If you want to visit Iceland with fewer crowds and at a time when the weather can still be quite mild and beautiful, go on an Iceland road trip in October. Early October is shoulder season, and while it might be getting chillier, you’ll still have some sunny days.
For an Iceland road trip in October, there are some key tips to know. For example, you’ll want to download the Icelandic app Veður so that you receive weather alerts, and you’ll want to pack lots of clothing layers so you’re prepared for varying temperatures.
Read on to learn all the essential tips for road tripping Iceland in October, so you can have a smooth, comfortable, and memorable trip.
- Iceland Weather in October
- 10 Tips for an Iceland Road Trip in October
- 1. Choose the Right Vehicle
- 2. Make Your Accommodation and Rental Bookings in Advance
- 3. Prepare For Driving in Iceland
- 4. Choose The Right Iceland Road Trip Route
- 5. Follow Camping Laws in Iceland
- 6. Pack For Iceland’s October Weather
- 7. Download Essential Iceland Apps
- 8. Watch For The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
- 9. Check That Businesses Are Open
- 10. Enjoy Soaking in Geothermal Pools
- Final Thoughts: Road Tripping Iceland in October
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Iceland Weather in October
In October, the weather in Iceland starts to cool. Temperatures vary depending on where in the country you are, but in general they will range from 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F).
October brings shorter days and increasing chances of rain and snow. But with this, comes the potential for stunning displays of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis).
Year-round, Iceland is known for its quickly changing weather. In October, it may be completely sunny one minute, and then raining the next. Towards the end of the month, there’s the chance of snow, too!
This changing weather is all part of the experience and nothing to be afraid of. We were told while in Iceland, “if you don’t like the weather, just wait 5 minutes.” This is totally true! The key to a comfortable trip is to be prepared for it with the right clothing, which I’ll cover later in this guide.
Is it easy to drive in Iceland in October?
Main routes like the South Coast, Ring Road, and the famous Golden Circle are generally easy to drive during October because these are well-maintained roads. This makes them the most popular option for an Iceland road trip in October.
While for the most part driving is easy, there is always a chance of high winds, gale storms and snow (particularly if you head to Northern Iceland). In the event of this, drive slowly, and when you park, park facing into the wind. This makes it safer to open your vehicle’s doors.
10 Tips for an Iceland Road Trip in October
Let’s dive into 10 essential tips for your Iceland road trip in October!
1. Choose the Right Vehicle
The first decision to make in planning your Iceland road trip in October is what type of vehicle you’ll drive. There are three types of vehicles you can choose from to rent in Iceland.
Let’s break them down.
A regular 2WD car. A small car in Iceland will be the cheapest option. Just about every rental company in Iceland offers a range of 2WD cars. If you’re able to drive manual, I recommend renting a manual 2WD as they tend to be more affordable than automatics.
If you rent a 2WD, you have two options for accommodation. You can opt to do tent camping, or you can book hotels and guesthouses.
A 4×4 (4WD) vehicle. These vehicles tend to be larger than 2WDs. They are pricier, but they are the right option to choose if you plan on driving on f-roads.
What are f-roads in Iceland? These rural roads access the highlands of Iceland. The routes take you through incredible scenery, but the roads can be challenging and dangerous to drive. Most of them are made of loose gravel, have many potholes, and go through unbridged rivers.
A campervan. Campervans are popular in Iceland because they double as both transport and accommodation (though you still need to stay in designated campsites!). These vans can be quite pricey, especially if you want one that’s also 4WD. But, if you sleep in the van, you’ll save a lot on accommodation.
How do you know what vehicle is right for your Iceland road trip?
For most, a 2WD or campervan will be perfect for an Iceland road trip in October. You only need a 4WD vehicle in Iceland if you plan on visiting the Highlands, where you’ll drive f-roads, or if you’re headed to the Westfjords, where the roads can be a bit more rough. Otherwise, if you’re traveling on the main, paved roads, like the Ring Road, you’ll be fine with just a 2WD.
Regardless of what vehicle you choose for your October road trip in Iceland, be sure to buy good auto insurance coverage. It’s important that you’re covered for incidents that are common in Iceland, like gravel damage.
