Iceland for First-Timers | 5 tips you need to know!
Vložit
- čas přidán 22. 05. 2024
- In this video about Iceland you will learn: money, tax free shopping, language, and safety. ALL things that travelers ask me every day and you NEED to know before your trip!
Download my FREE Iceland packing list:
☀️ Summer bit.ly/Iceland-Summer-Packing
❄️ Winter bit.ly/icelandwinterpacking
____
SUBSCRIBE for new #Iceland tips every week: bit.ly/IcelandCZcamsVideos
ABOUT ME: How I sold everything and moved to Iceland bit.ly/IcelandExpat
___
// WHERE TO FIND ME:
📸Follow me around Iceland:
/ icelandwithaview
🗺️Get local tips for Iceland travel: / icelandwithaview
🗺️ Iceland guides, itineraries, + travel map: icelandwithaview.com/shop
___
// PLANNING A TRIP TO ICELAND?
Download my FREE guide to navigating the airport, Duty Free tips, and getting to Reykjavík ➡️ bit.ly/icelandarrivalguide
___
Music: Epidemic Sound
___
// DISCLOSURE:
In my videos, you will occasionally find affiliate links for products, tours, collaboration partners, or services. If you click on one of these affiliate links - and make a purchase - I may receive a small commission. This does NOT result in any additional charges, costs, markups, or fees for you. Money earned via affiliate links helps to pay the associated costs with my business, services and resources made available to you. Thank you so much for your support of my small business and your support of Iceland travel planning.
#icelandplanning #icelandtips
Just got back from 2 weeks in Iceland. Gorgeous! We didn’t use any cash, just credit card for everything. The Icelanders are very friendly and helpful. We had no problems with language. We had a great time.
American tipping culture and Iceland:
I was a domestic airline pilot during the Holuhraun eruption and did an incredible number of sight-seeing flights (19-seat turboprop) with everyone from scientists, regular tourists, domestic and foreign (and even Ben Stiller!). Many of these low-level flights around an active volcano were somewhat turbulent and I saw many a green face during those flights - but the experience was, to them, so exceptional that simply EVERYONE was really beaming by the time we landed in Reykjavík. I re-discovered my own country through the eyes of foreign tourists, for which I am forever grateful!
My weirdest (well, not really weird, but certainly unexpected) experience was on a Holuhraun flight with elderly American tourists. An elderly lady lagged behind the disembarking passengers and when I exited the aircraft she fervently thanked me for the flight and on shaking my hand she pressed something in my palm and then walked away. By the time I looked at what she had given me (a $100 bill) she was gone. This was the first and only tip I have received in my life! I suppose it was generous but, on reflection I took it as a sign of her appreciation for the experience we had given her. I still have that $100 bill somewhere...
Everything in Iceland is expensive, and we Icelanders are paid accordingly. Period. We have this eternal struggle between employers and employee unions about what is appropriate compensation for labor and while the results swing this way and that over time, the general result is that the only real poverty you see in Iceland is mostly due to poor personal choices (addictions of some kind) and some cases where regular people unfortunately fall through cracks in our social safety net. We try our best but we are far from being perfect...
Where i am from (south germany) tipping has nothing to do with how much the person that received the tip earns. Rather, it serves as a "thank you for the services". If you go to a small restaurant here and you don't tip i reccommend not coming back ever again as in some cases this might be considered unfriendly or disrespectfull. Usually the higher the bill the higher the tip. If i go to a restaurant and the bill is 500$ i will tip at least 50$.
@@skullflower354 Ja so sehe ich das auch mindestens 10-15% und man gibt es für den Service nicht dem Boss
I'm not reading all of that
I was in Iceland w a 17 hr layover in June. Found an affordable guest house w breakfast. Next day the rainy weather changed my outdoor plans. Visited the National Museum of Iceland for a few hours. Then walked to the bus terminal. Everyone spoke English and were super nice and helpful. I plan to make a real visit next time.
