10 Iceland Travel Tips No One Tells You (But You’ll Wish They Had)

Iceland will mess with your expectations in the best way possible.

I spent two weeks driving the full Ring Road, camping, staying in farmhouses, and learning a lot the hard way. I took detours into fjords, soaked in roadside hot pots, and fumbled through Icelandic weather, gas pumps, and grocery store etiquette.

Before my trip, I read the usual advice: pack layers, rent a car, and see the Northern Lights, among other things. But once I landed, I realized how much those glossy travel blogs left out. Like how I’d need sunglasses, a raincoat, and gloves in the same hour. Or how one missed gas station almost left me stranded between fjords.

This post isn’t one of those generic listicles. I’m sharing 10 real, on-the-ground tips I wish someone had told me (plus one bonus tip that made every local I met smile).

If you’re planning your first trip to Iceland, this might just save you some stress (and money).

1. Pack for All Weather Conditions

Iceland’s weather has trust issues. One moment, it’s all sunshine and blue skies. Ten minutes later? Rain, wind, and fog like you’ve been dropped into another season.

Your best bet? Pack in layers. Bring a lightweight waterproof shell (like this one), a thermal base layer, and a warm hat even in summer. For footwear, waterproof hiking boots are non-negotiable. These boots from Salomon kept my feet dry on muddy trails and through unexpected puddles.

2. Rent a Car to Explore the Country on Your Own Terms

Iceland is made for road trips. There’s something magical about pulling over to a waterfall you didn’t even know existed or taking a detour to a black sand beach just because you can.

I rented a small 4WD from Iceland Car Rental Fleet and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. The freedom it gave me—stopping whenever the view demanded it—was worth every krona. Plus, public transport outside Reykjavik is nearly non-existent.

If you’re traveling in the summer, consider going with a compact. For shoulder or winter months, get something with AWD or 4WD. Trust me: roads like F-roads, which are highland mountain roads marked with an “F” (like F208 or F35), are often unpaved, narrow, and only open in summer to 4WD vehicles. Even some gravel stretches on the South Coast, such as near Dyrhólaey or the detour to Sólheimajökull glacier, can become treacherous quickly with potholes, soft shoulders, or loose rocks.

Also, add Wi-Fi to your rental or bring your own hotspot. More on that in the next section.

3. Carry a Portable Wi-Fi Device or Get a Local SIM Card

Outside Reykjavik, don’t count on café Wi-Fi (or cafés, for that matter).

I picked up a local SIM card from Síminn at the airport (order ahead here) and it was a game-changer. It gave me GPS access, live road condition updates, and helped me find gas stations, hikes, and even open pharmacies when my cold kicked in.

Another option is renting a portable Wi-Fi device from your car rental provider or services like Trawire. Just make sure you charge it each night. It saved me more than once, like near Mývatn in the north, when Google Maps unexpectedly rerouted us off the Ring Road due to roadwork.

Whatever you choose, don’t rely on roaming. Iceland’s landscapes are remote, and signal drops do happen, but having your own connection makes the trip a lot smoother.

4. Fuel Up Frequently When Driving Between Regions

This one nearly caught me off guard.

Some stretches of Iceland feel like driving on the moon. Beautiful, but barren. Between towns, you can go 100 km or more without seeing a single gas station. I learned the hard way and now follow a strict rule: fill up when you’re half full.

On the way from Höfn to Egilsstaðir, my tank dropped below half, and I figured I’d make it to the next station. Bad call. I had to backtrack 30 minutes to find fuel. Not fun when you’re already tired and hungry.

Look for N1, Olís, or OB stations and download their apps if you want to prepay or check nearby locations. Some pumps are self-serve and require a credit card with a PIN, so bring one.

5. Plan Visits Either in the Morning or Evening to Avoid Traffic

Midday is when the tour buses strike.

Places like Thingvellir, Gullfoss, or Skógafoss get swarmed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., especially in summer. On my visit to the Golden Circle, I made the mistake of arriving at Geysir around noon—and spent half my time dodging selfie sticks and waiting for a clear view.

The next day, I changed tactics. I hit Skógafoss at 7:30 a.m. The only sounds? The waterfall and some seabirds. Total peace.

If you’re not a morning person, go after 6 p.m. Iceland’s midnight sun in summer means you’ll have plenty of daylight to explore with fewer crowds. And the light is way better for photos.

6. Book Accommodation in Rural Areas in Advance

Here’s something I didn’t plan well (and paid for!).

When passing through the Eastfjords, I decided to wing it and book a guesthouse at the last minute. That’s not how Iceland works. In smaller towns, there might only be two or three places to stay, and they fill up fast, especially in peak season.

That night, I ended up sleeping in the car at a campsite near Djúpivogur. Cold, uncomfortable, and not something I recommend.

Book rural stays at least 2-3 weeks in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the summer or holidays. In smaller towns, guesthouses can be limited, and they fill up quickly.

