How to Plan a Trip to Iceland: Complete Guide

Thinking about planning a trip to Iceland? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’m going to go through everything you’ll want to consider for planning the perfect Iceland vacation.

This post covers a lot. We go through the different ways to visit and get around Iceland, as well as some of the regions you might want to consider visiting for different amounts of time in Iceland.

We also include packing advice, practical considerations like electricity, money and tipping, tips on when to visit and where to stay, how much to budget for your trip to Iceland, as well as the steps you need to follow to plan the perfect Iceland trip.

This is based on our experiences visiting Iceland in both summer and winter, both on a self-drive tour itinerary (which included car-hire, accommodation, and a suggested itinerary), as well as our own personal exploration in the country.

We’ll also be sharing a brief overview of our experiences doing a self-drive trip, to help you decide if this type of trip would be right for you, and how we picked that trip.

Steps For Planning a Trip to Iceland

Step 1. Decide When To Visit Iceland

The time of year you visit Iceland will make a big difference to what you see and how you experience the country, as well as how busy the attractions are. We’ve visited at different times of year, and have experienced everything from freezing snow to warm sunny days. Here’s what to expect at different times of year in Iceland.

 

Visiting Iceland in Winter

Running roughly from mid-October right through to the end of April, winter is the least busy time in Iceland.

The closer to December you visit, the darker the days will be – in mid-December you’ll get less than six hours of daylight! In March however this is up to 12 hours of daylight or more.

That darkness is great for seeing the Northern Lights, so if that’s a key consideration for your trip, winter is the time you should visit.

Winter means snowy landscapes and icy driving conditions (see our guide to driving in Iceland in winter), and some parts of the country, particularly the high ground, become inaccessible for all but the most extreme off-road vehicles.

I’d definitely not be put off visiting Iceland in winter. Temperatures rarely fall far below freezing, there are far fewer visitors, and the wintery landscapes are stunning to behold. Plus, that chance of seeing the northern lights is tempting!

If you do plan on visiting Iceland in winter, check out our detailed guide to winter activities in Iceland to give you lots of ideas for what you can get up to, plus our guide to what to pack for Iceland in winter, so you’re prepared!

For the northern lights, see our guide to how to photograph the northern lights, which also has tips on where and when to see them.

 

Visiting Iceland in Fall & Spring

April, late September and early October are about as close to fall and spring as you are able to come in Iceland.

These are essentially the shoulder months, with longer days than in winter, less chance of snow and more roads and attractions likely to be fully open and accessible.

Whilst it’s not likely to be too hot, the winter chill won’t be around, and you have a better chance of greener landscapes. It also won’t be as busy as summer time, although the longer days will limit your chance at seeing the northern lights.

 

Visiting Iceland in Summer

Summer is the most popular time to visit Iceland, so prices are likely to be higher and attractions more crowded with visitors. Roads will be open around the country, making attractions more accessible, and a number of tours that weren’t possible in the other months will be operational.

The long days means that you aren’t going to see the aurora borealis. The country will be beautifully green and lush though, with colourful wildflowers lighting up the landscape if you visit when they’re in bloom. Also a great time to see wildlife.

One thing to be aware of for 2026: a total solar eclipse will be visible from Iceland on 12 August. This is already driving a significant spike in accommodation prices and tour bookings around that date, so if you’re planning a summer 2026 trip, book well in advance.

 

Quick Climate Reference

To help you decide when to visit, here’s a rough idea of what to expect each season in terms of daylight and temperature. These are averages for the Reykjavik area. The north and east of the country tend to be a degree or two cooler, and the Highlands significantly colder.

December to January: 4 to 7 hours of daylight. Average temperatures around -1°C to 3°C. Short days but prime Northern Lights season. Some roads in the north may be closed.

February to March: 8 to 13 hours of daylight. Temperatures similar to midwinter but days getting noticeably longer. Still good for Northern Lights. March is when we visited, and we had around 12 hours of daylight.

April to May: 14 to 20 hours of daylight. Temperatures 3°C to 9°C. Snow melting, roads reopening, but Highland roads and some F-roads still closed. Fewer tourists than summer.

June to August: 18 to 24 hours of daylight (near-constant light around the summer solstice in late June). Temperatures 8°C to 15°C. All roads open, best weather, peak tourist season. No Northern Lights.

September to October: 11 to 16 hours of daylight. Temperatures 3°C to 10°C. Autumn colours, Northern Lights return in late September. Fewer visitors but most roads still open.

November: 7 to 9 hours of daylight. Temperatures 0°C to 4°C. Winter conditions setting in, ice cave season beginning. Good Northern Lights viewing.

Bear in mind that Iceland’s weather is famously unpredictable. We’ve had warm, sunny days in March and cold, rainy days in June. Layers and waterproofs are essential regardless of when you visit.