I'm so glad you had a chance to explore a little...you will definitely have to return so you can see more.
I also want to visit Iceland. Can I talk to you please for some advice 🙏
Let the babies sleep outside. Thats how you make vikings!
wut
Hilarious
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That is after you made them . A lot of activities happened before..
They get to sleep in longhouse tonight..
I have been to Iceland in June and did not have any local money with me. The only time I could not pay with card was for public transport, so when I wanted to take the bus through Reykjavik I got the App for mobile tickets (with help at the hotel reception). I travelled alone and felt completely safe in Iceland. No weired encounters, just friendly locals. As it did not get dark, I had some relaxed midnight walks, too.
Hey! I'm planning on traveling to iceland alone as well next year. Can I ask you what you did on your trip and how long you stayed? And in which month you visited? Thank you!!!
@@sea_1909 It was in June last year for ten days. As there was a volcano active at the time, I booked the helicopter tour to see it which was the highlight of the trip. As hiking alone can be dangerous in Iceland, I did not rent a car, but booked several tours. Only one night I did not sleep in Reykavik with a 3-day bus tour to the south until Jökulsarlon, the sublime glacier laguna with a boat trip through the icebergs. Absolutely worth it. The tour had the famous waterfalls on the way, a glacier walk, black sand beach and a jeep tour to a glacier cave from Vik. The golden circle was included, too, which is a must-see for the first visit. I also did the 1-day bus tour around Snæfellsnes with all the popular postcard motives, highly recommended. As I like Reykjavik with its colourful houses I walked around the town a lot and visited the penis museum and Perlon which is an awesome museum about Iceland's nature and perfect for starting a trip. As Iceland is famous for bathing I visited two swimming pools in town and went to the Blue Lagoon by bus. A walking tour of the town centre about Elves and other supernatural stories was very entertaining. I was too exhausted from all the action to sample Reykjavik's famous nightlife though, but enjoyed several original restaurants very much.
@@aenwynsnow2828 around how much did the trip cost?
Visited Iceland last July. Amazing place. Never felt unsafe due to Icelanders. You can certainly put yourself in some unsafe conditions while hiking/exploring the outdoors! Be smart about that and enjoy one of the most amazing places on Earth. And English is widely spoken in Iceland. The only language “barriers” we experienced is when we asked , “How do you say that in Icelandic?” And immediately regretted the question!! 😂
Yes, it's so true - some of the pronunciations can be pretty tough!
How the girls like there? 🫣
You are soooooo fabulous! Love your style and information you share! ❤
Here's something that I found I needed when I got to Iceland: If you're planning on getting a SIM card in Iceland for data, bring along one of those pins that eject the SIM tray from your phone.
Iceland 🇮🇸 very beautiful language, very high-quality education to everyone living in Iceland 🇮🇸 Greetings from beautiful Hawaii islands ⛵️ 🏝
yay!! My prints look great in your background. Thanks, Jeannie
All the references you quoted on how safe Iceland is!
Great channel! Thanks for al the great videos, going to Iceland next week for the first time and watched a bunch of your videos and learned at lot. Looking forward to my trip!
Helpful. Going to Iceland soon for the first time
You’re so informative and helpful! We’ll be in Iceland May 23-June 7!!
Best Iceland channel on the net. One of the worlds greatest countries. Have been twice and this channel was a fantastic help to me. Was due to come in November but gutted I can’t due to the new quarantine rules 🥺 Hope everyone stays safe in Iceland and hope to be back again one day 👍
We just returned from a two-week Iceland trip and many of your tips came in handy. Regarding the credit card PIN number, the only place we had to enter a PIN was when purchasing diesel fuel for our camper van. A few restaurants required signatures, but most of the time we ran the card and that was it.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience and for subscribing to my channel!
Wow that's awesome 😊😊. Which country are you from?
