What to Pack for Iceland: Your Go-To Guide

There is nothing like exploring the island in a campervan. Cruising along our coastline, watching spectacular waterfalls plummeting from extreme heights, glaciers glittering on mountain tops, dramatic black basalt cliffs lining black sand beaches, and much, much more. But your campervan adventure will require some special packing skills. To help you prepare and plan what to pack for Iceland, we’ve created this ultimate Iceland packing list.

Our comprehensive packing guide will turn you into a packing pro that’s ready for any situation or adventure the Land of Fire and Ice may throw at you during your trip. Read on to find out all sorts of packing essentials and packing tips to have the best trip possible here on the island. 

Why Packing Smart is Essential for a Camper Trip in Iceland

When traveling to Iceland, you might have to level up on your packing skills due to our unique terrain, weather conditions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here’s what you need to know about packing smart for a camper trip in Iceland:

What Makes Packing for Iceland Different?

A famous Icelandic saying states, “You can experience all four seasons in a day here in Iceland.” This is why you will need to pack clothes that can be layered. From thermal underwear and t-shirts to long-sleeve shirts and jackets, you’ll need to dress in such a way that you’ll always be able to put things on and take things off as the situation calls for.

You will need waterproof gear, clothing, hiking boots, and a raincoat. While many think this is also to mitigate our weather, the real reason is much more multifaceted. These items will prove invaluable on hikes with wet and muddy trails, whenever you have to cross streams or rivers on our F-roads, or visit our powerful waterfalls that’ll leave you drenched by their mist and spray.

Iceland is famous for its natural hot springs and geothermal pools. So, it can feel counterintuitive to pack your swimwear for a country called Iceland during the winter season. However, locals will tell you that a soak in the cold night air is one of the most invigorating experiences you can have here. So, irrespective of season, pack those swim outfits!

Other items that may feel contradicting to pack during our colder months are sunscreen and sunglasses. However, you can actually get a proper sunburn from the sun’s rays reflecting off snow, ice, and water, and you don’t want to be left squinting through your entire trip as the light’s reflection practically blinds you. If you are planning on visiting mid-summer, when you’ll get to experience our natural phenomenon, the Midnight Sun.

This is when the sun will take a quick dip behind the horizon, but darkness will never really quite fall. While this is an incredible experience and an excuse to party all “night” long for some, others find that it really messes with their sleep patterns. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring a sleep mask with you, just in case you’re badly affected.

The Importance of Layers and Versatility in a Camper

We already explained why wearing layers is so crucial in Iceland, but bringing along versatile clothing can also be helpful when traveling in a camper, where limited packing (and living) space can be an issue. For example, if you pack one pair of pants that can be worn on various occasions or outings, you can save a ton of packing space.

Essentials for Any Season

The following are a few essentials you need for every Iceland trip, irrespective of the season:

Clothing Basics: What You’ll Need Year-Round

The following are non-negotiable bare essentials you’ll need on any trip to Iceland, irrespective of season:

• Waterproof Jacket & Raincoat: We already touched on why.
• Waterproof Pants: We also already mentioned why.
• Waterproof Hiking Boots: Touche again.
• Fleece or Wool Sweaters: We’re being specific with the materials for layering here, since fleece and wool have been proven to combat the Icelandic cold effectively. Since Iceland is famous for our beautiful, traditional Icelandic woolen sweaters, called Lopapeysa, why not buy a few sweaters once on the island? Then you’ll not only keep warm but have a few keepsakes of Iceland to take home with you.
• Thermal Vests and Leggings: These will be your first layer here in Iceland, and are another of those items that you need to bring irrespective of season (honestly, you just never know how the Icelandic weather will hit you). For this exact reason, you’ll also need to be picky, especially with your leggings. Our colder months may require thick, inner fleece leggings, while the warmer months (when you’ll be doing all sorts of outdoor activities like hiking), you’ll need to bring thinner, more lightweight leggings.
• A Pair of Casual Shoes: For when you’re missioning around in the cities or towns and not partaking in an outdoor adventure that requires more hardened shoes.
• At Least Two Pairs of Pants: For the same reason as above.
• Swimwear: We already mentioned why, irrespective of the season.
• Flip-flops: This is another of those items that often get left behind. Who would think of bringing flip-flops to a country called Iceland, especially during our colder seasons? But these are essential when visiting our natural hot springs and geothermal pools, or using public showers.
• Sunglasses: You know why.
• Warm (Woolen) Hat, Gloves, and Scarf: Once again, wool is known to work the best at keeping the cold out. In terms of hats, we highly recommend a good beanie.

