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Speaking about Icelandic supermarkets and Iceland grocery shops is just not essentially the most thrilling topic. Nevertheless, earlier than our journey to Iceland, we discovered ourselves doing a little analysis concerning the costs within the supermarkets in Iceland.

We discovered that we weren’t the one ones questioning and that many individuals truly ask concerning the costs of Iceland grocery shops.

It’s an vital a part of budgeting for Iceland. Given the recognition of Iceland camper vans, Airbnb, and tenting, many individuals discover themselves cooking their very own meals to keep away from the loopy excessive meals prices in Iceland. This vacationer information ought to assist save and finances accordingly for buying in Iceland grocery shops.

A Information to Iceland Grocery Shops

Icelandic Grocery store Chains To Store At

There are a number of totally different chain markets you’ll be able to look forward to finding in Iceland. Right here’s a short overview of the totally different grocery shops and that are our favorites.

Iceland Grocery Retailer #1: Bónus

That is essentially the most distinguished grocery retailer in Iceland and our private favourite. They’ve a number of places all through Iceland, and you could find a number of alongside the ring street. The overwhelming majority of their shops and Iceland markets are in Reykjavik.

Bónus is a finances grocery store in Iceland. The retailers are the Icelandic equal of a Lidl or Aldi. They provide a restricted variety of merchandise and draw back from identify manufacturers.

Regardless of having a extra restricted choice, they nonetheless have greater than sufficient for anybody’s fundamental wants. Until you’re a gourmand, Bónus might be greater than sufficient for you. That is our choose for the finest grocery retailer in Iceland and is what we’ve got all the time sought to seek out.

If you happen to’re having a troublesome time discovering a Bonus, simply keep in mind their emblem is the cartoon pig with a black eye (not too long ago modified in order that lots of the pigs don’t sport a black ring round their eye anymore). Don’t ask us why the pig has a black eye. Perhaps he obtained right into a struggle with one other pig.

Iceland Grocery Retailer #2: Krónan

Krónan is the closest competitor to Bónus. They carry a bigger number of merchandise, extra produce, and several other wholesome meals choices. Their costs are a detailed second to Bónus, however we did discover Krónan to be barely larger priced.

They do supply a big contemporary meat and fish part, however since we eat principally vegetarian, we will’t touch upon the costs. This Iceland grocery retailer carries specialty merchandise like natural well being meals and gluten-free bread.

Their emblem is a smiling yellow-colored orange. If that’s too complicated, it’s like somebody painted a yellow smiley on an orange.

Iceland Grocery Retailer #3: Nettó

Nettó is one other low cost store based mostly in Akureyri, and we noticed a number of different shops all through Iceland. They promote a wide array of merchandise, together with issues like garments and youngsters’s video games. If you happen to want a random family merchandise, we advocate trying inside.

For some motive, their emblem is a hole orange apple. If there’s a proficient graphic artist in want of labor, I imagine Iceland has some openings!

Iceland Grocery Retailer #4: Víðir

Víðir might be the nicest meals market in Iceland. The brand new chain has a number of places round Reykjavík. They’ve a pleasant number of contemporary fruit and greens. Additionally they carry a variety of wholesome meals and high quality merchandise. It’s dearer than the finances Iceland supermarkets however carries the very best quality of meals merchandise in Iceland.

Iceland Grocery Retailer #5: 10-11

The primary time we walked into one of many shops, we have been simply looking for some Nescafe. That was till we noticed the value at a staggering $13… Even our favourite habit of Haribo was $6 a bag.

The costs listed here are obscene, and it’s unlikely any locals use the retailers if they’ll keep away from it. Our recommendation is to steer clear as they’re at the very least double the usual Icelandic worth.  Though, we did discover the tour buses conveniently made their cease…

Iceland Grocery Retailer #6: Costco

I cannot touch upon this one. Nevertheless, it was an enormous deal when Costco opened a retailer in Iceland. Even a number of locals we talked to have been excited concerning the prospect of the megastore. If you happen to’re already a member, we’d recommend giving the shop a cease as their memberships are good worldwide.

The place To Purchase Meals In Iceland?

