Solo travel in Iceland – now that’s an adventure filled with endless possibilities!
If you can imagine yourself on a black sand beach at sunset, with a beverage in your hand in the most beautiful place on earth, know this: you don’t need someone sitting next to you to make it a reality.
I’m often asked about traveling to Iceland solo and today I’m taking a look at why Iceland is the perfect place to go alone, especially for female travelers.
Whether you’re on a journey of self-discovery or crave the freedom and flexibility of setting your own schedule that can change on a whim – a solo trip is an amazing way to discover a country.
I’ll explain exactly why Iceland is the best place to explore on your own, things you can do, and a few tips to make sure your journey is as safe as possible.
Are you ready for the ultimate adventure of solo travel in Iceland?
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- Why Iceland Offers the Best Solo Travel Experience
- Iceland Solo Trip Cost
- Is Iceland Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
- Iceland Solo Travel Without a Car
- Solo Travel in Iceland: Things to Do
- Safety Tips if Traveling to Iceland Solo
- Iceland Travel Itinerary
Why Iceland Offers the Best Solo Travel Experience
It’s a big claim, but if you’ve ever wanted to try out solo travel, Iceland tops the list for one of the best destinations to do so. Let’s find out why…
Safety
You might be wondering: Is Iceland safe to travel alone?
Honestly, it’s the number one thing my mom asks me before any trip, and let me tell you, it’s very safe!
According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, Iceland was ranked number one for the safest country on earth in terms of violent crime and a peaceful standard of living.
Pretty impressive, right?!
More than half of Iceland’s population lives in Reykjavík, so towns around the country are small, which adds to the feeling of safety.
If you’re looking for security, you really can’t beat the land of fire and ice. The police officers don’t even carry guns!
See, no need to worry mom! 😉
Language and Culture
Another reason to consider solo travel in Iceland is that English is widely spoken.
While Icelandic is the official language, nearly all Icelanders speak fluent English and are very understanding of foreigners not being able to speak the native language.
It’s incredibly easy to communicate because they start learning English at a very young age in schools, so it’s rare to encounter a situation where English isn’t spoken, especially now with the rise in tourism, particularly when visiting popular sites.
The locals are generally very welcoming and friendly and if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the culture, they’re more than willing to embrace you!
Scenic Beauty
Iceland is the most beautiful place in the world – in my completely unbiased opinion of course! 😉
Please don’t let someone not being able to come with you be the reason you don’t travel here.
Iceland solo travel can be just as exciting as experiencing it with someone else.
I promise you, you’ll come across more beautiful waterfalls, mountains, sea sides, cute villages, and epic landscapes than you can ever possibly imagine.
In terms of it being scenic, there are so many things to see and do, more than you can fit into one trip that’s for sure. But, not to worry, you’ll just have to visit again!
Driving and Navigation
It’s really difficult to get lost in Iceland, and this is coming from someone who’s directionally challenged.
Iceland doesn’t have very many roads, there’s the main road and then a few more that branch out.
So, if you’re worried about navigation and getting lost or missing your exit, I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s pretty hard to get lost and not that tough to navigate on your solo trip to Iceland.
However, what can get tricky is the road conditions due to weather or roads in remote areas of the country. So, if you do plan on driving, I highly suggest reading this post on driving in Iceland.👇
➡️ READ: Driving In Iceland: Stay Safe On The Roads With These 8 Tips
Connectivity: Wifi & Internet
This may surprise you, but there is really good Wi-Fi and GPS signal in Iceland.
This is crucial for staying connected with loved ones back home, checking road conditions, or using navigation apps.
So, whether you’re texting your sister to say you’re safe or giving your mom a quick call to let her know you’ve arrived, staying connected is super easy.
As long as you know how to hop online or grab a SIM card, you’ll have no trouble staying connected because the Wi-Fi and signal here is really good.
Iceland Solo Trip Cost
Solo travel in Iceland also provides the opportunity to explore on a tighter budget. You can make dining and accommodation choices that best fit your wallet without having to factor in other people’s preferences.
Flights: As with most places, if you’re traveling during off-peak season you’ll get the benefit of saving on flights, tours, and accommodation.
Accommodation: If you’re backpacking in Iceland alone, you can rough it out a little more – it’s not as easy when you have to keep your whole family comfortable! You can opt to make use of hostels, guest houses, dorms, or single-bed rooms to save on costs. Remember that if you are staying in the most affordable dorms, you’ll likely be sharing with quite a few other people.
You can even try camping! If you choose Reykjavík as your base, there are great options for accommodation and you’ll easily be able to visit the sites in the city. A lot of tours also run from Reykjavík making it super convenient.
If camping in Iceland is something that interests you, I suggest checking out this post👇
➡️ READ: Iceland Camping 101: How To Plan The Perfect Icelandic Adventure
Dining: Iceland can be expensive, so knowing where to cut costs is vital to staying within budget. One of the areas you can drastically save on is food and drink. If you want tips on how to save money on dining in Iceland, look no further than here👇
➡️ READ: Traveling Iceland On A Budget? Here Are 6 Genius Tips To Save on Food & Drink!
Is Iceland Safe for Solo Female Travelers?
Traveling to Iceland as a solo female is a great option, especially because of the country’s low crime rates.
Icelanders have a high regard for gender equality which is excellent for women who decide to travel to Iceland alone.
So, you don’t have to worry about getting weird side-eye stares or snarky comments!
The locals are very open-minded and welcoming of female solo travelers. It’s viewed as perfectly normal for women to explore Iceland on their own.
If this is the first time you’re traveling to Iceland, I’ve created a post about five useful tips you need to know!👇
➡️ READ: Iceland for first-timers | 5 tips you need to know!
