When a few friends gather around a pizza and are searching on WOW air (RIP*), you get a trip booked to Iceland. We found a great deal for $130 each way from Baltimore to Keflavik. We just needed to get to Baltimore, insert Delta Amex. I was able to score a free** flight to Baltimore, making my roundtrip from CAE-KEF around $300, including baggage fees.

We planned Iceland on a budget and paid for various activities and transportation throughout the year to make this a very affordable trip.

Below is our budget and links for activities

Item	Cost	Link
Airbnb	$95.00
KEF – Blue Lagoon – REY	$44.25	https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/sightseeing-tours/day-tours/south-west-corner/blue-lagoon-airport-transfer
Blue Lagoon	$84.00	https://www.bluelagoon.com/explore
Golden Circle Day Trip	$83.00	https://guidetoiceland.is/book-holiday-trips/classic-the-golden-circle-and-kerid-crater
Southern Iceland Day Trip	$129.00	https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Southern-Iceland-Day-Tour/d905-16698P3
REY – KEF	$26.00	https://www.viator.com/tours/Reykjavik/Southern-Iceland-Day-Tour/d905-16698P3

Day One (Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik)

We arrive in KEF at 5:30AM and have a few hours to recoop and relax prior to our bus picking us up and taking us to the Blue Lagoon. Around 7:30AM our bus pulls up to the airport and we take a 30 minute ride to the Blue Lagoon. Our reservation for the Blue Lagoon is at 8AM and we get our wrist bands and head into the locker room. We change into our swimsuits, rinse off (which is required) and head into the steamy waters of the blue lagoon. The tickets we purchased included a towel, locker room access, a face mask and a complimentary drink. 

The milky blue water was just what my body needed after a long night on an economy seat for 6 hours. We snap tons of photos since we are some of the few people at the blue lagoon and watch the sun rise over the lava rocks. The Blue Lagoon has a swim-up bar and we sip on our complimentary drink. I highly recommend drinking water throughout the day since the hot water will seriously dehydrate you.

We soaked for several hours, grabbed lunch and then showered. We hopped onto the 2:30 bus into the city so we could check into our Airbnb.

The bus drops us off at a bus stop close to our Airbnb and this is where we will be picked up and dropped off for all other adventures for the remainder of the trip.

Our Airbnb was a perfect location, basic, and budget friendly.

We next took on the town and explored the city before calling it a night.

Day Two (Golden Circle)

After major research and analysis I landed on a small bus tour of the Golden Circle for our first full day in Iceland. Iceland has a ring road that goes around the entire island, the Golden Circle is taking us North East of Reykjavik to see waterfalls, a national park, and a geyser.

We waited by Bus Stop 10 for about 30 minutes and our small van came and picked us up. Schoole, our trusted tour guide and driver took us on a crazy adventure I hope I never forget. Our first stop was Thingvillr National Park, and this was the area I was most excited to see. Not only was it where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia meet, The Hound and Brienne of Tarth have a major battle in this exact location. It was a beautiful site to see and just the beginning of our day.  

Our next stop was a surprise, Schoole took us to a dairy farm and we got traditional Icelandic ice cream, custard in the cone with a scoop of fresh ice cream on top. Followed by a dream come true, Icelandic Horses! These are smaller horses with an extra layer of fur to protect them during the harshest of winds.

Our third stop was to a tiered waterfall, Gullfoss. One waterfall fell into another and it was like nothing I have ever seen. Snow had just layered the cliffs along the falls, making it even more majestic. We snapped some photos and walked along the top of the falls and admired mother nature’s beautiful work.

Next we stopped for lunch and to see Strokkur, a famous Geyser that sets off about every 10 minutes. But first, we needed a piping hot bowl of soup. Much needed after being outside in the cold and wind.

Schoole did it again and surprised us with our final waterfall for the day, Faxi Falls.

Finally, we ended our day with a stop to the Kerid Crater. It was dusted with snow, however in the summer the crater is layered with color.

Schoole got us home safely during a winter storm, dropped us off at our bus stop and we headed right to get dinner at a local ramen shop.

Day Three (Southern Coast)

After waiting for about 30 minutes in the cold and snow, our bus pulled up to Bus Stop 10 and we hopped on for our long 3 hour trek down to the South Coast.

Our first stop was about halfway through our journey down to the South Coast, Skogafoss Waterfall. Hundreds of people huddled around the base of the falls, so our group decided to hike up 25 flights on icy stairs to the top.

After lots of complaining and breaks (on my end), we finally made it to the top. I was sure to just take a minute to look at where I was and let it soak in that I was at the top of this incredible waterfall. We took turns taking pictures and quickly turned right around down the stairs.

We had just a few minutes to walk to the base of the falls and take a few more pictures.

Our next stop was at the Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. We had about 45 minutes at this stop, just about enough time to walk to where the glacier tours began and marvel in their beauty.

Next was lunch in the small fishing town of Vik. We stopped at a rest stop in town, grabbed some sandwiches and headed out onto the black sand beaches that nested the town’s coast. When you snap a photo, it looks like you have edited the photo to be in black and white. We walked along the coastline and I picked up a black rock to commemorate my time in Iceland. The waters are rough and you are not to get very close to the water, as it can quickly advance toward you.

From afar we saw the Dyrholaey rock arch and cliffs, but we did not know that our next stop would led us even closer to them.

We hop back onto the bus and are dropped off about 20 minutes away at another black sand beach, Reynisfjara. A cliff of vertical cylinder rocks lined the coast. From hundreds and thousands of years of rough waters, the cliff was known for its unique formation. Along this beach we were also able to see the rock arches from a different angle.

We get onto the bus for the final waterfall of the day, and our final waterfall of the trip. The sun slipped out behind the clouds when we approved Seljalandfoss. In Iceland, this is a rarity and we quickly got off and walked towards the falls. In the summer you are able to walk behind the falls, however since we were there during winter we were unable.

We stood on a bridge that hovered over the small crystal clear river that the waterfall fed. We took more pictures but were sure to go fill our water bottles with fresh water from the waterfall. Our trip had come to a close.

When we got home from that adventure, we started another, a night out in Iceland. We found a very famous hot dog stand, Bæjarins Beztu, had ordered traditional Icelandic hotdogs. Next we found a local brewery and walked to its sister for Lamb Stew. One of the employees just got back from holiday and baked a slew of Icelandic goodies for its customers. We ate dinner and drank beers, just like the Icelandic. We ended the night with a scoop of Icelandic Ice cream.

Final Day (Reykjavik and Flight Home)

Our last morning we woke up early to grab a bite at a local coffee shop. We sat down and ordered a coffee and local pastry.  Next we went to the top of the Hallfrimskirkja. For a couple Krona, we went to the top of the highest peak in the city. We saw the color roofs sprinkled through the city, the boats, and felt the strong frigid wind on our faces. It was the perfect farewell to this beautiful and welcoming city.

For the last time, we waited by Bus Stop 10 for our transportation to the airport. The entire way home I just thought about how excited I am for my next Icelandic adventure.