@@ruthK256 USA, California.
@@humboldtfisher8319 ok nice am from Uganda
Thank you for this. So many travel bloggers only talk about destinations, they dont go over the fine details. TY!!
Very helpful info re money and card usage! Thanks!
thank you for the helpful info and the packing list!
Great tips! Thank you!!!
I learnt so much from your video. Very informative and useful. Thanks very much! 🍻
aghh! thank you so much! i'm traveling there next wednesday!!
Awesome tips. Thank you.
This is such a GREAT channel! I'm going in July (2021). I've already watched your "Iceland in July" vid.
I did not know about the value added tax. Thank you!
Thx so much this video was so helpful
Honestly love your videos, did a trip there a while back watched tons from your library, was so so helpful. Thank you!
Love to hear that! Thanks for the support!
I'm hoping to go to Iceland next summer (July 2023) and I've found your videos very helpful. Thank you.
hi Jeanine, the new thing that I learned from this video is about letting babies sleep outside, I think that's good because it exposes kids to fresh air and can get a person used to colder weather. Thanks for putting out videos I'll be in Iceland this year, plan for May/June.
I signed up for your CZcams channel years ago and now one of my sons is planning a trip to Iceland and I was like I have got the lady for you with the information you will need.
I just sent him your link ❤️
I loved your video and now I love Iceland
hi there! we're planning to visit Iceland in 2024 and just started our search for information. just subscribed and plan on bingeing because I learned so much!
I'm from Austria and REALY surprised to hear that there are CC or debit cards WITHOUT a PIN. lol
As for getting cash: I'd recommend getting it before, from your home bank.
very good and valueable information god bless you 🙏 i have plan to go in iceland in november
Thank you for your tips!
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
Love this thank you!
You're welcome Tony!
So glad I found this. At the ages of 70 and 68, my wife and I are taking a short trip at the end of February. This has been a great help to us and the winter packing list? LifeSaver. Thanks
Great to hear Pete I’m so glad I could help! Enjoy your February trip I’ll cross my fingers for good weather 🙏🏼
a very good helpful video
just found your channel thankgoodness! Such amazing and helpful content!!
Thank you for the kind words and your support!
so helpful!
Great video. Thanks for the info.
Thank you so much for tuning in. 🤩
So appreciated!!!
Thank you for tuning in!
Thanks for the informations❤
Very nice thanks!
Thank you
Very informative - especially money, tipping info
So glad you have found it helpful!
We are headed to Iceland in October for our Honeymoon! Your videos have been incredibly helpful. Although I have seen that cards are widely accepted on tons of blogs and videos, I was still unsure about smaller purchases like parking and bathrooms. Thank you for clarifying and letting people know that there isn't a minimum purchase and that there are card readers available! Your videos are great! 🤩
Hey. How are you where you from dear.... ❤️
Kewling off ur marriage ? Haha
Thank you this video was so helpful! I just got back last week, I’d recommend this place so much to anyone who wants to go. There is so much this country can offer in terms of its landscape. The black beaches, ice caves, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes and mountains and snow are incredible!!
Do you need to rent a car?
Great video hun! Jam-packed with helpful tips (youve saved our butts on our last 3 Iceland trips!) One thing about safety I want to briefly mention, unfortunately at the campsites, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and alert. We had an unexpected and horrible experience on our 2nd trip to Iceland, and it still has scarred me from trusting campsites & fully being comfortable now. No matter the country, some people will unfortunately do whatever they want and we must remain on alert and cautious, especially after long exhausting days of exploring, when all you want to do is unwind and relax for the evening. Stay safe out there my friends.🙏🏻 This experience has not & will not deter me from going back every chance we get. Iceland has become one of our favorite places on this planet.🇮🇸 It speaks to my SOUL on another level, to pure & beautiful for words.🤗 I can't wait to head back for a 4th time. Thank you for your continued travel tips and excellent content, Jeannie. I don't know what we would do without your helpful videos, lists & maps! Much love from the states, dear!💖
So...what do we have to look after as a tourist at Iceland camp sites? Just say it out straight.
