Planning a trip to Iceland isn’t necessarily hard, but there are a lot of logistical details that go into making it a successful trip. (You can read about my own Iceland mishaps here.)

I’ll be the first to sing the praises of Iceland’s stunning landscapes: from expansive lava fields to incredible fjords, black sand beaches and majestic waterfalls. But I’ll also be the first to warn you that while Iceland is an incredibly safe destination, particularly for solo travelers, its landscapes are rugged and nature can be an unpredictable host.

While I’m very much a fan of exploring the country on your own, there is zero reason to take unnecessary (and oftentimes stupid) risks. For instance, I’ve personally witnessed a whole family, kids included, walking onto a glacier late in the evening without crampons or a guide. This happened as our small group was leaving the ice and there was no one else left behind. Our guide warned them this was not only not allowed, but also extremely dangerous. Did they listen? Nope. This kind of behavior is incredibly reckless and can put a strain on Iceland’s volunteer rescue service.

If you plan your trip with me, you’ll get a custom-made itinerary with tours that fit your style, sightseeing recommendations, guides and tips. For this blog, I’m going to highlight some of the major dos and don’ts you should be aware of when traveling to Iceland.

Best Time to Visit

There’s not really a bad time to visit Iceland. It depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Every season offers its pros and cons.

Summer (June - August) reigns supreme for many seeking the classic Icelandic experience. While temperatures hover between 9°C and 14°C (48°F - 57°F), even in July, the extended daylight hours, ranging from 18 to 21 hours, offer ample time for exploration. This prime season is ideal for: hiking, driving the Ring Road, whale watching, puffins, midnight sun. However be prepared for crowds. Summer is Iceland's peak season, so expect more tourists and potentially higher prices.

Shoulder seasons (April/May and September/October) offer a good compromise. While temperatures remain cool, they are less extreme compared to winter. Daylight hours are still sufficient for exploring, and the chances of witnessing the northern lights increase, particularly in April and October. During these months, you can still drive the Ring Road, but it will be more important to keep an eye on the weather since storms can be unpredictable. Keep in mind there may be some reduced operating hours during these periods.

Winter (November - March) transforms Iceland into a snowy wonderland. This is the best time for seeing the northern lights, dog sledding, and visiting the ice caves. Daylight hours are very scarce, however, with only about four hours of daylight in December/January. Also, snow covered roads can limit travel, so I do not recommend setting out on a Ring Road trip during this time of year.

Midnight Sun along the South Coast
May 2018

How Many Days do I Need in Iceland?

Again, that depends on how much you’re looking to get out of your trip. I’ve booked as little as a 5 night trip, and as long as a 3 week trip.

With 5 to 7 nights, you can either explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle, Vik and Reyjkavik comfortably, or you can trade Snaefellsnes Peninsula for the full drive along the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

With 7 to 10 nights, you could comfortably explore Reykjavik, Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Golden Circle and South Coast.

If you’re looking to drive the full Ring Road, I would recommend 12 days minimum with the expectation that you will not be able to see everything along the route. If you’d like to also include the West Fjords onto the itinerary, then I would recommend at least 16 days to accommodate all of the driving. Keep in mind, summer is the best time to do this as conditions can be dangerous during the rest of the year, and roads become impassible due to extreme weather conditions.

I find that US travelers in particular often underestimate driving distances in Iceland. I was guilty of it too, and that’s probably because we’re so used to driving long distances, that it becomes second nature.

The most extreme example I’ve come across was someone looking to drive the entire Ring Road in 3 days, with must see stops at the Golden Circle, Akureyri, Dettifoss, Stuðlagil, Vestrahorn, Jökulsárlón and Vik. The Ring Road (Route 1) is the main road that goes all the way around Iceland and it spans 1,328 kilometres (825 miles). So you can see that a 3 day roadtrip is simply not possible. Not only are the speed limits strict, weather can often slow you down and if the drive involves any sort of gravel roads, then the length of time pretty much doubles. My latest Ring Road trip was 10 days, with an additional 2 nights outside Reykjavik to hit the city and Golden Circle, and even that felt a little rushed. Some days there was a lot of driving.

Group Tours vs Self Drive

This choice is dependent on the type of traveler you are, the time of year you’re visiting and how comfortable you are with driving.

Renting a car and doing a self drive tour is the most flexible way to explore the country, and generally what I plan and book for my clients. With your own car, you can visit off-the-beaten path destinations that are not serviced by tour companies, you can set your own schedule and take as much time as you need at each stop.

Joining a group tour makes sense if you’re not comfortable with long drives, or when visiting in the winter and staying in Reykjavik. There are a number of group tours that will take you to the major hot spots like the Golden Circle, all along the South Coast and Snaefellsnes Peninsula. There are also multi-day tours that will allow you to see more of the country.

Small activity tours are different. Usually you meet up on location and join these tours if you’re going on a glacier hike, visiting an ice cave, riding snowmobiles or ATVs. These are often combined with self-drive tours for a rounded experience.

