Iceland
Between erupting geysers, thundering waterfalls, and black lava fields: your guide to Iceland.
Our Guide to Iceland
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Flair
Raw, mystical, and a seriously breathtaking spectacle of nature.
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Best Time to Visit
June through August for long days; February and March for the Northern Lights.
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Trip Length
Ten to 14 days to do the full Ring Road — and you'll want every single one.
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Currency
Icelandic Króna — but card payments work absolutely everywhere, even the tiniest restrooms.
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Tipping
Not expected at all — service is always included in the price.
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Getting Around
Renting a car (ideally a 4x4) is really the only way to explore Iceland properly.
Orientation
Where is Iceland located?
Iceland is seriously remote. The second-largest island nation by area in Europe is surrounded by a vast expanse of ocean and sits just barely below the Arctic Circle.
Iceland is located southeast of Greenland, between the Greenland Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and the North Atlantic.
To the northeast lies the island of Jan Mayen, to the east is Norway, and to the southeast are the Faroe Islands, Ireland, and Great Britain.
FAQ
What is the best time to travel to Iceland?
Iceland can be visited year-round — it really comes down to what you want to experience.
For lush green landscapes and the lowest chance of rain, the summer months from June through August are your best bet. That said, Iceland is also a fantastic travel destination in May — it’s far less crowded than midsummer and perfect for a road trip.
From October onward, Iceland gets cold and stark. During the winter months through March, the whole country is blanketed in snow — seriously beautiful in its own way. And between September and March, you’ve got a great shot at seeing the Northern Lights. So Iceland as a fall travel destination? Absolutely worth considering.
What's the best way to get to Iceland?
There are two ways to reach Iceland: by plane or by ship.
Getting There by Plane
Flying is by far the easiest and fastest option. There’s a solid selection of direct flights from major European cities — including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg. A direct flight with Icelandair takes around 3 to 4 hours.
Getting There by Ship
You can also sail to Iceland from Denmark — a ferry departs from Hirtshals, traveling via the Faroe Islands. The crossing takes about 2.5 days, but the big upside is that you can bring your car along.
What currency do you use in Iceland?
The currency in Iceland is the Icelandic króna (ISK). One euro gets you roughly 145 krónas.
The good news: you can pay by card almost everywhere, so you won’t need much cash at all.
What language do they speak in Iceland?
The official language is Icelandic — one of the oldest languages in Europe, around 1,000 years old, and remarkably unchanged over time.
English is very widely spoken though, so you won’t have any trouble getting around.
A few useful words in Icelandic:
Hello – Halló
Good day – Góðan daginn
Bye – Bless
Goodbye – Vertu blessaður
Yes – Já
No – Nei
Thank you – Takk
Please – Gjörðu svo vel
Cheers – Skál
Excuse me – Fyrirgefðu
Is Iceland expensive?
Honestly, yes — Iceland is not cheap. Eating out in particular adds up fast.
For a simple restaurant meal, you’ll rarely pay less than 20 euros. Groceries are pricier than in most European countries too, so self-catering can help stretch your budget.
Hotel rooms typically start at around 100 to 150 euros per night.
What is the best way to get around Iceland?
Iceland has a well-developed road network, which makes renting a car the most flexible option — even if it’s not the cheapest.
Bus connections are a reasonable alternative, especially in and around Reykjavik. In more rural areas, you’ll need to plan your schedule carefully around the timetables.
One thing worth knowing: there is no railway in Iceland at all!
Is Iceland dangerous?
Iceland is one of the most peaceful countries in the world — it doesn’t even have a military.
The real dangers come from nature. The highlands in particular can be seriously hazardous in winter, so stick to marked routes and check conditions before heading out.
