Iceland travel guide for New Zealanders

As a New Zealand citizen, you do not need a visa for Iceland for tourism or short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, from 2026 you must hold an ETIAS travel authorisation before you fly; without it you will be refused boarding. Apply online before booking flights, as approval can take days.

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area. Carry proof of accommodation and return or onward tickets, as border officers may ask.

Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, so the same entry rules apply as for other Schengen countries. For New Zealand citizens, the key points are: no visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, an ETIAS authorisation required from 2026, and a passport valid for at least three months beyond your departure date.

At border control, be ready to show proof of accommodation, return tickets, and sufficient funds for your stay. The 90-day limit applies to the whole Schengen Area, not just Iceland, so count days spent in other Schengen countries.

New Zealand does not have an embassy in Iceland. The nearest accredited embassy is in Stockholm, Sweden, which covers Iceland. For consular help while in Iceland, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Stockholm or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.

For visa or entry questions, the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration is the authority. For emergency consular assistance, call the New Zealand 24/7 consular hotline from anywhere in the world.

Iceland is expensive by New Zealand standards. Budget roughly NZ$150–250 per person per day for mid-range travel, covering accommodation, food, transport and activities. A week for one person typically lands between NZ$3,000 and NZ$4,500, excluding international flights.

Flights from New Zealand to Iceland cost about NZ$1,800–2,500 return with one stop, usually via Europe or North America. Car hire is a major cost: expect NZ$80–150 per day for a small car, more in summer. Fuel is about NZ$2.50–3.00 per litre. Guided tours and activities like glacier walks or whale watching add NZ$100–200 per person per day.

There are no direct flights from New Zealand to Iceland. The most common routes connect through a European hub such as London, Copenhagen, or Frankfurt, then on to Keflavík International Airport (KEF). Total travel time is typically 24–30 hours including the stop.

From Auckland, expect about 3 hours to Australia or Asia, then 11–13 hours to Europe, then a 3-hour flight to Iceland. Add a night in the hub city if you want to break the journey. Keflavík is about 45 minutes by bus or car from Reykjavík.

Iceland uses type C and F plugs, standard in Europe, with a 230 V supply at 50 Hz. New Zealand uses type I plugs, so you will need a travel adapter. Check that your devices support 230 V; most modern chargers do, but some appliances like hairdryers may not.

Bring a universal adapter and a power bank for long drives. USB ports are common in hotels and cars, but a plug adapter is essential.

Tipping is not expected in Iceland. Service charges are included in restaurant bills, and taxi drivers and tour guides do not rely on tips. Rounding up is appreciated but not necessary.

If you receive exceptional service, a small tip is fine, but you will not offend anyone by not tipping. Budget accordingly — you can skip tipping entirely.

In Iceland, call 112 for police, fire, or medical emergencies. For non-urgent medical advice, call 1700. The 112 app provides your GPS location to emergency services and is recommended for travellers.

For consular help, contact the New Zealand Embassy in Stockholm or the MFAT 24/7 hotline. Keep your travel insurance details and policy number handy.