Things to know before you go to Iceland

These are the practical things we found useful on our four-day campervan trip round the south coast in February 2020, plus a few current checks for anyone going now.

Money and shopping

• Currency: Iceland uses the króna (ISK). Check the current rate before you go. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you don't need to carry much cash. Make sure you know your card PIN, as unmanned petrol pumps ask for it.
• Supermarkets: Bonus is the cheapest supermarket. We stocked the van there on the way out of Keflavík.
• Alcohol: It's expensive, and outside bars it's mostly sold in the state-run Vínbúðin shops, which have limited hours. The duty-free shop at the airport on arrival is the cheapest place to buy it.
• Passport control: Iceland is in the Schengen area. On a UK passport you now go through the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which has been fully running since April 2026, so expect to have your fingerprints and photo taken at passport control. ETIAS, the EU's planned travel authorisation, hasn't started yet, so ignore any website asking you to pay for one.

Weather and daylight

• Summer: From mid-May to mid-September the days are very long, and around midsummer it barely gets dark.
• Winter: Daylight is short, only four to five hours around the December solstice in Reykjavík, rising to between seven and ten hours through February. We were up at 5:30 to reach sunrise spots, and the weather changed fast, sometimes several times a day.
• Temperature: Reykjavík averages around freezing in January and the low teens in July. Wear layers and waterproof shoes, and don't bother with an umbrella, as the wind will destroy it.

Driving and travel tips

• Book ahead: Book your vehicle, campsites or rooms and any tours well in advance, especially in the busy summer months.
• Driving: Stick to the speed limits, as there are plenty of speed cameras and fines are high. F-roads (the mountain roads) need a 4x4, and most are closed in winter.
• Insurance: If you hire a vehicle, take full insurance. The wind can rip a door out of your hand and damage the hinges.
• Water: Tap water is safe and very good, so there's no need to buy bottled water.
• Plugs: Iceland uses the standard European two-pin plug, so bring an adaptor from the UK.
• Tipping: Tipping isn't expected, as service is included in prices.
• Check conditions daily: Before setting off each morning, check the forecast at Vedur.is, alerts at Safe Travel Iceland and road conditions at Road.is. A storm cut our last day short, so it pays to check.

For our route and what we packed, see our Iceland trip and the Iceland packing list.