2. Make Your Accommodation and Rental Bookings in Advance
Iceland is a small country with a small population, and tourism demand is high. This combo means that hotels, tours, and rental vehicles get reserved fast. However, because October is a quieter month for tourism, you can make bookings less in advance than you would for an Iceland road trip in June.
For an Iceland road trip in October, I’d aim to start your bookings 2-3 months in advance. This ensures you have lots of options to choose from, whether you’re booking guesthouses, hotels, tours, or vehicle rental.
We have road tripped Iceland twice, and both times, we went with a Happy Campers van rental. Happy Campers is a family-run, Icelandic-owned business, founded in 2009 by husband and wife team Sverrir and Herdis. Their custom vans are designed to ensure you have a safe and comfortable road trip around Iceland.
We always pick Happy Campers for a few reasons. They are dedicated to making road tripping in their vans as green as possible. Their vans are outfitted with more environmentally friendly gel mat batteries, and solar panels, so that you can take a sustainable travel approach to your trip.
Happy Campers also provides custom-designed itineraries covering all regions of Iceland to help you plan your trip. Their vans come with unlimited WiFi so you can stay connected, a heating system so you stay warm, and they provide advance weather warnings (sent by email). You can look at Happy Camper vans and book your rental, right here.
On our most recent Iceland road trip, we took at 4×4 Happy Campers Ex van (3 person)
3. Prepare For Driving in Iceland
What not to do in Iceland? Don’t ignore driving laws. The laws in Iceland are likely pretty similar to driving laws in your home country. That said, there are some specifics that are important to know.
Never drive off-road in Iceland. It’s actually illegal to do so, because it’s dangerous both for you, and for Iceland’s fragile ecosystem. It might seem harmless to simply drive through an open field or onto an empty beach, but doing this can cause damage to Iceland’s landscapes as well as animal habitats that may go unnoticed to you. Going off-road can result in large fines, so don’t risk it.
Don’t ignore speed limits on Iceland’s roads. Speed limits in Iceland are taken very seriously. The limits will vary depending on what type of road you’re on, and if the weather is bad, it’s recommended that you drive below the limits. The speed limits are strictly enforced, mainly by cameras that will snap a picture of your license plate.
Don’t risk speeding in Iceland. It’s dangerous for you and other drivers, and you may get a hefty fine of several hundred USD.
Speed limits in Iceland:
- In towns and cities: 50kmh / 30mph
- Rural gravel roads: 80kmh / 49mph
- Rural paved roads: 90kmh / 55mph
Always keep an eye out for signage posting exact speed limits!
Drinking and driving is explicitly forbidden in Iceland by law. According to Icelandic Traffic Law, Act no. 77/2019, the maximum permitted level of alcohol in a driver’s blood is 0.02%, and a level of 0.05% or up is punishable.
If you are pulled over and the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is more than 0.049%, you will be fined at least 100,000 ISK (around 800 US dollars). There’s also the risk of other penalties, like a ban from driving, and jail time.
From what I’ve been told by locals and other travelers, the police won’t likely issue a ticket or other punishment unless a person registers a blood alcohol level above 0.05% – but this doesn’t mean anything above 0.02% isn’t illegal.
For most people, one drink will result in a blood alcohol level of 0.02%. Given this, it’s best to be extremely cautious. And, keep in mind that the legal drinking age in Iceland is 20.
Gravel roads are extremely common across Iceland. These roads can do a lot of damage to your vehicle, so it’s important to follow some simple rules for driving on gravel. First, drive slow. This will help reduce how many flyaway stones hit your vehicle, potentially causing damage.
You’ll also want to drive cautiously, examining the road ahead for large potholes. It’s really easy to lose traction on gravel roads, especially if the gravel is a bit loose.
If you start to skid, stay calm, press in the clutch, and gently turn your wheel in the direction you are skidding until you regain control.
4. Choose The Right Iceland Road Trip Route
There’s several route options to choose from for your Iceland road trip in October. The one you pick will depend on how much time you have, and what type of vehicle you rent.
The Ring Road is the most popular driving route in the entire country. It’s a circular route that goes around the entirety of the island. Following this paved and well-maintained road is safe and takes you to many of Iceland’s top tourist spots and hikes. To drive the Ring Road, you’ll need a minimum of 1 week, but that would be rushed. Ideally, spend 10 days to 2 weeks driving the Ring Road.
