So you wanna go to Iceland? Join the club. Tourism has been steadily climbing each year, with 2.2 million people visiting in 2025. An increase in flights has made it easier to access Iceland. The dramatic landscape, featured in movies, and on social media, has also contributed to the tourism boom.
Iceland holds a special place in my heart. Perhaps it’s because Iceland was our first international trip as a family. Or maybe it’s just because it’s absolutely gorgeous. Whatever the reason, that first visit had us hooked. We’ve been back several times over the past ten years.
I’ve learned a few things about planning a trip to Iceland. Here are some key things you’ll want to know before you go:
1. It’s Expensive
We’re not gonna lie here. Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. Iceland is geographically remote, which results in high import costs so expect to pay island prices. There’s also a high rate of tax. The current value of the U.S. dollar also means that your money doesn’t go as far as it used to.
So how can you save money when visiting Iceland?
Buy Groceries
Dining out is expensive. Getting snacks or food at the grocery store could save you money. If staying in Reykjavik, you’ll find a Bónus grocery store in the middle of downtown, which is convenient if you don’t have a rental car. Some hotel rooms have kitchenettes, for example we like both the Reykjavik Residence and the Kvosin Hotel. Both of these hotels are in prime locations in downtown, have kitchens or kitchenettes, and can accommodate a family of 4.
Eat at Gas Stations
If you have a car, stop for meals at gas stations. The food is pretty darn good. Most gas stations serve Icelandic hot dogs, typically made of lamb, beef and pork. We’ve also had lamb stew, and other Icelandic specialities at gas stations.
Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
Absolutely do not waste money on bottled water. The tap water in Iceland is considered some of the purest in the world.
Travel in the Off or Shoulder Seasons
Peak tourist season is during the summer – between June and August. That’s Midnight Sun season. With nearly 24-hours of daylight, that leaves plenty of time to explore.
Low season is November to March, which is also the best time to see the Northern Lights. There are less tourists, but shorter daylight hours and wintry weather. December is the darkest month, with just 4-5 hours of daylight.
The ideal time to visit might be during the shoulder season – April and May, or September and October. The weather is usually decent, and depending your timing, you might see Northern Lights.
Prices and inventory for hotels is better during the low and shoulder season.
[ Related: No, It’s Not Crazy To Go To Iceland In The Winter ]
Nature is Free
The reason you’re in Iceland is to experience its natural beauty. It’s free to stop at waterfalls, geysers, and glaciers. The only fee you might experience is for parking.
2. Book Accommodations & Activities Early
Iceland is a small country, which means there are limited hotels and rental homes.
This trips a lot of people up. I’m a member of several Iceland Facebook groups and people often post about how they bought plane tickets to Iceland, only to realize hotels are already full (or very expensive!) during the time of their visit. Don’t be that guy!
Once you know when you want to go, reserve your accommodations. When traveling as a family, hotel rooms for four people can be limited. This is especially true when traveling to small towns outside of the Reykjavik area. Book early, and pay attention to cancellation policies. It’s better to secure rooms, and change them later as you solidify your itinerary.
Once you lay out your itinerary and book accommodations, you should start planning your activities. Last summer, I noticed that some activities booked up well in advance. For example, some of the Jokulsarlon boat tours and reservations at the Friðheimar Farm tomato restaurant were booked weeks in advance.
3. Weather Changes Quickly
Weather has a big impact on travel in Iceland, no matter the season. Yes, winters are cold, dark, and stormy. The weather in summer can be unpredictable, too. You’ll hear Icelanders joke, “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes.” We’ve found that quip to be true.
Weather is such a big part of life that there are several unique Icelandic words and phrases to very specifically describe all different kinds of weather. For example, Gluggaveður or “Window Weather.” That’s used to describe when the sun is shining, but it’s too cold or windy to be outside, making it better to watch from the window. There are countless ways to describe rain and wind in the Icelandic language.
KidTripster Tip: The weather app on your phone doesn’t understand the nuances of Icelandic weather. On one of our visits during a winter storm, a local advised me to check the Icelandic Met Office website for the most accurate conditions. Don’t just pay attention to precipitation and temperature. Wind is a big factor in Iceland. High winds can cause flight cancelations and road closures.
4. Pack Proper Gear
When packing for Iceland, lean into layers. This is true year-round. Average temperatures range from around 30°F in winter to 52°F in summer. The wind can make it feel considerably colder.
Always take rain gear, no matter the season. During our multiple visits, we’ve never regretted bringing waterproof rain jackets and rain pants.
We recommend packing the following layers:
- thermal underwear
- waterproof, windproof outer layer (pants and jacket)
- beanie, gloves, and scarf
- practical outdoor shoes, preferably waterproof
When we traveled during winter months, we brought heavier winter jackets. It’s advisable to have jackets with you on the plane. When you exit the plane, it’s possible that you’ll walk outside to a bus that transports you to the airport.
