Solo travel in Iceland – now thatโs 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 donโt need someone sitting next to you to make it a reality.
Iโm often asked about traveling to Iceland solo and today Iโm taking a look at why Iceland is the perfect place to go alone, especially for female travelers.
Whether youโre 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.
Iโll 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
Itโs a big claim, but if youโve ever wanted to try out solo travel, Iceland tops the list for one of the best destinations to do so. Letโs find out whyโฆ
Safety
You might be wondering: Is Iceland safe to travel alone?
Honestly, itโs the number one thing my mom asks me before any trip, and let me tell you, itโs 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 Icelandโs population lives in Reykjavรญk, so towns around the country are small, which adds to the feeling of safety.
If youโre looking for security, you really canโt beat the land of fire and ice. The police officers don’t even carry guns!
See, no need to worry mom! ๐
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.
Itโs incredibly easy to communicate because they start learning English at a very young age in schools, so itโs rare to encounter a situation where English isnโt spoken, especially now with the rise in tourism, particularly when visiting popular sites.
The locals are generally very welcoming and friendly and if youโre looking to immerse yourself in the culture, theyโre more than willing to embrace you!
Scenic Beauty
Iceland is the most beautiful place in the world – in my completely unbiased opinion of course! ๐
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, youโll 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 thatโs for sure. But, not to worry, youโll just have to visit again!
Driving and Navigation
Itโs really difficult to get lost in Iceland, and this is coming from someone whoโs directionally challenged.
Iceland doesnโt have very many roads, there’s the main road and then a few more that branch out.
So, if youโre worried about navigation and getting lost or missing your exit, I wouldnโt 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.๐
โก๏ธ 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 youโre texting your sister to say youโre safe or giving your mom a quick call to let her know youโve arrived, staying connected is super easy.
As long as you know how to hop online or grab a SIM card, youโll 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 peopleโs preferences.
Flights: As with most places, if youโre traveling during off-peak season youโll get the benefit of saving on flights, tours, and accommodation.
Accommodation: If youโre backpacking in Iceland alone, you can rough it out a little more – itโs 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, youโll likely be sharing with quite a few other people.
You can even try camping! If you choose Reykjavรญk as your base, there are great options for accommodation and youโll easily be able to visit the sites in the city. A lot of tours also run from Reykjavรญk making it super convenient.
If camping in Iceland is something that interests you, I suggest checking out this post๐
โก๏ธ 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 here๐
โก๏ธ 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 countryโs 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 donโt have to worry about getting weird side-eye stares or snarky comments!
The locals are very open-minded and welcoming of female solo travelers. Itโs viewed as perfectly normal for women to explore Iceland on their own.
If this is the first time youโre traveling to Iceland, Iโve created a post about five useful tips you need to know!๐
โก๏ธ READ: Iceland for first-timers | 5 tips you need to know!
Iceland Solo Travel Without Car
Icelandโs 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 donโt 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 donโt have to worry!
Solo Travel in Iceland: Things to Do
Whether youโre after thrilling excursions or fascinating cultural experiences, one thing is for sure: You wonโt get bored in Iceland!
Iceland Solo Tours
Solo travel in Iceland doesnโt 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 Reykjavรญk food walk.
Experience 6 unique restaurants with a local guide and sample the local cuisine.
Eat, drink, and be merry โ and meet a few friends while youโre at it! And be sure to use my code ICEVIEW for a 10% off discount. ๐
โก๏ธ Take A Tour: The Reykjavรญk Food Walk
Snรฆfellsnes Peninsula: Discover the Snรฆfellsnes Peninsula year-round with this small group tour. Youโll 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!
โก๏ธ Take A Tour: Snรฆfellsnes Peninsula in a Small Group Tour with Home-Cooked Meal Included
Golden Circle: You canโt travel to Iceland and not check out the Golden Circle route. Visit รingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and, drumroll pleaseโฆ see the Northern Lights! Just a heads up that you wonโt catch the aurora if you plan on visiting in summer.
โก๏ธ 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 canโt discover when youโre part of a group.
Of course, the trail you choose should match your experience level. As a beginner, donโt do a very challenging hike, especially if youโre trekking alone!
Make sure that all your devices are charged and that youโve 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: Fimmvรถrรฐuhรกls 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, Brรบarfoss, 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 Reykjavรญk. Whatโs 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, Reykjavรญk Artโs Festival, Reykjavรญk International Film Festival, and รjรณรฐhรกtรญรฐ outdoor music festival, thereโs 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 whatโs going on in each season in Iceland.๐
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, Iโd 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 thatโll inform you of road conditions and closures. Please, donโt be a hero and heed the warnings when they tell you itโs unsafe to venture out.
Stay on the trail: If youโre 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, itโs when youโre 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. Itโs vital that someone knows where you are in case something unexpected happens or if thereโs an emergency.
โ ๏ธFor even more advice to make sure you donโt encounter any danger on your trip, be sure to read up on these Iceland safety tips.
Iceland Travel Itinerary
Planning your trip shouldnโt be stressful, so Iโve put together a helpful tool for you!
Take a look at my ๐ Iceland Itineraries.
Inside, youโll 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!
Itโll 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. ๐
Knowing how much you can get done in a day will avoid unrealistic expectations and Iโve included that in as well!
Whether you want an Iceland travel itinerary for 10 days, 8 days, or 5 days, Iโve got you covered!
Hurray for stress-free solo travel in Iceland! ๐
Happy planning,
Pin it for later! ๐๐ผ
