The Ultimate Female Packing Guide For Travelling Iceland In All Seasons
I visited Iceland for the first time in January of 2019. I traveled to Iceland this first time on a trip with my boyfriend at the time and was more than prepared for the winter weather. I am heading back to Iceland THIS WEEK (March 2023) for 10 days for a work trip! Since I am a travel designer, I get to travel all over the world, trying out hotels, activities, and destinations to make sure my clients have the most incredible time on the trips that I plan for them! Of course, trying to figure out how to pack for Iceland no matter the season is no easy task, and that is probably why you have come to this Iceland Packing Guide!
When you are compiling your Iceland Packing List it is important to remember that the weather in this beautiful country is constantly changing. This means layer, layer, layer! Iceland is also quite a windy destination, with weather that can turn at the drop of a hat. If you are traveling in winter, you will want snow and waterproof outerwear that is going to break the wind and snow to keep you dry!
I highly encourage you to keep reading on to find out my favorite Iceland Packing Tips and make it your own. Make sure to adjust for the season you will be visiting and any other destinations along the way!
Planning a trip to Iceland? Don’t forget to check out these other guides from The Boho Traveller!
ONE WEEK IN ICELAND
ICELAND TRAVEL TIPS
BLUE LAGOON ICELAND
TOP THINGS TO DO IN ICELAND
NORTHERN LIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Your Iceland Packing Guide Essentials
Hat // Your female traveler’s packing list for Iceland would not be complete without a hat! The wind is wild in Iceland so for my fashion-forward Boho Travellers who want to try and contain their locks, an adorable beanie does wonders. A bucket hat is always a win, and bonus points if it’s waterproof!
Sunglasses // Don’t leave your best sunglasses behind! While the weather in Iceland is often overcast, it is never a bad idea to pack your sunglasses—they reflect brightly on the snow in the winter.
Refillable Water Bottle // Definitely do NOT forget your pack your refillable water bottle when you go on any holiday! But particularly in Iceland, the water is glacial and some of the freshest in the world. You won’t even need to filter the water if you don’t want to. Some people like to travel with a collapsible water bottle, like this one from Hydaway, but I prefer to have a filtered bottle so I know 100% that what I am drinking is safe. You’ll rarely ever catch me without my Brita Water Bottle!
Raincoat/Windbreaker/Winter Coat // Rain is inevitable for a trip to Iceland (as well as wind), and no Iceland Packing Guide would be complete without this item! You will want to invest in a good jacket and pack a light coat that does both of these things! In the summer you’ll usually find me in my Yellow Helly Hansen Raincoat that keeps me warm and dry. In the winter, I like to opt for a full-on parka, like THIS ONE from, you guessed it, Helly Hansen. I also have THIS SKI JACKET and THIS PARKA. You can never have too many winter coats when you live part-time in Maine, right?
Wool Peacoat // For evenings out or days when it’s not rainy, a fashionable wool coat goes a long way. I love this one from H&M, which I have had for two years now.
Are you looking for help planning your dream getaway? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options on the internet or just don’t have the time to get into planning your dream trip – I really encourage you to check out my travel planning services! You can download my “How We Work” guide here – or submit your inquiry here!
Tops to Pack for Iceland
3-4 Tees & Longsleeves // Keeping things simple, be sure to pack a few of your favorite simple tee shirts and long sleeves to pair with your pants and skirts! If you are traveling during winter, pack more of these and less of the tops & tunics
4-5 Tops/ Tunics // You’ll want plenty of top options to wear while you are in Iceland! I like to opt for cute long-sleeve blouses in the summer, in thick linen or cotton. Turtlenecks are also a go-to during fall & winter.
2-3 Cardigans/Sweaters // You might have guessed by now that Helly Hansen is my go-to for active and outdoor gear. That is why there is so much of it listed in this Iceland Packing Guide for Female Travellers! Their mid-layer stuff is just as good as their base and outerwear, and I am in LOVE with all of my Helly Hansen Fleece Midlayers! You’ll also want to bring a few cute cardigans or sweaters for layering when the weather decides to turn! In the winter, you will want a few options! I love using SPACE SAVER BAGS to crunch everything into my checked bag – sweaters are bulky!
Bottoms
1-2 pairs of Pants // Iceland, even in the summer, is a cooler place, so having some pants is essential even under the midnight sun. My go-to trousers for Iceland are my mom jeans, in both beige and denim, as they just sort of fit the “vibe” and are super comfy no matter what you get into during the day! If you are traveling in the winter, you will definitely want a pair of “snow pants.” You probably guessed it, but I STAN this set from Helly Hansen. I like to travel with one cute and one practical.
2 Leggings // I love my Lululemon leggings (honestly, who doesn’t), and they are essential for any hikes you may be going on while in Iceland! For my trip to Iceland, I also packed this pair from Target that I didn’t mind getting messed up! If you are traveling in winter, a good pair of THERMAL LEGGINGS will save you!
2-3 Skirts // I can’t travel without packing at least one flowy skirt in my bag! How else would you live out all of your Daenerys Targaryen vibes in Iceland?