Gear You Shouldn’t Forget on a Camper Trip

Except for the essential garments mentioned above, there are also some essential gear that should not be forgotten when road-tripping the island in a camper. These are:

• Sunscreen: You know why.
• A Quick-drying Towel: When you’re visiting hot springs, geothermal pools, etc., on your road trip, you don’t want to be lugging around wet towels.
• Lip Balm and Moisturizer: These are items you would not know are essential if you’re not a local or haven’t been to the island before. Iceland can get pretty windy, and our air can also get pretty dry, so you can expect dry skin and cracked lips, even if this is not something you’re used to getting back home. Take a preemptive approach and bring lip balm and moisturizing cream you can begin applying from day 1.
• Refillable Water Bottle: Iceland has some of the purest water you’ll ever find on this planet, so no one ever buys water here. Just bring a refillable water bottle, so you can top up as you go.
• A Backpack: For day outings, especially during the warmer months when many go on day hikes, etc. Many who opt for a campervan adventure here on the island actually pack their luggage in a backpack, so they can simply reuse the same bag after unpacking in the camper, saving them space on the flight as well as in the campervan.
• A Sleeping Mask: We already mentioned why.
• Toiletries: Yet another essential that may seem obvious, but we would like to remind everyone not to forget crucial items such as skin/hair care products that may not be available here on the island, prescription medications, and so forth.
• An Adaptor (if needed): Iceland uses Type C & F plugs, which have two round pins. If you’re devices use different plugs, you’ll need an adapter to make these devices usable here on the island.
• Charging Devices and Power Banks for Essential Electronic Devices: Except for the obvious reasons one should have these essentials for your electronic devices, many don’t know that the batteries of electronic devices tend to run out faster due to the cold here on the island. So, the battery life you may be used to back home doesn’t quite translate to the same while traveling through Iceland.
• Flashlight: Needless to say, this is a must-have for any road trip, especially if you’re planning on camping (whether in a camper or traditional tent). Personally, we recommend bringing a headlamp since it’s the most convenient version of a flashlight, allowing you to keep your hands free.
• Reusable Grocery Bags (if you don’t want to buy new ones on the island): Iceland tries to be as sustainable as possible, so you won’t find plastic bags as an option when going grocery shopping. To make grocery outings as easy and cost-effective as possible, we recommend bringing two to three bags with you. The fact that these can help with other things throughout your travels is an added bonus.
• A First-Aid Kit: If your rental agent doesn’t provide one, it’s a good idea to bring one with you. A first aid kit is not just convenient for minor injuries such as cuts and burns, but can also be the difference between life and death within those first critical moments after a serious incident.
• A Laundry Bag: This may not seem so essential, but in a camper with limited space, it helps to be a bit more organized. Having a laundry bag means no clothes strewn all over the camper and no guessing games as to what’s clean/dirty.

Personal Items, Documents, and Travel Must-Haves

There are a few other personal items that might end up being crucial during your travels through Iceland. These are:

• Your Passport: This may seem obvious, but it’s also important to note on your checklist that your passport must be valid for at least three months after your departure date from the island, or you might be met with some challenging situations at the airport as well as on the island.
• Driver’s License: This, of course, is critical if you’re planning on renting a camper and road-tripping around the island. It’s important to know that the driver’s license from your home country is perfectly acceptable as long as it’s valid and is understandable. However, if you’re license is in languages such as Arabic or Mandarin, which won’t be easily understood on the island, you’ll need to have an International Driving Permit.
• Credit/Debit Cards: Once again, this may seem obvious, but there is a bit of a snag. In Iceland, we only use credit/debit cards with a chip and a PIN, so if this doesn’t describe your credit/debit card, you’ll need to get that sorted out before coming to the island. Also, you need to notify your bank that you’ll be traveling to Iceland; otherwise, you might end up with blocked cards after being flagged for “suspicious transactions.”
• Booking Confirmations: Although you’ll probably get a digital confirmation via email or an in-app notification, we highly recommend bringing along a printed hard copy as well (you never know when tech or signals fail you when you most need it). This includes all booking confirmations (accommodation, rental vehicle, activities, etc.).
• Medical Must-haves: You never know what happens. You may suddenly find yourself in an emergency situation, you may have forgotten critical medication, or you may have misplaced your phone – you name it – you’ll need to be prepared for any medical situation that may come your way. This means bringing prescriptions for essential medications along with you, bringing hard copies of your health insurance, and so forth.