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a peninsula just west of Reykjavik. This region is often called ‘Miniature Iceland’ thanks to its diverse landscapes. Snaefellsnes Peninsula is perfect if you have just a few days, because it’s only about a 2 hour drive from Reykjavik, and you can do it with a 2WD vehicle. It’s also possible to add this region to your Ring Road driving route. There’s lots of landmarks to visit, as well as hiking options, like the Hike From Arnarstapi to Hellnar.
The Westfjords are a beautiful region in western Iceland. This is a less-traveled area of the country that takes some time to get to, so you’ll need at least 6 days if you plan to do the Westfjords. Although it’s possible to use a 2WD for this region, a 4WD is recommended because it will be much more comfortable, and because in October, there’s a possibility of snow in the Westfjords. If you’d like to visit the Westfjords, I recommend going in early October to lessen the chance of snow.
5. Follow Camping Laws in Iceland
In 2015, the Icelandic government made it illegal to camp in tents, trailers, caravans, campervans, etc, outside of designated campsites. The only exception is if you have written permission from the owner of the land that you’re camping on.
This change was made in response to growing overtourism in Iceland. The government recognized that mass numbers of wild campers could harm Iceland’s fragile ecosystem. Now, there are tons of public campgrounds that you can go to after a day of exploring.
No reservations are needed, and many campgrounds have great amenities like hot showers, kitchens, and more.
Just note that in some regions of Iceland, campgrounds may only be open during the summer months. If you’re in a more remote area of Iceland, like the Westfjords, be sure to check that the campgrounds you intend to stay at are still open in October.
You should never start a campfire in Iceland, in fact, campfires are illegal on public land. This is because of how fragile the ecosystem in Iceland is. Fires have the potential to harm thousands of years of growth on Iceland’s landscapes.
6. Pack For Iceland’s October Weather
It’s important to pack the right clothes for Iceland’s weather in October. The key? Layer! Bring several layers that you can add and remove to adjust to the changing elements throughout the day.
The most important thing to bring in October is a warm jacket. You don’t need to be a winter parka, but it should have some warmth to it and be water resistant.
You also need a good rain jacket. Rain is likely in October, and a rain jacket is also essential for visiting some of Iceland’s waterfalls – you’ll get wet if you walk close up to them.
Be sure to pack for Iceland:
- Warm jacket.
- Rainproof jacket and rain pants.
- Warm sweater or fleece.
- Base layer long sleeve shirt and leggings.
- Many pairs of socks.
- Water resistant or waterproof shoes.
- Hiking boots or shoes with good ankle support.
- Any meds you may need.
While road tripping the Westfjords, I wore a light down jacket almost every day.
That last point on packing meds is important. On an Iceland road trip, pharmacies are scarce. And, pharmacies in Iceland do not stock the same meds you’re used to commonly finding if you’re from the US, Canada, or Europe.
It’s best to be prepared for any illness that might come up, so pack a bit of everything! On both of our trips to Iceland, we brought antihistamines for allergies, ibuprofen for headaches, and some cold and flu medication with us.
If you are planning to camp in Iceland, either in a tent or a camper van, there’s a couple must-bring items that will make your camping experience more comfortable.
- Microfibre towels for showering (they are quick-drying).
- Flip flops to wear while showering.
I recommend downloading offline maps to your phone if you are road tripping Iceland. While my partner and I had an eSIM and pocket wifi in our van rental, we did find that in more remote regions service was spotty. Downloading offline maps through your map app will ensure you can navigate, even when you’re not online.
Esims are digital sim cards that provide data coverage abroad. They are an affordable and convenient way to stay online while you travel – I use them any time I go anywhere.
You can get online with an easily with a quick-to-install eSIM through Airalo. What I appreciate most about Airalo’s eSIM is its simplicity. You can quickly select and activate an Airalo eSIM for whichever country you are headed to. Selecting, downloading, and activating your eSIM takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s easy to top up your eSIM if you run out of data.
You can get started with an Airalo eSIM, right here.
7. Download Essential Iceland Apps
Ahead road tripping Iceland in October, you’ll want to download a couple important apps. These are Icelandic apps that are designed to keep you safe, and make things like parking a lot easier.
