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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION: WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO ICELAND 💥
There are lots of things to know before going to Iceland to plan your trip as well as possible 📝. That’s why I’ve put together my TOP 10 things to know before visiting Iceland, drawn from our 12-day road trip on Route 1, in March 2023. If you often read my articles, you know I like to read up on the countries I visit to learn about the culture and customs beforehand.
In this article, we cover a bit of everything: vehicle, weather, internet, showers, prices, safety, water, wind, winter driving and budget. I’m sure that after reading it, you’ll head off with much more peace of mind 😉.
🗺️ All these tips come from our winter road trip in Iceland, told day by day.
🗺️ Planning your trip? Find all our tips and articles in our complete guide to traveling in Iceland.
⚠️ Before you go, also read our 12 mistakes to avoid in Iceland: car, weather, wind, food budget… our stories and our solutions.
THE MAP OF OUR ICELAND ROAD TRIP 🗺️
To help you plan your itinerary, we’ve gathered every place from our 12-day road trip in Iceland 🇮🇸 on an interactive map: waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, hot springs and stopover towns, all the way around Route 1. Click on each pin to discover the place in detail 📍. And to keep it handy during your trip, open it in Google Maps: you’ll find it easily on your phone 📱.
Our itinerary
Our trip to Iceland
12 days10 stops1 full loop of Route 1Dacia Duster 4x4 in winter
The stops, in order
- 1
Reykjavik
1 night
Arrival at Keflavík and car pick-up
- 2
Selfoss
1 night
Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss and Kerið
- 3
Hof
2 nights
South coast waterfalls, Reynisfjara, ice cave and Diamond Beach
- 4
Reyðarfjörður
1 night
The Eastfjords and the pebble beaches of Hvalnes
- 5
Egilsstaðir
1 night
Seyðisfjörður, its blue church and its rainbow street
- 6
Mývatn
1 night
Dettifoss, Hverir and the Mývatn Nature Baths
- 7
Akureyri
1 night
Hverfjall, Dimmuborgir and Goðafoss
- 8
Bifröst
1 night
Glaumbær turf houses, Grábrók crater
- 9
Hvalfjörður
1 night
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Kirkjufell
- 10
Reykjavik
1 night
Fagradalsfjall volcano, Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon
1. WHICH VEHICLE TO CHOOSE TO EXPLORE ICELAND? 🚘
You’ll hear different opinions, and it will mostly depend on the season and the itinerary you have in mind. For our road trip, we rented a Dacia Duster (SUV) with a manual transmission from Blue Car Rental to have plenty of space (especially in the trunk) and feel more confident on the road 🚙. The car was very clean, well equipped and reliable: nothing to complain about, it was spot on. All our tips are in our article on renting a car in Iceland.
IN WINTER (OCTOBER TO APRIL)
It’s a time when the weather can be unpredictable, with tough days 🌬️ (strong wind, snow), whether you’re sightseeing or out on the road. Personally, I recommend an SUV or a 4×4 to drive with peace of mind, especially where there’s lots of snow (the east, north and west of Iceland). It costs more, but with such unpredictable weather, it’s a real advantage.
A compact car can work if you stay in the south of Iceland, but when the wind blows hard, you’ll feel it fast 😂.
TIPS: studded tires are allowed in Iceland from November 1 to mid-April, and rental cars are fitted with them throughout that period 👍. I can assure you they help you drive more confidently on snowy or icy roads. Be careful, though: they don’t make you invincible, and the speed limit is still 90 km/h (56 mph) on paved roads and 80 km/h (50 mph) on gravel.
IN SUMMER (MAY TO SEPTEMBER)
You have two options. If you stay on Route 1 and don’t plan to take any F-roads (tracks, river crossings…), a compact car is enough, no worries 👍. There are still occasional yellow alerts in summer, but it’s minor compared to winter.
On the other hand, if you want to venture into the Highlands on F-roads, a 4×4 is mandatory to reach those unique landscapes. Summer’s mild climate lets you get away from Route 1 😎.
