Where to transit when going to Hungary? Important notes for transit

Iceland, the "Land of Fire and Ice", is a mythical gem nestled in the North Atlantic with the world's most magnificent natural landscapes. It is home to theNorthern Lights, hot springs geysers, majestic waterfalls, ancient glaciers, and the renowned Blue Lagoon. With a population of only 370,000, yet being one of the happiest and safest countries in the world, Iceland offers a unique experience. As a memberSchengen Area, Iceland is convenient for international travelers.There are no direct flights from Vietnam, transiting through Europe or North America is mandatory.

Overview of Iceland's Air System

Keflavík International Airport (KEF)is the main gateway, located about 50km southwest of the capital Reykjavík. It is an important hub forIcelandair and PLAY Airlines, serving as a bridge between Europe and North America with over 7 million passengers annually.

Important note: Reykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV)is a separate airport for domestic flights, located about 50km from KEF. If you have a domestic flight from RKV, you need to allocate at least4-5 hours to travel between the two airports.

Most popular transit points

Europe (Optimal and most popular choice)

Amsterdam (AMS), Netherlands:

• KLM, Icelandair have daily flights (2.5 hours to KEF)
• Advantages: Schiphol Airport is friendly, excellent connections from Vietnam with KLM
• Disadvantages: Potential delays due to weather
• Example of average level:: Schengen visa needed if leaving the airside

London Heathrow (LHR), UK:

• Icelandair, British Airways have daily direct flights (3 hours)
• Advantages: Many flights, good connections from Asia
• Disadvantages: UK Transit Visa required for some nationalities
• Special: UK is not part of Schengen but is still an important hub

Copenhagen (CPH), Denmark:

• SAS, Icelandair have daily flights (2.5 hours)
• Advantages: Close to Iceland, modern airport, similar Nordic culture
• Note: Denmark represents Iceland in visa issuance

Frankfurt (FRA), Germany:

• Lufthansa, Icelandair have 1-2 flights/day (3.5 hours)
• Advantages: Largest hub in Europe, many connections from Singapore/Bangkok
• Disadvantages: Crowded airport, long transit times

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), France:

• Air France, Icelandair has direct flights (3.5 hours)
• Advantages: Has direct flights from Vietnam with Vietnam Airlines
• Disadvantages: Complex airport, requires long transit time

North America (Special option with Icelandair Stopover)

New York JFK/Boston (BOS), USA:

• Icelandair have daily flights (5-5.5 hours)
• Unique advantages: Icelandair Stopover Program – Stop in Iceland1-7 days free when flying between Europe and North America
• Disadvantages: US visa required ($185$ USD)

Toronto (YYZ), Canada:

• Icelandair has daily flights (5 hours)
• Advantages: eTA Canada easier than US visa
• Disadvantages: Less connectivity from Asia

Suggested route from Vietnam

Option 1: Via Amsterdam (Most optimal)

Vietnam → Amsterdam AMS → Reykjavík KEF

• Hãng : KLM + Icelandair (possible on same ticket via SkyTeam)
• Time: 13-16 hours + layover
• Cost: $1.200-2.200$USD
• Advantages: KLM has 2 flights/day from SGN/HAN, AMS airport is efficient

Option 2: Via London (Many choices)

Vietnam → London LHR → Reykjavík KEF

• Hãng British Airways, Vietnam Airlines + Icelandair
• Time: 14-17 hours + waiting
• Cost: $1.300-2.400$USD
• Advantages: Many flights, good service
• Note: Check UK Transit Visa requirements

Option 3: Via Frankfurt

Vietnam → Singapore/Bangkok → Frankfurt FRA → Reykjavík KEF

• Hãng : Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines + Icelandair
• Time: 15-18 hours + layover
• Cost: $1.400-2.300$USD
• Advantages: Lufthansa has a strong network, Star Alliance

Special Option: Icelandair Stopover

Vietnam → Tokyo/Seoul → Boston/New York → Reykjavík KEF

• Unique advantages: Stop in Iceland1-7 days free when flying to North America
• Ideal: If planning to visit both the USA and Iceland
• Disadvantages: Need a US visa, longer duration

