Cheap trip to Reykjavik

When is Reykjavik cheapest?

November and February are the cheapest months for flights from Schiphol: return tickets start from around €186. January, April and October also offer low fares, 30 to 50 percent cheaper than the summer peak. Fly on Thursday (up to 16 percent cheaper than Sunday) and book at least 6 weeks in advance.

September is the best value month: the last warmth of summer, the first chance of northern lights (dark nights begin again), reasonable prices and accessible roads for day trips into the highlands. June to August is the most expensive and crowded season. The midnight sun is spectacular but prices are 30 to 50 percent above the annual average.

Cheap flights from the Netherlands to Reykjavik

Icelandair and Transavia fly direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Keflavik (KEF) in around 3 hours 20 minutes. Return tickets start from around €186 in the low season, averaging €200 to 250 in the shoulder season. Book 6 to 8 weeks in advance and depart on Thursday for the best savings.

There are no direct connections from Eindhoven (EIN) to Reykjavik. With a stopover (Wizz Air or others) the journey takes 10 to 11 hours with return fares from €164 to 237. For Reykjavik, Schiphol is the smarter choice: faster, more options and sometimes even cheaper. From Keflavik Airport to the city: the Flybus takes 45 minutes to BSI bus terminal for around €28 one way. The regular Straeto bus line 55 costs around €17 but runs less frequently.

Free things to do in Reykjavik

• Hallgrimskirkja church (interior) Iceland's iconic church is free to enter. The bell tower costs around €9.70. The interior alone is impressive: 73 metres tall, a stunning pipe organ and views straight down the main street.
• Sun Voyager sculpture The famous Viking ship sculpture on the waterfront is free and offers a great view over the bay. Perfect at sunset or in low light.
• Nautholvsk geothermal beach (summer) Insider tip: a beach with imported sand and a lagoon filled with geothermally heated seawater, completely free in summer. While everyone heads to the Blue Lagoon (€83+), this is where Reykjavik locals swim. 10 minutes walk from the university.
• Geothermal swimming pools (Laugardalslaug or Sundholl) Not a tourist trap but the real Icelandic experience: swimming outdoors in geothermal water with mountains in the background. Entry around €9 to 10. Children up to 15 free.
• Laugavegur and Skolavoroustgur streets Reykjavik's colourful main streets are free to explore. Street art, galleries and the unique rainbow pavement tiles.
• Harpa concert hall The glass-facade concert hall on the harbour is free to enter for public spaces, exhibitions and bay views.
• Free walking tours (tip-based) Local guides lead you through the city highlights in 2 hours. Pay what you like at the end.
• Kolaportio flea market (weekends) Free to browse. Local bargains, second-hand clothing, Icelandic delicacies and antiques. Saturday and Sunday.

Golden Circle on a budget

The Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss) is the most popular day trip from Reykjavik. Self-driving costs around €55 to 80 per person (including fuel and parking; Thingvellir parking around €9, the attractions themselves are free). An organised bus tour costs €80 to 120 per person. The Blue Lagoon is on the route between the airport and the city, ideal to visit on arrival or departure day (advance booking mandatory; €83 to 104 per person).

Budget attractions Reykjavik 2026

• Hallgrimskirkja viewing tower Around €9.70 for adults. Panoramic view over the whole city from 73 metres. Children 7 to 16 around €1.40.
• Perlan Museum Around €48 for the full experience (artificial glacier cave, northern lights planetarium and viewing platform). The outdoor terrace is free. Located on a hill with 360-degree views over the city.
• Reykjavik City Card 24 hours for around €34, including access to 17 museums and attractions, 8 geothermal pools and unlimited city bus. Worth it if you visit 2 to 3 museums.
• Golden Circle bus tour Around €80 to 100 per person for a full day. Three attractions (Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) in one day, no driving needed.
• Laugardalslaug swimming pool Reykjavik's largest outdoor pool, around €9.90. Seven geothermal hot tubs, slide and sauna. What Icelanders do in winter and summer.

Cheap eats in Reykjavik

Iceland is known as expensive, but street food and supermarkets make it budget-friendly. Baejarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand in the centre is Iceland's most famous stall: a hot dog "with everything" (onions, remoulade, mustard, ketchup) costs around €6.10. This is the hot dog Bill Clinton ate. For a quick meal, Aktu Taktu on Tuesdays offers a burger, chips and soft drink for around €6.90.

Bonus supermarket (the yellow piggy logo) is the cheapest chain: bread, cheese, pasta and Skyr (Icelandic yoghurt) for a daily food budget of around €15. A simple restaurant charges €14 to 24 for a meal. Arabic food stalls and petrol station restaurants (N1, Orkan) offer snacks and soup for under €10.

Cheap accommodation in Reykjavik

Hostel dorm bed: from around €16 to 30 per night. Well-known budget hostels include Bus Hostel Reykjavik, Hostel B47 and Igdlo Guesthouse. A private hotel room averages €84 to 109 per night when booked smart (Tuesday is the cheapest night). Staying in a neighbouring municipality like Hafnarfjordur or Gardabaer costs 30 to 40 percent less than in the city centre, with good bus connections.

What does a 4-day budget trip to Reykjavik cost?

A true budget trip (hostel, mostly free activities, self-catering) costs all-in around €600 to 700 per person: return flight around €186 to 250, Flybus return around €50, hostel 4 nights around €100, food (mix market and restaurant) around €80 and activities (pool, tower, optional bus tour) around €50 to 100. For a comfortable trip with a private hotel room expect €900 to 1,150 per person.