Departure Airport

Destination or Hotel

List

Departure Date

Duration

7 nights

Rooms & Guests

What to pack for Iceland

Iceland bound? Here's what to pack for your trip.

Snow-covered landscapes, smouldering volcanoes and steaming hot springs. You might find Iceland’s geography a bit different to where you normally holiday, and knowing exactly what to pack can be tricky. Luckily, we’ve done all the hard work for you, by putting together this list of the less-obvious items you’ll need to take.

Two excursions are included with every TUI holiday to Iceland, so we’ve got you covered when it comes to exploring, as well. On your first full day, you’ll set off on the Golden Circle tour. This starts at the Thingvellir National Park, a wintry wonderland that’s home to snowy plains, frosty waterways and the border between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Next up is the enormous Gullfoss waterfall, followed by a hot spring, which bubbles over like an exploding kettle every few minutes. You’ll stop for a warming lunch along the way, too. See all this in action by watching our Golden Circle video.

On your first night in Iceland, you’ll be taken out to try to catch a glimpse of the elusive Northern Lights. Expert, local guides lead the tours and they decide the spot they’re going to take you to on a night-by-night basis, to increase your chances of seeing them. Wrap up warm, keep your eyes peeled and, if you’re lucky, you’ll watch the aurora borealis dance across the sky.

1 – NECK WARMER

A neck warmer provides a more snug fit than a traditional scarf, making it a much cosier alternative. The grey, chunky knit one that appears in our video is from Roxy.

2 – WARM HAT

The majority of the body’s heat escapes from the head and the feet, so you’ll need to keep these parts well insulated. This knitted bobble hat from Obey will keep your head nice and warm.

3, 4 & 5 – COAT, WARM FLEECE AND THERMAL TOPS

Ideally, the coat you take to Iceland should be either a ski jacket or one that's filled with insulating down, as these are best-equipped to protect you from the cold. Fleeces are made from synthetic fibres that can stop the warmth generated by your body from escaping, so this makes a good mid-layer. Our favourite is The North Face fleece, which is super-soft and snuggly. And, you should also wear a thermal top as a base layer. These are designed to fit tight to the skin, retaining the heat while letting your skin breathe.

Once you’ve got yourself all this cosy clothing, you’ll be fully prepared for a holiday to see Father Christmas, too. Here are eight reasons why you should visit Lapland this winter.

6 – SKI TROUSERS

For your bottom half, you’ll need legwear that’s seriously warm, so you can leave your jeans at home. This is especially important for when you’re out hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Ski trousers – aka salopettes – are perfect. For double the warmth, throw on a thick pair of leggings underneath.

7 – THERMAL SOCKS

Your feet will need to be properly wrapped up, as well. Along with your regular socks, pack a good few pairs of thermal socks – we’d recommend two pairs for each day, one for the daytime and one for going out in the evening.

Are you looking to explore a tropical rainforest, as well as a winter wonderland? Find out what you should pack for a holiday to Costa Rica.

8 – SNOW BOOTS

It’ll come as no surprise that there’s plenty of ice around in Iceland. That’s why grippy footwear is essential for when you’re out and about. Snow boots, like the ones featured in our video will come in especially handy during the visits to the waterfalls and geysers included within the Golden Circle tour, as these are particular hotspots for slippery surfaces.

9 – SKI GLOVES

Regular knitted gloves might keep your mitts warm in the UK, but they won’t cut it in Iceland. You’ll need a decent pair of ski gloves, instead.

10 – TOUCHSCREEN GLOVES

From cloud-touching volcanoes to black-sand beaches, Iceland’s packed with Instagram-worthy scenery. It’s just too cold to go completely glove-less. But if you wear a pair of touchscreen gloves you’ll be able to snap, filter and post as you go. In-between Instagramming, you can slip on your super-thick ski gloves over the top, for extra warmth.

If Iceland’s landscapes leave you open-mouthed, you’ll love Croatia, too. It’s another destination that’s been dubbed an Instagrammer’s paradise.

11 – FACE CREAM

Cold and windy weather can leave your face feeling dry and sensitive. Hydrate your skin after a day exposed to the elements, by using an intense moisturising cream. Skyn Pure Cloud Cream contains Icelandic glacial water and six essential minerals, designed to reverse the damage caused by exposure to harsh conditions.

12 – LIP BALM

Avoid chapped lips by layering them with lip balm.

13 – MOISTURISING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

Swapping between cold outdoor and heated indoor environments can leave your hair dry and frizzy. Help to keep your locks in tip-top condition during your holiday by lathering up with a moisturising shampoo and conditioner. We’ve featured TIGI S-Factor products in our video, which repair dry hair and protect it from future damage.

14 – SWIMWEAR

If you fancy warming up with a dip in the bath-like waters of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon – who wouldn’t? – make sure you include your swimwear and a towel in your case. The temperatures in this steaming outdoor pool hover at a toasty 37 degrees. And, it comes with a swim-up bar and a face mask station, too.

15 – FLIP FLOPS

You don’t need to set foot outside to get into the Blue Lagoon. There’s an adjoining indoor pool with a doorway that links it to the outside. However, you might want some footwear that you can easily throw on for the short walk from the changing rooms to the water.

16 – WATERPROOF PHONE CASE

Filled with milky-blue thermal water, and surrounded by Iceland’s textbook lunar-like scenery, the Blue Lagoon is unlike any other pool you will have swum in before. So no trip here is complete without a selfie. Get yourself a waterproof case and you won’t need to fret about drowning your phone. You can upload it straight to Facebook, too, courtesy of the free Wi-Fi.

17 – TRAVEL ADAPTOR

For plug sockets in Iceland, you’ll need the same type of adaptor as you’d require elsewhere in Europe.

18 – SUNGLASSES

Although daylight hours are limited during Iceland’s winter, it’s still a good idea to take some polarised sunglasses. Snow reflects much more light than normal ground so, when the sun is out, it can be very bright indeed.

Now you know what you’ll need to pack, it’s time to book your holiday…

Find out more about our holidays to Iceland, which all include transfers to your hotel, a Northern Lights tour, and a Golden Circle tour.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Photographer: Greg Woodward
Stylist: Zoe Kozlik
Assistants: Sarah Robinson and Abi Payne-Humphries

Author: Sarah Robinson

Last updated: 17.08.2016