If you haven’t been to the magical fairytale land of summer with almost 24-hour daylight, now’s your chance: WOW Air is heavily promoting flights to Iceland – we’re talking flights from major US cities to Reykjavik , tickets are $69. Travel Pirates reports that some flights are as low as $69 one-way, with most flights under $99. This means your trip to Iceland will cost far less than a flight to a major U.S. city. If you plan to travel in May or June or September and October, this is a great deal.
Have you packed your bags? Before you rush to the airport to start your Iceland adventure, there are a few things to know. A full-size carry-on is an additional $39, and a checked bag is $49 or more, depending on bag weight. You'll also want to make sure you bring a book or tablet, as there's no free inflight entertainment on WOW, but you can rent an iPad. Also, be sure to bring your own water and snacks on board, as these necessities will also cost extra.
What's more, while it's cheap to get to Iceland, it can be expensive once you arrive if you don't do your research ahead of time. I recommend buying wine, spirits and plenty of snacks at the airport duty-free shop when you land. That being said, the opportunity to play around in the geothermal energy center of the world is amazing and you can spend all your time soaking in hot springs and hiking around beautiful glaciers. Just don’t forget to bring a sleep mask, as the sun virtually never sets in Iceland during the summer. The hotel can also be a bit steep, but staying in a hotel is pretty cool in this country.
If you're bringing your group, chip in and rent a car instead of taking an expensive guided tour to see some of the natural wonders, like the ever-erupting geysers. Also, avoid expensive bottled water – bring your own water bottle and fill it up with tap water, which is completely safe to drink (and more environmentally friendly). You may also want to stop at the famous Blue Lagoon when you're traveling to and from the airport, but this will cost you some money. Don’t worry, though, as you can save big by choosing some of the less touristy lagoons and hot springs.
The Intrepid Travel website recommends taking part in as many free activities as possible, which is where renting a car comes in. "Arguably one of the best things about visiting Iceland on a budget is scouring the country for incredible waterfalls," writes Julie Faye Germanski. "Contrary to the popular song lyric 'Don't chase waterfalls', we don't take the advice literally and offer the exact opposite. Seljalandsfoss is one of many natural beauties where you can walk on the thundering Behind the waterfall, witness the spectacular sight of the mist-shrouded rainbow.”
What's more, while many places claim the weather is unstable, in Iceland the saying "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" is actually true. Make sure your luggage is suitable for all weather conditions, even in summer. When I went to Iceland in April, within 15 minutes, it was windy, snowing, raining, and the sun was scorching. This is totally bananas, but if you remember that Iceland is a frozen rock in the middle of the North Atlantic, it makes sense. If you're already planning a trip to Europe this summer, you can take advantage of WOW's stopover specials, which allow you to spend a few days in Iceland. So, as the Icelanders say, Áfram með smjörið . Translated, with butter, that means move your butt, aka book your flight now.
