In this post I want to round up the nicest / best tips from fellow travelers that I have come across in forums, groups and blogs over the years.
Let’s get started…
Tip 1: Picnic instead of restaurant in Iceland!
If you are traveling Iceland on a small budget, there is no way around looking for alternatives to restaurants. They are quite expensive and will quickly blow your budget. Picnics are actually a great alternative here. In summer on a green meadow, in winter perhaps — more conveniently — in your warm car. You can get supplies in the many supermarkets and often also at gas stations in Iceland.
Tip 2: Sunglasses! Yes, even in Iceland and even in winter!
Yeah yeah, who needs sunglasses in a country where the sun only shines for a few hours in winter and where it rains all the time with plenty of clouds to match. I can tell you who: everyone who likes a relaxed drive in Iceland while the sun sits low and every ray of light is reflected by the ice crystals on the ground!
In summer you sometimes get almost 20 hours of sunshine, and sunglasses help here too. Especially if your eyes are sensitive to light, it is simply very relaxing to have a pair within reach.
Tip 3: Waterproof shoes
Especially in winter: waterproof shoes are real lifesavers! If you like being out in nature, maybe want to go hiking, or even if you simply like having dry feet. Rubber boots can be a really good idea and are back in fashion these days anyway.
Hiking boots are often not truly waterproof, or you forget to re-waterproof them. You should definitely do that before a trip to Iceland. Even in summer it rains a lot, and the rain sits around in puddles even if no new rain falls for a few days afterwards. Waterproof footwear simply makes things easier!
Tip 4: Don’t park on the side of the road!
Please, please — even for the best photo: don’t just park on the side of the road!
The roads are often narrow and hard to see ahead. Accidents happen regularly because tourists pull over a little in the middle of a stretch for a beautiful sunset or one of the many sights in Iceland — while of course still blocking the way.
The locals are often traveling at quite a pace, and so are tour buses in Iceland. Yes, of course it is their duty to drive defensively, but quite apart from who is at fault in the end and who has to pay the bill: it is unnecessary and rude.
Just drive on a few meters — there are usually pull-outs every few hundred meters.
Tip 5: A credit card with chip and PIN
In the supermarket and in most shops it makes no difference whether you pay with cash or any credit card. The terminals there accept almost anything.
But: at many gas stations you can only fill up if you have a credit card with chip and PIN. In other words, one where you don’t have to sign anything at the supermarket. Especially if you urgently need to fill up a liter or two late at night, you will appreciate the self-service stations. But only if your credit card actually works there! 🙂
Cards I can recommend are N26 and the Miles & More credit card.
Tip 6: Ask your rental car company about discount cards
I haven’t tried this myself, but I think the tip sounds clever: rental car companies apparently often have discount cards for one of the gas station chains in Iceland. There are several of them here, and of course they want as many customers as possible to fill up with them.
In the Highlands you will rarely have a choice, but along the Ring Road you will probably fill up in the larger towns anyway, and those often have several gas stations.
I’d love to hear in the comments whether you have seen or used this before 🙂
Tip 7: Use the free WiFi in Iceland
Even if you have bought a local SIM card to be online on the go in Iceland, it makes sense to use free WiFi wherever you can. Because data volume is always scarce, no matter which package you booked. At least that’s how it always goes for me 😉
Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, some supermarkets, bars and even the buses usually offer free WiFi. Often without a password, sometimes you have to ask for it.
Ask for the password at the Laundromat Café <3
Tip 8: Water is free
Almost everywhere in Iceland you can get a glass of water for free. In most cafés, restaurants and bars there are pitchers of water where you can help yourself. Even if you don’t order anything else, nobody will give you funny looks here.
Sometimes the water is a bit sulphury when it comes from the tap. Personally I don’t like that and prefer to order bottled water or a Coke instead. It’s not unhealthy though.
Tip 9: Take a sip of water in Silfra
You can not only go diving in Silfra, you can also taste the delicious water without a diving suit and gear. The easiest spot is probably at the end of the route, at the lagoon. There is a big platform there and not that many divers whose way you might get in.
The water is crystal clear and has been filtered through the lava rock for many years. It really tastes absolutely excellent, and you don’t even run the risk that a diver peed in it: they all wear drysuits, and in that case they would only… well, let’s not go there 😉
Tip 10: Prepare well and shop before your trip
Gloves, scarf, beanie, long underwear: you can buy all of that in Iceland too. But there it will quickly cost you twice as much as at home.
I still bought a beanie and gloves locally, because they are beautiful and remind me of Iceland. Long underwear, socks and the like, however, I prefer to buy cheaply at home, because in my eyes they are not particularly Icelandic.
Above all rain-proof jackets: here you pay an unbelievable tourism markup in Iceland. The quality is very high and the investment is worth it, no question. But if you simply don’t have the money, you should prepare accordingly to avoid a nasty surprise.
The Iceland packing list might help you with that.
Even more tips…
Here are the next ten tips for your trip to Iceland.
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