Destinations: Iceland - The Lovely Escapist

Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Speeding Ticket In Iceland

Angie — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 22:53:24 +0000

So, you were caught speeding in Iceland. Join the club!

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In March 2018, I went on a 7-day road trip around Iceland’s Ring Road where I drove a total of 967.7 miles. You can read about that here – An Epic 7-Day Iceland Road Trip In March. On the sixth day, driving between Hvammstangi and Arnarstapi, I saw a van with flashing lights driving towards me. Naturally, I thought it was an ambulance so I pulled over. To my surprise, the van veered into my lane and park right in front of my car.

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The police officer came up to my window and asked me to get out of the car. He escorted me inside the van where I was seated at a desk. The second officer explained the 90 km/h speed limit and showed the van clocked me driving 113 km/h (70 mph). Yikes! Definitely 100% in the wrong.

As they were reviewing my license and the rental car’s registration, they gave me the option to pay on the spot or receive the ticket later in the mail. If I paid then and there, they would give me a 25% discount. Instead of paying 30,000 ISK ($247 USD), the fine would be 22,500 ISK ($185 USD). I decided to pay the ticket immediately using my credit card.

Afterward, they gave me a copy of the ticket and receipt, wished me well, and warned me about the many speed cameras along the way towards Reykjavik.

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Overall, not a terrible experience. Sure it sucked, but I didn’t speed the rest of my trip. I also thought it was kind of them to warn me about the speed camera because I actually had no idea Iceland had any!

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How Do You Get A Ticket?

By going over the speed limit, of course.

You may have noticed as you drive around Iceland, especially outside of Reykjavik, there are not a lot of police. However, there are many speed cameras around Reykjavik, tunnel areas, and the Ring Road.

The maximum speed on most paved roads outside of towns and villages in Iceland is 90 km/hr, which is 56 mph. The speed limit on unpaved roads is 80 km/hr or 49 mph. Sometimes, the speed limit can be even lower when turning a sharp corner or driving along a steep mountain road. So always keep your eyes open for a speed change.

No matter the speed limit, there are plenty of signs that keep you updated. Plus, there are signs that alert you when there’s an upcoming speed camera (see photo).

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Just remember that speed limits are there for your protection. Iceland roads can be very dangerous all year long due to weather and the many twists and turns. So be safe by going the speed limit to prevent an accident, injury, or even death.

How Do You Pay Off Your Speeding Ticket?

If you get pulled over by the police (like me), you have three options.

Option 1: Pay the fine then and there, and receive a 25% discount off your ticket. The police vans have card readers so pay with either your Debit or Credit card.
Option 2: Wait to receive your ticket in the mail and pay the fine with no discount.
Option 3: Don’t pay.

If you get your ticket in the mail from a speed camera, you have two options.

Option 1: Pay the fine. Most likely when you receive your ticket in the mail from an Iceland speed camera, they offer a 25% discount if you pay within a certain amount of time. If you receive the ticket after the discount has expired, you can always call and explain the situation to get an extension.
Option 2: Don’t pay.

Tip: Automatic speed-surveillance cameras are notoriously inaccurate. If they don’t have any visible proof of your speeding (short video segment or two photos taken in rapid succession), ask for it. If they can’t provide that proof, you shouldn’t have to pay.

Also, if you receive your ticket by mail, you might notice a new charge by your rental car company around 5000 ISK ($39 USD). If a speed camera snaps a shot of you, the Icelandic police trace the car back to the proper rental car company. By law, the rental company must provide the police with your information. Some rental car companies charge a handling fee for this.

Do I Need To Pay My Ticket?

Yes, you should pay because you broke the law and it is the right things to do. But do you have to? Based on my research, it seems that if you don’t ever plan on driving in Iceland again, you don’t have to pay.

The biggest concern for those who receive tickets and don’t want to pay is if they return to Iceland in the future, would they be turned away, arrested, or stopped at customs and forced to pay a steep fine?

One individual who allegedly called the Icelandic police department spoke to a woman who said nothing would happen since they are not a citizen of Iceland.

