Beginners guide to Iceland
In this “Beginners guide to Iceland” there are the following chapters:
Iceland as a travel destination
Covid-19 rules to enter Iceland
How to travel to Iceland
Most popular places to visit in Iceland
How much does Iceland travel cost?
How to save money in Iceland
Things not to do in Iceland
Travelling myths you shouldn’t believe
Driving in Iceland
An ideal time to visit Iceland
Activities you can do in Iceland
Iceland as a destination.
Iceland is the world's 18th-largest island, and you could count it as Europe's largest island. Great Britain used to be the EU's biggest island, but it is no longer part of the EU. Iceland is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, between the US and Europe.
Iceland is a non-EU country but is heavily integrated into the EU.
Iceland's capital city is Reykjavik and the currency is the Icelandic Krona. English is very well-spoken and there are always English speakers in restaurants, shops and hotels.
Iceland is known for its lava fields, black sand beaches, mountains, glaciers and endless waterfalls. Iceland is home to 32 volcano systems encompassing around 130 volcanoes and mountains. The last volcanic eruption was in 2021 and lasted for 9 months and was named Fagradalsfjall. The most famous volcanic eruption happened in 2010 at Eyjafjallajökull. When the eruption happened, the sky was filled with ash clouds that covered Europe for many days and cancelled all the flights. Iceland is home to more than 10,000 waterfalls.
As a travel destination, Iceland is one of the safest countries to travel and an excellent destination for female solo travellers. Crime rates are super low and the police in Iceland don’t even carry guns. Using transportation in Iceland is safe, the risk of pickpockets and muggings is very low.
Card payments are well accepted but there can be some washrooms that require cash.
In the chapter “Things not to do in Iceland” there are safety tips for your Iceland travel.
Covid-19 rules to enter Iceland.
Who can visit Iceland?
From 25th February 2022 Iceland has lifted all Covid-related restrictions. There will be no disease prevention measures at the borders for passengers travelling to Iceland, regardless of whether individuals are vaccinated or unvaccinated. Additionally, travellers will no longer have to provide proof of vaccination or prior infection. There are no restrictions on social gatherings or quarantine requirements for those infected by COVID-19.
How to travel to Iceland
The best way to travel to Iceland is by air and it’s the fastest way. International flights land at Keflavik International Airport. It takes roughly 50 minutes from the airport to Reykjavik. Typical flight times from Europe are 3-4 hours and from America 5-6 hours.
If you stay under 90 days in Iceland, no visa is required. This is for travellers from the UK, Ireland, Canada, EU, US, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries that are signed up to the Schengen Agreement. Your passport needs to be valid for 3 months beyond your return date.
The cheapest flight options can be found on Skyscanner, Momondo and Google Flights.
You can also travel to Iceland through the Norröna ferry from Denmark. The travel time is a week and you can take your own car to the ferry. On the way, the ferry stops at the Faroe Islands so you get to see another beautiful country.
Once you get to Keflavik airport, there are a couple of options for you to get to Reykjavik. There are different bus lines (for example, Flybus, Grayline that operate close to the center of Reykjavik. One way bus tickets are around $50 each. You can also use the local bus Strætó. TTicket prices range from 7-10 dollars, and you must pay through the bus lines app. Please note that if you have a lot of luggage and big suitcases, then using Flybus or Grayline is a better option. The two of them also go straight to Reykjavik, while Strætó takes about 20 minutes extra time.
Most popular places to visit in Iceland
The most popular places to visit in Iceland by region.
Capital Region
Southern peninsula
West
Westfjords
Northwest
Northeast
East
South
How much does it cost to travel to Iceland?
Iceland's currency is the Icelandic krona. It's recommended that you buy and sell in Krona where you will get the most favorable exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it's good to have some cash on hand. Some washrooms only accept cash.
Flight tickets
The price of flight tickets depends so much on where you are travelling from and whether you need to transfer to another flight or not. The estimated cost is 500-900 dollars one way from the US. From Europe, you can get to Iceland for as little as 70 euros one way.
Icelandair has direct flights from New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, Minneapolis, and Orlando. United Airlines flies directly to Iceland from New York and Chicago. Delta Airlines has direct flights to Iceland from New York and Boston.
Just to get a general idea of different flight routes, I usually use Momondo to check flights. In some cases, Google Flights also works for finding flights, but I do book with the airline since the price difference isn't that significant.
Car rentals
If you are planning to travel to Iceland and won’t be joining a tour company, a car is a must for your travel. There are no trains in Iceland or buses running across the country every hour.
