There is a TON of information about Iceland travel out there nowadays. When I was planning my first trip, I spent weeks soaking up as much information as possible. I had pages and pages of notes and Iceland travel tips that I had gotten from all over the internet. After my trip, I got questions from several people about visiting Iceland, so I decided to condense all my best tips for Iceland travel into one mega-post. This is that post.
And because Iām a budget-conscious traveler, of course the majority of my tips are going to steer toward Iceland travel tips for travelers on a budget. Since Iceland has a reputation for being pretty expensive, these tips will not only help you learn the best ways to plan your itinerary and enjoy your time in Iceland, theyāll also help you save some money!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and purchase one of these items, I will get an itty bitty (no, reallyā¦) commission at no cost to you! Thanks!
Itās a long one, folks. I wasnāt kidding. Hereās a table of contents to help direct you!
1. Why Visit Iceland?
2. Who Should Visit Iceland?
3. Getting to Iceland
4. General Iceland Travel Tips
5. Accommodation in Iceland
6. Food and Drink in Iceland
7. Iceland Car Rentals and Driving
8. Attractions and Tours in Iceland
9. Money and Paying for Things in Iceland
10. What to Wear in Iceland
11. Planning an Iceland Trip
Why Visit Iceland?
I guess a good way to start off a mega-post about Iceland is to address why people should even go. Recently, tourism in Iceland has been on the rise as budget airlines have offered insanely low prices, and more big-name travel publications have showcased Iceland as a top destination.
But why? Why is it so special?
I can tell you why I went: Many travelers I follow online have claimed Iceland as one of their favorite countries and I wanted to see what all the hullaballoo was about. And alsoā¦I found a cheap flight.
Quite honestly, I was skeptical. I really didnāt expect Iceland to live up to all the hype- how great could waterfalls and hot springs really be?
Pretty dang great, you guys.
My takeaway from Iceland was this: Iceland is incredibly unique. The landscape, the waterfalls, the hot springs- Iceland is a breath of fresh air for travelers who have been to one too many European capitals or Asian temples. Iceland has a natural beauty that people donāt get to see very often, and I think thatās why people love it so much. At least, thatās I why I love it so much.
Psstā¦Planning a trip to Iceland? Head to my Iceland page for even more helpful and budget-friendly information on Iceland travel!
Who should visit Iceland?
I mean, Iām not going to say there are people who shouldnāt go to Iceland. Everyone should visit Iceland. Itās amazing. But there are a few types of people who I think would especially benefit from traveling in Iceland.
Bored, seasoned travelers: Like I mentioned above, seasoned travelers who have ventured around the globe often get sick of seeing similar things in every place they visit. Every European capital has its market, its main square, itās looming church, itās street art, etc. But Icelandās natural elements give bored travelers something new to
Newbie travelers: If youāre new to the travel scene, oh boy Iceland is going to spoil you. Iceland has great tourism infrastructure and is set up nicely for people who donāt get to travel much. Pretty much everyone speaks English, road signs and information are in English, and the culture is not as difficult to navigate as many other countries. If youāre going abroad for the first time, Iceland is a great starter country.
Solo female travelers: Now, Iām an advocate for the idea that solo female travelers can go anywhere they dang well
Getting to Iceland
Obviously, getting to Iceland is going to depend on where youāre coming from. There are a number of flights that go between Iceland and continental Europe every day. And with the rise in popularity of Iceland as a tourist destination, more United States-based airlines have added Iceland to their routes.
Iceland Airport Confusion
Travelers to Iceland can sometimes get a little confused. There is an airport in the capital city, called Reykjavik Airport (RKV). This airport mostly serves as a hub for flights within Iceland, and some flights to Greenland. Almost all international flights coming into Iceland will land at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), which is about 45 minutes away from Reykjavik. Even though your flight itinerary may say youāre landing in Reykjavik, you are most likely landing at the larger airport in Keflavik.
But donāt panic! There are multiple bus companies that can take you from Keflavik International Airport to Reykjavik City Center. If youāre picking up a rental car, choose KEF as your pickup and drop off location.
