Costs & Budgeting on the Laugavegur Trail

There is no getting around it: Iceland is an expensive country! However, that doesn’t mean that your trek along the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trails has to break the bank. You’ll of course have some fixed expenses such as your accommodation on the trail, transit costs, and food, but there are also several ways to save some money while still having an amazing experience.

We’ve put together the following guide to give you a sense of what you can expect to spend on the trail along with a few tips on ways to save money on your hike.

Limited 2026 Availability Remaining

A group of people hiking on the Laugavegur Trail

Limited Availability for 2026

Huts along the Laugavegur Trail are unusually difficult to book this year. A partner we trust still has a small number of self-guided departures with hut accommodation available.

Hut reservations included

Luggage transfers

Transfers to/from the Laugavegur

Self-guided itinerary

View towards lake Álftavatn.

Cost to Hike the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trails

We’ve broken down the costs you can expect to incur while hiking the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trails in Iceland into a few broad categories: transportation, costs on the trail, and additional costs.

We’ve provided cost ranges where appropriate and all costs are shown in Iceland’s currency, the Króna (often displayed as ISK or kr).

Of course, these costs are just a rough estimate for your planning purposes so take everything with a grain of salt!

Getting to/from the Trail

You’ll have several transit related costs to hike the trail, the largest of which will most likely be your flight to Iceland. In addition, you’ll have costs getting from the airport to Reykjavik, getting around town as needed, and then getting to the trail and back. We’ve provided some general guidelines as to what you can expect to spend on each below.

Flight to Iceland: 42,000 kr – 200,000 kr

The cost of your flight will vary based on your departing destination. There are several low-cost carriers in continental Europe and the UK with affordable fares to Reykjavik.

From the US & Canada, Icelandair typically has the most flights available, although other major carries serve Reykjavik from major US and Canadian cities.

Reykjavík Airport (KEF) to the City Center

There are a few ways to get from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavík’s City Center. In order of cost from low to high you’ll have the following options:

  • Strætó public bus: 2,280 kr
  • Shared transfer: 3,899 kr
  • Taxi: 17,000 kr and up

Reykjavik to the Trail and Back

From Reykjavik, you’ll need to utilize a transfer service to get to and from the Laugavegur trail. If you’re starting or ending your hike at Skogar, you’ll also have the option of utilizing the public bus between Skogar and Reykjavik. Here are some estimated costs for the transfer:

  • One-way transfer Reykjavik – Landmannalaugar: 12,499 kr
  • One-way transfer Þórsmörk – Reykjavik: 11,999 kr
  • Hiker Pass Roundtrip transfer: 23,900 kr
  • Strætó public bus Skógar – Reykjavik: ~7,000 kr

Looking for more information on getting to and from the Laugavegur & Fimmvorduhals Trail? We’ve got you covered with our complete guide!

Read More About Getting to & from the Laugavegur Trail

Costs on the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls Trails

Once you’re on the trail your costs will generally consist of your accommodation plus any food and drink you purchase. Many hikers will have paid for their accommodation in advance, although campers will need to provide payment upon arrival.

All of the huts along the trail accept credit cards with the exception of the two huts along the Fimmvörðuháls Trail.

Accommodation in Reykjavik

Most hikers will want to spend a night in Reykjavik on either end of their hike. This gives you a chance to grab any last minute supplies and enjoy a bit of sightseeing before heading home.

There are all types of accommodation available in the city, with approximate cost ranges provided below:

  • Reykjavik Campsite: 2,880/per person for tent campers
  • Hostels: ~9,000 kr for a dorm room
  • Hotels: ~21,000 kr and up per night

We recommend staying in a few specific areas of Reykjavik prior to starting your hike:

Near the Reykjavik Campsite

Near the BSI Bus Station

Read More About Where to Stay in Reykjavik

Accommodation on the Trail

Depending on your itinerary, you’ll be spending anywhere from 2 – 6 nights on the trail. On the Laugavegur, you’ll be sleeping in Ferðafélag Íslands operated huts (or camping next to them), with the option of staying at Volcano Huts or Basar in Þórsmörk.