There seems to be no evidence that unpaid speeding tickets are visible to immigration officials in any country. If both your license and passport details weren’t recorded at the time of the offense or by the rental car company, it seems unlikely that any country would link the two together.

However, police officers most likely have visibility to outstanding fines previously incurred in their country, and definitely will in their specific state/region. So if you plan to return to Iceland one day and hope to drive, you definitely should pay the fine.

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The truth is, it’s common for foreign travelers not to pay the fines.

According to police in Iceland, they manage to collect only 45% of those speeding tickets. There are a couple of reasons for this low number.

Guðrún Hauksdóttir, a police officer in Western Iceland, said that one reason is that travelers frequently write their addresses in hand in their own alphabet. This can be very hard for police officers to decipher. Apparently, it’s most difficult to collect fines from Russians or Chinese motorists.

There’s also an insufficient number of officers. Therefore, it’s impossible to track down every individual who decides not to pay the fines. Guðrún says, “We appeal to people’s good conscience when other means at our disposal fail. The car rental companies provide us with people’s addresses and we send the fine to their home address. Of those whose addresses we find, only about 45% pay.”

Many people went to Trip Advisor and forums like Reddit for advice on whether or not they needed to pay their fines, which range anywhere between $100 USD and $1700 USD. It seems the question itself angered a few Icelandic citizens who don’t appreciate this mindset of “I don’t live there, so why should I deal with the consequences”.

They believe that if you don’t pay the fine, then don’t return. Other’s seemed more understanding and admitted that “Icelanders know where these fast-moving cameras are and slow down when they see them.” But overall, most Icelanders agreed that it was only fair those who received these speeding tickets pay the fine.

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What do you think? Should people pay the speeding ticket fine no matter the cost? If you have an experience receiving a speeding ticket in Iceland or any foreign country, let me know how you handled the situation in the comments below. I would love to hear your story!

Angie xoxo

The post Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Speeding Ticket In Iceland appeared first on The Lovely Escapist.

The Ultimate 7-Day Iceland Road Trip Itinerary In March | Ring Road Edition

Angie — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 23:45:05 +0000

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Iceland’s Ring Road is an enchanting adventure filled with captivating experiences. Never in my life have I seen such an awe-inspiring place. With milky blue geothermal springs, enormous waterfalls, native wild horses, black sand beaches, jagged mountains, ice-blue glaciers, and the northern lights, the “Land of Fire and Ice” will leave you utterly speechless.

Exploring Iceland in March is an excellent idea if you want to experience all four seasons. While it will be cold all around the entire island, most of the snow has melted in the South, and yellowish/green grass covers the ground everywhere you look. In the East and North sides of the island, you will experience a landscape that can only be described as a winter wonderland.

This past March, I embarked on a 7-day Iceland Road Trip around the “Ring Road” with Sebrin from The Clumsy Traveler and Carly from Light Travels. Circling the entire island in seven days can be difficult, especially in March, when snow and ice may be present, but with proper planning, it is entirely possible. For a detailed itinerary and some tips to help make your journey a little bit easier, keep reading!

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My first tip if you are driving in Iceland: stick to the speed limit. There are a lot of police in Reykjavik and many speed cameras along the Ring Road, so unless you want to come home from your vacation with a $300 fine like me, stick to the speed limit. To learn more, check out my article “Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Speeding Ticket In Iceland“.

Day 1

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a popular tourist route in Southern Iceland. This 300-kilometer (190 mi) loop starts in Reykjavík and offers unique landscapes that are easily accessible. Expect it to be crowded at all times. Below are the most popular sites to see as you travel along this road.

Thingvellir National Park: Only 40 km northeast of Reykjavík, this moss-covered national park is impossible to miss. You actually drive through it! The most impressive part of this park is that it is home to the Silfa Fissure, which is a divergent tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian Tectonic Plates. If you book a scuba or snorkel tour, you can swim between these two tectonic plates!!! Unfortunately, we learned about these tours too late and were unable to go, but that just gives me an excuse to come back!

Strokkur Geysir: This famous Icelandic geyser erupts every 6-10 minutes, reaching heights of 15-20 meters, sometimes up to 40 meters. After waiting through 4 eruptions, we finally saw one that possibly was 40m, so be prepared to wait a while to get a glimpse of the geyser in all its glory.