General Iceland Travel Tips
Increased tourism
The secret of Iceland is out, you guys. Donāt expect to touch down at the airport and be the only foreigner in a sea of Icelanders. At the main tourist spots, you are going to have to deal with crowding, but there are plenty of more off the beaten path places you can visit where the tourist buses donāt go.
READ Ā» Reykjadalur Hot Springs: Everything You Need To Know About This Hidden Gem in Iceland
The Sun in Iceland
Because of Icelandās northerly location and the Earthās tilted axis, the sun works a little bit differently. In the summer, the sun barely dips below the horizon, making it light for pretty much 24 hours a day. This is great for travelers, because the sunlight really maximizes the amount of time you can spend adventuring. In wintertime however, Iceland sees very little sunlight- as little as 5 hours in the day.
As you plan your travel itineraries, keep this in mind. If youāre traveling in winter, try not to overpack your days with activities because you may end up adventuring in the dark!
Weather changes
The weather in Iceland is extremely unpredictable. When I visited, the weather forecast showed rain all day, every day. But instead, we only had some light sprinkling on two different days and even one full day of warm sunshine! As you plan your trip to Iceland, schedule in a few āflexā days with no particular plans. This way if the weather turns out bad or if a tour gets canceled because of weather, you donāt have to completely reconstruct your travel itinerary. Planning for flex days will allow you to be flexible with the weather and ensure that the weather in Iceland doesnāt completely ruin your trip.
The deal with water
Tap water in Iceland typically comes from two different sources. Most of Icelandās hot water for showering comes from geothermal water plants, which is why it has an eggy, sulfuric odor. This water is completely safe to use, but itās not recommended for drinking.
Cold water from the tap comes straight from natural springs. It is some of the freshest and purest water youāll ever taste. When you go to fill your water bottleĀ at the tap, let the water run for a little bit until the water no longer has the eggy smell to it. This will ensure that your drinking water is clean and tasty!
When packing for Iceland, itās important to bring your own refillable water bottle. Thereās no reason to purchase bottled water in Iceland when the taps provide such fresh water. Plus, it saves you money!
The potty predicament
Iceland has pretty decent tourism infrastructure, but if thereās one thing it lacks, itās public toilets. You can find free public toilets around Reykjavik- just look for dark green time-machine-looking vessels. And you can usually find toilets near popular tourist spots, but these can be a bit spaced out and sometimes have a fee to use. But if youāre going hiking or venturing off the beaten path, make sure to empty your tank, because odds are there
When visiting Iceland, the key is to use the free potties whenever you spot them. Because the alternative can risk harm to Icelandās fragile nature and quite frankly, is a bit gross.
The locals
As with any country you visit, itās important to respect the locals. They are very proud of their country and itās natural beauty. And while theyāre generally happy to share Icelandās beauty with visitors, itās important to remember that you are a guest of their home.
Overtourism has contributed to changes in the environment as well as contributed to pricing surges around the country. These are kinds of things can be frustrating for locals, so please be courteous and do what you can to minimize your impact on their homeland.
Accommodation in Iceland
There are tons of accommodation options in Iceland. Truthfully, it can be a bit overwhelming to narrow down where to stay during your time in Iceland. Your budget is going to be a huge deciding factor in where you end up staying. Iceland has its fair share of luxury hotels, but I have a feeling you ended up here hoping for some tips on saving money in Iceland. Here are a few tips for saving money on accommodation in Iceland!
Book a place with a kitchen
As weāll explore in the next section, the costs for eating out in Iceland can add up quickly. Therefore, booking accommodation that gives you access to a kitchen will help cut your overall travel costs. You can find lots of AirBnbs with kitchens you can use, and there are a number of hostels that also have community kitchens for your use.
AirBnb in Iceland
Renting an AirBnb can be an affordable option for Iceland. You can choose between getting your own apartment style place, or take a room in a localās home. You do need to be careful using AirBnb in Iceland, though. The government has been cracking down on hosts that arenāt following the rules, and there have been issues with localsā housing costs rising due to the number of people turning their homes into short-term vacation rentals for tourists.
