Ultimate Female Packing List for a Road Trip in Iceland (Winter Edition)

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using them, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps to keep this site running – thank you!

The following packing list for a road trip in Iceland, submitted by Jenny, has recently been updated. See all packing list posts here.

Out of all the adventures that I’ve gone on in the past few years, few compare to my week­-long road trip through Iceland. 

I traveled there towards the end of winter hoping to see the northern lights. What I found was more than I could have ever expected. 

Iceland is a place filled with endless beauty. An incredible destination that awakens your senses to all that nature has to offer.

This blog post is filled with tips for visiting Iceland and my winter road trip packing list.

Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice

Known as ‘the land of fire and ice,’ Iceland is filled with dramatic landscapes ­- incredible waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, black­ sand beaches, and more! 

Visiting Iceland feels like visiting a small­ town where everyone knows each other.

It’s one of those trips where you could easily travel on your own: 

• English is spoken nearly everywhere.
• Crime is low.
• Navigating through the country is easy.
• Outdoor adventures can be found throughout the country.

---

Female Packing List for a Winter Road Trip in Iceland

So what to bring on a trip to Iceland? 

When you hear people say, the weather is unpredictable in Iceland, it’s no joke! On any given day, you can literally experience multiple seasons, so layering is a must.

Clothing and Shoes to Pack for Iceland

Raincoat:

You never know when it will start to rain in Iceland! 

Throughout most of the trip, I wore a lightweight raincoat which was great for the constantly changing weather.

Packable Down Jacket: 

For days when I needed extra warmth, a packable down jacket was incredible to have and layer underneath.

Tops/Sweaters: 

I loved having cozy sweaters for the car ride.

A lot of our trip was spent in a car driving the Ring Road and stopping at destinations along the way. Being comfy sitting in a car for hours is important to an enjoyable road trip. 

Base Layers:

Be prepared with a few base layers to give you extra insulation, especially if you plan to hike.

• Take a look at this post for some more information on layers: Choose Travel Clothing in Versatile Layers.

Pants: 

A pair of denim and hiking pants/leggings will go a long way.

Shoes: 

We spent the first and last day of our trip in Reykjavik. Depending on what you prefer to do in the city, I would suggest a pair of casual shoes to explore the town. 

Don’t forget hiking boots/athletic shoes though. You’ll definitely need them to explore the country.

Undergarments and socks:

I recommend Smartwool socks. Not only are they comfy, but they wick away sweat.

Knit cap, scarf and gloves:

The wind can be pretty brutal but having a few little essentials to cover your extremities will help make your time outside in the cold weather manageable.

Swimsuit: 

Even if you don’t plan to visit the Blue Lagoon, there are natural hot springs throughout the country. I highly suggest seeking one out and going for a little dip.

• Read our tips for packing light for winter travel.

Toiletries

Essentials:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Soap
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, & floss
• Deodorant
• Other hygiene supplies

• To streamline your travel toiletries, take a look at this post: The Essential Travel Toiletries Kit

Makeup bag:

• Cosmetics
• Lotion
• Sunscreen

Medications: 

Put together your travel medical kit.

Gadgets

Camera:

Don’t forget a camera! 

The scenery in Iceland is breathtaking. You will want to stop and take pictures everywhere.

Video camera/GoPro: 

We mounted a GoPro to our car to capture the landscape while driving throughout the country.

Memory cards, external batteries, and chargers

Laptop/tablet

Headphones

Adapter

Other

Music:

I love having a specific playlist for road trips! 

There are songs that I can hear today that remind me of specific moments from an adventure that I had.

Books:

Most of the places we stayed at did not have internet, so I spent nights curled up reading a great book.

Water bottle

---

Tips for Visiting Iceland in Winter

Navigating Iceland

Iceland is magical during the winter but be aware that some of the side roads may be impassable if you are visiting during that time. 

If you drive the Ring Road, rent a vehicle with 4WD and make sure to get GPS. GPS coordinates are incredibly helpful in finding certain locations.

Outside of Reykjavik, we opted to stay at Airbnb options along the Ring Road. Some of the locations are quite remote, so if you decide to use this service, get exact routes from your host especially if you are arriving at your destination late.

• You might enjoy reading some of these camping hacks, which could be useful when road tripping, too!

Budget

Flights are relatively inexpensive from the East Coast of the United States, but once you get to Iceland things can be pricey. 

If you are looking to explore on a budget, stay at a hostel and stock up on food at the grocery stores. 

Don’t forget to allow yourself to splurge on an adventure or two, such as glacier or ice cave trekking, scuba diving, or possibly a helicopter tour.

Finally, be prepared to fall in love with Iceland!

---

Are you planning a road trip to Iceland soon? Would you add anything to this winter packing list? Let us know in the comments below.

About the author: Jenny is a management consultant, graduate student and avid traveler. She’s constantly on the go and always dreaming of her next destination.