where to go in late october & gas prices

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chelseam
chelseam

My boyfriend and I will be in Iceland from October 20-24 on a stopover. We were wondering a couple things.

  1. We were interested in seeing some of the natural areas around Reykjavik--Reykjanes Peninsula, Thorsmork, Landmannalauger, Mt. Hekla, waterfalls along the South Coast. Will the roads be open? Since we will only have time to do 1 or 2, which ones would others recommend for this time of year?

  2. We're debating whether to go on a tour to see the above, or rent a car. What are gas prices in Iceland right now? Would it be cheaper for us to drive ourselves?

Thank you!

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bjoern
bjoern

You are aware that the Icelandic economy and currency is in a turmoil right now -so prices today (that you easily can find of the net googling the Icelandic homepage of a gasoline company) - are of little relevance. You will also have to combine them with the rate at the time you (or your credit company) make the exchange.

Fundamentally the Icelandic gas-prices are the same as everywhere else in WEurope (where are you from?)- somwhere around 1,3-1,4€/l - most of it tax in order to reduce consumption. Note that the total amount of gasoline you will use in a couple of days will be a microscopic expense compared to plane ticket, hotels, food, rent of car etc. - some 0,1€/km - dirve 600 km and you have to pay max. 60€! - not really worth to consider.

Stick to Reykjanes (glad you chose that - one of my favorite areas) and road along S.coast (see waterfalls and Hekla in distance). + Thingvellir, Geysir etc. (Golden Circle) --all these are not "interioe roads" and open year round, and can be visited in a rented car.

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iviehoff
iviehoff

You can see which roads are open by clicking the regional links here.
http://www.vegagerdin.is/english/road-conditions-and-weather/

Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork now closed; even in summer Thorsmork requires a special high clearance 4wd. Road to the trailhead for the footpath up Hekla likewise closed, but you can see the mountain (on the rare occasion it comes out of the clouds) from a long way away in several directions, (eg from various points on the ring road between Selfoss and Hvolsvollur, or the road to Geysir). The golden circle is normally accessible all year apart from after recent snowfall.

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soundproof
soundproof

Rent a car, it is much cheaper than the tours (try bergcar or sixt) and you can stop wherever you want. I would suggest the Golden Circle and the South coast from Reykjavik to at least the ice lagoon (Jokulsarlon), and all the waterfalls along the way. It is worth stopping at Skaftafell park to hike to Svartifoss waterfall too, not a long hike and a fantastic photo spot. There are still some nice but inexpensive guest houses open along the way to stay at as well.

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