Our Guide to the Dos & Don'ts of Iceland

Tourism in Iceland is higher than it has ever been and the destination’s popularity just continues to grow. But many people don’t do enough research before heading to Iceland and end up getting into difficulties in Iceland. It can also affect their trip and mean that their vacation isn’t everything that they hoped it would be. However, it is often just a lack of knowledge that can lead to this and a little research beforehand will go a long way. That’s why we have put together a list of the top Dos and Don’ts of Iceland to make sure you make the most of your trip.

Don’t – Be Surprised About the Weather

One thing that you should be prepared for when visiting Iceland is cold and wet weather. This is also often to the extreme. Many tourists that travel to Iceland often underestimates how cold or wet the weather can be and don’t prepare themselves enough. The highlands in Iceland during the winter often average around −10 °C, with the lowlands even averaging 0 °C. You should also be prepared for severe rain and fog to interrupt your tours and trip so leave plenty of time!

Do – Use Common Sense

This might seem like a simple one but when people are on vacation it is easy not to think things through and jump into a dangerous situation. For example, it might be tempting to jump into some of the crystal clear waters around the country, but the water is often just above freezing. People can sometimes be careless when driving too and decide to tackle terrain that is not suitable for their vehicle. There will also be a lot of dangerous terrain that isn’t roped off or signposted so make sure you carefully consider where you are heading.

Don’t – Underestimate the Cost

It has started to become common knowledge that Iceland is expensive for things like food and drink, but many still underestimate the cost. Iceland has strict controls on importation and farming is tightly regulated, which makes the price of food expensive. If you are eating in restaurants in the centre of Reykjavik, you should expect to pay more than you might be used to. However, not all food is expensive and fish is usually more reasonably priced as it is easier to source locally.

Top Tip: Drinking tap water is perfectly fine in Iceland and this can save you buying expensive bottled water

Do – Think Ahead

In order to make the most of your trip, you should think ahead before deciding what to do and where you are going that day. Make sure to check weather forecasts and road conditions before you head out to explore the fantastic scenery. You can find useful information about the driving conditions on the Icelandic Road Administration website. Another useful website is the Safe Travel website, which also has an app that is useful in emergencies. Planning ahead will allow you to change your plans in the case that bad weather is forecast.

Enjoy Your Vacation!

The most important thing is to make sure that you enjoy your vacation and have fun safely. By following some of our top dos and don’ts, you should be able to make the most of your trip and not be left wishing you knew things before travelling. If you are considering renting a car to get around Iceland on your vacation, then make sure you get in touch with us. Iceland Car Rental can help you find the perfect car for your trip.

Back