General questions about Iceland
[tg_accordion title=”What is the best time to visit Iceland?” close=”1″] Iceland is a great travel destination for all seasons. However, the difference between traveling during the winter months and summer months are far from the same thing. During the summer months (June to August), a great variety of tours and activities are offered that are not offered during the winter months. Thanks to the extra long daylight hours during the summer months, travelers can enjoy activities late into the night. You can also find most of the animals in Iceland like puffins, sheep, arctic foxes, seals and reindeer roam free in Iceland. During the winter months (September to May) there are fewer types of tours offered and some of the highlands attractions are inaccessible due to the closure of the mountain roads (F-roads). But in return you get lighter traffic on the highway, fewer crowds at popular attractions (which are all mostly open throughout the winter months). The beauty of the autumn colors and the possibility of seeing the northern lights is also a huge plus. They are active from late September until late March. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What are some of the emergency numbers in Iceland?” close=”1″]112 is the official emergency number in Iceland. Roadside assistance is usually available 24/7, but the number depends on your car/van rental.[/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How much sunlight is in the summer compared to the winter months? ” close=”1″]Numbers from 2021 Date Sunrise Sunset Total hours of sunlight: 1. January 11:19 AM 03:44 PM 4:25 hours 1. February 10:07 AM 05:16 PM 7:09 hours 1. March 08:34 AM 06:46 PM 10:12 hours 1. April 06:45 AM 08:19 PM 13:35 hours 1. May 04:59 AM 09:52 PM 16:53 hours 1. June 03:22 AM 11:30 PM 20:08 hours 1. July 03:06 AM 11:55 PM 20:49 hours 1. August 04:35 AM 10:30 PM 17:55 hours 1. September 06:10 AM 08:42 PM 14:32 hours 1. October 07:37 AM 06:55 PM 11:19 hours 1. November 09:11 AM 05:09 PM 7:58 hours 1. Desember 10:46 AM 03:46 PM 5:00 hours[/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How many people live in Iceland?” close=”1″] 366,425 people live in Iceland according to numbers from the year 2020. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What currency is used in Iceland?” close=”1″] The currency is ISK or Icelandic Krona. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is Iceland a safe place to visit?” close=”1″] Iceland has a very low level of crime, especially violent crimes, making it one of the safest countries in the world. In 2021, it was the second safest country in the world after Denmark. Taxes here fund Iceland’s universal healthcare system. The country has no private hospitals and locals can see a general practitioner for only $4, although doctors can also see patients privately which costs about $120-150. Air pollution in Iceland is much lower than the OECD average and nearly all homes have energy from renewable sources. The country ranks at the top for environmental quality, according to the OECD’s Better Life Index. The roads here and the unpredictable weather is one of the most dangerous things in Iceland. The reason for 2nd place was probably the volcanic eruption. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I need cash when traveling or do they take cards in regular shops and supermarkets?” close=”1″] You don’t need to carry cash on you when you are traveling in Iceland, however some people like having some in case of emergencies. Credit/Debit cards are accepted by every company in Iceland. Visa and MasterCard should work the best since all banks in Iceland service them. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I have to tip for services in Iceland?” close=”1″] No we don’t tip here, but we usually don’t say no or get offended if you want to tip your waiter or tour operator for a good service. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How many days should I spend in Iceland?” close=”1″] Depends on your budget, which season you choose, your plans, if you are traveling alone or with kids, if you are a photographer or just here to explore and enjoy. You’ll get much less sunlight during the winter months compared to the summer months. During summer with kids < 5 year old you’ll need about 3 weeks. You’re maximally seeing 3-4 locations per day, they won’t let you go further, take it from experienced parents. Photographers need about 2-3 weeks, depending on their workflow. People who are only exploring and enjoying they’ll need about 2 weeks. We recommend adding 3-4 days to the itinerary for the winter season. However, if you want to see every single beautiful place in Iceland we would recommend staying for the whole summer. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is Iceland expensive?” close=”1″] Most people find it pretty expensive to travel around in Iceland. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is Iceland’s national food?” close=”1″] The lamb is officially Iceland’s national dish. But we also have some other traditional foods here in Iceland that include: Fermented shark, skate, salted meat and peas, flatbread, skyr, rye bread from a hot spring, harðfiskur (dried fish) and Icelandic hot-dogs. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is it easy to travel in Iceland if you’re a vegetarian or vegan?” close=”1″] Yes, definitely! Many restaurants and pit-stop shops have vegan and vegetarian options. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How is the weather in Iceland?” close=”1″] The weather here in Iceland is very unpredictable. We recommend checking the weather at Vedur.is every day if you are traveling in Iceland. It can change very quickly and if you are traveling in a big vehicle like a jeep, van or an RV we don’t recommend driving in strong winds that are more than 15km/hour (10miles/hour). Many people underestimate the weather here and many vehicles have been turned over to the side because of that. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is there a lot of stealing or violent crimes in Iceland?” close=”1″] Of course there are always some bad eggs in all corners of the world, but Iceland’s crime rate is one of the lowest in the world. The police here in Iceland are one of 19 countries in the world that don’t carry firearms with them at all times. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Ring road?” close=”1″] Route 1 or ‘’The Ring road’’ is a national road in Iceland that runs around the island and connects most of the inhabited parts of the country. The total length of the road is 1,322km (821miles). You can find an online self-drive road guide we have made for the Ring Road HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Golden circle?” close=”1″] The Golden Circle is the most popular touring route in Iceland. It’s a 300 km route containing 3 of the biggest attractions of Iceland, Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir and Thingvellir national park. It’s one of the most popular day-tour routes for tourists. Find more about tours and other attractions of the Golden Circle, HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Diamond circle?” close=”1″] The Diamond Circle is a 250km touring route in North of Iceland connecting to the Ring Road and The Arctic Circle. Containing one of Europe’s most ‘powerful’’ waterfall and Iceland’s most iconic landscape. In 2020 this route was completely paved after years of road construction. Attractions like Goðafoss (The waterfall of the gods), Lake Mývatn, Húsavík, the whale watching capital of the world and Ásbyrgi are only a few classic locations found on this route. You can read more about all the North Iceland attractions, HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Westfjords Way?” close=”1″] The Westfjords way is a 950km touring route around the dramatic landscape of the Westfjords in Iceland. It is partly gravel but mostly paved. This route is filled with roads and other unique wonders that will make you feel more alive than ever. Small towns and villages along this way will show you how people in rural areas in Iceland have lived for hundreds of years and you’ll get a sense of how living in peace and quiet actually feels like. The Westfjords are filled with Icelandic folklore and there are a lot of museums, and historical sites that you can visit along this route. The Westfjords are filled with wildlife, you are very likely to spot a whale, seal or orcas from the shore and there are also arctic foxes and puffins to be found there. You can read more about all the Westfjords attractions, HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Arctic bow?” close=”1″] The Arctic Bow is the name of the remarkable 184 km scenic and historic route along Tröllaskagi (Troll Peninsula) on the north coast of Iceland, stretching from Varmahlíð in the west to Akureyri in the east, passing through the recently built 11 km long tunnel between the towns of Siglufjörður and Ólafsfjörður. Along this route, there’s beautiful nature, excellent accommodation, fresh local food and a variety of activities to enjoy. You can read more about all the North Iceland attractions, HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the Arctic coast way?” close=”1″] The Arctic Coast Way is a 900 km touring route along the northern coast. This route was opened in 2019 with over 25 beautiful attractions and was chosen by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s Top Destinations. Filled with wildlife, you are very likely to spot whales, seals, orcas and puffins (in the summer). You can read more about all the North Iceland attractions, HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Are there a lot of earthquakes in Iceland?” close=”1″] Yes, Iceland does experience fairly regular earthquakes because the island is growing everyday. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What was the worst earthquake that hit Iceland?” close=”1″] Iceland’s strongest earthquake is believed to occur in 1784. It took place in the south Iceland seismic zone and is thought to have been a magnitude of 7.1 on the richter scale. The second largest earthquake was detected in 1912, which measured 7.0. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Favourite time of year to take photos in Iceland” close=”1″] Probably around the beginning of september! The colors of Iceland at that time of year are magnificent. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How many volcanos are there in Iceland?” close=”1″] There are about 130 volcanos, both active and inactive. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”When is the best time to see puffins in Iceland?” close=”1″] Puffins arrive in Iceland around early April and stay until early September. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Are there any mythical creatures living in Iceland?” close=”1″] We have a bunch of mythical creatures in Iceland and a lot of mythology, too many to fit in one Q&A. But we have creatures in Icelandic folklore like Elves (Huldufólk), Trolls, Yule lads, the Land wights of Iceland and Ghosts. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Tours