Gullfoss Falls: While not the most impressive waterfalls you’ll see, Gullfoss is still worth visiting. It is unique among Icelandic waterfalls because it has multiple tiers of flowing water. However, in March, there is typically so much snow surrounding the falls and edges that you can’t get close, so you’ll have to admire the falls from a viewing deck.

Kerid Crater Lake: In the summer, this volcanic crater lake is filled with turquoise water and surrounded by red volcanic rock and green moss. However, in the winter and spring, the lake is often frozen over, and to be honest, it’s not much to look at. But you can go down to the crater and walk (or slide) on the frozen lake!

Tips: While you will see Icelandic horses all around the island, be sure to stop and say hello to the ones in the Golden Circle. The fences keeping the horses in the pastures are wire, but typically they are electric, so anywhere else, you will have to be careful petting the horses behind the fence.

Also, while I enjoyed the Golden Circle, I don’t believe these sites are the best Iceland has to offer. If you want to shorten your trip or want to stay in a different region of Iceland longer, I recommend skipping the Golden Circle. I promise that as the days go on, you will discover more incredible places than the last.

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Day 2

Reykjavik to Varmahlíð

On day 2, wake up as early as possible to reach your destination before the other tourists. As you head farther from Reykjavik, there are still many tour buses that explore Southern Iceland. Today you will be visiting two of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland. If you want to explore and take photos without crowds, plan to hit the road about 1 hour before sunrise.

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: This waterfall is 60m high, and if you go when the snow has melted, there is a cave behind the waterfall where visitors can walk into. Something you don’t see from most photos on Instagram is that there is a pathway near the waterfall that takes you to smaller waterfalls and the hidden Gljúfrabúi waterfall. You can hike up to the Gljúfrabúi waterfall this time of year, or you can trudge through freezing water and a small crevice to the base of the falls! Either way, be prepared for an adventure!

Skógafoss Waterfall: This was my absolute favorite waterfall of all the ones we saw in Iceland, mostly because we were lucky enough to visit on a sunny day and see a rainbow in front of the falls. Apparently, sunshine is sporadic this time of year, so we were in for a real treat! If it’s sunny the day you’re in this region, try to see the falls later in the day when you’ll have the chance of standing underneath a rainbow.

Dyrhólaey: This must-see lookout offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Iceland! From the unending black sand beach to the vast ice-capped mountain range, this location proved to be a photographer’s dream. We girls planned to check out this spot for about 20 minutes, but ended up staying for 2 hours until sunset! Another bonus was that Dyrhólaey is a lesser-known tourist spot, so you could enjoy the experience.

Tip: At the end of the day, we backtracked a little and stayed in Varmahlíð at The Garage. However, I would recommend staying closer to Vík or in Vík.

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Day 3

Varmahlíð to Höfn

Day 3 has, by far, the most sites to see and a long drive, so be sure to wake up at the crack of dawn and be prepared just to go, go, go. You won’t want to miss anything!

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach: This is Iceland’s most famous black-sand beach and one of the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world. Discover symmetrical hexagon columns lining the beach, formed by lava as if cooled and contracted on the shore, and admire the basalt sea stacks that appear to float off the coast. You’ll need an hour or so just to take in all the beauty and snap hundreds of pictures.

Vík: With a church and houses situated on a hillside, Vík is easily one of the most idyllic little towns in Iceland. It may shock you to learn that despite its small size (291 inhabitants), it is the largest settlement for 70km or 43mi. That being said, be sure to stock up on food and gas before heading to your next destination.

Tip: Try the hot dogs at any local gas station! This might seem like a bizarre tip, but trust me, they’re life-changing.

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: Dating back to the Ice Age’s cold periods, some two million years ago, this moss-covered canyon is a must-see. If you’re brave enough to walk close to the edge, you’ll find yourself looking down ata 100m drop and a small winding river. Be sure to watch your step and keep your balance against the wind!

