On my next trip, I'm finally taking a day to explore Reykjavik a bit more. I'm thinking of going in March at the moment. I've looked at both the Hop on/Hop off bus and Straeto and I'm having trouble deciding which is the better option or what the true pros and cons may be. The Hop on/Hop off bus would probably be a little more expensive, but has a pretty set schedule I can count on. The Straeto would open the door to expanding out a little more but the bus schedule is a little more spread out and maybe a little more complicated to figure out depending on where I want to go. I feel like the Hop on/Hop off bus would get me mostly where I want to go, but I'm wondering if the flexibility of Straeto may be more appealing. Any thoughts or experiences? Am I missing anything bad or good about either option? Thanks!
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3570 posts
Where is it that you want to go? I ask because in all of our trips to Iceland, we have never taken the HOHO or the local bus, just used our two feet. I personally like walking because you stumble upon some great things.
Posted by
OP
20 posts
I haven't exactly mapped everything out that I want to hit. I'm not sure I want to have a set plan. I do like to photograph churches, so I'd kind of like to hit those (seems there are several in Reykjavik). I definitely want to hit the rainbow street and Hallgrimskirkja. With wanting to see the various churches, it doesn't seem like walking is going to be the best option, but then again, I'm not sure. I haven't spent a lot of time in Reykjavik to date. I don't want to be walking around into the evening, though. I don't plan to stay in the city and will need to get to my accommodations (which I haven't booked yet because i haven't nailed down my dates yet).
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3570 posts
There are at least half a dozen churches just in the compact downtown area alone. From what you say, I don't think you need any transportation. The city is easily walked, and quite compact.
Posted by
OP
20 posts
Sounds good. To be fair, I hadn't mapped out the distances yet. I'm just not used to things being so walkable. So I guess my next step is to map them all out (and see what else is along the way) and maybe I can save the transportation money for some good food and/or snacks. ;)
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3570 posts
I think you will be surprised at how compact it is:)
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9588 posts
I did a Food tour my 1st afternoon there and we walked all around the city, seeing most of the sites you have on your list. Perhaps that would be a good alternative for you? I didn't have to buy dinner, had some delicious taste treats, learned the history of the places we saw and got a good orientation to the city. Certainly more fun than a ho-ho bus.
Posted by
OP
20 posts
Thanks! I'll look into the walking food tour. Not sure whether I want to do something like that, but I'll look into it for sure! :)
Posted by
Freedonia
18028 posts
I took the HOHO bus many years ago on my first trip to Iceland. I used it to get a general layout of the city and then went back to things on my own.
You probably don't need to take the HOHO unless you are really pressed for time.
Better to spend your money at Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Preferably the original location on Tryggvagata.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3570 posts
The food tour is really good. We have done it a few times. These two links are the same company, just different booking platforms.
https://www.thereykjavikfoodwalk.com
https://wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/the-reykjavik-food-tour
I also really like the Citywalk "Free" walking tour (tip at the end). It is 2 hours and you can book 1 week in advance and it books out fast, so if you are interested, make a note of when to book it. We have also done this a handful of times when different people have been with us.
https://citywalk.is