There is a local bus that runs once a day from Mjódd bus station to the South region areas. The cost is about 20-40 dollars depending on where you go. The bus also goes on some days all the way to Höfn. If you are planning to use buses, remember they don't run every day and they don't stop in every town. The biggest stops from Reykjawould are Selfoss and Vik if you are heading to South Iceland. There are buses that travel to the western part of Iceland once a day. You can check the bus routes from Strætó
During the high tourist season, May beginning of September, a week's car rental with insurance can cost up to USD 600 to 1000. Of course, smaller callers are cheaper but then you would only get to drive the Ring road (also known as Route 1) and not have access to the Highlands.
If you plan to visit the highlands, I really recommend getting a 4x4 car. You can’t access the highlands without this type of car. If you are mainly driving the Ring road and visiting locations that are next to the Ring road, then you don’t need a 4x4. For winter months I recommend getting a 4x4 as wellAlthough the highlands are closed during the winter, having a 4x4 helps you drive in the snow.
The importance of car insurance! Car rentals do offer insurance included in the car rental and I recommend getting extra insurance for the car. Driving in Iceland, anything and everything can happen. Some of the insurance extras you can get are:
Driving while intoxicated
Damage to tires, headlights, windscreen and undercarriage
Damages caused by natural wind
Damages caused by nature (sand and ash storms)
Damages incurred by driving into water
A full tank of fuel can be 90-100 dollars. Remember to ask for a discount code from your car rental.
My best car rental experience has been with Lava car rental. They have an office in Keflavik, about 5 minutes drive from the airport.
Accommodation, eating out
In hostels, prices can be from 20-60 dollars per night, hotels from 100-500 dollars per night. There are also viable options for sharing big Airbnb apartments with your guests if you are willing to share some costs with them.
Eating out is around 20-60 dollars per person. Breakfast prices are usually a bit cheaper than lunch and dinner options. The cheapest way is to buy food and make it yourself.
How to save money in Iceland
1. Do the grocery shopping at Bonus (the cheapest), Kronan or Netto. In some stores, the prices can almost double (not kidding!)
2. If it's possible cook your own food. Eating out is very expensive and two meals at Taco Bell can cost as much as 40 dollars (again, not kidding you). You can also pack some food with you in your luggage like coffee, tea, pasta and rice.
3. Never buy bottled water. One of my favourite things about Iceland is that you can drink the water from a tap! In some places, you just need to let the water run for a while (because sometimes the sewers smell like rotten eggs) and enjoy your fresh Icelandic water. You can even drink the water from nature. So don't waste your money on bottled water all the time. er. And in many places, you can ask for water for free!
4. Use public wifi. If you won't be getting your own SIM card from the airport, use the free wifi. You can find it in restaurants, cafes, shops, Airbnb and hotels.
5. Avoid taxi services. I repeat, avoid taxi services. I once used them and my wallet still hasn't recovered (I tried them in summer 2020).
6. Book well in advance: car rentals, accommodations, tours. Will be much cheaper.
7. Know your banks' serving charges. The charges your bank makes for using your credit card abroad and how much they will charge you should be checked.
8. Use fuel discount cards. You can ask these from your car rental companies.
9. Discount passes. Reykjavik city card offers free entry to several museums, Reykjavik zoo, free access to city pools and saunas, free bus service in Reykjavik and attraction discounts. So it's super handy and saves a lot of money! Icelandic coupons give you discounts to restaurants and bars, as well as attractions.
10. Icelandic hot dogs are one of the best-priced meals and very different from American hot dogs. You need to try them out! A hot dog costs about $4 USD and a regular sandwich will run you about $13 USD.
11. Bring your own sheets. Some hostels will charge you if you don't have sheets with you. And remember to bring towels as well.
12. Download the app Coupons (Icelandic coupons). You can buy from them coupons that give you -20% discounts for eating out in Iceland and on some tours!
13 Sunday is a good day to visit Reykjavik since you don't have to pay for parking.
14 Buy your alcohol and chocolate at the duty-free shop at Keflavik airport.
15. Don’t buy fake Icelandic sweaters. Icelandic wool sweaters are called lopapeysa. The most reliable places to buy an Icelandic sweater that is not overpriced are Thorvaldsenfélagsins or Handknitted.
Things not to do in Iceland
To get your travel in Iceland to go safely and smoothly.
1. Not paying attention at Reynisfraja beach. If you're planning to visit Reynisfraja (the black sand beach) is extremely critical to keep an eye out for sneaker waves. These waves are not like any other waves since they come suddenly and can drag you into the ocean. Once it takes you, you're no more. If you google "sneaker waves Reynisfraja" you can see how dangerous they can be.
