When it comes to planning your Iceland trip, the first thing on everyone’s mind is:
How much does an Iceland trip cost?
From steaming hot springs and beautiful waterfalls to cozy guesthouses and epic road trips, it’s easy to imagine your dream Iceland adventure… and equally easy to freak out at the price tag!
I love surprises, but unexpected bills… not so much.
That’s why I’m breaking down Iceland trip costs for accommodations, food, transport, activities, and all the little extras, so you know what to expect.
So if you’re looking for a ballpark figure to plan with, this guide is your starting point.
Of course, these are just guidelines, but they’ll give you a realistic sense of what to work with when traveling to Iceland in 2025/6..
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- Factors That’ll Affect How Much Your Iceland Trip Costs
- Iceland Accommodation Prices
- Food + Drinks in Iceland
- WiFi
- Iceland Souvenirs
- Iceland Tour Cost + Activities
- Cost of Transport in Iceland
- Average Cost of a Trip to Iceland
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts on Iceland Trip Costs
Factors That’ll Affect How Much Your Iceland Trip Costs
If you want to buy all your friends back home a lopapeysa, eat out every night, and take private tours to all the major spots, that’s totally fine.
You do you, boo. There’s nothing wrong with that!
But for this guide, I’m focusing on what the average traveler can expect to spend. With a dash of splurging and a few budget-friendly options mixed in, you’ll have a better idea of what it costs to go to Iceland.
Hotels, guesthouses, or camper vans?
Restaurants or cooking at your accommodation?
Guided tours or solo adventures?
When you know the actual prices, you can design your trip around what YOU value most.
Peak season vs. off-peak season: Visiting in summer or over the holidays? Expect higher prices for flights and hotels. If you need help picking the perfect time for your trip, check out this guide.👇
➡️ READ: Best Time to Visit Iceland
Eating out: Meals in Iceland can add up quickly, so mix it up. Enjoy some restaurant treats, but try to cook a few meals yourself.
Luxury experiences and excursions: Think spa lagoons, glacier tours, or helicopter rides, incredible but pricey. Keep this in mind if you want to budget more for adventures and experiences in Iceland.
How many people you’re traveling with: If you’re traveling with a group of people (perhaps friends or another couple), you can split some of the costs. Solo travelers can sometimes rough it a bit more by staying in hostels and low-cost accommodations, but a family trip to Iceland will cost more because you might prefer more comfort and convenience.
Exchange rates: With fluctuating exchange rates, it’s worth checking them before you go.
If you’re wondering how you can save on your trip, this is how you travel to Iceland on a budget.👇
➡️ READ: How to Travel Iceland on a Budget: 25 Tips to Save Money on Your Trip
Iceland Accommodation Prices
Whether you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Iceland or prefer something with all the bells and whistles, there’s a place with your name on it.
Accommodation options here include hotels, guesthouses, or hostels and camping for more budget travel.
Let’s talk numbers.
How much are hotels in Iceland?
Hotel double room: $200 – $400
Guesthouse double room: $140 – $200
Hostel dorm: $40 – $60
Camping: $10 – $20 per person per night.
If you want to save on both accommodation in Iceland AND transport, here’s my favorite hack: rent a camper van.
It’s basically your hotel and your car in one. Win-win!
My absolute favorite company is Happy Campers, the original camper van company in Iceland.
Their vans come with everything you need for an epic trip, including a kitchen setup so you can prepare your own meals on the go.
We’ve even camped in the Highlands with a toddler and it was super comfortable.
Get a discount with Happy Campers when you book with my special code 👉 IWV10.
Woohoo! 🎉
Want a peek inside? 👇
Food + Drinks in Iceland
How expensive is food in Iceland? Well, if you’re not careful, dining could easily become the most expensive part of your trip.
The food cost in Iceland is high because a lot of products need to be imported.
However, eating out is part of the fun, and it’s a huge part of experiencing a new country.
The cost of food can vary, from a $5 gas station hotdog (NOT the same as the ones in the States; it’s seriously delicious!) to a full restaurant meal of $35+.
Remember that prices could be higher in tourist-heavy spots. Here’s a quick snapshot of what meals cost per person:
Budget meal (fast food/kiosk stand): $12–20
Small breakfast out: $12–18+
Sandwich or light lunch at a café: $15–25
Sit-down dinner: $35–50+
Pro tip: Buy groceries at Bónus or Krónan and whip up a meal. It’s perfect if you want to save for other experiences, or if you’re just craving a home-cooked meal.
