Budget-Minded Stays in Egilsstaðir: Guesthouses and Studios
Egilsstaðir is the main town of east Iceland, beside Lake Lagarfljót, and its practical stays are mostly guesthouses and studios rather than large hotels. This page gathers five that keep things simple: Eyjólfsstadir Guesthouse, Tehúsið Hostel & Guesthouse, Skipalaekur Guesthouse, Lagarfell Studios and Ormurinn Guesthouse. I do not quote prices, since the listings here do not carry them, so I describe what each offers: shared or private bathrooms, kitchens and kitchenettes, parking and access to waterfalls and hiking. The aim is to help you choose a plain, well-reviewed base and know what you are getting before you book.
Egilsstadir itself has a practical and friendly personality, serving as a vital service center for the Eastfjords. It's a town where nature is always close by, and the pace of life is relaxed. The community is welcoming, and the town offers a good balance of essential services and access to outdoor activities. It's not about flashy luxury but about genuine Icelandic hospitality and a convenient base for exploration. This ethos extends to its budget accommodations, which reflect a down-to-earth approach to travel.
Where to stay
Plain, practical bases in east Iceland
A simple stay in east Iceland comes down to three questions: private or shared bathroom, a kitchen to use or not, and whether you can park. The five properties below answer those differently, and most are a short drive from the village, so a car helps. They are not spa hotels or design stays, and the listings are honest about that. If you want a clean, quiet room, somewhere to cook and an easy start for waterfalls and hiking, this group fits.
Skipalaekur Guesthouse scores 9.0 from 897 reviews and offers comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, work desks and parquet floors. Guests can use a shared kitchen, a communal lounge and a TV room, with a garden and free WiFi. The listing places it near Egilsstaðir Airport, with easy access to hiking trails and waterfalls. It suits a traveller who wants a private bathroom and a desk, plus a shared kitchen and living areas, in a guesthouse that is easy to reach on arrival or departure. It is a calm, practical place to stop after a day on the road, with no pretension and enough living space to spread out.
Lagarfell Studios also scores 9.0, from 698 reviews, and offers rooms with private bathrooms, kitchenettes and parquet floors, with a garden, a terrace and free private parking. The listing places it near Egilsstaðir Airport and local waterfalls. It is the pick for a traveller who wants to cook in their own space and park at the door, with a kitchenette in every room rather than a shared kitchen down the corridor. With a garden and a terrace outside, you can sit out in the evening light, and the kitchenette means breakfast and a simple dinner need no trip into town.
Ormurinn Guesthouse scores 8.9 from 636 reviews and offers family rooms, each with a private bathroom and parquet floors, with views of the garden, the lake or the mountains. The guesthouse has a garden, free WiFi, free private parking, a shared lounge and a kitchen. The listing says it suits budget-conscious travellers and families. For a couple or small group who want private bathrooms and a kitchen to share, it is a straightforward choice with lake or mountain views. With a garden and shared lounge, it works well for a family or a small group that wants to spread out and cook together in the evening.
Eyjólfsstadir Guesthouse and Tehúsið Hostel & Guesthouse are the simplest options, both with shared bathrooms. Eyjólfsstadir Guesthouse is a 10-minute drive from Egilsstaðir, with simple modern rooms, a communal lounge with free hot drinks, a geothermal pool nearby and horse riding, scoring 8.7 from 1,389 reviews. Tehúsið has family rooms, some on the ground floor with private entrances, a restaurant, a bar, a terrace, a shared kitchen and a coffee shop, and scores 8.4 from 1,031 reviews. Both are simple and sociable, so they suit travellers who like shared spaces and do not mind sharing a bathroom with other guests.
A traveler's takeI would choose Skipalaekur Guesthouse for a private bathroom and a shared kitchen near the airport, Lagarfell Studios for a kitchenette and parking at the door, and Ormurinn Guesthouse for lake or mountain views from a family room. Eyjólfsstadir Guesthouse and Tehúsið suit travellers who accept shared bathrooms. My advice is to decide on bathroom and kitchen first, then book the one whose location fits your route.
Budget & guesthouseFinnsstaðir Holiday Home with Hot tub
Spacious family holiday home with a hot tub and play areas
Why guests love itI recommend the Finnsstaðir Holiday Home to families and groups who want a whole house near Egilsstaðir. It has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a hot tub, an open-air bath, a sun terrace and a garden, with free WiFi and private parking. Play areas keep children busy, and ski equipment hire is available. Guests rate it 9.1 across more than 230 reviews, a very high score for a roomy house built around outdoor time.
