Hotels in Iceland

Hotels in Iceland: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Iceland cost?

The price depends on the standard, the city and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest month is usually April, while August, the height of summer, is the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Iceland: most popular places

Iceland revolves around Reykjavik and the stops along the route around the island. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Reykjavik. The capital and by far the widest choice of hotels, from hostels to 5-star properties. The most visited place on the island.
• Keflavik. The town by the main airport and close to the Blue Lagoon, handy for the first and last night.
• Vik. A village in the south with a black beach, a base for waterfalls and nearby glaciers. Prices rise in summer.
• Selfoss. A town on the Golden Circle route, some of the cheaper stays near the capital.
• Hofn. A port in the southeast, a base for the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.
• Akureyri. The largest town in the north, a gateway to whale watching and the aurora.

Nightly rates vary between places. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Iceland

Iceland is above all about nature: glaciers, volcanoes and geothermal pools.

• Reykjavik. Cafes, the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral and the Laugavegur shopping street. A good start to any trip.
• Jokulsarlon Lagoon. A scenic glacier lagoon with icebergs flowing into the Atlantic, next to a black beach.
• Northern Lights. Iceland is one of the best places to see the aurora, best from September to March.
• Blue Lagoon. The famous geothermal pool in the southwest of the island.
• Snaefellsjokull Park. Whale and bird watching and trails around the glacier.

How much does a trip to Iceland cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are high, among the highest in Europe. A restaurant meal and transport cost clearly more than on the continent. Cards work practically everywhere, including in remote places, so cash is rarely needed. Car rental is a major part of the budget.

When is the best time to visit Iceland

The timing depends on what you want to see. Summer (June, July, August) is the mildest and easiest for driving around the island, but also the most expensive. The Northern Lights are best from September to March, especially in October, February and March. April tends to be the cheapest. In winter some interior roads are closed.

Getting to and around Iceland

All international flights land at Keflavik Airport. It is served by Icelandair and many carriers, including low-cost ones such as easyJet. A weekly ferry runs from Denmark (Smyril Line). Iceland has no railway, so you travel by long-distance bus (from the BSI terminal in Reykjavik, with infrequent services) or, most conveniently, by rental car. Popular routes are the Golden Circle and the Ring Road around the island. Domestic flights cover longer distances.

Example hotels in Iceland

A few recognisable properties from different places for reference:

• The Reykjavik EDITION and Grandi by Center Hotels in Reykjavik (upper tier, from approx. 32,000 kr).
• Hotel Katla by Keahotels and Icelandair Hotel Vik near Vik (on the south coast, from approx. 25,000 kr).
• Hotel Jokulsarlon by the glacier lagoon and Cityhub Reykjavik in the capital (from approx. 18,000 kr).