 

Step 2. Decide How Long You Want to Visit Iceland For

There’s a lot to see and do in Iceland, and you could easily fill up two or three weeks here. There are also many attractions within easy reach of Reykjavik, so even if you just did a two or three day stopover, you’d still be amazed by how much natural beauty you could fit in.

See our guide to some of the best day trips from Reykjavik for ideas.

We’d suggest that you should spend at least three to seven days in the country if you can to see as much as possible – and check out our seven day Iceland itinerary for inspiration.

If you want to tackle the ring road that goes all the way around Iceland (advisable in the summer months), then you should think about at least seven days in Iceland, but preferably 10 – 14 days in order to get the most out of your experience.

See our complete Iceland ring road itinerary for more on that trip.

However long you choose to visit Iceland for though, we think there’s a great experience waiting for you.

 

Step 3. Decide What kind of Trip to Take in Iceland

There are multiple options for how to travel in Iceland, which can be broadly categorised as follows:

 

A Self Drive Trip

Usually our preferred way of travelling, and definitely a good option in Iceland. A self-drive trip has you hiring a car and then travelling around Iceland under your own steam, staying in different locations and sight-seeing based on your interests.

You have the flexibility to reschedule sights and activities if the weather is poor, add (or remove!) sights from your itinerary if you wish, and generally have the most control over your trip.

The disadvantage of a trip like this is that it can work out to be a more expensive option than a group tour once you’ve factored in all the costs of the hire-car, accommodation, fuel and so-on.

If you decide to self-drive, check out our guide to driving in Iceland, as well as specific tips for driving in Iceland in winter.

There are two options for booking a self-drive tour in Iceland. You can go through an operator who has a pre-planned itinerary and they’ll usually handle the car rental, hotel booking and even provided a suggested itinerary. We’ve done this in Iceland and it worked out well.

If you like the idea of that option you can see a list of self-drive tours on Tour Radar here and on Guide to Iceland here, both of which offer a variety of tours from different companies in Iceland.

Alternatively, you can book absolutely everything yourself. This can work out slightly more cost effective, but will obviously be more work on your part.

For comparing car hire prices in Iceland, we’d also suggest looking at Northbound, an Iceland-specific car rental comparison site, or Discover Cars for a wider international comparison.

 

A group guided tour

If you prefer to have someone else handle the driving while you enjoy the scenic views, then you might prefer to take a guided tour. These come in various types, from single-day excursions to multi-day trips, and you can book both private tours or group tours.

For example, there are a range of single day trips from Reykjavik that cover a majority of the highlights of Iceland, such as the Golden Circle and Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

Guided tours have the advantage that you don’t have to worry about anything other than being on time for the bus. They usually work out to be cheaper than doing it yourself, and you know that you’re going to see all the highlights.

Many people, especially those with only a few days to spare, base themselves in Reykjavik and then take a series of single day excursions to places to visit highlights like the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, do a glacier hike, and to see the Northern Lights.

Although you do need to be prepared to spend some time in a bus, it is amazing how much you can see doing day trips from Reykjavik, and returning back to your hotel in the city each night!

The disadvantage is that you don’t have the flexibility to stop as and when you want, and in a group tour in particular, obviously you’ll be with a number of other people. Of course, this can be a great way to meet people and have a social aspect to your trip.

We’ve put together a detailed guide to help you decide between a guided tour and self-driving in Iceland, with our recommended tours at different durations.

You can also see a comprehensive list of guided tours in Iceland on TourRadar here and on Guide to Iceland here.

 

A private guided tour

A private tour can be a “best of both worlds” option, but these do tend to end up being the most expensive option for a trip, so unless there is a fairly large group of you, or money is no object, we’d suggest that either a self-drive trip or a group tour are going to be better value.

 

Public Transport

Public buses run between the major towns in Iceland via Straeto, and they’re fine for getting around Reykjavik. For sightseeing though, they’re not a practical option. Buses don’t stop at the major attractions along the south coast or the Golden Circle, so you’d miss most of what people come to Iceland to see.

If you don’t want to hire a car or join a multi-day tour, your best bet is to base yourself in Reykjavik and take day tours from there (see our guide to day trips from Reykjavik). You can see a surprising amount this way, though you won’t be able to do the full Ring Road or reach the more remote parts of the country.

 

Camping and Campervanning

Renting a campervan and staying at campsites around the country is one of the most popular (and most affordable) ways to travel in Iceland, especially in summer. Campsites are found throughout the country, typically costing 1,500 to 2,500 ISK (~$12 to $20 USD) per person per night. Most are open from roughly May to September.

If you plan to camp for more than a few nights, the Camping Card (24,900 ISK for the 2026 season) covers up to 28 nights at 40+ participating campsites for two adults and up to four children, which is excellent value.

Campervanning combines your transport and accommodation into one cost, though the rental itself is more expensive than a standard car. Compare campervan options on Northbound, which lists campervans alongside cars.

