Iceland—a land of dramatic landscapes where volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and lava fields create an otherworldly panorama—has exploded in popularity as a bucket-list destination. Before you pack your hiking boots and camera, you’re likely wondering: how much is a trip to Iceland? Known for its stunning natural beauty, Iceland also has a reputation as an expensive destination. This comprehensive guide breaks down all the costs you can expect when planning your Icelandic adventure, from flights and accommodations to food, activities, and transportation. Whether you’re planning a budget-friendly road trip, a mid-range vacation, or a luxury northern lights experience, we’ll help you understand what costs to anticipate and how to make the most of your budget in this Nordic island nation.
Average Total Costs for Iceland Trips
| Trip Duration | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $1,800-2,500 | $3,000-4,500 | $7,000+ |
| 2 Weeks | $3,000-4,500 | $5,500-8,000 | $12,000+ |
All prices in this article are in USD unless otherwise noted.
Flight Costs to Iceland
For most international travelers, airfare is the first significant expense. Iceland’s increased tourism has led to more flights and competitive pricing, especially from North America and Europe.
Average Round-Trip Flight Costs to Iceland:
- From US East Coast: $400-800
- From US West Coast: $500-1,000
- From Canada: $500-900
- From UK: $150-300
- From Continental Europe: $200-400
- From Asia: $800-1,500
- From Australia/NZ: $1,200-2,000
Seasonal Price Variations:
- Peak Season (June-August): Add 20-40%
- Shoulder Season (April-May, September-October): Base rates
- Off-Season (November-March, excluding holidays): Deduct 15-30%
Money-saving tip: Iceland has two airlines with extensive international routes—Icelandair and PLAY (which replaced WOW Air). Both frequently offer sales, especially for off-season travel. Icelandair’s stopover program allows you to spend up to 7 days in Iceland at no additional airfare cost when flying between North America and Europe.
Accommodation Costs in Iceland
Accommodations in Iceland range from simple guesthouses and hostels to luxury hotels, with options for every budget. Outside of Reykjavík, farm stays and guesthouses are common, while the capital offers the widest variety of choices.
Average Nightly Rates by Accommodation Type (continued):
- Hostels (dormitory bed): $35-60
- Guesthouses/B&Bs: $120-200
- Budget hotels: $150-250
- Mid-range hotels: $250-400
- Luxury hotels: $400-800+
- Apartments/cottages: $150-350
- Farm stays: $130-200
- Camping (per person): $15-25 (seasonal)
Price Variations by Location:
- Reykjavík: Standard pricing (highest in the country)
- Popular South Coast destinations: 5-10% less than Reykjavík
- Northern Iceland/Akureyri: 10-20% less than Reykjavík
- Remote areas: 15-30% less than Reykjavík, but fewer options
Money-saving tip: Consider accommodation with kitchen facilities. The ability to prepare even simple meals like breakfast and occasional dinners can reduce your food expenses significantly. Also, booking accommodations well in advance (4-6 months) is essential in summer but can yield significant discounts in the off-season.
Transportation Costs in Iceland
Transportation is a major consideration when calculating how much is a trip to Iceland cost. Most visitors either rent a car for independence or join tours to see Iceland’s natural attractions.
Car Rental Costs:
- Economy car (summer): $60-100 per day
- Economy car (winter): $40-80 per day
- 4×4/SUV (summer): $120-200 per day
- 4×4/SUV (winter): $100-160 per day
- Campervan/motorhome: $150-350 per day
Additional Car Expenses:
- Gasoline: $2.00-2.50 per liter ($7.50-9.50 per gallon)
- Additional insurance (gravel, sandstorm, ash): $10-30 per day
- GPS rental: $10-15 per day
Public Transportation and Tours:
- Airport transfer (Keflavík to Reykjavík): $25-35 one-way
- Local bus in Reykjavík: $4-5 per ride
- Full-day guided tour: $100-250 per person
- Northern Lights tour: $70-150
- Golden Circle tour: $80-150
- South Coast day tour: $100-180
Money-saving tip: For solo travelers or couples, joining guided tours might be more economical than renting a car, especially for shorter trips. For families or groups of 3+, a rental car typically offers better value and more flexibility.
Food and Dining Expenses
Food in Iceland is notoriously expensive due to the island nation’s need to import many ingredients.