Here are a few great countryside picks to get you started:

• Skálatjörn Guesthouse (South Iceland, near Selfoss): Cozy farm stay with mountain views, private bathrooms, and sheep just outside your window.
• Hrafnavellir Guesthouse (Eastfjords, between Höfn and Djúpivogur): Simple wooden cabins with breakfast included and epic views over the fjord.
• Guesthouse Stöng (North Iceland, near Lake Mývatn): Family-run guesthouse with geothermal hot tubs and a great base for exploring volcanic landscapes.

You can find more like these on:

• Booking.com – Iceland (good filters for guesthouses and cabins)
• Hey Iceland (farm stays and countryside inns)
• Airbnb Iceland (some hidden gems off the Ring Road)

Rural stays often come with views of mountains, fjords, or even sheep herds. Totally worth it.

7. Follow Local Guidelines to Help Protect Iceland’s Environment

Iceland is breathtaking, and incredibly fragile.

You’ll see signs everywhere asking you to stay on marked trails, not step on moss, and avoid off-road driving. These aren’t just suggestions. Damaging the landscape can earn you hefty fines and dirty looks from locals who take preservation seriously.

I watched someone step off-trail for a photo near Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. A ranger showed up in minutes. Not a fun conversation for them.

Stick to marked paths, obey all signage, and refrain from stacking rocks or flying drones in restricted zones. Want to camp wild? Only do it where it’s legal and safe. Otherwise, opt for designated campsites listed at camping.info.

It’s simple: leave Iceland better than you found it.

8. Leave Room in Your Itinerary for Unplanned Stops

Some of Iceland’s best moments aren’t on the map.

I remember pulling over to a random hot spring bubbling beside a sheep pasture—not on Google Maps, not on any blog. Just there. Steam rising into the sky like a quiet invitation.

If I’d packed my day tight with pre-booked tours or hour-by-hour plans, I’d have missed it.

Iceland is full of unexpected waterfalls, hidden canyons, and lonely black beaches. The joy is in discovering them. So leave gaps in your itinerary. Build in buffer time. If something catches your eye, pull over.

A few worth-the-stop spots that aren’t always on major lists:

• Hrunalaug Hot Spring (near Flúðir): A tucked-away geothermal pool on private farmland. It’s small, rustic, and magical if you get it to yourself.
• Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon (near Kirkjubæjarklaustur): Not far off the Ring Road, but easy to miss if you’re rushing. Quiet in the early morning, with cliffs that feel like Game of Thrones.
• Stokksnes & Vestrahorn (East Iceland): A dramatic mountain-meets-black-sand-beach scene. There’s a small entrance fee via the Viking Café, but it’s usually crowd-free.

When you travel slower, you remember more.

9. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

Iceland has some of the cleanest, coldest water and it’s free to drink.

I brought a simple insulated bottle and filled it straight from taps, waterfalls, and even glacial streams. No filters, no plastic bottles, no regrets. It tasted better than anything I’ve had in a bottle.

Most towns have public fountains, and even guesthouses are happy to let you refill your water bottles. It’s better for your wallet and the environment.

One thing to note: the hot tap water can smell a little like sulfur. Totally safe, just a heads-up.

10. Stock Up at Supermarkets to Save on Meals

Eating out in Iceland will burn through your budget fast. A basic meal can cost $25-$40, even for something simple.

I quickly learned to hit up Bónus, Krónan, or Nettó supermarkets for essentials—sandwiches, skyr (Icelandic yogurt), noodles, fruit, even ready-made meals. It helped me save a ton and still eat well on the go.

Just remember: these stores close early, usually by 6 or 7 p.m., and are often closed on Sundays. I once waited too long and ended up with gas station snacks for dinner. Not ideal after a long drive.

Also, pack some cold & flu meds from home. Icelandic pharmacies (like Lyfja) operate on banker’s hours—roughly 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.—and don’t stay open late. I caught a mild cold mid-trip and couldn’t find a single open pharmacy at night.

Please don’t risk it. A small travel kit with meds, painkillers, and plasters goes a long way out there.

Bonus Tip: Learn a Few Basic Icelandic Words—It Goes a Long Way!

Icelanders don’t expect you to speak their language. But making the effort really matters.

A simple “takk” (thank you) or “bless” (bye) made locals noticeably warmer toward me. One guesthouse owner even threw in an extra slice of homemade cake after I butchered a friendly “góðan daginn” (good day). We both laughed, and it made the whole exchange feel human.

Try learning just a few:

• Takk = Thanks
• Já/Nei = Yes/No
• Foss = Waterfall (you’ll see this a lot)
• Hot Pot = A warm public pool or natural spring (not soup!)

You can use free apps like Drops or just jot them down on your phone. Even if your pronunciation is off, people appreciate the gesture.

Wrapping Up

Iceland is wild, beautiful, and unforgettable—the perfect place for nature tourism. But it’s also a place where the smallest details can make or break your trip.

These tips aren’t from a brochure. They’re from my own muddy boots, missed turnoffs, and glacial streams. From the joy of stumbling upon a secret hot spring to the regret of skipping the supermarket before 6 p.m.

If you’re heading to Iceland soon, consider this your friendly nudge to plan smart, travel light, and stay curious. Pack for surprises. Slow down when you can. And always, always, fill the gas tank when it’s half full.