One thing to know: you can’t just park a campervan anywhere overnight. Campervans and motorhomes must stay at designated campsites. Wild camping with a tent is allowed in limited circumstances on uncultivated land, but in practice, using proper campsites is easier and more responsible. For a full rundown of camping rules, costs, and money-saving tips, see our Iceland budget guide.

 

Step 4. Choose an Itinerary for your Iceland Trip

Now you’ve decided when and for how long you want to visit Iceland, you’re going to want to plan an itinerary. Of course, once you’ve started putting an itinerary together, you might decide you need even longer in this wonderful country – and that’s fine of course!

1 – 4 days in Iceland

We’d suggest for trips of one to three days you focus on the sights around and within a three to four hour drive of Reykjavik.

For example, a day trip around the Golden Circle, a morning at the blue lagoon, a day trip along the south coast of Iceland to see some of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, and perhaps a day trip up to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

These can all be easily done as either a day trip from Reykjavik or as part of a self drive tour.

We have a detailed itinerary for 3 days in Iceland which will give you some ideas of what is achievable in this time period.

 

4 – 7 days in Iceland

Four to seven days gives you lots of choice in Iceland.

Our suggestion would be to explore from the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west all the way along to Jökulsárlón in the east, taking in highlights including the Golden Circle, the Blue Lagoon, the mighty waterfalls of the south coast and the glacier region in the south-east.

These would be perfect as part of a self drive tour, or you could join multiple single-day tours together from the city.

We have a number of itineraries to give you ideas, including one for five days in Iceland, and one that goes through a seven day itinerary for Iceland.

 

7+ days in Iceland

With seven days to play with, and if you’re not travelling in the middle of winter, then the Ring Road is likely going to be your natural choice.

You’ll be able to see the major highlights of Iceland on this incredible journey around the country, with more photo opportunities than you can imagine. This is a popular option, and can be done either as a self-drive trip like these or these, or as part of a group tour like this.

Alternatively, you could thoroughly explore from the east of the country right along the south coast and see everything from the highlights to the less visited attractions, really taking your time and taking it all in.

Now you should have an idea of when you’re going to visit Iceland, how long you’re going to spend in Iceland, what sort of trip you’re going to do in Iceland and where you want to go in Iceland!

We went through all these steps, and now I’m going to share with you what that ended up looking like, and why we made the choices we did.

 

Our Winter Trip To Iceland

This section covers our planning and decision-making process for our winter trip to Iceland, followed by an overview of the trip we ended up doing, including a detailed trip itinerary.

After that, there’s information on what to pack, where to stay, practical considerations for travelling in Iceland and information on much it costs to travel in Iceland.

 

Why we went to Iceland in Winter

We chose Iceland in mid-March as it seemed like a good trade-off between the amount of available daylight (around 11 – 12 hours each day) whilst still having the chance to see the northern lights. I’ve wanted to see the northern lights for a long time, and been foiled on every attempt.

Spoiler alert, we didn’t see the northern lights in Iceland on this trip either. We were unlucky to be in Iceland during a quiet period for solar activity, and many of the nights were cloudy.

We didn’t let this spoil our trip of course, but it’s definitely something to think about when picking a time of year to visit – the northern lights are not guaranteed!

 

How Long We Went For

For this trip to Iceland we visited for 12 nights, which gave us plenty of time to do everything we wanted to do. As we were visiting in the winter months, we focused our attention on the south and west parts of the country, as these were more accessible.

Much of the northern part of the country is harder to access in winter, and road closures due to snow and ice can be a problem.

 

The Trip we Chose to Do

The trip we chose was an eight day / seven night self-drive trip which focused on the west and south coasts of Iceland.

We chose the itinerary not just because it promised glaciers and auroras, but because looking at the map, it covered the majority of the highlights that we were interested in, including the golden circle and all the highlights of the south coast all the way to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.

It even covered a part of the country a little north of Reykjavik, although not quite as far as the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. As we had extra time after the trip though, we were able to explore the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in our own time – we just extended the hire car a few more days.

 

Why we Chose a Self-Drive Tour

We chose a self-drive trip because it exactly matches our way of travel. We often take longer at stops because I’m waiting for the right light for a shot, or I’m waiting for the crowds of people to disperse. Sometimes we want to spend more time at a location because Jess wants to drop in at a museum. Often, I’ll need to drive somewhere for a sunset or sunrise.

Basically, we like to have control and flexibility over our plans, and a self-drive trip exactly lines up with those needs.

A pre-booked self-drive tour took all the hassle out of the trip – things like finding a place to stay, route planning and booking the hire car were already handled. They provided us with loads of information about where we were going and what we might like to see. And then, we were essentially left to do as we pleased.

We’re not averse of course to other types of trip, and enjoy group tours as well. Overall though, a self-drive tour was definitely the best choice for us in Iceland.

 

 

What’s Included (and what isn’t) on a Self Drive Tour in Iceland?