Daily Food Budget Per Person:
- Budget: $40-60 (self-catering, budget restaurants)
- Mid-range: $70-100 (mix of casual restaurants and self-catering)
- High-end: $150+ (restaurants for most meals, including fine dining)
Typical Food Costs:
- Coffee: $4-6
- Fast food meal: $15-20
- Soup with bread (lunch): $15-25
- Main dish at a casual restaurant: $25-40
- Three-course dinner at a nice restaurant: $70-120
- Beer (0.5L) at a bar: $9-13
- Glass of wine: $12-18
- Bottle of water: $2-4
- Supermarket sandwich: $7-12
- Hot dog from a stand (popular budget option): $4-6
Money-saving tip: Iceland’s tap water is some of the cleanest in the world—bring a reusable water bottle and never buy bottled water. Also, many gas stations offer surprisingly good and relatively affordable food options, including Icelandic hot dogs and simple sandwiches.
Activities and Sightseeing
Iceland’s main attractions are its natural wonders, many of which are free to visit. However, certain experiences and national park fees should be factored into your budget.
Common Activity Costs:
| Activity | Estimated Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Lagoon (standard entry) | $60–120 | Price varies by time of day and season. |
| Sky Lagoon | $70–120 | Includes access and optional ritual experiences. |
| Public swimming pools | $8–12 | Affordable and popular with locals. |
| National parks | Free | Some charge $5–10 for parking. |
| Whale watching tour | $80–150 | Depends on location and boat type. |
| Glacier hiking | $100–200 | Includes gear and guide. |
| Ice cave tour | $150–250 | Seasonal (mostly winter), requires advance booking. |
| Snorkeling/diving in Silfra | $120–350 | Dry suit included; diving certification required for deeper experiences. |
| Horse riding tour | $80–150 | Based on duration and location. |
| Volcano/lava cave tours | $50–150 | Includes helmet and headlamp; physical fitness needed. |
| Helicopter tours | $300–1,000+ | Price varies by route and duration. |
Money-saving tip: Many of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls, black sand beaches, and lava fields are completely free to visit. The Reykjavík City Card ($30-55 depending on duration) includes public transportation and entry to swimming pools and museums in the capital.
Duration Cost Analysis: How Much Is a Trip to Iceland for a Week?
Let’s break down the total cost for a typical one-week trip to Iceland at different budget levels:
7-Day Trip Cost (Per Person, Double Occupancy):
| Category | Budget Trip ($1,800–2,500) | Mid-Range Trip ($3,000–4,500) | Luxury Trip ($7,000+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $600 | $700 | $1,200 (premium economy/business class) |
| Accommodation | $600 (hostels, guesthouses, camping) | $1,200 (hotels or private apartments) | $3,500 (luxury hotels) |
| Transportation | $300 (buses, tours, shared rental) | $500 (car rental or guided tours) | $1,000 (SUV rental/private tours) |
| Food | $350 (self-catering, cheap eats) | $600 (mixed dining) | $1,200 (fine dining) |
| Activities | $150 (free hikes, public pools) | $400 (guided tours, Blue Lagoon) | $1,000 (exclusive experiences) |
| Miscellaneous | $100 | $150 | $300 |
| Total | ~$2,100 | ~$3,550 | ~$8,200 |
How Much Is a Trip to Iceland for 2?
For couples wondering how much is a round trip to Iceland for 2, costs essentially double the per-person rates with a few economies of scale:
For a Couple (7-Day Trip):
- Budget: $3,400-4,600
- Mid-range: $5,500-8,000
- Luxury: $13,000+
Money-saving tip for couples: Sharing a rental car and private accommodations significantly reduces per-person costs compared to solo travelers.
How Much Is a Round Trip to Iceland?
The round trip transportation costs go beyond just the international flight:
Complete Round Trip Transportation Package:
- International flight: $400-1,000+ (varies by origin)
- Airport transfers: $50-70 round trip per person
- Local transportation: $300-1,000 (depending on car rental vs. tours)
- Total: $750-2,070+ per person
Money-saving tip: Book open-jaw flights (flying into Keflavík and out of Akureyri, or vice versa) if planning to traverse the entire country rather than backtracking.
Road Trip Cost Analysis
Many visitors opt to experience Iceland via road trip, circling the famous Ring Road (Route 1).
7-10 Day Ring Road Trip Cost (2 People):
- Car rental: $700-1,400
- Fuel: $300-500
- Accommodation: $1,200-2,500
- Food: $700-1,400
- Activities: $400-800
- Total: $3,300-6,600 ($1,650-3,300 per person)
Planning tip: The Ring Road requires a minimum of 7 days to drive comfortably, though 10-14 days is ideal. Winter road trips (October-April) carry additional risks due to weather and shortened daylight hours.
Seasonal Cost Variations
When you visit significantly impacts how much is a trip to Iceland:
Cost by Season:
- Summer (June-August): Highest prices for accommodation and car rentals, but ideal weather and 24-hour daylight
- Winter (November-March): Lower prices except during Christmas/New Year’s, northern lights viewing, but challenging weather and limited daylight
- Shoulder Seasons (April-May, September-October): Best value, moderate weather, fewer crowds, decent daylight hours
Value tip: September offers an excellent combination of reasonable prices, decent weather, potential northern lights viewing, and fewer tourists.
