Packing list
Iceland Packing List
Reykjavik runs from 0 °C (31 °F) nights in December to 14 °C (58 °F) days in July, and September is the wettest month, with about 18 days of rain. For your own dates, trip length and group, use the packing list generator.
What should you pack for Iceland?
Counts are per person for a 7-day trip. Weather gear depends on the month, so it is in the table below the list; the download adds it, marked with the months that need it.
Documents & Money
Check in online and save your boarding passes offline
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get ISK cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for Iceland
See a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before for vaccines
Before you go: lock up, unplug appliances, arrange pet and plant care, hold the mail, leave a spare key with someone
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID, driver's licence, health insurance card and payment cards
House and car keys, in your carry-on
Transit card: Klak · Reykjavik
Pen for arrival forms
Money belt or hidden pouch for passport and spare cash
Clothing
Underwear ×8
Per person
Socks ×8
Per person
Everyday outfits (tops and bottoms) ×5
Per person
Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking boots
Sleepwear
Light layer (sweater or hoodie)
One smart outfit and shoes for a dinner out
Change of clothes in your carry-on
Flip-flops or shower sandals
Swimsuit
Compression socks
Wool hiking socks
Quick-dry hiking trousers
Belt
Workout clothes and shoes (if you exercise on the road)
Light scarf, shawl or travel blanket for cold planes and buses
Tech & Accessories
Set up an eSIM or roaming plan for data
Install local apps: SafeTravel, Veður
Save your two-factor backup codes in case you lose your phone
Download an offline map & language pack for Iceland
Phone charger, with USB-C and USB-A cables
Power bank, in your carry-on (never in a checked bag)
Headphones or earbuds (noise-canceling for flights)
Laptop or tablet and charger (if you bring one)
Travel adapter
Iceland uses Type C/F sockets.
Icelandic phrasebook
Wired earbuds or a Bluetooth transmitter for the seatback screen
Multi-port USB charger or short extension cord
Camera with a spare battery and memory card
Luggage tracker (AirTag or similar) in checked bags
Health & Safety
List your medications by generic name, with a doctor's note
Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
Toiletry bag: deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razor
Clear quart bag for carry-on liquids (100 ml / 3.4 oz each)
Prescription medication and daily vitamins (with a copy of the prescription)
Glasses or contacts, solution, eye drops and a spare pair (if you wear them)
Hairbrush or comb, and hair products
Face wash and moisturizer
Makeup and makeup remover (if you wear it)
Basic meds: pain relief, antidiarrheal, antacid, antihistamine, cold medicine
Small first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer
Travel wet wipes
Earplugs
Sleep eye mask
Lip balm with SPF
Nail clippers, nail file and tweezers
Period products (if you need them)
Blister plasters and anti-chafe balm
Pocket tissues or a small roll of toilet paper
Electrolyte powder packets
Perfume or cologne (if you wear it)
Motion-sickness tablets or bands
Face mask for the plane
Gear & Activity
Reusable water bottle
Daypack
Zip bags in a few sizes
Packable tote or shopping bag
Laundry bag for dirty clothes
Luggage tags with your phone and email
Luggage lock
Anti-theft crossbody bag
Waterproof phone pouch
Dry bag
Water filter bottle or purification tablets
Mini sewing kit and safety pins
Small flashlight or headlamp
Trekking poles
Binoculars
Extras
Travel neck pillow
Snacks and gum for the journey
Book or e-reader
Notebook or travel journal
Download or print this list
Weather gear by month
A tick means at least one city on this route meets that weather in that month: 8 or more rainy days (snow in a month below freezing on average is not rain), nights at 8 °C (46 °F) or colder, or days at 24 °C (75 °F) or warmer; sun protection also marks every month in a city 2,500 m up or higher. Bug protection marks a month that is both hot and rainy, or every month where malaria or dengue is a risk.
| Month | Rain gear | Warm layers | Sun protection | Bug protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Feb | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Mar | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Apr | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| May | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Jun | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Jul | ✓ | · | · | · |
| Aug | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Sep | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Oct | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Nov | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
| Dec | ✓ | ✓ | · | · |
Rain gear
- Packable rain jacket or travel umbrella
- Rain trousers (for wet hiking days)
Warm layers
- Warm insulated jacket
- Warm hat and gloves
- Thermal base layer
Sun protection
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed sun hat
- After-sun or aloe gel
- Handheld fan or cooling towel
Bug protection
- Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin)
- Bite relief cream
What should you wear in Iceland?
By the average daytime high in Reykjavik.
May–Oct: highs 47–58°F (8–14°C)
A warm sweater and a mid-weight jacket; closed shoes.
Nov–Apr: highs 38–45°F (3–7°C)
An insulated coat, hat and gloves, and a thermal layer underneath.
Iceland weather by month
Average daily high and low, and days with rain or snow per month (a snowflake marks snow). Source: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0.
Reykjavik
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 32°F / 0°C (cold) | 17 |
| Feb | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 31°F / 0°C (cold) | 15 |
| Mar | 41°F / 5°C (cold) | 33°F / 0°C (cold) | 16 |
| Apr | 45°F / 7°C (cold) | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 14 |
| May | 49°F / 10°C | 40°F / 4°C (cold) | 15 |
| Jun | 54°F / 12°C | 46°F / 8°C (cold) | 13 |
| Jul | 58°F / 14°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 |
| Aug | 57°F / 14°C | 48°F / 9°C | 12 |
| Sep | 53°F / 11°C | 44°F / 6°C (cold) | 18 |
| Oct | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 13 |
| Nov | 42°F / 6°C (cold) | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 14 |
| Dec | 38°F / 3°C (cold) | 31°F / 0°C (cold) | 15 |
Akureyri
| Month | High | Low | Rain or snow days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38°F / 3°C (cold) | 27°F / -3°C (cold) | 16 |
| Feb | 37°F / 3°C (cold) | 27°F / -3°C (cold) | 15 (snow) |
| Mar | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 28°F / -2°C (cold) | 14 |
| Apr | 43°F / 6°C (cold) | 32°F / 0°C (cold) | 10 |
| May | 51°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C (cold) | 11 |
| Jun | 61°F / 16°C | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 13 |
| Jul | 60°F / 15°C | 48°F / 9°C | 15 |
| Aug | 58°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C (cold) | 14 |
| Sep | 55°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C (cold) | 15 |
| Oct | 46°F / 8°C (cold) | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 16 |
| Nov | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 29°F / -2°C (cold) | 15 |
| Dec | 36°F / 2°C (cold) | 26°F / -3°C (cold) | 17 (snow) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all year: every month at least one of the cities here averages 8 or more days with rain.
In Aug–Jun, yes: nights average 8 °C (46 °F) or colder somewhere on this route, so pack an insulated jacket, hat and gloves.
Iceland uses type C/F plugs at 230 V. Check your chargers say 100-240 V before plugging in.
SafeTravel, Veður.
Next: the trip itself
Going to Iceland for 7 days? Get the day-by-day plan too.
Timed activities, restaurant picks, a budget that adds up, and a map for every day. What you told us is already filled in. Free, no sign-up.
Plan my Iceland trip →More packing lists
Weather: Rain: contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information; Temperatures: TerraClimate (Abatzoglou et al.), CC0. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Updated October 15, 2026.