You shouldn’t look forward to finding a grocery retailer in each little city, however the locals do need to eat, and most main cities include some type of an Iceland grocery store.

We have been in a position to drive the whole lot of the Ring Street and solely shopped at Bónus each couple of days. We discovered an Iceland grocery retailer within the following cities Stykkishólmur, Akureyri, Egilsstadir, and Reykjavik.

What Are The Meals Costs in an Iceland Grocery Retailer?

The meals costs in Iceland differ concerning merchandise within the markets. We discovered many meals merchandise cheap, after which we’d discover produce objects like an aubergine (eggplant) for $6. That’s like the most affordable vegetable subsequent to potatoes! Iceland is without doubt one of the world’s most costly international locations, and even the meals costs mirror that.

You possibly can nonetheless get by on a finances, however will probably be restricted. We discovered merchandise like milk, bread, rice, frozen greens, and apples to not be ridiculous. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch as a budget-saving technique. (What American doesn’t love that?) For snacks, we ate apples and peanuts, all the time strong choices which might be wholesome and hold you full.

Product
Worth
Product
Worth

Rice (kg)
$3.50
Apples (kg)
$3.25

Bread
$4.00
Tomato (kg)
$2.75

Eggs (12)
$6.00
Bananas (kg)
$2.50

Cheese (kg)
$16.00
Onion (kg)
$1.50

Rooster (kg)
$20.00
Lettuce (kg)
$3.00

Milk
$1.50
Potato (kg)
$2.75

1 kg = 2.2 lbs

What to Funds For Meals in Iceland

We ate very modestly and utterly vegetarian whereas cooking our personal meals in Iceland. Nevertheless, in 10 days of tenting, we spent $225 on meals (2017 costs). That’s simply over $11 a day in meals per individual.

Replace: On our 2023 Iceland journey we ate a bit extra luxuriously and even obtained meat for a number of meals. We spent 59,777 ISK, or $447 for 14 days within the campervan. Inflation man.

It will be straightforward to spend extra on meals; I suppose we might have spent rather less. We by no means went hungry and had loads of snacks all through the day.  If you happen to’re making an attempt to work out a finances, it could be protected to finances $15-$20 a day per individual, because it’s all the time higher to return in underneath finances than over! The principle takeaway is, you’ll be able to eat affordably in Iceland.

Our Ideas for Saving on Iceland Grocery Buying

Decide and Select Greens

Some greens are inexpensive, whereas others are simply ridiculous. Contemporary produce, normally, is excessive, however it may be value it. That being stated, the fundamental staples are inside anybody’s finances. Issues like tomatoes, apples, and potatoes have been low cost.

Our saving grace for greens got here within the type of frozen greens. They aren’t nice, and we normally keep away from them when cooking at dwelling; nonetheless, Iceland doesn’t develop most of its produce, so the most effective costs come from frozen meals.

Overlook the Prepared-Made Meals in Icelandic Supermarkets

Once we’re on the street, we love to choose up ready-made meals at grocery shops. It’s normally an inexpensive and wholesome solution to eat lunch.

Nevertheless, in Iceland, we discovered the ready-made choices to be costly or downright dangerous. Count on a white bread sandwich with a hefty serving of mayo to value between $10-12.

Protein Bars

As a result of we had plenty of Iceland hikes deliberate, we picked up loads of protein bars and fast snacks in Iceland for only a couple hundred kroner a bit.

Carry The Proper Stuff From Residence

That is actually geared for campers and people doing the Ring Street. Nevertheless, bringing the correct merchandise from dwelling can prevent a buck and make your journey far more gratifying.

AeroPress: Slicing again on useless prices like espresso is a straightforward solution to save a finances, particularly in a spot like Iceland. I’d additionally recommend choosing up a bag of your favourite brew as will probably be cheaper than in Iceland. (*Full disclosure: We’re espresso addicts)
Go away the freeze-dried meals at dwelling. The fast-cooking meals is pointless until you intend a multi-day hike. I’ve seen a number of folks advocate bringing the stuff, don’t do it.
If you happen to plan to camp or use a campervan, be certain that to carry a multi-functional tenting set. Though our van got here with some cooking tools, it’s a little restricted by itself. It doesn’t damage to choose up one thing like this set is a wonderful selection.
If you happen to can, we advocate carrying a jet boil for each campers and people in a campervan. Whereas our van got here with one burner having an extra backpacking range could make life far more comfy. Like cooking breakfast and low within the morning!

