Hi! We have a 22 hr layover in KFE by mid October, arriving at 615pm. Is there a high probability of seeing the Northern lights around this time? Is it best to book a Northern Light tour or if we get lucky and the auroras decide to show up, is it enough to just be round Reykjavic city center area? Also, with that amount of time that we have what other activities are possible the next day? How cold does it get around this time ? Any suggestions on budget friendly hotel
and tours? Is it more practical to rent a car ? Will appreciate all the feedback I could get! Thank you!
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2468 posts
October is my favorite time in Iceland. Weather an be anything from mild to very cold.
It is typically a good month to see the aurora, and we have several times. It all depends on weather though, so you never know. One year the aurora put on the most amazing show right smack in Reykjavik even with all the lighting. You could see the vivid greens with your naked eye. That is not the norm, but it does happen. A tour will give you better chances since they go out where it is dark and they know where to go. I like Aurora Experts for this, and we will be using them again when we go in September.
Does your flight leave at 4 the next day? Headed where, to mainland Europe or to the US or ??? I ask because if the flight leaves at 4 and you are headed to the US you absolutely want to be there a good 3 hours before, and it is 45 minutes from ,Reykjavik, so that only gives you until noon the next day to see anything. With that limited time, I would do Sky Lagoon and just wander downtown as there is quite a bit to see right in town itself.
As for hotel, what do you consider a budget hotel? You don't have time to go drive around, so I would skip a rental car. Plus if the weather is bad, that can be a big factor as well.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Hi , mikliz97 ! Thank you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it.
Yes , our flight back to the US is around 5. So even if it is just a layover ,we still need at least 3 hrs to get back to the airport? meaning we have to go through immigration again, right? ... I will definitely look up that aurora tour that you mentioned. I've read somewhere that some tours cancel ( the Northern Light tour) if there's no forecast/ chance of seeing the auroras- would you know if this is true?
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2468 posts
Yes, three hours for your flight back as you do go through all the protocols. Also, yes if there is no chance to see the aurora, the reputable tour operators will cancel the tour. Some will still go, knowing full well, which is too bad.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
How long did it take you from arrival @ KFE to get past the immigration ? The only tour available with Aurora Expert on the day of our arrival is at 2000 which only gives us about an hour and a half , to get to the pick up point. Also, would you happen to know if they pick up from KFE airport bec I am not seeing it on their list.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
2468 posts
I hate to say it, but I would not try to do that. It takes about 45 minutes to get out of the airport, and that is assuming your flight lands on time. Then a minimum of 45 minutes to get into Reykjavik, and that is if you grab a taxi and go straight in. So there is 90 minutes right there. The only way I could see this working is if AE are willing to tell you their last pickup location and time, and see if the taxi can drop you straight there or if AE has another idea for a meeting place. I would get in contact with Heimar and explain the situation and see what he suggests. All that said, I think almost every time, if not every time, our flights have landed earlier than planned, usually by about 20-30 minutes, but you can't count on that of course. It just depends on how much of a risk you are willing to take.