💰CurrencyThe Icelandic króna (ISK). In October 2026, €1 got you about 136 krónur and $1 about 122, but the rate changes fast. You can pay by card almost everywhere, so you’ll barely need cash. Unmanned gas stations sometimes ask for a PIN, so make sure you know your credit card’s PIN. Tipping isn’t expected.
🗣️LanguageIcelandic. Almost everyone speaks good English, so you’ll get by just fine.
⛪ReligionJust over half of Icelanders belong to the Lutheran National Church, but that number has been dropping for years. You can see Reykjavík’s Hallgrímskirkja from miles away.
🕒Time zoneIceland is on UTC+0 all year, with no daylight saving time. That’s 4 hours ahead of New York and 7 ahead of Los Angeles during US daylight saving time (add one hour in winter), and 2 hours behind Amsterdam in summer (1 in winter).
🛂VisaTravelers from the US, Canada, the UK and many other countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area without a visa. At the border, you may have to register your fingerprints and photo for the new Entry/Exit System (EES). The ETIAS travel authorization isn’t required yet, and is now expected in 2027. Make sure your travel insurance covers rescue and helicopter transport.
☀️Best time to goJune through August, when it barely gets dark around midsummer and the highlands are open. Hoping to see the northern lights? You can from late August to mid-April, with the best chances around September and March.
🔌Power outletsIceland runs on 230 volts with European round two-pin plugs. Coming from the US? Bring an adapter and check that your devices handle 230V (most phone and laptop chargers do).
🚗TrafficIceland drives on the right. The F-roads in the highlands are 4×4 only, and usually open only from June to late September. Off-road driving is illegal and comes with heavy fines. Since 2026, there’s a per-kilometer road tax, which rental companies often charge as a fixed daily fee. Always check the weather and road conditions before you set off.
