Voyage en Islande en hiver: pense-bête?
by Diane330
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour,
Suite à une mûre réflexion d'une journée, j'ai décidé de m'offrir un billet d'avion pour dans 3 semaines... en Islande.
Je me demandais si d'autres avaient déjà voyagé à cette saison, à quoi penser en premier?
Est il nécessaire de réserver des hôtels avant le voyage, sachant que les conditions météos peuvent être très variables et donc l'itinéraire modifié au jour le jour?
Ma question principale concerne la location du véhicule: 4x4 ou pas 4x4?
Je n'en ai jamais conduit, je pars seule.
Mon projet?
Thingvellir, Gulfoss, Jokulsarlon, Myvatn, Dettifoss (j'aimerais beaucoup si c'est possible) Si j'ai je temps pénincule de Snaefelness.
Glymur ça le ferait? Je ne sais pas en hiver...
Je me suis déjà rendue dans ce pays en été, j'ai envie de tester en hiver.
Il y a des endroits que je ne pourrai voir, mais que je rêverai: Askja, Hveravellir ou Landmannlaugar. Peut être existe t'il des excursions spéciales en véhicules spéciaux pour ces destinations en hiver?
Et pour les aurores? Prévoir des vêtements très chauds j'imagine? Combien de temps peut on attendre? Y a t 'il des endroits favoris pour les observer en Islande?
Merci de vos conseils :)
Salut,
Je ne suis jamais allé en Islande l'hiver, mais pour une excursion au Landmannalaugar, ce lien peut peut-être t'intéresser :
http://www.destination-islande.com/voyage-islande/aventure-islande/sejour-a-landmannalaugar-en-hiver.html
Je ne suis jamais allé en Islande l'hiver, mais pour une excursion au Landmannalaugar, ce lien peut peut-être t'intéresser :
http://www.destination-islande.com/voyage-islande/aventure-islande/sejour-a-landmannalaugar-en-hiver.html
Salut !
Tout d'abord pour les hôtels, je ne pense pas que ça soit utile de réserver, compte tenu du peu de touristes présent en hiver. Je préfère perso tout réserver, donc je te dirais de réserver quand même par sécurité partout sauf à Reykjavik et à Akureyri, où tu auras de quoi loger à la dernière minute.
Une voiture suffit si tu veux faire le tour de la route 1 (de toute façon en hiver c'est à peu près la seule grande route pratiquable). Vérifie cependant bien qu'elle ait les pneus neige ou cloutés, et prend de préférence une voiture compacte à cause du vent violent qu'il y a là-bas.
Pour les terres intérieures, très très peu d'excursions et elles sont chères. Oublie, de toute façon tout sera enneigé et tu ne pourras pas profiter des couleurs des paysages. Glymur est accessible par contre !
Pour les fringues : vêtements chauds, la technique des couches c'est le top. Prévois un bon coupe-vent, et de quoi protéger de l'humidité. Il ne fait pas si froid que ça en hiver. Attend toi à entre 2 et -3°C dans le sud, et entre 0 et -5°C dans le nord.
Enfin, pour voir des aurores, il faut de la patience et surtout de la chance. Tout dépendra de la météo et du niveau d'activité de celles-ci. Déjà si tu vois qu'il fait un temps pourri, ça ne sert à rien d'attendre dehors dans le froid. Si il fait beau, tu as juste à patienter en t'éloignant le plus possible de la pollution lumineuse, et peut-être tu en verras 😉
Tout d'abord pour les hôtels, je ne pense pas que ça soit utile de réserver, compte tenu du peu de touristes présent en hiver. Je préfère perso tout réserver, donc je te dirais de réserver quand même par sécurité partout sauf à Reykjavik et à Akureyri, où tu auras de quoi loger à la dernière minute.
Une voiture suffit si tu veux faire le tour de la route 1 (de toute façon en hiver c'est à peu près la seule grande route pratiquable). Vérifie cependant bien qu'elle ait les pneus neige ou cloutés, et prend de préférence une voiture compacte à cause du vent violent qu'il y a là-bas.
Pour les terres intérieures, très très peu d'excursions et elles sont chères. Oublie, de toute façon tout sera enneigé et tu ne pourras pas profiter des couleurs des paysages. Glymur est accessible par contre !
Pour les fringues : vêtements chauds, la technique des couches c'est le top. Prévois un bon coupe-vent, et de quoi protéger de l'humidité. Il ne fait pas si froid que ça en hiver. Attend toi à entre 2 et -3°C dans le sud, et entre 0 et -5°C dans le nord.