Self drive tours in Iceland vary in what they include, however here is what you should generally expect:

• All of your accommodation with free breakfasts
• Rental car with CDW (collision damage waiver), theft protection and unlimited mileage (usually also including a free additional driver)
• Car pick/up and drop off at Keflavik International airport

 

Of course, the self-drive tours don’t include everything. Usually, exclusions are:

• Optional activities
• Airfare to and from Iceland
• Fuel for the car
• Any other meals or snacks
• Additional optional car insurance including ash damage, windscreen damage, or underbody damage. These will usually be available to purchase at car pickup, or when booking the tour.

These inclusions are pretty standard for self-drive tours in Iceland, although of course check the details for the tour you’re interested in to be sure.

 

Types of Trips You Can Book in Iceland

If you’re going through a tour operator in Iceland, there are two main types of tour you can book. These are self drive tours, and guided group trips. The latter of which can be single day trips or multi-day trips.

Self-drive tours span from 1 to 14+ nights, with availability for each tour depending on the time of year. The majority of these trips are available at a range of different price points, depending on the accommodation level you are interested in. These levels range from budget through to more luxury options.

Budget accommodation will usually be shared facilities in basic hotels, farmhouses and guest houses. Pricing will then increase through to more luxury options.

In addition to the accommodation options, you will also often have the option to choose what kind of car you want. These range from basic small cars through to top of the range four wheel drive vehicles. If you’re travelling in winter, we definitely suggest you choose a four wheel drive.

As well as self-drive tours, you can also book guided tours in Iceland. These are available from single day trips through to multi-day tours. These are available as both private and group tours, with group sizes varying from less than 12 to over 30. As a general rule, the larger the group, the more cost effective the tour will be.

 

Our Eight Day Iceland Itinerary

So, we did all the planning, we figured out when and where we wanted to travel, and we had our tour all lined up! Now I’m going to run through the tour and let you know our experiences, what we liked, and anything we were unhappy with.

As previously mentioned, we chose an eight-day self-drive trip which we did with Iceland Travel. We opted for comfortable accommodation with a mid-range four-wheel drive station wagon style vehicle.

This started and ended in Reykjavik, and had us exploring the fjords, glaciers and waterfalls just north of the city, followed by the golden circle, and then along the south coast to the mighty waterfalls and stunning black sand beaches, heading as far east as the Glacier Lagoon.

Here’s a quick overview of what we got up to each day.

 

Day 1 – Reykjavik.

Our first day had us picking up our car from Hertz Iceland (see here for car hire providers in Iceland) We’d actually arrived in Reykjavik a day early, so rather than picking it up at Keflavik International Airport, we picked it up in the city centre.

Our suggested itinerary then had us visiting the Blue Lagoon, which is a great option on the way to or from the airport as it’s only a few kilometres from Keflavik International Airport. This would be a great way to unwind after a long flight.

As it was, because we had arrived the day prior and taken the bus transfer to the airport, we actually visited the Blue Lagoon on our second day.

We spent our first day exploring the city, which both of us enjoyed – Reykjavik has a lot to offer, and we had no problem finding things to do. So much so in fact that we spent a further two days exploring the city after our trip was over.

 

Day 2 – Fjords

We started our second day heading out of the city to the Blue Lagoon for an early morning swim.

Visiting the Blue Lagoon first thing in the morning is something we’d definitely recommend as it was very quiet when we did so. And whilst neither of us are exactly “spa” people, we both really enjoyed the Blue Lagoon experience.

There’s just something very relaxing about being in a huge body of warm water underneath blue Icelandic skies, with steam all around and it was definitely one of the early highlights of our trip.

We then doubled back on ourselves and headed north. In retrospect, we definitely feel that following the suggested itinerary and doing the Blue Lagoon on the first or last day makes more sense so as to avoid this detour, however, this worked for us. If you want a closer hot spring to minimise the driving, consider the Sky Lagoon instead.

From Reykjavik our route took us up around Hvalfjordur, a beautiful 30km coastal drive, and then onto the coastal town of  Borgarnes where we visited the church, a statue on the hill, and also the Settlement Centre. Found in two of Borgarnes’s oldest buildings, this tells the story of Iceland’s earliest days and some of the heroes of the Icelandic Sagas.

We then headed inland stopping at Deildartunguhver (Icelandic names are fun!), which is Europe’s most powerful hot spring. 180 litres per second of water at boiling point pours out of the ground here!

After Deildartunguhver we continued on up to Hraunfossar, one of Iceland’s more unusual waterfalls. Hraunfossar is actually a sideways waterfall that runs for 900 metres along the Hvítá river.

The water actually pours out from underneath the lava field here, and so it looks like it’s just coming out from under the ground – which of course it is. It looks very cool, and was particularly pretty at sunset, which was when we visited.

Finally, we headed back to our hotel, the Hotel Hamar, just outside Borganes, for a relaxing nights sleep.