Seasonal Iceland Packing Lists

Below, you will find recommendations that are more season-specific:

Summer Packing List for Campervan Travelers

Remember the following essentials when traveling to Iceland in summer:

• A cap (whatever will keep the sun out of your eyes and off your head on outdoor adventures, such as long hikes).
• A sleeping mask (you know why).
• At least one pair of exercise shirts and shorts (you never know when you might need them to go hiking, cycling, etc.).
• Insect repellent, especially if you’re going to be around our lakes (while Iceland may not have any mosquitoes, we do have midges, some of which also bite like mosquitoes, but they are always annoying.
• Spare swimwear. If you’re planning on visiting multiple hot springs, geothermal pools, etc., you don’t want to get dressed in wet swimwear for your next soak. Brrrrr!

Winter Packing List for Iceland Camper Trips

Remember the following essentials when traveling to Iceland in winter:

• Multiple Woolen Socks (double up if you must).
• A Backup Pair of Woolen Gloves. You’ll be using these a LOT, so if you’re washing one or something happens with one, you’ll still have another.
• Crampons or Ice Cleats: Although these are provided for some of our winter activities and tours, you’ll still need to traverse our icy and snowy conditions in your private capacity, and if you’re not used to these conditions, you don’t want to spend more time on your bum than on your feet.
• Warm Woolen Hat and Scarf (here, you might also consider bringing a backup pair of each).
• Reflective Vest/Gear/Accessories. Winter is marked by very few daylight hours (just 4 hours a day mid-winter). Therefore, for your own safety, we’d recommend these items if you’re planning on exploring the island during this dark period.

Spring Packing Tips: Dealing with Unpredictable Weather

Spring is a strange combo here in Iceland, especially if you visit early spring. If you visit early spring (March to mid-April), you’ll still find a lot of winter conditions, especially in the north of the country.

So, you’ll probably pack for a country on the colder side, rather than one heading into summer. When visiting late spring (mid-April to May), your packing focus can shift to our warmer conditions, as long as you keep in mind that the north will always be slightly colder than the rest of the country.

Autumn Essentials: Transitioning Into the Cold Season

Autumn is yet another combo season. If you visit during early autumn (September to mid-October), you’ll still get the tail end of our summer season, and should prep and pack accordingly. However, in late autumn (mid-October to November), it’s very clear that the island is heading into winter, and colder areas, like the north, can already get their first snowfall.

What to Pack for Cooking and Eating in Your Camper

While most rental agents will equip your camper with cooking utensils, etc., there might be a few items (including groceries, of course!) that you should bring along with you or purchase on the island. This includes the following:

Food Storage and Meal Prep on the Road

For food prep and storage, you’ll need:

• Food Storage Containers (for both prep and leftover storage). You’ll be able to have cut ingredients ready to cut down on cooking times, and you can make an army load of pasta, stews, whatever, to store in containers, so you’ll need to do less cooking and just heat up and eat.
• Reusable Water Container. If you enjoy having some cold water in the fridge to drink, this is a must if your rental agent hasn’t already provided you with one in your fridge.

Kitchen Essentials and Easy Camper Recipes

Some kitchen basics include the following:

• Trash bags.
• Cleaning supplies like dishwashing soap and sponges.
• Foil.
• A thermos (an absolute lifesaver when it comes to day outings). 

Grocery Essentials

The following are often forgotten and will ensure that you have at least a couple of meals on hand if you can’t get to the shops:

• Your Favorite Spices (salt, pepper, cinnamon, etc.).
• Lentils.
• Stock Cubes.
• Some Fresh Veggies (just not too much, since space is limited in a camper and you don’t want any fresh produce to go bad).
• Granola.
• Fresh Berries.
• Skyr (a breakfast favorite, which is something that resembles a type of yogurt).
• Pasta.
• A Couple of Your Favorite Jarred Sauces (this, along with the pasta and some chopped veggies, can already be a few meals).
• Instant Oats.
• Energy Bars.
• Dried Fruit.
• Bread.
• Rice.
• The Ingredients for the Way You Like Your Coffee/Tea.

