It is no secret that I loved Iceland. But my trip was so improvised that I had but little time to plan, so when I arrived a lot of situations took me by surprise. I usually do a lot of research before visiting a country, but in this case I basically jumped on a plane and two hours later I was in Reykjavik with no idea of what I was doing. That’s why I decided to create a quick list with all the things to know before travelling to Iceland. Hope it helps in case you are planning a visit to this beautiful country!
1. It is EXPENSIVE
I had read tons of comments about the prices of food and other basics, but I thought they were exaggerating. Spoiler alert: they were not. Just a can of soup in the supermarket can cost up to $10.00 USD and a meal for one in an average restaurant can go to $50.00 USD. No alcohol included.
If you want to save some money, it is better rent a place with a kitchen and go to Bonus, a famous low-budget shop in Iceland. I found out that frozen vegetables and pasta were the most affordable items.
If you want to eat out, street hot dogs are very reasonably priced. I also ate a lot of cheap wraps and sandwiches from convenience shops. Yeah, don’t expect to get any thinner during your trip.
At the end of my trip, I did manage to eat a famous lobster soup in Saegrinfinn, a lovely fish shack next to the ocean with some local delicacies. This place is definitely one of the things to know before travelling to Iceland if you enjoy eating in restaurants without bankrupting yourself. The bowl was around $12.00 USD, which is still kind of pricey for soup, but still within reason. It also came with a big tray of bread and butter. The restaurant offered some other local dishes, like (can you believe it?) whale! No, before you ask, I did not try it, but not because I am a total wuss, it’s because it was not on my budget OK? The more times I say it, the easier it is to believe it.
2. People are lovely
People are a big part of a country’s appeal, so one of the things to know before travelling to Iceland is that the locals are incredibly nice. Seriously, every time I walked into a shop or asked for directions, the people were incredibly nice and friendly. They would start small talk with me and ask me about my trip. Language is not a problem, since most of the Icelanders I met spoke a really good English, at least in Reykjavik. I got really good tips about where to buy affordable souvenirs (like Kolaportid Flea Market) and the best company to see the Northern Lights (Grey Line Iceland).
3. The hot water smells
And I mean it. The first time I took a shower I thought the pipes of the Airbnb were damaged. I was almost about to complain to the landlord when one of the other guests explained. This is definitely one of the things to know before travelling to Iceland because otherwise you can make a fool of yourself with your landlord.
Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with the water. It is actually one of the purest in the world. But since Icelandic hot water comes from geothermal plants, it has a strong sulphur odour. I discovered that it is really good for the skin and my face was always soft and clear.
If you want to drink it, just make sure to pour cold water from the tap. It comes from a different place than the hot water, so there is no sulphur. Then just heat it on the stove, otherwise you’ll drink tea with eau de rotten eggs.
4. The weather is crazy
I went in winter so basically it was cold all the time. However, there were still changes during the day. It could be windy one minute and snowy the next. Cloudy and then sunny. At some point I thought I was not going to make it to the Concert Hall because the wind kept literally pushing me back. My body had never been so numb!
Don’t forget to layer up and bring an umbrella. If you are going during the cold months, a winter coat is a must, as well as a hat, gloves, scarf and some waterproof boots. I didn’t have the last ones, so my feet got wet constantly and let me tell you that it hurts. But with the proper attire, you will be able to enjoy Iceland to its maximum!
5. Reykjavik is small
Don’t get me wrong, it is charming, I really enjoy walking around its streets and seeing the colourful houses. The cathedral and the Concert Hall can’t be missed and the view from the lake is stunning! However, just a couple of days were enough to see everything. I would say that the beauty of Iceland lies mostly on its natural wonders, such as its waterfalls, geysers and glaciers. I would suggest to spend one or two days in Reykjavik and then venture into some other places outside of the city. I took a tour to see the northern lights and the Golden Circle and they were absolutely worth it. If you don’t like tours, you can also rent a car and do a road trip.
6. If you do decide to drive, be very careful with the road conditions
Icelandic roads are not for the faint-hearted. I am not just talking ice on the road, the snow can be so thick that with a blow of wind your visibility is reduced to zero and you HAVE to pull over and stop. There are also mini hurricanes that can affect your trip. Don’t worry, Iceland is very good reporting potential dangers on the road, but be extra careful to avoid any accidents Make sure to check out road.is to keep updated of any changes in the road conditions.
7. If you want to see the Northern Lights, go during winter!
The Northern Lights are only visible from November to March, but even during those months, there is no guarantee that you will see them every night. Since they are a natural phenomenon, they are unpredictable. But at least give it a try, I promise it will be worth it!
If you are booking with a tour, make sure to schedule it for the beginning of your trip, that way if you don’t see them the first night they can book you another night for free. Check out my experience with Grey Line and my quick guide to photograph the Northern Lights.