Iceland Dos:

Plan ahead

If visiting in shoulder or winter seasons, there is some leeway on how far ahead you’ll have to book your trip. But if you’re visiting in more popular summer months, you’ll want to start thinking about securing those accommodations 8-9 months in advance. This is especially important if you are traveling the Ring Road. Unlike Reykjavik and Akureyri, much of the country is remote and accommodations are extremely limited, particularly in the East Fjords, and along the southern coast east of Vik.

Be flexible

While it’s important to plan ahead, also go into your trip with some flexibility. Don’t expect to hit every single thing on your list just the way you plan it, because things do happen, weather can be tricky and you might just fall in love with a particular spot and want to stay there a little while longer.

Ok, I’m speaking from experience on that last one—Stuðlagil was absolutely worth the trip and we did not want to leave. On the flipside, low hanging clouds obstructed Vestrahorn and my dreams of photographing the mountain range on a clear day with flawless reflections at low tide fizzled rather disappointingly. My camera was also a useless brick by that point, but that’s another story.

Go for the experience, not the check list. And if you don’t hit it the first time, you can always go back (or at least, that’s what I tell myself).

Buy travel insurance

A lot of credit cards have built in travel insurance but the coverage might not be as good as supplemental travel insurance. I highly recommend purchasing insurance for any non-refundable portion of your trip, so that you are covered should anything go wrong. From flight delays or cancellations, lost luggage, weather events, etc.

Book hot springs reservations

Iceland’s most popular hot springs is undeniably the Blue Lagoon. Due to recent volcanic eruptions in the area, the Lagoon has had unreliable hours, but if you’d like to visit during your trip, it’s important to book well in advance. Similarly, the Sky Lagoon has only increased in popularity over the last year. I’ve enjoyed them both, and they have very different vibes. I’d recommend checking them both out if you have the time.

There are many other hot springs around Iceland that won’t require such careful planning. My recommendations are Hvammsvik Hot Springs, Forest Lagoon, Mývatn Nature Baths and Vök Baths.

Shower thoroughly before entering a hot spring or pool

This is a big deal and how Iceland maintains its hot springs and pools clean. While public nudity isn’t something US travelers are accustomed to, it’s not a big ideal in Iceland. You will be expected to shower thoroughly (within your swimsuit!) before entering a public pool or hot spring. And yes, this is taken seriously.

All hot springs and pools have separate locker rooms for men and women. The Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon both have private shower stalls.

Bring a credit card with pin

This is crucial for self-service gas stations. The pump will require you enter a pin before dispensing gas. I recommend not using your debit card because the station will put a hold on your card for the cost of a full tank of gas. The money will be released a few days later, but if you’re counting on it for expenses, that could be a hassle.

Get gas as often as possible

Specially while traveling in more remote regions. It’s just a good idea to have a good amount of gas at all times. I think I was fueling up whenever the needle hit half a tank.

As an added note, do not hit the Fill Up option on the pump, it is best to fill up in increments until you’re happy with the amount or the tank is filled. The fill up option will charge you for a full tank of gas regardless of how much you actually pumped. Again, the difference will be returned to your card within a few business days.

Use the bathroom whenver you see one

Public restrooms are kind of scarce, and often will cost about ISK 200 (about $1.50 USD). Some restrooms will accept card, while others require change so it isn’t a bad idea to have some krona with you.

Check the weather and road conditions

When in Iceland, it is important to be literally obsessed with the weather. The best sites to check road and weather conditions is road.is and vedur.is respectfully. The weather forecast is only reliable about 48 hours out, but things can change at any time. Another good website to keep on hand is safetravel.is

Turn on your headlights

It’s the law. Headlights must be turned on all the times while the car is on the move. Even though it is bright outside the headlights must be switched on.

Follow the speed limits

In urban areas the speed limit is 50km/h although close to schools and other activities it is 30Km/h. Usually you can drive at 90 Km/h on the highway. When you come across a gravel road the speed limit is usually 80 km/h, but I found myself driving closer to 60 km/h on gravel roads depending on their condition. There are occasional speed radars/cameras throughout the Ring Road, there'll be a sign with a camera on it to warn you ahead of time. If you speed past it, you might end up receiving a ticket in the mail several months later.

Be careful of animals

When you drive the highway or country roads it is not unusual to see farm animals by the roadside and sometimes they can cross the roads without any warning. May is lambing season, and these little rascals often escape their fences to wander greener pastures. Even if that “greener pasture” means that one blade of grass on the side of the road. Drivers who cause injury or death to such animal may be liable to claims for compensation. It’s also worth noting that there are no wild horses in Iceland, they are all owned. Sheep will wander free all summer and you’ll see them all over the countryside, including on the sides of mountains (just think of the poor farmer who has to climb up there to get them in the autumn).

Visit as many waterfalls as possible

I’m not even kidding. There’s so many waterfalls, and each one completely different from the next. And yes, even the popular ones. They’re popular for a reason. Don’t think of it as a tourist trap - spots like Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Gullfoss are some of the major stops for group tours but that doesn’t mean you should avoid them.

