Iceland: Before You Go Guide (Printable + iPad)

Iceland is small on the map and big in practice: wind that takes car doors, gravel and ash damage that basic insurance skips, volcanoes, sneaker waves, a new per-kilometre road charge, and prices that surprise first-timers.

This printable guide puts everything you should know before a trip to Iceland in one place, in short plain-English points, checked in October 2026 with links to the official sites so you can double-check anything.

WHAT'S INSIDE

• Conditions right now: the Reykjanes and Svartsengi situation, the Blue Lagoon and Grindavik (always check on the day), Reynisfjara's warning lights, parking fees, closed highland roads, ice cave season and the ferries
• Entry, customs and rules: Schengen, the EES and ETIAS, customs allowances, drones, the off-road driving ban, F-roads, camping and fishing
• Getting there and between places: Keflavik, Icelandair, the Flybus, domestic flights, the Smyril Line ferry and buses
• Getting around: rental cars and the insurance you actually need, wind and car doors, 4x4 rules, the new ISK 6.95 per km road-use charge, single-lane bridges and ferries
• Money, phone and tax: ISK, card-only shopping, why you do not tip, VAT, lodging tax and cell coverage
• Safety and nature: sneaker waves, glaciers and ice caves, geothermal burns, volcanic gas, hypothermia, sheep on the road and SafeTravel
• Culture and etiquette: the pool shower rule, names, hot dogs, elves and Yule Lads, and how to eat Icelandic
• Six regions at a glance, festivals and natural seasons, and 14 mistakes first-timers make
• What things cost: 30 everyday prices in Icelandic krona, from a hot dog to a glacier hike
• A month-by-month calendar, a pre-trip countdown, a tick-box packing list and a first-day checklist
• Icelandic basics with pronunciation, plus place names (Thingvellir, Jokulsarlon, Eyjafjallajokull and more)
• Emergency numbers, including 112, SafeTravel and the road information line 1777
• Two editions: a printable PDF and an iPad edition with a tappable contents page

PERFECT FOR

• First-time visitors to Iceland
• Anyone planning a Ring Road trip, the South Coast or a Golden Circle weekend
• Travellers who like to arrive prepared
• A thoughtful gift for someone with an Iceland trip booked

PAIRS WELL WITH

The Iceland in 8 Days itinerary.

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

You'll receive 2 PDFs. No physical item will be shipped.

• Print edition (21 pages): US Letter, prints fine on A4
• iPad edition (27 pages): tappable contents, room to write

This guide is general travel information, not legal, medical or immigration advice. Rules (including drone, entry and customs rules) depend on your situation: always confirm with the official sites before you travel.

PLEASE NOTE

Rules and prices were checked in October 2026 and are subject to change: fees, fares, menus, hotel rates and taxes can change without notice, and road, volcano and weather conditions change daily. Please confirm important details with the official sites before you travel. Photos are illustrative. Researched and written with the help of AI tools.

Made by Global Trip Insight. For personal use only.