8. You can pay almost everywhere with debit card
Even on public toilets! I never had to exchange money during my time there. My debit card was taken in any shop or restaurant. I know that road tolls only take cash, but beyond that, you are good to go. Oh, also I did hear that credit cards can get tricky, especially in small shops or gas stations, so if you plan to pay with those, be prepared with an alternative in case it gets rejected.
9. Sunlight might be scarce
But don’t worry, only if you go during winter. When I went, sun wouldn’t rise until 11:00 am and it would start to set at 4:00 pm. Although it was freaky to wake up in complete darkness, there were nice experiences that came with it, like watching the sunrise from the Blue Lagoon or having super long sunsets. However, if you visit during summer, you will have endless hours of light. Midnight sun is perfect for sightseeing, since days are longer and you can fit more activities. Also, maybe it was just me, but I feel more energetic when days last more. When I was in Reykjavik and it was pitch black at 7pm I felt like going to bed earlier than expected.
If you have any other ideas of things to know before travelling to Iceland, make sure to mention it in the comments!
I guess I’ll see you on the road!
Best wishes,
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Love this post! It brings back so many memories from our trip to Iceland, easily my favorite country in the world. But OMG yes on the expense – we did a road trip and were spending $100 on petrol / gas a DAY – but hitting up BONUS was a huge money saver when it came to groceries. And OMG on the hot water smelling – YES!!! Lol it was definitely a bit off putting the first shower I took haha!
Hahaha it’s one of my favourite countries too! I loved every second of it, but some things took me by surprise. I wish I had done a roadtrip, but since it was winter and snowy as hell, I didn’t dare to do it. Mexicans don’t know how to drive in the snow haha. Thank for reading, Megan!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
very thoughtful and genuine article
Thanks a lot!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Iceland our magical country. Everyone craves to visit at least once, in fact I wish I can live there forever. The only thing I don’t like about Iceland too is that it is too expensive but heck, what’s beautiful ought to be expensive right? Thanks for this detailed guide. I might as well be angry with the Airbnb host if I discover the hot water smells, but now I’m enlightened by your post. Surprisingly, I even had bathing in a thermal pool in Iceland on my list; what I can do for free in my room. Lol.
I could live there as well! So pretty, I guess if you work there and earn money there, then it shouldn’t be that shocking. And I agree haha, thermal pools in Iceland are a must! There’s just something magical about them!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
I loved Iceland when I went there, and completely agree with you! I It’s crazy expensive, and I think I ate soup and bread every day! But I never had the lobster soup, that sounds delicious. I didn’t find the smell of the water too bad, maybe I just got used to it. But the lack of sunlight was too much for me; I definitely felt like hibernating more!
The soup was really, really good, or maybe I was just really, really hungry haha. No, jokes apart, it was a lovely experience. Also, I completely agree with you. The light situation made me want to go back to my room earlier than expected and every morning my brain was so confused because it wanted to wake up, but the sky was telling it otherwise. Anyways, I think it was such a charming country and I can’t wait to go back!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Great advice. I loved visiting Iceland but agree with all of the above. Very expensive place! I ate food from the convenience shops most days and the occasional bought coffee but really tried to keep costs down. The weather was wild – I did rent a car but boy when those winds pick up – they are insane driving conditions!
I think I just had one coffee during my whole stay and it was probably the biggest sacrifice haha. I just love going to coffee shops when I’m travelling to have a warm drink or just chill before continuing my itinerary, but in Iceland it was a big nope! I admire you so much for renting a car! I didn’t have the guts! I do wish to go back during the summer, so I might do it then. Thanks for reading, Juliette!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Iceland has been on my wish list for a long time now. From your descriptions, it seems like I’ll have to save up quite a bit before I can afford it though. The tips will be quite useful when I do make my way there.
I think the main issue is the food. But if you book your accommodation in advance and plan what you want to do, I think you should be all right. It is a beautiful country and it’s really worth the visit! =)
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
I love this post as it one of the most honest blogs I have ever read. Firstly how amazing are your images love em. But oh my $10 for a can of soup haha I am so stubborn I’d by the ingredients and make it myself. I am glad you found out about the water smell before going to complain haha. I am also glad that the people are lovely too. I would love to visit Iceland at some point to experience the crazy weather and the hot springs 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Lisa! Yes haha soup was outrageous. I was lucky that my Airbnb had some stuff I could use, otherwise, it’d have been hell! Yes, people are really nice, and I’d say that’s a big plus of the country. Hope you visit it soon!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
These are some great Iceland tips! I would love to see the northern lights in Iceland and visit all the hot springs! Will definitely save this for when I eventually do book a trip!