Click here to search for AirBnbs in Iceland
Get up to $55 off your first AirBnb booking here!
Hostels in Iceland
Normally, Iām a huge supporter of staying in hostels when traveling. Iceland has lots of hostels, but they fill up quickly! In addition, many of the locations are not much cheaper than staying in an AirBnb. If you do want to stay in a hostel environment, click the link below to search for hostels in Iceland. Remember to book early to avoid more expensive prices!
READ Ā» Hostel Travel Tips: What is a Hostel and Other Frequently Asked Questions
Stay outside of Reykjavik city center
Just like with most places, if youāre wanting to save money on accommodation, try looking at places outside of the city center. If youāre renting a car in Iceland, it may even be easier to find a place to stay outside of Reykjavik where you donāt have to worry about paying for parking. Reykjavik is a very walkable city, so even if you do stay on the outskirts, you wonāt necessarily have to drive into the city to go sightseeing. You can also take advantage of the public transportation system or even rent a bicycle!
Consider camping during the right season
Camping in Iceland can be another way to save costs! There are public camping sites all over the country, with a range of amenities depending on where you are. There are even some sites that sit adjacent some of Icelandās most scenic attractions. Obviously, this option is best if youāre not visiting in winter or the rainy months.
Depending on the site, there are a number of ways you can camp in Iceland. You can bring along your tent and all your camping gear. Or, if youāre packing lightly for Iceland, there are companies there where you can rent all the camping gear you need. If tenting it is not quite your style, donāt worry! Some campsites have small cabins you can rent. Or, many people choose to reserve a camper van that allows them to drive around Iceland and sleep inside the van.
Note that free camping is NOT allowed in Iceland! Reservations are recommended, especially during the peak season.
Food and Drink in Iceland
In all honesty, this is an area where I donāt have a ton of knowledge. I was so intimidated by the costs of eating out, that we didnāt eat a single meal at a restaurant. Aside from a few snacks, a sample of a famous Icelandic hot dog, and some free lobster soup I got from a guy on the street, all my food was shopped for and prepared by me. So if youāre here looking for some restaurant recommendations, I sadly have no personal recommendations for you. But I do have a few tips on saving money on food in Iceland without having to starve yourself!
READ Ā» How to Eat on a Budget While Traveling
Restaurants and Eating out
Okay, okay, I know I said I didnāt have any restaurant recommendations. But if you donāt have access to a kitchen and eating out is your only option, my budget-friendly tip is to make use of those daily happy hour specials. There are lots of places in Reykjavik that offer discounts during non-peak meal times. If you can schedule your eating around those, that will help you save some money.
My second tip on eating out in Iceland is a bit of a controversial one. While researching your trip, you may have seen a few places where they recommend trying puffin and whale meat, touting it as a ālocalā delicacy. Let me just clear this up- Nobody in Iceland sits down to a nice puffin steak on a Sunday afternoon. No Icelandic family invites the neighbors over for juicy whale burgers. This is just stuff thatās sold to tourists who think itās cool. And it encourages Icelandās already very controversial whaling industry. If your restaurant has these dishes on the menu, maybe just skip āem, okay?
Grocery Shopping
So if youāve followed my advice and have procured yourself the use of a kitchen while in Iceland, this means youāll need to go grocery shopping. Grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, so I found my time in the grocery store in Iceland to be quite enjoyable.
If youāre on a budget, youāre going to want to shop at a store called Bonus. Itās very similar to an Aldi with more off-brand foods and not a ton of choices. But prices are lower than youāll find at other grocery stores. There are many Bonus locations, so I wouldnāt worry too much about having to stop at the first one you see. But if for some reason you canāt find a Bonus for your grocery needs, or maybe you have an aversion to its strange pink pig logo, you could also hit up a store called Kronan- itās pretty similar.
When making your shopping list, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to keep costs low. First, meats and produce tend to be the most expensive grocery items. If you can go without meat for your time in Iceland, it will save you a good chunk of money. Stick to simple meals that donāt require a lot of ingredients, like pasta, PB and J, or oatmeal. Splurge a little on fruits and veg as necessary.
