Iceland for First-Timers | 5 tips you need to know!

In this video about Iceland you will learn: money, tax free shopping, language, and safety. ALL things that travelers ask me every day and you NEED to know before your trip!

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Music: Epidemic Sound
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[elizabethmefford]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Iceland. Gorgeous! We didn’t use any cash, just credit card for everything. The Icelanders are very friendly and helpful. We had no problems with language. We had a great time.

[Halli]

American tipping culture and Iceland:
I was a domestic airline pilot during the Holuhraun eruption and did an incredible number of sight-seeing flights (19-seat turboprop) with everyone from scientists, regular tourists, domestic and foreign (and even Ben Stiller!). Many of these low-level flights around an active volcano were somewhat turbulent and I saw many a green face during those flights - but the experience was, to them, so exceptional that simply EVERYONE was really beaming by the time we landed in Reykjavík. I re-discovered my own country through the eyes of foreign tourists, for which I am forever grateful!
My weirdest (well, not really weird, but certainly unexpected) experience was on a Holuhraun flight with elderly American tourists. An elderly lady lagged behind the disembarking passengers and when I exited the aircraft she fervently thanked me for the flight and on shaking my hand she pressed something in my palm and then walked away. By the time I looked at what she had given me (a $100 bill) she was gone. This was the first and only tip I have received in my life! I suppose it was generous but, on reflection I took it as a sign of her appreciation for the experience we had given her. I still have that $100 bill somewhere...
Everything in Iceland is expensive, and we Icelanders are paid accordingly. Period. We have this eternal struggle between employers and employee unions about what is appropriate compensation for labor and while the results swing this way and that over time, the general result is that the only real poverty you see in Iceland is mostly due to poor personal choices (addictions of some kind) and some cases where regular people unfortunately fall through cracks in our social safety net. We try our best but we are far from being perfect...

[lindashapanka]

I was in Iceland w a 17 hr layover in June. Found an affordable guest house w breakfast. Next day the rainy weather changed my outdoor plans. Visited the National Museum of Iceland for a few hours. Then walked to the bus terminal. Everyone spoke English and were super nice and helpful. I plan to make a real visit next time.

[aenwynsnow]

I have been to Iceland in June and did not have any local money with me. The only time I could not pay with card was for public transport, so when I wanted to take the bus through Reykjavik I got the App for mobile tickets (with help at the hotel reception). I travelled alone and felt completely safe in Iceland. No weired encounters, just friendly locals. As it did not get dark, I had some relaxed midnight walks, too.

[humboldtfisher]

We just returned from a two-week Iceland trip and many of your tips came in handy. Regarding the credit card PIN number, the only place we had to enter a PIN was when purchasing diesel fuel for our camper van. A few restaurants required signatures, but most of the time we ran the card and that was it.

[welshlad]

Best Iceland channel on the net. One of the worlds greatest countries. Have been twice and this channel was a fantastic help to me. Was due to come in November but gutted I can’t due to the new quarantine rules 🥺 Hope everyone stays safe in Iceland and hope to be back again one day 👍

[SandMark]

Visited Iceland last July. Amazing place. Never felt unsafe due to Icelanders. You can certainly put yourself in some unsafe conditions while hiking/exploring the outdoors! Be smart about that and enjoy one of the most amazing places on Earth. And English is widely spoken in Iceland. The only language “barriers” we experienced is when we asked, “How do you say that in Icelandic?” And immediately regretted the question!! 😂

[prethivedhilip]

Here's something that I found I needed when I got to Iceland: If you're planning on getting a SIM card in Iceland for data, bring along one of those pins that eject the SIM tray from your phone.

[BartvanderLaan]

Let the babies sleep outside. Thats how you make vikings!

[rimasmeleshyus]

Iceland 🇮🇸 very beautiful language, very high-quality education to everyone living in Iceland 🇮🇸 Greetings from beautiful Hawaii islands ⛵️ 🏝

[TwoIndians]

hi there! we're planning to visit Iceland in 2024 and just started our search for information. just subscribed and plan on bingeing because I learned so much!

[Rumouruk]

So glad I found this. At the ages of 70 and 68, my wife and I are taking a short trip at the end of February. This has been a great help to us and the winter packing list? LifeSaver. Thanks

[dereklopez]

I'm planning on going solo in July 2021!! Excited but nervous

[scorpionzandy]

I will be coming over in February it will be mine and my new wifes honeymoon, iv always wanted to go but after watching Eurovision story of fire saga, i went straight to the travel agents to book it.
It looks amazing and cannot wait to get there. ya ya ding dong...

[TravelYT]

Hi There, please make an updated video according to the current situation and conditions?

[joanschoon]

I did not know about the value added tax. Thank you!

[dawnesmith-sliming]

Here in Canada I can get ISK from my bank. Takes a few days after you ‘order’ it for it to arrive but if you have a really good banking plan you aren’t hit so hard by conversion fees. I never get my money when I land in a country unless I run out of cash. I always get it in advance.

[michelletamburro]

I am loving your videos ! I visited years ago when I was around 10. (i’m 44) My parents let me go to the movies with their friends teen son and I saw the movie Big there. So safe! Now we are taking our 12 year old twins!

[pA]

I'm from Austria and REALY surprised to hear that there are CC or debit cards WITHOUT a PIN. lol
As for getting cash: I'd recommend getting it before, from your home bank.

[mdluis]

Thank you for this. So many travel bloggers only talk about destinations, they dont go over the fine details. TY!!