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How to Book a Trip to Iceland

How to · Travel

How to Book a Trip to Iceland

See the northern lights in Iceland without draining your checking account.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $2,800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $155.56/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $2,800 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Standing in the dark near Vik while green light twists across the sky is worth every bit of the hype. Aim for the shoulder season four months out so you can grab flights and guesthouses before prices spike and the best spots fill up.

A typical week-long trip runs about $2800 for flights, lodging, and a rental car. Spreading that cost out over time makes the math a lot less painful.

The intro window is a deadline, not free money, meaning if you still have a balance left when those 18 months are up, standard interest kicks in on what you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Book your flights early

    Lock in your flights about four months out to get the best rates for shoulder season. Airlines drop prices then, and you will have more choices for direct routes.

  2. 02

    Secure your stay

    Pick a mix of Reykjavik hotels and rural guesthouses near the southern coast. Booking ahead gives you a place to sleep that is actually close to the dark skies you came to see.

  3. 03

    Line up the payments

    You can use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, which gives you 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That gives you some breathing room to pay for the trip over time.

  4. 04

    Rent a car

    Get a reliable four-wheel-drive vehicle so you can chase the lights down empty roads. Do not skip the gravel protection on your insurance.

  5. 05

    Track the weather

    Download the local forecast apps and keep an eye on cloud cover instead of just the aurora index. Clear skies matter more than high numbers when you are hunting for lights.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How much does a trip to Iceland cost?

A typical US traveler spends about $2800 for a week-long trip covering flights, a rental car, and lodging. Food and gas will add to that total, so budget a bit extra for meals.

When is the best time to see the northern lights?

Go between September and March when the nights are long enough and dark enough. Shoulder season months like September and October often give you decent weather alongside dark skies.

How does 0% interest work on a credit card?

It means you do not pay any interest on your purchases for a set period. If you divide $2800 across the 18-month window, you get $155.56 per month to clear the balance.

Do I really need a rental car in Iceland?

Yes, unless you plan to stick entirely to guided bus tours in Reykjavik. Public transit does not reach the remote spots where you want to view the landscape and the lights.