2. Climbing on icebergs. They might look strong and something that could be fun to do and have your picture taken. The truth is that these icebergs (especially at Jökulsarlon) can easily crack and suddenly you will fall into the cold water. And if they don't crack, you can easily slip over and hit yourself badly.
3. Traveling to the highlands without a 4x4. Driving to the highlands isn't an easy journey and you can't do it without 4x4. Any other cars will get stuck when crossing rivers and I have even seen videos where a bus has got stuck!
4. Driving off-road. Always stay on the road. It's illegal to drive off the road. Tourists have been doing this a lot and destroying so many beautiful places in Iceland. If you go off-roading and get caught: you will face fines of 500,000 ISK (over 4,000 Euros), potential jail time, and a lecture you will never forget.
5. Stopping on the road for a picture. The car in front of me almost hit me because tourists stopped their car and started taking pictures -in the middle of the road! And this happens a lot. If you want to take pictures, please look for a spot where you can leave your car, walk and take pictures. This is how we can prevent car crashes.
6. Walking on the moss. Iceland has moss almost everywhere and it's really beautiful. The problem is that if you walk on it, it takes decades to grow back. Honestly. The bigger problem Iceland has been having is that tourists end up carving their names into the moss. Like I'm sorry what? It's a terrible way to destroy nature that is very dear to Icelanders.
7. Not dressing according to the weather. The weather is always changing in Iceland and sometimes you can even face four seasons in 5 minutes. But an old Icelandic saying goes: "If you don't like the weather, wait for 5 minutes." It varies so much so be prepared for everything. If you of to explore something and Icelandic tells you to dress more, listen to them and change clothes. There have been many tourists who have gone underdressed, not listened to the warning, got lost and frozen up badly. Oh and remember to pack sunglasses with you; the reflection of the sun against white ice can be blinding.
8. Bringing an umbrella to Iceland. I have never seen an umbrella that would have survived in Iceland because of Iceland's winds
9. Hiking alone. Iceland's nature is beautiful and yet very dangerous. Every year, a tourist that goes alone hiking, ends up in an accident while hiking in isolated areas. In worst cases they have even died or disappeared. If you are traveling alone and would like to hike in the highlands, join a group hike.
10. Entering swimming pools without showering first. In Iceland, there is a strict policy to shower first in your birth suit before entering the pools.
11. Expecting you can see everything. There is a lot to see in Iceland. If you are planning a week-long trip, you should focus on one region and maybe part of a second region. The weather changes a lot and storm alerts can be given in a day or two notice time. The roads can be closed depending on the level of alert. This means you can miss a day or two on your travel.
12. Packing an incomplete wardrobe. Iceland can have sunny and pleasant days during summer, but the bigger chance is to have rainy days and experience coldness. The biggest mistake that tourists make is to bring with them non-waterproof clothes and shoes.
Travelling myths you shouldn’t believe about Iceland
Drinking tap water isn’t safe. It's one of the best tap waters in the world, and it's safe to drink!
Iceland is a super cold country. The temperature rarely goes below -10 Celcius during winter and during summer it is typically 15 Celcius
There is no internet in Iceland. There is and a good one.
You’re guaranteed to see the northern lights. Nope, and definitely not during summertime.
Iceland is home to polar bears and penguins. Nope. Sometimes polar bears do end up in Iceland by a small iceberg.
Icelandic people live in igloos. They live in houses.
You hardly see the sun in Iceland. If you want to see the sun, I suggest visiting Iceland during summertime when the sun barely sets down.
The highlands are just deserts. There is so much to see in the highlands! From glaciers, volcanoes, lakes, craters, hot springs and mountains!
Driving in Iceland
Renting a car is the most convenient way to get around Iceland, but as you can imagine, driving in the winter can present some problems. If you are not comfortable driving in snow, you probably want to stay in the southern half of the country. You should rent a 4×4 if you are planning on driving north. It will be helpful for you to have a shovel or another implement in case you get stuck.
All vehicles should have winter tires in March, but if you would like to be extra careful, you can request studded tires for better grip (until April).
You can always hire a driver who has experience driving in winter weather for your day.
Insurance.
Ask for insurance for your car and make sure they explain what is covered and what isn't. Don't leave until you have the answers. This is super important if something happens during your trip.
Most companies do not cover damage from wind or gravel, which are two of the biggest things to worry about driving in Iceland in the winter.
The speed limit in the whole country is 90 km/h (56 mph) on paved roads, 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravel roads, and often lower. Speeding tickets are expensive and not worth it. Be careful to stay under the speed limit, especially in the main tourist drags.
You must drive with headlights on at all times. All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts at all times. The use of mobile phones while driving is against the law. Off-road driving is against the law (anywhere in the country).