 

Day 3 – Falls

Our itinerary for our third day had us visiting a glacier in the afternoon, with the morning set aside for exploring the region. Jess had found out that Iceland’s highest easily accessible waterfall was less than an hour’s drive away, so I set out to find that whilst Jess relaxed in the hotel.

The hike up to Glymur Falls was a wonderful experience, with seabirds swirling, stunning views across the landscapes and plenty of photography opportunities. It was a natural entry for my post on my favourite photography spots in Iceland.

Returning to Jess and the hotel, we were sad to learn that our scheduled trip onto the glacier had been cancelled due to poor weather. It was rescheduled to the following morning, weather permitting, but we now had a free afternoon.

Thankfully, our Iceland Travel guidebook had plenty of options, and we explored the region, and took advantage of the hotel’s outdoor geothermal hot tubs – even more fun as it was snowing when we used them!

 

Day 4 – Glacier and Golden Circle

On our fourth day the weather was good enough for our Glacier tour! We were excited about this because neither of us had been on a glacier before. This was an optional excursion arranged with Into the Glacier.

The tour involves a 40 minute ride in a huge 18 wheeled converted ex-NATO missile launcher, followed by an hour or so exploring inside the world’s largest man made ice tunnel. Definitely a recommended option!

From our glacier expedition we headed east, taking advantage of our four wheel drive to take a couple of mountain roads and stop off at the beautiful Þórufoss waterfall, which we had all to ourselves.

Then, it was on Iceland’s famous Golden Circle – a loop road that’s popular as a day trip from Reykjavik, and includes the UNESCO listed Þingvellir National Park, the stunning Gulfoss waterfall and the Geysir national park.

That was a busy day, but we managed to get everything in before sunset, and headed to the Hill Hotel (formerly Icelandair Hotel Flúðir).

 

Day 5 – Waterfalls and Beaches

Our fifth day of exploration had us heading along Iceland’s incredible south coast, which is home to some truly spectacular scenery.

Ok, who am I kidding, Iceland is home to spectacular scenery pretty much everywhere. Highlights of this day were truly dramatic though, including two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls, Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

The former you can actually go behind, which makes for some unique (if wet!) photography opportunities.

Further along we stopped at Dyrhólaey Arch and the beautiful basalt lined beaches near the picturesque town of Vik. As you can imagine, our cameras were kept very busy.

Finally, we arrived at Kirkjubæjarklaustur (also known as Klaustur), where we overnighted at the Hotel Klaustur.

 

Day 6 – Icebergs and Glaciers!

Pushing further east, our sixth day had us crossing a huge lava field, as well as the site of a massive glacial flood, which washed away chunks of the ring road in a huge deluge.

As we travelled we saw a number of waterfalls as well as those beautiful Icelandic horses, that of course we had to stop (safely off the road!) to photograph.

Then we visited Svartifoss, a remarkable waterfall over black basalt columns which has given it the name the “Black Falls”. We also took in the Svinafellsjokull glacier, which was as close to end of a glacier that we came on the trip, with the chunks of blue hued ice almost in touching distance.

Finally, our day culminated with a visit to Jökulsárlón, the glacial lake on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. The Breiðamerkurjökull glacier meltwater flows into the lake, along with the ice that breaks off the glacier, creating a truly wonderful sight of an iceberg filler lake.

Even better, the icebergs float out to sea and are washed up on nearby Diamond Beach, making for countless photo opportunities, and the perfect place for us to watch sunset, before heading back for our second night at the Hotel Klaustur.

 

Day 7 – Back to Reykjavik

Our last full day on our trip had us making the journey back along the south coast to Reykjavik. We didn’t mind retracing our steps, in fact, we took full advantage of it, stopping off at some locations again to get a few more shots. This was particularly handy at one of the beaches we visited where the tide was lower, meaning we could get some shots we hadn’t previously caught before.

We also stopped at a number of picturesque fishing villages on the way back, and finished off a wonderful self-drive itinerary with a gorgeous sunset over the remote and stunning church of Strandarkirkja  on the south west tip of Iceland. Then it was back to Reykjavik for our last night on our tour!

 

Day 8 – The end!

Our last day would normally have had us heading to the airport and returning our hire car, perhaps with a stop at the Blue Lagoon on the way.

However, we weren’t ready to stop and we had a few more days in the country. So we extended our hire car a few more days, and went off on further explorations under our own steam. More on those in a future post!

That pretty much summarises what we got up to on our self-drive tour of Iceland. Now let me go over some of the things we enjoyed about it!

 

What we Enjoyed About Our Iceland Trip

There were a number of things we really liked about the self-drive trip we booked in Iceland. First, it was super-easy. With all our accommodation taken care of, plus a detailed suggested itinerary, we had no problem filling our days.

The information we received on the way up to and as we started our trip was wonderfully comprehensive, helping us to ensure we were fully prepared. We were sent a 27 page PDF walkthrough of our itinerary and all the highlights we could expect to see on the route, as well as shorter detailed itinerary of our exact hotels and booked excursions.

