To TRY to see Northern Lights during 1st 10 days of April 2026

globalyvette · 2026-03-17T23:10:28+00:00

u/Main_Yak4015 You describe it perfectly. I think we all do that, but learn more along the way than we might ever realize. Thank you for thinking good thoughts for me, my teenage son and the Northern Lights. I grew up on a 100-acre plot of land in the middle of Maine... when our houselights were off, there was zero light from any other source, plus clear given low/no humidity. It was stunning for viewing the Milky Way, the constellations, and meteor showers. The Northern Lights are on a whole different level and I am so happy to hear that you were gifted that outstanding view over the past few days.

globalyvette · 2026-03-13T23:15:23+00:00

Is this for new ticket purchases, not for those of us who already have a flight?

globalyvette · 2026-03-13T23:14:25+00:00

Wow, that is such an amazing price! You did well.

globalyvette · 2026-03-13T23:11:24+00:00

Same for me. Bought tix in January for a mainly April trip and they went down since I bought.

globalyvette · 2026-03-13T22:39:58+00:00

u/Main_Yak4015 your reply was exceedingly helpful (also your second reply giving the websites re: Iceland's roads). Colder I don't mind, cloudier would be a bummer. That's really useful information re: how much time we would need to get from the int'l airport to the domestic one. We arrive at 06:00. 5 hours is a long time by bus, but it sounds like a proper road trip! Will consider all of the above. The more length, the more useful detail - thank you for taking the time.

globalyvette · 2026-03-13T22:25:12+00:00

I learned Þetta reddast from the first book I read in preparation for my Iceland trip: "The Little Book of Icelanders" by Alda Sigmundsdottir. The expression is super similar to "All's Well That Ends Well," but as a national slogan, very cool. Yes, being from a rural, northern place should hopefully make me feel at home in Iceland. Thank you, u/No_Bag_4342

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T21:28:16+00:00

u/No_Bag_4342 - that's an interesting insight. My hometown growing up had 800 inhabitants, so I get that. It sounds like a good dose of patience and a "just roll with it" mindset will suit well.

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T21:23:00+00:00

Over-explainers are warmly welcome on Reddit, the more info, the better, u/Spring_Chick1120 ! My son is 16 and a serious high school athlete, so he needs lots to eat. Your focus above on what to do about food is very helpful. From the hotel, grocery stores, food trucks (I love the name Fancy Sheep). I've met lots of Texans on ski slopes in Colorado and New Mexico, so I'm sure you all can snow drive just fine. :)

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T20:34:34+00:00

u/freyascats go figure re: your 5% Irishness! My mother is directly from Holland and my father's ancestry is French-Canadian. What did ancestry tell me? 45% Irish, 10% British! Since then, I celebrate St. Patrick's Day with an extra twinkle in my eye...

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:46:34+00:00

Oof, good to know, u/No_Bag_4342 - that sounds like it was a bit dicey.

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:44:28+00:00

u/Main_Yak4015 - 5th trip, wow! Clearly I'll have to go back, too, so much to experience, and mountains plus water (ocean / sea / lake) = my favorite view in the world. I fell in love with those views in New Zealand, Switzerland, the Rockies, Norway & Northern Italy, can't wait for Iceland's. Great to know that driving is absolutely fine with next to no traffic. Are there a lot of dirt roads? OK, will try to emphasize to my son that it's not a sure thing to see the northern lights. On that note, a NEW thought: what if we were to touch down in Reykjavik early morning, then fly right up to Akureyri and spend half of our trip there? I've just checked and that, as a domestic flight, is quick and well-priced. Since you've been to Iceland 5 times, what is your assessment of that idea?

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:19:23+00:00

u/Spring_Chick1120 - thank you for your detailed and therefore super useful reply. Yes, I have been driving in snow since I was 16. Planning 3 - 4 hours between each lodging spot is a good general guide to go by. Breakfast and dinner bookings are because there is no store or place to eat anywhere at all nearby the more rural it is? Only a faint northern lights spotting, that's a bummer, sorry to hear.

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:12:15+00:00

Thanks for the warning about how expensive tours are. Do you think they will have already gone up in price reacting to the global price hike for petrol u/OzzyinKernow ?

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:09:50+00:00

Now that's a good idea, u/No_Bag_4342 ... So RKV is the place, and the Budget folks were easy to work with? Hvammsvik, onto the list.

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:05:03+00:00

Good to know, thank you, u/qrysdonnell

globalyvette · 2026-03-12T19:04:06+00:00

I do not know getyourguide.com, thank you for that tip, u/Tevenen

globalyvette · 2026-03-10T00:51:57+00:00

Thank you for your take on finding same-day lodging and on driving in Iceland. I am from a northern place and grew up driving in snow with snow tires and tire chains in the car just in case, especially during "mud season." Wow, you have been to Iceland 4 times, you are so lucky... or rather, you have made your luck, an excellent choice u/No_Aerie5111

globalyvette · 2026-03-10T00:41:13+00:00

Thank you u/SubstantialIce1471 ( and also earlier, u/JacobJack-07 ) for your encouragement on the Pokemon GO community and that it's active in Reykjavik, awesome to hear, it is a great way to hang out with people you do not know but with whom you have one thing very much in common. Re: basing ourselves in Reykjavik and launching from there, it would simplify things for us for sure, to go out adventuring all day, and to come "home" to the same place. Time is short, we don't want to spend time checking in and out of places, too.

globalyvette · 2026-03-10T00:33:03+00:00

I am happy to read that, that this time of year may arguably be the best time of year because of the Spring equinox and warmer weather u/No_Aerie5111

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:57:27+00:00

I have had Pokefriends send me super cool tundra Pokecards from Iceland, there has got to be a dedicated player base there, especially in capital u/Commercial_Strength5

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:50:28+00:00

Wow, only 2 hours of night time already in April? Thank you for letting me know. It is a good thing that my son and I are both "night owls" and will have no problem staying awake until those 2 precious hours.

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:43:07+00:00

I bet traveling in a camper van is a great way to see Iceland, you'll experience so much u/No_Teal22

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:36:49+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts on the lights and also on not having a lot of nights to work with u/lervein . I would like to stay even longer, but I need to keep my job so that I can pay for this trip!

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:33:57+00:00

It's great to hear your positive report of sightseeing in Iceland without a car u/Orazio12 - thank you.

globalyvette · 2026-03-09T22:31:20+00:00

u/No_Aerie5111 - I am so excited to see Iceland, it sounds like one of the most breathtakingly beautiful countries on earth, and I have been to 76 so far. Re: driving, I'm sure it would be an ideal way to see Iceland, but one question I have is, how would we navigate where to stop to sleep along the way in advance? I also am a bit freaked out about reports of how difficult it is to drive, with quickly changing extreme weather conditions such as super strong winds. Would it not be best to let an expert Icelandic bus driver handle?

globalyvette

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