Destination Iceland: What to Pack for Your Journey to the Land of Fire & Ice
Like Hawaii, Iceland is surrounded by ocean and is home to impressive, active volcanoes.
And that’s pretty much where the similarities end.
Unlike Hawaii, Iceland has no palm trees, and temperatures in the winter can drop below freezing, rising only into the 60s in the summer. So packing for a journey to Iceland is a little more complicated than throwing a loud shirt and a pair of flip-flops into your suitcase.
Let’s look at a few of the things you’d be well-advised to bring along when you go, based on the experiences of participants in our Road Scholar Iceland programs.
Seljalandsfoss, Waterfall
Your Packing List for Iceland
Swimsuit
First, be sure to bring perhaps the one thing that’s as necessary in Iceland as it is in Hawaii: a swimsuit. While you’ll want to give the chilly North Atlantic a pass, there are abundant hot springs all across the island, and heated swimming pools are ubiquitous. Swimming is an integral part of Icelandic culture. Pools are community gathering spaces, swim lessons are compulsory for children, and parents get their infants into the water early — sometimes at 4 to 5 months.
So do bring at least one swimsuit, if not two (to give one a time to dry). A quick-drying towel is also a good idea.
Footwear
Bring your flip-flops, if you like, though most Icelanders don’t bother, and etiquette dictates that you mustn’t wear footwear into the locker room and shower areas at public pools. (Also bring anything else you need for comfortable swimming, e.g., bathing cap, goggles.)
Assuming you can tear yourself away from the pools and hot springs, be ready to switch out your flip-flops for sturdy, waterproof hiking books. Much of Iceland’s terrain is rocky, especially if you go exploring around glaciers and mountain ranges, and appropriate footwear is a must. You’ll want boots that are waterproof, because you’ll likely be near waterfalls, geysers and/or hot springs, where the ground can be wet. Iceland also gets a considerable amount of rain, and soggy feet can lead to blisters and other issues.
Clothing Essentials
Speaking of the rain and damp, you will definitely want to bring a rain suit. That’s “suit,” not “coat.” You can certainly get by with just a raincoat, but again, your proximity to spraying, splashing water and a downpour now and then means you’ll probably struggle to keep your lower half dry, too. (Here’s an interesting tip about rainwear from a travel blogger: If you have a brightly colored rainsuit, it will contrast nicely with the dramatic backdrops that are everywhere in Iceland. Your photos will really pop!) An umbrella can be a helpful accessory, too, but we recommend a windproof one — it gets gusty at times.
As for other clothes, it’s something of a Road Scholar mantra: Dress like an onion! Layering is essential for your comfort. Layer on when it’s chilly, layer off when it’s warm, shed whatever gets wet and you’ll be all set. Unless you’re going in the dead of winter, it’s unlikely you will need anything terribly heavy, and with summer temperatures rarely straying above the 60s, you won’t need anything tropical in weight, either.
The Midnight Sun — or Lack Thereof
Depending on the time of year you travel, you would be wise to bring either an eye mask or a flashlight! If you’re going to Iceland in the summer, you’ll discover that the sun barely sets. You’ll have as little as three hours of true darkness if you travel at the end of June, for instance. An eye mask will help you maintain a regular sleep schedule. Conversely, if you travel in winter, you may see as few as four hours of daylight. A small flashlight, or even the flashlight app on your phone, will come in handy.
The Blue Lagoon
Plugging In
Speaking of electronics, you’ll need an adapter for your plug-in devices to fit Icelandic outlets — specifically, Iceland uses Type F plugs, common throughout Europe.
There’s also the matter of voltage. Many U.S. devices (electric razors, blow dryers, etc.) are rated for 120 volts, whereas Iceland electricity delivers about 240 volts. If you plug one of the former into the latter, you are likely to fry it. Check your devices: They should indicate the voltages they will accept. If they do not accept the higher voltage, you will need a converter in addition to your plug adapter (some are sold together). For simplicity’s sake, if you do need something like a curling iron or electric shaver, consider buying one in Iceland.
Last But Not Least …
Last item to pack … a current passport! Make sure you check, well ahead of your trip, to confirm it hasn’t expired. You don’t want the last-minute hassles of trying to get an expedited passport. And a gentle reminder: Don’t leave it on the kitchen table!
Take these things with you and you should be well-prepared to experience the breathtaking landscapes, distinctive culture and friendly people of Iceland. Road Scholar currently has eight exciting learning adventures in the Land of Fire and Ice. Góða ferð! (Bon voyage!)