Iceland Travel Tips from a Local: Abhi’s Practical Guide

💳 Money & Payments in Iceland

Iceland is almost cashless. You can use cards in most places, including restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, petrol stations and tourist stops.

What to Know

• Iceland uses ISK, the Icelandic króna.
• Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; carry a backup payment method.
• American Express is not accepted everywhere.
• Know your card PIN, especially when using unmanned fuel pumps.
• Tipping is not expected, but it is appreciated for great service.

🚗 Driving in Iceland: Beautiful but Serious

Driving can be one of the best parts of an Iceland trip, but it is important to respect the weather, wind and road conditions. The landscape is open, the weather can change quickly, and small mistakes can become expensive.

Driving Rules Visitors Often Miss

• Keep your headlights on at all times.
• Do not turn right at a red traffic light.
• Never stop your vehicle on the road to take photographs.
• Off-road driving is illegal and damages Iceland’s fragile nature.
• Hold car doors firmly when opening them in strong wind.
• Check road and weather conditions before taking a long drive.

Road-Trip Safety

• Download offline Google Maps before leaving Reykjavík.
• Read the rental excess, exclusions and gravel-damage terms before choosing cover.
• Single-lane bridges are common. Let vehicles already on the bridge pass before entering.
• Read the parking signs at each stop and use the payment method specified there. Check your registration number and parking zone before paying.
• Keep winter itineraries flexible and avoid overplanning each day.
• Fill your fuel tank before travelling into remote areas.
• Campervans and tents should use authorised campsites rather than roadside parking areas.

Car & Camper Rental: Check the Whole Cost

Choose a vehicle for your route, season and driving experience. Compare the total price, deposit, insurance excess, mileage limits, cancellation terms and collection arrangements—not just the advertised daily rate.

For a camper, also check heating, bedding, campsite availability and overnight facilities. Plan to use authorised campsites.

Explore Go Rentals. Confirm any promotional offer directly with the rental company before paying; a discount is not guaranteed by this guide.

Affiliate disclosure: Abhi may receive a commission from eligible referred bookings, at no extra cost to you. Compare the terms and choose what suits your trip.

✈️ Arriving at Keflavík Airport

Iceland’s main international airport is Keflavík International Airport, normally written as KEF. It is outside Reykjavík, so arrange or research your transportation before landing.

Budget Transportation

Compare airport coaches with public transport and the total taxi cost for your group. Check the drop-off point and any extra hotel transfer before booking. See Keflavík Airport’s transport options.

Compare Transfer Costs

Ask for the taxi price before setting off and keep your receipt. For public transport, check Strætó route 55: not every departure continues to central Reykjavík. Check the timetable against your arrival time.

Arrival Tip

Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before buying a plan. Physical SIM cards and basic travel supplies are also available around the airport. Arriving passengers can visit the duty-free shop before leaving the terminal.

🍽️ Food, Groceries & Eating Out

Iceland is not the cheapest country for food, so a little planning can help. Combine restaurant visits with supermarkets, bakeries and simple meals when you want to control your travel budget.

Save Money on Food

• Bónus and Krónan are useful supermarkets for travellers.
• Bring a reusable bottle—Icelandic cold tap water is excellent.
• Let the cold tap run briefly before filling your bottle. Hot water may naturally smell of sulphur.
• Bakeries are useful for breakfast, snacks and road-trip food.
• Check restaurant opening hours before travelling, particularly later in the evening.

Warm Indian Food in Reykjavík and Kópavogur

After a cold, windy or rainy day, a warm Indian meal can feel perfect. Indian Food Box serves curries, biryani, naan, roti, Indian street food, takeaway and dine-in meals across our Reykjavík and Kópavogur locations.

🛒 Indian Food Shop for Indian Groceries in Iceland

If you are staying in an apartment, travelling by car or camper, cooking during your visit or simply missing Indian snacks, you can also visit Indian Food Shop for Indian groceries, spices, snacks and selected cooking ingredients.

It can be useful for travellers, students, families and anyone looking for Indian products in Reykjavík.

