10 Travel Tips for Iceland

Iceland has endless adventurous activities. It is the perfect destination for solo travelers or first solo trip.  The crime rate in Iceland is low and the locals are friendly. Nonetheless, let’s get straight to the tips for visiting Iceland. 

1. Visa is not required at this moment.  However, starting late (or last six months) of 2026, US citizens will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System).  ETIAS entry is for visa exempt nationals who are traveling to any 30 of these European countries. ETIAS will be linked to your passport and will be valid for 3 years.  The cost for the entry is 7 EUR.  
2. Plan ahead and budget. Iceland is one of the most expensive countries to visit. It’s best to create a traveling budget planner that lists the cost of accommodation, rental car, parking, uber, food, etc.  You may click here for a little freebie. 
3. English is widely spoken.  Icelandic is the main language for Iceland. Icelandic is one of the hardest languages to learn amongst other countries, but don’t shy from it.
4. Choose the right season for you.  Before booking anything, know the main attraction you want to do or see. 
5. Figure out how much ground you can cover. Your itinerary for Iceland will vary depending how long your trip is.  If you only have a few days, stick to one area such as Reykjavik (Iceland capital), Akureyri, or Vik. If you have a week or two, you can start in the main city and work your way to Vik, for an ice cave or glacier.
6. Don’t rule out winter. Iceland is a year round destination, just dress appropriately. 
7. Book tours in advance. You can book a tour guide on Airbnb, Travel Guide, or Arctic Adventures.  For most of my adventures I booked through Airbnb and for the Sky Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, I booked directly from the website.
   1. If you are planning on renting a car, definitely book in advance, as the cars get booked up pretty quickly.  
8. Book Blue Lagoon the day you arrive or leaving Iceland. People recommend this due to it being closer to the airport.  However, for me, my plane arrival and departure time did not allow it.  I just set a day aside for the Blue Lagoon.  They do offer a shuttle bus that you can book on the Blue Lagoon website. You can book it coming from the airport or Reykjavik. 
9. Tips are not customary.  Most prices include a service charge, there is no need for additional.  If you want to show your appreciation, you may tip and it is not offensive. 

10. Use credit cards.  You may use your debit card, but for safety reasons, I would suggest credit cards (for any travels).  Visa or Mastercard are more worldwide used. My personal recommendation would be Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One. Click here to learn more about why it is safe to use credit cards abroad, different types of credit cards and benefits.