  • Laugavegur Trail Huts (Ferðafélag Íslands): 13000 kr
  • Camping at Laugavegur Huts: 2300 kr
  • Fimmvörðuháls / Baldvinsskáli Hut: 12500
  • Skogar: 1800 for camping / 72000 for a hotel

Food & Drink on the Trail

There are no meals provided at the huts along the Laugavegur trail so you’ll need to pack in all of your own food and snacks. Backpacker meals, granola bars, nuts, and other high calorie foods make the most sense and are all widely available in Reykjavik. The huts do have gas stoves and cooking utensils, so it is easy to prepare your own food.

If you’re looking to save a bit of money and time, we highly recommend bringing in food from your home country, as it is likely to be much cheaper compared to the same items in Iceland.

Generally, you won’t have any issues with this, just avoid any fresh produce as that can be seized at customs.

The huts do offer some basic provisions for sale, which you will of course pay a premium for. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that a specific hut will have specific items. The helpful price list from Ferðafélag Íslands below gives you a good sense of what to expect.

Price list for items at the huts along the Laugavegur trail.

Additional Costs

Finally, there are a few additional areas you are likely to need to spend a bit of money to ensure a successful Laugavegur hike. We’ve outlined a few of those below:

Travel Insurance

We recommend that all hikers on the Laugavegur & Fimmvörðuháls trails have travel insurance. This offers some protection for things like delayed flights, lost luggage, and an injury while hiking on the trail.

Costs will vary widely depending on your home country and the level of coverage desired.

There are many good travel insurance providers, but we generally recommend World Nomads, as they specifically cover hiking and trekking, which not all insurance companies do.

Hiking Gear

A final cost consideration that will vary from person to person is the cost of any hiking gear & equipment that you need for your trek. Some hikers will already have a full set of hiking gear that is perfectly suitable for the Laugavegur trail, while others will be looking to upgrade or add to their current set-up.

We provide an in-depth look at what to pack for the Laugavegur Trail in a separate post, but in general here are some tips and gear you may want to purchase:

  • Everything you bring should be waterproof or rated for high-winds.
  • Most hikers will need to purchase/bring additional shoes or hiking sandals for the river crossings on the trail.
  • If you’re camping, a sturdy and weather proof tent is a must.
  • Layering is key for the ever changing Icelandic weather.
  • We prefer natural materials, such as merino wool, as opposed to synthetics.
  • A good rain jacket and rain pants are a must.
A good waterproof jacket is a must on the Laugavegur Trail!

Summary & What’s Next?

Although Iceland is a very expensive country, it is possible to hike the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls without breaking the bank. While there are some fixed costs that will apply to all hikers, such as transit to & from the trail, there are many ways to save on your trip.

Those who bring their own food, camp, and hike the trail in fewer days will spend less than someone staying in huts, purchasing lots of food & drinks each day, and spending several nights on the trail.

Of course, neither extreme is right or wrong, but it is important to understand that your own personal preferences will have the biggest impact on how much you spend while hiking the Laugavegur Trail!

Laugavegur Costs & Budgeting: Key Takeaways

Transportation to & from the trail is expensive, but necessary.

You can save money by bringing your own food and camping.

Be sure you have hiking gear that is adequate for Iceland.

As you ponder what your costs might be to hike the Laugavegur Trail, we have a few helpful articles highlighted below:

Laugavegur Hut Guide ↗

Read more about what to expect at the huts along the Laugavegur Trail, including how much you’ll be spending per night.

Laugavegur Trail Gear List ↗

Be sure you have your hiking gear dialed in for the Laugavegur Trail.

Our tried and true gear list is the best place to start.

Getting to & from the Trail ↗

You’ll have a few options for getting from Reykjavik to the trail & back.

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