I have a few days off between Christmas and New Years this year. Would it be crazy to book a quick trip to Iceland from the US? Like, I know the weather can be crazy, but maybe would get a northern lights show. Is there too much closed there in between the holidays? Or could I totally get a decent short getaway out of it? I would hate to spend the money on a flight only to end up basically trapped in a hotel room because everything is closed. But would be kind of neat to see the Christmas lights and stuff too.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16078 posts
Your profile doesn't reveal where you are from and that would be my main question. East Coast? Yes. West Coast? Probably not.
Editing to add: That opinion is just based on flight times. I haven't been to Iceland and no idea about what is open during that holiday week.
Posted by
1334 posts
How short is short?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19475 posts
@Pam,
my thoughts exactly. Posters here really should give their location. A lot of times the answer to their question might depend on where they are from. For instance, I'd probably advise someone from Minnesota differently than I would someone from Florida if they asked about dressing for cold weather.
It would be a lot longer flight and worse jet lag going from the west coast compared to flying from say New York or Boston. Hardly worth it for a couple of days from California.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12924 posts
Did you go in August?
( https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/iceland/lagoon-recommendations )
Some info here-- https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/christmas-and-new-year-s-eve-in-iceland
Posted by
OP
15 posts
I would be coming from the Midwest, so it's like a 6-ish hour flight. Not really that long, more worried about whether things will be open. Since going there is an overnight flight, I would really only have 2 or 3 full days with the time off I have. Might just save up what I've got and do a slightly longer early spring trip if things will be closed. Just thought it might be nice to see the Christmas stuff. And yes, I was just there a few weeks ago.
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3503 posts
We have been to Iceland many times and things don't close down for winter. Christmas Day, everything will be closed, but NYE is a HUGE deal there! If you only have 2-3 days I would not do it. We did go for 3 nights once, but as a stopover heading to Denmark. I definitely understand the wanting to go back but I wowed wait until you have more time.
Two of our trips were in early February and both times we had one day where everything was shut down because of weather. I would not be worried about being trapped in a hotel room. Even on those days we just wandered the city. Iceland in winter is magical! Can you take more time and go in the new year?
Posted by
OP
15 posts
I can't take more time this year (kind of ran through my vacation time already, but go surprised by the company with a few extra days). I think I'll just see if I can bank them and do a longer trip in the spring sometime and save a New Years trip when I have more time. :)
Posted by
Big Island of Hawaii
819 posts
OP, that overnight trip from the US is a killer. Not really enough time to get some good sleep, so you arrive in the morning not fully awake and aware. If you would be counting your arrival day as one of your 2 or 3 full days, that is definitely not a good idea.
I'm glad you are thinking of putting this off until next spring. Go when you have at least a week and can enjoy all that Iceland has to offer.