🌦️ Icelandic Weather & What to Wear

Icelandic weather changes quickly. You can experience sunshine, rain, wind and cold during the same day. The easiest way to enjoy the country is to dress in layers and remain flexible.

Wear Layers

Use a warm base layer, an insulating middle layer and a waterproof, windproof outer shell.

Good Shoes Matter

Waterproof walking shoes or boots are normally more practical than ordinary sneakers around waterfalls, beaches and rainy areas.

Respect the Wind

Icelandic wind can be extremely powerful. Hold vehicle doors firmly and avoid exposed or risky viewpoints during weather warnings.

♨️ Swimming Pools, Lagoons & Local Etiquette

Icelandic swimming pools are among the best local experiences. They are usually cheaper than luxury lagoons and form an important part of everyday Icelandic life.

Pool Tips

• Shower thoroughly with soap and without your swimsuit before entering the pool.
• Bring your own towel and swimsuit to avoid rental costs.
• Local pools are excellent for hot tubs, steam rooms and relaxing after sightseeing.

Blue Lagoon & Sky Lagoon

Book online in advance. Walk-in availability may be limited, particularly during busy travel periods. Check the operator’s current opening status and cancellation policy before travelling.

🌌 Northern Lights & Seasonal Advice

The Northern Lights are generally possible from September to April, when Iceland has sufficiently dark nights. Clear skies are very important, so check the cloud forecast rather than looking only at aurora activity.

• Use aurora and weather forecasts before travelling.
• Avoid planning excessively long drives every winter day.
• Only use an open F-road with a suitable vehicle and permission under your rental agreement. A 4×4 badge alone does not make every route suitable. Read SafeTravel’s highland-driving guidance; if you are unsure about a river crossing, turn back.
• Book popular cars, campers and activities early during summer.
• No forecast can guarantee that the Northern Lights will appear.

📱 Useful Apps & Websites for Iceland

You do not need dozens of travel apps. These are some of the most useful services for most visitors.

🛣️ Roads, Safety & Weather

• Umferdin.is — live road conditions and closures
• Vedur.is — official Icelandic weather information
• SafeTravel.is — travel warnings and safety advice

🚌 Parking & Transportation

• Parka — parking and selected tourist locations
• EasyPark — parking payments
• Klappið — Reykjavík-area bus tickets and travel planning

🚨 Emergency Information

• Call 112 for an emergency.
• Use SafeTravel for travel alerts and safety information.
• Share your travel plan when entering remote areas.

🌌 Aurora Forecasts

• Vedur.is cloud and aurora forecast
• Hello Aurora
• My Aurora Forecast

Opening hours below reflect the website information checked on 25 October 2026. Check the location page or call before making a special trip; holiday hours may differ.

🍛 Visit Indian Food Box During Your Iceland Trip

We hope this local guide helps you experience Iceland safely and with greater confidence. When you are in Reykjavík or Kópavogur, we would love to welcome you for a warm Indian meal.

Indian Food Box Reykjavík

Casual Indian takeaway with limited seating

Langirimi 21, 112 Reykjavík

Telephone: +354 786 4555

Free parking is available.

Indian Food Box Kópavogur

Indian restaurant, bar and dine-in experience

Hamraborg 11, 200 Kópavogur

Telephone: +354 888 8882

Free parking is available.

A Relaxed Reykjavík Day Without Overplanning

Keep one day flexible: a walk around the centre when conditions allow, a bakery or supermarket stop, a local swimming pool, then a warm dinner. Choose stops close together and check opening times before leaving. In rough weather, shorten the outdoor part instead of trying to squeeze in a long drive.

For a road-trip day, choose one main area and leave room for weather delays, meals and daylight. A shorter trip you enjoy is better than a checklist you rush through.

❓ Quick Iceland Travel FAQs

Enjoy Iceland—and Eat Something Warm After the Adventure

Save this guide for your trip, drive safely, respect the Icelandic weather and visit Indian Food Box when you want warm Indian comfort food in Reykjavík or Kópavogur.

Official Sources for Your Trip

This guide is a starting point. Use SafeTravel, Umferðin and the Icelandic Met Office for current conditions; Keflavík Airport and Strætó for transport; and Visit Iceland for Northern Lights season guidance.