Also, make sure to bring your own bags to the store with you! Iceland is a pretty environmentally conscious place, and theyāll charge you to use their plastic bags. I just brought my packable backpack and put everything in there!
Alcohol
If youāre a booze drinker, youāll need to do a little pre-planning to get your alcohol. The easiest and cheapest way is to buy it in the Duty-Free area of the Keflavik Airport before you exit. Otherwise, you have to buy wine and spirits at specially licensed shops, and there are none in central ReykjavĆk. Any alcohol stronger than 2.25% is sold atĀ state-ownedĀ stores called VinbĆŗdin, which are only open from 11-6, Monday through Saturday.
Iceland Rental Cars and Driving
To rent a car, or to not rent a car- THAT is the question of visiting Iceland. Itās a question I mulled over quite a bit while planning my own Iceland trip, but in the end, I decided the freedom to go and explore on my own timeline was worth the cost.
Iceland does not currently have Uber or any other ridesharing services. There are taxis, but they can be quite expensive. Buses are available and can take you to pretty much all the popular tourist sites, but they can fill up quickly during tourist season, and run less often during low seasons. So if you donāt want to worry about all the logistics of getting around Iceland- I found renting a car to be easiest.
Now, if youāre visiting in winter, youāll also want to consider your own driving skills. If youāre not used to driving in extreme winter conditions, then Iceland is probably not the place to give it your first try. Otherwise, thereās not much thatās different or complicated about self-driving in Iceland.
Getting your rental car
Because renting a car in Iceland is a popular thing to do, there are SO many car rental companies. When it comes to budget, this is not necessarily the place where you want to skimp out. Spending the absolute minimum on a rental car in Iceland may not be the best idea. Iām not saying you need to shell out ALL the dollars, but use good judgment when booking your rental car in Iceland.
Before picking up our rental car, I read dozens of horror stories about people getting charged hidden fees, cars that werenāt in good condition, and lots of poor customer service. Needless to say, I scared myself. I ended up having a good experience, but I learned the ways to make sure I didnāt get myself in trouble with my Iceland rental car company.
Possibly the most important thing to do is to read EVERYTHING carefully. Read about all the insurance options. Read about their age policies. Read about their rules for payment and credit card use. Read it all.
Car rental insurance in Iceland
There is much more that can damage your car in Iceland besides a collision. Many environmental factors can cause damage to cars in Iceland, which is not something most of us have to think about while driving around at home. The wind can cause lots of damage. The sand and ash can scratch up the paint. The unpaved roads and many potholes can do serious damage to the car if youāre not careful.
Iceland is one of those places where itās really just worth it to buy the extra insurance so you donāt have to worry about all the ways your rental car can get damaged. Make sure to read all your car insurance papers thoroughly so you know what things are and are not covered.
Pro Tip: Take photos of your rental car and inspect it yourself thoroughly before driving away from the rental office. Also, check that tires are not dull. These will help you tremendously if a sleazy rental car agent tries to charge you for damages that you didnāt cause!
READĀ Ā» The Best Iceland Golden Circle Self Drive Itinerary
At the gas pump
There are a few things youāll want to know about filling up your rental car at the gas stations in Iceland. First, be careful selecting the āfill tankā option at the pump. This places a hold on your account for a large sum of money, and you wonāt have access to those funds again for several days.
You may also encounter an issue where the pump will ask for a PIN for a credit card. If you donāt have one, as is the case with many in the United States, you wonāt be able to use that card at the pump.
To get around this, there are a few solutions. First, you can choose to prepay for your gas inside the station. However not every station is open all the time so donāt rely on this as your only option. You can also purchase a pre-paid gas card from an N1 station. Then you can use that card at any time at any N1 station.
