Iceland is a North Atlantic island of waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches and geothermal pools, with one lively capital and small towns spread along a single ring road. Most visitors travel by rental car, so plans move between regional bases and use road times rather than a city transit map. Summer brings long light and open highland roads, while winter brings short days, ice caves and the northern lights.
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Plan:3 days in Iceland
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You get between stops by road: rental car, campervan or taxi, and in some places domestic flights. Public buses cover only some routes, and there are no trains.
Churches are usually open to visitors outside services, and some areas may close while a service is on. Visitors are usually asked to dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and to keep their voices down. Photography rules usually vary, and flash is often not allowed. Rules can vary, so please follow any instructions and ask the staff on arrival.
Essentials:before you travel
What to sort before your 3-day trip, plus a few useful words.
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Places to eat near your plan and your stay. Tap the heart to save one.
Chosen from places featured in respected travel and food guides, or on a halal certifier's list, as of October 2026. We don't take payment to include a place.
Dietary
Please confirm with the restaurant if you have any allergies.
Near your planYour plan
11 min from Friðheimar
Friðheimar
Tomato soup served with a buffet of freshly baked bread · Golden Circle & Selfoss
Taxis are available around the clock at Keflavík Airport, and the airport says drivers accept cards and phone payments. A trip in Reykjavík typically starts at about 880 ISK plus a per-kilometre rate, and a fixed airport fare of about 22,500 ISK for a small car is listed by one operator (as of October 2026). Apps such as Hopp and Hreyfill book licensed taxis.
Driving or riding yourself
Most visitors drive a rental car or campervan, so check your rental company's licence and age rules before you book. Paved and gravel roads suit a normal car, while F-roads are mountain tracks open for a short time in summer and need a four-wheel-drive vehicle with good ground clearance. Stay on marked roads, because off-road driving is not allowed, and check road conditions before you drive.
Buses
Strætó contactless bank card or phone
Strætó contactless bank card or phone
Capital-area Strætó buses; one adult fare per tap on board.
One ride
ISK 690
Per person, paid locally · as of October 2026
How to use the card
1Buy a ticket in the free Klappið app, or pick up a refillable Klapp card or a ten-ride paper card at a vendor listed on the Klappið site.
2Load a single fare or a pass in the app, or top up a Klapp card through My pages online; a single adult fare is 690 ISK (as of October 2026).
3Board at the front, then scan the app code or Klapp card on the reader, or tap a contactless bank card or phone for one adult fare. An app ticket is valid for 75 minutes after activation.
How to use the card
1Buy a ticket in the free Klappið app, or pick up a refillable Klapp card or a ten-ride paper card at a vendor listed on the Klappið site.
2Load a single fare or a pass in the app, or top up a Klapp card through My pages online; a single adult fare is 690 ISK (as of October 2026).
3Board at the front, then scan the app code or Klapp card on the reader, or tap a contactless bank card or phone for one adult fare. An app ticket is valid for 75 minutes after activation.
Food and drinksGetting aroundSights (entry tickets)
What's included ▾
What's included, per person per day
Per person, per day
Budget
Mid-range
Comfort
Breakfast
ISK 1,410
ISK 2,130
ISK 3,920
Lunch
ISK 3,042
ISK 3,590
ISK 5,450
Dinner
ISK 3,590
ISK 5,450
ISK 9,400
Drinks
ISK 398
ISK 1,998
ISK 3,538
Getting around
ISK 2,070
ISK 2,070
ISK 5,220
Sights (entry tickets)
ISK 1,500
ISK 1,500
ISK 1,500
Total a day
ISK 12,010
ISK 16,738
ISK 29,028
Sights are counted at the standard entry ticket. Guided tours cost more.
Everyday prices
Typical prices, as of October 2026
ISK 870Coffee
ISK 128Bottle of water
ISK 1,410Bakery breakfast
ISK 3,042Lunch deal
ISK 3,590Casual restaurant meal
ISK 5,450Mid-range dinner
ISK 142Soft drink
ISK 690One ride
ISK 2,070Day of transport
ISK 3,150Short taxi (5 km)
Cards
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless and phone payments, so very little cash is needed. Bring a card with a PIN for unattended fuel pumps, which often will not take a card without one.
Cash machines
ATMs run by banks are usually cheaper than stand-alone machines, though many banks also charge foreign cards a fee. If asked, choose to be charged in Icelandic Króna. Your own bank may also charge a foreign-use fee. Check with your bank before you go.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Iceland because service is normally included in the price. A small tip for good service is fine but never expected.
Supermarkets near your stay
Reykjavík & Reykjanes
NettóGrocery store
28 min walk
HagkaupGrocery store
32 min walk
BónusGrocery store
35 min walk
Seasons:best time to visit Iceland
Seasons, weather, and the events and holidays that change opening hours, crowds and prices.
