The ultimate Iceland packing list - The most important things for your luggage.

The unique and spectacular nature of Iceland is waiting for you and we have already provided you with the perfect packing list for your Iceland Adventure compiled for all seasons. 

 

Checklist travel documents

1. Valid passport (check the validity and renew it if necessary)
2. Copy of passport (save digitally or keep separately from original)
3. Visa if necessary (not required with German or European passport)
4. Insurance policy Health insurance abroad (online)
5. Vaccination card (check if you need to refresh your vaccinations)
6. Flight ticket (printout or e-ticket)
7. Travel credit card
8. Cash
9. List of emergency contacts and allergies, if applicable.

 

 

Checklist Electronics

1. Mobile phone with charger
2. Headphones
3. Powerbank or Solar charger*
4. Flashlight*/Headlamp*
5. Binoculars* (for whale watching)
6. Optional: Camera with charger
7. Optional: Rain cover for your camera
8. Optional: Laptop/ tablet/ e-reader/ Kindle with charger
9. Optional: Multiple socket

 

 

 

Checklist toilet bag

1. Toothbrush*
2. Toothpaste*
3. Dental floss*
4. Deodorant*
5. Hairbrush*
6. Shaver*
7. Shower gel/soap*
8. Shampoo*/Conditioner
9. Nail care*
10. Face lotion
11. Lip protection
12. Tweezers*
13. Hygiene articles 
14. Optional: Make-Up

 

 

Checklist first-aid kit

1. Hand sanitizer or wipes
2. Painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin)
3. Diarrhoea medication (e.g. Imodium Akut, charcoal tablets)
4. Wound cream (e.g. Bepanthen)
5. Plasters and blister plasters
6. If necessary, tablets against travel sickness

 

Personal comfort checklist

1. Backpack (pay attention to hand luggage dimensions: 55x40x20 cm for the plane)
2. Sunscreen*
3. Sunglasses
4. Earplugs*/earplugs
5. Books/Magazines
6. Headgear/Cap
7. Sleep mask*
8. Microfiber towel*
9. Travel pillow* (for flight and longer trips)

 

 

Checklist Environmentally Conscious Travel

With these little things you can actively help to avoid plastic in Iceland and simply make your contribution to environmental protection:

1. Reusable Silicone tubes* Filled with your shampoo, conditioner, shower gel.
2. Reusable bottle* (preferably stainless steel for hot and cold)
3. Optional: Reusable cup (preferably stainless steel for hot and cold)
4. Optional: Stainless Steel Outdoor Cutlery* (knife, spoon, fork, chopsticks, straw)

 

 

Climate in Iceland: packing list for every season

Overall, the climate in Iceland is oceanic-cool. This means cool summers and comparatively mild winters despite its proximity to the Arctic Circle. Due to its location on the Gulf Stream, which flows along the west and south of Iceland and brings warmth from the Caribbean, the country's climate is relatively mild. When the warm Atlantic air mixes with the cold Arctic air from the north, rapid weather changes can occur. This is the case throughout the year. You may experience all four seasons in one day. 

Iceland summer

The Icelandic summer season runs from late May to September. Due to the good weather conditions, June, July and August are considered the high season with the most tourists. The summer months are perfect for hiking and trekking. With average temperatures of 12 °C -15 °C, June, July and August are the warmest months on the island. In addition, the days are longest in summer and there are comparatively few rainy days.

A special highlight in the summer months of June and July is that you can watch whales especially well there.

 

Summer packing list: clothes and shoes

1. Underwear
2. Thermal laundry
3. Thin socks
4. Wool socks / hiking socks
5. T-shirts
6. Thin and thick sweaters
7. Jeans/ long pants
8. Shorts
9. Hiking pants
10. Pajamas/sleepwear
11. Swimwear & towel 
12. Wind and rainproof jacket 
13. Rainproof (overcoat) pants
14. Fleece jacket
15. Cap
16. Scarf/multi-functional scarf
17. Thin gloves
18. Waterproof (hiking) shoes
19. Sneaker
20. FlipFlops 
21. Very important: Sleep mask* and sunglasses

 

Iceland winter

The Icelandic winter is not as cold as you might think. The average temperatures in the plains and on the coasts are around freezing point. This means that temperatures can be above 0 °C quite often even in winter, and rain falls instead of snow. However, the altitude and glaciers determine the climate. Temperatures can also drop to a cold -15 °C or below from November to April.

A highlight in winter between September and March are the northern lights. Also, the time from November to March is best for discovering a natural ice cave. 

 

Winter packing list: Clothing and shoes

1. Underwear
2. Thermal laundry
3. Thin socks
4. Wool socks / hiking socks
5. T-shirts
6. Thin and thick sweaters
7. Jeans/ long pants
8. Hiking pants
9. Pajamas/sleepwear
10. Swimwear & towel
11. Warm wind and rainproof jacket 
12. Rainproof (overcoat) pants 
13. Fleece jacket
14. Cap
15. Scarf/multi-functional scarf
16. Thick gloves
17. Warm waterproof (hiking) shoes
18. Sneaker
19. FlipFlops 

 

 

For even more information about the weather in Iceland you can check out the best time to travel Iceland read through.

 

Recommended vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for direct entry from Germany.

For your trip to Iceland is generally recommended vaccination protection or immunity against: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, poliomyelitis (polio). In addition, for long-term stays or special exposures, travel vaccinations against hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis C are recommended.  

Make sure that your standard immunizations are according to the vaccination calendar of the Robert-Koch-Institute are up to date.

 

 

Conclusion

Basically, less is more. The important documents, such as the passport, must not be missing, of course. On a round trip with many stops it is simply easier to travel with light luggage. In addition, with a light suitcase on the outbound flight, there is also more space for travel souvenirs. Do not forget a pleasant backpack for the trip in one of the National Parks to take with you.

Now that you already know what you're taking, it's high time to plan your Iceland stay! Book Iceland with TripLegend for a unique experience. Get to know the country authentically and the culture up close and travel to places you could not even dream of before.

Download packing list PDF

Here you can download the Iceland packing list conveniently as PDF.

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