[tg_accordion title=”How far in advance do I need to book a tour?” close=”1″] We would recommend booking your tours as soon as possible. They can get fully booked very quickly. Especially in the summer months. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I cancel my tour at any time?” close=”1″] You can in fact cancel at any time, but sadly most tour companies won’t refund you if you cancel less than 24 hours before the start of the tours, unless the tour companies them self cancel because of bad weather, then you’ll be fully refunded. You can see our refund policy HERE which is in line with all of the companies we work with. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What should I wear on the glacier tour?” close=”1″] For winter tours in Iceland, we recommend wearing a wool base layer, a thick sweater and good hiking pants. Then it depends on the weather if you need a waterproof outdoor jacket or a good parka. Hiking boots with high ankle protection is ideal for the glacier hike and ice cave experience. You will get crampons to put on your boots before you go to the glacier. If you do not have hiking boots, you can often rent them at the time of booking the tour. A hat and gloves are also ideal for the glacier tours. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Are glacier tours difficult?” close=”1″] Some are pretty easy and some are very challenging. We would recommend reading in depth about each glacier tour if you want to participate in any of them and see which one fits your fitness level. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is there any age restriction on tours?” close=”1″] Many tour companies do have an age restriction policy, so I suggest you read well over the information about the tours and then book the one that suits you. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is there any weight restriction on tours?” close=”1″] No, there are no weight restrictions. But some companies require you to fit in protective overalls, like on snowmobile tours and the biggest overalls are 5XL. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I need to be in great shape to enter glacier or hiking tours?” close=”1″] Definitely not, you should at least be able to walk some distance, but these hikes are everywhere between ,,incredibly easy’’ and ,,very challenging’’ hikes. So don’t worry, you can read beforehand about the various glacier and hiking tours and choose the one you feel most comfortable with. If there are any questions about difficulty, feel free to contact us. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I join a snowmobile tour even if I have never driven one before?” close=”1″] Yes, that’s more than ok, you just need to have a driver’s license to be allowed to drive. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I book a snowmobile tour in the summer?” close=”1″] Yes, definitely, there are a handful of tours that go during the summer time out on the glaciers. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I go diving or snorkeling even if I don’t have any previous experience?” close=”1″] You can definitely go snorkeling, but you need to have a license to dive to be able to dive. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Best place to go snorkeling or diving in Iceland?” close=”1″] Silfrá is by far the most popular snorkeling location. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the temperature of Silfrá in Iceland?” close=”1″] Around 4 degrees all year round. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Packing for Iceland
[tg_accordion title=”What should I pack for my trip to Iceland?” close=”1″] Read THIS article if you want to get a check-list on what to bring to Iceland! [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Best shoes for traveling in Iceland?” close=”1″] We recommend bringing good hiking shoes and comfortable shoes in between hikes. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I need a power-adapter to charge my things?” close=”1″] Yes, bring a universal electric power adapter, because Iceland has different electric ports compared to America and many other places in Europe. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I need crampons?” close=”1″] You only need crampons during the winter season. We wouldn’t recommend packing crampons into your baggage. However you don’t need them in for example glacier tours, because the tour companies provide you with a pair of crampons. If you need them and you’re solo traveling here in Iceland there is a store called BONUS that sells crampons very cheap and BONUS is found in Reykjavik, Selfoss, Borgarnes, Akureyri and other places. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Getting around in Iceland
