What to pack for a trip to Reykjavík?
Most visitors to Reykjavík are surprised not by the cold itself, but by the wind — and by how unprepared they are for it.
In short, what catches you out here
- Reykjavík is notoriously windy year-round; even at 15°C, strong gusts make it feel significantly colder, catching visitors in light clothing off guard.
- Temperature swings between sheltered indoor cafés and exposed outdoor streets or coastal paths require constant adding and removing of layers throughout the day.
- Hot tap water smells strongly of sulphur (hydrogen sulphide); visitors unaware of this are alarmed and avoid using it, leading to unnecessary purchases.
Why this list?
At 15°C with a 30 km/h gust, the seafront promenade feels closer to 8°C. The other thing nobody warns you about: the hot water smells like eggs. Strongly. That's sulphur, it's harmless, and it comes out of every tap in the city. In summer, the bigger enemy is the sun that simply refuses to set — blackout curtains in most guesthouses are optimistic at best, and a sleepless third night ruins more Iceland trips than bad weather ever does. The list below is built around what actually goes wrong: inadequate layering, wrong footwear for lava terrain, missing aurora windows by not being ready, and budget shock from eating out without a plan. Pack for what Iceland actually is, not for what 15°C suggests.
When to go
The Icelandic summer (June–August) brings near-permanent daylight, mild temperatures and access to natural landscapes; in January–February, intense cold, storms and polar night severely limit activities.
Less favourable : December to February
✔To do before you leave
Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.
- Standard rental cars are prohibited on F-roads leading to highland and lava-field excursions; the 4WD category sells out weeks ahead in summer, leaving late bookers with no legal access to many sites.
- Reykjavík's best restaurants seat relatively few people and close early; walk-ins at 7 p.m. are often turned away, pushing visitors to expensive tourist-trap alternatives.
- Iceland is entirely card-dependent; a foreign card blocked by a fraud alert leaves the holder effectively unable to pay for anything, including accommodation, since cash is not accepted.
- F-roads are closed through spring and only opened when safe; visiting without checking the Vegagerðin road website leads to wasted drives and missed excursions.
- Mobile signal is patchy or absent on highland roads and remote peninsulas; without an offline map, navigation fails exactly where it is most needed.
- Aurora borealis can appear with under an hour's notice; visitors who do not configure nightly alerts sleep through windows that won't reopen for the rest of the trip.
✔The essentials
Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.
- Curtains in Reykjavík accommodation rarely block summer daylight fully; without a sleep mask, the midnight sun disrupts sleep every night of a summer trip.
- Lava field terrain on excursions near the city is sharp and irregular; trainers provide no lateral support and their soles are shredded within a single hike.
- Icelandic rain arrives horizontally in gusts; a standard rain jacket without wind resistance soaks through at the seams within minutes on exposed coastal walks or harbour areas.
- Wind chill drops the real-feel temperature well below the thermometer reading; a thermal base layer is the single most effective layer and the one most visitors leave at home assuming 15°C is mild.
- Reykjavík tap water is among the purest in the world and completely free; buying bottled water here is an unnecessary expense that most first-time visitors make out of habit.
- Iceland uses Type F sockets (Schuko); UK travellers in particular need an adapter or all devices are unusable from the first evening.
- Iceland is a Schengen member; travellers from outside the EU/EEA must carry a valid passport for the entire stay, and ID is routinely checked at rental car desks.
✔Nice-to-haves
Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.
- Hot water from Icelandic taps smells strongly of sulphur; the smell transfers to hair and skin when showering, and using unscented products helps mask the effect until you acclimatise.
- Aurora windows open and close within 30–60 minutes; having a dedicated app configured before arrival — not scrambled for at 2 a.m. — is the difference between seeing them and missing them.
- Wind funnels through Reykjavík's streets and along the Sæbraut seafront; exposed necks become the fastest route for heat loss, and a buff is far more practical than a scarf in gusts.
- Summer nights in Reykjavík are light and lively; street noise and the absence of darkness keep visitors awake, and earplugs paired with a sleep mask restore a full night's rest.
- Layering is constant between warm cafés and cold streets; a compressible mid-layer that fits in a daypack lets you adapt without carrying a full second jacket.
