Iceland, the land of ice and fire, has become an increasingly popular place to travel to; the tourist industry in Iceland bloomed after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption. Each year millions of visitors come to Iceland to experience the island’s beauty, adventure and activities.
When is the best time to fly to Iceland?
The best time to travel to Iceland depends on your budget, interest and weather conditions.
The summer months (July - August) are the best times to visit Iceland if you want to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking. From mid-April- mid-August, Iceland has the most daylight, due to its high latitude location. There is even a two week period in June called the midnight sun, where the sun never completely sets! This would also be a great time to go on road trips, such as touring the golden circle.
The optimum time to travel to Iceland to see the Northern Lights is from late September to late March, as during this period it usually gets dark after 6pm and it’s the only time of year to see the Northern Lights. Icelandic winters can be harsh, but there are lots of things to do, such as winter sports (i.e. glacial hiking or snowboarding), festivals and more.
The cheapest time to fly to Iceland is late-Spring or early-Autumn. Specifically, January-May are the cheapest months as it’s offseason due to low tourist traffic.
Which airlines fly to Iceland?
A great number of airlines fly to Iceland, and you can get direct flights from up to 90 cities worldwide. Whilst some airlines only offer flights during the summer season, there are a number of airlines that offer flights all year round.
Click here to see which airlines fly to Keflavik airport.
Where in Iceland do you fly to?
Keflavik International Airport (KEF) is Iceland’s major international airport and is located 40 minutes away from the capital, Reykjavík. Keflavik Airport is listed on to top 100 best airports in the world list.
If you are concerned about getting from the airport to your accommodation, renting a car is a popular choice. Car rentals are recommended for travelling when in Iceland, this is due to the vastness of the land and the wide dispersion of its attractions. Furthermore, hiring your own car is cheaper, gives you more freedom to explore on your own terms and allows more customisation of your holiday.
Where to find cheap flights to Iceland?
The price of flights depends on where you fly from, which season you wish to travel and how in advance you book your trip. Cheap flights to Iceland can be sourced from various price comparison sites.
Below are 5 price comparison sites you may find helpful when booking cheap flights to Iceland:
1) Skyscanner
3) Kayak
4) Dehop
5) Fare Compare
Is a Visa necessary when travelling to Iceland?
EU and US citizens do not need a visa to travel to Iceland.
However, you will have to apply for a visa if any of the following applies to you:
- Not a citizen of a Nordic country
- Not a citizen of an EU/EAA country
- Not a family member of an EU/EEA national (family members of a UK national will need a visa.)
- A citizen of a country listed here
What to pack when flying to Iceland?
What you pack when you travel to Iceland will depend on how long you wish to stay in Iceland, what kind of activities you plan to enjoy, when you are travelling and more. For example, what you pack for a trip to Iceland in the winter will differ from what you should pack for a summer trip. There are also ways to store your luggage in Iceland if you plan on exploring a lot but want to travel light.
Once you get to Iceland, make sure you’re all read up on travel etiquette for when you’re there!