Go off-season and save €1,500 on your van
Your car, your bed and the northern lights through the window. In winter, a week drops below €1,000, compared to nearly €2,500 in summer.
Compare van rental prices in Iceland →
RENTING A CAR IN ICELAND 🚗
To explore Iceland, we think a rental car is the best option: you’re free to string together waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and hot springs at your own pace, and stop whenever a landscape catches your eye, without depending on organized tours 🏔️.
We drove all the way around Iceland on Route 1 in a 4×4, in the middle of March, and everything went really well. Here’s the agency we used and recommend, plus an alternative if you’d rather compare 👇
Our rental tip
Renting a car in Iceland
The agency we used, and an alternative to compare.
Blue Car Rental
Iceland's largest local rental company
We rented our Dacia Duster 4x4 with them for the whole loop around the island: we recommend them without hesitation!
Our budget€62013 days, full insurance · ~€48/day
- Tested on all of Route 1
- Insurance included, no deposit
- Free cancellation
DiscoverCars
Rental comparison site
To compare several Icelandic rental companies in a single search.
Excellent rating290,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- 1,000+ rental companies compared
- Free cancellation
- 24/7 support
To compare before you choose
Good to know before you rent
- Gravel, sand and ashThe wind blasts gravel and sand onto the bodywork: make sure these protections are included.
- Check the roads every morningLook at road.is and safetravel.is before setting off: in winter, a road can close within a few hours.
- Your French driving license is enoughIt's accepted in Iceland. The international driving permit is optional: only if you want one.
- Photos and video at pick-upFilm the car from every angle when you collect it, to avoid any dispute when you return it.
- Fill up whenever you canGas stations are rare in the East and North, and often self-service: bring a card with a PIN code.
- Hold on to the doorsIn strong winds, a door can be ripped off as it opens: park facing the wind and open gently.
2. DOES THE WEATHER PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ICELAND? 🌨️
Yes, it’s actually the number 1 factor to keep an eye on in Iceland. Luck 🍀 plays a big part and will determine whether you can stick to your plan. For our part, we were very lucky in March: good weather, no storms.
The weather matters even more in winter, because some roads can be closed for a few hours, or even a few days. I strongly advise against driving if an alert is in effect for your area ⚠️. In summer, it’s less frequent, which gives you more flexibility. You also need to factor in other things like rockfalls or volcanic eruptions, like on the Reykjanes Peninsula. To keep track of it all, we list the essential apps for Iceland 📱.
3. WHAT’S THE INTERNET CONNECTION LIKE IN ICELAND? 📶
It’s a country where internet access is everywhere! Even in remote places, you’ll have an excellent connection. Iceland is one of the most advanced countries in this respect: all our accommodations had Wi-Fi.
TIPS: Iceland isn’t part of the European Union, but it is in the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area. As a result, EU roaming rules apply there, and most European mobile plans work in Iceland at no extra cost, within your plan’s “Europe” data allowance. If your plan is from outside Europe, check your roaming options before you go ✔️.
4. DO YOU HAVE TO SHOWER NAKED IN ICELAND? 🚿
Into naturism? Iceland is ready to welcome you with open arms 🥳. At public pools and geothermal baths, you’re required to take a completely naked shower before getting in the water, yes, completely naked 😅! The showers are shared (separate for men and women), and signs remind you everywhere.
At the very touristy Blue Lagoon, there are shared showers, but also a few private showers just in case. That’s not the case everywhere: at the Mývatn baths, as far as I remember, we only saw shared showers. Hygiene is very important in Iceland, and you notice it everywhere, even in the outdoor restrooms, which are always clean!
5. ARE FOOD PRICES HIGH IN ICELAND? 👨🍳
It’s pretty simple: it’s extremely expensive 🤑! Compared to France, it’s downright excessive. If you plan to eat out every day, it will cost you an arm and a leg. Cooking and packing a picnic for the day will be inevitable.
