Hot tips for Iceland? Or other Northern Lights destinations?

cubegame

JennyP wrote: »

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?

If you're there in Autumn you shouldn't have much problem as their won't be much snow yet. The main issue in Iceland is when the wind blows the lain snow on to the roads and if the wind is still blowing hard the snow ploughs struggle to keep up. However the ring road is extensively ploughed and patrolled and if you did get into trouble you wouldn't be waiting long for someone to come.

They have a live road condition site which is useful. http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/

Your hire car will be equipped with studded tyres which the locals will have no issue driving on fully iced over roads at 60 mph plus. I'd advise more caution as a visitor but you will be fine once you realise the grip is there.

Shimrod

cubegame wrote: »

If you're there in Autumn you shouldn't have much problem as their won't be much snow yet. The main issue in Iceland is when the wind blows the lain snow on to the roads and if the wind is still blowing hard the snow ploughs struggle to keep up. However the ring road is extensively ploughed and patrolled and if you did get into trouble you wouldn't be waiting long for someone to come.

They have a live road condition site which is useful. http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/

Your hire car will be equipped with studded tyres which the locals will have no issue driving on fully iced over roads at 60 mph plus. I'd advise more caution as a visitor but you will be fine once you realise the grip is there.

You will only have studded tyres if it is after 1st November, it is illegal to fit them before then. October weather is generally not too dissimilar to UK autumn/winter, so temperatures may drop below freezing at night but it can be pleasant during the day. You might get some sleet in the south and you will probably see some snow on the high passes if you go north (Akureyri and Myvatn).


These are webcams at tourist location spots (by Icelandic ISP Mila) around Iceland. Click on the big arrow to the left of the view and choose long lapse if you want to see what the weather has looked like over the last 8 months! https://www.livefromiceland.is/webcams/thingvellir/


We get a 4x4 Octavia hire car 'just in case', but we have previously had 2wd cars without any issues. The 4x4 can provide a bit of extra stability on the gravel roads.

blindman

cubegame wrote: »

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

I agree, unless you're venturing into the depths of the Island on back roads and even then it's not really needed.

JennyP

It would be quite handy to hire an Octavia 4x4 as that'd on our shortlist to buy when our car expires. We need a 4x4 really where we live in the UK.

SuperHan

I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself...

We went this January and it was snowy while we were there. The roads were permanently covered in at least 2 inches of snow/slush and some of the more remote areas were unpassable. Our bus driver was fantastic in these conditions but we must have seen upwards of 20 cars abandoned in ditches at the side of the road. It really was treacherous.

We did see the lights with a tour, they were spectacular, but I would say keep an eye out for the weather and if it’s snowing, take a tour and leave the driving to the professionals!

(The tripadvisor Iceland forum has a lot of tips on driving and when not to too!)

Shimrod

SuperHan wrote: »

I wouldn’t recommend driving yourself...

We went this January and it was snowy while we were there. The roads were permanently covered in at least 2 inches of snow/slush and some of the more remote areas were unpassable.

There isn't really a comparison of the weather conditions you will get in January and October/November. There are also a number of roads (F roads) that are only open for the summer season and for which you need a 'proper' 4x4 to be able to drive on them. The F roads are really for the experienced drivers (I don't count myself in this group) as they may involve river crossing. If I wanted to travel on these roads I would take a tour, but generally the roads are already closed when I am in Iceland.

JennyP

Trying to decide whether we should go in September instead.

More daylight but there is apparently a good chance of seeing the aurora around the equinox so it might be a good move. More expensive though - flights are double and hotels more too.

cubegame

JennyP wrote: »

Trying to decide whether we should go in September instead.

More daylight but there is apparently a good chance of seeing the aurora around the equinox so it might be a good move. More expensive though - flights are double and hotels more too.

Have you ever been to New York? If you fancy going look at how much an Iceland Air flight is with a stopover in Iceland. You may be surprised to find it's not much more than a return to Iceland in September and you'll get an extra destination.

JennyP

cubegame wrote: »

Have you ever been to New York? If you fancy going look at how much an Iceland Air flight is with a stopover in Iceland. You may be surprised to find it's not much more than a return to Iceland in September and you'll get an extra destination.

That's a fantastic idea.
I have been, yes, and I love the place, but unfortunately long haul flights give me migraines these days. I would spend most of the holiday in bed sick!

cubegame

JennyP wrote: »

That's a fantastic idea.
I have been, yes, and I love the place, but unfortunately long haul flights give me migraines these days. I would spend most of the holiday in bed sick!

Might not be so bad if you stop mid Atlantic.

Boston is another possible destination.

It's what we did. My missus wanted a special birthday in New York and we worked out we could get a stopover for a week in Iceland for no extra flight cost.