Camping in Iceland.
Today’s post is the first one written by Randy!
If you’ve got $8.50 in your bank account and a tent, then you have enough to travel to Iceland on a budget.
Traveling in Iceland is expensive, but the Reykjavik Campsite offers up tenting on a grassy lawn for under $9 a person in Reyjkavik. In a city, and country for that matter, where a cup of coffee averages $3, this by far the cheapest way to see to Iceland’s vibrant boutique laden capital city on a budget. In fact, they actually rent tents as well for an extra $10/day if you don’t want to carry your tent with you.
(Our campsite in Iceland.)
Located 15 minutes–walking time– from the downtown area, the campground has clean showers, bathrooms and an abundance of hot water. In addition, the campground offers a kitchen area with hot plates, numerous picnic tables (that provide a bustling social atmosphere) and free wifi. And if that’s not enough, it is operated in conjunction with Reyjkavik City Hostel, run by Hosteling International. Literally, a stone’s throw from the campground, the hostel’s common area, which looks more like a ski lodge, provides free wifi, more bathrooms and showers, and laundry.
Reykjavik Campground is located less than 2 miles from Reykjavik’s city center, and is open from May 15th – September 15th. According to their website the campground “can accommodate up to 650 persons in tents, cabins, cars or caravans so it is almost impossible that you will not find a place to stay. Therefore reservations are not required and spaces are not held.”
With limited budget options in Reyjkavik, as well as Iceland, the Reykjavik Campground is a great way to enjoy the city on a budget. Also another item worth noting is the fact that the campground is located right next door to one of the city’s thermal pools – Laugardalslaug . We visited the pools a couple of times and we loved it aside from the group showering! After a day walking around the city, relaxing in the pools is fantastic!
(The hostel in front of the campground.)
Note from Beth: We were spoiled camping in Rejkavik. The location was perfect (we never had to use public transportation), the price was budget friendly and having the comforts of the hostel right next door was the icing on the cake. Also if you want to use public transportation there is a bus stop right in the front of the hostel and it cost about $2.80 each way into town. We also drove around Iceland a bit and I noticed plenty of camping sites in other towns. I highly recommend camping in Iceland because it is cheap, convenient and fun. The hostel charged $30/per person a night, camping cost us under $20 USD a night for the both of us and really helped us stick to our insane budget of $50/day for two people.
(Us camping in Iceland.)
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(25) awesome folk have had something to say...
Diane -
September 13, 2010 at 9:52 am
Great post! (Of course it’s great-you’re my kid! 🙂 ) Love the photos.
Happy adventure to you two!
beersandbeans -
September 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Thanks Diane – We are having a great time! @Diane,
Nancie -
September 13, 2010 at 7:55 pm
Iceland sounds as expensive as Japan. I might have to take up camping again if i went there!
.-= Nancie´s last blog ..Wanderfood Wednesday &8212 Beijing Snack Attack =-.
beersandbeans -
September 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm
It was expensive but it was a fun trip. Camping was great!
@Nancie,
Bridgette -
September 14, 2010 at 8:35 am
oh that picture in the tent is so adorable!!! and how is camping in Italy going??? 🙂 get online! I need my B&R fix! love you! great post!
Bridgette -
September 14, 2010 at 8:37 am
by the way, nice post randy!! great read! retweeted and facebooked for you!
Brooke vs. the World -
September 15, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Aww yay for the first post by Randy – great work. Lovely to see you both getting active in the blog and most of all – traveling the world!
beersandbeans -
September 16, 2010 at 4:18 pm
It’s almost surreal. I mean how many years has it been planned? @Brooke vs. the World,
Amiee -
September 16, 2010 at 6:37 am
Great to know! I was thinking I was too cheap to travel to Iceland, but now I know it is possible as long as I bring a tent 🙂
beersandbeans -
September 16, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Iceland is really beautiful but stow away extra cash for a rental car, there is no budget option to get around the country we found out. Also book your rental car after sept 1st and the price goes WAY down. We’ll have more tips coming up soon. Oh yeah, and you can actually rent tents too for an extra $10. 🙂 @Amiee,
beersandbeans -
September 16, 2010 at 4:20 pm
It can be done though. we averaged $66/day for 2 people, thanks to the camping! @Amiee,
Sonya -
September 18, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Awesome post! I love camping! I love Iceland! While I’ve never camped in Iceland (press trips etc.), now I have to go backpacking and camping there! Thanks for the inspiration!
.-= Sonya´s last blog ..Japan’s New Green Leaf =-.
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February 20, 2012 at 3:32 am
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Kira -
June 5, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Hi Bethany!
loved reading your iceland adventure!! me and my husband were looking at planning a week long trip there next summer and it seemed impossible looking at the hotel prices until i stumbled upon your blog…can you please tell me how safe it is to camp there and just get around/hike etc on your own?
Leila -
February 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Hi – my husband and I are headed to Iceland in early September. I’m wondering what you did with all of your stuff while you went into town? Are there lockers? We will be backpacking for 8 months and don’t want to carry our packs everywhere we go!
Thanks!
Juliette -
August 3, 2016 at 1:33 pm
Hi Leila! I’m actually going to Iceland in a few days and I’m asking myself the exact same questions! How did you manage when you were in Iceland? Can people just leave their tents during the day and leave some of their stuff inside? Thanks!
Randy Kalp -
August 5, 2016 at 10:35 am
Hi Juliette,
Great question. Yes, we left our tent up and camping stuff inside of it while we explored Reykjavik. To be on the safe side, we locked up the zippered flaps with a small padlock. With that said, we didn’t leave anything too valuable in the tent, i.e. our laptop and camera. You guys are going to love Iceland. August is a great month to go.
Juliette -
August 7, 2016 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for your reply! It’s my first time camping and I was afraid I’d have to carry my big bag and camping gear all over Reykjavik haha!
My friend and I are leaving next friday, we’re very excited 🙂