The Ultimate Iceland Packing List For Ladies

One of the best ways to get your trip to Iceland off to a good start is by packing properly! The temperatures in Iceland can be quite chilly (typically ranging from 30 ºF-50 ºF), and the weather can often be hard to predict, with sudden rain, wind, and even snow. Iceland is filled with natural beauty, so you’ll probably spend the majority of your visit to Iceland outside and exposed to the elements, which is why proper packing is essential.

I spent 1 week camping in Iceland during the month of September and put together this packing list to help you stay dry and warm while making the most out of your visit.

As with any packing list, feel free to make it your own, and be sure to check the weather before your trip! I found that I only really needed around 3 days worth of clothes, so if you don’t have much room in your suitcase consider sticking to the minimum suggested items.

Luggage

• 1 Carry On Suitcase
• 1 Backpack

Outerwear

• 1 Warm Hat

This is a must! I ended up wearing my hat pretty much every day of the trip. Bonus: it helped keep my hair tame despite the wind, and added a great pop of color to my trip photos!

• 1 Scarf

I recommend packing 1-2 scarves for your trip. A blanket scarf will keep you especially warm, and I used an infinity scarf to keep my neck warm while sleeping in my tent!

• 1 Warm Rain Coat

One of my favorite items I took to Iceland is my Ember & Earth raincoat. Not only is the coat cute and warm (it has a micro-fleece layer and blocks wind), but it is fantastic at repelling water. One of my pet peeves is being rained on and sitting around in wet clothing, and I found that this coat kept me extremely dry! I also love that the coat is a bit longer, which offered extra protection from the elements. If you can only splurge on 1 item for your trip, make it a good raincoat! Pro tip: if you are an Instagram addict like me, opt for a fun color-like red or yellow-to help you stand out in pics!

Special thanks to Ember & Earth for keeping me dry in Iceland in my new favorite raincoat. As always, my opinions are 100% my own! 

• 1 Down Jacket

Another item that I am so glad I packed is my Thermoball North Face. While this jacket is synthetic down, any thin down jacket will work perfectly and is great for layering. I loved how warm I stayed in this jacket without adding extra bulk, and it is super lightweight and easy to pack!

• 1 Sweatshirt or Fleece

Since I was camping, I slept in layers. I wore a sweatshirt to sleep pretty much every night and stayed warm and toasty inside of my sleeping bag.

Tops

• 3-5 Sweaters

During my week in Iceland I only ended up wearing 3 sweaters of the 5 or so I packed. To keep them clean, you can wear a tank top or tee underneath, and use these to layer with when you sleep too!

• 3-5 Layering/Sleep Shirts

Be sure to bring a tank top, tee shirt, and a long sleeve shirt to layer underneath your sweaters and to sleep in. The key to staying warm in Iceland is layering. Thermals work well too!

Pants

• 3-6 Warm Leggings

I wore about 3 pairs of leggings during my week in Iceland, and definitely recommend bringing the warmest pairs you can find!

• 1-2 Jeans

I packed jeans but they ended up staying in my suitcase. I found that my leggings were more comfortable (especially since I was both walking around and sitting in the car a ton). However, if you are a jeans person or are planning on spending more time in Reykjavik, you may want to pack them just in case.

Shoes + Socks

• 1 Pair Rain Boots

Before my trip I invested in a nice pair of Hunter rain boots, and definitely consider these to be an essential. I wore them a lot on my trip and loved how dry they kept my feet (and most of my legs). Any tall pair of rain boots will help you stay dry. Pro tip: bring a pair of fleece boot liners for extra warmth!

• 1 Pair Hiking or Snow Boots

If you are planning on doing a lot of hiking, then you will definitely want to pack a pair of hiking boots. While I waled around a ton on my trip, there wasn’t much hiking that I needed to do, so I brought a cute pair of Sorel boots instead. These were super warm and also kept my feet dry.

• 1 Pair Flip Flops

If you plan on going to the Blue Lagoon, hot springs, or are staying in campgrounds, you’ll want to bring some flip-flops to wear in communal shower areas.

• 7 Pairs Warm Socks

Be sure to pack 1 pair of warm socks for every day of your trip. I packed mostly gym socks and totally wish I had packed more thick/long socks. Try bringing ski socks or even a few pairs of fleece socks! I was lucky I had boot liners, and switched my socked out underneath each day.

Other

• 1 Swimsuit

You will definitely need a swimsuit if you are planning a visit to the Blue Lagoon or any of Iceland’s hot springs (which I highly recommend doing!).

• 1 Quick Dry Towel

I brought a regular towel but totally wish I had invested in a quick dry towel. I had to dry mine in the car each day, which didn’t exactly work well. Now I know what to put on my holiday wish list!

• Underwear/Bras

Be sure to bring a set for each day of your trip!

• Toiletries
  • Makeup
  • Hairbrush
  • Contacts/Glasses (if applicable)
  • Travel Size Shampoo + Conditioner
  • Toothbrush + Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Feminine products
  • Travel Size Lotion
  • Chapstick
  • Etc.
• 1 Pair Sunglasses
• 1 Pair Gloves

Technology

• Camera + Charger
• Phone + Charger
• Waterproof phone case (if you want to take pictures in the rain or Blue Lagoon) I bought a cheap phone bag from Amazon!
• Adapter
• Car charger

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What items would make it on your list of Iceland essentials? Let me know in the comments!

Don’t forget to check out some of my other Iceland posts:

• The Ultimate Guide To Camping In Iceland
• Unforgettable Iceland: Snorkeling in the Silfra Fissure
• Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Iceland’s Blue Lagoon