Iceland is one of the most wild, beautiful, rugged European countries I have been to. And if you research well, and zero down on what you want to do, you will have an amazing time in this country.
For a country this small, Iceland punches above its weight. There are zillions of things to see and do. And trust me, however many days you have planned, it won’t be enough to see it all. And that’s fine.
What would be good are these top travel tips to know before you visit Iceland.
Do a road trip across Iceland
The best way to see Iceland, in my opinion, is to plan an Iceland road trip itinerary. Ring Road, or Route 1, is the main road that circles all around the island. So rent a car and get out of Reykjavik. We did an Iceland road trip in 12 days, the best decision to explore this stunning country.
If you have 10 days or more, I suggest the classic ring road itinerary, which can be done in either direction, start in the western peninsula, then go to North Iceland, travel through the East region of Iceland, and then come to the popular south coast of Iceland, finally end with Golden Circle route and Reykjavik. This trip can be done in an anti-clockwise direction, i.e., start with the Golden Circle route and then move on to the South coast of Iceland and further on.
If you have 5-7 days, my recommendation would be to combine Reykjavik with Golden Circle attractions, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and the south coast of Iceland.
This would mean moving hotels a lot, so be prepared for it mentally. And pack accordingly.
When you rent a campervan, you need not book hotels that get filled quickly during peak travel season. You can drive to your destination and stay in a nearby campsite, which costs less than a hotel room. Simply secure a camper rental with any of the trusted campervan providers in Iceland online.
Pack and plan for weather changes
Weather changes a lot in Iceland. It can rain, be windy and stormy even in the summertime. The wind chill factor can make it cold on a summer day. So apart from checking for weather updates during your travel, it is important to pack for all weather types.
A good rain jacket is a must. We used it on our glacier hike in south Iceland, to go behind a South Iceland waterfall, and on all our hikes as a windshield. Plan to dress in layers – so pack a light thermal or T-shirt as a base, then a fleece or sweater, plus a wind/rain jacket as an outer layer. Even a lightweight down jacket is required on some days.
Book way in advance
I can’t emphasize this enough. Book your flight tickets and accommodation 6 months or more in advance. Not only do the nice hotels/apartments get full in the peak season (June, July for summer and Nov to Jan in winter), they also get increasingly more expensive. Also, don’t leave your car rental for the last minute. Do book your car online in advance. The best deals, be it for hotels or cars, get sold out quite early in Iceland.
Booking is not just limited to car rental and places to stay. Research the tours you want to do and book them a couple of months in advance. The popular South Iceland attractions like glacier hiking at Vatnajokull or Zodiac Boat Tour at Jokulsarlon get completely booked for summertime.
Don’t bother to exchange cash
Iceland’s currency is Icelandic Krona, and there is absolutely no need to exchange your country’s currency for Krona. There is no place in Iceland that doesn’t accept a credit or debit card. Even bathroom usage or car parking at a popular attraction can be paid for by card or is free.
We exchanged a tiny bit on reaching the Keflavik airport and didn’t use this cash at all during the trip, not even at the off-the-beaten areas.
Remember your credit card PIN
We needed to punch in our credit card PIN at most places in Iceland. So do remember your card PIN, or you will have to call your bank to issue one for you on your travels.
There were many unmanned petrol pumps where we couldn’t use our credit card (issued in India), I am not sure why. For such instances, we bought a local prepaid card to buy fuel. It did require some calculations as to how much money to be loaded on the prepaid card so that it all gets used.
Pack waterproof outdoor shoes, even if you are not hiking
Waterproof shoes are not just for hikers in Iceland. I mentioned the weather changes in Iceland. A sunny day can change easily into a cloudy sky with rain. You will not cancel your waterfall or black sand beach excursion or your glacier hike tour just because of light rain. The waterproof shoes would come in very handy.
Also, Iceland is an outdoor destination. So even if you are not hiking, just to visit a waterfall or a glacier or walking on a lava field, you would need sturdy outdoor shoes.
Know about F-roads and book 4WD accordingly
The ring road is all paved and suitable for all types of cars. If your Iceland itinerary doesn’t include any unpaved roads (say, even getting on a dirt track in Snaefellsnes Peninsula to go visit a lighthouse on the off-the-beaten path), it is ok to book any car.
However, if you do plan to go off-track and especially if you plan to drive on F-roads in Iceland, you must book a 4WD. F-roads are essentially unpaved tracks, like the one we took to go to Landmannalaugar, the highlands in the central part of Iceland. F-roads open only during summer months (mid-June to mid-September), and it is a must to have a proper 4WD to get on these roads.
Take full insurance for your car
It is important to take proper insurance for your car rental. Do not scrimp on this. Iceland’s ring road is safe to drive, but it is a rugged country with single lanes in many places. There could be an accident with a sheep trying to cross the road when the animal comes out of nowhere. You do not want to be in a situation of no or less insurance if something happens.
And if you are going to go on F-roads, it is a no-brainer to take extras. You never know where there is a stream flowing. We saw a 4WD stuck in a river crossing just before reaching Landmannalaugar.
Pack a water bottle and fill it with tap water or stream water
Remember to carry a water bottle for each person on your trip to Iceland. This beautiful country has fresh, clean water everywhere. You can fill your water from the tap or scoop it from a flowing stream on your trek. The water is cold and refreshing. So please do not buy plastic water bottles on your Iceland trip, just a waste of money and not good for the environment.
Prepare for 24 hours of sunlight (or very little of it)
If you are visiting Iceland in June (like we did) or in June or July, be prepared for 24 hours of daylight! Even the other spring and summer months (April, May, August, September) have more than 14 hours of daylight.
This could be delightful in many ways; you don’t have to worry about driving in the dark to reach a town on your road trip. I remember visiting a volcano crater during our Diamond Circle route in North Iceland at 10 pm in the evening, post-dinner and relaxation. There are many natural sites open 24 hours during the day. Even the Blue Lagoon was open until midnight in June and July!
Do pack a sleeping mask if you are a light sleeper. We had blackout curtains in all our hotel rooms, but that may not always be the case.
In wintertime, it would be almost the reverse, you must contend with long hours of darkness. You should check with closing time for tourist attractions and restaurants, they could be far earlier than expected.
Pack European adapters
The electricity is 220 volts in Iceland, and you must use European Type C adapters. We only needed a simple travel adapter for charging our phones and iPad.
Learn some Icelandic words
As such, communication is not a problem in Iceland if you speak English. Most people speak English, even in tiny villages. But it’s fun to know some Icelandic words, like foss means waterfall and jokull means glacier. It would help you remember the places you are likely to visit, like Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Vatnajokull in South Iceland.
Some words you are sure to come across –
- Vik = bay
- Fjordur = fjord (like Seydisfjordur in East Iceland)
- Fjall = mountain (like Namafjall in North Iceland)
- Dalur = valley
- Vegur = road (your GPS would show you this)
Bonus Tip: There is no need to tip in Iceland, it is not expected at a restaurant or at the end of a tour ☺
Iceland does require some planning. But I assure you, whether you go for a short trip or do the full ring road self-drive option, the raw beauty of this country will astound you.
Author bio
Shweta has always been passionate about travel and immersing in new experiences. Having been to over 40 countries, she blogs at Zest In A Tote to bring family-friendly itineraries and tips, destinations, and luxury stays to her readers. Her belief in family travel needn’t be boring, and one can do a mix of local culture & food, adventure activities, and relaxation, all with family. Connect with Shweta on Facebook or Instagram
