Iceland travel checklist: what to do before you go

The two things that decide your trip are transport and beds. Iceland's summer fleet of rental cars and campervans is finite, and prices climb as the calendar fills. Book the flight first, then the vehicle, then accommodation along the route you actually plan to drive — not the other way round.

Decide the shape of the trip before you book anything non-refundable. A first visit usually means Reykjavík plus the south coast; the full Ring Road needs 8–10 days in summer and is a poor fit for a short winter trip, when storms can close roads for a day at a time. If you are working remotely, check whether you need a long-stay permit before you commit to dates.

Confirm every booking in writing and check the cancellation terms, because weather can force a change of plan even in July. Look at what you have actually reserved: if your first night is in Reykjavík and your car is collected at Keflavík, you need a transfer plan for arrival day, when most flights land early morning and rooms are not ready until the afternoon.

Sort money now rather than at the airport. Iceland runs on cards, including at rural fuel pumps, so a card with no foreign transaction fee and a PIN you know is more useful than a stack of króna. Tell your bank you are travelling if it still asks. Read up on what things cost so the first fuel stop and restaurant bill do not come as a shock.

Start watching conditions. Road closures, wind warnings and volcanic activity are published continuously, and in winter a single closed pass can add hours or cancel a day. Have a plan B for each driving day: a pool, a museum or a shorter loop that stays on the main road.

Pack for wind and rain first, cold second. A waterproof shell, warm mid-layer, hat and gloves matter more than a heavy coat, and swimwear is essential if you want the pools and lagoons. Bring broken-in waterproof footwear — gravel paths and wet lava are hard on new boots. Leave space for nothing you cannot carry yourself, since you will be moving between rooms often.

Fly with your documents reachable, not in the hold: passport, any visa paperwork, insurance policy and the first night's address. Immigration is quick at Keflavík, and the airport sits well outside Reykjavík, so decide in advance whether you are driving, taking a bus or picking up a car at the terminal (check transfer times).

On arrival, buy nothing at the airport you can buy in town, fill a water bottle at the tap (tap water is generally safe to drink — check), and check the road conditions before you set off if you are driving straight from the airport. If your first day is a Golden Circle loop, remember daylight in winter is short and the roads can ice after dark. Keep 112 saved and know that 1700 is the non-urgent medical line.

Iceland is in the Schengen area, so the rules follow the standard 90-days-in-any-180 pattern for short visits. Check the passport validity and visa rules for your own nationality before booking; the answer depends on your passport, not on where you are flying from. Carry proof of onward travel and accommodation, since border staff can ask for it.

Keep a digital and a paper copy of everything: passport photo page, insurance, car rental voucher and any permits. If you plan to stay and work remotely for longer than a normal holiday, that is a different permission and needs its own check well before you travel.

Iceland is close to cashless. Cards work for fuel, pools, cafés and even small rural shops, and tipping is not expected. Carry a small amount of króna only for the rare case where a card reader fails. Budget is the real planning task: fuel, food and tours add up fast, and a hire car plus insurance is usually the largest single line.

Use a card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee, and know your PIN because unmanned fuel pumps often require it. Withdrawing cash at an ATM is possible but rarely necessary. Work out a rough daily figure before you go so you can decide where to spend and where to cook for yourself.

Iceland is a clean, low-risk destination for most travellers, and tap water is generally safe to drink (check). The main hazards are environmental: wind, cold water, slippery paths and road conditions. Travel insurance that covers driving, hiking and any activity you have booked is more important here than vaccinations.

Check your routine vaccinations are current before you go, and bring any prescription medicine in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription. If you take part in glacier walks, ice caves or snorkelling, confirm the operator's safety record and that your insurance covers it. This is general information, not medical advice.

Pack for layers and weather that changes within an hour. A waterproof, windproof shell over a warm mid-layer beats a single heavy coat, and gloves, a hat and a scarf are worth their weight even in summer. Waterproof footwear with grip is the item people most often regret leaving behind.

Bring swimwear and a quick-dry towel for pools and lagoons, a reusable water bottle, and a power bank for long driving days. Plug adapters for types C and F are needed for US, UK and Australian plugs. Keep the bag light enough to move between guesthouses without help, and leave room for nothing you will not use.