Enfin, pour voir des aurores, il faut de la patience et surtout de la chance. Tout dépendra de la météo et du niveau d'activité de celles-ci. Déjà si tu vois qu'il fait un temps pourri, ça ne sert à rien d'attendre dehors dans le froid. Si il fait beau, tu as juste à patienter en t'éloignant le plus possible de la pollution lumineuse, et peut-être tu en verras 😉
Nous sommes en août 2015 et as-tu finalement été en hiver 2014 ou 2015 en Islande avec une voiture ? Si oui, quelle ont été tes impressions ?
La question ne m’était pas adressée mais je me permets de répondre. J’ai eu la chance d’aller en Islande en plein hiver (février-mars), et j’ai loué une voiture.
Si il ne fallait retenir qu’un seul conseil, c’est celui de regarder le plus souvent possible ce site : http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/the-entire-country/island1e.html
En direct tu peux suivre l’évolution de l’état des routes. On dit souvent que la route numéro 1, qui fait le tour du pays, ne ferme jamais, c’est partiellement faux. Il m’est arrivé de devoir prendre cette route (dans le nord du pays) sous une tempête – visibilité d’à peine 2m, vent fort, brouillard et neige – et de me rendre compte une fois arrivé à mon hébergement, en regardant sur le site précité, que cette portion avait été fermée environ 1h après mon passage et cela pendant 2 jours.
Bref tu l’auras compris il est important, surtout en hiver, de regarder le plus souvent possible ce site pour bien préparer la journée à venir. Sinon comme toute destination hivernale, on évite les coups de patins, les freinages brusques, on fait attention aux appels d’airs entre les véhicules et surtout, on fait attention au vent. Certaines voitures locales sont mêmes équipées de sangle reliant la porte au châssis pour éviter que celle-ci ne s’envole.
Pour ce qui est de la location sans faire de pub, j’étais passé par une boîte qui s’appelle Sad Cars et qui a la particularité de louer des voitures d’occasions. L’avantage ? Le prix et surtout on est un peu moins flippé d’écaillé la peinture quand il s’agit de prendre une route en gravier.
J’avais fait un petit recap sur les routes sur mon site, je te donne le lien si jamais tu peux y glaner des informations intéressantes : http://www.retourdumonde.fr/islande/dayend/
En te souhaitant une bonne préparation de voyage 🙂
Si il ne fallait retenir qu’un seul conseil, c’est celui de regarder le plus souvent possible ce site : http://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/the-entire-country/island1e.html
En direct tu peux suivre l’évolution de l’état des routes. On dit souvent que la route numéro 1, qui fait le tour du pays, ne ferme jamais, c’est partiellement faux. Il m’est arrivé de devoir prendre cette route (dans le nord du pays) sous une tempête – visibilité d’à peine 2m, vent fort, brouillard et neige – et de me rendre compte une fois arrivé à mon hébergement, en regardant sur le site précité, que cette portion avait été fermée environ 1h après mon passage et cela pendant 2 jours.
Bref tu l’auras compris il est important, surtout en hiver, de regarder le plus souvent possible ce site pour bien préparer la journée à venir. Sinon comme toute destination hivernale, on évite les coups de patins, les freinages brusques, on fait attention aux appels d’airs entre les véhicules et surtout, on fait attention au vent. Certaines voitures locales sont mêmes équipées de sangle reliant la porte au châssis pour éviter que celle-ci ne s’envole.
Pour ce qui est de la location sans faire de pub, j’étais passé par une boîte qui s’appelle Sad Cars et qui a la particularité de louer des voitures d’occasions. L’avantage ? Le prix et surtout on est un peu moins flippé d’écaillé la peinture quand il s’agit de prendre une route en gravier.
J’avais fait un petit recap sur les routes sur mon site, je te donne le lien si jamais tu peux y glaner des informations intéressantes : http://www.retourdumonde.fr/islande/dayend/
En te souhaitant une bonne préparation de voyage 🙂
Les carnets de voyages et le blog de Retour du Monde :
http://www.retourdumonde.fr/
Merciiii beaucoup Zapo mais maintenant que je t'ai sous la main je vais te poser plein de questions héhéhé 😉😉😉
En avril 2016 je vais donc faire tout le Tour de l'Islande avec ma Kangoo aménagée puis enchaîner sur Norvège, Laponie et Finlande. Je vais partir en tout 6mois histoire de bien prendre mon temps. Je vais tout de même mettre des pneus neige à cause d'avril.
