When BNA Cheap Flights, aka Andrea Giordano, told us that out of the 39 countries she’s visited, Iceland was her favorite, I knew I had to go! So I took a direct flight from BNA to its capital, Reykjavík, but I only had 24 hours to visit. Could I do it on a budget? Absolutely. Here are my tips for making the most of your time in Iceland while spending the least amount of money.
🚙 Airport Transportation
The funny thing about flying direct from Nashville to Reykjavík is that you actually land in Keflavik Airport, which is about 30 miles from the city center and a 45-minute bus ride away. Everyone told me to rent a car and chase waterfalls for the day, but I went with the cheaper option: The Flybus. For $42 (ticket purchased on arrival), it took me straight into town.
Icelandic cardamom bun from BakaBaka in Reykjavík. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
🥐 Budget Friendly Meals & Accommodations
The food there was outstanding — the prices, not so much. Still, I managed to find a few spots that were fairly affordable and oh so delicious.
- $20 Breakfast: BakaBaka was the perfect cozy first stop in Iceland. The servers promptly brought me coffee and a glorious traditional cardamom bun with caramelized sugar edges.
- $5 Lunch: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur lived up to the hype. This local hot dog stand has been all over my social media as a must-try, and it absolutely was.
- $40 Dinner: Sushi Social was happily serving late. On my server’s recommendation, I tried the Iceland salmon roll with creamy dill sauce and pumpernickel on top, paired with a local beer.
- Hotel: Þingholt by Center Hotels came highly recommended by City Cast Nashville contributor Amelia Edelman. As a solo female traveler, feeling safe and comfortable is my top priority, and this hotel delivered on both. I even saved money by booking with credit card points.
💦 Geothermal Pools
I wanted to visit the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, but after seeing those price tags, I decided to go where the locals go. For just $18, I spent the afternoon at Laugardalslaug, Reykjavík’s beloved neighborhood pool, and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience.
To respect the locals, I followed every rule to the letter. If you go, please don’t tell them I sent you. Be quiet, be polite, and for the love of Iceland: Wash your entire naked body with soap before putting on your swimsuit and entering the pools.
A lucky view of the Northern Lights. (Marie Cecile Anderson / City Cast Nashville)
💚 Seeing the Northern Lights
For $200, I could have booked a Northern Lights tour to escape Reykjavík’s city lights and increase my chances of seeing them. But luck was on my side: I spotted the green lights dancing across the night sky while walking back to my hotel from the local geothermal pool. I cried. It was magical, and made my 24 hours in Iceland completely worth it.
