Tourist Bamboozled By GPS, 6 Hour Detour Ensues

An American tourist took a 5 and half hour detour to the north of Iceland yesterday after a GPS mishap directed him to Laugarvegur in Siglufjörður, reports Vísir.

The tourist had meant to go to Hótel Frón which is located on Laugavegur in Reykjavík, but instead followed directions to the tiny northern fishing village which incidentally has a road named Laugarvegur.

After arriving at the address, expecting to find his hotel, the tourist rang the bell of Sigurlína Káradóttir who regretfully informed him of the truth.

“He knocked and asked if he was at the right address and I looked at the slip, then looked back up at him and asked if this was some kind of joke,” said Sigurlína. She said the American had become quite embarrassed once he figured out his mistake.

“He didn’t really know what to do with himself,” said Sigurlína. “So I just invited him in and offered to call up [Hótel Frón] to explain that he wouldn’t be making it that day.” Sigurlína then arranged a room for him at the local hotel in Siglufjörður where he was warmly welcomed.

According to Sigurlína, the man had become suspicious that something wasn’t quite as it should be a few hours into his trip and had plugged in the address a few more times to be sure he hadn’t made a mistake but the GPS had directed him to Siglufjörður every time.

CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this article it was written that Hótel Frón was located on Laugarvegur and not Laugavegur, the article has been updated to reflect this change.