We did our grocery shopping at Bónus and Krónan, the cheapest supermarkets… and even there, it wasn’t cheap. To give you an idea, over 13 days for two, we spent €219 at supermarkets and €382 at restaurants. Food-wise, you’re not missing much: apart from Skyr, which is excellent, it’s fairly standard. Your meals will often revolve around pasta, sandwiches, Skyr and chips 😅.
TIPS: to compare with France, a burger costs about €20 to €30 at a restaurant in Iceland. Portions aren’t huge for the price: choose your restaurants carefully to get the most out of them 😎.
6. IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN ICELAND? 🛡️
It’s one of the countries where I felt 2000% at ease, never once in danger, never once scared 😍! There’s very little crime, and we never saw the police 🚨, which says a lot about the level of well-being and respect for others in Iceland.
We chatted with a Frenchwoman, Clarisse, who lives in Iceland: she told us that in terms of quality of life, respect and well-being, it doesn’t get any better 💪!
Careful, though: few police doesn’t mean no checks. There are speed cameras, and fines are very high. The only real danger is the weather: when you’re told not to drive, stay put and wait 😁.
7. IS ICELAND’S WATER THE PUREST IN THE WORLD? 💧
Iceland’s drinking water is exceptionally pure: it comes straight from springs, mountains and glaciers. Tap water is excellent and perfectly safe to drink. We drank it throughout our trip: honestly, spot on. No need to buy bottled water, just bring a reusable bottle 👍.
You often read that the hot water smells of sulfur, because of the geothermal activity. Honestly, we didn’t notice it at all.
8. IS THE WIND OUR WORST ENEMY IN ICELAND? 💨
It’s a country where the wind blows a lot 🌬️! Winds can be very strong ⚠️, and you should take Icelanders’ warnings seriously. Wind is part of their daily life, and they know perfectly well the dangers of driving in windy weather. If you’re advised not to drive or to change your itinerary, it’s in your best interest ✔️. Always check the wind forecast before setting off 😉.
During our road trip, we had days with very powerful wind, especially on our Fagradalsfjall volcano hike. The wind never lets up and stays constant: even the mistral back home in Provence seems trivial by comparison 😱. A little tip: hold on tight to your car door when you open it!
9. IS DRIVING IN ICELAND IN WINTER A LEARNING EXPERIENCE? ℹ️
It’s an incredibly rewarding experience 😎! Especially in winter, it changes the way you drive and teaches you to deal with all kinds of situations: wind, snow, gravel roads… Personally, I learned a lot: driving on a frozen road, passing trucks that blind you for a few seconds, feeling the wind push against the car… that kind of thing doesn’t happen as often in France 😂.
👉 All our road tips are in our article on driving in Iceland in winter.
TIPS: the SafeTravel website and app give you the right habits for driving in Iceland, real-time road conditions, and even a short quiz to see whether you’d be a good driver in Iceland.
10. DO YOU NEED A BIG BUDGET FOR A TRIP TO ICELAND? 👛
Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world 💰! Get ready financially: the plane ticket will probably be the smallest expense of your trip ✈️. Costs really skyrocket in summer, when car rental can reach €3,000 for two weeks, and even more if you get a van.
We went in March, outside the tourist season, and paid €598 for 13 days for our Duster. In total, our trip cost us €2,229 per person for 13 days and 12 nights. Everything is expensive, even a simple entry to the Blue Lagoon: from €88 per person for the Comfort option in 2026, and €111 for Premium (we paid €83 in March 2023). For accommodation, book ahead: we share all of ours in where to stay in Iceland.
👉 To pay for all this without fees, also read how to pay in Iceland.
👉 The full breakdown, 2026 prices and our calculator are in our article Iceland travel budget.
MORE THINGS TO KNOW 🥰
As always, here are a few bonus tips before you go to Iceland:
- 🙏 No tipping: service is included in the prices.
- 🍺 Alcohol (beyond light beer) is only sold at Vínbúðin, the state-run stores, with limited hours.
