Northern lights and cheap flights – if that’s not enticing enough to book a trip, then I don’t know what is!
Lots can be said about my favorite country, some good, some bad – if there’s one thing for certain, fall is the best time to explore Iceland.
What once seemed like an unattainable far-flung destination with a fascinating way of life and astounding other-planetary landscapes is now one of the world’s trendiest destinations.
Summer draws a crowd to many of Iceland’s top sites, such as the plethora of majestic waterfalls, shooting geysers, and the volcanic black sand beaches of Vik.
Now that calendars have flipped to September, crowds are beginning to dwindle, but best of all, this month marks the start of the Northern Lights season with some incredibly priced airfare to reach Europe’s most jaw-dropping country on a budget.
An Ethereal Autumn In Iceland
They say ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls’ but nobody is stopping you from chasing impeccably beautiful fall foliage across the pond.
Truth be told, Iceland is borderline whimsical in some aspects.
Its culture is steeped in bizarre elf folklore, unpronounceable streets, and quirky architecture that will leave you befuddled.
What is often overlooked are the scenic fall colors lining the streets of Reykjavik, many of its wondrous terrains, and the up-and-coming northern city of Akureyri, which you should definitely visit this time of year.
While most travelers keep their passports at home to leaf-peep, you will be quite impressed checking out the already stunning natural sites without the vibrant backdrop of foliage.
The rush of fall colors adds tenfold the allure.
Of course, Iceland is a rare European nation where trains go by the wayside in favor of road trips.
Home to the popular Ring Road, this is the ultimate fall adventure where you’ll find open roads, less crowds, and more elbow room at the famous Blue Lagoon.
Watch The Skies Dance Green
September marks a season to remember, but don’t feel like you have to visit at the drop of a hat; the Northern Lights can be witnessed in Iceland through April.
That being said, many circle September as the month to visit since this also marks the end of the stingy ‘midnight sun’.
Just as it sounds, if you’re unfamiliar, Iceland experiences extended daylight through the summer months, so locals and tourists alike are stoked to get some shuteye!
If there was ever an excuse to stay up late, it’s to bear witness to nature’s concert of colors known as Aurora Borealis, a natural reaction caused by the sun’s charged particles and Earth’s atmosphere.
But enough with the science lesson, the point is it’s truly an awesome phenomenon to experience.
I’ve done it right here in Iceland.
Thinking I missed out on the chance about to head to the airport, the universe heard my prayers and the skies lit green in Keflavik near the airport.
Even my driver was surprised as I was told there’s often too much light pollution to see it here. There are far better places with a higher odds to view the Northern Lights.
According to Iceland Tours, there are the top 5 best bets to watch the Northern Light put on a show: (good luck pronouncing them!)
- Vatnajökull National Park
- Seltjarnarnes (Reykjavik)
- Snæfellsnes
- Þingvellir National Park
- Westfjords
Iceland’s Flagship Low-Cost Airline: PLAY
Formerly WOW Air, after a wild timeline of mishaps, this Icelandic airline has rebranded under new ownership as PLAY.
This low-cost carrier offers a variety of nonstop flights to/from the U.S. on the cheap. Such notable airports include Baltimore (BWI), Washington DC (IAD), and Boston (BOS).
As for New York (SWF), make sure you go to the right place as it’s an alternative airport in Stewart, NY – not JFK or LaGuardia.
PLAY offers sales throughout the year with some truly jaw-dropping fares. For example, Bostonites can fly directly to Keflavik (KEF) as low as $139 this fall.
While Iceland may be an expensive country on arrival, that’s a problem to solve once you get here!
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