I am currently planning a trip to Iceland for late June to early July and am looking for advice on car rentals and insurance. At this stage, I will be mostly travelling the southern half of Iceland (Grundarfjordur, Reykjavik, Vik, Jokulsarlon) and will mostly be along established tar roads with the occasional gravel road. With this in mind:

1. Any recommendations on which car rental company to go with? Based on my research, Blue Car Rental seems to be the goto.

2. Is it worth paying for the extra insurance and/or liability waivers given the time of year and areas I’ll be travelling to? I am trying to be as budget friendly as possible but also don’t want to suffer the consequences if something was to happen with the rental car.

Appreciate any and all advice and guidance!

Hi everyone.

My partner and I are visiting Iceland for 5 days 4 nights in end of December. I'm looking at tours to visit the south coast and glacier lagoon/diamond beach from Reykjavik. From my research, there are two options:

- 2-day south coast tour with various companies, costs ~$600-$700 per person and includes one night of accommodation and glacier hike + ice cave.

- Day trip with Grayline, costs ~$190 per person and includes short stops at main sights along the way. It will be a long day (~14 hours) so given the short daylight at the time, I was wondering if any of the main stops will actually be in the dark and we wouldn't be able to really see.

For those who did the 2-day tour in the winter - was it worth the cost? Or should I wait to do that in the summer (yes, I'm planning to be back at some point in the summer as well)?

Likewise, how was the Grayline day trip in winter? Were you able to see all the main sights before dark?

hi all, im wondering if i packed too much into one trip.

im mostly after hiking and seeing nature sights. im really happy if i see northern lights.

i did a lot of reading after i booked flights, for on where to stay. my initial plan was to stay 2 days in capital, and 2 & 2 days in other small towns , do the hikes nearby and sightseeing, but seeing as the time of my arrival its not really suited?

im open to get tours but dont know which is more trustworthy, and reasonably priced.

looking to hear all your suggestions

We will be in Iceland in November, and I am very interested in visiting this region.

My initial plan is to stay in Dalvik.

Any suggestions on what can/should be done, or even where to research about this? Any suggestions are welcome.

Picture source: https://www.northiceland.is/en/service/hofsos-swimming-pool

Hello! We are looking into staying at the Blue Lagoon at the beginning of June on a stop over. Unfortunately, our potential flight into Keflavik arrives after the last bus transfer to the Blue Lagoon. Is a taxi an easy option from Keflavik airport to the Blue Lagoon and if so, how much would that cost on average in ISK?

Alternately, are there private transfer options you can recommend with approximate cost in ISK?

Thank you in advance!

I want to go to South Iceland upcoming February, but I've seen a lot of warnings about driving there. Is it really that bad on the roads? I'm used to some challengine driving, mostly mountains, but haven't really been driving in extreme icy conditions.

I'm staying near Selfoss, and just planning to do some of the golden circle stuff, and not going more east than Skogafoss.

I visited Iceland some years ago and fell in love with the Appelsín orange soda. One day I drank >1L and ended up on the floor of the hotel bathroom in the middle of the night with stomach cramps. I still think about this memory from time to time and I think it’s beautiful. 🍊🥤

Does anyone know of any glacier or sea kayak operators open in late April?

I can only find tour operators from May onwards which is a shame as we fly back on the 27th April and would really love to experience the kayaks around the glaciers.

We’re still planning our route but will likely be around the south coast towards jokulsaron, and around the golden circle and peninsula.

Looks like YES Snowboards have partnered with BONUS on this deck.

I kind of want to get it just to hang up on the wall.. haha

https://yessnowboards.com/products/shifter-xtrm-2025

https://preview.redd.it/zqzs7wqslyxd1.jpg?width=502&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c5c8bfde003fb96bcc8fc6b36aba45021b8ff841

Hi there - were visiting Iceland next Thursday, and although my girlfriend passed her test 6 months ago, she hasn't yet upgraded her UK provisional to a full licence. She has the pass certificate, but you're allowed 2 years without upgrading it.