Want more waterfall inspiration? Here are 10 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland Worth Your Visit.

Pay attention to posted signs

This is specially important at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. There have been causalities at this beach because of dangerous sneaker waves that can drag a person out to sea. Be mindful of the surf, never turn your back to the ocean and stay well away from the waterline. Other signage to be mindful of are drone prohibitions. And I say this as a hobby drone pilot. Many of the popular sites have prohibited the flying of drones, so please be mindful.

Pick up supplies at Bónus

There are a few chain supermarkets in Iceland, but Bónus will give you the best prices. Stock up on self stable supplies if you’re road tripping to cut down on the costs of eating out. Pro tip: supermarket (or gas station) pre made sandwiches are pretty great.

Try the local food

While I wouldn’t recommend eating out for each one of your meals, definitely do try the local cuisine. I don’t consider myself a foodie, but I do believe that sampling the food is part of the travel experience. And by this I mean try out the lamb, the fresh fish, hot dogs, the rye bread ice cream at Loki Cafe (Reykjavik), the bread, donuts and pastries, and the coffee. If you’re brave enough to try out the fermented shark, power to you. I was not that brave.

Rent a WiFi Hotspot

If you’re traveling with family or friends, a WiFi hotspot is indespensable in order to stay connected, keep your GPS running and give you that extra layer of security should you need help or answer any questions while on the road. I personally use a Trawire hotspot, which allows you to connect up to 10 devices. If you’re traveling solo, an eSIM might be a more cost effective option.

Iceland Don’ts:

Risk your life for a photo

This is common sense, but it still has to be said. It’s not worth risking your life for a photo. Putting yourself at danger will ultimately put Iceland’s volunteer rescue team at danger by having to rescue you should anything go wrong. This includes standing too close to cliff edges, too close to the ocean at dangerous beaches, stepping on ice without proper gear, venturing off a marked trail, driving through a storm, etc.

Walk onto a glacier without a guide

I really can’t stress this one enough. While on our 3.5 hour glacier walk, our guide consistently checked the ice for crevices and led us up the glacier safely in single-line formation. Not once did we stray from her path unless she told us it was safe to spread out a little. I can’t imagine venturing onto a glacier without a trained professional telling me what’s safe and what isn’t. With the amount of hidden crevices and unstable ice, going at it on your own can easily spell disaster.

Underestimate the weather

Iceland’s weather can change drastically and without warning. Always check vedur.is before setting out each morning so that you’re prepared for what’s ahead. Along the south coast, the wind can get particularly fierce. Be sure to hold onto your car doors when getting in and out of the vehicle because the wind has been known for bending or taking them off completely. Be extra careful driving during wet or snowy conditions, and don’t underestimate extreme weather or storms.

Even when the weather looks clear, strong wind gusts can pose a threat. I recently had clients roadtripping along the South Coast call me up one day because the Ring Road was closed due to extremely high winds. They were bound to Jökulsárlón for the day, but now couldn’t make it to their hotel. I was able to find them last minute accommodations nearby, and get a refund for their hotel near the glacier lagoon. Ultimately, they were able to keep going the following day and ended up having an incredible trip (and getting engaged!). This is why it’s so important to be flexible with your plans.

Pack plenty of layers so that you can be comfortable throughout the day. Need help with what to pack? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Packing for an Unforgettable Iceland Adventure.

Wild camp

Wild camping is now banned in Iceland. If traveling by camper van, or pitching a tent for the night, you must travel to a designated campsite for the night. Keep in mind they do book up, specially during the summer months and it’s best to plan ahead.

Drive F-roads without a 4WD vehicle

F-roads are rough, unpaved gravel roads usually leading to remote inner parts of Iceland. Although not only found along the highlands, some of the more well-known ones are there. A normal 2WD sedan or crossover vehicle is not equipped to cross these extreme roads, which often involve river crossings. You will need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to travel the F-roads (which are only open in the summer months).

Stop on the road

I know, it’s tempting. Only pull over in designated viewpoint areas, parking lots or areas with wide berms. Never stop on the road, even if it doesn’t look like there’s any traffic.

Drive off road

This is illegal. Driving off-road can damage the landscape and you will receive a fine if caught.

Step on the moss

Did you know that the moss you see all over lava fields takes hundreds of years to grow? Much like driving off road, stepping on it causes irreparable damage. Don’t do it.

Iceland is a really special destination. I hope this was helpful to answer some of your questions about planning and traveling to the land of fire and ice.

The best way to travel to Iceland is with a well thought out itinerary customized to your style so that you can hit the spots and partake of the activities that are most important to you. Tap the button below to get in touch and start planning your perfect Iceland getaway.

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Additional Iceland Reading:

20 Best Photo Spots in Iceland You Shouldn't Miss

10 Best Destinations to Chase the Northern Lights

Top 10 Beautiful Waterfalls in Iceland Worth Your Visit

The Ultimate Guide to Packing for an Unforgettable Iceland Adventure

From Wanderlust to Business: How I Turned My Iceland Passion into a Special Niche

Traveling to Iceland? Here are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts