5 MAJOR Planning Differences

5 MAJOR Planning Differences - Iceland vs. USA

Рет қаралды 12,896

Күн бұрын

So many things are different about Iceland, especially when it comes to some of the major planning differences between Iceland and the USA. When taking an international trip, being prepared is so important. Watch this video to know more about the mistakes most travelers make when planning a trip to Iceland.
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Пікірлер: 66

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Welcome to SEASON 7 of Iceland Planning Videos. I can't wait for you to see what's in store this season! Let me know your biggest takeaway from this video⬇

@hayleyj8038 Жыл бұрын

So excited for the new series! Big thing you mentioned in your video that I would reiterate is about not winging hotel/accommodation. When myself and my partner came to Iceland last year (we did ring road and westfjords), we planned everything a year in advance - all accommodation booked, routes, how far we were going to drive each day, what gas stations and supermarkets to stop at, what attractions to see etc. However, even then we almost fell foul of the fact everything gets booked SO early. Our Airbnb in Seydisfjordur cancelled on us last minute and left us only days before with no where to stay. We tried SO many places and nothing was available. We eventually found a guesthouse near hengifoss (so a fair distance away). So yes, definitely can resonate with your tip to plan everything and not leave it to chance!

@garrydelday5816 Жыл бұрын

Like you say Jeannie, you have to plan well in advance, not quite so critical if you are in a camper van as there are many camp sites to stay at each evening but if you are doing drive and hotels you must book well in advance (12 months if possible) nothing worse than not knowing where you are getting your head down at the end of each day. Did a lap of the whole country in 2021 in a camper van and got caught out on the last day because we were too late finding a campsite that was open and had to park up in a car park with no facilities whatsoever. This year we are doing drive and hotels every night and they must be booked well in advance and you have to plan knowing you can reach them in time. Put in the effort before arrival and your trip can be memorable, wing it at your peril 😉

@lisareed6159 Жыл бұрын

So glad to hear this!! People thought we were nuts for booking hotels a year ago. We are crazy planners, so Iceland seems great for us!

@amh424 Жыл бұрын

Also of note, gas prices in Iceland are about double those in the U.S. They were about $10 USD/gallon this past summer!

@Halli50 Жыл бұрын

Really sound advice! As a native Icelander this is ingrained in me but, having traveled a lot in other countries I never paused to think about how sparse our service infrastructure actually is.

@joemikolic 11 ай бұрын

Excellent video, Jeannie! And oh so pertinent! Thanks so much……..I’m so pleased to have purchased your 7 day itinerary. You are a life saver!

@IcelandwithaView 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! Have a great trip!

@WesternPAdude Жыл бұрын

I drove around the country counter-clockwise without much more planning ahead than knowing the major sites I definitely wanted to visit, and just tried to squeeze in as much as I could each day, with some spontaneous stops along the way. It worked out ok, I was in a camper van and just stopped at the closest campground when it started to get late at night. I usually stopped driving anywhere from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. or so. It was June so it was still light out. It stayed light all night then, actually. I picked out a hotel in Egilsstadir one night when I decided to take a break from the campgrounds for one night.

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

This! YES! - Camping in Iceland is the closest thing you can get to "winging it" since you don't need to book your campsite in advance. BUT, you still have to do loads of planning ahead so that you can keep to your timeline, especially when driving the Ring Road! And, daylight hours are a huge consideration for sightseeing! Thanks for sharing!

@humboldtfisher8319 Жыл бұрын

This sounds kind of like what we are planning to do!

@WesternPAdude Жыл бұрын

@@IcelandwithaView And it was all thanks to you! You are the one who told us all about the Happy Campers, and the campgrounds, and the gas stations, and so on! I watched all of your informative videos in the months and years in the lead-up to my trip. Some of them multiple times. Thankyouthankyouthankyou! 🙌🏻

@cathyspicer6375 Жыл бұрын

We booked our first Iceland visit for 2025 on a cruise and plan to spend a couple extra days on our own, prior to embarking. We are so happy to have been told about your channel!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Cathy! Be sure to check out my website too for additional planning resources like guidebooks, packing lists, and pre-written itineraries! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop/

@kathrenrusinovich2578 Жыл бұрын

I have used all of your tips. We rented a four wheel drive hybrid which saved us a lot on gas and we could drives extended distances without stopping for gas. A lot known parks have bathrooms and small shops. You have to pay for parking almost everywhere

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing and watching!

@Sindrijo Жыл бұрын

I might be wrong but I think there are some rest-areas, but they will consist of parking and... a circular bench-table or two. Nothing else usually.

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I've seen a few but when on a road trip in the States, there are rest areas or cities every 20 kms or so.

@fannyandersson3330 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this! Looking forward to the upcoming episodes!😊

@HeHi_Me Жыл бұрын

I would love more planning videos. Thank you for making these. It helps get ready for our adventures!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Thanks heather, More to come!