Mais bon, là c'est presque un périple d'observation car une autre fois j'aimerai vraiment y retourner en plein hiver. Par contre tous les campings doivent être bien évidemment fermés. Où logeais-tu ? Dans la voiture au borde de la route ou chez l'habitant ?
En avril 2016 je vais donc faire tout le Tour de l'Islande avec ma Kangoo aménagée puis enchaîner sur Norvège, Laponie et Finlande. Je vais partir en tout 6mois histoire de bien prendre mon temps. Je vais tout de même mettre des pneus neige à cause d'avril.
Mais bon, là c'est presque un périple d'observation car une autre fois j'aimerai vraiment y retourner en plein hiver. Par contre tous les campings doivent être bien évidemment fermés. Où logeais-tu ? Dans la voiture au borde de la route ou chez l'habitant ?
De rien, si je peux aider !
Tu prévois combien de temps pour en faire le tour ? Pour les pneus neiges c’est indispensable, ce que j’avais sur la voiture loué, j’ai parfois même regretté de ne pas avoir des pneus cloutés (comme on avait déjà eu en Suède ou Finlande).
Il faut savoir que la saison en islande c’est de Mai à Août, entre ces deux eaux, beaucoup, beaucoup de choses sont fermés. On avait regardé les hébergements avant (chalet, hôtel, …) en amont. Ce serait un euphémisme que de dire que les nuits sont fraîches ! Je n’ai malheureusement aucune idée pour les campings, mais je pense qu’une grande partie doit être fermés à cette saison, à regarder sur internet ou carrément à contacter l’office du tourisme (le site de Visit Iceland semble préciser qu’ils seraient ouvert de début juin à mi-septembre : http://fr.visiticeland.com/logement).
Gaffe si tu veux dormir le long de la route, les à-côtés, ne sont pas toujours très sécurisés, mais en cherchant bien tu devrais pouvoir trouver des coins où te poser. A prendre en note que les stations-services sont parfois rares. J’appliquais la stratégie du demi-plein, c’est-à-dire qu’à chaque moitié de réservoir, je faisais le plein quand c’était possible. La carte que nous avions prise (une édition allemande voir le lien dans mon message d’avant) était plutôt bien fouttue en termes d’indications des pompes.
Voilà 🙂
Tu prévois combien de temps pour en faire le tour ? Pour les pneus neiges c’est indispensable, ce que j’avais sur la voiture loué, j’ai parfois même regretté de ne pas avoir des pneus cloutés (comme on avait déjà eu en Suède ou Finlande).
Il faut savoir que la saison en islande c’est de Mai à Août, entre ces deux eaux, beaucoup, beaucoup de choses sont fermés. On avait regardé les hébergements avant (chalet, hôtel, …) en amont. Ce serait un euphémisme que de dire que les nuits sont fraîches ! Je n’ai malheureusement aucune idée pour les campings, mais je pense qu’une grande partie doit être fermés à cette saison, à regarder sur internet ou carrément à contacter l’office du tourisme (le site de Visit Iceland semble préciser qu’ils seraient ouvert de début juin à mi-septembre : http://fr.visiticeland.com/logement).
Gaffe si tu veux dormir le long de la route, les à-côtés, ne sont pas toujours très sécurisés, mais en cherchant bien tu devrais pouvoir trouver des coins où te poser. A prendre en note que les stations-services sont parfois rares. J’appliquais la stratégie du demi-plein, c’est-à-dire qu’à chaque moitié de réservoir, je faisais le plein quand c’était possible. La carte que nous avions prise (une édition allemande voir le lien dans mon message d’avant) était plutôt bien fouttue en termes d’indications des pompes.
Voilà 🙂
Les carnets de voyages et le blog de Retour du Monde :
http://www.retourdumonde.fr/
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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Day 1: Arrival in CATANIA Day 2: Catania – visit (fish market, cathedral, Biscarri Palace, etc.) Day 3: Mount Etna (day trip)
Day 4: Morning trip to TAORMINA, visit the town Day 5: Alcantara Gorge (day trip) + more time in Taormina
Day 6: Trip to SYRACUSE, visit Ortigia Day 7: Ortigia Day 8: NOTO (day trip) (or another Baroque town?) Day 9: Syracuse Archaeological Park + more time in Ortigia (or leave for Enna?)