Thanks a lot, Katie! The Northern Lights are a must! I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely do it again! Hope you make it to Iceland soon enough! Make sure to let me know how it goes!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Thanks for the article post.Really thank you! Great.
Thanks a lot for reading!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
We haven’t done the Iceland trip yet but were already warned by my in-laws at how expensive it is. I think that’s the one thing that surprises so many people because they hear it but don’t believe it. Even with the surprises, it sounds like you had an amazing trip. Thanks for all the tips. While the water thing makes sense, it would have surprised me as well!
Thanks, Heidi! Don’t get m wrong, I love discovering new things about a place, even if they are shocking at the beginning. I guess that’s what makes a country special. But yes, it’s good to be prepared for the xpenses, because I had to find very creative ways to stay within my budget haha
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
OMG, you remind me lots of memories of my Iceland trip! I remember how expensive it was, and how tasty the soup was as well! I could not see the Northen light as I traveled in May, but I will definitely go back to experience that 🙂
Ha recently posted…Living in Korea: An Expat Guide to Daegu, Korea
It’s a shame you couldn’t see the lights, but I’m sure Iceland has lots of beautiful things during May, like sunlight haha. No, but being serious, I heard that May and June are great for roadtripping around the island. I do hope to go back and see it during the summer!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
I went ten years and can’t remember it being expensive. Maybe I blocked out the pain! I can however remember how amazingly beautiful it was.
Oh! I think they had a finantial crisis not so long ago and that’s why it got so expensive. I’m not entirely sure, but I remember reading it somewhere. In any case, I’m jealous you got to experience the beauty of Iceland without the high costs haha!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
We recently visited Iceland and I can relate to your list so much!! It will be so helpful for first-time visitors, like you said, everything is so expensive!! We also visited during the winter and couldn’t believe how little daylight there was.
Thanks so much for your comment, Rosie! Yes, the light thing did surprise me a lot, but I loved the sunsets and the way the sky looked most of the day. Prices were crazy and if I go another time I’ll keep it very present when planning my budget!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
This is a very helpful encapsulation of the important points one must know before visiting Iceland. Northern light is a must do. I dint know about the smelly hot water thing. The weather is unpredictable for sure. This sounds very helpful that we can pay for everything with credit card.
Manjulika Pramod recently posted…Enjoy the Magnificent Tulip Festival of Kashmir with Family
Thanks, Manjulika! Yes, I’d definitely recommend the Northern Lights if you visit during the winter and don’t panic when the water starts smellng haha. I promise it’s super clean and good for you.
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Dann Castillo, thanks a lot for the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Thanks so much, Mjudd!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Thanks a ton for these tips. I have this on my wishlist and it is good to know all these things before I plan a visit there. Yes, I did know that things were expensive but stuff like the hot water smelling or that you can drink directly from the taps was something I was not aware of. This is a lovely guide for first timers like me. Cheers
Ami Bhat recently posted…My Wishlist of the 10 Things to do in Iceland
That’s very nice of you, Ami! I hope you can make it to Iceland soon. Despite the prices and the water, it is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited!
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
“Icelandic was deliberately and artifically retrogressed in the nineteenth century to make it more like the language in the Eddas and sagas. If that were the case modern Icelanders would have a very hard time understanding texts from, say, the 18th, 17th and 16th centuries. Well, they do have some difficulty but that”s because of the spelling and to some extent vocabulary. The 19th century brought great spelling reform and standardisation. The Faroese were unlucky in that the Danish imposed their language on them (and on Greenlanders) via the educational system, children learned to read and write in Danish. This never happened in Iceland. As for danification. Reykjavík was essentially the only town in Iceland till the very end of the 19th century. There was a Danish merchant class in Reykjavík and of course that”s where most of the public officials resided as well, men who had been educated at the University of Copenhagen. So there was definitely a Danish speaking upper class in Reykjavík in the 19th century – people would have heard Danish spoken all over town – but I don”t think the Icelandic language was much affected. Norway is basically a stone”s throw from Denmark. Iceland was really isolated so Danish influences were certainly not overwhelming. It took two weeks to sail from Denmark to Iceland – if you were lucky and didn”t get blown off course and end up in Scotland – and the journey was only undertaken in the summertime.
This is so interesting! I did not know that part of Iceland’s history.
Dann Castillo recently posted…9 Things to know before travelling to Iceland
Love this post! It brings back so many memories from our trip to Iceland, easily my favorite country in the world.
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Iceland is just so beautiful! Planning my trip for the northern lights season and can’t wait.
Some great tips, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It can be really challenging planning for a holiday and knowing what to pack, especially when you will be travelling to somewhere like Iceland that experiences such cold and wet climates. But preparing well for your trip can make it all that much easier.
Wow!! The tips mentioned here are so handy. The pictures are also so beautiful. thank you for sharing your experience with us.