Fire, ice and the Northern Lights
Iceland is a land of thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, glaciers and geothermal pools, only around three hours from the UK. Come in winter to chase the Northern Lights or in summer for the midnight sun and road trips. We arrange flights, hotels, car hire and tours as one trip.
Where to go
A colourful, compact capital of cafés, harbour walks and the striking Hallgrímskirkja church.
Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.
Waterfalls, black-sand beaches and the icebergs of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
‘Iceland in miniature’ — lava fields, fishing villages and the famous Kirkjufell mountain.
Akureyri, Lake Mývatn and whale watching from Húsavík.
Culture and customs
Icelanders are relaxed and informal — people are addressed by their first names, and a soak in the local swimming pool is a daily ritual.
Stay on the road. Off-road driving is strictly controlled. Keep dipped headlights on all year, slow down on gravel and take care on single-lane bridges.
Respect the sea and cliffs. Going too close to the ocean, cliff edges and hot springs are common causes of accidents — keep well back.
Share your plans. Leave your travel plans and contact details with your hotel or on Safe Travel Iceland, especially before heading somewhere remote.
No smoking indoors. Smoking and e-cigarettes are banned in restaurants, bars, public transport and public buildings.
Food you can’t bring. Meat, milk and products containing them cannot be brought into Iceland, with a few exceptions such as baby formula.
Souvenirs. It is illegal to bring whale products from Iceland into the UK.
How far is Iceland from you?
Distances are great-circle estimates and flying times are typical, not timetabled. Message us for live fares and routes.
Iceland, month by month
Hover overTap a month for average day and night temperatures and rainy days.
Long-term averages from national weather services (Reykjavík). Actual weather varies year to year.
Ready-made holidays, coming soon
We’re adding Iceland packages you can browse and filter by trip type, length and budget. Until then, tell us what you’d like and we’ll send ideas and prices — usually the same day.
Tell us about your Iceland trip
Holiday, flights only or just a hotel — send us the details and our team will come back with options and prices, usually the same day during opening hours.
- Flights issued by our own IATA-accredited team
- Internal flights, transfers and tours arranged
- Visa and passport help from our documents team
- One team to message before, during and after
Read the full official entry requirements
See the official GOV.UK entry requirements for Iceland.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Updated automatically from GOV.UK travel advice.
Travelling to Iceland — quick answers
Can’t see your question? Send us a message or WhatsApp us.
Do I need a visa for Iceland with a British passport?
No — you can travel to the Schengen area, which includes Iceland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. You may need to register for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at the border. If you hold another passport, we can help with a Schengen visa.
How long is the flight to Iceland?
About 3 hours from London. There are nonstop flights from Heathrow all year and from many other UK airports, with several regional routes running mainly in winter.
When can I see the Northern Lights?
The aurora needs dark skies, so the season runs roughly from September to March. Sightings depend on clear weather and solar activity, so allow a few nights.
Is Iceland safe to visit?
Crime levels are low. The main risks are natural: changeable weather, the sea and cliff edges, and volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula, which has not affected Reykjavík or Keflavík airport. Read the latest GOV.UK travel advice before you go.
Can I use my GHIC in Iceland?
Yes — the UK GHIC and UK EHIC can be used in Iceland for necessary state-provided healthcare. You should still take out travel insurance.
Please note: the information on this page is a general guide, checked when it was published. Entry rules, health advice, weather, seasons, flight routes and local conditions can change at any time and vary from person to person, so we can’t accept responsibility for changes or for decisions based on this page alone. Always check the latest GOV.UK travel advice and official travel health advice before you travel. It is your responsibility to check the entry, health and travel requirements that apply to you before you travel. See our terms and conditions.