Day 10: Transport via Enna? TO BE RESOLVED (long, 2 or 3 changes, limited accommodation in Enna...)
Day 11: AGRIGENTO: town and Scala dei Turchi (optional) Day 12: Valley of the Temples + archaeological museum
Day 13: Departure for TRAPANI (4h), afternoon: town (+ salt flats?) Day 14: Segesta (day trip) + town/Erice Day 15: Monte Cofano Nature Reserve (hike + summit) (day trip) Day 16: Zingaro Nature Park (coastal route out, ridge route back) (day trip)
Day 17: Departure for the AEGADIAN ISLANDS: Levanzo and Favignana (bike), overnight if possible Day 18: Egadi Islands
Day 19: Departure for PALERMO + first visits Day 20: The city Day 21: The city (Monreale?) Day 22: Options: - Capo Gallo hike (3.5h round trip) (via Mondello) - Cefalù (45 min by train) Day 23: Return flight
I’d love to get your thoughts on the following itinerary (late May). I like to take my time in ruins and museums, and beaches don’t interest me. I’ll be staying in hostels and using public transport. Do you see any major omissions or things that aren’t worth it? Thanks!
Day 1: Arrival in CATANIA Day 2: Catania – visit (fish market, cathedral, Biscarri Palace, etc.) Day 3: Mount Etna (day trip)
Day 4: Morning trip to TAORMINA, visit the town Day 5: Alcantara Gorge (day trip) + more time in Taormina
Day 6: Trip to SYRACUSE, visit Ortigia Day 7: Ortigia Day 8: NOTO (day trip) (or another Baroque town?) Day 9: Syracuse Archaeological Park + more time in Ortigia (or leave for Enna?)
Day 10: Transport via Enna? TO BE RESOLVED (long, 2 or 3 changes, limited accommodation in Enna...)
Day 11: AGRIGENTO: town and Scala dei Turchi (optional) Day 12: Valley of the Temples + archaeological museum
Day 13: Departure for TRAPANI (4h), afternoon: town (+ salt flats?) Day 14: Segesta (day trip) + town/Erice Day 15: Monte Cofano Nature Reserve (hike + summit) (day trip) Day 16: Zingaro Nature Park (coastal route out, ridge route back) (day trip)
Day 17: Departure for the AEGADIAN ISLANDS: Levanzo and Favignana (bike), overnight if possible Day 18: Egadi Islands
Day 19: Departure for PALERMO + first visits Day 20: The city Day 21: The city (Monreale?) Day 22: Options: - Capo Gallo hike (3.5h round trip) (via Mondello) - Cefalù (45 min by train) Day 23: Return flight
Hello,
We’re heading to Bavaria from May 13 to 23, with a side trip to Austria.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Brussels-Munich
Day 2: Munich
Day 3: Munich and departure for Salzburg
We’ll be staying three nights in Salzburg.
Then we’ll head to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where we’ll stay for five nights.
Visiting Munich and Salzburg isn’t too tricky.
Once in Garmisch, we’re planning a day in Innsbruck, a day for Neuschwanstein Castle, and the rest is still up in the air.
What’s really got me stumped is that we’d love to see Königssee Lake—everyone says it’s a must-see.
We’d also like to visit the Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), where the landscapes are supposedly stunning.
This would either be a round trip while we’re in Salzburg or on the way between Salzburg and Garmisch, but I’m guessing it’s impossible to do the drive from Salzburg to Garmisch, the Eagle’s Nest, *and* Königssee Lake all in one day.
Plus, the Alpine route between Salzburg and Garmisch seems prettier than the highway.
But honestly, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with the planning.
We should’ve added a stop between Salzburg and Garmisch, but the hotels are already booked.
Thanks for any advice on the itinerary and visits!
Another question: How far in advance should we book Neuschwanstein, Königssee, and the Eagle’s Nest in May?
Thanks so much in advance for your tips and ideas!
hi
I’ll be in Copenhagen this coming May for a few days.
Do you have any recommendations for things to visit?
If I had to pick one castle to visit, which one would it be?
I’m torn between: Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, or Frederiksborg and Charlottenborg Palaces
Any suggestions?
Thanks
I’ll be in Copenhagen this coming May for a few days.
Do you have any recommendations for things to visit?
If I had to pick one castle to visit, which one would it be?
I’m torn between: Rosenborg Castle, Amalienborg Palace, or Frederiksborg and Charlottenborg Palaces
Any suggestions?