[tg_accordion title=”Do I need a 4×4 when exploring Iceland?” close=”1″] [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is it easy to hitchhike in Iceland?” close=”1″] [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Is it easy to travel by bus in Iceland?” close=”1″] [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I camp anywhere I want in Iceland?” close=”1″] No, it’s illegal, there are campsites all over Iceland and very easy to find. You can find the map for all the campsites in Iceland HERE. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the best way to cross rivers in Iceland?” close=”1″] There are 7 basic rules of river-crossing in Iceland. 1.Always stop before going in, go out of the car to see how deep the river is. 2.Use a 4×4 vehicle, preferably on tires that are 33’’ or bigger. 3.Watch other cars go first to see how they cross the river and learn from them. 4.Watch how deep their tires go into the river. If they are on similar tires and the river reaches the bumper, do NOT go for it. 5.Don’t go fast, you should be driving around 10-15 km per hour, if you go too fast the water will enter the engine. 6.Don’t go too slow either, if you stop the car in the river, you could sink into the floor of the river and get stuck. 7.Never go river-crossing alone, always have someone with you, in another car. If you are solo-traveling, wait for another car to arrive and then follow him or if you get a chance to talk to them ask them to wait for you to cross. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Northern lights
[tg_accordion title=”Is it guaranteed that I see northern lights on the tour?” close=”1″] The Northern Lights are natural phenomena and we, unfortunately, cannot promise you will see them. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Best time to visit Iceland if you want to see the northern lights?” close=”1″] The best months are between mid-September to March. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What are the best conditions for seeing the northern lights?” close=”1″] It has to be dark outside and not cloudy. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”How do I capture the northern lights on a phone/camera?” close=”1″] There is no simple answer so we made a blog about it. Check it out HERE![/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Do I have to book a tour to see the northern lights?” close=”1″] No, but it will definitely increase your chances, since our tours have top quality experts who know where to look for them. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Icelandic animals
[tg_accordion title=”Where and what time of year can I see the puffins?” close=”1″] [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Where and what time of year can I see the arctic foxes?” close=”1″] You can see the arctic fox [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Where can I see the Icelandic horse?” close=”1″] The Icelandic horse is all over Iceland. You won’t miss it on your travels here. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Best places in Iceland to enter whale watching tours?” close=”1″] Húsavík, located in the north is THE best spot to see whales in Iceland and actually one of the best whale watching location in the world! Húsavík is often called “Europe’s whale watching capital”, we reccommend a visit to this cute town if you want to see whales, they also have a great whale museum in the town. Other great places to go whale whatching is near Akureyri and Ísafjörður. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Best places in Iceland to go on a horse riding tour?” close=”1″] [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Are there any dangerous animals in Iceland?” close=”1″] No, there aren’t but you should be aware of the sheeps that roam free in Iceland during the summer times. They can block the roads and cause car accidents if people aren’t careful. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Self driving in Iceland
[tg_accordion title=”Do you need a drivers license to rent a car in Iceland?” close=”1″] Yes, most definitely. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”What is the speed limit in Iceland?” close=”1″] On the roads inside villages and in Reykjavík city it’s 50km/h unless it says higher or lower. On highways it’s 90km/h. [/tg_accordion]
[tg_accordion title=”Can I camp anywhere I want in Iceland?” close=”1″] No, it’s illegal, there are campsites all over Iceland and very easy to find. You can find the map for all the campsites in Iceland HERE. [/tg_accordion]
FAQ – Accommodations
[tg_accordion title=”How far in advance should I book a spot at campsites?” close=”1″] It’s enough to do it one day in advance. However, there are often available spots the same day. Just check out Parka.is to find your nearest campsite and book a spot. [/tg_accordion]
TEST YOUR ICELAND KNOWLEDGE WITH THIS QUIZ!