Can I see the northern lights any time of year?
No — you need darkness. Aim for September to March and clear skies away from city lights.
Why visit Iceland
Iceland feels like another planet: erupting geysers, thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glaciers and geothermal lagoons. In winter the aurora dances overhead; in summer the sun never sets. It's raw nature at its most cinematic.
This Iceland travel guide covers the best time to visit, top cities, sample routes, budget ranges and how to travel to Iceland — including visa requirements.
Most first-time trips to Iceland work in 10–14 days: fly into Reykjavík, then move only as far as your energy allows. A practical first loop is Reykjavík → Kópavogur → Hafnarfjörður → Keflavík → Reykjanesbær → Borgarnes. Mid-range travellers typically budget $180–350 per person per day on the ground (flights extra). Best time: June–August for midnight sun; September–March for the northern lights. This route, cost band and city shortlist are Global Itinerary’s own planning layer — not a copy of another guidebook.
Capital
Reykjavík
Population
390.0K
Currency
kr · Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Languages
Icelandic
Timezone
Atlantic/Reykjavik · UTC+00:00
Calling code
+354
History
Settled by Norse explorers in the 9th century, Iceland is home to the world's oldest surviving parliament, the Alþingi, founded in 930 AD.
Culture
A tiny, literary and creative population with deep ties to nature, saga storytelling and a thriving music scene.
Best time to visit
Good months to visitJJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
June–August for midnight sun; September–March for the northern lights
Plan with confidence
Know before you go
Getting in & visas
However, as Iceland is not part of the European Union, all travellers entering Iceland, including those from EU countries, are required to undergo customs inspections on entry. Iceland is easily reached via air and the main international airport is Keflavík Airport (), in the south-west of the country about from Reykjavík and serves around 30,000 passengers per day in high season. The airport itself is spartan; if you have a lengthy layover you should bring books or other forms of entertainment. Better yet, make sure you can leave the sterile area and explore the country a bit.
Money & costs
The local currency is the Icelandic króna, denoted by the abbreviation "kr" (ISO code: ISK). Coins of Iceland are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 krónur. Banknotes of Iceland are issued in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 kr.
Getting around
By plane
Aircraft in Iceland are like buses or trains elsewhere - they're the main form of internal travel other than the roads. Be warned though, that the ride can be a bit bumpy if you're entering one of the fjords like Akureyri.
Language
The official language of Iceland is Icelandic (íslenska), which remains very similar to − although not quite the same as − 13th-century Norse (see Vikings and the Old Norse). It is a Germanic language closely related to Faroese (with which it is mutually intelligible to some extent), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish, and more distantly to German, Dutch and English. Loanwords are shunned in Icelandic. For example, the word for computer is tölva, which literally means "number-prophetess". However, En…
Staying safe
Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world with regard to crime, so there is almost no chance of getting robbed or harassed. Isolated incidents have, however, been reported, especially in Reykjavík, so it pays to take the usual precautions. Use common sense when sampling the night life.
Health
The medical facilities in Iceland are good and subsidised for those with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and passport. Scandinavian citizens must show a valid passport to get subsidised medical costs.
Staying connected
Telephone
In case of emergency call 112 from any phone. Such calls are free and will be answered by an emergency services operator who will ask you which services you need (police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, rescue teams, civil protection and protection against child abuse) and for your location.
Practical guidance for Iceland is summarised from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Always confirm official visa, health and safety requirements before you travel.
Getting around & staying connected
Cheapest ways to travel in Iceland
Ride apps & transport
- 1Uber
App-based cars with upfront fares — usually the cheapest metered ride in big cities.
Ride-hailing barely exists — rent a car or use Reykjavík's Hreyfill taxis.
Cheapest SIM for foreigners
Nova / Síminn / Vodafone
Prepaid tourist SIMs with data; buy at the airport or petrol stations.
eSIM (Airalo / Holafly) lets you get online the moment you land — handy if you don't want to queue for a SIM.
Prices and app coverage change often — figures are indicative for 2026, so confirm the current tourist plan in the app or at the airport kiosk.
Plan your trip
A route through Iceland
A suggested loop connecting Iceland's major cities by proximity — a practical order for a multi-city trip.
Where to go
Top cities in Iceland
Akureyri
Iceland
Borgarnes
Iceland
Egilsstaðir
Iceland
Hafnarfjörður
Iceland
Heimaey
Iceland
Höfn
Iceland
Húsavík
Iceland
Ísafjörður
Iceland
All Iceland city guides
16 cities — grouped A–Z so you can scan without loading every photo.
A (1)
B (1)
E (1)
Í (1)
V (1)
In pictures
Iceland gallery
Location
Find it on the map
Plan your trip
Travel cost for Iceland
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Iceland
Estimated total (USD)
$3,965
≈ $1,983 per person · $566 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $265/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Iceland's mid-range daily budget ($180–350 per person on the ground). Flights are a separate estimate and vary by origin.
Good to know
Iceland travel FAQs
Is Iceland walkable or do I need a car?
Reykjavík is walkable, but a car (ideally 4x4 in winter) is essential to explore the countryside.
Is Iceland worth visiting?
Yes — travellers visit Iceland for its landscapes, cities and culture. Start with Reykjavík, then explore the top regions on this Iceland travel guide for a realistic itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
June–August for midnight sun; September–March for the northern lights.
Do I need a visa to travel to Iceland?
Schengen area — 90 days visa-free for many nationalities Use our Iceland visa checker for rules by nationality before you book flights.
How much does a trip to Iceland cost?
Budget roughly $180–350 per person per day for mid-range travel in Iceland, not including long-haul flights. Costs vary by season and how much you move between cities.
Keep exploring
