Iceland 2015: Reykjavik

Winter 2015

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the capital city of Iceland.

Everything you see in Reykjavik as a 'city' as this country can get.

There are some other 'big' cities in Iceland like Hofn near South Iceland, but with a population of a few thousand people, it's hardly as busy as any of the cities I've been in.

However, Keflavik Airport serves most of the international flights coming into Iceland and a short trip to Reykjavik (45minutes away by bus) will almost always be a must.

Directions from Keflavik Airport - Reykjavik

From the airport, you have to take a 45 minutes bus to get to Reykjavik

Return tickets cost ISK7000 (est £35) for 2person to the BSI station (main bus hub). This bus hub will serve you for almost all your touring needs.

There are options for direct transfer from the airport to the hotel as well.

Getting the tickets are pretty straight forward once you leave the arrival gates. Alternatively, some flights sell them on-board. They cost the same and you save time queuing up at the arrival gates. 

The buses are right outside of the airport, you can't miss it.

Stayed in Hlemmur Square, a hostel. I personally enjoy staying in hostels because everyone travels on a budget there and is always keen on sharing budget-travel tips. Besides, you get better travel tips from people's story-sharing sessions because everyone gathers at common rooms for chats at the end of the day. For example, I now have a general idea on how to travel to North Korea. 

I vote a decent, clean hostel over a 3star hotel any day.
Of course if anyone decides to put me in a 5star, I promise I won't complain.

Like my other hosteling experiences, Hlemmur was good and it even had the 'hotel feel'. I am heavily reliant on online reviews to select my hostels. On average, I go thru a few website reviews, check the dates of their reviews & look thru traveller' photos of the hostels before making a decision.
I give Hlemmur top score for being next to a main bus station (Hlemmur Bus Station), opposite a supermarket and walkable to a lot of places.

An 'elf rock', the Islanders call it. 

They're everywhere in Iceland, and they are basically immovable rocks. Constructions works tried to move it, but apparently every machinery broke down when in contact with the rock. Reason why it can't be moved is because an elf is living under it. 

If they really need to remove an elf rock, they'll get a specialist to speak to the elf under the rock. 

I kid you not, the national road authority does this.

There's something about a snow-cap mountain seen from within the city. 

First snowball fight! 

I spent my first 2 days in Reykjavik. It is a super small city. 

Hallgrimskirkja, Iceland's biggest church.