Probably other tourists. Icelanders are not going to mess with you.
I will be immigrating to Iceland in the next few years and I might end up meeting you and seeing you.
Thank you so much! I leave for Iceland later this month.
This Iceland a better place to have a new life?
I would love to visit iceland
We'll be here waiting for you!
Greetings Jeannie. Great Podcast. Well presented. I do plan to visit Iceland soon as I've come across a few podcast on Iceland and very much sold on this beautiful country. I am from Malaysia, retired. Do have a bit of time on my hands, GOD willing. Also tqvm for the check list. Invaluable. Bye for now!
Best video of the day ☑️☑️👍👍
Love this channel soooo much. So informative and interesting and fun. Please keep it coming! Off topic question ... where I can find that pizza shown at 5:41?? It looks amazing. Thanks Jeannie!
The pin info was helpful! My credit cards do not have a pin and I will be able to take care of that prior to arriving. Thank you!
I am loving your videos ! I visited years ago when I was around 10. (i’m 44) My parents let me go to the movies with their friends teen son and I saw the movie Big there. So safe! Now we are taking our 12 year old twins!
Awesome! Sounds like you have some great memories to re-live with your kids! Happy planning!
I will be coming over in February it will be mine and my new wifes honeymoon, iv always wanted to go but after watching Eurovision story of fire saga, i went straight to the travel agents to book it.
It looks amazing and cannot wait to get there. ya ya ding dong...
We’ve always wanted to go too but after seeing Fire Saga...forget about it!!!! We HAVE TO GO NOW!!! Ja Ja Ding Dong!!!!!💖💖💖
amazing
My husband and I are bringing my two adult sons and their gf in June. So excited but anxious about the planning! Thanks for the videos.
How was it?
Hi Jeannie, great videos and I just bought your guide bundle for our upcoming trip. Here's a question that I haven't seen you address - for those of us without credit cards that use PINs, what is the Apple Pay/NFC payment situation in Iceland? Is relying on Apple Pay a realistic alternative to CC and PIN for everyday use including gas stations?
Very nice story
Thanks for watching!
@@IcelandwithaView what kind of outlet does iceland use
I went to Iceland two years ago and I loved this country! I am really worried about Coronavirus
I am coming this July, so excited, hope the virus will burn out soon.
G T no your not.
Love your videos. Short and right on point. Thank you so much. I would like to ask you a question on the tunnels on Ring Road. Do we have to pay tolls to pass through tunnels that are on the No.1 highway?
True, cash is mostly a hassle in Iceland. Plastic all the way, even bubble gum. This also explains why I needed to use my debit card for gas (needed the pin). ATMs are everywhere you look in Iceland.
I've been living with an Icelandic family for 2 months now and the thing that shocked me the most is that the keys are on the car day and night and the house never closed. WOW. Coming from France I can safely say that'd be a no-go there :D
It’s a bit like that in Cyprus. I asked about it to a local and he said the car would be on the island somewhere!
@@BuddhaSunn hahah that’s very true though!
Please elmast how was it moving from france to Iceland?
Hi There, please make an updated video according to the current situation and conditions?
Funny thing about the Tax refund thing, it took roughly a year for me to see that credited back onto my card. I had completely forgot about it honestly, was looking at my statement and was like what the heck is this, and then it all made sense. So, yes, it can take a LONG time! Great video, it was certainly strange not tipping (coming from the USA), but when people say the food was expensive, when you take away leaving an extra 15-20% for a tip, the costs were much closer than what people might think. 100% agree on the duty free, beer/wine is pretty insane!
It's just a matter of perspective. Personally I think the whole tipping culture in the U.S. is ridiculous. Restaurants should pay their personnel normal wages. There are more countries where tipping is not appropriate.
I like this video
Iceland is known as the land of ice, water and fire
This can be seen from the flag which has 3 colors, namely blue, white and red
The blue color symbolizes that Iceland has stunning seas, waterfalls, rivers and lakes and lagoons
the white color symbolizes that Iceland has snowy areas, has glaciers and stunning crystal ice caves
The red color symbolizes that Iceland has an active volcano
🙏🤗
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing this, I'm sure many of my followers would love to hear this interpretation. You're the best!
Ok sister. 🙏. I from Indonesian ❤️ your channel. I have a content of beauty of view
@@IcelandwithaView may I ask how you moved there as a U.S citizen?I want to move but reading it's virtually impossible
Amazing channel! Which waterfalls require a charge for parking?
Also, are there other popular sites that may have a charge for parking?
Nice to visit. Dont' plan to live there UNLESS your situation demands it. Such as A) you married an Icelander and you are foreigner B) Your Icelandic spouse wants you to stay in iceland. I very much advise to learn Iceland and dedicate yourself to the language as icelanders give a lot of respect to foreigners who can at least speak their language (even if your icelandic is broke). Knowing icelandic is crucial for longterm stay and employment. While most places hire english speaking only workers, you will most see foreigners working in tourism and customer service industry. If you plan on getting a professional job in Iceland, best to learn icelandic because it ups your chances of getting hired. Icelanders get really annoyed when calling at a place, they start speaking in Icelandic but the receptionist does not speak Icelandic and all they hear is "eg tala ekki islensku". Icelanders get really annoyed with that. Getting professional jobs in iceland doesnt require you to learn Icelandic but the environment requires it and its best to know what you hear than not know what you hear. Taxes are very high there and when you live there in winter time, you really do get the winter blues except christmas and new years. After those holidays, its pretty much boring UNLESS you have a big icelandic family and everyone sees each other weekly.
Do you know if the horse stables commonly take cash or card? Please do a video on several horse stables around the island. Like where is the best place to go riding?
Also add go to Bonus for cheap food and snacks, because the food at restaurants is so expensive!
True!
Nice
Hi!! :) Do you think a route could be planned that includes alot of the ring road but backroads to incorporate the f-roads?
I'm planning on going solo in July 2021!! Excited but nervous
I just returned home from my second trip in June. I went solo this time. You are going to have an amazing time. If you plan to spend time on the volcano, how you dress is everything. Hiking up is very strenuous, you need to stay cool and dry, you'll be roasting hot. And then you just stop and sit and watch and things cool right off. It is mesmerizing, you'll want to stay and stay, if you can stand it. And it will be between 0 & 10C and very windy. You need to be ready to add many layers and really bundle up to the wind when you reach the top. Don't underestimate what it takes to sit out in those conditions and you'll have a trip of a lifetime. (I sure did)
@@yzScott thank you for the tips! Very excited and hope I have enough to keep me warm
@@320dereklopez What do you plan to see? Will you have your own car/van?
@@yzScott I will have a car and planning to do the ring road and see the volcano
@@320dereklopez Just the beauty of what you will pass driving from place to place will blow you away. Another wonder around every bend. Having a car gives you the flexibility to shift around the weather. Weather changes FAST. You'll run into many people doing the same ring-road tour. You're going to have a blast.
Coins for the shower! That was a pain. Wish there was a change machine at the airport.
Here in Canada I can get ISK from my bank. Takes a few days after you ‘order’ it for it to arrive but if you have a really good banking plan you aren’t hit so hard by conversion fees. I never get my money when I land in a country unless I run out of cash. I always get it in advance.
Icelander here. So fyi I can not remember the last time I used cash. Everything here is super card based/Apple pay. If you have a visa or a mastercard you shouldn’t have any trouble.
One of the best countries . I even made a video about Iceland 🇮🇸
Hi there, learning lots from your videos, so loving it thank you. Quick question, the guided tour I am thinking of doing in early October suggests buying something to attach to your shoes for hiking. Apparently they can be bought everywhere in Reykjavik. What is your advice on this? Or would hiking shoes suffice. Obviously no one wants to slip over, but if you are travelling for many months after doing the Iceland tour, it’s a hassle to carry huge hiking boots everywhere! Cheers from !arg in Australia!
Hi!!! Thanks for the video. I want to know if you want to tip your tour guides what is the % that will be good ? It’s 16% fine ? Thanks for the help!
I've been told that most hotels have converted to US plugs for powering electronic equipment. Do we need to get a converter?
Great video! The only thing that also might be useful is that it is a good idea to make sure that your credit card doesn't charge international transaction charges. I didn't realize this until I had bought my plane tickets. I got charged 20 dollars in international transaction fees. You can save alot of money by getting a travel card that doesn't charge them.
Absolutely! Those foreign transaction fees can add up FAST! Thanks for the tip!
Are ATMs or Bankomats common as you travel around the ringroad?
Jeannie, we love your videos! My husband and I are headed for Iceland in August. I was wondering if you could tell us the name of the store full of sweaters at 6:46 in your video. I want to get a bunch!
Hi there! Would love to know if Iceland accept the Union pay card? and if the Union pay card is accessible for ATMs? Thank you! :)
We are planning to take a trip to Iceland next year, from Oct,29 -Nov,5th, 2022. What wpuld be your best recommendation for accommodations, paid attractions, prkg? Car, place to sleep? We from Hawaii, so prices will probably be not so much of a shock. Thanks🤙
We have just returned from Iceland this week and didn’t take or need any cash while we were there for 4 days, as everyone/place accepted Card payments. A wonderful country, very friendly people and No litter anywhere! We watched loads of your videos before our visit and your advice was very helpful, keep up the great work. 😁👍🏻
Are you from the USA? And if so it would really help to know if a typical debit card with a PIN number works over there or if you need a special type of credit card
only 4 days? what did you choose to do?
@@stevenuseda6317 apologies for my late reply. I have only just seen your question. Visa or MasterCard both work just fine used as contactless or entering your pin number in the usual way, the choice is yours.
@@GamezGuru1 we spent a day in Reykjavík, a day in the blue lagoon on the day of our return as it’s close to the airport, a driving out to the black Sands beach along the southern coastline, a day snowmobiling on the glacier and visited the geezers on the way there, and a trip out to see the currently erupting volcano. I would highly recommend hiring a car at the airport, book it before you arrive. The cheapest place to buy petrol is Costco which is located in Reykjavík next to IKEA.
I have one question on using a card for payment. I remember in the past, quite a while ago, each foreign currency transaction incurred a fee. Not the exchange fee, but a per transaction charge. If this is $0.50 per transaction, it can add up quickly. Paying $0.50 to use a bathroom just doubled in price.
I do not know if this is a thing any more, because it has been a long time since I traveled outside the USA.
Thanks for the info. Just for your awareness the blue cars link didn't actually offer any discount to booking without the link.
My husband and I are taking our honeymoon to Iceland later this year and your videos have been soooo helpful !
Is there somewhere once you are in Iceland to put your money on a card with a pin?
Also tipping isn’t “required” in the uk. I have noticed that tipping in America is mandatory unfortunately people in the us depend on their tips.
Great video.
We are planning on camping and we noticed that the showers frequently require coins. Any tips for where to get coins?
Hi darling
I will visit Iceland this year
Hi thank you for your video great whst is the best hotel to use for one week thanks
She's pretty 🦋
Just a funny thing. I wonder if you can do a video on wedding stags. That is also a good thing to carry some cash to make a donation to the bride or groom. It’s very entertaining, suamst jeannie 🇮🇸🤗
Hey, I wonder what kind of electric outlet they use in Iceland? I imagine we need an adapter