Gas/petrol is expensive and can be hard to find for long stretches. It’s best to fuel up frequently (also, gas station hot dogs are delicious and highly recommended)
Keep important numbers handy: 1777 is the number for road conditions and 112 is the emergency number in Iceland.
Be aware of where you are parking to stop for photos or to stretch your legs – make sure your car is visible to others and out of the way. F Roads are special roads in the mountains of Iceland that are only open in June and July; they have their own special rules (4×4 only, etc.) and each has its own opening and closing dates. If you want to explore F roads, you’ll need to do further research and confirm that you have the right vehicle.
Best time to visit Iceland
One of the most asked questions that eloping couples have is
“What is the best time of the year to elope in Iceland?”
This usually depends on what you want to experience on your elopement day since almost any season time in Iceland is worth of visit! In Iceland, there is a saying that Iceland only has two seasons: winter and less winter which is very true.
Spring in Iceland.
Spring generally comes to Iceland in April and May and on May 1st we celebrate the first day of summer. Sometimes you can still get snow in spring but it usually melts away quickly.
Springtime weather in Reykjavík can be anything from snow, sleet, and rain, to bright sunny days. The temperature averages between 0-10°C (32-50°F).
In springtime, Puffins return to Iceland after being away for the winter. There are a lot of places where you can see a Puffin and they start nesting in April.
Summer in Iceland.
Summer starts in late May or early June and lasts all the way till the end of August. In the middle of June (known as Midsummer) the sun is up all 24 hours and is a very beautiful and out-of-this-world experience to witness.
Temperatures can be as low as 5°C (41°F) but as warm as 25°C (77°F). On average, the temperature is between 10° to 15°C (50-59°F). Summers are not as wet as spring, but it does rain occasionally. Iceland is also a very windy country.
Towards the end of June or the beginning of July, some of the highland roads are opened after being closed for the winter. If you planning to hike in the highlands then July and August are the best months for it.
Since July is a typical holiday month you can expect that July will be super packed with many people visiting Iceland. August is also very popular for visiting Iceland and because of that, there can be sometimes a bit of a problem to find rental cars and places to stay over night. Specially South Iceland, Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Black Sand Beach and Jökulsarlon are heavily overrun.
Summer is also the time to see Iceland 100% in green but there is a good chance that it still in green in September.
Autumn in Iceland.
Autumn starts in late August and ends around late October or early November. You will be able to see Autumn’s beautiful colours. The only downfall is that it may be windy, wet, and possibly quite cold.
But there is a chance to see the Northern lights!
Autumn is similar to springtime in temperature, between 0° to 10°C (32-50°F).
Winter in Iceland.
Winter is between November and March. The years shortest day is on the 21st of December and on that day, the daylight is only 4 or 5 hours long.
In the northern part of Iceland, the temperature will likely drop down to -10°C (14°F). And in the south down to -5° (23°F) or up to 5°C (41°F).
Driving in Iceland during wintertime is not for everyone. The roads are very icy and Iceland has strong winter storms and they can sometimes start just suddenly. When the snowstorm starts, the roads are closed and you should always cancel your plans due to the storm. Many people have got lost in the winter storm and never made it back.
In wintertime, there is a super good chance to see the Northern lights! Also, much more less people visit Iceland during winter so you can really be the only visitor in many tourist spots!
Bonus: cheapest time to visit Iceland.
Yes, there is time to visit Iceland when hotels, car rentals and flight tickets to Iceland are priced a bit lower. This is usually the wintertime when the demand is much lower.
Please note that weather is always unpredictable in Iceland and it can change a lot and without notice.
Activities you can do in Iceland
Best things you can do and see in Iceland.
Whale watching
Horseback riding
Relax in Sky lagoon or at Secret lagoon
Snowmobile
Snorkle
Witness the northern lights
Glacier hiking
Ice cave exploring
Eat typical Icelandic cruisine: like dried fish
Hike in the highlands
Visit Viking world
Spot Puffins for example in Akurey
Visit Hallgrimskirkja in Reykjavik
Enjoy a drink at Olgerdin Brewery, Icelands oldest brewery.
Swim at Seljavallalaug Pool
Visit Leidarendi Lava Caves
Have lunch inside tomato-filled greenhouse Friðheimar Tomato
Visit the worlds largest man-made ice cave
Visit the filming locations of Games of Thrones; Skogafoss, Stakkholtsgjá, Mýrdalsjökull, Reynisfraja, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Svínafellsjökull, Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, Gjáin, Thingvellir, þórufoss, Hengill, Kirkjufell, Höfði, Dimmuborgir, Hverir
See volcanic stalactites in the Raufarhólshellir lava tunnel
Check Icelandic turf houses
Try out Icelandic hot dogs
