revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Anyone been in Iceland in January?, we’re going there in the New Year and I’m trying to get a better idea of weather and what else to expect.
In the four days we’ll do a couple of touristy things and have a few options to decide when we get there, most of the info I can find are for summer trips rather than winter so any relevant advice would be welcome.
It does seem expensive for pretty much everything there, not quite got my head around the exchange rate yet, not eating meat also seems to make choices trickier.

Just remember that in January the sun rise is about 11:00 and sets around 16:00 in Reykjavik, so may limit what can be done compared to the 15 to 22 hours of sunlight during the summer.

I went years back. In summary:

It's cold. Eye-watering cold.

It's expensive. Eye-watering expensive.

It's stunning to look at. Waterfalls, glaciers, Northern lights, etc.

The touristy things are good fun. Hot springs, Huskies, skidoos, walking on glaciers, etc.

Food is nice and features a lot of lamb and lobster, IIRC.

I'd recommend it as it's such a unique place.

Been a few years since we went but from memory was advised to avoid early months of year as it's at it's bleakest and weather can be pretty grim, seeing stuff is difficult.

As already said it's pricey, very pricey. 2 small fish and chips and 2 soft drinks - £84 please

Probably one of my favourite places I've ever visited though - stunning....

We can only go in January so will have to put up with the weather.
One thing that has cropped up, how much actual cash should I be intending to take?. It seems Iceland is almost cashless these days but we have usually preferred to use cash when abroad.

Not looking forward to trying to eat anywhere as the whole diet seems to consist of stuff I just wont touch.

Monstyr wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:52 am We can only go in January so will have to put up with the weather.
One thing that has cropped up, how much actual cash should I be intending to take?. It seems Iceland is almost cashless these days but we have usually preferred to use cash when abroad.

Not looking forward to trying to eat anywhere as the whole diet seems to consist of stuff I just wont touch.

On the 'cash' thing. Something like a Revolut or Wise card would sort that. You can put as much or as little as you like on it and change it to the required currency then just use it. Safer and probably cheaper than your own card and if they don't really do cash, probably easier?

Monstyr wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:52 am We can only go in January so will have to put up with the weather.
One thing that has cropped up, how much actual cash should I be intending to take?. It seems Iceland is almost cashless these days but we have usually preferred to use cash when abroad.

Not looking forward to trying to eat anywhere as the whole diet seems to consist of stuff I just wont touch.

Remind me again. Why exactly did you choose to go to Iceland?

We’re going there for my youngest sons 18th birthday, he was meant to go a few years ago with his school but all of that was cancelled due to covid.

The cash thing is really to work out what’s a convenient amount to take, we tend not to use cards when we go to Europe but that might be a better option in Iceland, its little things like taxis and small purchases I suppose are better done with money, maybe I’m just more old fashioned about these things, we have read that lots of places don’t take cash but none of the information I can find seems to confirm this and any info I can get from anyone who’s been there should give us a better idea of what to expect.

Count Steer wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 11:00 am

Monstyr wrote: Tue Nov 15, 2022 10:52 am We can only go in January so will have to put up with the weather.
One thing that has cropped up, how much actual cash should I be intending to take?. It seems Iceland is almost cashless these days but we have usually preferred to use cash when abroad.

Not looking forward to trying to eat anywhere as the whole diet seems to consist of stuff I just wont touch.

Remind me again. Why exactly did you choose to go to Iceland?

Waitrose had run out of peas.