9 Tips for Traveling in Iceland
View of Reykjavík from Hallgrímskirkja
1. The obvious: Dress in layers, gloves, thick socks, and hats.
If you’re going to Iceland in the winter, no doubt you’re aware you’ll need the basic accessories for keeping warm. But in case you are somehow unaware, let's get it out of the way and just say that these things are super important. The ice in Iceland is there for a reason. Don’t underestimate how cold it can get. Following are a couple of points on more specific clothing tips.
Waterproof is cold proof.
The weather is extremely unpredictable—in a way that you probably have never experienced unpredictability—and it seems the wind is always blowing the snow and hail in your direction. When you finally get somewhere warm, all of that melts and you’re left soaking wet and freezing. I made the mistake of wearing jeggings on our hike to the glacier, as I figured you always warm up from hiking. But a warmed-up body means your clothes will be wet from the melted snow, and you’ll be freezing. Even when I got back to the car, it was still really hard to get warm again. At one point I stopped feeling my pinky toe and found I was repeating to myself, pinky toes aren’t very useful anyway. But if you don’t want to lose your pinky toe, or worse, bring those nylon pants, or at least layer your pants, and always have a change of clothes in the car.
For a look at how cold and windy it can be, see my post on the Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike.
Wear weather-appropriate footwear.
During the winters in New York I usually just wear my Dr. Martins, but being in Iceland I realized why snow boots don't have tiny eyelet openings on them. Maybe I am just an ignorant tropical islander, but I never realized those tiny holes will get your socks wet from the snow and leave your feet freezing. Again, waterproof is cold proof! Our Airbnb host had knee-high rain boots that he let us use, and honestly they were such a game changer.
2. Always pay careful attention to warning signs.
The unpredictability and harshness of Iceland’s climate are also what make it such a stunning place in the winter. But remember that any outdoor sites you visit might look calm for the moment, but dangers can arise very quickly. Still, many places are not equipped with safety facilities, such as railings or safe-distance markers. You will see signs, though, that warn of potential dangers. Don’t be fooled into ignoring them.
3. If you plan to drink alcohol, buy it at the airport.
Regardless of the season, buying your booze on arrival will save you up to 50 percent! Alcohol in Iceland is very expensive: a small can of beer at a bar is around 10 USD, a glass of wine at dinner is easily $20. Only government licensed liquor stores sell liquor and wine, and they usually have very limited hours. Take advantage of the tax-free prices at the Keflavík Airport when you arrive. This goes for a lot of other items too. If you’re in doubt, and you see something you need that’s marked tax-free, it’s probably a good idea to grab it when you can.
4. Capturing the Northern Lights: Don’t skimp on camera equipment.
You’ll need a tripod and a camera that allows for long exposures. You’ll discover that the Northern Lights are incredibly hard to capture on an iPhone (maybe impossible?!). I am not a photo professional, but if you bring a tripod, a real camera, and prepare by YouTubing a couple of videos on how best to set up for long exposures, you can make it happen.
5. Book the Blue Lagoon early.
In recent years, the number of visitors to the Blue Lagoon has skyrocketed. To accommodate the crowds and to ensure a pleasurable experience, all guests now have to book their tickets in advance. And tickets do sell out, so get them early! And if you’re only able to get the 8 pm time slot, don't get bummed out; just get to the site earlier, and chances are they’ll let you in anyway. Read my post on the Blue Lagoon to find out more on visiting this awesome attraction!
6. To keep within your budget, plan to do some cooking.
I’m sure you’ll have a long list of restaurants that you want to try in Reykjavík, but dining out in Iceland can be very expensive, so it’s a good idea to cook or prepare healthy snacks in between your fancy meals. Schedule time early on to stock up on groceries and snacks, especially if you are staying outside of Reykjavík, as choices are much more limited once you leave the city. The store Bonus is a great option for relatively cheap groceries.
7. More on food: Don’t miss the lamb, fish, butter, and skyr.
When you are shopping for your cozy fireside dinner, don’t skip these four Icelandic essentials. Buying what’s best locally will get you not only the tastiest but also the cheapest meals. That imported chicken is not gonna be worth it.
8. Consider the adventure of staying somewhere remote, but if you do…
If you are staying somewhere remote in the winter, be aware that most of the times the entire road will be covered with snow, and sometimes even the street signs are not visible; you will invariably have to rely on some very faint tire tracks to find your way home. The basic rules of thumb are: Wake up early, get home before it’s too dark, and star the small roads to your cabin on Google maps so you can navigate when you have to get off the main road. And last but not least, be sure to borrow a shovel from your cabin host and keep it in your car. You will very likely need it on your way home.
9. Remember you’re not in America, so no need to tip.
In Iceland, your reputation does not depend on tipping. And it’s not expected.