- 🔢 Know your card’s PIN: many gas pumps are automated.
- 🚗 Since 2026, a per-kilometer tax is added to car rentals, billed by the rental company.
- 🅿️ Parking at the major sites is paid (Þingvellir, Geysir…): the Parka app makes it all easy.
- ☀️ In March, the days are already long, around 11 to 12 hours of daylight, while the nights stay dark enough for the northern lights.
DISCOVERING ICELAND ON A TOUR ▶️
It all depends on what you want: there are lots of tours in Iceland, but it can get expensive fast 💰. Golden Circle, ice cave on the Vatnajökull, the south of Iceland, lagoons… If you really want to do an activity, lock in your dates fast. If you like to plan ahead (like me), you can book in advance on GetYourGuide.
FAQ: YOUR QUESTIONS BEFORE GOING TO ICELAND ❓
Here are the questions people often ask before going to Iceland. Feel free to ask yours in the comments, I’ll add to this FAQ 💬.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Area: for French citizens and other EU/EEA nationals, a valid ID card is enough. Travelers from outside Europe need a passport.
No, Iceland isn’t in the European Union or the eurozone. It’s part of the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area, which means you can use a European mobile plan just like elsewhere in Europe.
In winter, an SUV or 4×4 with studded tires, even for Route 1. In summer, a compact car is enough on Route 1, but a 4×4 is mandatory on the Highlands’ F-roads. We had a Dacia Duster from Blue Car Rental.
Yes, tap water is excellent and perfectly safe to drink. A reusable bottle is all you need, no need to buy bottled water.
Yes, at pools and geothermal baths, showering naked is mandatory before getting in the water. Showers are separate for men and women, and some very touristy places like the Blue Lagoon also have a few private showers.
No, it’s one of the safest countries in the world. The only real danger is the weather: wind, snow and closed roads. Always follow the alerts from SafeTravel and Vedur.
For our 13-day road trip in March 2023, we spent €2,229 per person, including flights, car, accommodation, gas, food and activities. In summer, expect considerably more, especially for the car.
Yes, very expensive compared to France: about €20 to €30 for a burger at a restaurant. Shop at Bónus or Krónan, the cheapest supermarkets.
Summer for mild weather and the Highlands, winter for the northern lights and ice caves. March is a great compromise: days are already long, there are northern lights and prices are lower than in summer.
No, tipping isn’t customary in Iceland: service is included in the prices.
WHERE TO STAY IN ICELAND 🏨
During our 12-day road trip in Iceland 🇮🇸, we slept in 9 different places, alternating between hotels and guesthouses, almost all booked on Booking. Changing accommodation every night is the best way to loop around the island without piling up hours of driving 🚗.
OUR TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT PLACE TO STAY
- 📅 Book ahead: outside Reykjavik, accommodation is scarce and the best places go fast.
- 🍳 Breakfast included: very handy, because cafés and restaurants are rare on the road. We often used it to make our lunch sandwiches.
- 🛒 A kitchen in remote areas: around Jökulsárlón, the nearest supermarket can be more than an hour’s drive away. Do your shopping before you arrive.
- ♨️ A hot tub: after a day in the cold and wind, it’s pure bliss. Several of our places had one.
- 🌌 Away from the lights: in winter, a place in the countryside gives you a better chance of seeing the northern lights right from your door.
- ✅ Free cancellation, to stay flexible if the weather forces you to change your itinerary.
HOTEL OR GUESTHOUSE IN ICELAND?
Both have their advantages. A guesthouse is often cozier, sometimes with a kitchen to cook your own meals. A hotel is more convenient for a one-night stop, with a reception desk, a restaurant and often breakfast included. As for us, we liked both. It all depends on what you want, your budget and how you like to travel.
HOW MUCH DOES ACCOMMODATION COST IN ICELAND?
