Iceland FAQs

Visas

For US, Canadian and EU passport holders a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days as Iceland is part of the Schengen border free zone. 

Please note that requirements can change and we recommend that our guests contact the local embassy in the country where you live for the most recent and up to date information.

Passports 

UK, US and Canadian passport holders will need more than 3 months left on your passport from your intended departure date. UK passport holders cannot travel if their passport is more than 10 years old, regardless of the expiry date. 

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could me

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

No vaccinations are required for travel to Iceland. We do recommend that you see your doctor or medical practitioner to discuss your itinerary and international travel arrangements to hear any recommendations or advice they may have.

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive into Iceland.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

The currency in Iceland is the Krona and this is the only currency that will be accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted, which can make ATMs harder to find. It’s best to make sure you get any krona you need in Reykjavik or in advance, before heading into more remote areas.

Tipping is not expected in Iceland and is considered a sign of excellent service, rather than a standard procedure. However you can use the below as a guideline. 

• Maids, bellmen, concierge and salon/spa workers: no tip required, as the total fee includes gratuities.
• Taxi drivers – no tip expected, as the gratuity is included in the full price of your ride
• Waiters, waitresses and bartenders – no tip expected, but leave 10% if you feel you’ve received excellent service. In higher end restaurants a service charge of 10-12% will be included in the bill and you would not tip on top of this.
• Tour guides and drives: 15 Krona per person per day for a driver, and 45 Krona per day for a guide

In winter the weather in Iceland is extremely cold and you need to be prepared for extreme low temperatures with a lot of layers. Weather will frequently drop below freezing, and nights especially can get very cold. For those hoping to see the Northern Lights you should have very warm, thermal base layers and your guides will provide you with an outer layer if you need one in addition to your own warm coat.

During the summer rural Iceland rarely gets hot, and in fact many areas will still be cold. Base layers and warm coats will still be required.

If you have a whale watching excursion planned make sure you bring extra layers to go under the outer layer that will be provided. The wind around Iceland can get very cold, especially out on the water.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making  recommendations based on your preferences.

In rural areas we will make sure you have the necessary pre-arranged guides, drivers and vehicles as it can be difficult to get around without pre-planning. Public transport is scarce and would not be an efficient way to get around the country. Taxis outside of the city would generally need to be pre-booked.

Iceland uses the standard European plugs – C or F. Wifi is generally easy to find in hotels, cafes and major restaurants. Cell phone reception can be very unreliable in Iceland so any important calls should be made before leaving Reykjavik. It’s recommended to speak with your cell phone provider to ask about roaming charges.