How to get to Iceland?
The Icelandic authorities have lifted all restrictions previously imposed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, both domestically and at the border, whether people are vaccinated or not. For further information, please see: https://www.covid.is/sub-categories/travel-to-and-within-iceland and https://island.is/en/p/entry.
A PCR test is no longer required for boarding aircraft and there is no further testing or quarantine on arrival. A certificate of vaccination or previous infection with COVID-19 is no longer required.
Romanian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Iceland and can travel to Iceland on the basis of a valid passport or identity card (at least three months after departure from Iceland).
Foreign nationals who need a visa to visit Iceland must still fulfill this requirement. The list of those who need a visa is on the website of the Directorate of Immigration.
By air, Iceland is served by Keflavik International Airport which is about 50 km (31 miles) from the center of the capital Reykjavik, and can be reached by car in about 40 minutes.
To find the best flight options try momodo or skyscanner.
Inland it is advisable to rent a car or an RV. We were happy with the Hertz. service. If you don’t want to rent a car from the airport, you can take the Flybus Airport Transfer, which runs every two hours between the airport and downtown Reykjavik. Information about public transport can be found here.
Check the weather and road conditions before setting off on your long journey. You can download the Vendur app for a better forecast.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
If you want to explore as much as possible and enjoy almost 24 hours of natural light, you’ll love summers in Iceland. If you don’t like cold temperatures, the best time to book your trip is between June and August, when temperatures average between 4℃ and 14℃. However, don’t forget about the very strong wind, which is present most of the time and makes the temperature feel much lower.
One advantage of traveling in summer is that the lack of snow makes most roads easier to drive on and with a reduced risk of accidents. There are roads that are only open during the summer months, and F (unpaved) roads that are difficult to drive on all year round and for which you need a 4×4. Summer is also the perfect time for outdoor camping, either with tents or your own rented caravan or motorhome.
On the other hand, if the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list, it might be best to visit during the winter months when they are on display. The best time to get good deals is in the winter months, between November and March, excluding Christmas and New Year holidays. The reduced influx of tourists means a reduced demand for flights, accommodation and rental cars, thus leaving room for many good deals.
What to pack
LAYERS , LAYERS, and more LAYERS! Whether it’s summer or winter it’s good to be prepared at all times, because the weather in Iceland is as varied as its incredible landscape. It can change significantly from area to area or even from hour to hour.
Thus, it is recommended to have:
- Waterproof jacket/ Rainproof jacket
- Fleece
- Waterproof trousers
- Leggings
- Hiking pants
- Hiking/ waterproof sneakers
- Waterproof gloves
- Scarves
- Beanie
- Bathing suit
- Warm and even waterproof socks
- Quick-drying towel
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Sleeping eye mask
Did you know that?
- Iceland is considered part of Europe for political, historical, cultural and practical reasons. Iceland’s current population is 345,766 and 60% live in the capital Reykjavik, which is the northernmost national capital in the world.
- The world’s first democratically and directly elected female president in 1980 was an Icelandic woman, Vigdis Finbogadóttir.
- About 30 percent of Iceland is made up of lava fields. The volcanic zone in central Iceland is a ‘constructive junction’ between the western part of Iceland belonging to the North American tectonic plate and the eastern part of the Eurasian plate.
- Iceland has the most active volcanic zone in the world, with a volcano erupting on average every five years. The island’s location makes it very young and geologically active. There are currently between 30 and 40 active volcanoes, and over a hundred volcanoes that have not erupted in the last thousand years.
- The Vatnajökull glacier is the largest ice cap in Europe. In fact, it’s bigger than all the other glaciers in Europe put together.
- Many bridges have only one lane (Einbreið brú) and the car closest to the bridge has the right of way.
- Up to 80 percent of the Icelandic population still believes in the existence of elves. Even today, some roads have been rerouted to avoid disturbing the cliffs and other places said to be elf homes.
- Famous for its whale meat, Iceland is one of the few places in the world where it is possible to eat Minke whale.
- Specific Icelandic foods include pestle, skyr (a dairy product similar to yogurt), hangikjöt (smoked lamb), sviŏ (parboiled sheep’s head), hakari (fermented shark) along with shots of Brennivin alcohol, and harŏfiskur (dried fish pieces eaten with butter or coleslaw).
- Iceland’s only native mammal is the Arctic fox. Settlers brought all other animals, including Icelandic sheep, cattle, goats, chickens, Icelandic horses and Icelandic sheepdogs, all of which are descended from these animals. Wild ones include mink, rabbits, rats and reindeer.