FAQ
Quick answers to common questions.
How many days do I need in Iceland?
Most visitors plan about a week for the main sights and a longer stay for the full ring road, because distances are long and daylight in winter is short. A few days is enough for Reykjavík, the Golden Circle and the south coast. We group the trip into regional bases and show road times between them, so you can see how much each region adds.
When should I visit Iceland?
It depends on what you want. Summer has long light, open highland roads and the most boat and bus services, while winter has short days, ice caves and the northern lights. Spring and autumn sit between the two with fewer visitors. We offer a summer and a winter plan set because roads, travel times and daylight differ so much.
How do I get from Keflavík airport to Reykjavík?
The airport is on the Reykjanes peninsula, and the usual choices are the Flybus coach, a taxi or a rental car. The coach takes about 45 minutes to Reykjavík and an adult ticket is about ISK 3,999, with hotel drop-off costing more. There is no rail link. As of 29 Oct 2026.
Is there public transport in Iceland?
Only partly. The capital area has a city bus network, and intercity buses link many towns, but they run less often and some routes stop in winter. Most sights outside Reykjavík are far from any bus stop, so visitors usually drive or join a tour. There is no rail network. A single adult ticket on the capital-area bus is ISK 690. As of 29 Oct 2026.
How do I get around Iceland?
Most visitors rent a car, because the sights are spread along long roads and public buses are limited. Taxis cover towns and the capital area, and domestic flights link Reykjavík with a few regions. Highland roads need a four-wheel-drive vehicle and are open only in summer. Our plans move between regional bases and use road times for the legs between stops.
Do I need a travel card for the bus?
Not for a short stay. On the capital-area bus you can pay with a contactless bank card or phone, or buy a ticket in the Klappið app. A refillable Klapp card costs ISK 1,000 and is mainly useful for longer stays. No day pass is listed. As of 29 Oct 2026.
How much is a taxi in Reykjavík?
A metered taxi trip starts at about ISK 880 before the per-kilometre charge, and the operator publishes a fixed fare for the airport run of about ISK 22,500 in a small car. Rates are higher at night. As of 29 Oct 2026.
Do I need to tip in Iceland?
Tipping is not expected. Service is normally included in prices, and guides describe rounding up or leaving a small amount for exceptional service as a courtesy rather than a rule.
Should I carry cash in Iceland?
Very little. Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops, cafés and many rural stops, so most visitors never need cash. Check that your card has a PIN, because some unattended machines such as fuel pumps ask for one.
Is there a tourist tax in Iceland?
Hotels and guesthouses add a per-night accommodation tax of ISK 800 per room or unit, and campsites add a smaller amount. Some nature sites also charge for parking. As of 29 Oct 2026.
What should I book ahead in Iceland?
Geothermal lagoons such as the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon use time slots, guided ice cave and glacier tours need a booking, and summer highland buses and boats to Hornstrandir have limited seats. Rental cars and rooms outside Reykjavík also sell out early in summer.
What plug adapter do I need in Iceland?
Iceland uses plug types C and F at 230 volts, so visitors from the United Kingdom, North America and many other places need an adapter, and some devices need a voltage converter.
Is Iceland expensive?
Iceland is one of the more expensive places to travel. A typical day for food and getting around costs about ISK 10,150 on a budget, about ISK 14,790 at a mid-range level and about ISK 26,800 at a comfort level, before sights, lodging and car rental. As of 29 Oct 2026.
What can I do in Iceland for free?
Many of the well-known sights are open landscapes with no ticket, such as Gullfoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and the black sand beaches, although some have a paid car park. Walks in Reykjavík, the Old Harbour and the city streets cost nothing either.
Which day trips can I do from Reykjavík?
The Golden Circle, the south coast waterfalls and the Snæfellsnes peninsula are the usual choices, and the Blue Lagoon is close to the airport. The Westman Islands are reached by ferry from the south coast. The south coast and Snæfellsnes make long days, so some visitors stay overnight in a regional base instead.
Can I drive in Iceland with my home licence?
Usually yes, if your licence is in the Latin alphabet and you meet the rental company age and licence-age rules. Highland tracks are for four-wheel-drive vehicles only and off-road driving is not allowed. In winter allow extra time because days are short and some roads close.
First time? We suggest for the sights.
Reykjavík is the capital and the easiest first base: museums, harbour walks, shops and the widest choice of places to eat sit within a short walk of each other.
Airport: about 33–66 min by road
Good for: History & culture
The south coast runs from the farmland around Hella and Hvolsvöllur past Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss to the black beaches of Vík.
Airport: about 188–376 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
Akureyri is the largest town outside the capital area, with a fjord setting, a botanical garden and good food, and it is the usual base for the north.
