Reykjavik, as cool as it is, has earned its reputation as one of Europe's pricier capitals. A sit-down dinner for two, a round of drinks, a whale watching tour — the numbers add up fast, and they tend to go in one direction. But here's something the typical "budget Iceland" articles gloss over: Reykjavik has a surprisingly solid free list. Not "free in the sense that you're still spending on transport and food" free — genuinely, spend-nothing free.

The locals aren't eating at tourist restaurants or paying for entry to every museum. They're swimming in geothermal pools, walking the harbor, browsing flea markets, and sitting outside bakeries with a coffee and a pastry watching the light do something extraordinary to the sky. Most of that costs very little, and some of it costs nothing at all.

Here's what's actually worth your time — and your money, in the cases where a small amount is well spent.

We've been to Iceland three times. The first was right after the 2008 financial crisis, when the Icelandic króna had collapsed and the country briefly became a very affordable destination. A private room in a hostel for €60. Those days are firmly gone.

If you’re wondering if Iceland is that expensive, let's be direct: Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit. That's not a rumor or a rounding error — it's consistently near the top of the global rankings for cost of living and travel costs. A coffee will make you wince. A restaurant meal will drain your budget. The silver lining? It’s so expensive that even Norway will look cheap after it!

But here's the thing. The gap between a poorly planned Iceland trip and a well-planned one is enormous — larger than almost anywhere else. A few smart decisions on flights, car rental, food, and accommodation can cut your total spend dramatically without touching the parts of Iceland that actually matter. The volcanoes, the waterfalls, the glaciers, the northern lights — those are mostly free. What costs money is everything around them, and that's where the savings are.

We often get asked if a travel insurance is necessary.

Good question!

Keep reading to find out, to learn all the benefits of a travel insurance, and to enjoy 5% discount — up to 15% off with seasonal offers — exclusive to Penguin Trampoline readers if you do need one.

When we travel, be it the arctic fjords of Norway or the hidden beaches of Portugal, one thing stays constant: our insurance. We’ve used Heymondo for every trip and in this Heymondo review you’ll see why we keep going back to it — especially because of its value for cancellation coverage and outdoor-activity protection.

So, yesterday, our friend who is planning a trip to Japan asked us what pants we usually wear for a long-haul flight. And we realized she’s probably not the only one wondering about that — so we decided to write an article about it!

So, you’ve booked your ticket, packed your bags, and now the eternal question hits: what do I wear on the plane?

It sounds silly until you’re 36,000 feet up, crammed between a snorer and the armrest, regretting every clothing choice you made. We’ve flown everywhere from New Zealand to the Arctic — and trust us, the wrong outfit can ruin a flight.

Here’s our 2025 guide to airplane outfits: personal lessons, science facts, and gear that actually makes long-hauls less miserable.

We’ve packed for Arctic ferries, jungle hikes, desert road trips, and one slightly questionable swamp tour in Louisiana — and if there’s one thing we’ve learned? Most packing lists are basically long-winded ways of telling you to buy more stuff.

This isn’t that.

This is the gear we actually use for every trip, regardless of the destination. The stuff that’s earned a permanent spot in our suitcase after being thrown around, rained on, and occasionally stolen (RIP Lonely Planet Indonesia, and shame on you, anonymous traveler who took it in our hostel). It’s not minimalism. It’s lagom. It’s just common sense, hard-earned from years of overpacking, underpacking… and repacking on the hotel floor.

Packing for Greenland is like dressing for mood swings — sunshine, snow, wind, and rain all before lunch. We’ve lived it, felt it, and nearly froze our eyelashes off. Take this as your Arctic survival script (with a side of style… or not).

And yes, read our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide for even more cherry-picked wisdom!

We all know that feeling — you’re itching to go on your next adventure, but accommodation prices make your wallet cry. The good news? There are plenty of ways to travel without breaking the bank. From secret hotel hacks to unconventional stays, this guide will help you stretch your budget while still enjoying a comfortable and memorable trip.

Travel dreams and budget realities don’t always get along — but they can. If you’ve ever put off a trip because of sky-high accommodation costs, it’s time for a mindset shift. The secret? Flexibility, creativity, and a few clever hacks to cut your lodging expenses without sacrificing comfort (well, maybe a bit of comfort sometimes, but it’s part of the fun)!

From hidden-gem destinations to last-minute booking tricks, this guide will show you how to travel smarter and stretch your budget further — so you can save your money for the real adventure.

So, here are our best tips to save on travel accommodation, as part of our more comprehensive article “How to travel cheaper”.

We hear it all the time: “You must be rich to travel so much!” The truth? We’re lucky to have the flexibility to work from anywhere, but it all comes down to choices. Most of our extra cash goes straight into travel.

The secret? We know how to travel smarter—and that changes everything.

Not all penguins waddle on gilded ice! We want to prove that travel doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, we know plenty of people who burn through more money at home than we do on the road.

And one of the questions we hear the most is: “How to find cheap flights?”. So, here are our best tips, as part of our more comprehensive article “How to travel cheaper”.

"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

Ah, wise words. But they still won’t pay for your trips!

While we’re privileged enough to be able to travel and work from anywhere, we make choices. But we also know how to travel cheaper!

Not all penguins live on golden sea ice! This article aims to show that traveling doesn’t have to be expensive. So, follow our little penguin guide!

In the most visited regions, mass tourism is sometimes perceived negatively by the local population. Locals often complain about tourists: "They wouldn’t do this at home"!

Without reaching the extreme case of party tourism in seaside resorts, most travelers notice an alteration of their behavior and perception. And for longer stays, they even come back transformed, different.

How can such a phenomenon be explained? Find out more about what I call the "bubble theory".

Your eyes open in an unfamiliar place... all of a sudden, you remember, you’re in New Zealand! But it's 4am, and you can't go back to sleep.

Sounds familiar? Since we know this too well, we have gathered some tips on how to avoid jet lag, or at least reduce it:

What to do before travelling? What to do on the plane? What to do during your trip? What to do when you come back?