---
title: "Iceland - Winter: Trip Preparation & Destination Information"
description: Traveling to Iceland? Read on for tips to help you prepare for your trip!
image: https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/TrovaTrip-Iceland-Travelers-Standing-On-Glacier.jpg
---

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# Iceland - Winter: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

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![Iceland - Winter: Trip Preparation & Destination Information](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/TrovaTrip-Iceland-Travelers-Standing-On-Glacier.jpg)

### About Iceland

- [Overview](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#overview)
- [Packing List](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#packing)
- [Language ](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#language)
- [Weather](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#weather)
- [Fun Facts](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#funfacts)
- [Tipping](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#tipping)
- [FAQ](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#faq)
- [Luggage Restrictions](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#luggage-restrictions)
- [Other](https://trovatrip.com/traveler/trip-prep/europe/iceland-winter#other-if-needed)

#### Overview

Step into a world where in summer, the sun never sets and in winter the Northern lights deliver their spectacular aurora display. Take in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and straddle the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Volcanoes, hot springs and geysers, ice caves, glaciers and towering waterfalls, are the dramatic features that make Iceland the Land of Fire and Ice.

 

Disclaimer: Space is a precious commodity in Europe, especially in its most dense cities, be prepared for smaller hotel rooms. The same goes for bathrooms and elevators, don’t be surprised if they feel cozier than those in the US.

 

**Capital City:** Reykjavik

**Population:** 366,425 (2020 est.)

**Currency:** Icelandic Krona - ISK

**Time Zone:** Greenwich Mean Time - GMT 

**Emergency Number:** 112

**Outlet: **Type C/F

![trovatrip-iceland-4](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/trovatrip-iceland-4.jpg)

![trovatrip-iceland-lagoon](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/trovatrip-iceland-lagoon.jpg)

#### Packing List

**Active Shoes** - Hiking Boots, thick wool socks, lightweight hiking socks (bring extra).

**Fleece Jacket Coat** - Warm, lightweight and packable fleece jacket or coat insulated with synthetic material.

**Wind and Rainproof Gear** - Including a hooded jacket and waterproof pants.

**Bathing Suit** - You will need one for the thermal pools.

**Layers, Layers, Layers** - Mid-weight shirt, sweater or pullover, also wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene. A pair of leggings or lightweight pants to block the sun and give warmth at night.

**Gloves and Hats** - Fleece gloves or thermal glove liners. Winter hat/insulated hat, sun hat, scarf.

**Thermal Baselayers** - In winter, some days barely reach over-freezing temperatures, so being prepared is key.

**Microspikes** - For better traction on slippery or icy terrain.

**Sunblock with SPF** - Protect your skin from unwanted damage by loading up on SPF.

**Protect Your Tummy** - Pack some Pepto Bismol and Imodium. Dramamine is helpful if you're prone to motion sickness.

**Day Packs** - Great for long adventure days.

**Towel** - Quick dry is our go-to.

**Reusable Water Bottle** - Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! You will have access to clean water for refilling at all the hotels.

**Hand & Feet Warmers ** - Air activated and will keep you toasty for hours.

**Hand Sanitizer** - 'Nuff said.

**Portable Chargers & Adapters ** - Keep your devices juiced at all times. Use adapter types “C” or “F” (also called Northern Europe adapters) for Icelandic sockets.

**Ear Plugs** - Light sleeper? Nice to have on the plane or in case of a snoring roommate.

**Local Currency ** - Make sure to get some local currency. On average, you'll lose around 15% at the airport if you use the currency exchange. While many places do accept cards, small local restaurants tend to be cash only.

**Call your Bank** - Your bank may suspend your card if they suspect unusual activity. Give them a heads up about your travel plans.