We also loved the massive choice of self-drive tours available in Iceland, both in terms of types of trip available, and the itineraries they have on offer throughout the year. Whatever you’re interested in, we’re pretty sure you’ll find a tour to suit.

 

What could have been improved?

Overall, our experience doing a self-drive trip in Iceland was fantastic, but of course, not everything is perfect in life. A few minor niggles.

First, on the tour we choose, whilst CDW was included with our car insurance, there were a number of optional insurances that weren’t included, which would have been nice for peace of mind. Of course, these were available to purchase when we picked the vehicle up. It’s also worth noting that some tour companies present it as an option when booking, which would have been our preference.

Another area that might have been nice on the tour we chose would have been to give us the option for half board at some of the hotels. Meals in Iceland are a big cost for a trip, and a half board option might have helped offset that. Some self-drive tours do include this as an option, so when deciding definitely keep this in mind.

Lastly, it would have been nice to see the Northern Lights. Of course, this has nothing to do with our tour, we were really unlucky with our timing and the weather conditions, and despite our best efforts, we just didn’t get to make it happen.

So it just goes to show that even on a longish trip like ours, at the right time of year, you might not have luck. Still, it’s an excuse to go back, and we’re happy about that!

 

What to Pack on a Trip to Iceland

Iceland is a country where the weather can change very quickly, whatever time of year you visit. Layers are going to be the answer, we’d suggest thermal base layers, then warm mid-layers like fleeces, followed by waterproof and windproof outerlayers.

You’re also going to want good hiking boots or shoes, gloves and a hat. If you’re visiting any of the thermal springs, save money by bringing your own towel, and of course don’t forget your swimwear, and maybe a waterproof case for your phone so you can get the perfect selfie!

We also have a full guide to what to pack for a trip to Iceland, which includes a downloadable checklist. Worth checking out to help you make sure you don’t miss anything!

 

Where to Stay in Iceland

Iceland has a wide range of accommodation options, from farm stays, vacation rentals and B&B’s through to higher end full service hotels. Check out Iceland’s listings on booking.com for a full range of options.

On our self-drive tour we stayed at 3 and 4 star properties throughout the country, which were comfortable and included a full breakfast.

When travelling by ourselves, we largely booked through vacation rental sites like Vrbo. We also use a number of other sites, like AirBnB. Check out our full guide to AirBnB alternatives right here.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Travel in Iceland?

Iceland is far from a budget destination, and prices vary depending on the time of year you visit, with the peak summer months (July and August) typically much more expensive than winter.

For a detailed breakdown of costs and 21 practical tips for keeping expenses down, see our complete guide to visiting Iceland on a budget, which we updated in March 2026 with current prices. Here’s a quick summary of what to expect.

A mid-range hotel or guesthouse room typically costs 20,000 to 35,000 ISK (~$160 to $280 USD) per night in winter, and can be double that in peak summer. Budget options like hostels start around 4,000 to 7,000 ISK (~$32 to $56 USD) for a dorm bed.

Car hire costs vary a lot by season and vehicle type. A compact 2WD in winter starts around 30,000 to 45,000 ISK (~$240 to $360 USD) per week, while a 4WD suitable for winter or gravel roads will be significantly more. On top of the base rental, budget for insurance (SCDW at minimum, plus gravel and sand/ash cover), fuel at 185 to 230 ISK per litre (~$1.50 to $1.85 USD), and the 2026 km-based road tax of 6.95 ISK per kilometre, which rental companies add to your final bill. Compare prices on Northbound or Discover Cars.

Food is probably the biggest budget shock. A hot meal at a gas station restaurant runs 1,500 to 2,500 ISK (~$12 to $20 USD). A sit-down dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant will be 12,000 to 18,000 ISK (~$96 to $144 USD) without drinks. Self-catering from budget supermarkets like Bonus or Kronan is the best way to keep food costs down.

Most major attractions like waterfalls and beaches are free to visit, but parking fees of 750 to 1,000 ISK (~$6 to $8 USD) per stop have been introduced at most popular sites. Download the Parka app before your trip to handle payments. On a week-long road trip visiting 10 or so stops, expect to spend 8,000 to 10,000 ISK (~$64 to $80 USD) total on parking.

As a rough daily budget per person (two people sharing costs), expect 25,000 to 35,000 ISK (~$200 to $280 USD) for budget travel, 40,000 to 55,000 ISK (~$320 to $440 USD) for mid-range, and 60,000+ ISK (~$480+ USD) for comfortable travel. These are winter/shoulder season figures. For peak summer, add 30 to 50%.

Note: a total solar eclipse will be visible from Iceland on 12 August 2026, which is already driving significant price increases for accommodation around that date. If you’re planning a summer 2026 trip, book well in advance.

Iceland is very much worth visiting, and the good news is that many of the most spectacular experiences (waterfalls, black sand beaches, volcanic landscapes) are completely free. For detailed advice on keeping costs down, see our full Iceland budget guide.