➡️ READ: Reykjavík Food & Drink Guide: The Best Foodie Hot Spots In Iceland’s Capital
Knowing food prices is helpful, but planning the where, when, and how of your trip can get tricky fast.
That’s where my 👉 Iceland Maps + Guidebooks come in.
These region-specific guides tell you all about the must-see spots and hidden gems in the area.
They also come with a digital map featuring hundreds of pinned locations across the country – from waterfalls and hikes to secret hot springs, restaurants, and even gas stations and restrooms.
If you’re ready to focus on the adventure instead of the logistics, check it out. 👇
Drinks and Alcohol
Alcohol is very expensive in Iceland, so I always advise getting it at duty-free before you leave the airport.
I’ve put together a handy Arrival Guide for when you land at KEF airport that explains where to find it.
It also includes exactly what to expect when you land, from estimated times at baggage claim, customs and even fun activities you can do on arrival day.
Get your FREE Iceland Arrival Guide below. 👇
Here are a few estimates for drinks in Iceland:
Beer at a bar/restaurant: $8-10
Coffee: $4-6
Bottled water/soda: 0.5L: $2
Bottled water/soda: 1.5L: $3-4
Pro tip: Water in Iceland is delicious, and you can drink it right from the tap. There’s no need to spend extra on bottled water.
Wifi + Your Iceland Trip Cost
WiFi in Iceland is strong in most places, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to have reliable internet, especially if you’re on the road.
The weather can change in an instant, and you’ll want to stay up to speed on road closures or navigate safely, particularly in remote regions of the country.
There are plenty of ways to stay connected in Iceland, but hands down, my favorite is using an Airalo eSIM.
You don’t need a physical SIM card, just download the app, choose your destination and package depending on how long you’ll be in Iceland.
Once you land, activate it and Voila! You’re connected.
It really is that easy!
Average cost of Airalo WiFi: 3–10GB for 7 days is from $9 – 20, which works out to roughly to $1–3 per day.
Iceland Souvenirs
You’ve got to bring back something to prove you were really here, right? And when it comes to souvenirs, the more authentic, the better.
Here are some popular Icelandic souvenirs and what you’d expect to pay for them:
Lopapeysa (traditional Icelandic wool sweater): $200+
Bar of local chocolate: $7
Coffee mug: $15
T-shirt: $20
Christmas ornament: $8-10
I’ve got a few more souvenir ideas, and the best places to find them, for you below. 👇
➡️ READ: Iceland Souvenirs: The 8 Best Gifts To Remind You Of Your Amazing Trip
Iceland Tour Cost + Activities
This is where you decide how adventurous or indulgent you want to be, and it plays a big role in your Iceland trip cost.
You can opt for adrenaline-packed excursions or relaxing spa days, but the more you do, the more your budget will reflect it.
Popular Paid Tours
There are a few things Iceland is known for: glaciers, whale watching, and geothermal spas.
If you’re thinking of adding some of these popular experiences to your itinerary, here’s what you can expect to pay.
Glacier hike: $125
Snowmobiling: $150
Whale watching: $100
Horseback riding: $100
Snorkeling the Silfra: $150
ATV: $140
Geothermal Spa: Blue Lagoon: $82-136 / Sky Lagoon: $115- 140
Having trouble deciding which geothermal spa is worth visiting? This will help. 👇
➡️ READ: Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon: Which One is Better?
Free/Low-Cost Activities
Remember that there are so many things you can do that don’t require that you spend any money.
Some of the best adventures are free or low-cost. Whether it’s hikes, scenic drives or waterfalls, there are a lot of opportunities to discover Icelandic culture and nature while still staying within budget.
These are some free or low-cost activities and what they cost:
Local swimming pool: $8.
Hallgrimskirkja tower: $9
Museum: $8-25
Free hot springs in Iceland
This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but these are some of the most popular experiences you can enjoy for free or low cost:
Jökulsárlón, Dettifoss waterfall, Goðafoss waterfall, Skógafoss waterfall and Reynisfjara Beach.
*Note: Places like Jökulsárlón, Reynisfjara and Skógafoss have a parking fee.
Cost of Transport in Iceland
Getting around Iceland is a big part of planning your trip, and it’s also one of the bigger costs to factor in.
From flights, airport transfers, or renting your own vehicle, knowing what to expect for transport will help you plan your Iceland trip costs.
Airfare to Iceland
Depending on where you’re flying from, ticket prices can fluctuate A LOT.
Remember that flights are cheaper when you’re traveling to Iceland in off-peak season and if you book early.