Regional Cost Variations
Iceland’s costs can vary depending on which regions you visit:
Cost Index (Reykjavík = 100):
- Golden Circle area: 95-105
- South Coast: 90-100
- North Iceland/Akureyri: 85-95
- East Fjords: 80-90
- Westfjords: 80-90
- Highlands: Requires specialized transportation but fewer accommodation/dining options
Destination tip: North Iceland and the East Fjords typically offer better value than the heavily-touristed south, plus fewer crowds at natural attractions.
Money-Saving Tips for Iceland Travel
- Visit during shoulder season (May or September) for lower prices and decent weather
- Book accommodation with kitchen facilities and prepare some meals yourself
- Bring a reusable water bottle and drink tap water (it’s excellent quality)
- Pack a reusable coffee mug as coffee is expensive but often includes free refills
- Purchase alcohol at the duty-free shop upon arrival (alcohol is heavily taxed in Iceland)
- Consider sleeping bag accommodations at guesthouses (some offer discounts if you bring your own bedding)
- Download offline maps and use free WiFi instead of purchasing a SIM card
- Take advantage of happy hours at bars and restaurants in Reykjavík (typically 50% off)
- Join free walking tours in Reykjavík (tip-based)
- Look for combination tickets for multiple attractions
- Book luggage storage with Radical Storage and enjoy your time hassle-free.
Common Iceland Trip Expenses People Forget
When budgeting, don’t overlook these common expenses:
| Expense | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel insurance | $50–150 | Essential due to unpredictable weather and remote travel areas |
| Extra car insurance | $10–30 per day | Covers gravel, sand, and ash damage (often excluded in base insurance) |
| Parking fees in Reykjavík | $3–5 per hour | Paid street parking is common in the city center |
| Swimsuit rental | $5–10 | Needed if you forget yours at thermal pools like Blue Lagoon |
| Tips for guides | ~10% of tour cost | Optional, but appreciated for excellent service |
| Winter gear rental | $20–50 per item | Includes boots, jackets, or crampons in colder months |
FAQs About Iceland Trip Costs
The cheapest months to visit Iceland are November (except Thanksgiving week), January, and February. These winter months offer the lowest airfares and accommodation rates. However, be prepared for limited daylight (4–6 hours), potentially challenging weather, and some closed attractions in remote areas. The trade-off is excellent northern lights viewing opportunities and winter-specific activities like ice caves.
For comfortable dining without excessive budgeting stress, allocate $70–100 per day for food. Budget travelers focusing on self-catering with occasional inexpensive restaurants can manage on $40–60 daily. Having breakfast included with your accommodation can save approximately $15–20 per day.
While expensive ($60–120 depending on package and timing), most first-time visitors feel the Blue Lagoon is worth experiencing once. For better value, consider visiting less expensive but equally impressive alternatives like the Sky Lagoon near Reykjavík, the Mývatn Nature Baths in the north, or the numerous local swimming pools with hot pots in every town that cost just $8–12 for entry.
Absolutely! Unlike some destinations that require expensive tours, the northern lights in Iceland can be viewed for free from anywhere with dark skies and clear weather (September–April). While northern lights tours ($70–150) increase your chances by tracking forecasts and finding optimal viewing spots, self-drive visitors can easily chase the aurora independently if they have a rental car.
Iceland and Norway are both expensive Nordic destinations, but Norway typically edges out Iceland as slightly more costly overall. Accommodation and dining tend to be 10–15% more expensive in Norway, though alcohol is similarly priced. Iceland has higher car rental costs, but Norway’s distances often require more fuel. Both countries offer stunning natural landscapes and outdoor activities.
Conclusion: Is the Trip to Iceland Worth the Expense?
So, how much is a trip to Iceland? As we’ve explored throughout this guide, the answer varies widely based on your travel style, when you visit, and what experiences you prioritize. From approximately $1,800 per person for a budget-conscious traveler to $7,000+ for those seeking luxury, Iceland can accommodate various financial comfort zones.
The key to a successful Iceland trip isn’t necessarily spending more, but rather making informed choices about where to allocate your budget. Perhaps you’ll choose modest accommodations to afford a special experience like glacier hiking or a premium thermal bath. Or maybe you’ll visit during the shoulder season to enjoy both lower prices and fewer crowds at popular attractions.
With careful planning and the insights from this guide, you can craft an unforgettable Icelandic adventure that delivers exceptional value and lifelong memories, regardless of your budget constraints.
Useful Sources:
- Visit Iceland – Official Tourism Site
- Icelandic Road Administration
- SafeTravel Iceland – Safety Information
- Vedur – Icelandic Meteorological Office
