Visiting Iceland is a dream for many travelers—but it’s no secret that it can be an expensive destination. With a bit of planning and some smart money tips, you can enjoy the country’s dramatic landscapes, hot springs, and charming towns without breaking the bank. Staying with Ourhotels.is across West Iceland is one of the easiest ways to balance comfort, location, and value, while still experiencing authentic Icelandic hospitality.
One of the first money-saving tips is to travel outside the absolute peak season. Summer is beautiful, but late spring and early autumn often offer lower prices on accommodation and activities, while still giving you long days and relatively mild weather. Booking your stay in advance through Ourhotels.is can help you secure better rates and ensure availability, especially in popular areas like Borgarfjörður, Stykkishólmur, and Ísafjörður.
Transportation is another major cost in Iceland. Renting a car gives you flexibility, but fuel and rental prices add up quickly. To save money, plan your route carefully and base yourself in strategic locations so you’re not constantly driving long distances. For example, Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður (close to Borgarnes) is a great base for exploring West Iceland’s waterfalls, hot springs, and lava fields without spending hours on the road every day. By choosing well-located inns like those offered by Ourhotels.is, you can cut down on fuel costs and maximize your sightseeing time.
Food is often a surprise expense for visitors. Eating out for every meal can quickly blow your budget, so look for accommodation that makes it easier to self-cater or at least mix restaurant meals with supermarket runs. Many travelers pick up groceries in larger towns and then enjoy simple breakfasts or picnic-style lunches while on the road. When you stay at places like Stykkishólmur Inn, you’re within easy reach of local shops and bakeries, making it simple to stock up on snacks and essentials. This approach lets you save money while still treating yourself to the occasional seafood dinner or local specialty.
Activities and excursions are another area where smart planning pays off. Iceland is full of free or low-cost natural attractions—waterfalls, black sand beaches, coastal walks, and viewpoints that cost nothing to enjoy. In West Iceland, you can spend days exploring fjords, small fishing villages, and scenic drives without paying for expensive tours. From Stykkishólmur Inn, for example, you can explore the charming harbor town and nearby viewpoints on foot, and then choose just one or two paid excursions that really matter to you, such as a boat tour among the islands of Breiðafjörður.
In the Westfjords, Ísafjörður Inn is an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience one of Iceland’s most dramatic regions without overspending. By basing yourself there, you can take day trips to nearby fjords, hiking trails, and viewpoints rather than constantly moving from place to place and paying for multiple one-night stays. Fewer check-ins and check-outs often mean better nightly rates and less money spent on transport and logistics.
Another useful money tip is to take advantage of Iceland’s tap water—it’s some of the cleanest in the world. Bring a reusable bottle and refill it at your hotel or inn instead of buying bottled water. Over a week or more, this small habit can save a surprising amount of money. Likewise, consider using credit or debit cards with low foreign transaction fees, as Iceland is almost entirely cashless and you’ll rarely need to withdraw cash from ATMs.
When planning your itinerary, think about clustering your experiences. For example, you might start your journey in West Iceland with a stay at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, exploring the region’s hot springs, historic sites, and river valleys. Then head to Stykkishólmur Inn to enjoy the coastal charm and island views of Breiðafjörður. Finally, continue north to Ísafjörður Inn in the Westfjords, where you can immerse yourself in dramatic fjord landscapes and quieter, less crowded surroundings. Booking this route through Ourhotels.is helps you keep your accommodation organized in one place, often with better overall value than piecing together random stays.
Travel insurance is another area where you can save in the long run. While it’s an extra upfront cost, it can protect you from unexpected expenses due to weather disruptions, medical issues, or cancellations—especially important in a country where nature can be unpredictable. Combine this with flexible bookings at trusted places like Ourhotels.is properties, and you’ll have both financial protection and peace of mind.
Finally, remember that “value” in Iceland isn’t just about the lowest price—it’s about what you get for what you spend. A comfortable, well-located inn with friendly staff, good beds, and easy access to nature can save you money in indirect ways: less driving, fewer last-minute changes, and more time enjoying the landscapes you came to see. Hvítá Inn, Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn all offer exactly this kind of balance, making them smart choices for budget-conscious travelers who still want a memorable Icelandic experience.
By combining thoughtful planning, strategic accommodation choices with Ourhotels.is, and a focus on Iceland’s many free natural wonders, you can keep your trip affordable without sacrificing the magic that makes Iceland so special.
