Iceland 2018 - Getting There
Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 01, 2018
Broadly speaking I was going to fly from Manchester to Keflavik (Reykjavik) and get a transfer into the city centre where I had booked a hotel for my first night. I had also booked a scheduled bus to the start of the trek but that didn't depart until 12.30pm the following day, which would give me time to buy the final few items I needed.
I researched and booked the outward bus journey to the start of the trek before I left the UK, I also researched and printed a timetable for the buses I might need from the end of the trek back to Reykjavik - there was a single daily bus which left Skogar (my finishing point) at 12 noon - since it was unlikely I would be early enough to get this I allowed for another night camping in Skogar and a return to Reykjavik the following day.
My itinerary from the UK was:
- Sunday 2nd September: Travel to Manchester then fly to Reykjavik, stay overnight in a hotel.
- Monday 3rd September: Buy fuel and fresh food, travel by bus to start of trek, bus leaves at Noon, 2 hours.
- Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 12th September: 9 days trekking, arrive at Skogar on 12th September – camp overnight.
- Thursday 13th September: Return to Reykjavik, stay in hotel overnight ready for flight first thing Friday morning.
- Friday 14th September: Fly to Manchester - onward by car.
I left the house about 8.00am on the Sunday and got to the airport about 2 hours later in good time, I bought some foods which were permissible to take into Iceland such as crackers, sweets and nutrition bars etc.. The flight was subject to a considerable delay of about an hour so; we landed late, arrived around 3.30pm.
I hadn't arranged my airport transfer as the hotel advised doing it from the airport when I arrived. In reality, they were selling tickets on the flight so I bought a return, I asked about the price difference from the airport service and she said it was 5% cheaper but I wouldn't have to queue. I could probably have got it cheaper with another company but at least it was done.
I waited for my hold luggage until there was nothing else on the carousel, then joined the long line at Lost Luggage and started fretting about what I was going to do without my kit. After another 20 minutes or so I reached the desk to be told that unusual luggage i.e. a rucksack, comes out at a different place – my rucksack was a two minute walk away – I can’t help thinking a sign would save a lot of grief.
The transfer to Reykjavik was well organised, the bus takes you to your hotel door. I arrived about 5.15pm and booked in. My guidebook had said that screw in gas cartridges were available from most garages and I hiked to the nearest one only to find that it didn't - I went into the city centre for something to eat.
The next day Gas was the main focus - I'd picked up a street map and there was a campsite marked near the centre, a garage was also nearby - surely that one would sell gas – bingo. I bought food and had lunch before getting on the bus. You have to request a stop for my destination, the bus dropped me off at 3.15pm, bang on time.
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Mark Richardson |
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Mark was the founder of Ultralight Outdoor Gear back in 2006 and has completed long distance backpacking routes in some of the remotest parts of the world. His favourite hikes have been Torres del Paine (full circuit), the John Muir trail and the Markha Valley trail (Ladakh, India). Although semi-retired Mark has not lost any enthusiasm for minimalist backpacking and is tackling Scotland’s Munros choosing multi-day backpacking routes over the more usual guide book excursions. |
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