Depending on what shoes you pack, you might want to also bring extra traction for your shoes – like a pair of Yaktrax.
An optional item is a shoe dryer. During one of our visits, my son kept topping his snow boots. We dried his shoes each night in the hotel room.
If you’re taking a nice camera, consider bringing a waterproof cover or housing. You should pack a waterproof phone case if you want to bring your phone into the lagoons.
Of course, if you want to take advantage of the lagoons and saunas, you’ll need a swimsuit.
Check out our Iceland packing list on Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, we may receive a small commission from your purchase.
KidTripster Tip: If traveling with gear is too cumbersome, or if you forget something, you can rent what you need at places like IcelandCover, an outdoor clothing rental store in Reykjavik. If you’re booking an activity, the provider might have gear rental available.
5. Don’t Drive Without Adequate Insurance
To see the country, it’s helpful to have a car. When we visit Iceland in the summer, we like the flexibility of renting a car. Although if visiting in winter months, you might be better off booking excursions and letting someone else do the driving.
When renting a car, pay attention to the vehicle size. The first time we rented a car, we had difficulty fitting our oversized American luggage into the trunk.
Also consider what type of driving you plan to do, and in what season. Do you need a 4×4 vehicle?
Find out what insurance coverage you have. For example, if you have a traveler’s insurance policy, it may cover rental cars. You’ll likely want to get additional insurance that covers sand, ash, and gravel damage. A word of advice, be careful opening your car door. High winds can blow doors wide open and damage the door and hinges. This is a surprisingly common issue in Iceland.
Like everything else in Iceland, it’s good to make your vehicle reservations early, especially during the summer months.
Other things to know about driving in Iceland:
- You drive on the right-hand side of the road, just like in the U.S. and Canada.
- Headlights are mandatory, day or night.
- Roundabouts are very common. In multi-lane roundabouts, the inner lane has the right of way. Traffic on the outside must yield to let the inner vehicle exit.
- As you leave populated areas, fill up whenever you see a gas station. There can often be many miles between gas stations.
- There’s zero tolerance for drunk driving. Iceland’s legal limit is 0.02%. A single drink can put you over the legal limit.
KidTripster Tip: Download the parking app before you travel. The most commonly used parking app in Iceland is Parka which is at major national parks and tourist attractions. Once you get your rental car you can finish setting up the app by adding the car’s license plate. Cell service can be spotty in some of the rural areas where the app is needed so downloading in advance can make it much easier. We also recommend that you download your driving route on Google Maps in case you find yourself without coverage.
6. Good for Multi-Generational Travelers
We traveled to Iceland this past year with our parents, who are in their 70s and 80s. The country is relatively accessible for older adults. You can park close to most major attractions. Places like Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park have paved pathways, boardwalks and/or viewing platforms. Trails to most other natural landmarks are well-maintained, but may be paved with gravel.
If stairs are an issue for your traveling companions, pay attention to whether your hotel offers an elevator. Some buildings do not have elevators. We noticed this when making reservations in Reykjavik.
7. English is Everywhere
Don’t worry about a language barrier. While Icelandic is the official language, an estimated 98% of the population speaks proficient English. English is spoken at hotels, shops, and restaurants.
8. Cashless Country
The Icelandic Krona (ISK) is the currency of Iceland. Credit cards are accepted everywhere and generally cash isn’t needed. The only exception might be if you’re doing an activity where you want to tip a guide or driver.
That said, Iceland doesn’t have a tipping culture. Tips are not expected or necessary, although you may be given the option to tip at touristy restaurants.
KidTripster Tip: If you withdraw cash from an ATM, you may be asked whether you want to be charged in USD or in ISK. Choose the local currency to avoid extra fees and higher exchange rates.
9. Take Advantage of the Stopover
Maybe you’re headed to Europe, but you don’t want to spend your entire vacation in Iceland. Icelandair offers a stopover program. The stopover allows you to stay for a day, or up to a week, at no extra cost. To do so, you’ll need to book directly on the Icelandair website. We’ve utilized the stopover option a couple of times and definitely recommend it.
KidTripster Tip: When you land at Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland, you’re not in Reykjavik. The airport is about an hour outside of the city. A taxi into the city will cost about $150. A more affordable way to get there is via the Flybus. Buses depart regularly with prices starting at around $32 one-way.
10. Once is Never Enough
Warning – when you visit Iceland, you may be bitten by the bug. The bug to return! After our first visit, we immediately wanted to go back. Not only did we want to do things we’d previously missed, but we also wanted to revisit places we’d already been to.
That’s where the stopover comes in handy. From the West Coast of the U.S. where we live, Icelandair offers a lot of flights to Europe. We’ve utilized the stopover to experience extra time in Iceland.
