Best time to visit Iceland for…
Iceland month by month
Daylight and temperatures are averages for Reykjavík (the north is a bit colder, the south coast a bit windier). Camper price = a 7-day trip mid-month in our 2-person Premium campervan, unlimited km included. Prices change, so check live dates when you search.
Swipe the table sideways to see the camper price for each month.
| Month | Daylight | Avg temp | Roads & driving | Northern lights | 7 days in a camper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4–6 h | 0 °C | Winter roads, studded tyres, storms possible | Yes | ~73,000 ISK |
| February | 7–9 h | 0 °C | Winter roads, studded tyres | Yes | ~73,000 ISK |
| March | 10–12 h | 1 °C | Winter roads, longer days | Yes | ~73,000 ISK |
| April | 13–16 h | 3 °C | Mostly clear Ring Road, snow up north | Early April | ~58,000 ISK |
| May | 17–20 h | 7 °C | Ring Road clear, F-roads closed | No | ~96,000 ISK |
| June | 21–24 h | 9 °C | Ring Road clear, F-roads open late June | No | ~112,000 ISK |
| July | 19–21 h | 11 °C | Everything open, busiest month | No | ~137,000 ISK |
| August | 15–18 h | 11 °C | Everything open | Late August | ~134,000 ISK |
| September | 12–14 h | 8 °C | Ring Road clear, F-roads close early–mid Sept | Yes | ~85,000 ISK |
| October | 9–11 h | 5 °C | First snow up north, storms start | Yes | ~57,000 ISK |
| November | 6–8 h | 2 °C | Winter roads, studded tyres | Yes | ~56,000 ISK |
| December | 4–5 h | 0 °C | Winter roads, shortest days | Yes | ~56,000 ISK |
Prices: our current price list for the Campervan 2 Persons Premium, 7 days in the middle of the month, without discounts. Christmas, New Year and Easter weeks can be higher.
Summer (June–August): the easiest time
Long, bright days mean you can drive when you like and stop wherever you like. Sunset at midnight makes a 10-hour driving day feel relaxed. All roads are open, including the F-roads into the Highlands from late June, and every campsite is open. The trade-off: it's the busiest and most expensive season, and popular spots like Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss and Jökulsárlón are crowded from 10:00 to 17:00. Tip: in summer, visit the big sights early in the morning or late in the evening, when the light is still good.
Autumn (September–October): our favourite
September keeps most of summer's advantages (mild weather, open Ring Road, campsites mostly open) with fewer people and lower prices. Dark nights return, so the northern lights season starts. By October, days are shorter, the first storms arrive and snow can fall in the north and east, but prices drop to their lowest point of the year apart from spring.
Winter (November–March): northern lights and snow
Winter is for northern lights, ice caves, snowy waterfalls and empty roads. Driving is fine for careful drivers on the Ring Road in the south and west; the north and east need more planning. All our campers run on studded tyres through the winter, and our Premium, Scudo, Trafic and Doblò Automatic campers have diesel heating, so nights inside stay warm. Plan shorter driving days (4–6 hours of daylight in December), check road and weather conditions every morning, and keep a buffer day for storms. Fewer campsites are open in winter, so see our campsite map and filter for sites open all year.
Spring (April–May): quiet and cheap
April is one of the cheapest months to rent a camper and one of the quietest to travel, with longer days than winter. Snow can still fall in the north. May brings green hills, the first puffins and almost endless daylight, before the summer crowds, but the F-roads stay closed until late June.
Best time for a campervan road trip
- Easiest: mid-June to mid-September. All campsites open, long days, no winter driving.
- Best value: September, or April–May if you don't need the Highlands.
- Winter camper trips work well on the south coast and Golden Circle in a heated camper on studded tyres; keep the full Ring Road for spring to autumn unless you have flexible days.
- Wind matters more than cold. Check vedur.is for wind and umferdin.is for road conditions every morning, and open doors carefully in strong wind.
- Read our driving in Iceland guide before you go.
Best month to visit Iceland
For a first trip: June or September
June gives the longest days and all roads open; September gives nearly the same with fewer people, lower prices and a chance of northern lights.
For northern lights on a budget: November or March
Dark skies and low prices. March has longer days for driving; November is cheaper.
For the Highlands: July or August
F-roads are open and rivers are usually lower later in summer. Rent a 4×4 and never cross rivers you're unsure about.
Cheap and quiet: April
Some of the lowest camper prices of the year, quiet roads and spring daylight.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Iceland?
For most people June or September. June has 21+ hours of daylight and every road open; September is milder on the wallet, quieter, and the northern lights season starts.
What is the cheapest time to go to Iceland?
November and December (outside the holidays), closely followed by October and April. A week in a campervan then costs less than half of what it does in July.
When can you see the northern lights in Iceland?
From about late August to mid-April, on dark, clear nights. Check the aurora forecast on vedur.is and get away from town lights.
Is it safe to drive in Iceland in winter?
Yes, on the main roads with care: studded tyres, shorter driving days, and checking umferdin.is and vedur.is every morning. Change plans if a storm warning is out.
When do the F-roads open?
Usually from late June to early September, depending on snow. Each road opens on its own date, so check umferdin.is. You need a 4×4; F-roads are not allowed in 2WD rentals.
Can you rent a campervan in Iceland in winter?
Yes. All our campers have studded tyres in winter, the Premium, Scudo, Trafic and Doblò Automatic campers have diesel heating, and several campsites stay open all year. Expect shorter days and plan flexible routes.