@marisaflores-march7112 Жыл бұрын

Season 7! Wow, Congrats!! Time flies....thank you for your videos. I will be coming back for my 5th time to Iceland in a year to tour the Eastern part of Iceland 💜

@kgws2663 Жыл бұрын

Your advice about planning ahead is true! We started planning for a 3 week camper van trip in Sept 2022 for June 2023. Happy Camper was already booked, so we went with Go Camper. We bought your guides for the Ring Road and South-West Iceland and they have been so helpful in choosing our itinerary. It's almost overwhelming as there is so much to see! Just knowing gas stations, grocery stores, and restroom stops is helpful for our trip.

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and for supporting my business! I'm excited for you to experience Iceland in the summer in a campervan for 3 weeks - sounds like you're going to have an amazing trip!

@innahh2696 Жыл бұрын

I’ve missed your videos🎉 they really helped me during my 2021 visit!!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Get ready, I've got them coming every week!

@humboldtfisher8319 Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad that you're posting new videos! We're coming to Iceland the last half of May and I've been watching your videos for months! We have flights booked, lodging in Reykjavik booked for first 3 nights of our trip, and an AWD camper van booked for 10 nights. Also, one day of guided flyfishing booked. We're now in research mode of our Ring Road trip, looking for good day hikes and a couple of excursions for glacier tours and whale watching. Thanks again for all your great videos and information!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thanks so much for watching my channel! My Ring Road guidebook would be perfect for you! It includes details on hikes and excursions AND it comes with a digital map with my notes on each stop, toilet locations, scenic overlooks, gas stations, my hidden gems, and much more! ~ icelandwithaview.com/product-category/diy/ ~ Happy planning!

@Imbatmn57 11 ай бұрын

One time my mom tried to reserve an accesible hotel room before we got there and when we got there they said they couldnt garentee an accessible room even though we already booked it. This was in the US, i also hate how in the us they dont have accessible rooms on the ground floor so if theres a fire someone has to carry you down the stairs or you die in your bed. The only hotel chain ive noticed that has ground floor rooms is holiday inn.

@Sindrijo Жыл бұрын

If you're outside Reykjavík and you need something later at night there might be a chance of getting it at the local gas station, they are often stocked with the bare-minimum basics like painkillers, band-aids, milk and sometimes even a loaf of bread.

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this tip Sindri!

@josephr9551 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a dream place to live. Life in the USA is stressful with no work and life balance.

@Golfnut_2099 Жыл бұрын

Another thing with gas stations. Sometimes they are finnicky with credit cards. We tried one station and NONE of our cards would work. Our main credit card would not work at any of the pumps in Iceland. (YES... it worked everywhere else. It does have PIN)

@aiidina67 Жыл бұрын

You cannot wing it! It used to be ok doing this. Times are changing, the south is basically booked full now for July and August, for example. If you didn't book a hotel this summer you're going to have a bad, bad time.

@aliciariddlebarger9426 Жыл бұрын

Omg the rest area thing! Where do you use the bathroom??

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Great question! My digital maps have all the toilets marked as well! ~ icelandwithaview.com/product-category/diy/

@tombirney7276 11 ай бұрын

What about trains? You could write a "Who Dunnit" Murder on the Reykjavik Express and incorporate ur vast knowledge in a character driven narrative. You seem smart enuf to handle the job; including making a train up out of thin Icelandic air.... ; P

@Ryan-xz7zk Жыл бұрын

Big Thanks! I leave for Iceland in 2 days!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Happy travels Ryan! I hope you have the best. trip. ever!

@bluetickgamer Жыл бұрын

Are there at least restrooms at some of the attractions such as waterfalls etc? Am assuming that most gas stations will have them? Good tip about when things close. I always check that now. Have stayed in some US National Parks to watch the sunset, gone back to town only to find out everything has closed even the gas station

@WesternPAdude Жыл бұрын

Yes, I can remember using basic toilets, essentially not much more than outhouses, at places like Seljalandsfoss and Hengifoss. Then at Godafoss there was a whole big restaurant and tourist shop with extensive bathrooms with running water. Gas stations have bathrooms, but a lot of them aren't open very late. I pulled into a large gas station on the immediate outskirts of Reykjavik one evening to try to use the bathroom, but it was already closed, and I don't think it was any later than 8:00 p.m. yet!

@hayleyj8038 Жыл бұрын

Jeannie’s map helpfully has toilets marked on there so if you buy that, you’ll have a good idea of where you can stop. Yes, gas stations have toilets but they aren’t always frequent as Jeanie says in the video. Some Supermarkets also have toilets so you can pop in there. My advice would be, like with the gas stations, to try and go when you see them as the next one may be a while away!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

My digital maps have toilet locations marked! ~ icelandwithaview.com/product-category/diy/

@channarosenblatt8197 8 ай бұрын

Jeanie, where can I find your map with restaurants outside of Reykjavik shown?

@IcelandwithaView 8 ай бұрын

Here is the link to my travel maps bit.ly/RingRoadGuide And a link to restaurant on my website! icelandwithaview.com/?s=restaurants 😊

@kevinsmith4923 Жыл бұрын

Does you app have the campground info too?