 

Practicalities for your Trip in Iceland

1. Getting to Iceland

All international flights arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), about 50km southwest of Reykjavik. There’s a small domestic airport within Reykjavik itself, but that only handles flights to other parts of Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

The two main airlines serving Iceland are Icelandair (Iceland’s national carrier, with direct flights from dozens of cities across Europe and North America) and Play (a budget airline with lower base fares but extra charges for luggage). From London, the flight is around 3 hours. From the US east coast, it’s 5 to 6 hours.

One option worth knowing about: Icelandair offers a free stopover in Iceland on transatlantic flights. So if you’re flying between Europe and North America, you can add a few days in Iceland at no extra airfare cost. We have a 3-day Iceland stopover itinerary if that appeals.

For tips on finding cheap flights and a full breakdown of travel costs, see our Iceland budget guide.

 

2. Safety in Iceland

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world to travel in, with extremely low crime rates and good medical care. The main dangers that travellers will face will usually be related to the quickly changing weather, and natural hazards like slippery rocks or steep cliffs. Car accidents are also something to be aware of, especially in the winter months when driving conditions can be hazardous.

One specific hazard to be aware of: the black sand beaches along the south coast, particularly Reynisfjara near Vik. The waves here are deceptively powerful, and “sneaker waves” can surge much further up the beach than you’d expect with no warning. People have been killed here. Stay well back from the waterline, never turn your back on the sea, and pay attention to the warning signs. This is a year-round risk, including in summer when conditions look calm.

 

3. Power

Iceland uses a 220v system with the same two pin plugs as most of Europe. If you are travelling from the UK or US, you will need some form of travel adapter like this – see our Iceland packing list for suggestions. See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters. We highly recommend you pick anything up before you come as Iceland is not cheap.

 

4. Getting From the Airport to Reykjavik

All international flights land at Keflavik International Airport, which is about 50km (a 45 minute drive) southwest of Reykjavik. The airport is not in the city, so you’ll need to arrange transport.

If you’re picking up a rental car, all the major hire companies have desks at the airport or provide a short shuttle to their nearby lots. This is the simplest option if you’re starting a road trip straight away.

If you’re heading into Reykjavik first, the most popular option is a shared shuttle bus. Flybus (run by Reykjavik Excursions) and Airport Direct both run frequent services to the BSI bus terminal in central Reykjavik, with optional drop-offs at hotels and guesthouses. A one-way ticket is around 3,500 to 4,500 ISK (~$28 to $36 USD) per person, and buses run to meet every arriving flight. You can book in advance online, which we’d recommend in peak summer.

Taxis are available but expensive (around 20,000 ISK or more one-way to central Reykjavik). Private transfers can be booked in advance for a fixed price, which works better for groups.

One tip: the Blue Lagoon is roughly halfway between the airport and Reykjavik. If you want to visit on your arrival or departure day, some shuttle services offer a combined airport-Blue Lagoon-Reykjavik transfer, which saves doubling back.

 

5. Internet Access / Staying Connected

WiFi is generally easy to find in Iceland. All the hotels and guesthouses we stayed in had good, free WiFi access, and many cafes and restaurants offer it too.

For mobile data (which you’ll want for maps, checking road conditions on road.is, and paying for parking via the Parka app), we’d recommend setting up an eSIM before you leave home. We have a detailed Airalo eSIM review which covers how it works. An eSIM is cheaper and simpler than buying a local SIM card, and you can have it ready to go before you land.

If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, you can still pick up a prepaid SIM card from a local provider at Keflavik airport when you arrive. For more options, see our guide to getting online when travelling.

While you’re setting up your phone for Iceland, there are a few apps worth downloading before you go. Road.is shows real-time road conditions and closures (check it every morning before you drive). Vedur.is is the Icelandic Met Office, useful for weather forecasts and aurora predictions. Parka handles parking payments at most major attractions. And the 112 Iceland app lets you share your location with Icelandic search and rescue, which is a sensible precaution if you’re driving remote roads in winter. All free.

 

6. Language

The primary language in Iceland is Icelandic, although as you will have noticed from many of the place names in our itinerary, it’s a bit of a daunting language to learn. Here is a list of common phrases in Icelandic, which you might find useful, at least for starting a conversation. We found however that English was very widely spoken, and we had no trouble communicating with the Icelandic people, who were friendly, helpful and welcoming.

 

7. Money in Iceland

The local currency is the Icelandic Kroner, or ISK. There are ATM’s around the country from where you can withdraw cash, just be aware that they will all charge you a fee for doing so. In our experience, nearly everywhere we travelled accepted our international credit cards, however, it is always worth having cash on you just in case cards are not accepted.

 

8. Tipping in Iceland

Tipping is generally not expected in Iceland for service. At many restaurants, a tip is already included, so do check your bill before you add a tip.

