If you’re travelling to Iceland for the first time and want some advice on what to pack, we’ve put together a list of essential items for your backpack – and what you can leave at home
Seljalandsfoss © Bernd Thaller
Packing for a new destination can be bewildering, especially when you’re not sure what to expect. Iceland sounds pretty cold… but how cold? Is there anything you shouldn’t forget because you can’t buy it there? This simple guide to packing for Iceland will take out the guesswork, so you can relax and enjoy the country once you’ve arrived.
Preparing For Your Trip To Iceland
Be sure to have these essentials sorted well before your departure date.
- Passport – Always make sure your passport is valid for at least six months and has plenty of blank pages. This is one of your most valuable possessions, so a passport cover is a good idea to keep it safe. It also makes a handy place to store any tickets.
- Do I Need A Visa For Iceland? – Citizens of European Economic Area countries do not need a visa – that’s basically the European Union plus EFTA countries like Norway and Switzerland. If you’re coming to Iceland from outside the EEA, you’ll need a Schengen area visa, which allows up to 90 days travel around nearly the whole of Europe. See the Icelandic immigration site for full details.
- Accommodation – Prices and availability fluctuate, and costs will be considerably cheaper if you book around three months in advance. A trusted comparison site like Booking.com will help you find the best prices.
- Flight Ticket – As with hotels, start looking for flights around three months before you leave with a site like Skyscanner. You may be required to show your return ticket when you first arrive, so carry a print out of all tickets.
- Domestic Transport – Iceland does not have a rail network, so domestic transportation is principally by road – either coach, bike, or hire car. Other options are by air and sea. Weather can be an obstacle, so we recommend using experienced guides for any exploration of the country beyond Reykjavik. These are always worth booking well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Debit and Credit Cards – Get your bank to verify that your cards will work overseas and won’t be eaten by an ATM in Iceland. Internet banking can be a lifesaver too.
- Document Scans – Keep photos of your passport, cards, insurance, and other key documents backed up to an online service like Gmail, Dropbox, or Google Drive. This way, you’ll always have copies available. Make sure you also have any contact details of banks and other important institutions in case of emergency.
- Vaccinations – Iceland is very safe and, in addition to your standard vaccinations, you only really need to worry about Hepatitis A and B, and rabies. All the same, check with a doctor at least 8 weeks before you travel, as they’ll be up to date with the latest advice.
- Face mask – COVID is still very active in many countries and you may be required to wear an SFP2 facemask on the plane and in some indoor spaces. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser when you travel.
Travel Insurance For Iceland
Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
What Clothes To Pack For Iceland
Whilst the climate in summer can be mild, you should always pack for cold when travelling to Iceland, as the wind can make it feel very chilly. Make sure your clothes are comfortable and use layers, so you can shed a couple if you do get warm. Toasty base layers will do most of the work here, and make sure you have durable, waterproof boots and a coat or jacket. A winter hat, gloves, and a scarf will top things off and make sure your extremities are protected.
Having said that, be lean with your packing, rather than taking your whole wardrobe in anticipation of frozen conditions. See our full Holiday Packing List for Cold Weather.
Some good sunglasses are also essential to protect your eyes from the glare, particularly if you’re going to be gawping at glaciers.
Health And Grooming Items To Pack For Iceland
The shopping experience in Reykjavík and other more densely populated areas is pretty similar to many other European cities and you shouldn’t have much trouble getting what you need. Even many of the brand names will be the same. However, you won’t find many over-the-counter medicines on the shelves of supermarkets. You’ll need to go to a pharmacy (or apótek) and they’ll decide what is best for your specific circumstance.
- Prescription Medicines – Bring a full supply of any prescription medicines you require, preferably in their original packaging.
- Antihistamines – For various reasons, the pollen count has been rising in Iceland over recent years. Antihistamines are available without prescription.
- Sunscreen – Don’t let the chilly weather fool you, sunscreen is necessary whenever the sun is out. We recommend Neutrogena SPF 45 Drytouch Sunscreen, which is non-greasy and is absorbed instantly.
- Insect Repellent – Bugs are not much of a problem in Iceland. However, if you’re going to be out in the country during the summer months, it doesn’t hurt to keep midges away. There are plenty of brands on Amazon.
- Refillable Water Bottle – As with sunscreen, Iceland’s relative cold can be deceptive when it comes to dehydration. Carry a full water bottle so you always have a refreshing drink available. The Nalgene OTF is excellent.