Keep away from Gasoline Station Meals

Be warned, fuel stations are costly in Iceland! That extends past the whopping fuel costs ($8/gallon)! We’ve seen a scorching canine or cheeseburger meal in a fuel station go for $15-20 a meal. The restricted meals merchandise they carry are typically double the usual worth in Iceland. Keep away from! 

Don’t Miss the Iceland Regional Specialties

You don’t need to eat out to get pleasure from native meals while you journey. One in all our favourite issues is choosing specialty merchandise in international locations after which cooking them on our personal.

Our two favourite merchandise we present in Iceland have been skyr and smoked char. Smoked char is just like salmon however means higher, and it’s definitely worth the excessive value.

Plan Your Journey to Iceland

E book a Camper!

A campervan is one of the best ways to get round Iceland on a finances. Whereas a camper is barely dearer than a automotive, you’ll be able to sleep and prepare dinner in it! You don’t need to seek for accommodations or take care of costly eating places in Iceland.

Plus, you sleep in nature and nonetheless use a heater if you want! If you wish to journey with a Completely satisfied Campers van as we did (and it’s best to. They’re the BEST!), be certain that to learn our full assessment. You possibly can simply e book utilizing this hyperlink, however be certain that to e book properly prematurely in the course of the excessive season.

When is the Greatest Time to Go to Iceland?

In my view, the most effective occasions to go to Iceland are June, July, September, October, and December – nevertheless it all is dependent upon what you need! June-August is the excessive season, however it is usually summer season in Iceland when one can find essentially the most nice temperatures.

It’s additionally when you’ll expertise essentially the most quantity of daylight and get essentially the most out of your journey. December is nice as a result of it’s winter, you stand a powerful likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s off-season, and the temperatures haven’t gone to finish freezing but. 

Nevertheless, my private favourite time to journey to Iceland is in the course of the fall months. It’s September and October when you will note the leaves change vibrant colours across the nation. Temperatures are nonetheless delicate, and tourism is slowing down. You possibly can see the total month-by-month breakdown for Iceland journey right here. 

Issues to do in Iceland

There are actually so many issues to do in Iceland I might write a e book about it. Sadly, I don’t have that sort of time so I’m exhibiting you the last word Iceland bucket record right here. Some issues which might be a should do are go to an Iceland swimming pool, soak in a pure scorching spring, stand underneath a waterfall, and see the Northern Lights.

Is Iceland Costly?

Iceland is mega costly. One of the crucial costly international locations in your entire world truly. Just remember to plan accordingly and in step with your finances. It’s definitely potential to do Iceland on a finances of lower than $100 if you’re tenting, cooking all your individual fundamental meals, and touring by public transport or rating a superb deal on a rental.

The excellent news is that nature is free, and also you’ll be capable of see Iceland’s magnificence with out paying for it. So sure – it’s utterly doable to have an inexpensive Iceland trip. If you happen to plan on ingesting be sure you choose up responsibility free alcohol earlier than you permit the airport. A pint of beer can simply run you $15-$20!

Useful Iceland Journey Ideas

Icelanders converse Icelandic, however each single individual I got here throughout spoke English.
The native foreign money is the Icelandic króna (ISK). ATMs are discovered all through the nation
Iceland is without doubt one of the most secure international locations on this planet; nonetheless, it’s all the time vital to make use of widespread sense when strolling alone at evening.
Tipping is just not customary in Iceland.
Iceland has a powerful web infrastructure and it’s best to be capable of simply keep related.
To really feel extra at dwelling we use Airbnb you’ll be able to take a look at some suggestions and skim extra about getting an Airbnb coupon code right here. Or simply take this coupon to your first keep!
Generally it’s good simply to have an actual e book in your arms when touring. We advocate Lonely Planet to get you thru these wi-fi nights.