How to get to Iceland without a plane – part one
As I am still trying to overcome a bad case of fear of flying (but hey, I’ve flown again), I also brought up the topic of reaching Iceland without using a plane when we first discussed this project. But somehow the vikings have reached the island without burning jet fuel, so it must be still possible these days.
Image via, taken by Duncanh1
Here’s what I found out so far: even though those flying machines pretty much have the monopol on travelling to Iceland, you can still reach it via ferry. And you can bring your own car with you. The only drawback for people from Ireland and the UK is that the times of a direct connection via Leith or Hull are a thing of the past. These days the only way catch a boat to Iceland is in (fitting for those vikings) Hanstholm or Esbjerg in Denmark, so you’ll have to travel there first. The only ferry operator is Smyril Line, so you’re pretty much limited when it comes to comparing prices, and a return ticket for two people and one standard family car will put you back at least 1,100 €. I tried to find out online if it’s possible to book a cabin on the Norroena (the only vessel travelling to Iceland) without bringing your car, but this request seems so far off that you’ll need to call the ferry company to inquire. The ship also only travels between April and October, as the North Atlantic in Winter seems not willing to care for landlubbers bringing little Japanese cars. Oh, and the trip from Denmark to Iceland takes 3 days, including a stopover on the Faroer Islands.
The only other alternative to reach Iceland via ship seems to be a passage on a freighter – Eimskip is the major freight company dealing with trips between Rotterdam and Iceland, but you’ll also need to contact them via phone to get more precise information.
Image via, taken by Eric Cleves Kristensen
But if you should decide to travel to Iceland via ferry, you’ll arrive in beautiful Seydisfjördur on the east coast of Iceland, avoiding the dreaded road from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik – and you can start discovering the island straight away. But as we have no car(s), it seems yours truly and the photographer of his choice will take a plane. Sigh.
