Creta1 Loc: Vancouver, BC

Im sure one of you hogs have been to Iceland. Did any of you do it yourself, ie drive holiday/photo tour? Or did you go as a group photo tour aimed at photography only? I've seen a few tours out there but they are pretty pricey. Also see a few day trips. Do you have any suggestions? Who or how did you go with?

Violameister Loc: michigan

We have been to Iceland as part of a cruise. It is civilized, safe and expensive. We plan to go back. If I were younger, I would definitely go by myself (and wife) in a rental car. As it is, I will probably go on a "small group" tour.

MikeFromMT Loc: So Cal & MT

I just got back from Iceland from a 10 day trip. I planned the whole trip myself and went with one of my friends and my son. It ran us about $3,000 each and that included car rental, lodging, food and other extra expenses. It was a great trip. I did all the planning myself. I did not use any companies. I did use Lonely Planet tour book and articles in International Travel News. If you would like to talk to me about the trip and my ideas about visiting Iceland please feel free to call me at xxxx. I would be happy to talk to you. It is just easier to talk and ask and answer questions back and forth rather than back and forth emails. The trip was fantastic. The country is like one big national park. The people are great and everybody speaks English fluently. Even better than we do.

KenProspero

Iceland is a safe country, and one of the few places I would not drive by myself.

Our trip was in July in a van. We got to the interior of the country (where there were fewer tourists, and better hikiing) and had to ford several glacial streams to get there. During the week we were there, we had to stop perhaps 4 or 5 times to pull a car (and this was mostly locals) out of the stream because it had gotten stuck. (Icelanders are have a really great sense of responsibility towards those who are stranded!!!!). This was a number of years ago, so possibly there are now paved roads to wherever you would want to go.

In any event, unless you plan on staying on the paved roads, or have significant experience fording streams in a car, I wouldn't recommended it.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I was there, but only as a stopover/refuel enroute to Germany. Unfortunately did not even bring my camera. Want to go again on my dime and time.
Duane

thomseninc

I just got back a week ago from a 12 day self-drive trip around Iceland. We used Tour Iceland (http://www.tour.is) as our tour company. They were great - nothing but good comments to make about them. We chose to arrive on 1 September to take advantage of a 15% off season discount. Looking back, that may have been a mistake. I think I would have been better off spending the extra money and going mid-summer. The weather we had was bad for photography. Temps were OK (54 Deg every day) but the sky was overcast most of the time. I had one night to get aurora shots. Oh, and be ready for wind like you've never seen. Ever driven a small car on a mountain road in winds measured over 100 mph? I have - not fun. Doing a self-drive may cause a problem if you are hard over about being at locations before sunrise or until after sunset. Do lots of research/planning and have fun!

TheDman Loc: USA

Was just there for 17 days in June. Planned it myself. Drove the ring road and hit the Snaelfesness peninsula. Couldn't even attempt the interior, as they had such a late spring that it was still impassable. Still, there was plenty to see on the ring. Driving was very easy - barely any traffic outside of Reykjavik. If I did it all over again I would concentrate on the south and west coasts. From Akureyri to Egilsstadir there wasn't as much to see. Would have rather used those days to take a charter boat to Hornstrandir.

If you're itching to shoot puffins, the charter boat tours won't get you any closer to the puffins than standing on the cliffs at Dyrholaey will, so save your $55. And if you're planning on going to the Vestrahorn, watch out for the troll! An old Turkish dude tries to shake you down for money. Tell him to get lost; it's illegal, as Iceland has a right to roam.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I've been to Iceland on a tour and on my own. For your first time in Iceland, I would recommend a tour and the tour guide I recommend is Skarpi Thrainson, http://arcticexposure.is/ Everyday is a full day of shooting to include golden hour, blue hour, and nighttime Aurora shoots. Skarpi is a professional photographer whose images are used by the Icelandic tourist board. The cost for all that you get is not expensive, several people on the Hog have traveled with him. He has a Facebook page with many images.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

