Iceland Travel Guide

WHERE IS ICELAND?

Iceland is located in Northern Europe and is situated in between the countries of Greenland, the Faroe Islands and Norway, just South of the Arctic Circle. Iceland is part of the Scandinavian union with Denmark, Norway, Faroe Islands, Finland and Sweden.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Depending on your Iceland bucket list, visiting different times of the year might allow you to check all of your must haves off! In my opinion, the best time to visit Iceland is any time in between October and March as that’s when the northern lights come to life.

If the northern lights are not something that you are interested in, I then recommend visiting in the summer months of July and August. Iceland tends to have a fairly cold and rainy climate year round, so visiting in these months will give you the warmest weather. June also provides 24 hour daylight which is perfect for long days of exploration. 

Since Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, if saving some $$ is at the top of your list, you might want to consider a trip in the off season (September to November and January to May). Visiting Iceland during these months will not only be nice to your wallet, but less touristy, leaving you to visit  the most popular destinations without the big crowds! 

WEATHER IN ICELAND

The weather in Iceland can be pretty cold no matter what time of year you plan on visiting. Iceland is typically the warmest in July/August and the coldest in January. June also tends to be the driest month in Iceland, while the weather in September is the rainiest time of year. This plays a major role in the planning of your trip and what you are visiting for!! 

Winter: November – March

• Average temps of −10 °C (14 °F) to 0 °C (32 °F)
• Snow is almost a guarantee 
• Great time to visit with less tourists and crowds
• Temperatures often fall below zero
• Beautiful winter landscapes, and chances to see the Northern Lights

Spring: March – June

• Average temps of 1°C (33.8°F) to 6°C (42.8°F)
• Sun rises around 6:30 and sets around 20:30 (8:00 pm)
• Most roads are open for travel
• Snow starts to melt and flowers start to bloom
• Perfect time for glacier hiking, whale watching, and diving/snorkeling 

Summer: June – September

• Average temps of 10°C (50°F) to 25°C (77°F)
• Warmest and most crowded time to visit 
• Most daylight for tourists to benefit from
• Best time for hot springs, local festivals, hiking, and road trips

Fall: August- October

• Average temps of 7°C (44.6°F) to 18°C (65°F)
• Mild weather conditions
• Vibrant landscapes and change in leaves
• Less crowded in touristy areas
• Best time for whale watching, northern lights, and exploring lava caves

WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: Icelandic is a Northern Germanic language and is the majority language in Iceland. Although about 314,000 speak the national language of Icelandic, English is also universally spoken around the country. 98% of the population speaks English so you should not have trouble navigating around the country if you do not know Icelandic. 

Currency: The official currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Króna. As of May 2022, 1 Icelandic Króna is equivalent to .0076 USD.

Credit Cards and ATMs: VISA and MasterCard are the two major credit cards accepted around the country while Electron and Maestro are the two most accepted debit cards. You should not have any troubles using a major credit card in Iceland, although you may be asked to show an ID (passport, license). ATMs are also widely available throughout the country and are most commonly found in villages. Each ATM in Iceland does require a pin so just make sure you have that with you. Cash is not a very popular form of payment in Iceland but as always make sure to have some on you since you never know when you may need it!

Plugs/Outlets: In Iceland, the power plugs are type C and type F. Iceland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I recommend buying a converter like this to use for your hair products and an adapter like this for everything else.

Safety: Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world. Since 2008 Iceland has won the “Safest Country in The World” award and ranks highly in the global peace, safety, and happiness indexes. Iceland is a great country for family and solo travel so I highly highly recommend visiting if you have the chance. Always be aware of your surroundings, keep an eye on your belongings and be smart!

TRANSPORTATION

The most popular mode of transportation in Iceland is by car. With there being no trains in the country, it is pretty much up to you to get around on your own. If driving is not your favorite, there are other options such as bus, plane, taxi, or private driver. These options can add up though so I would recommend renting a rental car as it would probably make the most sense for the duration of your stay. If you do decide to drive around yourself, the main road in Iceland is called Hringvegurinn  (Ring Road) and lies along the coast around the island. I would definitely recommend driving Ring Road or The Golden Circle. 

Car Rentals: Depending on the size of the car, you are looking to spend anywhere from $41 to $150 a day for a car. If possible, I would definitely recommend renting a 4×4 or a 4WD as it will make your life much easier driving around on the Icelandic terrain. Cars Iceland, Blue Car Rental, and Lotus Car Rental are some of the best rated local rental companies. 

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