Airport: about 409–818 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
This base covers the lowlands east of Reykjavík around Selfoss, Hveragerði and Laugarvatn, where Þingvellir, the Geysir geothermal field and Gullfoss lie within a short drive of each other.
Airport: about 125–250 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
The Snæfellsnes peninsula packs volcanoes, lava coast, fishing villages and a national park into a few hours of driving.
Airport: about 200–400 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
The southeast is the stretch from Kirkjubæjarklaustur through Skaftafell to Höfn, where the Vatnajökull ice cap reaches almost to the sea.
Airport: about 369–738 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
East Iceland is a quiet region of long fjords, small fishing villages and mountain passes, with Egilsstaðir as its main town and Seyðisfjörður as its well-known village.
Airport: about 591–1182 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
The Westfjords are the remote north-western peninsula, with steep fjords, bird cliffs and long gravel roads.
Airport: about 356–712 min by road
Good for: Nature & hikes
Road times by car · as of November 2026
Hotels and rentals on the map
Uses cookies
HallóHAH-lohHello
Gott kvöldGOT kvurldGood evening
VinsamlegastVIN-sam-leh-gastPlease (closest word; Icelandic has no single word for please)
TakkTAHKThank you (fuller form: Takk fyrir)
Já / NeiYOW / NAYYes / No
AfsakiðAHF-sa-kithExcuse me (to get someone's attention)
Hvað kostar þetta?kvath KOS-tar THEH-taHow much is it? (literally: What does this cost?)
Talarðu ensku?TAH-lar-thu EN-skuDo you speak English?
Ég tala ekki íslenskuyeh TAH-la EH-kyi EES-len-skuI don't speak Icelandic
BlessBLESSGoodbye
Average highAverage lowRainy days
Typical, based on past years. Not a forecast.
Show as a table
Month
Average high
Average low
Rainy days
January
2°
-3°
19 days
February
2°
-3°
18 days
March
3°
-2°
19 days
April
6°
1°
17 days
May
9°
4°
16 days
June
12°
8°
15 days
July
14°
9°
15 days
August
13°
9°
16 days
September
11°
6°
18 days
October
7°
3°
16 days
November
4°
0°
17 days
December
2°
-2°
18 days
Summer (May to September)
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Long days run from May to September, with the midnight sun around late June giving bright nights. Most services, tours and campsites are open, and highland mountain roads usually open from late June, so interior areas become reachable with a suitable vehicle. June to August is the busiest stretch, when popular sights are crowded and places to stay book up early.
Winter (October to April)
Oct · Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr
From October to April the days are shorter, down to a few hours of daylight around midwinter, which gives the northern lights their long dark window. Snow, ice and wind can change plans quickly, highland routes are shut and some rural services slow down. Reykjavík, the pools and the main southern sights stay open, and winter festivals light up the dark months.
Events and holidays
Coming up in the next 12 months. to see what falls during your trip.
5NovFestival or eventIceland AirwavesThu, Nov 5, 2026 – Sat, Nov 7, 2026
A multi-genre music festival held across venues in Reykjavík. Expect busy venues in the evenings and higher accommodation demand in the city centre.
11DecEventYule Lads seasonFri, Dec 11, 2026 – Thu, Dec 24, 2026
Thirteen Yule Lads visit in the weeks before Christmas in an old tradition for children, with seasonal markets and decorations in towns. Shops change hours close to Christmas.
24DecPublic holidayChristmas EveThu, Dec 24, 2026
Shops and many restaurants close around midday and almost everything is shut for the evening. Plan meals and groceries ahead, as the following two days are also holidays.
Dark Music Days· Usually in January. Dates not yet announced.
Þorrablót midwinter feasts· Usually in February. Dates not yet announced.
Mývatn Winter Festival· Usually in March. Dates not yet announced.
Aldrei fór ég suður· Usually in April. Dates not yet announced.
DesignMarch· Usually in May. Dates not yet announced.
Reykjavík Arts Festival· Usually in June. Dates not yet announced.
Midnight sun season· Usually in June. Dates not yet announced.
Sjómannadagurinn (Seamen's Day)· Usually in June. Dates not yet announced.
Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival· Usually in June. Dates not yet announced.
Summer solstice on Grímsey· Usually in June. Dates not yet announced.
Bræðslan· Usually in July. Dates not yet announced.
Reykjavík Pride· Usually in August. Dates not yet announced.
Reykjavík Marathon· Usually in August. Dates not yet announced.
Verslunarmannahelgi (August bank holiday weekend)· Usually in August. Dates not yet announced.
Reykjavík International Film Festival· Usually in September. Dates not yet announced.
Reykjavík Jazz Festival· Usually in September. Dates not yet announced.
Northern lights season· Usually in September. Dates not yet announced.
Réttir (autumn sheep round-up)· Usually in September. Dates not yet announced.
Imagine Peace Tower lighting· Usually in October. Dates not yet announced.
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