Flight tickets to Iceland: $500-1500
Do you struggle with jet lag when you travel? Here are some ways in which I overcome it fast!👇
▶️ READ: How to Avoid Jet Lag When Landing In Iceland
Average Costs For Car Rental in Iceland
Figuring out your Iceland road trip cost includes your car rental.
I’ve always said that the best way of getting the most out of your trip is by renting a car in Iceland.
It gives you the flexibility to adjust your itinerary however you like. Stay a little longer at a landmark, skip a crowded spot, or explore hidden gems at your own pace.
The main thing to consider here is whether you’ll need a 2WD or 4WD.
As a general rule:
- Visiting in the summer? A 2WD will usually do the job.
- Heading into the interior and tackling the F-Roads? You’ll need a 4WD.
- Traveling in winter? I always recommend a 4WD for safety.
Yes, a 4WD costs more, but when it comes to Icelandic roads, safety comes first.
If you’re hitting the road, these are some of the costs to expect:
2WD: $50 – $80/day
4WD: $100-$150/day
Camper van: $140-$200/day
Bus from airport to Reykjavik: $30
Taxi: $6 flat fee plus $3 per km
How expensive is gas in Iceland?: ~$8 per gallon for fuel
Parking: Parking is free at a lot of places, but some volcanoes and waterfalls do have parking. This typically ranges from $5-10 per vehicle.
Want to save on your car rental? Be sure to use my special discount link and book with Blue Car Rental – no code needed!
Average Cost of a Trip to Iceland
Whether you’re booking first-class or backpacking through, one thing unites us all: nobody likes unexpected expenses!
Now that we’ve broken down the main expenses, from where you’ll sleep to what you’ll eat and how you’ll get around, let’s put it all together.
How much would a 1-week trip to Iceland cost?
Okay, there are A LOT of variables here. For the average traveler, here’s a realistic snapshot of what a 7-day Iceland trip costs:
- Mid-range traveler (most common)
Expect to spend around $300–$350 per person, per day, which includes accommodation, meals, car rental, activities, and small extras.
That brings a 7-day trip to roughly $2,100–$2,450 per person (or $4,200–$4,900 for two people).
- Budget traveler
If you’re staying in hostels, cooking most of your meals, skipping a rental car, and focusing on free adventures or public transportation, you can make it work for about $150–$200 per day — or $1,050–$1,400 for a 7-day trip.
✍️ Adding a rental car?
If you’re renting a small 2WD vehicle and splitting the cost, expect to bump your daily budget up to $225–$275 per day, or roughly $1,575–$1,925 for the week.
- Luxury traveler
Prefer high-end hotels, spa visits, or private tours? Expect to spend $400–$600+ per day, or $2,800–$4,200+ for a week.
Don’t forget flights
Round-trip airfare to Iceland usually adds $500–$1,500 per person, depending on your location and season.
For most travelers, a 7-day Iceland trip will cost around $2,600–$3,950 per person, flights included, depending on how you like to travel.
Although it’s definitely possible to spend less if you find a great deal on flights and stick to a solid budget!
FAQs
Is Iceland expensive to visit?
Yes, Iceland is very expensive. But luckily, there are still lots of ways to save on your trip if your budget is smaller!
How much are groceries in Iceland?
Groceries and food in general are pricey in Iceland, due to the fact that a lot of things need to be imported.
Learn more about it here, so you have a better idea of what to expect when you go grocery shopping. 👇
➡️ READ: Iceland Grocery Stores: Your Ultimate Guide to Smart Shopping
Is tipping in Iceland expected?
Tips are not customary in Iceland, but are appreciated for things like tour guides (only if you want to, never a requirement!. Tips are not expected in restaurants.
Final Thoughts on Iceland Trip Costs
I’ve seen travelers blow their budget on things that don’t matter while missing out on experiences they’d have loved. I’ve also seen people spend way less than expected and have the time of their lives.
The difference? Knowing where your money goes and understanding your Iceland trip cost.
Budgeting for experiences that are important to you and knowing where to cut is so important for a great experience here.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the major considerations is how you’re going to get around Iceland.
Why pay more than you need to on car rental, right?
That’s why I love Blue Car Rental.
Not only are they a local company that understands Iceland’s unique road conditions, but they also offer 24/7 roadside assistance, and insurance is included.
Book using my 👉 VIP LINK and get 5% off your rental at checkout. NO CODE NEEDED!
Final tip: Plan smart, spend wisely, and you’ll discover that Iceland is worth every penny.
No matter your budget. 😊
Happy Planning!
Pin it for later! 👇🏼
