Things to Know
What to pack
Iceland can get very cold, especially in September! Dressing in layers is going to be key. Please reference this Google Doc for our recommendations on what to pack – we’ve linked directly to some items that we purchased for our first trip to Iceland that worked well for us.
Weather
Iceland is famously windy and rainy, so definitely expect it during our trip! It’s usually more drizzle than downpour, but you will absolutely be getting rained on. Wind can also be really crazy in Iceland! It’s pretty much a constant force and can be very strong at times. Iceland weather is very variable, and changes rapidly from one hour to the next. The saying goes, “If you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes." Weather forecasts are generally not reliable more than 1-3 days out. The good news in all this is that your waterproof and windproof gear will help make all of this super manageable. Our best advice is to be prepared and embrace the weather uncertainty as just another part of the adventure!
What to wear during the wedding
We would like for everyone to dress up, but not at the expense of freezing your toes off! The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable, so we recommend flat, waterproof shoes and lots of layers. The ceremony is entirely outdoors, which means rain and wind are a likely factor! Please bring a waterproof outer layer with you. Click the button below to view a collage of general clothing vibes you can aim for. You'll notice that the only common theme is warmth!
Driving
Driving in Iceland is pretty straightforward! The traffic signals and rules should be similar enough and use universal symbols that are easy to understand without knowing Icelandic. A few things to note: No right turns allowed on a red light like at home. Headlights must be kept on at all times, during the daytime and at night. The auto setting is incorrect – the headlight symbol is the correct one. You may encounter single lane bridges during your time driving in Iceland. Just FYI that you might have to let others pass first if it’s their right of way.
Parking in Reykjavík
For the first night, we’re staying in the city of Reykjavík, and you’ll have to locate street parking near your hotel and pay for it. This is fairly easy and works on a parking zone system (click the button below for a handy guide). Rogelio and I will be staying at Sand Hotel in Reykjavík which is immediately surrounded by the P1 zone (3 hours maximum). For this reason, we’ll most likely park in P2 (blue) or P3 (green) and just walk 1-2 blocks. To pay, you can use the parking machines or the Parka or EasyPark apps. Most meters accept cards, but you may find the app to be more convenient. After around 9pm through 9 or 10am, parking is free. You won’t need to pay for parking outside of the zone’s specified hours.
Parking while sightseeing
You have to pay for parking at most of the touristy destinations in Iceland that you'll be visiting, like waterfalls or other scenic spots. There's no grace period – even if you’re only stopping for 5 mins, you still need to pay. Most spots are equipped with cameras at the entrance and they take a picture of every car’s license plate upon entry. If you don’t pay, you are likely to be ticketed. You can install the Parka and Easy Park apps on your phone for convenience – you can pay for the majority of your parking via these apps. Signage in the parking lots at these sites will provide you with all payment options. If you don’t have these apps, don’t worry – there’s usually a QR code you can scan that takes you directly to the official payment site for that spot. When you get your rental car, we recommend that you snap a photo of your license plate as you’ll need to enter it to pay the parking fee. Helpful to have it on your phone so you don’t have to walk back to the car to check.
Getting gas
When you fill up your rental car with gas, you may notice what looks like two separate transactions on your credit card. One of these transactions is a temporary hold that will go away within a few days, and you’ll be left with the actual amount. This temporary hold that looks like a second transaction only occurs if you choose to fill your gas tank up (letting the pump run until the tank is full) rather than opting to pay a flat amount (say $20). If you choose to fill your car with a pre-determined amount, this should not happen.
Paying for things
Iceland is mostly cashless – you most likely will not need to use cash even once during your time in Iceland. Cards are accepted everywhere, and Apple Pay is accepted on all card machines as well. Check your credit card – hopefully you use one that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees. Definitely use that one during your time in Iceland! Iceland's official currency is the Icelandic krona. Always pay in the local currency (ISK) and allow your credit card to do the conversion. Never pay in USD – otherwise you’ll get charged an additional fee.
Miscellaneous
In case of emergency, call 112 (This is Iceland's equivalent of 911). Sunset is going to be at around 7:30pm every night! You should absolutely drink the tap water while in Iceland. Iceland is one of the world's cleanest sources of water on the planet due to its geography, as most of it is glacier runoff that’s naturally filtered. Just saying, you may look a little silly buying bottled water in Iceland 🙂 We don’t have any specific recommendations regarding cell service in Iceland, but just a general reminder to check on your carrier’s international plan before the trip.
The Blue Lagoon
We'll be visiting Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon as one of our first adventures together! We wanted to provide you with a detailed overview of the experience – all the things we wish we knew before we went!
Blue Lagoon arrival and check-in
We recommend you have a small bag already packed for the Blue Lagoon that includes your sandals, your swimsuit, and a waterproof phone pouch (if you intend to bring your phone into the lagoon). When you park, you can reach into your luggage and grab your already-packed bag to prevent you from needing to shuffle through all your luggage in the parking lot. We recommend not bringing jewelry into the Blue Lagoon as the silica waters can be damaging. Leave this in your luggage, or you can store it in your locker once inside. At check-in, you will receive a waterproof wristband for your locker, purchases, and complimentary items.
Before You Enter the Lagoon (Part 1/2)
After check-in, you’ll separate into male and female locker rooms! Be warned that it’s pretty hectic in the locker rooms, and everyone is in various states of undress! But don’t worry, no one is paying attention to you! Everyone is minding their own business and focused on getting in and out. When you enter the locker rooms, your first order of business is to put your belongings away into your locker. You’ll unlock and lock your locker by tapping your wristband. Just keep your swimsuit and your phone (only if you’re bringing it into the Lagoon). Once you're in the shower, you must shower nude, from head to toe, to make sure you’re not contaminating the Blue Lagoon. We know, we know. But it is mandatory to protect the Lagoon – don’t try to avoid it. We promise you will be fine!
Before You Enter the Lagoon (Part 2/2)
Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided in the shower stalls. There are hooks everywhere, but the hooks aren’t right next to the stalls. You can hang your swimsuit on the stall door if you want to keep it close. When you shower, use loads of conditioner to protect your hair from the silica water in the Blue Lagoon. Cover every inch of your hair with conditioner and don’t rinse it out – leave it in the whole time you are in the Blue Lagoon. If your hair is long, we recommend you put it up if possible to protect it. Once you finish showering, you don’t need to dry off. You can put your swimsuit on and leave the locker room dripping wet. It’s time to get in the Blue Lagoon! Wear your sandals from the locker room to the lagoon entrance ramp. You’ll leave them by the ramp with everyone else’s sandals.
In the Blue Lagoon
The lagoon's water averages around 100°F. We recommend not dipping your head in the lagoon given how damaging the water can be to hair. It’s time to vibe! You’ll use your wristband to redeem your free Silica Mud Mask (bar on the left side) and your one free drink (bar on the right side). You can charge any additional mask or drink purchases to your wristband. You’ll settle the bill upon departure. Feel free to visit the sauna, steam room, steam cave, or massage waterfall while you’re in the lagoon!
Leaving the Blue Lagoon
Exit the lagoon via the indoor ramp! When you get out, a staff member will provide you with a towel. After showering off completely, you can use the swimsuit spinners near the showers to drain excess water. Plastic bags for wet items are available near the blow dryers and mirrors. Use your wristband to pay any outstanding charges, exit through the turnstile, and drop the band in the collection box.