Safe Travel
The SafeTravel app is the most important app to have downloaded for your Iceland road trip. This Icelandic app provides resources to make your journey worry-free and memorable.
It provides real-time updates on weather and road conditions so you can adapt your travel plans accordingly. The app has the option for push notifications that will alert you about incoming storms, natural disasters, avalanches, volcanic eruptions, or other dangers that can occur.
What makes SafeTravel especially important for your October road trip is the “Check-In” feature. This feature allows you to input your travel itinerary and share it with the Icelandic Search and Rescue Service. If anything goes wrong, help is readily available. You can also submit a travel plan on the SafeTravel website.
Veður
Veður is the official weather app for Iceland. This app is the most reliable source for updates about weather throughout Iceland. You can get the free app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. This app also provides a daily Aurora forecast.
Parka
While road tripping Iceland, you’ll find that most tourist sites charge for parking. You will also need to pay for street parking in Reykjavik and any towns you stop in. Parka is Iceland’s parking app, which simplifies the process of paying.
8. Watch For The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)
October is one of the best months for seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Iceland. During October, there’s roughly 12 hours of darkness every night, creating a large window for catching the lights.
Although it can be chilly at night in October, it is a much more comfortable time to be outside watching the lights than in the winter months.
The Aurora Borealis won’t be visible every night. Visibility depends on various conditions, like cloud cover. Every evening, check the Aurora forecast to see if conditions look promising. If the Aurora forecast rating is 4 or higher, you have a good chance of seeing them!
It’s ideal to get away from the glare of city lights if you want to see the Aurora Borealis. A stay in the countryside or a guided tour into the wilderness will greatly improve your view of the sky. And while it’s possible to see the lights earlier in the night, the prime times are between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
Auroras can take on various shapes, movements, colours and brightness. Sometimes they may appear as white streaks in the sky, and other times, colors will be visible.
Interestingly, using night mode or a long exposure on your phone camera or digital camera will capture the colors, even if they aren’t visible to your naked eye.
The Northern Lights do not appear on any kind of schedule, and so it’s important to be patient. You may have to wait a few hours before you see them. And of course, sightings can never be guaranteed.
9. Check That Businesses Are Open
In more rural regions of Iceland, like the Westfjords, some businesses may be closed as of October 1st. On our road trip through the Westfjords the first week of October, a few campgrounds, museums, and coffee shops had closed up for the winter.
This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re planning to road trip Iceland’s more popular routes in October, like the Ring Road, or south coast.
10. Enjoy Soaking in Geothermal Pools
With chillier weather rolling in, October is the perfect time to soak in Iceland’s geothermal pools! Iceland has many geothermal pools because it’s positioned directly over a rift in continental plates, and has a high concentration of volcanoes.
This creates geothermal energy that results in lots of hot springs, and is harnessed by Iceland for energy. In fact, this energy is used to heat the greenhouses in which Icelanders grow potatoes and other veggies, year round.
Soaking in geothermal pools is a longstanding tradition in Iceland, going back as far as the 12th century. Today every town in Iceland has their own public swimming pools, many of which are heated by geothermal water. The public pools are a place to relax and socialize, while soaking in the mineral rich waters!
Throughout the country you’ll also find natural outdoor geothermal pools, and fancy spas that use geothermal waters. One of our favorite spas for soaking in geothermal waters is Hvammsvík Hot Spring. Just outside of Reykjavik, this spa has eight natural hot springs that overlook a stunning fjord.
For a less fancy experience, you can head to Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River. This river of warm water is nestled in the hills outside of Reykjavik. You’ll hike one hour to the river, which makes you feel like you’ve really earned the toasty warm soak you’ll have in this picturesque thermal river!
Final Thoughts: Road Tripping Iceland in October
October is a great month for road tripping in Iceland. You’ll benefit from mild weather, moderate driving conditions, and you’ll have the chance to experience Iceland without the summer crowds (and summer prices!).
More from Pina Travels:
- How to Hike From Arnarstapi to Hellnar
- 14 Southern Iceland Waterfalls You Can’t Miss
- What Not to Do in Iceland: 23 Essential Iceland Tips
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.