What to pack for Iceland
Iceland has a cool, windy subarctic-maritime climate. Summers are cool with very long days; winters are dark, windy and cold, but milder on the coast than the latitude suggests. Weather changes many times a day.
That is the long-term pattern, not a forecast. Weather in any given week can be warmer, colder or wetter than usual, so check the forecast a few days before you leave — Wayfold does this automatically and adjusts the packing list for your actual dates.
Pack with Iceland in mind
- A windproof, waterproof shell jacket and trousers
- Thermal base layers and a warm mid-layer, even in summer
- Waterproof hiking boots
- A swimsuit for geothermal pools, and an eye mask for summer’s bright nights
Start from a full checklist
Combine the points above with a complete list for the kind of trip you are taking:
- Road trip packing list · 46 items
- Hiking packing list for national parks · 52 items
- Camping packing list · 57 items
- Iceland packing list · by season
What to eat in Iceland
These are dishes most visitors to Iceland will meet, with the usual recipe’s diet flags. Use them as a starting point for menus and for asking questions — not as a guarantee of what is in a particular plate.
Skyr
Thick, strained cultured dairy product, like a mild yogurt.
Vegetarian-friendlyDairy
Kjötsúpa
Lamb and root vegetable soup.
Plokkfiskur
Fish and potato stew in a white sauce.
FishDairyGluten
Pylsur
Hot dog made mostly with lamb, with fried and raw onions and remoulade.
Contains porkGlutenEgg
Rúgbrauð
Dense, sweet rye bread.
Vegetarian-friendlyGluten
Hákarl
Fermented shark, a strong-tasting traditional food.
Fish
Kleinur
Twisted fried pastries.
Vegetarian-friendlyGlutenDairyEgg
Avoiding pork? In this list, Pylsur usually contains pork.
Meal times, tipping and water
| Breakfast | 07:30–09:30 |
|---|---|
| Lunch | 12:00–13:30 |
| Dinner | 18:30–21:00 |
| Tipping | Not expected; service is included in prices. |
| Tap water | Generally safe to drink |
| Halal food | Limited |
| Vegetarian food | Moderate |
Local chains you will see
Well-known local names — handy for a quick, predictable meal or coffee:
- Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur — Famous hot-dog stands in Reykjavík.
- Te & Kaffi — Coffee shop chain.
- Serrano — Burrito restaurants.
General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens. Checked 30 September 2026. In the app, the food guide marks which dishes fit each traveller’s diet and can show a diet and allergy card in the local language.
Entry rules for US and UK passport holders
A summary of the passport and travel-authorisation rules Wayfold reminds travellers about for Iceland. Rules change, and your exact situation (other nationalities, long stays, work or study) may differ.
US passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
UK passport holders
- Passport valid 3 months beyond departure. Check the expiry date on every passport in your group before you book — airlines can refuse boarding if a passport does not meet the rule. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- Up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Short stays for tourism or business are visa-free for your passport. Days in all Schengen countries count together. European Commission (opens in a new tab)
- ETIAS — not required yet. The EU travel authorisation (€20, valid 3 years) is not live yet; launch is now expected in 2027. We will remind you when it starts. European Union — ETIAS (opens in a new tab)
- Entry/Exit System at the border. Your fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry. Allow extra time at passport control. European Union — Entry/Exit System (opens in a new tab)
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules change — always check the official source before you travel. Rules last reviewed 29 September 2026. For the bigger picture, read what ESTA, the UK ETA and ETIAS are.
Quick answers
Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?
Generally safe to drink. Tap water is generally treated to a safe standard, though some travellers prefer bottled water for taste. General guidance — check locally. Recipes vary between kitchens; always ask about allergens.
Do you tip in Iceland?
Not expected; service is included in prices.
Is it easy to eat halal or vegetarian in Iceland?
Halal food: limited. Vegetarian food: moderate. Vegetarian-friendly classics include Skyr, Rúgbrauð and Kleinur. Recipes vary between kitchens, so always ask.