Iceland is an incredibly diverse and beautiful country. Because of the country’s unique nature, there are a few things you should know before traveling to make your trip smoother.

1. Language: The official language is Icelandic, but almost everyone speaks English fluently. Look up some words like “Thank you” and “Please” before you go. You’ll automatically become the locals’ favorite for trying!
2. Currency: Iceland has its own currency, the Icelandic krona (ISK), and is mostly a cashless country.
3. Cash: Make sure you bring a credit card with a PIN (important for gas stations!) and know the currency exchange rate before you go. Pro tip: download a currency converter on your phone. This will help a ton, so you don’t have to do mental math gymnastics when purchasing items!
4. Tipping: Unlike in America, tipping is not expected in Iceland. Gratuity is already applied to the purchase price of things. If you want, you can tip if you are happy with the service.
5. Water: Iceland has the cleanest water you’ll ever drink! It is filtered fresh from the glacier runoff, so feel free to drink from the tap and fill up your bottle at gas stations and campsites. Don’t pay for bottled water!
6. Weather: The weather in Iceland is extremely unpredictable, and even in summer, it can be cold. Check the forecast regularly at www.vedur.is.
7. Clothing: Proper planning for clothing is crucial. We suggest a base layer – merino wool – fleece layers, and then wind-breaking layers or a rain layer. It rains a lot in Iceland, so having a waterproof outer layer is essential. Don’t overpack either! You’ll most likely find yourself re-wearing the same clothing for most of your trip. We were there for 10 days and probably cycled through 4 outfits each.
8. Electricity: The electricity in Iceland is 220 volts, so make sure to bring an adaptor if you want to charge anything and you are coming from a country with a different voltage.
9. Wifi: Iceland has great 5G coverage in Reykjavik and South Iceland. You can purchase a prepaid data SIM card or a wifi hotspot from your campervan or rental company, or buy an e-SIM from Airalo, as we did.
10. Driving: The rules of driving in Iceland are pretty easy; they drive on the right side like in the US, but pay attention to the roundabout rules and speed limits. The police force is very small in Iceland, so they set up frequent speed traps to catch speeders. Whatever you do, DO NOT SPEED, or you will be fined a huge fine and have to pay it at the end of your trip when you drop off your campervan.

Overall, enjoy your trip! There is nowhere like Iceland! With its stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and friendly people, it’ll be a memorable experience. I hope these tips help you plan your trip and make the most of your journey to one of my favorite countries!

Hi there! We’re Grant, Holly & Jude, a travel-and-adventure family sharing your favorite travel content. Interested in more travel tips? Read our blog here, or follow our Pinterest for updates when we post new travel info and tips!