Rick Steves knows a thing or two about saving money when traveling in Europe. Although his long-running public television show and his countless guidebooks aren’t specifically marketed to penny pinchers, he’s been traveling across Europe for too long not to have picked up a few tricks along the way. Whether he’s telling you to avoid expensive cafe mistakes like sitting at a table if you’re just getting a drink, or advising you to find cheap but tasty European eats by visiting public cafeterias, he’s got you covered. So it’s worth listening when he tells you to eat a big lunch when you’re traveling in Iceland.
“Even the fanciest restaurants offer excellent value lunch specials in the $25 range,” he said on the Rick Steves’ Europe website. “Enjoy a high-end, sit-down meal for lunch, then picnic or grab cheap takeout for dinner.” There’s no need to splurge on fancy meals when you’re in Iceland — sometimes an Icelandic hot dog with lamb meat or a plate of Icelandic fish and chips will do the job just fine. Steves also recommends buying alcohol from the duty-free section of the airport to enjoy with lunch later.
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Iceland is not cheap
The Icelandic flag flying over two A-frame houses. – Pomarada/Shutterstock
You may know Iceland for its stunning geography and dramatic landscapes, its famed hot springs like the iconic Blue Lagoon, or for the avant-pop legend Bjork. But there’s something else you ought to know about Iceland before you go: It is really, really expensive, especially when it comes to food. It turns out that being a small, remote island nation with forbidding geography is not exactly conducive to being an agricultural powerhouse. The average meal may cost between $35 and $50. Combine that with high tourism demand and the steep alcohol taxes, and you’ll end up with some eye-watering bills at the end of your meal.
Maybe you’re not used to having to worry about money when you’re traveling — after all, travel is supposed to be an opportunity to make use of the money you’ve saved up for an unforgettable experience, right? But unless you’re a Rockefeller, you’re probably going to want to heed Steves’ advice for saving money during meals, like taking advantage of tap water and unlimited soup and bread. You may also want to pick up lighter meals from supermarkets, especially budget-friendly chains like Bónus and Krónan. We promise you won’t be missing out on anything.
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