🇮🇸 Iceland travel essentials
Everything you need to plan a trip to Iceland — climate, currency, packing essentials, public holidays, voltage and plug types, and what locals actually wear.
Top cities in Iceland
Local style + dress code
Reykjavik is incredibly windy year-round. Insulated waterproof shell + warm hat are essential even in summer. Hat that won't blow off!
Dress code: casual
Public holidays in Iceland
Plan around national holidays — many businesses close, transport gets busier, and prices for flights/hotels can spike.
Money & currency
The Icelandic Króna (ISK, symbol kr) is the official currency. Live exchange rates are updated daily.
Cost of living & travel — Reykjavík
Estimated daily budgets per person across three travel tiers. Lodging assumes single occupancy or shared dorm; food covers 3 meals + a coffee/drink; transit covers metro and short rides; activities cover one paid attraction per day.
| Per person per day | 🎒 Budget | 🏨 Mid-range | 🥂 Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $70 | $225 | $575 |
| Food | $35 | $90 | $230 |
| Transit | $12 | $18 | $70 |
| Activities | $22 | $50 | $125 |
| Daily total | $139 | $383 | $1000 |
Estimates as of 2025-2026, in USD per person. Actual spend varies with season, neighborhood, and trip style.
Visas & entry rules
Top-passport entry rules for Iceland — quick reference, but always confirm with the destination's official consulate before booking flights:
| Passport | Rule | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇬🇧 UK passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇪🇺 EU passport | Visa-free | unlimited (freedom of movement) | — |
| 🇨🇦 Canadian passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
| 🇦🇺 Australian passport | Visa-free | up to 90 days | — |
Last reviewed 2025-2026. Visa rules change with little notice; this table is informational and not legal advice.
Plan a trip to Iceland
Use one of our planning tools to figure out exactly when and how to go:
What to pack
Each city has month-by-month packing lists computed from local climate data — temperatures, rainfall, peak hazard seasons, and Iceland's dress code.