Everything You Need To Pack For A Week In Iceland

Iceland is hands-down one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen. I didn’t truly understand the meaning of rugged landscapes and blue water until I saw them in Iceland–and they’re scenes I will never forget.

But while Iceland is beautiful, it can also be a harsh and unpredictable island. The weather can quickly switch from rain to sunshine to snow, all in a matter of minutes! And let’s not forget that Iceland is notorious for having cold temperatures for much of the year. This is why it’s so important to be prepared for your trip!

Small Icelandic town with colorful buildings against snow

We spent a week in Iceland at the beginning of April, and we learned a lot about the right and wrong ways to pack! Thankfully, we did a ton of research prior to the trip, so we were able to minimize mistakes and enjoy most of our trip without any problems. But since I did have to scour the internet for a lot of this information, I wanted to put together a guide to make your life that much easier.

Where applicable, I’m also including direct links to products that we used in case you want to order the same things. (Any links to Amazon will be affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through those links.) If you have any questions about my recommendations for any products not linked, just drop a comment, and I’ll let you know!

Packing Tips for Iceland

Girl standing in front of mountains in a parking lot at Borgarnes, Iceland — *Mountains beyond the town of Borgarnes*

Before I dive into specifics, I wanted to share a few general principles to keep in mind.

Bring lots of layers! The last thing the man at customs asked us was, “Did you bring plenty of layers?” Thankfully, we could say yes! Do not underestimate the importance of layers, especially in the winter. You want warm and waterproof layers that you can adjust as the weather changes throughout the day. We wore thermals under every outfit and topped them all off with a warm coat, gloves, and hats.
Prioritize waterproof options. You might be surprised at just how often you find yourself getting soaked in Iceland. Whether it’s heavy snow, rain, or the mist from Skogafoss Falls blowing right in your face, you’re really going to want those waterproof outer layers. We opted for ski coats and water-resistant hiking pants in April.
Leave the sneakers at home. This is a tip I saw several times online, and I’m so glad we listened–especially after seeing other people in our group struggle in their tennis shoes. The locals will tell you that waterproof boots are the key, and from our own experience, I agree. There are many places where the terrain is slippery and/or wet, especially in the winter. And nothing promises to be miserable like wading through snow or cold rain in breathable sneakers. They can even be dangerous in places near cliffs, which often recommend boots with crampons for safety.

Packing Guide for Iceland

Clothing Guide

Girl standing in a snowy field with mountains and a fjord in the background. iceland

As I mentioned, layers are key to staying happy and warm, so this really isn’t the time to skimp on your wardrobe. If you’re a capsule wardrobe kind of person, just keep in mind that the elements can bring up issues you may not typically deal with. For example, you may get soaked at a waterfall or while hiking through the snow. Or, you may end up sweating underneath all your layers. It can also be difficult to find laundry services in the smaller villages.

To give you an example of what worked well for us, here is a full breakdown of how each of us packed for our 8-day trip:

Women’s Clothing List

4 pairs of pants: two pairs of water/wind-resistant hiking pants (black and gray), one pair of jeans, and one pair of leggings (for travel days)
8 tops: 1 sweater, 3 sweatshirts, 4 long-sleeve t-shirts
2 pairs of thermal tops and bottoms
2 pairs of fleece-lined leggings
10 pairs of socks (including two pairs of compression socks for flights and warmth)
1 fleece-lined pullover
1 swimsuit
1 waterproof coat
2 pairs of shoes: Keds camp boots and flipflops (optional for the lagoons)
1 hat
1 pair of gloves

*Examples of outfits I wore: what they looked like vs. all the layers.*

Men’s Clothing List

4 pairs of pants: two pairs of wind/water-resistant hiking pants (black and khaki) and two pairs of jeans
8 long-sleeved t-shirts
2 pairs of thermal tops and bottoms
10 pairs of socks (including two pairs of compression socks for flights and warmth)
1 set of swim trunks
1 waterproof coat
2 pairs of shoes: waterproof hiking boots and flipflops (optional for the lagoons)
1 hat
1 pair of gloves

This combination worked perfectly for us for a week in Iceland. I only got cold 2x during the trip, despite the freezing temps. And one of those times was on a Northern Lights tour, where I found out you probably want at least 3 pairs of pants…but more on that in a future post.

The only thing I’d potentially suggest leaving behind is the flip-flops. Both lagoons that we visited were just steps from the locker rooms, so the flip-flops were rather unnecessary, but I’m not sure if that also applies to the Blue Lagoon.

Helpful Accessories

In addition to our clothes, we brought along a few additional accessories that I wanted to mention.

Compression Packing Cubes

The downside of packing for Iceland is that layers mean bringing extra clothes. To help combat the bulk, we used a few sets of compression cubes from COR Surf. These worked really well to squish all the air out of our sweaters, leggings, and other garments. They also provided a nice way to keep all those different layers organized.

LED Travel Mirror

One of my biggest complaints about many hotels is the lack of a bathroom sink to get ready. Sometimes, they’re also dark. So, I’ve started bringing a compact LED travel mirror with me. This is a great option that allows me to easily get ready at a desk or counter where there’s more space.

White Noise Machine

*LectroFan micro2 sound machine & Bluetooth speaker*

I don’t typically sleep with a sound machine, but after two international trips last year where our hotel was in the party district, I no longer take chances, haha! I brought this tiny LectroFan Micro2 white noise machine with us, and it was a lifesaver! Two of our hotels were right on the street, so we dealt with late-night and early-morning noise. This little gadget did wonders for blocking that out and letting us get better rest.

Travel Adapter Kit

You may have seen my Ceptics World Travel Adapter Kit featured in previous posts, but it deserves another mention here. This nifty little kit includes interchangeable plugs for most of the world, USB ports, dual US outlets, a USB-C, and built-in surge protection. It’s a huge upgrade from the typical block adapters you see, and I trust it to protect my devices even in countries where the power is less stable.

Rollink Suitcase

This was a brand-new addition to our travel ensemble, but I think it’s going to be a staple! Rollink suitcases are really cool because they collapse down to just a couple of inches thick for easy storage! This is also fantastic for extended stays in small hotel rooms or cruise cabins. The hard shell did great on the flights and buses as we toured around the country, and the double-spinner wheels made it super easy to navigate around. I also liked the TSA-approved lock and the organization pockets built into the lid.

Electric Hand Warmers

I am a wimp when it comes to being cold. I know, I know—why in the world would I go to Iceland? Because it’s so pretty!! But to help myself out a bit, I brought along these rechargeable electric hand warmers. They have three power settings and can double as power banks when you’re not using them for heat. These electric ones also warm up a lot faster than disposable hand warmers and give off more heat, too. These were absolute lifesavers during our Northern Lights tours!

Closing Thoughts on Packing for Iceland

I hope this post is a helpful resource to guide your own packing efforts for Iceland! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out in the comment section below, and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

I’ve linked products throughout this article where applicable, but if you want to skip right to my “Iceland Essentials” list on Amazon, you’ll be able to access a fairly comprehensive list of the items we took with us in one go.

If you want more information about my packing list, I’ve also created a comprehensive packing video on YouTube that breaks down the why behind a lot of these items. Just click below to watch!

If you’re not already subscribed to the blog, it’s a great time to get on the list! I’ll be releasing a lot of information about Iceland over the next few months, and you don’t want to miss them. I’ll be covering topics like prepping for a Northern Lights tour, the best stops on the Golden Circle, no-hike waterfalls, and more! So make sure you’re on the list to get first access to every adventure.

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