Everything You Wanted to Know About Iceland Before You Book Your Trip
Greetings from Iceland! Today I’m sharing with you some of the differences between Iceland and the U.S.
Language in Iceland
Icelandic is the official language spoken in Iceland. There’s little chance you will crack the code on speaking Icelandic on your first visit to Iceland. Luckily, English is spoken everywhere in Iceland, even amongst the children. For fun, I recommend learning just a few Icelandic words:
- Thank You = Takk
- Bye Bye = Bless Bless
- Hi = Hae (sounds like hay)
Currency in Iceland
Sometimes you’ll see prices quoted in Euros, but the currency in Iceland is the Icelandic Krona, or ISK. The bills come in 10,000 ISK, 5,000 ISK, 1,000 ISK and 500 ISK. Coins start at 1 ISK, 5 ISK, 10 ISK, 50 ISK and 100 ISK. The best way to get Iceland Krona for spending is at the ATM. Keep in mind that as you drive around the country, it can get very isolated, so you won’t find an ATM in every village. Get the cash you need when you arrive in Reykjavik. Credit cards are also widely accepted in Iceland.
Prices in Iceland
Prices in Iceland can be expensive. Iceland food prices are about 25% higher than food prices in the U.S. Iceland hotel prices are also about 25% higher. Prices in Iceland are not as bad as other some Scandinavian countries like Norway, but be prepared for some higher prices.
Eating in Iceland
Restaurants typically open around 11:00 for lunch and stay open throughout the day. Iceland restaurants don’t usually close between lunch and dinner. If you are driving the Ring Road, you don’t always see a lot of restaurants. Because of this, and the fact that Iceland food prices can be expensive, it’s a good idea to stock up on snacks and lunches at the grocery store before you begin your Iceland road trip. When you do eat at a restaurant, tipping in Iceland is not customary, but you will still receive excellent service.
Driving in Iceland
Your best option for getting around Iceland is to rent a car. I recommend getting a 4WD rental vehicle in Iceland, which gives you more options for exploring off the beaten path and down some dirt roads. Driving in Iceland can be an adventure. Some of the bridges along the Ring Road are one-lane bridges only, with wider sections for passing, so pay attention to oncoming traffic. There is public transportation in Iceland, but the buses don’t run very often, and you won’t have the flexibility to pull off at any landmarks.
Where to Stay in Iceland
Once you plan your Iceland itinerary, the first decision is where to stay in Iceland. There aren’t many hotels in remote places like the Ring Road. Most Iceland accommodations are guest houses which have 4-5 rooms. Many of the guest houses in Iceland have a kitchen you can use, which is a great way to save money in Iceland. In Reykjavik, there are many hotels to choose from.
Safety in Iceland
Iceland is probably the safest place we’ve ever been. There is very little crime, and you don’t need to worry about having your things stolen. Kids run around in the streets, riding their bikes, or hiking trails and parents don’t need to worry like they do elsewhere.
Iceland Time Zone
Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time, the same time zone as London or Lisbon. Iceland is five hours ahead of New York, and six hours ahead of Chicago.
Toilets in Iceland
Toilets in Iceland look the same as the US, so no worries about finding a hole in the ground. The flushing mechanism might be different, with a plunger that pulls up, or two buttons to choose from. (Hint: big button for big jobs, little button for little jobs!)
Iceland Power Adapter
Electrical outlets in Iceland are the same as most European countries. The plugs in Iceland have two circle plugs. Make sure you have an adapter to charge your electrical devices in Iceland because you’ll be taking lots of pictures!
Things to See in Iceland
In Iceland, you’re not going to see many historic sights. Iceland is all about nature, so you will see a lot of natural history. Some examples include the lagoon full of icebergs, the Blue Lagoon, and the fjords. The scenery in Iceland will blow you away.
Things to Eat in Iceland
We have a video, What to Eat and Drink in Iceland, but here’s quick breakdown:
- Fish (salmon, cod, trout, char and lobster)
- Lamb
- Skyr: Icelandic Yogurt
Also: it’s OK to drink the water in Iceland, and perfectly acceptable to drink water with your dinner. This is another easy way to save money in Iceland.
Additional Iceland Resources
Check out some of our other Iceland videos:
- Ten Things That Will Shock You About Iceland
- Five Things You’ll Love and Hate About Visiting Iceland
- Top Ten Places to Visit in Iceland
- Tipping in Iceland
- A Child’s Perspective on Iceland
Don’t forget to buy an Icelandic sweater!