Also, driving in Iceland was my first time ever having to deal with diesel fuel. I wasnāt driving a huge car, but diesel was actually cheaper to buy than regular fuel when I was there. But if, like me, this will be your first time filling up for diesel, hereās an extra special tip for you: Look around for a glove or mitt to wear before pumping the fuel. Otherwise, youāll get it all over your hands when you take it out of the car. And itās really hard to get off. And youāll forget itās on your hands. And youāll eat a sandwich. And your lips will go numb. Good times.
Tips for Driving in Iceland
When it comes to driving in Iceland, there are a few things that are helpful to know. First, like with anywhere else, read up on Icelandic driving laws and road signs before hitting the streets. It just makes life easier on everyone.
You may be tempted to save some money by reserving a rental car that drives in manual gear. But if you donāt drive in manual at home, please donāt make Iceland your time to try it out.
Youāll want to keep your car pretty full of gas. Once you get an hour or two away from Reykjavik, gas stations become less frequent. You donāt want to be the guy that runs out of gas in the middle of nowhere!
When getting in and out of your car, hold onto your door. The wind in Iceland can be so strong that it blows the door open wider than itās meant to open. This will cause damage to the car and result in your owing money to the rental company.
If youāre not used to driving in wintry conditions, maybe think twice about renting a car in winter. This isnāt really the place to just wing it. Driving on icy roads, in white-out conditions can get really dangerous, even for experienced winter drivers.
Know where youāre going to drive before reserving your car. There are certain roads in Iceland that require 4Ć4 vehicles to handle the more challenging terrain (called F Roads).
Navigating in Iceland is not difficult- especially if youāre not really venturing off the tourist track. If you need the help of electronic navigation, you can either rent aĀ GPS withĀ your car or download an offline map to your smartphone. I downloaded Google Maps and had no issues using it.
Attractions and Tours in Iceland
Iceland has a number of unique attractions and tours for visitors. From magnificent waterfalls and hot springs, to the Northern Lights and puffin-watching, there is a TON to do in Iceland! As you begin to fill your Iceland travel itinerary with different attractions and tours, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
The Northern Lights
If youāre planning a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights, you should probably know this: they donāt show up every night. In fact, conditions generally have to be really perfect to see a crystal clear light show. So if you are planning a Northern Lights tour, make sure to have a little wiggle room in your itinerary in case you have to reschedule for another night when conditions are better.
Also, in order to see the Northern Lights, it needs to be dark. During the winter months when the sun is set the longest, is when youāll have the best chance of seeing them. You may be able to see them in early spring or late fall too. But if youāre visiting in summer, donāt plan on seeing the light at all!
Click here to find Northern Lights Tours in Iceland
The Blue Lagoon
Icelandās Blue Lagoon is one of the most-visited attractions, but there are mixed reviews about whether or not itās worth the price tag. I was a skeptic too, when I visited. But I found that if you have the money and the time, itās worth visiting at least once. If you are looking for something a little cheaper or less visited, Iceland has plenty of other options too!
Click here to find Blue Lagoon Tours in Iceland
READ Ā» 21 Important Things to Know Before Visiting the Blue Lagoon
Other Tips for Attractions and Tours
If you do visit the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, or any of the countryās other hot springs and public pools, it is expected that you will shower off before entering the pools. This means sans bathing suit. It might feel weird, but rest assured that no one is checking you out, and itās the best way to clean off your nasty body oils before getting in the water and sharing them with everyone else.
When booking tours, youāll want to book your spots early. You can risk it and try to book with the tour companies while youāre in Iceland, but during the busy season, you run the risk of tours being sold out. Plus, you can sometimes get a cheaper price if you book early!
If youāre wanting to do a tour to see some of Icelandās fantastic wildlife, double check and make sure youāre visiting in the right season for it. The best time to go whale watching is from April to October, with the peak time in June, July, and August. If you want to see puffins, head to the coastal regions during May, June, July, and August.
Lastly, when visiting all the other beautiful attractions and scenic places in Iceland, please make sure to stay on the marked paths to avoid damaging the fragile environment.
Money and Paying for Things in Iceland
Paying for things in different countries can sometimes be a bit confusing, but Iceland is very modern with its payment acceptance. Here are a few useful tips for accessing your money and paying for things in Iceland.
