Iceland Travel Tips: Our Honest Survival Guide
Connectivity, driving, currency, weather, food and the little things nobody tells you before your first Iceland trip.
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Hi, I'm Brittany from The Venture Seekers, and if you're heading to Iceland soon, here's my go-to survival kit of tips to make your trip smoother, safer, and way more fun.
Internet and Connectivity
Airalo eSIM. We used Airalo and loved how simple and affordable it was for staying connected. Use code BRITTA8487 for $3.00 off your first purchase.
Portable Wi-Fi. Available through most car rentals for about $10 to $12 a day. Reddit and Facebook groups rave about these for road trips.
Backup plan. Consider a local eSIM or SIM from Síminn or Nova, especially helpful in more remote areas.
Public Restrooms (aka WC)
WC stands for Wash Closet, you'll see this often on signage. Not all public restrooms are free. Be ready to pay a small fee (often around 200 ISK) or plan stops at gas stations or cafés that offer free access with a purchase.
Driving in Iceland
Drive on the right side of the road.
Ring Road (Highway 1). This iconic loop connects the country, but side roads to the North or Highlands may have tolls or require 4WD. Decide what kind of adventure you want so you book the right vehicle.
No pulling off road. Always stop in designated pull-offs. Off-roading damages nature and is heavily fined.
Speed limits and traps. Iceland enforces them strictly, do not exceed limits or you'll get pinged.
Roundabouts. You'll notice Iceland has many roundabouts. The inner lane (the left lane) has the right of way when exiting. If you are in the outer lane (right lane), you MUST yield to cars in the inner lane trying to exit. This is opposite of what some U.S. drivers are used to.
Car rental. We have used Blue Car Rental every single trip and have been very pleased. For 5% off your rental, use this link.
Must-Have Apps
Parka, for parking meters in Reykjavík and other cities.
road.is, live road and weather conditions.
Vedur.is, Iceland's official weather site (super accurate).
Aurora Forecast, Northern Lights tracking.
SafeTravel.is, emergency alerts and road closures.
Gasvaktin, find the cheapest fuel nearby.
XE Currency Converter, to keep tabs on the Icelandic Króna.
Maps.me or offline Google Maps, crucial for navigating no-service areas.
Payments and Language
Mostly cashless. Cards are accepted everywhere, even at self-service gas pumps, but you must have a PIN on your card.
ISK = Icelandic Króna. Always shows up as ISK. No need to bring USD or EUR, they won't be accepted.
No tipping required. A service charge is already included in bills.
English everywhere. Ordering, chatting, and navigating is effortless.
Weather and Clothing
Iceland's weather changes in a flash, sunshine one minute, sideways rain the next. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket, and windproof gear.
Didn't bring the right stuff? Shop at 66°North or Icewear for local outdoor brands, or Bonus for budget hats, gloves, and socks. Bring rain gear for wet waterfall hikes like Seljalandsfoss or Gljúfrabúi.
Tap Water = Safe and Delicious
Icelandic tap water is some of the cleanest in the world. No need to buy bottled, just bring a refillable bottle. Hot water will smell like sulfur, this is safe and okay.
Waterfalls Galore
Iceland has over 10,000 waterfalls, from the famous Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to tiny roadside surprises you'll spot just by pulling over. Bring a waterproof phone case and a rain layer, you'll thank yourself.
Gas Stations and Food
Gas stations are your unexpected best friend on a road trip. Try Icelandic hot dogs (made with lamb), you'll find them everywhere. Soup and sandwiches are common and surprisingly good.
Look for N1, Orkan, Olís, or OB. Some are automated, so use a card with a PIN and pre-authorize 10,000 to 20,000 ISK (you're only charged for what you pump).
Fuel pump colors may differ from the U.S. Green = Diesel. Black or Yellow = Gasoline.
Grocery Shopping
Bonus is our favorite budget grocery chain, super affordable. Bring your own bags, otherwise you'll pay for them at checkout.
Pro tip, pack protein-packed snacks. Most restaurants in Iceland don't open until around 10:00 AM, so breakfast can easily get delayed depending on where you're staying. Book accommodations that include breakfast, or prep something ahead of time at your Airbnb. And don't forget to pack plenty of snacks, especially if you're heading straight out on an early morning adventure.
Respect Culture and Nature
Shower before entering hot springs. It's not optional. It's a sign of respect.
Leave no trace. Icelanders take nature conservation seriously.
Learn a few phrases. "Takk" (thanks) and "Jæja" (let's go) go a long way.
Guest Tips and Extras
Book everything early, especially car rentals and accommodations during summer, spots fill fast.
4WD for Highlands and F-roads. Essential for gravel and river crossings.
Adapters needed. Iceland uses 220V with European plug type C.
Emergency numbers. Call 112 for immediate help.
Offline backup. Maps.me plus downloaded Google Maps are lifesavers in no-service areas.
One last thing
Iceland is thrilling, dramatic, and undeniably magical, but it takes a bit of prep. With connectivity strategies, driving know-how, smart packing, and a heads-up on food and currency, your trip will go from "wow, that was close" to "wow, that was incredible."
Want every spot we've personally vetted across three trips, mapped, filterable, and tap-to-navigate? Grab our full Iceland Travel Guide on Rexby. It's the same guide we use when we go back.
See you out there, The Venture Seekers.
-Brittany, The Venture Seekers
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