Safe transit time

Same ticket/same alliance:

• From Europe (within Schengen): Minimum $1.5-2$ hours
• From the UK (outside Schengen): Minimum $2.5-3$ hours
• From major airports (FRA, CDG): Minimum $2.5-3$ hours

Other tickets (self-transfer):

• Within Europe: Minimum $4-5$ hours
• From outside Schengen: Minimum $5-6$ hours
• Winter (11-3): Additional1-2 hours backup for bad weather

Special Note:

• First Schengen entry: Will go through procedures at the first Schengen point, not at KEF
• Icelandic weather: Can affect flight schedule, so have backup time

Visa and required documents

Schengen Visa – Mandatory for Vietnamese citizens

Application submission location in Vietnam:

• Embassy of Denmark (representing Iceland)
• Address: VFS Global – Lotte Center, 54 Lieu Giai, Hanoi

Required documents:

• Passport valid for at least3 monthsafter the departure date from Schengen, with at least 2 blank pages
• Completed and signed visa application form
• 2 photos 35x45mm with white background (taken within 6 months)
• Round-trip flight ticket confirmed
• Mandatory travel insurance: Minimum $30.000$ EUR for the entire Schengen Area
• 3-month bank statement (in English) with minimum balance$3.000$EUR
• Confirm hotel booking for the entire itinerary
• Leave approval letter certified by the company

Costs and duration:

• Visa Fee: $80$EUR + VFS service fee$25$EUR
• Processing Time: 15 working days (may be 30-60 days during peak season)
• Recommendation: Apply at least2 monthsbefore departure

Health and insurance

Vaccinations:

No mandatory vaccination requirements from Vietnam to Iceland.

Recommendation:

• Seasonal flu: Especially important in winter
• Tetanus : Booster update
• Hepatitis A: For all travelers

Mandatory health insurance:

• Minimum: $30.000$ EUR for the entire Schengen Area
• Especially important: Iceland has extremely high medical costs
• Inclusions: Emergency, treatment, medical repatriation,adventure activities
• Note: Many Iceland activities (ice climbing, dry diving) require special insurance

Currency and costs – Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world

Currency:

• Official: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
• Exchange rate: $1EUR\approx 150ISK$, $1USD\approx 140ISK$
• Features: 99% of transactions by card, cash is rarely used

Estimated costs from Vietnam:

Round-trip air ticket: $1.200-2.500$USD

Accommodation (per night):

• Hostel: $40-70$EUR
• Guesthouse: $80-140$EUR
• Mid-range hotel: $150-280$EUR
• Upscale hotel: $300-500$EUR

Food and drink (per meal):

• Fast food: $15-20$EUR
• Casual dining: $25-40$EUR
• Mid-range restaurant: $50-75$EUR
• Fine dining: $100-150$EUR

Transport and activities:

• Car Rental: $60-120$ EUR/day (full insurance required)
• Gasoline: $1.8-2.1$ EUR/liter
• Blue Lagoon: $70-90$EUR
• Northern Lights tour: $60-80$EUR
• Golden Circle tour: $70-100$EUR

Estimated 7-day cost: $2.200-4.000$EUR/person

Best time to visit Iceland

Summer (June-August) – Midnight Sun:

• Weather: $10-15°C$, daylight almost 24/7
• Advantages: All roads are open, lupines are blooming, diverse activities
• Disadvantages: Most expensive (40-50% higher), most crowded, no Northern Lights
• Ideal for: Trekking, camping, comprehensive exploration

Winter (Nov-Mar) – Northern Lights:

• Weather: −5to+5°C−5°e^−n+5°C, dark for almost 20 hours/day
• Advantages: Northern Lights, warm Blue Lagoon in snow, lowest prices
• Disadvantages: Cold, dark, many Highland roads closed, harsh weather
• Ideal for: Aurora hunting, hot springs, ice caves