Thanks
hi
I’m wondering if anyone can give me some info on how to get from Mallorca to Menorca.
Since flights are cheaper to Mallorca, I’d like to go that way.
Thanks so much for your help!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Finland and Norway this summer, starting in Oulu to explore Lapland, heading up to the North Cape, and then making our way down to Bergen.
This route means renting a car in Finland and dropping it off in Norway. My initial searches are showing rental rates that are... astronomical—about three times the price compared to returning it at the starting point.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one wanting to visit both countries. Are there any great tips to drastically reduce the cost of renting a car?
Thanks to the community for your suggestions!
We’re planning a trip to Finland and Norway this summer, starting in Oulu to explore Lapland, heading up to the North Cape, and then making our way down to Bergen.
This route means renting a car in Finland and dropping it off in Norway. My initial searches are showing rental rates that are... astronomical—about three times the price compared to returning it at the starting point.
I’m guessing I’m not the only one wanting to visit both countries. Are there any great tips to drastically reduce the cost of renting a car?
Thanks to the community for your suggestions!
Hi there, we’re a couple of bikers planning a trip to Majorca in June 2026, and I’d love to organize a half-day or full-day boat or catamaran outing. Which coast do you think is the nicest for this, and do you have any suggestions or personal experiences to share? Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’ll be staying in London for 3 nights in September.
Could you recommend a hotel near a tube station, at a good price, with fairly spacious rooms?
Thanks! 🌸
We’ll be staying in London for 3 nights in September.
Could you recommend a hotel near a tube station, at a good price, with fairly spacious rooms?
Thanks! 🌸
Hi there,
Does anyone know if there are any works in progress at Torcello, and if so, what type of works and how long they’re expected to last?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
I’m sharing my draft itinerary with you because I just booked our flight tickets, and I feel like it’s quite late in the season. So, I’d like to be sure about my stops before reserving the hotels. I’ll be traveling alone with my two adult children. We want to prioritize outdoor walks, avoid too many indoor visits (both for budget and preference), and not spend too much time on the road.
D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight
There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.
Questions: Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential... Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day? Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)
Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...
Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit. Have a great day, everyone! Christine
D1: Arrival at 9 AM in Malaga, day in Malaga and overnight stay D2: Head straight to Nerja (1-hour drive) and spend the night there D3: Head straight to Granada (1.5-hour drive), spend the day and night there D4: Granada. Visit the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces tour at 5 PM) and spend the night D5: Head to Ronda (2.5-hour drive) and spend the night D6: White Villages and overnight in Ronda D7: Head straight to the Costa del Sol (e.g., Estepona), spend the day and night there D8: Return to Malaga to catch our flight
There you go! This itinerary takes into account that we’d like to do a circuit starting from Seville in a few years. That said, it’d be a shame to miss something doable from Malaga.
Questions: Since the Alhambra visit is only at 5 PM, and we’d already have the day to explore Granada, would arriving the day before be a mistake? Or should we skip this day and dedicate it elsewhere (Costa del Sol? Head toward Tabernas?)? The old town appeals to me, but maybe the Sacromonte neighborhood isn’t essential... Same question for Ronda: should we dedicate a full day to it, or combine Ronda and the White Villages in one day? Note that we love wandering around villages outside, so that might answer my question! :)
Final question: Is it better to rent the car at Malaga Airport or in the city? If we rent at the airport, we’d need a hotel with parking, which doesn’t seem easy. Or stay outside the city and park for free near the center if possible? I’ve read comments about taking a taxi to Malaga and then picking up the rental car at the airport the next morning. The taxi would really need to be affordable...
Thanks so much for your feedback and suggestions for visits during this little circuit. Have a great day, everyone! Christine
Hello,
we’re a couple planning a 2-week road trip this August, with a must-stop (about 3 days on Skye). Any route suggestions? Hotel recommendations? Photo spots?
Hello,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in September 2026. We’ll be flying from Montreal to London, where we’ll spend three nights. After that, we’ll head to Dublin for a few days and take trains to visit the main attractions. Our ideal plan would be to choose hotels near train stations and take tours to the interesting spots. Would 8 days in Ireland be enough for this kind of trip?
My husband and I are planning a trip to Ireland in September 2026. We’ll be flying from Montreal to London, where we’ll spend three nights. After that, we’ll head to Dublin for a few days and take trains to visit the main attractions. Our ideal plan would be to choose hotels near train stations and take tours to the interesting spots. Would 8 days in Ireland be enough for this kind of trip?