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

The best place for campground locations is here: tjalda.is/

@jenniferord3278 Жыл бұрын

Would you say it is okay to have all the hotels booked and any tours (like whale watching and blue and sky lagoon) but not have everyday planned on what exactly you are gonna see?

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

You could get away with that. Everyone's travel style is different so if you're cool with having only the essential reservations confirmed, you'll be good. My biggest concern would be that because so many sights are a good drive away from one another, you won't have enough time to spend at the waterfalls, on the hiking trail, or to eat lunch because you need to get back in the car to get to your tour. Or, on the flipside, you'll have a good amount of time (but just short of enough) between tour/excursion reservations so you only see the city. Consider getting one of my pre-written itineraries which outlines the perfect number of stops for each day so that you don't see too much or too little ~ icelandwithaview.com/product-category/itineraries/ ~ ideas and recommendations for tours are included!

@keylee-bl2sl Жыл бұрын

Hello! I have a question about this. Does that means on tours there is no place to pit stop for bathroom breaks? Or how does that work? Thank you

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Hi Key! It depends on what tour you're going on... ice caves at Jokulsarlon - better go to the loo before the tour starts... full-day South Coast guided bus tour - toilets will be at most of the stops. Consider purchasing my guidebooks + maps for toilet locations all around the country ~ icelandwithaview.com/product-category/diy/

@marcy2910 Жыл бұрын

I'll be visiting from the US next month with a tour group. What can you tell me about the bathroom situation on the road? Will I need to have my own toilet paper on hand? What items do you suggest to bring that may not be on the basics list?

@pallkristinn5675 Жыл бұрын

Its common practise that if your not buying anything from a buisness you have to pay a small fee to use a bathroom. Sometimes there are free toilets around the major atractions and they are often open 24/7 and have toilet paper but i always recomend having some on standby in your car if you have to do the old squat and drop around the country. As an icelander those are just things i was taught as a young person starting to travel around iceland! Also! Food prep in the mornings or the might before and buy from the supermarkets such as Bonus, Kronan or Netto. Gas stations often charge up to 15-20 dollars for a sandwich that costs maybe 3-4 dollars in the supermmarkets!

@marcy2910 Жыл бұрын

@@pallkristinn5675 thank you for the advice. I'm so looking forward to this trip.

@WesternPAdude Жыл бұрын

You can drive long, long stretches without any bathrooms, or even a shoulder alongside the road to pull off onto to just to take a leak in a emergency. Also, there isn't much in the way of forests or woods across the majority of the country, so it's not like you can just run off and go behind a tree like you can in America if need be. Also, I have bowels that often seem to have a mind of their own, and often force upon me an immediate urgency to go at the most inconvenient times. I was half worried in the back of my mind driving around Iceland that I was suddenly going to have an immediate need to relieve myself of a loose b.m. and I would be out in the middle of nowhere with no bathrooms around, or even anywhere to at least pull off the road.

@FancyBarnacles Жыл бұрын

There typically is a small restroom available at the main tourist attractions and they take payments like apple/Samsung pay

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

My digital maps have toilet locations marked! ~ icelandwithaview.com/shop/ ~ And in case of a bathroom emergency, PLEASE ONLY pull off the road at DESIGNATED spots - DO NOT stop on the road - this is very dangerous and there is no shoulder!

@reelsribbons Жыл бұрын

What is your overall experience living in Iceland? Can one live there speaking only English? Please reply

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Hi there! You can watch more of my "life in Iceland" videos here: icelandwithaview.com/category/expat-life/ ~ you can certainly get by with only English but to truly live like a local, I would ALWAYS recommend learning and speaking the language as much as possible.

@ArnoldHopfenstrudel Жыл бұрын

Don't Hagkaups have open 24/7?🤔

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Only a few locations are open 24/7 and even at those locations, not all of the departments are open (ie - salad bar closes at 6 pm) - www.hagkaup.is/opnunartimar

@whiskeyfoxtrotnovember8888 Жыл бұрын

I see that almost everybody speaks English very well in Iceland! Right?!

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Yep, they learn English as part of the elementary curriculum!

@whiskeyfoxtrotnovember8888 Жыл бұрын

@@IcelandwithaView Umm great! That’s very interesting! I’d like here in Brazil were like that...

@maevekelly4540 Жыл бұрын

how much should I tip for a 10 hour tour? I know I don't "have to" but with so many Americans going to Iceland , I feel most people will tip, and tour guides will be used to being tipped. Of course I would like to save money, but I don't want to look like a "cheap American".

@IcelandwithaView Жыл бұрын

Hi Maeve! There is no standard but instead consider that your guide is working for about 11 hours (maybe more to execute this tour) - how much do you think they should get on top of their normal wage for each hour they were with you? Also, to ease your mind, tour guides do NOT EXPECT a tip and many travelers don't tip their guides, even though they are often the most deserving and provide the most (and best) customer service.