Major city · Iceland
Hella
Stay 1 night in Hella as a base for highland day trips (Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk); 4‑5 h drive from Reykjavík.
Hella is a small South‑Iceland village (≈750 residents) on the Ring Road, ideal for a single overnight stop before heading into the interior highlands. Most visitors spend one night and use a hired car or the limited bus service to reach nearby attractions such as Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ISK
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Winter (road closures, snow)
- Airport
- KEF
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Iceland ↗Iceland is not in the EU but is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources.
- Iceland ↗Driving off marked roads is illegal and fined heavily; F-roads into the highlands open only in summer and require a 4x4.
- Iceland ↗Check the road authority's conditions map and the Met Office forecast every morning, and leave a travel plan on SafeTravel for hikes and remote drives.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hella112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hella, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK, kr).Iceland-wide
- SIM or eSIMEEA roaming applies: EU/EEA SIMs work at home prices.Iceland-wide
- Tap waterCold tap water is excellent; hot tap water is geothermal and smells of sulphur — do not drink it.Iceland-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Not expected.Iceland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Iceland-wide
- SafetyHella is safe for tourists; main risks are weather‑related road closures and cold water in the river.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew on long drives; petrol stations and paid toilets (ISK 200–500 (≈ US$2–5)) at sites.Iceland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / general emergency · 112 fire and ambulance · 1700 Non‑urgent medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany rural guesthouses and cafés close October–April; highland huts only in summer.Iceland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKEF Keflavík International Airport (≈ 120 km (75 mi) west, 1.5 h drive via Ring Road).KEF Keflavík International Airport (≈ 75 mi (120 km) west, 1.5 h drive via Ring Road).
- Getting aroundRent a car (most flexible for highland roads).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeecaféISK 350–500 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedDormitory bed, a night, per personISK 3,500 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per roomISK 15,000 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per roomISK 35,000 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ISK 12,000 (≈ US$100) · Mid ISK 18,000 (≈ US$150) · High ISK 25,000 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KEF Keflavík International Airport (≈ 120 km (75 mi) west, 1.5 h drive via Ring Road)KEF Keflavík International Airport (≈ 75 mi (120 km) west, 1.5 h drive via Ring Road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jul
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Sep
Best
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Oct
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Nov
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hella: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
9 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Jun
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Aug
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Sep
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Oct
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Rent a car (most flexible for highland roads). Limited bus service (Bílar og Fólk) runs a few times daily between Reykjavík and Hella; check schedule.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Landmannalaugar
goDoor to door: ≈ 3 h round‑trip
4×4 rental from Hella, 1 h 30 min drive on F‑road 225
Check F‑road open status; no public transport.
Þórsmörk
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h 30 min
4×4 rental, 1 h 15 min via F‑road 26
River crossings may require a ferry; verify schedule.
Hekla volcano viewpoint
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h
Drive 30 min east on Route 1, then short walk to Hóllinn viewpoint
No formal trail; stay on marked paths.
Vík
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 2 h 40 min
Ring Road east, 1 h 20 min drive
Longer day; consider overnight if adding other sights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fosshotel Mosfell
Hotel on the Ring Road, good for one night; easy parking for rental cars.
Árhús Bungalows
Riverside bungalows, self‑catering, walk to pool.
Brenna Guesthouse
Family‑run guesthouse, close to town centre.
Hotel Rangá
Upscale lodge 6 km (3.7 mi) west, popular for fishing trips.Upscale lodge 3.7 mi (6 km) west, popular for fishing trips.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ISK 12,000–18,000 (≈ US$100–150) excl. bed
- Mid
- ISK 18,000–25,000 (≈ US$150–250) excl. bed
- High
- ISK 25,000 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room1 × 1 night × ISK 15,000 | ISK 15,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ISK 18,000 | ISK 36,000 |
| Car rental (compact, 4×4, 1 day)2 × ISK 20,000 | ISK 40,000 |
| Pool entrance fee2 × ISK 400 · approx. US$3 | ISK 700 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × ISK 2,500 | ISK 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ISK 9,700 |
| Trip total≈ ISK 53,200 per person per day, bed included | ISK 106,400≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in ISK; flights and car rental not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffeecafé | ISK 350–500 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lunch buffet (Kanslarinn)weekday until 13:00weekday until 1:00 PM | ISK 1 (≈ under US$1) 200–1 800 |
| Petrol (per litre) | ISK 210–230 (≈ US$2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Highland roads (F‑road) require a 4×4 and may be closed by snow; check road status before departure.
- Weather can change rapidly; bring warm layers even in summer.
- Pool entrance fee ≈ US$3; cash preferred.
Emergency numbers
- Police / general emergency
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Non‑urgent medical
- 1700
Pocket card
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HellaHella
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Á þennan heimilisfang, vinsamlegastTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / general emergency112
- Non‑urgent medical1700
Embassy
US consulate in Reykjavík; other embassies also in Reykjavík.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Reykjavík → Hella (bus, Bílar og Fólk): about ISK 3 (≈ under US$1) 500, 4 h (check schedule)
- Car rental (compact, 1 day): ≈ ISK 15 000–20 000 (check rates)
Say or show
- Halló — Hello (hallo)
- Takk — Thank you (tahk)
- Hversu mikið? — How much? (hvair-su mik-te?)
- Hvar er klósettið? — Where is the bathroom? (kvar er klo-se-tith?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hella. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Winter (road closures, snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Car‑rental contracts (check insurance for F‑roads).
- Guided highland tours from Hella (book in advance).
- Pool and horse‑riding packages at local providers.
Sources
Ask about Hella
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