**Always pack extra underwear!**

#### Speak the Language

**Language:** Icelandic is the official language, many also speak English.

 

- **Hello** - Hallo’ (hah-low)
- **Goodbye** - Bless (bleh-s)
- **Thank you** - Takk (tah-k)
- **Do you speak English? **- Talar pu’ ensku? (ta-lar thoo en-sku?)
- **I (don’t) understand** - Eg skil ekki (yeh skil eh-ki)
- **How are you?** - Hvernig hefur pu’ pao’? (kver-nik her-wer thoo thahd?)
- **Fine, thank you **- Ég segi allt gott, þakka þér fyrir. (Yeh sey-i atlt goht, thah-ka thyer fi-rir)
- **What’s your name? **- Hvao heitir pú? (kvath heytir thoo)
- **My name is… **- Ég heiti _____ (yeh hay-tee)
- **Where is... **- Hvar er _____ (kvar er...)
- - **the bathroom** - klósett (k-low-seht)
    - **ATM** - hraobanka

**Google Translate:** Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click [**here**](https://translate.google.com/) 

![TrovaTrip-ellainwonderland-iceland-3-1](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Blog/TrovaTrip-ellainwonderland-iceland-3-1.jpg)

#### Weather

[REYKJAVÍK WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/64d13n21d82/reykjavik/)

#### Fun Facts

- Iceland is one of the most volcanic places on earth and is made up of nearly 200 volcanoes, active and dormant. On average, a volcano erupts in Iceland every 4-5 years.
- The eruption of the Grímsvötn Volcano and its infamous 'ash cloud' closed the majority of European airspace from April 15-21, 2010 causing a whopping 100,000+ flight cancellations in total.
- Around the year 800, the Norwegian Vikings settled and misnamed Iceland and Greenland to mislead their enemies to follow them to 'ice-covered' Greenland instead of their 'green-covered' colony, Iceland.
- The Icelandic do not have last names/surnames, rather they use the traditional Nordic naming system: the father or mother's first name plus -dottir (daughter) or -son (son).
- Thingvellir National Park is 1 of only 2 places in the world where you can see 2 of Earth's tectonic plates above the world's surface, the divide between North America and Eurasia.

#### Tipping

Tipping Suggestions: Tipping is uncommon in Iceland as a 15% tip is built into most restaurant tabs. For your Guides and drivers, tipping is appreciated but not expected.

| **Guides** |  | USD $10-20 per person/per day |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Drivers** |  | USD $10 per person/per day |

 

#### FAQ

**Where can I find information on travel safety? **Check out the US Department of State's [website](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html) for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling 

**Is the water safe to drink? **Tap water in Iceland is recognized as some of the cleanest in the world. In fact, 95% of all drinking water in Iceland comes from natural springs.

**Do I need a Visa?** For Visa information, click [here. ](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Iceland.html#:~:text=Entry%2C%20Exit%20and%20Visa%20Requirements&text=Iceland%20is%20a%20party%20to,departure%20from%20the%20Schengen%20area.)Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.

 

**What about vaccines?** For vaccination information, click [here](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/iceland).

**Do you recommend travel insurance? **While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, [worldnomads.com](https://www.worldnomads.com/usa/travel-insurance?affiliate=trvtrip&subld=banner&affiliateTrackingld=db44277c07544303b92d043564508276&utm_source=trvtrip&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Affiliate&utm_content=banner) or from a provider of your choice.

 

**How much should I pack?** As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.

**What does public transportation look like?** Bus and taxi services operate between Reykjavík and Keflavík International Airport. Buses depart to and from Keflavík every 45 to 60 minutes. Currently Uber or Lyft do not operate in Iceland but there are many taxi companies in Reykjavík.

 

**What about Wifi?** Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Iceland offer wi-fi access, which is usually free to use. Rural and remote areas have less internet access.

#### Luggage Restrictions

![Luggage Restrictions purple](https://trovatrip.com/hubfs/Luggage%20Restrictions%20purple%20(2).jpg)

![Luggage restrictions purple – mobile – 1](https://trovatrip.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png?width=390&height=929&name=Luggage%20restrictions%20purple%20%E2%80%93%20mobile%20%E2%80%93%201.png)

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