Outfits for your Essential Iceland Packing Guide
2-3 Dresses // You know I love a good cottage-core or boho-style maxi or midi dress, so my female traveler’s packing guide for Iceland would be incomplete without listing a few! Packing 2 -3 dresses when you go to Iceland will make your evenings out in the city or for a stroll all the more elegant. I have a Kara Thoms dress that looks like this one that I am obsessed with (but at a third of the price!)
This is also a great all-around look. And THIS is an adorable tunic dress I am obsessed with. This dress would look super cute with boots!
3-4 Active Wear Sets // Chances are you will be doing a lot of outdoor activity while you are in Iceland, so be sure to pack plenty of activewear! Sports bras, leggings, and joggers (I have this set of waterproof insulated ones I LOVE) – whatever you are comfortable hiking a mountain in! Make sure it’s warm and that you have layers!
Snow Pants // If you are traveling in winter and plan on doing any winter activities – dogsledding, snowmobiling, and more – you will need some snow pants. Helly Hansen makes my favorites!
Accessories & Shoes – Iceland Packing Guide
Belt // This is my go-to belt for everything. Its simple design allows me to mix and match it with any outfit.
Purse // There are three key elements when packing a purse for travel: 1. You want it to zip, 2. You want it to be crossbody, and 3. You want it to be comfortable and cute and able to carry all you need. If you are not a photographer, you can bring any bag from home that fits these three elements. If you are a photographer (don’t forget to check out my photography gear down below!) then you may want to also consider packing a camera bag that doubles as a purse! I recently discovered this Claremont Bag from Lo & Sons and have decided to go with it after a long and arduous journey of finding the perfect camera bag! I hope it can help you out, too!
Scarves // Bundling up in a cute scarf is a surefire way to elevate your Iceland wardrobe and keep warm. Opt for a tartan or darker color to fit the mood of this lovely country.
Sneakers & Boots // You will absolutely want a good pair of waterproof boots when you visit Iceland. I essentially lived in my Doc Martens, but a pair of rain boots is also a good idea. If you are traveling in winter, I highly recommend thermal winter boots like a pair of Sorels — I have THESE.
Activewear // A trip to Iceland is full of adventure, so don’t forget to pack your activewear!
Socks // Never forget to pack these! 6-8 pairs should do the trick. Thermal socks are essential for those really cold days in the winter!
Gloves // If you’re traveling during the fall or winter, you will absolutely want a pair of gloves! I love this fingerless set or these elegant leather gloves! I also have a pair of snowproof gloves from Outdoor Research.
Tights // To pair with your skirts and dresses to keep you warm. My tights from Calzedonia always last ages, and I highly recommend them! For fall and winter, you will definitely want some thermal tights!
Swimwear
2 Bathing Costumes // You will want a swimsuit or two for all of the lagoons and pools! I also recommend a microfiber towel that you can toss in your bag in case you visit any rustic or off-the-beaten-path springs!
Camera Gear
See a full list of my camera equipment here.
Camera Bag // While I love the Lo & Sons bag for everyday use, I usually bring quite a bit more gear with me on the trip than I bring out during the day. I use a WANDRD backpack as my personal item to store all my travel gear, and I don’t think I could live without it. It is compact, easy to use, and has great customizable storage compartments that seem to never end but are always easy to access. It’s also comfortable to wear and expandable.
Canon R7// This is the most recent addition to my camera family, and she took stunning photos in Scotland. The camera is also weather-sealed, which is important in inclement Scottish weather!
GoPro // Nothing will beat it. Get a GoPro for all of the underwater adventure filming and photography you need.
Memory Cards // There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and realizing that you forgot to put your memory card in your camera! I recommend traveling with 3-4 128 GB memory cards. This way, you can hold enough photos for 1-2 days but not too many that if something happens to it, you’ll lose your footage from the entire trip! 1TB memory cards scare me!
Travel Accessories – Iceland Packing Guide
Suitcase // If you choose to invest, an Away Suitcase will be your forever suitcase! Away offers free replacements should your bag be destroyed.
Packing Cubes // Keep your luggage organized with packing cubes! They are truly lifesavers.
Backpack Duffel // If you aren’t a fan of a rolling suitcase, you can never go wrong with an Osprey Backpack. I also love this Helly Hansen bag. In Iceland, a backpack can be a bit easier to navigate over the terrain than a roller bag, but I have done both!
Sleep Mask // For those long & red-eye flights, an eye mask will be your BFF.
Kindle PaperWhite // While I love a physical book, there is nothing better to travel with than a paper white to ease the burden of traveling.
UNFORTUNATELY, AS RABBIE BURNS ONCE WROTE, EVEN THE BEST-LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN OFTEN GO AWRY. THAT IS WHY WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TAKING OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE TO COVER ALL EVENTUALITIES. OUR PARTNER, TRAVEL INSURED, IS OUR PREFERRED VENDOR FOR OUR CLIENT AND PERSONAL TRAVELS.
