Icelandair Stopover

We flew Icelandair in 2005 from BWI (not served now) to FRA and connected through Reykjavik. On the return trip, we stayed with our Icelandic friends for a couple of days before flying home. I believe you can still stay for up to seven days with no additional airfare or fee. The airline is very good, but you should probably know that they use Boeing 757 equipment…an issue with some on this Helpline because of the single aisle cabin configuration. It wasn’t an issue for us, and the fares were dirt cheat at the time. The stopover option allows you to see a truly spectacular country that you might not otherwise have an opportunity or reason to visit. Reykjavik itself is certainly worth touring, but you don’t have to go far from the city to see some of the most stunning natural beauty you’ll find anywhere on Earth. Iceland was very expensive to visit, but their economy completely collapsed last year (literally). Prices may be depressed a bit…you’ll have to research this a little. Check out the tourism website at http://www.visiticeland.com/, and feel free to PM me with any questions. Icelandair serves MSP, which is close to Des Moines, so they’re always on my short list of preferred carriers when I’m searching for airfares.

Coincidentally, my cousins visited Iceland last year, and a friend at work went this year....both raved about it, and would go back in a second. The people and the natural beauty attracted them greatly. Both flew Icelandair and had no problems, but this was from the east coast and, as another poster has noted, their single-aisle 757's may seem a bit cramped on a flight from Seattle.

My husband and I took advantage of Icelandair's stopover option on our way to Paris in August. We rented a car (book early as they sell out) and were able to see much of the southwest region in four days. The scenery is spectacular! We would definitely like to go back for a longer trip. You should be aware that hotels, car rentals and restaurants are very expensive in Iceland. Feel free to PM if you want specifics about what we saw and did.

Wow, does this post send anyone else back to the 60's and 70's when Icelandair was the cheapest way to get to Europe? ; ) Sounds like an interesting trip to make someday. I see you can fly it from Minneapolis. I'll have to file this info away for future use. Pam

Do it, do it, do it!

I stayed for three days in Reykjavik a year and a half ago and loved it. We booked through Icelandair as well.

We stayed at the Hotel Cabin which had small rooms, but nice sea views and a good buffet breakfast. It was about a 2K walk to the city, but there was also a bus stop directly in front of the hotel that we chose to use instead.

It was very expensive then, but as other posters have said, since the collapse of the economy there, it is much cheaper for Americans. Actually, I saw a report the other day that tourism is up 30%.

Definitely do the Blue Lagoon and walk around Reykjavik. Reykjavik is good for about a days worth of sightseeing. Whale watching boats are fun, but if you are going to do this, consider leaving from Keflavik, which is closer to the open sea than Reykjavik and you should see more whales. You could combine this with your arrival since you should get there very early in the AM and the ships leave about 9AM. I did a day trip the the south coast and Thorsmork which was great. We saw waterfalls and beautiful scenery. We did not do the "Golden Circle" but I wish that we had.

If you do not want to pay Iceland Air for your transfers from the airport, there is a bus that leaves from the airport to Reykjavik on the half hour, I believe.

Iceland is one of the few places that I have been where I am really wanting to visit again because there is so much to do, it is so unique, and I was just not here for enough time.

Even if you are only there for a day or so I would take the chance to go!