Hot tips for Iceland? Or other Northern Lights destinations?

elsien

That was how we did it - hoped to see the lights but planned enough other things on the holiday so that if we didn't see them we didn't feel it was an expensive waste of a holiday.

JennyP

Hubby is veggie and I mostly eat veggie food too (though I love s good steak pie!)

Might that be another reason to go self-catering? Not sure how available veggie food is in Iceland.

Shimrod

JennyP wrote: »

Going to mull things over. At the end of the day, if we see the Aurora great. If not, hopefully we'd have a nice time anyway.

This is one of the advantages of Iceland over some of the other Scandinavian destinations. To see the aurora requires the sun to do its thing, for the subsequent flare/solar wind to arrive at night time and for the sky to be clear at the same time. We have been to Tromso which gives better chances of clear skies but is much more limited in terms of other activities. It's also a single flight from the UK whereas most other aurora destinations will route you via Stockholm or Oslo.


You can check aurora forecasts here: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast and here: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/27-day-outlook-107-cm-radio-flux-and-geomagnetic-indices


A KP index of 3 or higher in Iceland has potential for a good show - you will be able to discern colours and see the aurora move. KP4 or 5 will give different colours and will look like what you see in photos. If you get KP6 or higher think yourself very lucky - best we have had over 8 visits is a KP5. Below a 3 and you are probably seeing a greyish green fuzz, which really can be hard to distinguish from cloud.


The solar wind ebbs and flows, so even when only KP2 you can get brief stronger lights -we've had some beautiful lights that have lasted less than a minute. This is why it is important to base yourself in a dark spot rather than have to travel to one. I can recommend a couple of hotels on the edge of Reykjavik, and a house about 50mins outside (just past Selfoss). The latter is also well placed for Geysir, Gullfoss and Thingvellir, as well as making Jokulsarlon possible in day.

JennyP wrote: »

Hubby is veggie and I mostly eat veggie food too (though I love s good steak pie!)

Might that be another reason to go self-catering? Not sure how available veggie food is in Iceland.

Mrs Shim is (mostly) veggie as well, it is possible to get vegetarian meals but most meals are based around fish or lamb. I've just had a look at a couple of past credit card statements and eating out (or at a hotel) costs around £35 each. That is generally just a main course and a beer. You can normally get a cheap lunch when you are out at some places (Gullfoss visitor centre does nice soup and always has a veggie option) or the services (N1, Oli) are generally good value.

suejb2

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Not wishing to be a party pooper but there's a cycle to the northern lights & we're near the solar minimum so the chances of seeing them are smaller.

May be worth thinking about delaying the trip until 2025 when it's at its peak

But she’d be 56 by then! Think of it has a glorious holiday for your 50th. Enjoy the sights and sounds and if you get to see the lights they’ll be an added bonus.
As a P.S I saw them on the flight home from our honeymoon in Vancouver. It was like a scene from the film Airplane when the pilot said “ladies and gentlemen we have a wonderful display out of the left windows.” All those on the right shot across to the left!,

JennyP

suejb2 wrote: »

But she’d be 56 by then! Think of it has a glorious holiday for your 50th.

Thanks for that reminder, Sue 😬

I'm still reeling at the thought of £35 each for a meal out. Self-catering is definitely the way to go. Will pack a packet of lentils!!!!

Shimrod

JennyP wrote: »

I'm still reeling at the thought of £35 each for a meal out. Self-catering is definitely the way to go. Will pack a packet of lentils!!!!

Lentils, brown rice, wholemeal pasta and herbs all go in the suitcase for the trip out, loads of Icelandic chocolate comes back in its place!

blindman

We went in March 2016, for a week.

Hired a car and toured the entire Island.

Did not see the lights-cloudy weather but saw other stuff.

Accomodation by Booking .com\airbnb, some hostels, not that expensive IMHO.

Mostly DIY food from supermarkets so not extravagant.

Went to Tromso Feb 2017-40th wedding anniversary.

Saw the lights EVERY night of our 5 night stay.

Hired a car and toured a bit, went to remote locations to see the lights, even though we could see them from the AirBnb bedroom window...
Used AirBNb for a great reasonable house.

So at either place Hire a car and DIY our own trips.

Iceland more to see.
Tromso more guarantee of lights.

TripleH

There is an app. that tells you when is good to catch the Northern Lights in Iceland (when you get out there). We went in February 2018 on a driving tour round the island. There was one night when the sky was clear and it was suggested we go outside and success.

If you do go on a driving holiday DO NOT ACCEPT ANY CAR BUT A 4X4. Long story but resulted in 2 destroyed wheels in less than 24 hours from arrival.

The rye bread is really nice, especially spiced, or if it is cooked underground.

cubegame

TripleH wrote: »

There is an app. that tells you when is good to catch the Northern Lights in Iceland (when you get out there). We went in February 2018 on a driving tour round the island. There was one night when the sky was clear and it was suggested we go outside and success.

If you do go on a driving holiday DO NOT ACCEPT ANY CAR BUT A 4X4. Long story but resulted in 2 destroyed wheels in less than 24 hours from arrival.

The rye bread is really nice, especially spiced, or if it is cooked underground.

Absolute rubbish about the need for a 4x4. The roads are in impeccable condition all over the island.

JennyP

I'm worried about driving there in winter - was a big fan of the series Trapped and the roads looked awful! But I guess the main routes like the Golden Triangle routes will be clear?