What to Pack for a Guided Iceland Tour: Summer & Winter
Packing for Iceland is less about bringing a lot and more about bringing the right things. Weather can switch from sun to sideways rain within an hour, and on a guided tour you step out of a warm bus into whatever the day has prepared, often ten times a day. At the same time, luggage space on a minibus is limited. This list is built for exactly that situation.
First: the luggage rules
On Nicetravel's multi-day tours, the luggage allowance depends on the length of the tour:
| Tour length | What's included | Maximum size |
|---|---|---|
| up to 3 days | one small carry-on | 56 × 45 × 25 cm |
| longer than 3 days | one carry-on plus one checked-size bag | checked bag up to 60 × 41 × 23 cm |
On the short tours you can add a larger bag for a fee during booking. Oversized luggage cannot go on the bus; leave it at your Reykjavík hotel, at the operator's office by arrangement, or in a public luggage locker. A soft bag or a small suitcase is easier to fit than a hard-shell giant. If you are combining a short tour with a longer holiday, plan to repack in Reykjavík.
The principle: three layers
The operator's own advice is short and sound: light layers, sturdy waterproof shoes, a windproof and waterproof jacket, and no jeans. Jeans get wet, stay wet and get cold.
- Base layer: merino wool or synthetic, not cotton. Long-sleeved top and, in winter, long underwear.
- Mid layer: fleece or a light down jacket for warmth.
- Outer layer: a properly waterproof and windproof jacket with a hood, plus waterproof over-trousers.
With these three you can adjust all day: fleece off in the bus, jacket on at Skógafoss, everything on at Jökulsárlón.
Shoes: the one thing not to compromise on
Waterfall paths are wet, beaches are pebbly, lava is sharp and many paths are uneven.
- Summer tours: hiking boots are recommended. Solid, waterproof shoes reaching above the ankle are ideal.
- Winter ice cave tours: hiking boots are mandatory. The operator states that guests without suitable footwear can be refused on glacier activities. If you don't own a pair, you can rent boots when you book.
- In winter, slip-on microspikes for your boots are worth considering for icy car parks and paths. On the glacier itself, the necessary safety equipment is provided.
Summer checklist (June to September)
- waterproof jacket and over-trousers
- fleece or light down jacket
- two or three base-layer tops
- hiking trousers (quick-drying)
- hiking boots, plus light shoes for evenings
- warm hat, light gloves and a buff or scarf: even July can be cold at the glacier lagoon or on the Látrabjarg cliffs
- eye mask: in June the sun barely sets, and hotel curtains vary
- sunglasses and sun cream: the light is strong on long days
- swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- insect head net if you are sensitive: Lake Mývatn is named after its midges
Winter checklist (October to April)
- insulated waterproof jacket with hood
- waterproof over-trousers
- warm mid layer (fleece or down) and thermal base layers, top and bottom
- warm hat, a neck gaiter and two pairs of gloves (one thin, one warm, as wet gloves are common)
- wool socks, several pairs
- hiking boots, mandatory for the ice cave
- microspikes for icy paths
- sunglasses: low winter sun on snow is bright
- small head torch for dark mornings and car parks
- swimwear for the hot springs
Swimwear: always
Bathing is part of almost every Iceland trip. On the long Ring Road tours, the operator says hot tubs at or next to the hotel in Hveragerði are included; other pools along the way are optional and paid. On the 5-Day Winter Wonderland package, the Hvammsvík hot spring visit includes towel rental. If you choose the Canyon Baths option on the 5-Day Winter Package, bring your own towel and swimwear. Spas generally rent swimsuits, but not always in every size. Packing your own costs nothing.
Your day bag on the bus
Your main bag goes in the luggage space, so keep a small backpack with you:
- water bottle: Icelandic tap water is excellent
- snacks for long driving legs; lunch stops are scheduled but you pay for food yourself
- phone and a short charging cable: every seat has a USB charger, and the bus has WiFi
- spare gloves and hat
- a dry bag or plastic bag for wet layers
- camera with a lens cloth, as spray at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss gets everywhere
Documents, money and power
- Payment: cards are accepted almost everywhere in Iceland, including small cafés and petrol stations. Most visitors manage with little or no cash.
- Plugs: Iceland uses the European two-pin plugs (types C and F) at 230 volts. Travellers from the UK or North America need an adapter.
- Insurance: check that your travel insurance covers activities such as glacier hikes or ice caves if you book them.
What to leave at home
- jeans and cotton hoodies
- an umbrella: the wind will win
- a large hard-shell suitcase on short tours
- more than one pair of heavy boots: wear them on the plane
Before you go
Check the weather forecast and your email on the morning of departure: if a storm warning cancels or changes the day, the operator notifies you by email. Pickup in Reykjavík is between 08:30 and 09:00, so have everything packed the night before.
Still choosing your tour? Read our guide to choosing a Ring Road tour, compare the winter packages with ice cave, or check the best time for an Iceland tour. Luggage rules and inclusions for each tour are listed on the tour pages, for example the 10-Day Grand Iceland Ring Road tour or the 5-Day Winter Wonderland Package.
Tour details checked October 2026. Tour links are affiliate links.