is iceland worth visiting if I will rely on hitchchiking?
Replies: 5 - Last Post: Apr 22, 2012 7:16 PM Last Post By: Peperomia
jump to
is iceland worth visiting if I will rely on hitchchiking?
I have a window to travel for the month of june, and iceland is on my list of preferred places. However, it will only be affordable if I budget backpack, camp when I can, and use hitchhiking to get around. I have started doing my research and am coming to the conclusion that much of iceland's attractions are rural and may be difficult to access without a car of my own. Rural = not a lot of cars passing by to pick me up. Nonetheless, if I go to iceland, I am going for its natural beauty and features.I suppose that it would be most pragmatic of me to pick just one region of the country and confine myself there, the southwest being the most obvious choice. After saying all of this, I might fork over my savings to take a flight or bus ride if it means accessing a must-see destination, but otherwise I will have to rely on hitchhiking and budget accommodations.
The one good thing that I do have coming with me is an adventurist spirit, camping experience, and appropriate gear. Camping is a viable option for me.
In the end its about numbers, if I pay the large amount of money to get to iceland, i want to be sure that I am able to access what it has to offer or the purpose of my journey is defeated. I consider myself attractive as a hitchhiker, as in I am a 25 year old male (though many say i look younger) who is well groomed (where I live in northern california, the vast majority of hitchhikers are wandering vagrants or look as if they are on drugs; the exceptional well groomed hitcher is the one that gets picked up).
1
Shouldn't be a problem to go around. I know people who did this in a week. Camping is available everywhere. The only problem - June is not the warmest month. But otherwise shouldn't be a problem.Also you can try this site http://www.samferda.net/en
2
Thanks! When you say that you know friends who did this in a week, do you mean they toured all major destinations in a week and felt satisfied? I ask because I also need to choose how long I want to be in iceland for. Staying too long results in spending more money.I figured june was not the warmest time but it seems to be the only window I can allot to travel right now. How cold does it get during june, its not quite winter either right? I prefer not to camp in miserable conditions but on the other hand, I am always up for a challenge...
3
Yes, they toured they toured all major destinations. But they were more lucky because they were well groomed girls ... I guess :-)Well, one week is far too short in all respect and requires a lot of luck. Even on car. So I would think about two weeks as minimum.
How cold it might be? Who knows. It was +20C in March in the south this year and was snowing in June in the north last year. Most important - how dry it will be!
But keep in mind two things - you can always find a hot tab to get warm before/after cold night (many camps are near swimming pools anyway). And you can sleep during the day when it is warm and walk at nights when it is quiet and bright :-)
Actually you can get a lot at swimming pools - look at them as free showers, free hot tabs, free meeting places with locals (but you have to pay for pool and locker). And in remote places it's a good place to get a free drive cause people go back home.
PS. At the airport take free books about camping in Iceland
4
Hi,you can drive the main ring road in 2 weeks, and then see a lot (but of course not all) of Iceland.
But if you choose hitchhiking, then you need more time because you will have to wait between places to have someone who will drop you.
If you are interesting by the south, you can go from Reykjavik to Hofn (other part of the island - south east) for 5000 ISK = 30€. And then, you can choose where you want to stop on the way.
see straeto.is
Have fun!
5
My situation is very similar to yours, though I've already booked my flight. I'll be in Iceland for 3 weeks in June, and I'm planning on hitchhiking all around the island. I agree with the other person that 2 weeks seems like a logical minimum if you want to hitchhike, as it gives you plenty of time to catch a ride without worrying about not seeing everything you want to see or making it back to KEF in time.