Credit and Debit Cards
Most everywhere will take credit and debit cards, with the most prominently accepted ones being Mastercard and Visa (as is the case with most places.) Even when it comes to paying for parking at different places, you can pay with a card.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on using a credit card, you may need a PIN to use it in Iceland. If your credit card doesnāt have a PIN, contact your bank a few weeks ahead of your trip to ask for one.
As with any international trip, youāll want to be well informed about your card servicesā policies on ATM fees, Foreign Transaction Fees, and other fees that may be applied while using your card in another country. These fees can really add up and be quite a shock if youāre not informed about them.
ATMs and Cash
Even if you plan on using your cards for the majority of your purchases, it wonāt hurt to have just a little cash on hand. Public restrooms that charge fees will not take card payments, so itās helpful to get some cash and make a small purchase to have coins for the toilets.
If youād rather use cash instead of cards in Iceland, that is an option as well. There are a number of ATMs in Reykjavik, in the airport, and at different places throughout the country. Of course, it will save you the most money in ATM fees if you go once and withdraw what youāll need for your stay in Iceland.
Pro Tip: Do not exchange cash at the airport. This is almost always a no-no when traveling, as the exchange rate is pretty much guaranteed to be crap. Instead, plan to withdraw Icelandic Krona at an ATM. This will give you a much better exchange rate and the ATM fees will cost you less money in the long-run.
READ Ā» How to Pay For Things Abroad
Itās helpful to know the exchange rate before you go to the ATM. The machine will ask you how much you want in Icelandic Krona, so youāll want to know approximately how much the Krona is worth compared to your home currency.
If youāre wondering how much youāll need to get out, it depends on what expenses you foresee. If youāre eating out every day, booking tours and attractions using cash, etc., youāre going to need a pretty hefty amount of cash. But I personally only used Krona for little things: ice cream, restrooms, hot chocolate, etc. I only got out $50 USD in Krona for 5 days, and had to consciously remember to use it.
Tipping in Iceland
Visitors from the United States may struggle with the āno-tippingā culture of Iceland. I know it may seem like youāre being rude by not leaving a tip, but there are times when leaving a tip can insinuate that you think service workers are not making enough money, or that youāre just flaunting your own riches.
In fact, many times your bill will already have a service fee or gratuity added. Icelanders wonāt be offended if you do tip, but they will probably think itās weird.
An exception to this rule is tour guides. You may tip your tour guides for excellent service while in Iceland. But restaurant employees, taxi drivers, bartenders, etc., should not be tipped.
What to Wear in Iceland
There are a lot of questions out there about what to wear in Iceland. With the weather being fairly unpredicatble at any given time, itās not easy to know exactly what to bring.
Your packing needs will depend greatly on what time of year youāre visiting Iceland and what activities you plan on doing while there. In winter, youāll want waterproof boots with good traction, and layers of warm clothing. It will also help to have a more waterproof outer layer for adventuring in the snow and wind. In spring and fall, youāll want to be prepared for rain and wind. Pack warm layers that you can easily shed, but that will provide good protection from cold winds.
In summer, the sun comes out more and you donāt have to worry quite as much about avoiding the freezing weather. During this time of year, you can get away with not having a fully waterproof wardrobe. Instead, just pack an extra set of clothes on day trips in case you get wet.
The best part about traveling in Iceland is that you donāt have to worry as much about sweating through your clothes. This means you can wear and re-wear your layers multiple times through your visit. That way, you can save a bit more space when packing.
READ Ā» Packing for Iceland in Spring: How to Pack for One Week with Only A Carry-on
Planning an Iceland Trip
When it comes to planning an Iceland trip, itās really tempting to cram as much as possible into your visit. If you really want to see everything Iceland has to offer, youāre probably best just moving to Iceland! But as you piece together your itinerary, keeping all these Iceland travel tips in mind, there are a couple more things to consider.
