Seeing Iceland from air makes you best realize how truly magnificent this island of ours is.
Quite a number of visitors to Iceland arrive without a vehicle and quite a number of those have no intention of renting one either. They want to use coaches and other means of getting around. That kind of plan can be very difficult to execute.
You see, in terms of public transportation Iceland belongs in the Third World category. This applies to the bus system in Reykjavik city and surroundings but it also covers coach trips between towns and villages in-country. This is not just bad planning but also because of the fact that few people inhabit this large island and offering reliable and fast service is simply beyond reach.[blockquote type=”blockquote_line” align=”right”]it is possible to go around Iceland on coaches and buses but it will never be a satisfying way of travel here[/blockquote]
What we mean by Third World system is that trips are few. Even between the larger places you´ll be lucky to find two daily trips. Worse yet, we wish you much luck in finding the fare table. Team Total Iceland could not even figure out the price for a single trip between Reykjavik and Akureyri. Although the bus company, Straeto, does offer you to download a calculating machine to figure prices out. Excellent service indeed and reminds us of the bus system in Lagos, Nigeria a few years back. In any case, prices are not great or competitive since competition is none.
More Third World signs might include the fact that if you are extremely unlucky the bus might be jammed with people in which case you´ll have to stand all the way. Standing for hours on end in a moving bus belongs to Hollywood horror movies and not a great bus system.
Add to this the fact that many bus and coach drivers here are not locals but foreigners themselves. This might not be a problem at all unless something happens or if a passenger needs detailed information. Some do not speak english very well either.
That apart, with ample time on your hands it is possible to go around Iceland on coaches and buses but it will never be a satisfying way of travel here. The buses only stop in towns and villages and getting off anywhere else is at best frowned upon and worst forbidden altogether. Since Iceland is about beautiful nature first and foremost and not average Nordic looking villages this is a problem.
Conclusion: It is possible to travel around Iceland by bus or coach but you will need lots of patience, time and quite some money.
Which brings us to hitchhiking. Icelanders being Icelanders have very negative opinions of hitchhikers. This has never ever been a custom here but ten, twenty years ago this was rather more accepted since tourists were few and far between. Hitchhiking is also not the greatest way of travel due to constantly changing weather. Waddling through thick mud, as some roads here turn into during rain, with heavy equipment on the back is not a nice way to explore this country.
Also a problem with hitchhiking is the fact you will have to wait forever on some fairly exciting routes. You might rather easily get a lift from Reykjavik to Selfoss town but should you want to see the highlands for example you will need lots of luck.
Conclusion: Seeing Iceland by hitchhiking is a long-shot. It might take a few days but could take forever. And nobody has forever.
Perhaps the best way to see Iceland without a car is by flying. No, it is not particularly cheap but it is a fast and reliable way to get between places. Iceland from the air in clear weather is a majestic view in any language. With good planning it is possible to visit all quarters of the country for a pretty decent price and not much higher than by actually renting a car and driving everywhere. From each center you can then get on board a tour bus offering the best of that particular area and thus you can experience hell of a lot within a reasonable time frame. Team Total Iceland can schedule such a trip on your behalf should you wish.
Conclusion: Not cheap but by flying there will be no time wasted and this being Iceland with its varied landscape that is a big plus.
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