isabel

I am looking at flights for next summer on Icelandair which obviously transfer in Iceland. One option has a ten hour layover and I was wondering if that was enough time to go anywhere interesting. The other option is a nice quick transfer so I don't have to do the long one but for the same price I could get a day in Iceland. But do I want a day in Iceland.

Anyone with any experience or opinions?

alanRow

With 10 hours you could get as far as Reykjavik - but you won't really see much of Iceland's natural beauty as the route from Keflavik is a bit grim. And Reykjavik isn't especially beautiful though I did like the national museum

The main option for a short stopover is a trip to the Blue Lagoon but 10 hours is too long for that.

So either get an overnight stay or do a short transfer

astein12

Interesting question... if you actually, had 10 hours, it would be a no brainer. The issue is that you're going to have to clear customs and immigration and then return and go thru security, etc. again. So your 10 hours is probably close to 6 (and that's if your flights are on-time).

You could catch a bus into Reykjavik and see a few things (walk along the waterfront, hit a museum, buy a hotdog! If you decide to do this, let me know and I'll give my recommendations for a Reykjavik in 6 hours tour) or could catch a bus to the Blue Lagoon in that time.

If you really wanted to push it, you could rent a car and drive around the peninsula for 6 hours. Lots scenic stops (little towns, overlooks, bubbling pools, etc.). Very tight schedule, but could be done.

capxxx

The Blue Lagoon is a natural hot springs spa on the way to Reykjavik -- the town-to-airport shuttle company offers an option with/without a stop at the spa, so its easy to get to.

There are a lot of driving tours (with drivers) available on this island, and I wouldn't be surprised is somebody could pick you up at the airport and drive you to the more spectacular spots, or maybe along the coastline. Some of the back roads in the hinterlands are scary (potholes as big as jeeps, I'm told), so this is one case where you might prefer to get a driver.

I think Rekyavik is interesting and scenic, and nice to walk around in. Its a long ride from the airport so you won't have time to do much else.

JJBhoy

Isabel,

A few years back we visited the Blue Lagoon during a short layover on a flight from Glasgow to JFK. My Trip Report is primarily about New York, of course, but the first part does contain an account of our visit to the Blue Lagoon which you might find interesting;

http://tiny.cc/Esekl

I'm a great admirer of your photography & I'm sure you would get some wondeful shots in Iceland.

Jim

basingstoke2

If you can arrange to stay overnight you could get in a Golden Circle Tour, especially if you rent a car. Remember, you will have plenty of daylight.

justshootme

I second the Golden Circle Tour recommendation if you are willing to overnight in Iceland. If you stay a little longer, the South Coast tour to Vik is also a worthwhile excursion.


If not, with a 10 hour layover, you really have two choices, you can travel to Reykjavik and see the sights within the city, albeit this is not the most exciting city to visit and Reykjavik isn't IMO the real Iceland. Travel time from the airport to the city is about 1 hour each way. Your other option will be to travel to the Blue Lagoon and relax there, this is closer to the airport, but you'll need to plan ahead and make sure you have your swim suit, etc handy in your carry on. There are lockers at the Blue Lagoon, but I'm not sure if these are large enough to accomodate a carry on.

christabir

They have a great stopover option - stay for a day or two. It'll never be this inexpensive again. We're going for three days on the way to Paris, in the winter (are we nuts?!). Want to see the northern lights.

isabel

Thanks for the replies. Doesn't actually sound like it's that great an idea, but I'll do a little more research and consider it.

annhig

hi isabel,

even staying one night will greatly enlarge the possiblities.

Depending on the time that your flights arrive and leave, you could drive to Reykjavik for the night, then in the morning, drive the "golden Circle" returning to the airport for your flight out.

or drive straight to the Golden circle, view the sights, then stay in that region overnight, retuning to the airport in the morning.

two things you may not realise -

1.in the middle of summer, the sun really doesn't set so you could read a newspaper at midnight and

2.the sights of the Golden Circle are open 24 hours a day with open access and are free. they comprise the geyser, which erupts every 8 mins or so for 90 secs, gulfoss the waterfall, and thingvellir, the historical icelandic parliament. we were still looking at the geyser at 10pm one night! [DS had a bit of an obsession - we went 3 times]. so you could still get to the Golden Circle and enjoy it even if you don't arrive til 6pm or even later.

I would definitely suggest that you consider fitting a one-night stay into your itinerary. if you have another couple of hours, you could do a trip to the blue lagoon, but it wouldn't be my main priority.

alanRow

<<< The Blue Lagoon is a natural hot springs spa on the way to Reykjavik >>>

It's the outflow from a geothermal power station - so the hot water is natural, the rest of it has been created