Length of trip
It should be pretty self-explanatory that the length of your trip will determine how much of Iceland youāll get to see. If youāre in Iceland for less than a week donāt even think about driving the Ring Road around the country. Sure, you could make it in time, but you will have had to skip out on a lot of amazing stops along the way. Luckily, if you donāt have a long time in Iceland there are still plenty of amazing day-trips you can do from Reykjavik!
READĀ Ā» The Best Self-Drive South Coast Iceland Tour: A Day-Trip from Reykjavik
Time of year
There are so many things to see and experience that are dependant on the time of year, so odds are after one visit, youāll have to plan another during the opposite time of year. Winter in Iceland is magical, no doubt, but youāll also have to schedule in some āthaw-outā time after exploring the outdoors. And summertime draws larger tourist crowds, so youāll have to leave room to navigate a little extra traffic on the main roads. But if there are one or two things in Iceland that youāre just DYING to experience, make sure to go at the right time of year to experience them!
What kind of activities you enjoy
Listen, if you really donāt like horseback riding and you never have, donāt think that just because youāre in Iceland horseback riding will be any more enjoyable. If youāre not a hiker, donāt commit yourself to one of Icelandās multi-day hiking tours. There is a ton of diversity in things to do in Iceland, make sure you fill your itinerary with things you enjoy doing.
Your budget
Like Iāve said all throughout this post- Iceland will probably not be kind to your travel funds. And thatās okay. Every krona I spent was 100% worth it. But, if youāre traveling to Iceland on a budget, like I did, itās perfectly okay to skip the organized tours and concentrate on the free stuff. I spent a whole day in Reykjavik without spending anything! And another day driving around the Reykjanes Peninsula finding free things to do near Keflavik Airport! No matter what your budget, you are going to have an amazing time in Iceland!
READ Ā» 15 Fun and Free Things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland
The End!
Woo, you guys. We made it! Congrats to you for sticking through it!
I hope that these 50+ Iceland travel tips are helpful as you plan your dream trip to Iceland. Since my visit was short, I only got to see a small amount of the amazing places around Iceland. Places like Diamond Beach, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Akureyri, and Myvatn are all still places Iād like to go back and see.
But thatās part of the magic of Iceland. I think every person I know who has been there is dying to go back another time. While it may be overwhelming trying to plan your first trip, trust me when I say no matter how much you try to do everything while in Iceland, youāll still want to return and see more.
If you want more information on some of the great places you can visit in Iceland, you can find more of my Iceland travel posts here:
HOVER OVER THE IMAGES BELOW TO ADD TO PINTEREST
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on my adventures! Or check out my Instagram for pretty pictures!
You might also like
31 Comments
Iceland has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. But yes, somehow the price tag always puts me off. But I think I really need to get my act together soon and book a trip. It looks so stunning, really donāt want to miss out any more. Thanks for those budget tips, will be a great help once we start planning our trip.
Yes! Iād definitely go sooner rather than later!
Iām so glad someone told us about getting the gas cards since we went in the summer and did a lot of driving when gas stations were closed. I was shocked by how expensive food was, so we did a lot of grocery shopping and eating from gas stations. You have so many great tips here ā wish I had seen all of these before we went!
Thereās always next time! š
I am 1000% sure Iām gonna go over budget hahaha. But youāre right, itās going to be SO WORTH IT!! Canāt wait for my upcoming trip!
Haha! At least you know it beforehand!
Great guide! Iād like to add that there are free toilets in just about every gas station š N1 is the best and found in most of the towns! Also love that you advised people to pick up the insurance on the rental cars! Weāve needed the gravel insurance every time weāve visited Iceland so far, especially during our trips off roading!
Great tips! Thanks!
Hey, thanks for sharing about Iceland, definitely a place to shortlist soon! The photos were great, and Iceland really looks amazing and untouched, especially the nature spots. I guess the way to keep the budget down would be to shop at a local supermarket and make some of your own food? Or if coming from another city, it is possible to bring some stuff over too. Anyways, thanks for great article!
A super complete guide, thanks for that!
Iceland looks amazing, it is so high on my bucket list. š
Itās an awesome place to visit!