Autumn (Sep-Oct) – Good balance:

• Weather: $5-12°C$, Northern Lights begin
• Advantages: Less crowded, reasonable prices, beautiful golden leaves, can still drive Highlands
• Disadvantages: Unpredictable weather

Spring (Apr-May) – Less popular:

• Weather: $0-8°C$, days are getting longer
• Advantages: Least tourists, good prices, still Northern Lights
• Disadvantages: Changing weather, melting snow mud

Transport and getting around

From KEF airport to Reykjavík:

• Flybus: $24$EUR, 45 minutes, runs according to flight schedule
• Airport Direct: $29$EUR, direct to hotel
• Car Rental: Right at the airport, from $60$ EUR/day
• Taxis: $130-150$EUR (extremely expensive, not recommended)

Transportation in Iceland:

Car rental is the best optionto explore Iceland:

• Necessary: International driving permit, credit card for deposit
• Mandatory insurance: CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)
• Additional recommendations: SCDW (Super CDW) for sand, volcanic ash, gravel
• Winter: 4WD car, studded tires required
• Useful apps:
  • vedur.is: Official weather forecast
  • road.is: Real-time road conditions
  • safetravel.is: Safety alerts

Safety and culture

Safety:

Iceland is safest country in the worldabout crime. The real danger comes from nature:

• Weather changes extremely quickly: It can go from sun to snowstorm in 30 minutes
• Runway : Shoes with spikes or crampons are needed
• Big waves: Absolutely do not turn your back on the sea
• Emergency number: 112

Culture:

• Language– “sneaker waves” are very dangerous
• Features: Icelandic (close to Old Norse), but 99% of the population speaks fluent English
• : No surnames, use father/mother's name + son/dóttirSociety
• : Extremely egalitarian, high environmental awarenessNightlife

Preparation checklist

Documents:

• Passport valid for 3+ months after departure from Schengen
• : Reykjavík has a surprisingly vibrant nightlife
• Travel insurance$30.000$Schengen visa (via Denmark) has been issued
• EUR includes adventure activities
• Flight ticket + booking confirmation

International driving permit (if renting a car)

Golden Rule: Layering(wearing multiple layers)

• Waterproof jacket: Waterproof jacketabsolutely essential
• Warm layers: Merino wool sweater, fleece
• Base layers: Thermal shirt
• Waterproof pants: Waterproof pants for touring
• Hiking boots: Waterproof trekking shoes, good grip
• Accessories: Waterproof gloves, warm hat, scarf
• Swimwear: Swimwear for hot springs

Technology:

• Type C/F Adapter(European standard)
• High-capacity power bank: Battery drains quickly in cold
• Waterproof camera: For shooting waterfalls, geysers
• Headlamp: Headlamp for winter
• Offline maps: GPS or Maps.me

Finance:

• Credit cards: At least 2 Visa/Mastercard cards
• Bank notification: Notify in advance before traveling to avoid card blocking
• EUR cash: A little for backup (although rarely used)

Conclusion

Iceland is a dream destination for those who love pristine nature and seek unique experiences. "Land of Fire and Ice" offers landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else: from the magical Northern Lights to hot water geysers, from ancient glaciers to strange black sand beaches.

Optimal transit route:

• Most convenient: Amsterdam with KLM (good connections from Vietnam)
• Many options: London with many airlines
• Special: Icelandair Stopover if planning to go to North America

Most important preparations:

• Schengen Visa via Denmark (apply at least 2 months in advance)
• Insurance$30.000$EUR includes adventure activities
• Weather-proof clothing – indispensable
• Large budget– Iceland is extremely expensive

Ideal timedepending on the purpose: summer for the Midnight Sun and comprehensive exploration, winter for the Northern Lights and ice and snow experiences. With thorough preparation, Iceland will bring unforgettable memories of pristine beauty and the power of nature.

Note: Iceland's weather changes extremely quickly and unpredictably. Always check the weather forecast (vedur.is), road conditions (road.is), and be prepared for unexpected changes in the itinerary.