Iceland isn’t a cheap destination, and accommodation is one of the biggest items in the budget. We paid between €78 and €162 a night for two. To be completely transparent with you: €1,366 for 11 nights, or about €124 a night on average (that was in 2023, prices may have changed since).
👇 Here are the 8 places where we slept during our road trip that still welcome travelers, in the order of our itinerary.
Tested during our road trip
Our 8 places to stay in Iceland
GuesthouseHotel
-
HotelReykjavik201 Hótel (Kópavogur)
Right next to the capital, handy for the first and last night of the road trip.
- Double room
- Breakfast included
- Close to Reykjavik
- Guesthouse
SelfossLambastaðir Guesthouse
A quiet guesthouse, perfect for sleeping after a day on the Golden Circle.
- Hot tub and sauna
- Breakfast included
- After the Golden Circle
- GuesthouseOur favorite
SvínafellThe Potato Storage
Our absolute favorite of the trip: an exceptional place at the foot of the glaciers.
- Our best place to stay
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Close to Jökulsárlón
- Hotel
EgilsstaðirHótel Eyvindará
A quiet hotel on the edge of Egilsstaðir, with a hot tub to unwind.
- Hot tub
- Breakfast included
- Near Seyðisfjörður
- Hotel
MývatnVogafjós Farm Resort
A farm on the shores of Lake Mývatn, chosen for watching the northern lights.
- Ideal for the northern lights
- On-site restaurant
- Breakfast included
- Hotel
AkureyriCentrum Hótel
Right in the town center, a stone's throw from Akureyri church: you can do everything on foot.
- Town center
- Breakfast included
- Superior room
- Hotel
BifröstHraunsnef Country Hotel
A country hotel in the middle of nowhere, with a hot tub and a restaurant.
- Hot tub
- On-site restaurant
- Breakfast included
- Guesthouse
HvalfjörðurHótel Laxárbakki
A stop on the edge of the fjord, ideal after a day on Snæfellsnes.
- Hot tub
- On-site restaurant
- Heading back to Reykjavik
MY MUST-HAVE TRAVEL GEAR 🧳
It’s a question that comes up a lot when preparing a trip “What should I bring?” And in Iceland even more than elsewhere, because the cold, wind and rain can quickly ruin a day if you’re poorly equipped 🥶. That’s why you’ll find below the travel accessories we had in our bags. Planning ahead and getting these items in advance helps you save money and avoid paying for some of them on the spot, where everything costs much more 💸 These are the accessories we took to Iceland in the middle of winter 👇.
Our road trip checklist
What to pack for Iceland?
What we had in our bags for 12 winter days. Good news: the outlets are the same as in France, no adapter needed.
0 / 12 in my suitcase · check what you already have
- Essential
Cold & snowHeat Holders thermal socks
The ones we took: to keep your feet warm on walks in the snow.
- Essential
Cold & snowThermal underwear
Thermal leggings and T-shirt under your clothes: the basics for facing the Icelandic wind.
- Essential
Cold & snowWarm gloves
A pair of ski gloves against the wind, and a thin pair for taking photos.
- Essential
Cold & snowBeanie and neck warmer
The wind is often strong, especially near the waterfalls and on the black sand beaches.
- Essential
Cold & snowWaterproof hiking boots
Icy trails, snow and waterfall spray: dry feet all day long.
- Essential
ElectronicsPower bank
The cold drains batteries fast: your phone lasts until evening.
- Recommended
Baths & waterWaterproof phone pouch
To take photos in the hot baths with no risk to your phone.
- Recommended
Baths & waterMicrofiber towel
Light and quick-drying: handy for baths and hot springs.
- Recommended
Baths & waterWater bottle
Tap water is excellent in Iceland: no need to buy bottles.
- Bonus
Travel & securityEmergency blanket
Keep it in the car, in case a closed road forces you to wait.
- Bonus
Travel & securityTSA lock
To lock your suitcase on the plane, with no risk of it being broken at security.
- Bonus
Travel & securityAirTag
To track your suitcase if your luggage is delayed or lost.
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