By Alex Carrington, Travel Editor at 247 Packing List · Last updated: ·

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Iceland Holiday Packing List

Iceland is unlike anywhere else — volcanoes, geysers, waterfalls, northern lights and puffins all within a single island. The weather changes by the hour and the landscape is both dramatic and fragile. Getting your kit wrong in Iceland means a miserable experience; getting it right means one of the world's great adventures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

September to March, when nights are dark enough. The Northern Lights require clear skies and solar activity — you can see them in Reykjavik on a good night, but getting away from light pollution dramatically improves the experience. Download an aurora forecast app. Late September and February–March often offer both darkness and more stable weather than the depths of winter.

Do I need a 4WD in Iceland?

For the Ring Road and most waterfalls and geyser sites, a standard car is fine. For highland F-roads (Landmannalaugar, Kjölur, Þórsmörk), a 4WD with high clearance is legally required and genuinely necessary for river crossings. Check which roads your planned route uses before hiring. F-roads are typically open June to September only.

How expensive is Iceland?

Very — Iceland is consistently among Europe's most expensive countries. Eating out, alcohol and activities cost roughly 2–3x UK prices. Self-catering using supermarkets (Bonus is the budget option), buying alcohol at the duty-free on arrival, and wild camping (permitted outside protected areas) all reduce costs significantly. A campervan trip is the most cost-effective way to see the country.

Alex Carrington is the travel editor at 247 Packing List, building destination and trip-type packing guides from flight-delay experience, family trips and a lot of over-packed suitcases. Every list on this site is cross-checked against the destination's actual climate and airline baggage rules before publishing.