My question is, will Iceland accept the pass certificate and provisional licence as proof of having a full licence? Or will I have to do all of the driving?

Would they even ask for ID for the additional driver?

I'll probably drive everywhere anyway, but it's nice to know she's able to do in the event of a twisted ankle or similar.

Thanks.

Leaving for Iceland in a few days and the weather looks like all rain.

All the activities we planned are outdoors including hikes, lagoon visits, and more, not to mention a surprise engagement. Will the rain ruin the experience and/or cause cancellations?

We were prepped for snow with lots of layers for warmth, wind, and water, but wasn’t picturing all day rain every day.

Any advice on how to make the best of this? Should we bother with umbrellas with the wind if we have waterproof outerlayers anyway?

Hi everyone. I'll be travelling to Iceland in June and I'm wondering about thoughts on staying in Harnarfjodour if you're using public transport to go in and out of Reykjavik?

Do you recommend it?

Are there lots of things to do?

Is it a nice, quiet town that's walkable?

Any advice is appreciated.

We'll be using public transport for our entire 6 day stay in iceland.

I am planning to start early in the morning in Vogar, walk to Krysuvik area, spent some time around and go back to Vogar. Want to go by foot to enjoy the most of great Icelandic nature. Whole day trip. I am used to walk a lot even with heavy backpack.

Doable or crazy in this time of year?

Love to hear any ideas about my plan, suggestions etc.

And yes, I am planning to take with me food and water and also respect nature as much as is possible 🙂

Hello r/VisitingIceland , I am super excited to visit your beautiful country in late January next year. Witnessing the Northern Lights is a bucket list item for me, and I hope to cross it off this time with this solo trip. I have booked a self-driving tour for about ten days and plan to complete a ring across the country. What advice would you give to an Indian who hasn't seen much cold in order to

1. Enjoy your beautiful country.
2. Not to accidentally disrespect the people of Iceland and their culture.

Thank you in advance!!

Traveling on sunday with our under 2 baby on Play. We purchased her a seat. Has anyone figured out the baggage situation? Do we get the personal item that comes with the seat AND the diaper bag? Or just the personal item.

Hi guys,

My friend and I are visiting Iceland from Dec 15th - Dec 30th. We plan on getting a car rental for the time we are there. However, I was needing some help to plan the trip. There's a couple of locations we have on our list that are "must-visits" and am looking for other visit suggestions. We were debating on starting or ending our trip in Reykavik? My consensus was that I wanted to be in Reykavik for Christmas because I've heard that it is a Christmas wonderland here. We could also maybe check out the Blue Lagoon during our stay here as well. I think this would be best for the end but I am not sure, any suggestions?

We plan on doing the Golden Circle and staying in the towns through the drive there, suggestions are welcome for this as well. I know we don't have too much time but I was maybe hoping of staying at least a night or two in each of the towns around the circle.

I also wanted to visit Faroe Islands but I'm not sure how possible this would be given the time we are there, but open to feedback on this as well.

These are the places we have in mind so far.

- Reykjavik - Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, Christmas places

- Golden Circle - Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall

- South coast - Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss Waterfalls, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Vík

- Skaftafell National Park (in Vatnajökull National Park)

- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

- Snaefellsnes Peninsula - Kirkjufell Mountain, Snæfellsjökull Glacier

- Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Bath

- Winter Solstice on Videy Island

- Ice/lava caving

- Snorkeling?

- Whale watching

Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I have a car rented and plan on doing golden circle myself. I also already plan on visiting some lagoons and have a night out at Aurora Base Camp booked early to hopefully learn some stuff and catch the lights on my own. So, beyond that what do ya'll recommend? I'll be sleeping in Reykjavík, so preferably from there. I really had my heart set on an ice Cave tour, but after reading so many people say that it's been underwhelming I'm having 2nd thoughts if my money is better spent on something more exciting.

