Best Time to Visit Iceland

The best time to visit Iceland is during the summer months of July and August. Iceland, the land of fire, ice and the Midnight Sun, offers unparalleled biodiversity while boasting an extremely low population density. Iceland is a land of contrasting landscapes with numerous hot springs and long treks to nearby mountain ranges.

However, Iceland’s winters are ruthless and generally span from September to April. The continuous snowfall during the winter months makes travelling across the country next to impossible.

Summer Season

• Time period: June to September
• Temperature range: 4 to 15 degree Celsius
• Average rainfall: 52 mm

With the day temperatures reaching up to 15 °C, experience the best of Iceland during the summer months. The beauty of the Midnight Sun in June amidst an Iceland trip is sure to hook any fortunate nature enthusiast.

Iceland’s landscape is characterised by never-ending glaciers, hot springs, and massive waterfalls. Things to do while visiting Iceland during the summer months include:

1. Admiring the beauty of the Midnight Sun

2. Go off-roading on mountain roads and witness the Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

3. Bird watching along the Westfjords, especially the school of puffins

4. Celebrating Seafarer’s Day and Iceland’s National Day with the locals

5. Sailing along icebergs and glacier lagoons at the Vatnajökull National Park

6. Experience the cold Arctic waters at the geothermal beach in Nauthólsvík, Reykjavík

7. Experiencing a bird’s eye view of Reykjavík from Mt. Esja

Spring Season

• Time Period: April to May
• Temperature Range: 1 to 7 degree Celsius
• Average Precipitation: 68.6 mm

Springtime in Iceland is ideal for tourists looking for budget accommodations and car rentals. During this season, most places of interest remain less crowded, although touring the remotest places might not be possible yet. In addition, you might face frequent changes in weather and must carry enough winter wear to bear the cold. Things to do during your springtime travel to Iceland include:

1. Get the last glimpses of the Northern Lights.

2. Bask in the colourful lupin fields

3. Explore the Skógafoss Waterfall, 156 km from Reykjavík

4. Hiking trip to the Thorsmork

5. Go fishing at River Sog

6. Take a trip to Mt Fagradalsfjall.

7. Paragliding over Vik village in Southern Iceland

Winter Season

• Time Period: November to April
• Temperature Range: -1 to 3 degree Celsius
• Average Precipitation: 188 mm

Not everyone can endure the harsh winter conditions of Iceland. With daytime temperatures plunging below 0 °C, you can only imagine how life without daylight goes. The winter months receive little sunlight, and the sky looks incredibly blue.

Winter months are, however, the best times to visit Iceland for the Northern lights. These dancing solar flares are a sight to remember. Keeping yourself warm and hydrated is very important in these extreme weather conditions. Also, keep the right winter wear and trekking equipment ready, especially if you are hiking in the snow.

If you have decided to experience Iceland's winters, go for glacier hiking in Solheimajokull and witness the Arctic golden hour. Residents of Reykjavík organise Christmas and New year parties in their traditional way, which is an experience worth indulging in.

Iceland is expensive chiefly owing to the unavailability of resources and limited transportation. Travelling during the peak season is even more costly, and you might find it difficult to obtain flight tickets and budget accommodation from May to September. Therefore, travel companies recommend booking tickets at least six months before the tentative journey.

However, budget travelling in Iceland is possible. April and May are the cheapest and the best time to travel to Iceland without getting stuck in the winter. These months receive 13-20 hours of sunlight every day, thus posing no travel restrictions.

Springtime in Iceland is characterised by the return of Atlantic puffin birds along the northern coastline. The vibrant flora and fauna reappearing after the severe winters is a mild surprise. Since dark nights exist during these months, you can view the Aurora Borealis till the mid of April.

The ice-cave tour on the Langjökull Glacier allows exploring the ice caves before they melt. These shape-changing ice formations diffuse sunlight and make them excellent tourist spots. Team your springtime planning with budget accommodation in or around Reykjavík.

Continue your budget travelling in Iceland through hiking, off-roading and camping along the Eastern and Western fjords. The landscape along Ring Road 1 Circle is enthralling and remains mostly uncrowded during these months. The 120 km long coastline stretching from Berufjörður in the south to Borgarfjörður Eystri in the north are among the best places to visit in Iceland.

Enjoy a mixture of Viking folklore and jazz music at the Rite of Spring festival in Reykjavík. The festival invites musicians worldwide and pledges to spread love and respect for nature.

Now that you have a tentative itinerary to plan your Iceland trip, check out some basic pointers to make your journey pleasant and hassle-free.

• Stock your backpack with enough thermals and winter wear before you visit Iceland.
• Expect sudden weather changes irrespective of the season.
• Book your flight tickets, accommodation and car rentals in advance.
• Consider taking sleep masks for days with long sunlight hours.
• Save money on your Iceland tours by booking an Airbnb or going camping.

Here are some tips and tricks you may consider following while planning an Iceland trip from India:

• Check all Iceland tour packages available online.
• Make necessary preparations for a cashless trip experience in Iceland.
• Waterproof shoes are a must, especially during the winter and springtime.
• Check the weather updates constantly and look for road closures.
• Tipping in Icelandic restaurants and hotels is not mandatory.
• Take note of the right-hand traffic rules in Iceland.
• Avoid driving in winter, especially if you have limited experience.
• Book four-wheel drive vehicles for travelling on mountains and near volcanoes.
• Research the places of visit along the Ring Road beforehand.
• Get a local mobile data package or rent a Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Avoid wasting money on bottled water; tap water is safe to drink in Iceland.
• All the famous landmarks, including waterfalls, glaciers and national parks, are free to enter.
• Do not forget to obtain a European type-C adapter.

Learning the Icelandic language is not mandatory before planning a trip to Iceland from India. Most residents of Iceland understand English. However, knowing the basics of a new language is always profitable.

The Icelandic language belongs to the West Germanic language family and shares similarities with Norwegian and Faroese. Icelandic originates from the ancient Nordic language, whose western split developed into Norwegian and Icelandic. Some basic words and phrases include:

• Hello: Halló / Hæ
• Thank You: Takk / Takk fyrir / Þakka þér
• My name is: Ég heiti
• Excuse me: Afsakið / Fyrirgefðu
• You are welcome: Verði þér að góðu
• Nice to meet you: Gaman að kynnast þér
• How are you?: Hvernig hefur þú það?
• How much does it cost?: Hversu mikið kostar þetta?
• It was delicious: Hann var gómsætur
• The receipt, please: Kvittunina, takk 

Please note that complicated long words are combinations of shorter words that make sense. Reykjavík, for example, is comprised of 'reykja', meaning smoke and 'vik', meaning bay. Try listening to the word pronunciations before trying them.

Now that you know the best time to visit Iceland, waste no more time and schedule your trip. However, make sure you purchase travel insurance policies for medical emergencies, flight cancellations and or luggage displacement. Iceland never fails to impress its tourists; however, try to be aware of the unpredictable weather changes while travelling in this beautiful country.