If a tip is not included, it’s not common to leave a tip, although it is not rude to leave a tip if you wish, around ten percent would be a reasonable amount to tip in Iceland. Alternatively, many people choose to round up the bill to the nearest 1,000, which is also very acceptable.

 

8. Visas and Entry Requirements

Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, so citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and most other Western countries don’t currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. You just need a valid passport.

The EU has been planning to introduce ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) for visa-exempt travellers, which would require an online application and a small fee before travel. This has been delayed several times and was not yet in effect as of early 2026, but it’s worth checking the current status before your trip, especially if you’re planning for late 2026 or beyond.

 

Further Reading to Help you Plan your Trip to Iceland

We’ll be writing a lot more about Iceland across our two blogs in the coming months, so this list will be updated as we go. In the meantime, here are some great resources to get you started with planning your Iceland vacation.

• We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite photography locations in Iceland from this trip to give you some ideas of where to aim to get the best photos
• Our guide to driving in Iceland in Winter should give you lots of tips for staying safe on the roads if you choose to do a self-drive trip
• Jess has put together a detailed post outlining a seven day Iceland itinerary to give you some route ideas, plus we have a guide to spending five days in Iceland, three days in Iceland, and an Iceland ring road itinerary.
• Our guide to finding the Iceland Plane crash, which is a fun photography location (if a bit of a walk to get to!)
• We have a complete guide to visiting the Golden Circle, which has a map, suggested itinerary, and more.
• Our guide to the best waterfalls in Iceland
• Our guide to visiting the Blue Lagoon
• For staying connected while travelling (you’ll want data for maps and road conditions), see our Airalo eSIM review and our guide to getting online when travelling
• Iceland is expensive. Here’s our complete guide to visiting Iceland on a budget with 21 money-saving tips
• If you’re visiting Iceland in Winter, check out our guide to the best winter activities in Iceland
• We have a detailed guide to help you decide what to pack for Iceland
• We’ve got a guide to the best day trips from Reykjavik should you wish to base yourself in the capital
• We have a guide to help you decide between guided tours and self-driving in Iceland, with recommended tours at different durations
• If you’re thinking of hiring a car, see this website for a number of options for car rental in Iceland
• The weather in Iceland can be fickle – the best website for real-time cloud cover is this one from the Icelandic Met Office.
• Whilst Iceland is a safe country to travel in when it comes to things like crime, the country itself is home to extreme conditions and all sorts of seismic activity. So to stay safe as you go, check out the safetravel Iceland page
• If you’re not sure what camera gear to take with, take a look at both our guide to picking a travel camera, and our personal travel photography gear
• Finally, if you’re visiting in winter, you’ll want to read through my tips for cold weather photography.

And that finishes up my guide to planning the perfect trip to Iceland! I hope you enjoyed it. Is Iceland on your list? Let us know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Iceland

How Many Days Do You Need in Iceland?

It depends on what you want to see. For just the highlights around Reykjavik (Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, maybe a south coast day trip), 3 days is enough. For the Golden Circle plus the south coast all the way to Jokulsarlon, plan for 5 to 7 days. For the full Ring Road around the country, you’ll want at least 7 days, but 10 to 14 is more comfortable and lets you explore without rushing.

We have itineraries for 3 days, 5 days, and the full Ring Road to help with planning.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Iceland?

Both summer and winter have their appeal. Summer (May to September) has the best weather, the longest days, and the most accessible roads. It’s the best time for the Ring Road, wildlife (puffins, whales), and hiking. Winter (October to April) is quieter and cheaper, and it’s the only time you can see the Northern Lights and visit ice caves. We’ve visited in both seasons and enjoyed both, but for a first trip with maximum flexibility, summer is the easier choice.

How Much Does a Trip to Iceland Cost?

For two people on a 7-day self-drive trip in winter, budget roughly 365,000 to 600,000 ISK (~$2,900 to $4,800 USD) total, covering car rental, fuel, accommodation, food, a couple of activities, and the Blue Lagoon. That works out to about 25,000 to 45,000 ISK (~$200 to $360 USD) per person per day. In peak summer, expect accommodation and car rental to roughly double. See our Iceland budget guide for a detailed breakdown.

Do I Need a Car in Iceland?

Not necessarily, but it depends on how you want to travel. You can see a lot by basing yourself in Reykjavik and taking day tours. For the south coast, Golden Circle, and Snaefellsnes Peninsula, day tours from Reykjavik cover the highlights. But if you want to do the Ring Road, explore at your own pace, or visit less touristy spots, a rental car gives you much more freedom. In winter, a guided tour is worth considering if you’re not confident driving in snow and ice. See our guide to choosing between a guided tour and self-driving for more.

Is Iceland Safe to Visit?

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world in terms of crime. The main risks for visitors are weather-related: rapidly changing conditions, icy roads in winter, strong winds, and powerful waves at beaches like Reynisfjara. Check SafeTravel Iceland for current conditions, and always check road.is before driving each day.