Svinafellsjokulsvegur Glacier: Visiting this glacier was an unexpected stop for us, but 100% worth it! Right before we left for Iceland, I learned we could either do a glacier trek or an ice cave tour. However, they can be pretty expensive, and we didn’t have time in our schedule. Consequently, as we were driving down the road, we saw this glacier in the distance and found a dirt road that led us directly to its base! While we could have walked on the glacier, it’s never safe to do so without a guide. Instead, we followed the trail along the mountainside directly above the glacier for one hell of a view!

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: This large glacier lake is on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. It is a well-known spot for viewing icebergs that break off over time. It is gorgeous at sunset when an orange glow kisses the top of the surrounding snowy mountains, and the lagoon reflects a deep turquoise blue. No wonder it’s been featured in multiple Hollywood movies, including Batman Begins, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, A View to a Kill, and Die Another Day.

Diamond Beach: Right across from Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is another famous black sand beach. Along the shore, you will find both large and small pieces of glacier ice that have floated out of the lagoon, into the sea, and made its way to Diamond beach.

Tip: Stay an extra day exploring this part of the South. There were quite a few things we missed (secret waterfalls, glacier trekking, and other black sand beaches) just because we were short on time. If you have the opportunity to stay longer, I highly recommend it.

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Day 4

Höfn to Mývatn: Exploring the East

If you’re making this drive in March, prepare for snowstorms, icy roads, high winds, and a long, slow trip. Out of all the days we were in Iceland, this was the ONLY day we experienced such harsh weather. However, during this time of year, it’s not unusual. Make sure you check road conditions regularly at www.road.is and drive with caution.

Because of the weather and time, we were only able to make two stops. In warmer months, expect to see more.

Stokknes or Vestrahorn: Where mountains meet the sea. Out of every place we visited, this was by far my favorite. The melting snow capped the mountains, black sand mounds speckled with yellow grass decorated the foreground, and the vast black icy beach made for the perfect canvas. It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Amazingly, there was hardly anyone there! Just a couple of professional photographers, but no tourists. So be sure to see this gem before it becomes Insta-famous!

Note: You do have to pay a small fee per car to enter this area, but if I remember correctly, it’s under $10.

Seyðisfjörður Village: This lakeside town is in the Eastern Region of Iceland and a 27km detour from the Ring Road. It’s famous for colorful buildings, puffin colonies, and old ruins. However, in March, especially after a snowstorm, the ruins are covered in snow, the puffins are not around, and the town is virtually empty, with most shops and restaurants closed. Nevertheless, we had a great time wandering around this winter wonderland and chatting with some locals at the only place open: the grocery store.

Unfortunately, we made this drive during a snowstorm and had trouble seeing the road. At one point, we were in a complete whiteout and terrified since we couldn’t even see the edges of the road, which didn’t have a railing, and beyond it was the side of the mountain. It probably isn’t worth visiting this time of year if it means risking your life driving through a snowstorm, but it’s a definite must-see when the snow thaws.

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Day 5

Mývatn to Hvammstangi

Mývatn: There are quite a few things to do in Mývatn, like explore the lava fields of Dimmuborgir, climb into Hverfjall (one of the world’s largest explosion craters), relax at the Mývatn Nature Baths, or find the hidden Grjótagjá Cave made famous by Game of Thrones. Honestly, it was difficult to do much when we went because of the snow, but, as I’ve said before about other places in Iceland in March, it would be better to visit once the snow has thawed. That way, you can walk around the volcanic craters or lava fields and enjoy the unique rock formations.

Tip: If you have time and the road conditions are good, head south into the highlands and visit Aldeyjarfoss waterfall. The contrast between the black basalt columns and the white waters of the fall is supposed to be stunning.

Goðafoss Waterfall: Goðafoss, or “Waterfall of the Gods,” is unlike most famous waterfalls in Iceland. Instead of being tall and thin, this waterfall is 30m wide and 12m high. I’m not sure how much water flows from the falls daily, but it must be a lot! If you have a drone, this is the place to fly it. From way above, you’ll capture a unique and beautiful perspective.

Hvammstangi: This Icelandic village in the north-west is the perfect place to end the day and catch some sleep. If you are dying to see the Northern Lights, this is the place to look. Make sure to track the Aurora Borealis forecast at en.vedur.is. Who knows, maybe you’ll get lucky like us!