- Quick Dry Towel – Though most accommodation will supply towels, it’s useful to pack something lightweight and non-bulky for unexpected situations. Sunland sells great towels that are reasonably priced and small enough to fit into any luggage.
- Tissues – As with a towel, a pack of tissues is handy for all manner of small emergencies. Hand sanitiser is small and useful too.
- Moisturiser – A revitalising addition to any trip, moisturiser is especially valuble for counteracting the effects of Iceland’s wind. Pricier brands like CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion and Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream genuinely feel better to me than standard moisturisers. You may disagree.
- Lip Balm – The wind and cold can also be pretty brutal on your lips, so make sure you carry some balm with you at all times. Aquaphor Lip Repair is a great choice.
- Hair Conditioner – You may find the mineral content in the hot water dries out your hair. Bringing a good condition like TRESemmé Repair & Protect will help.
- Ear Plugs – Useful for long journeys or when you’re sharing a dorm room with a snorer, ear plugs come into their own in the rowdier parts of Reykjavik over the weekend. Moldex ear plugs are an excellent brand and very cheap too.
Electronics To Pack For Iceland
- Plug Adaptors – Iceland uses the same two-round-pin plug socket as many European countries like Germany, so bring the specific adapter or a universal adapter, like the CleverTrips Universal Travel Power Adaptor.
- Cellphone: If you need to use a local SIM card and your current handset is still locked to a contract, you can get a cheap device just for the trip Similarly, not all North American phones use the same standard as Iceland, so check your mobile will even work before you leave.
- Icelandic SIM Card – EU and EEA residents will generally be able to use their SIM for trips of 1-2 months to Iceland without paying any extra. Check with your provider for terms and conditions. If you need to buy a SIM, you can order in advance from the country’s largest network Síminn and pick it up when you arrive. This page also has a coverage map and gives store information.
- Make sure you have a suitably durable case. Otterbox make the excellent Defender series of cases which will protect your device from the worst.
- You may be away from a power source for long periods, so will need a power bank to keep your phone fully charged while you’re travelling.
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones – A pair of noise-cancelling headphones are a great addition for long journeys or for blocking out your surrounds.
- Camera – If you’re looking to take a lot of photos, you should consider a separate camera . I’d recommend the Canon Powershot range which are super compact, easy to use and quite cheap.
- Be sure to bring plenty of memory cards. Change them regularly and backup images immediately, so you don’t lose anything.
- Kindle – A Kindle reading device will relieve the boredom of inevitable downtime in places like airports. You can store thousands of books on these lightweight devices.
- Chargers and Cables – Don’t forget your chargers and cables! You can get replacements from an electronics store like ELKO or Tölvutek but it’s an inconvenience when you could be doing more interesting stuff.
Luggage For A Visit To Iceland
- Backpack or Suitcase – Invest in a durable backpack brand like Osprey that will hold all your stuff comfortably without discomfort. Make sure the harness can take the load – the weight should be supported on your hips. See Amazon for bargain backpacks.
- If you’d prefer a suitcase, make sure it is high-quality luggage that’s large enough to fit everything with some extra space for anything you buy while you’re away.
- You’ll also need a smaller bag for general day-to-day use.
- Travel Cubes – Whatever luggage you travel with, travel cubes will change your attitude to packing. By grouping all your clothes into three or four cubes, you can rapidly pack and unpack, rather than emptying a mess of clothes on the floor. Pack different kinds of item in separate cubs and get different colours to tell them apart.
- Wash Bag – A decent, waterproof pack to store all your toiletries is really useful. A well-designed one will open up and let you access just what you need. Make sure it’s durable enough to stop any leakage. The Magictodoor travel kit is a thoughtfully manufactured and inexpensive example.
- Airports have a 100 mL limit on liquids, so pack large bottles into your checked luggage or decant them into smaller containers to include with your cabin bag.
- Luggage Locks – These are worthwhile to keep your bags from mischievous attention. If you are travelling via the USA, make sure they are TSA-approved locks.
- Travel Wallet – A quality travel wallet is a worthwhile investment to keep cash, cards and other valuable items out of harm’s way. We recommend the Lewis N. Clark RFID Security Wallet. It’s big enough for passport, cash and other essentials but still small enough to wear comfortably beneath a shirt.
Planning What To Do And Where To Go In Iceland
- Iceland Guidebook – A guidebook remains the most convenient and trustworthy introduction to Iceland. Get one or two by trusted publishers a few months ahead so you can really get to know what’s on offer. Lonely Planet Iceland would be my go-to choice.