I really needed this post when I went to Iceland a couple years agoā¦I spent WAYY too much money haha. But it was such a fun time! I did live off of those Icelandic hot dogs though. I was a big fan of the taste and the price lol
Iceland looks amazing, Thanks for a super complete guide & photos!
I wished, like others here, Iād seen your incredible article sooner. Even though I did a lot of backpacking in Iceland, my budget was not exactly what I had expected and I had to come up with a many plans B to finish my tour.
But I canāt get enough of Iceland. Iāll be preparing soon my next travel to magic island.
Thank you Brianna for sharing your wonderful experience.
Cheers,
Lara
Itās easy to go over budget in Icelandā¦thereās just so much thatās worth spending money for!
OMG such a great post!! definitely saving it for when we start planning our trip to Iceland!
Glad you found it helpful!
I am current planning a trip to Iceland and your article has taught me a lot ā I originally just wanted to find out whether I could pay using my credit card at most places (which I am happy to read they do), but now I feel properly prepared for my trip. We will definitely make sure to allow some wiggle room for good conditions to hopefully see the Northern lights. Canāt wait!
Have a great time!
Hi there,
I thought I had written a detailed article on Iceland and you take the biscuit ā nice:) Couple of comments. 1. I love that you included not eating puffin or whale. I struggle with this crap everywhere we go. I donāt indulge but I also canāt understand why people do. This said, in Norway, the locals do eat the darn sheep head dish called Smalahove. Another we did not try! But sometimes this weird food is what they eat. You are right though, no one in Iceland is like come over for whale steaks tonight. 2. I have the exact same picture of the rainbow Kiki ā funny! The last one for you, Did you go to the āwhale museumā ā we did an epic waste of time and money. I know it sounds ridiculous but we thought there were going to be whales or whale artifacts not artificially constructed āwhalesā. On, and one more the flea market on the waterfront is worth checking out š Great read ā thanks Nikki
Thanks for all the feedback, Nikki! I did not visit the Whale Museum- Iām not a museum person, so I generally skip those when I travel š
This is a really great guide for Iceland. I had a friend who went and at first I couldnāt figure why she wanted to compared to other more well known places she travelled. But when I heard the stories she shared. It just amazed me how this isnāt as a hot item as it should be. She showed me a Dynjandi waterfall video she took on her phone and it was mesmerizing! Definitely on my list of places to visit. I looked up more info on Iceland and found this blog.
I didnāt think I would like it when I went, and it completely won me over! Definitely make the trip!
For alcohol it was cheapest to buy it in Duty free before flight in my Austria. Probably it depends on country?
This place looks so nice. I see it s expensive and eating out is something can greatly increase the budget. Good idea to rent some place with a kitchen!
ICELAND in a great place for traveling really awesome
Thank you so much for all of this detail! We have been trying to figure out how to get there while cutting costs but not the experience. Saving this for when we can start planning again!
Thanks for the great travel tips. I will stay away from puffin and whale meat. I hope to backpack from NupstaĆ°askogar to Skaftafell in the future.
These tips are so perfect for a traveler planning a trip to Iceland. Rightly said Airbnb accommodations are the best option as it mostly has a kitchen which helps people keep their stay arrangements within the budget as they do not spend a lot on eating in expensive restaurants. Iceland is a beautiful place and is on many peopleās dream tourist destination list. The tips in this article are very useful. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Wow, I donāt think Iāve ever read a post this comprehensive on tips for Iceland. One in particular that stands out for me (based on my own experience) is the weather. The day can start out bright and sunny then turn into your worst nightmare. For example, we were driving the Golden Circle ā guess what happened on the way back. A snowstorm! And then it turned dark and we were still up in the mountains. We had to stop to help people who were stranded and we scared to death driving back down. We learned a valuable lesson ā if driving ā no matter the weather prediction plan to get back before dark! Nikki
Hopefully next year Iāll visit Iceland as well (I actually wanted to go this past summer but decided too late and with the pandemic, we couldnāt find a decently priced car).
Until then Iām saving this article for later reference, thanks for the tips!