If you are renting a car, take out the extra insurance. Iceland’s weather and road conditions can be harsh at times. If you rent a 4 x 4 and plan on doing any F road driving, get at least the gravel and tire insurance. It will give you peace of mind and save you a lot of money if you’re unlucky. Always check if driving on an F road is included in your rental policy and if you are not permitted to drive off-road. This can damage sensitive fauna and comes with heavy fines.
If you rent a car, buy an N1 gas card and keep it aside for emergencies. Sometimes, for some unknown reason, foreign debit cards may get rejected at the pump. This is uncommon, but it happened to me once on a Sunday in the West Fjords. The station was unmanned, and no one was there to take cash. Luckily, I had enough gas to reach the next station. Now, I keep an N1 card for 5000 kronor in a rental.
Don’t buy bottled water. Iceland’s water is the cleanest in the world and safe to drink from the tap or a waterfall.
Pack layers. This is your best option as the climate changes often and sometimes drastically. Wool is a great option; now, they make wool T-shirts, sports bras, and sweaters. I always pack a traditional Icelandic sweater known as a lopapeysu. It keeps me warm and dry and is a nice layer for hiking or sightseeing. I would suggest purchasing one from a local handmade store in Iceland. It is guaranteed to be of good quality and supports a local farm. I bought one of mine from the Gallery up the road from Geyser. Also, pack a windproof, waterproof jacket, waterproof pants, thermal layers, moisture-wicking pants, a bathing suit for the springs, and plenty of socks. I will address a packing list in detail in a separate post.
If the GPS says a two-hour drive, plan on four. This is simply because you may see something on the way you would like to stop for, and if you are like me, you will stop to photograph every sheep and horse you see. So allow yourself plenty of time to get from point to point. Take your time and enjoy!
If your diet allows meat, try an Icelandic hot dog; you won’t be disappointed!
Good apps to download for your visit are Parka (for parking and campsites), Vedur (for weather conditions by the Icelandic Meteorological Office), and My Aurora Forecast (for tracking the Northern Lights).
If you are renting a car, familiarize yourself with the roundabout. They are highly efficient, and you will find them more in the capital region and south, but if you don’t know how to negotiate them, you can cause an accident. The car to the left always has the right of way, so when you are about to enter, yield to vehicles from the left.
Respect nature. This goes without saying. Don’t litter, pee, poop, or destroy. You may have heard of the Icelandic hidden folk, and if you disrespect nature, you are almost guaranteed to have a miserable trip afterward.
Hire a guide. It will make Iceland more interesting and fun.
Respect the weather. Iceland’s weather is no joke. I have been blessed with clear sunny days for most of my visits, but when she turns, she turns hard. The most dangerous part is the wind. Be very cautious with car doors if it is windy. Hold onto them when you open or close, and do not keep anything of value in the door pockets. And if it is very windy, don’t drive; it is not worth the risk, trust me on this. Your trip will be costly if you damage the vehicle or get hurt.
Here’s the reality: you will not see everything. It is impossible. I have been to Iceland five times and still miss things. Your itinerary may change, and this may be due to the weather and drive times, or if you are like me, you become distracted by another site, lose track of time, and miss out on what was planned. This is okay. Iceland will still be there when you leave, and you can always return. Don’t’ blast through the ring road in eight days like I did on my first visit. Instead, plan one to two things daily to see and take your time. Enjoy Iceland and what it has to offer. 🙂