Edit because I meant to say "Golden Circle" and not "Circle Road". 😬

Im travelling to Iceland in a months time. I was wondering if a car is really necessary or is there accesible public transport in reykjavik?

Why Should You Support ICE-SAR?

In the coming days, you'll spot members of ICE-SAR (Icelandic Search and Rescue) around Iceland selling Neyðarkallinn keychains. These aren't just a keychain—they're a symbol of Icelandic culture, resilience, and the spirit of helping each other.

With more and more visitors exploring the country, ICE-SAR's workload has grown, and they depend on community support to keep going. When you buy a Neyðarkallinn for 3500 kr, you're not just buying a keychain—you're supporting these incredible volunteers who are always ready to step in when things go wrong.

If you ever need help in Iceland—whether you get hurt or lost on a hike, or your car gets stuck somewhere remote—you can call ICE-SAR, and they'll be there to help you, free of charge. Iceland can be beautiful but unforgiving, and it's ICE-SAR that makes sure people stay safe.

Who Are ICE-SAR?

ICE-SAR is entirely run by volunteers who provide crucial search and rescue services across Iceland. These volunteers are trained to handle emergencies in some of the most challenging environments, making sure that both locals and tourists are safe. They buy and maintain all their own equipment, relying on community contributions and fundraising efforts like the Neyðarkallinn sale to continue their vital work.

To learn more about ICE-SAR you can visit their site https://www.landsbjorg.is/

What Is Neyðarkallinn?

Neyðarkallinn is more than a keychain; it carries cultural meaning and reflects the spirit of Iceland. It's a small figurine that represents the "emergency call"—a symbol of the bravery and dedication of ICE-SAR volunteers. The name "Neyðarkallinn" itself means "the emergency caller" in Icelandic, emphasizing its connection to the lifesaving work of ICE-SAR. If you are looking for an authentic souvenir from Iceland, Neyðarkallinn is a piece of Icelandic culture that most locals proudly support every year.

Support ICE-SAR

So, if you see ICE-SAR members as you travel around Iceland, consider grabbing a Neyðarkall. Your support makes a real difference and helps these volunteers keep doing their essential work.

Dear community,

I would really like to hear about your experience with Ice Cave Tour and Glacier Hike in Skaftafell. I booked the tour from Tröll Expeditions for my Island vacation in March-April 2025.

Of course I´m going to bring my alpine hiking boots, merino wool underwear, hat, gloves, etc. but what else would you recommend to wear? A ski jacket or better a thicker winter jacket? Do I need to buy spikes for my shoes? Because I couldn't read anything about them on the get-your-guide website. Let me know!

Thanks a lot, have a nice day.

Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone could give me an estimation of how much spending money I should take for 5 days. For context, the accommodation, flights, car and tourist attractions have all been paid for. We’re staying in an apartment so we have a kitchen which we plan to use as much as we can. So this would be money for petrol, food, drinks and other random things. How much are groceries? Drinks? Eating out? Is petrol expensive? Thank you!

Here’s a diamond from March 2022.

Hi! Me and family are going to be in Iceland for two weeks soon. I (20) am chill androgynous leaning and my sister (24) is very “loud” looking, pink hair, crazy jewelry, very friendly. We are planning on spending a night or two in the Reykjavík nightlife. We want to be respectful of culture and not be jerk Americans. How do we dress, act, and enjoy ourselves without disrupting culture?

I’m planning on going to Iceland for a week and plan to spend 2 days in each Reykjavik, Snaefellsnes and Vik. Do you have any recommendations on which location is best to avoid / stay on Saturday/Sunday? I’m wondering if there are specific things that are closed on the weekends so I should look to be there on a weekday? Since most shops are closed in Reykjavik is it best to be there on weekdays? I’m assuming that Sunday in Reykjavik will be very quiet and not too much to see?