- Cold temperatures reduce phone battery life significantly; aurora chasing at midnight while navigating and photographing drains a full charge in under two hours.
- Restaurant meals in Reykjavík cost two to three times European averages; stocking a few supermarket staples on arrival day (Bónus or Krónan) meaningfully reduces daily spend.
- Medical costs in Iceland are high; UK travellers should carry the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) which replaced the EHIC post-Brexit and provides access to state healthcare.
- Wind chill at ear level is the most common source of pain and headache on Reykjavík walks; a thin woollen hat takes almost no space and transforms comfort on exposed streets.
✔Weather & season
Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.
- Sideways rain soaks standard jeans in minutes on the Reykjanes peninsula or clifftop paths; waterproof trousers are the least-packed essential for any outdoor excursion here.
✔ My own items
Create an account to save your lists and find them on all your devices.
- Every checklist you generate, kept and available anytime
- On your phone as well as your computer
- Your ticks picked up right where you left them
✔ Good to know
- Check whether your nationality requires a Schengen visa before travelling: Iceland is part of the Schengen Area, so many non-EU visitors can enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days, but a prior visa may be needed depending on your passport. From 2026, visa-exempt travellers are expected to need an ETIAS travel authorisation — worth looking up before you book. source
- Pack a chip-and-PIN card as your main payment method: card payment is the norm across Reykjavík, from cafés to petrol stations. Visa and Mastercard work best — American Express is less reliably accepted. source
- Keep a small amount of Icelandic króna (ISK) on hand — around 10,000 ISK is a sensible buffer for tips, a handful of tour operators, or the odd public restroom. ATMs are available but not all are open around the clock, so plan your withdrawals during business hours. source
- If you're travelling from North America, Australia, or anywhere outside Europe, pack a Type F (Schuko) plug adapter: Iceland runs on 230V / 50Hz, and sockets won't fit US, UK, or Australian plugs without one. source
- Skip bottled water entirely — Reykjavík's tap water comes from natural springs, is considered among the purest in the world, and is drinkable straight from any tap. A refillable bottle will serve you much better. source
- If you rely on specific over-the-counter medication, consider bringing an adequate supply: Reykjavík pharmacies (apótek) are generally open weekdays and shorter hours on Saturdays, so access may be limited on evenings or Sundays. source
- Large wad of cash — Cards are accepted virtually everywhere in Reykjavík — carrying large amounts of cash adds risk without much practical benefit.
- Swipe-and-sign or AMEX-only card (as your sole payment card) — Consider bringing a chip-and-PIN Visa or Mastercard as your main card — swipe-and-sign cards are often not supported, and American Express is less widely accepted across Iceland.
- Single-use plastic water bottles — Tap water in Reykjavík is exceptionally clean and free — a reusable bottle is all you need and will save you money throughout your trip.
✔ Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in Reykjavík?
Reykjavík's tap water comes from glacial springs and is considered excellent quality straight from the cold tap — no filtering or boiling needed. Use only the cold tap for drinking, as the hot water is geothermal and can smell of sulphur. Packing a reusable bottle means you can fill up anywhere and skip single-use plastic throughout your stay.
How to get around Reykjavík by public transport?
The Strætó bus network covers the whole capital with around 29 lines; expect buses every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak. Cash is not accepted on board — use the Strætó app, a rechargeable card, or a contactless bank card instead. The Reykjavík City Card (available for 24, 48 or 72 hours) bundles unlimited bus travel with entry to museums, geothermal pools and the Viðey ferry, which can be good value if you plan to explore widely. The city centre is compact enough to walk, and bike- and scooter-share schemes are also available.
What clothes should I pack for a trip to Reykjavík?
Whatever the season, a layering system tends to work best: a thermal base layer, a mid layer such as fleece or merino wool, and a waterproof windproof outer shell. Temperatures can range from around freezing to mild, with wind and rain possible at any time of year, so waterproof shoes with a grippy sole are a wise addition to the bag. In winter months add a hat, gloves and scarf; in summer evenings stay cool even when daylight lingers, so a warm layer is still worth keeping handy. Note that detailed official packing guidance for Reykjavík is limited, so treat these as general pointers rather than confirmed local advice.