Tech & Navigation Essentials for a Self-Drive Trip

The following gadgets and gizmos are essential if you’re planning on road-tripping the island in a campervan:

GPS, Apps, Maps: Staying Connected (Even Without Signal)

Many people use their phones as GPS devices, but we do recommend that you bring a backup GPS device and a few hard-copy maps of the areas you plan on visiting.

Also, download a few offline maps, so you’ll still be able to navigate via your phone even if there’s a signal failure. If you’re going to heavily rely on being connected, whether just for navigation or for work, it could be a good idea to bring your own WiFi router and Extender.

Power, Charging & Connectivity on the Road

To ensure that you stay connected along the way, please remember to bring the following:

• Chargers & Cables.
• Power Banks.
• Batteries.

Smart Packing Tips to Save Space in a Camper

If this is your first time cruising the island in a camper, the following packing tips will be helpful:

Compressing Clothes and Packing Multifunctional Gear

• Invest in a few packing cubes. These are essentially compartments that will keep all your luggage separated in neat bundles in your suitcases. You’ll be saving packing space and staying organized!
• Try rolling your clothes. This is an old packing hack that saves space and won’t leave your clothes begging for the iron on the other side.
• Pack mix and match outfits. For example, you can pack just 2 pairs of pants and shoes, and then just pack a week's worth of shirts, and work in one washday if you’re planning a 2-week trip.

Luggage vs. Duffel Bags: What Works Best in Campers

Please note that hard suitcases are probably not the way to go when you’re planning a campervan road trip. Hard suitcases are either going to be too big for the camper storage spaces, or you’re simply not going to be able to squish them into wherever you want or need to. Rather, opt for duffel bags or soft backpacks.

Optional but Useful Gear for Iceland Road Trips

Here are a few final campervan road trip items and checklists:

Items to Improve Sleep, Comfort, and Convenience

• Bring some camping tables and chairs to relax around the campsite.
• Bring (or buy) a few cozy blankets if you’re planning on visiting during our colder months.
• Bring a travel pillow (a road trip means a lot of time spent driving).

Emergency Supplies You’ll (Hopefully) Never Use

We already mentioned some, but here’s a quick checklist for your convenience:

• First-Aid Kit
• Reflective Vests/Gear/Accessories
• Flashlight/Headlamp
• Toolkit for Basic Repairs (such as tire patching)
• Small Shovel
• Ice Scraper (for clearing ice and snow during our colder months, if your rental agent hasn’t already provided you with one)

Renting vs. Buying: What Can You Get From Your Camper Company?

As we already mentioned, your rental agent will provide you with all basic equipment and utensils in your camper, but you may be required to bring a few of your own or rent them at an additional cost.

For example, some rental agents will require that you bring your own bedding or offer GPS devices for rent. Please have a chat with your rental agent before leaving for Iceland, so you know what to expect.

Final Checklist Before You Hit the Road

Do a quick final double-check with our easy-to-use checklist below:

• All important documents (passport, driver’s license, booking confirmations, etc.).
• Clothing (and remember waterproof items, and that you need to dress in layers).
• Swimwear.
• Quick-drying Towel.
• Cooking Gear and Basic Food Supplies.
• Chargers, Cables, Power Banks, and Adaptors.
• First Aid Kit.
• Toiletries and Medications.
• Refillable Water Bottle.
• Reusable Grocery Bags.
• Basic Tool Kit.

Road-tripping Iceland in a Motorhome: A Story Waiting to Be Told

A road trip adventure through the island promises to be an unforgettable experience. Bubbling mud pots, healing waters of our natural hot springs, majestic mountain roads, glistening glaciers, the whispers of our Hidden Folk in the cliff walls… the Land of Fire and Ice has more than enough to fill a jam-packed trip itinerary for years!

So, use our guide to get packing, rent a motorhome in Iceland, and hit the road for an epic road trip around the island!