Tip: As on Day 4, if you visit this region in winter or in March, you will find it difficult to see everything. Be sure to prioritize each location and start your day early.

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Day 6

Hvammstangi to Reykjavík

Arnarstapi Sea Arch: About a 1.5-hour drive from the Ring Road onto the Snæfellsnes peninsula, you’ll discover the famous sea arch at Arnarstapi. The sheer size of the arch is stunning. If there hadn’t snow on the cliff, I would have tried to climb down and see the arch up close. Another reason to visit this area is the unique lava formations. For example, if you check out the coastal cliffs, you’ll notice symmetrical hexagon columns similar to those at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.

Explore Reykjavík: Now you are back in the capital and Iceland’s largest city. Woohoo! You did it! You know what that means?? Time to tour the city in search of great food and Icelandic beer! We stayed at The Loft Reykjaví, located at the end of Reykjavík’s main shopping street, Bankastræti 7, and only a 5-minute walk from Hallgrímskirkja (The City Cathedral pictured below). It was nice being so close to all the fantastic restaurants, bars, and shops. However, in Reykjavík and across Iceland, everything is expensive, so budget for a lot of spending money or get your food and drinks at the local grocery store.

Tip: Don’t let your road trip exhaustion keep you from exploring more places. We were tired. All we wanted was to get back to Reykjavík. Unfortunately, this meant we missed most of the West, which many have said is the most beautiful part of Iceland. One popular stop we missed (and I now regret) is Kirkjufell mountain. This landscape showcases a beautiful waterfall and a distinctly shaped mountain, a landscape photographer’s dream.

Day 7

Reykjavík to Keflavík Airport

Blue Lagoon: What a perfect way to end our Iceland Road trip. Any tension I had from driving or carrying my camera equipment melted away the minute I entered the milky-blue waters of this geothermal spa! At the Blue Lagoon, you can enjoy these healing waters at temperatures of 99-102 °F, apply cleansing white silica mud masks to your face and body, and spend time in the sauna and steam baths. There are three packages to choose from: Basic, Premium, and Luxury. We went with Basic since it was the cheapest for 6990 ISK, which is about $69 USD. Included is your entrance, a mud mask, a towel, and one drink of your choice. The other two packages are a great option if you’re interested in a little more pampering.

Tip: Buy your Blue Lagoon tickets before you leave for Iceland. They often sell out, and you don’t want to miss this!

Keflavík Airport: Time to say goodbye to Iceland. But “it’s not really goodbye after all“. Hopefully, one day soon, I’ll be back to explore this magical island.

How To Get Around

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If you’re planning a road trip, you’ll need a car with four-wheel drive and plenty of room for luggage. While there were many different rental car companies to choose from, we decided to go with SAD Cars, and I recommend you do the same! It was easy to book online, affordable, and they are located right by the Keflavik Airport. Also, the employees were accommodating, and I appreciated that they recommended getting gravel protection. At first, I thought they were trying to scare us into spending more money, but during the trip, a huge truck passed us on the highway and kicked up some gravel. Of course, it smacked right into our windshield and left a crack, but luckily,y we were covered.

If you want to save money and have a worry-free road trip, rent with SAD Cars.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

As you can tell, we had our fair share of bad weather during our road trip. As I travel more and more, I’ve found out that it is pretty rare for your vacation to go as planned.

You should always have travel insurance!

We can hope and pray the worst doesn’t come to pass, but the truth is, you never really know what’s going to happen. You may lose your luggage, cancel a trip, miss a connection, or possibly need medical attention. Iceland is a place of immense beauty, but it is also home to unpredictable weather and dangerous adventures, like glacier hikes and mountain climbing. The best thing you can do to prepare for any inconvenient or unfortunate event is to get travel insurance.

If you’re looking for affordable, informative travel insurance, I recommend Allianz Travel Insurance. With Allianz, you will find an insurance plan that’s right for you.

FOR A SNEAK PEAK OF MY ADVENTURES IN ICELAND, CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO:

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