Iceland Solo Travel Without Car
Iceland’s bus routes make it possible to solo travel without a car, especially the more popular tourist routes and coastal areas.
However, I believe that renting a car is the best way to experience Iceland. Your schedule is much more flexible when you don’t have to rely on bus schedules. You have the ultimate freedom to stop whenever something catches your eye and explore on your own terms!
So technically, yes, in Iceland, solo travel without a car is possible. This does, however, depend on where you plan on going and what you want to see.
If you do want to access areas that are a bit more remote, but have no interest in driving, you can always opt for a tour and so you don’t have to worry!
Solo Travel in Iceland: Things to Do
Whether you’re after thrilling excursions or fascinating cultural experiences, one thing is for sure: You won’t get bored in Iceland!
Iceland Solo Tours
Solo travel in Iceland doesn’t mean you have to do everything on your own.
Taking a tour is a great way for solo travelers to meet new people and experience the best sights with a professional guide.
Check Out The Local Food Scene: Take part in the #1 food and drink activity in Iceland – the Reykjavík food walk.
Experience 6 unique restaurants with a local guide and sample the local cuisine.
Eat, drink, and be merry – and meet a few friends while you’re at it! And be sure to use my code ICEVIEW for a 10% off discount. 💃
➡️ Take A Tour: The Reykjavík Food Walk
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Discover the Snæfellsnes Peninsula year-round with this small group tour. You’ll get to see beautiful coastlines, waterfalls, and black sand beaches, and enjoy fascinating Icelandic folk stories and local legends. All topped off with a delicious home-cooked meal. YUM!
➡️ Take A Tour: Snæfellsnes Peninsula in a Small Group Tour with Home-Cooked Meal Included
Golden Circle: You can’t travel to Iceland and not check out the Golden Circle route. Visit Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and, drumroll please… see the Northern Lights! Just a heads up that you won’t catch the aurora if you plan on visiting in summer.
➡️ Take A Tour: Golden Circle and Northern Lights
Solo Hiking Iceland
With solo travel in Iceland, you have the freedom to explore hidden gems that you sometimes can’t discover when you’re part of a group.
Of course, the trail you choose should match your experience level. As a beginner, don’t do a very challenging hike, especially if you’re trekking alone!
Make sure that all your devices are charged and that you’ve got extra batteries.
Plus, you definitely want to leave your itinerary with someone you trust.
Here are some of the hikes you can try out:
Multi-day hikes: The Laugavegurinn trail in Landmannalaugar is 55 km long and typically takes four days from start to finish.
Single day: Fimmvörðuháls volcano hike. I suggest that you do this hike in summer and only when the weather is good!
Waterfall hikes: Many times in Iceland, going to see a waterfall also includes an epic hike. Check out Glymur Waterfall, Brúarfoss, and Hengifoss, but there are so many more waiting to be explored during your solo travels in Iceland.
Easy to moderate hikes: Esja mountain can be seen from Reykjavík. What’s nice is that you can choose the difficulty of the trail.
Some hiking routes are closed off in the winter, so make sure to check which areas are accessible when you plan your visit.
Check out my Tours page for more epic hiking options!
Festivals & Events
Iceland is home to some of the best festivals and they draw performers and artists from all over the world.
From Iceland Airwaves, DesignMarch, Reykjavík Art’s Festival, Reykjavík International Film Festival, and Þjóðhátíð outdoor music festival, there’s usually something exciting happening in Iceland.
When you plan your trip, be sure to check the upcoming events and festivals. Who knows, you might even get the chance to meet a local or two!
Check out our guides below to find out what’s going on in each season in Iceland.👇
Safety Tips if Traveling to Iceland Solo
While Iceland is a great spot for solo adventurers, going it alone means taking certain safety measures to make sure your trip runs smoothly.
Research: Make sure that you research your accommodation and travel options well. Opt for places and service providers with good reviews.
Basic phrases: Even though English is widely spoken, I’d still make a point of learning a few basic phrases in Icelandic. You never know when they might come in handy, and the locals will appreciate the effort!
Weather: The weather in Iceland is SO unpredictable. I never go out without checking the road conditions. Road.is is a great site that’ll inform you of road conditions and closures. Please, don’t be a hero and heed the warnings when they tell you it’s unsafe to venture out.
Stay on the trail: If you’re off hiking on your own, I know it can be tempting to go off the trail and explore further, but guideposts and warnings are there for a reason.
Trust your gut: If there was ever a time to trust your instincts, it’s when you’re traveling on your own. Solo travel in Iceland is wonderful and safe, but things can happen even in the safest of places. Learn to listen to your gut!
Pro tip: One of the most important tips I can give for solo travel in Iceland is to ensure you leave your travel plans with safetravel.is. It’s vital that someone knows where you are in case something unexpected happens or if there’s an emergency.
⚠️For even more advice to make sure you don’t encounter any danger on your trip, be sure to read up on these Iceland safety tips.
Iceland Travel Itinerary
Planning your trip shouldn’t be stressful, so I’ve put together a helpful tool for you!
Take a look at my 👉 Iceland Itineraries.
Inside, you’ll find detailed daily schedules, a digital map with all the best spots to visit (secret ones and all!), and a pre-planning checklist and packing list.
If it’s your first time taking a solo trip, a curated itinerary is your perfect companion!
It’ll help remove the stress and overwhelm of having to figure out everything on your own – kinda like having a local friend in your pocket showing you around Iceland. 😉
Knowing how much you can get done in a day will avoid unrealistic expectations and I’ve included that in as well!
Whether you want an Iceland travel itinerary for 10 days, 8 days, or 5 days, I’ve got you covered!
Hurray for stress-free solo travel in Iceland! 😀
Happy planning,
Pin it for later! 👇🏼