I have never been on any kind of a photo tour. My thought is that they are designed to take people to over photographed famous locations. I don't care to see any big city much at any time, I'd go to see the country.I spent three years in Germany in the service and couldn't really afford to travel a lot but when I did, myself and wife and a friend would just takeoff through the small towns and farming communities. I wasn't into photography back then to much and that is to bad. I suspect everyone has heard of the Frankfurt Zoo, I've been there, Heidleberg Zoo blows it away! I would bet everyone know's of must see tourist traps with photo opportunities seen thousands of times. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you want to go see Iceland, you can go on a guided tour to all the most photographed spots, but, you won't see iceland!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've been with a group of photographers, and it can be a nuisance waiting for each one to get to "The Spot." compose, check all the settings, etc., and then snap the shutter. There is always someone who takes more time than all the others combined.

Going with a good guide, as joehel2 says, would be the ideal way. Wandering around and hoping for a perfect scene can be frustrating.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Perhaps a hybrid approach would be best? While I enjoy traveling off the beaten path on my own, there are reasons those over-photographed spots get that way...

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Iceland is expensive regardless of how you do it, tour or on your own.

It does not have a good road system, if you are going to hire a vehicle yourself you have to know what you are doing, hire a good 4x4, and be able to navigate.

There are some pretty amazing opportunities for the landscape and wildlife photographer especially but also be prepared for poor weather especially in the autumn and winter. You can be miles from help when a problem occurs, which makes travelling with a group in some areas advisable.

But it is really worth the effort.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

3 years ago, I did a self-conducted 7 day trip to the less visited west and northwest portions of Iceland. I had no problems. I had no problems using English. I made all my own reservations over the web with no problems.

Self service gas stations are readily available and you can at least buy gas 24/7. You will need a credit card with a chip and you must have a PIN.

After 7 days alone, I hooked up with a small group to travel the south and east coasts. I would recommend that you stay at Hali Country just to the east of the Jokulsarlon lagoon if you are going that way. Somewhat community sleeping with shared showers, but the food in the small restaurant was great and all cooked fresh on site.

If you are going to to into Landmanlaugar (sp?) and want to stay at the travelers hut, you will need advance reservations. I would also recommend a high lift vehicle as you must fjord a river just prior to the hut (Although I have seen it done in a car - gutsy. River flows change dramatically morning to evening based on snow melt.) Also if going 'inland' travel with two vehicles for assistance although cell phone service is amazingly good in many unlikely places.

Start by checking http://iceland.nordicvisitor.com/?rf=g01-38&gclid=CJeRgrGZksgCFY6EaQodnukMqw

Be aware that if you drive yourself. Get full insurance and be further warned that even that will not cover you for undercarriage damage from rocks. In other words, they don't want you taking the rentals off roac. I know from personal experience. I had the privilege of paying for a new drive shaft for my rental (a chevy 4x4).

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

I have been to Iceland. Stopped there for about 6 days on the way back to the U.S. From Norway. I went by myself. Spent a couple of days in Reykjavik then rented a car and drove up the eastern coast. I loved the trip. Very easy and great photography opportunities. I did not have hotel/motel reservations before setting out on the road trip. Lodging was easy to find when I was there in September. If I were to go again I would do the same thing but drive the entire ring road and take my time. One of the days I was in Reykjavik I hired a guide to take me to the interior and up on (yes on) one of the glaciers. It was worth every penny. Essentially there are very few roads in the interior of Iceland but there are small, usually gravel, roads off the main ring road. You can do these in a small car (as I did) or with a more rugged vehicle such as a SUV. I found that the small car worked just fine for what I wanted to do. You will also find that as you drive around Iceland you can pretty much stop anywhere and shoot. I stopped many times along side the main road and took shots. Very little traffic and wide shoulders helped. Anyway, enjoy!

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

I have been 4 times, in 2004, 2011, 2013 and the last trip, this past July. I am addicted to this country. I've been in February, November, June and July. One was a photo trip (winter) and this past July I rented a car and drove around the whole country. I've taken day tours offered from Reykjavik, I've taken the photographer's tour to an island to see puffins (there were hundreds at close range), and have explored some of the northern fiords which are gorgeous. There are many ways to see this country. PM me if you have questions.

Susan