Budget & guesthouseHúsey Hostel & Horsefarm
A horse farm hostel with family rooms and outdoor activities near Egilsstadir
Why guests love itHúsey Hostel & Horsefarm is 55 km from Egilsstaðir and sets itself up as an outdoor stay, with hiking and horse riding in and around Húsey. Family rooms are available, though bathrooms are shared, so it suits families who are comfortable with hostel-style facilities. There is a picnic area and free private parking. It is a remote farm base, not a place to stay for restaurants and shops. Guests rate it 9.0 across 446 reviews.
Budget & guesthouseSkipalaekur Guesthouse
Comfortable guesthouse with shared facilities and easy access to nature
Why guests love itSkipalaekur is a plain, well-liked guesthouse for people who want a base rather than a destination. Rooms have private bathrooms, work desks and parquet floors, and guests share a kitchen, a lounge and a TV room, with a garden outside and free WiFi. Egilsstaðir Airport is close, and hiking trails and waterfalls are within easy reach. A rating of 9.0 across 897 reviews says guests rate the basics highly. I would choose it for a budget-minded family that cooks some meals.
Budget & guesthouseLagarfell Studios
Comfortable studios with kitchenettes, garden access, and free parking
Why guests love itLagarfell Studios offers self-catering rooms in Egilsstaðir with a private bathroom, a kitchenette and parquet floors. For a family that means breakfast and simple dinners without a restaurant, plus a garden, a terrace and free private parking. The property sits near Egilsstaðir Airport and local waterfalls, so it works for a flight in or out of the East as well as for a few days of exploring. It is a set of studios, not a full-service hotel. Guests rate it 9.0.
Budget & guesthouseOrmurinn Guesthouse
Comfortable guesthouse with family rooms and scenic views near Egilsstadir
Why guests love itOrmurinn Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir has family rooms, each with a private bathroom and parquet floors. Views take in the garden, the lake or the mountains depending on the room. A shared lounge and a kitchen sit alongside a garden, free WiFi and free private parking, a combination that suits families watching their budget. Guests rate it 8.9 across 636 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a sound, sociable base for a family in east Iceland.
Budget & guesthouseGistihúsið - Lake Hotel Egilsstadir
Modern comfort in a renovated farmhouse by Lake Lagarfljót
Why guests love itGistihúsið sits in a renovated farmhouse beside Lake Lagarfljót, and the lakeside setting is the draw. Rooms are bright and modern with private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi and tea and coffee facilities. The in-house restaurant, a communal lounge and a spa mean a family does not have to drive out every evening. Guests rate it 8.9 across 1,056 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a calm, rural base near Egilsstaðir.
Budget & guesthouseEyjólfsstadir Guesthouse
Peaceful guesthouse near Egilsstaðir with easy access to nature and local activities
Why guests love itEyjólfsstadir Guesthouse offers simple, modern rooms in a peaceful natural setting, a 10-minute drive from Egilsstaðir. Bathrooms are shared, and a communal lounge comes with complimentary hot drinks. Walking paths start from the property, a geothermal pool is nearby and horse riding is possible in the area. Guests rate it 8.7 across 1,389 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a quiet countryside base for families and couples who have a car and want calm over services.
Budget & guesthouseTehúsið Hostel & Guesthouse
Family-friendly hostel with a restaurant and shared kitchen in Egilsstadir
Why guests love itTehúsið Hostel & Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir has family rooms, some on the ground floor, with shared bathrooms and private entrances. Guests can use a restaurant, a bar, a terrace, a shared kitchen and a coffee shop. Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free breakfast options are available, and WiFi is free. Guests rate it 8.4 across 1,031 reviews, a good and well-tested score.
Budget & guesthouseEast Guesthouse
Renovated rooms with mountain views and a shared kitchen in Egilsstaðir
Why guests love itEast Guesthouse in Egilsstaðir has recently renovated rooms with mountain views. A terrace, a shared kitchen and a lounge give guests somewhere to cook and relax, and free WiFi and free private parking are included. The listing places it close to Egilsstaðir Airport, which is handy for early or late flights. Guests rate it 8.1 across 85 reviews. Our editorial verdict: a practical, budget-minded stop for a night or two in the east.
Local tips
- 1Decide on bathroom and kitchen first: Skipalaekur, Lagarfell and Ormurinn list private bathrooms, Eyjólfsstadir and Tehúsið shared ones.
- 2Lagarfell Studios gives each room a kitchenette and free private parking, handy if you want to cook and leave early.
- 3Skipalaekur Guesthouse and Lagarfell Studios are listed near Egilsstaðir Airport and local waterfalls.
- 4Eyjólfsstadir Guesthouse is a 10-minute drive from Egilsstaðir, so plan for a car.
- 5Tehúsið lists vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free breakfast options, useful if you have dietary needs.
- 6Check each listing for what is included on your dates, since simple stays vary in breakfast and parking.