How to Volcano

March 19, 2021, Fagradalsfjall Volcano starts to erupt in Iceland. March 17, 2021, Iceland announces it will allow vaccinated Americans into the country without having to quarantine. May 1, 2021, Delta starts flights from JFK to Reykjavik. By May 14th, I was fulfilling a dream of mine to see an active volcano erupting.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Be a vaccinated American.

You’ll need the vaccine card (not a copy) and your passport to board the plane. Delta checks this about 3x at every checkpoint to ensure you have the correct paperwork.

You’ll need the vaccine card (not a copy) and your passport to board the plane. Delta checks this about 3x at every checkpoint to ensure you have the correct paperwork.

2. Book a flight through Delta or Icelandair - currently departing from JFK, BOS, or SEA.

3. Register with the Iceland embassy to allow arrival into the country through this link. Once registered, you will receive an email with a barcode that you have to show customs upon your arrival.

  • The barcode is scanned by Customs, so the authorities can text you your PCR results.

  • Take PCR test at the airport; this is free. You will then need to quarantine until you receive your negative results, which could take up to 24 hours. THESE RESULTS CANNOT BE USED FOR RE-ENTRY INTO THE US.

  • The “quarantine” part is a loose regulation. The customs agent said, “Do not go in public until you get your results.” You can still rent a car from the airport and leave the premises. So… interpret that how you want.

You’ll get a text like this once your results are processed. We got ours in about 5 minutes from testing since we were one of the first off the plane and the only plane that landed that morning.

You’ll get a text like this once your results are processed. We got ours in about 5 minutes from testing since we were one of the first off the plane and the only plane that landed that morning.

4. Rent a car and drive straight to the volcano.

  • The volcano is closest to the airport (~30 minutes) - not Reykjavik.

  • Would recommend an SUV rental (Suzuki Jimny) due to the parking options at the volcano.

There are two parking lots by the trailhead. One is by the road and a longer hike; the second is a drive down an un-grated road and a shorter hike. You’ll drive past both of them by following the above map and can choose which one to park at based on your rental.

There are two parking lots by the trailhead. One is by the road and a longer hike; the second is a drive down an un-grated road and a shorter hike. You’ll drive past both of them by following the above map and can choose which one to park at based on your rental.

5. Start the 5-7 mile roundtrip hike (dependent upon where you park).

  • Take layers and hiking poles. The energy coming off the volcano can change the weather in minutes.

We parked on the lot by the road due to the tiny rental car we got. The first part of the hike is miles of this view. The last part if the 1,000’+ elevation gain straight to the main viewpoint.

We parked on the lot by the road due to the tiny rental car we got. The first part of the hike is miles of this view. The last part if the 1,000’+ elevation gain straight to the main viewpoint.

6. Plan on spending 2-3+ hours staring at the coolest thing you’ve ever seen.

There are Scientists and Locals with gas monitors, who will recommend eviction or close the volcano down if the gas gets too strong. For this view, we were at the base of the lava field, where you cannot stay for long due to the gas emissions.

There are Scientists and Locals with gas monitors, who will recommend eviction or close the volcano down if the gas gets too strong. For this view, we were at the base of the lava field, where you cannot stay for long due to the gas emissions.

Now, this itinerary might not work if you don’t want to go straight to the volcano after taking a red eye flight to Iceland. If that’s the case, drive into Reykjavik and plan a helicopter tour instead. Then, hike it the next day. Keep in mind, there are many things that could close the volcano down: weather, gas emissions, hail storms, etc. You definitely need to hike it, so you can get close to the eruption site. The helicopter will give you a birds-eye view IF the planes can leave and get close to the volcano. Many flights will land on a hillside for viewing, but it’s much further away than if you hike it.

To get back into the US, you will need a PCR test taken within 72-hours of your departure flight, which can be done at the only testing facility in Reykjavik. It’s $56 USD for the test, which you pay online once registered. The lines are long but very efficient. The results could take up to 24 hours to receive; however, we got ours in about 4 hours.

Testing facility line; it moves quickly.

Testing facility line; it moves quickly.

The PCR certificate you’ll receive to exit the country to come back to the US.

The PCR certificate you’ll receive to exit the country to come back to the US.

Obviously, Iceland has a helluva lot more to offer than this volcano. The country is stunning on so many levels. I’d recommend a two week road trip around the island if you have the time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have that kind of time until this summer, and I didn’t want to miss the eruption. (The current eruption could last months or have one big explosion then stop completely. If you’re going, you need to go NOW.) Having been to Iceland before, I was OK with a short trip solely for volcano viewing.

Dependent upon how much time you have, I could recommend some other options. But, for the volcano only, it can be done in a 48-hour trip - even though I’d recommend 72-hours at a minimum. So… who’s ready?

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