Skyrhusid, where the King size bed made up for that), refundable, and relatively inexpensive. The most expensive was Hotel Lambafell, but it looked gorgeous, and is our largest splurge.

The 4WD rental - the best prices I can find for my two weeks in late July looks to be about $1900. I knew it was going to be expensive, but that hurts - Ireland for the same time is $400! Some sites don't mention if a vehicle is 4WD; very frustrating. Any other suggestions for that?

annhig

GD - a good place to look for reasonably priced food is the petrol stations - most have a snack bar at least and some have proper pizza restaurants and cafes. Also another tip is that l everywhere, you will get a free refill [or 6] of coffee. Indeed in one pub we stopped at, the coffee was free!

it's a good idea to stay places where breakfast is included - some places do dinner as well, which can help to reduce costs. and car rental IS very expensive - it was when we went. too I think that if a car isn't described as being 4WD, you can take it that it isn't.

GreenDragon

I don't drink coffee, but I definitely appreciate the petrol station tip. I got that from your trip report and several others.

Some of the cars are described as SUVs, but none on that rental agency website mention 4WD.

GreenDragon

OK, updated itinerary with Lodging:

3 nights Reykjavik (Blue House B&B)
2 nights Skogar (Skogar Guesthouse)
2 nights Jokulsarlon (Skyrhusid Guest House)
3 nights Langavatn (Langavatn & Klambrasel Guesthouse Farm)
1 night Hvammstangi (Hotel Borgarvirki)
3 nights Ólafsvík (Hotel Ólafsvík)
1 night Reykjanesbaer (Guesthouse Grindavik)

Any thoughts on the lodgings? Each place (except Skyrhusid) includes breakfast. I've booked all, no cancellation fees.

it looks like the only times I'm looking at F roads are to visit Þórsmörk National park and Landmannalaugar. Are these soemthing I could do in day trips, and therefore not need to rent a four wheel drive?

We plan on keeping plenty of picnic style foods from stores in the car, so we only have to plan on the evening meal. That will save both time and cost.

GreenDragon

Do all day trip tours start in Reykjavik? I'm looking into doing Þórsmörk National park and Landmannalaugar as day trips (separate ones, unless I could find one with both!) but they are closer to my second stop at Lambafell. I don't want to waste time going back and forth if I don't have to. Thoughts?

colduphere

If you click on the schedule inside the link I provided above you will see you can take a bus from the main highway up to Porsmork. This might be easier as a day trip from Skogar. I would not want to do it as a day trip from Rekyavik.

I am typing this without a map in front of me.

GreenDragon

Prefect, Cold, thank you! I was looking for a map of pickups, but I see Seljalandsfoss listed, which works fine.

colduphere

GreenDragon I feel a need to say this so I don't feel guilty later. We hiked between Porsmork and Skogar between the two glaciers. That was a two day hike. It was perhaps the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. But when you first get off the bus at one of the Porsmork huts you may wonder "okay what now?" There will be a hut and perhaps a tent and an outhouse. The rest will look like the moon with some small trees and some meandering creeks (or rivers).

I hope you have some hiking shoes on so that you can hike at least a few hundred meters away from the cabin, and preferably a bit uphill. Otherwise you may wonder if the trip was worth it.

GreenDragon

We can do a couple hours' worth of hiking before my husband implodes, no worries! Thanks for the warning - I actually saw it elsewhere, as well. If we take the bus from Seljalandsfoss (while staying in Lambafell) that gives us plenty of time to explore.

It looks like the bus trip from Reykjavik to Landmannalaugar is about the same distance as one from Seljalandsfoss would be, so I think we'll do that one, since we have more nights in Reykjavik, and that gives us more time out and about, not driving ourselves.

mikeyred242

Did you check out my suggestion for car hire?

www.carsiceland.com

There car list is pretty clear as to which is a 4x4 and which isn´t. They also do slightly older 4x4 models at a cheaper rate if thats of any interest.

Your itinerary looks pretty good. Long drive between Jokulsarlon and Langavatn but do-able. I´m guessing you are staying at Grindavik because you need to stay somewhere near to the airport for an early flight? Can´t think of any other reason to stay in Grindavik!

GreenDragon

Yes, I looked at it - it's on my list. There's another I found with older cars called carrenters.is. Have you any thoughts on that one?

Grindavik - I wanted to explore the Reykjanes peninsula a bit and yes, be close at hand to the airport for a flight out on Sunday.

annhig

if you want a different experience, GD, try this place:

http://fjorukrain.is/en/fjorugardurinn/

it's in Hafnafjordur on the way to the airport from Reykjavik and would be good either for an overnight or lunch time stop, which is what we did. The pics on the website don't do it justice - the entrance is in the style of a troll's cave and the inside of the restaurant is full stuffed birds, viking artefacts [whether real or not i can't say] and other atmospheric oddities. really worth the trip!

A walk around the village is quite interesting too - there is also a garden which we enjoyed.

GreenDragon

Oh, that's already well on the list. Husband is a huge fan of anythign Viking! I tried to get lodgings at their Fisherman's Village, but it is already sold out

annhig

well done GD. We just came across the place and stood back amazed. One whole wall in the restaurant is set out like one of the western fjord bird cliffs - extraordinary. There was barely anyone else in there with us during the lunch we had which meant that we could wander around and gawp to our hearts' content.

sassy_cat

Love all this planning GD, I am hoping to get back to Iceland but probably not until 2016 so will follow this thread.
Oh, on our trip in late June a few years ago.. 2010? A bridge was washed away just before we arrived, the road counter clockwise was impassable and so we didn't make it to Jokulsarlon. Just one reason for the return trip.

I look forward to your trip report!

colduphere

On our hike last year one end of a walking bridge had been washed away. It was jump and splash and freeze. You can have some amazing experiences in Iceland.

GreenDragon

It looks like the weather averages about 55-60 degrees in July - that's actually warmer than I thought it would be. Lows around 45. No worries there. I had a delightful time late November in Ireland last year, and it was 45-50 degrees every day.

GreenDragon

Here's a rental car place for used cars. The name of this car means I must rent it.

https://carrenters.is/index.php/cars/detail/24

PegS

LOL, oh GreenDragon, I'm going to be shoving you out of the way to rent THAT car.

GreenDragon

HEHEHE - it is an epic name, is it not??