Visiting Iceland in October offers a unique and captivating experience, characterized by its transitional weather, diminished crowds, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights.
Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland
Weather and Average Temperature
- Temperature Range: October in Iceland sees average temperatures ranging from 2°C to 7°C (36°F to 45°F). The weather is cool and often wet, with frequent rain showers.
- Weather Variability: Expect variable weather conditions. Days can be crisp and clear or windy and rainy.
Daylight Hours in October in Iceland
- Decreasing Daylight: October marks a significant shift in daylight hours in Iceland. The month starts with about 11.5 hours of daylight and ends with around 8 hours, signaling the approach of the darker winter months.
What to Wear in Iceland During October
- Layered Clothing: Essential for adapting to Iceland’s unpredictable weather. Include waterproof and windproof jackets, warm sweaters, thermal underlayers, and sturdy, waterproof footwear.
- Accessories: Don’t forget hats, gloves, and scarves for extra warmth, especially when exploring outdoors.
My Ultimate Packing Checklist is linked in the show notes and will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the winter list, especially toward the end of the month because it is noticeably colder and darker.
Road Conditions & Driving in October
- Road Conditions: Generally stable, but be prepared for occasional icy patches or snow, especially in northern regions.
- Driving Tips: Stay updated with the weather forecast and road conditions. Daylight hours are decreasing, so plan your travels accordingly. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for more rugged terrains.
Expert Trip Planning Tip for Iceland in October
Due to decent day light hours, good road conditions, and relatively warm weather, October can be a nice shoulder season month for people to visit who want to avoid the crowds. Driving to different parts of the country is still quite easy, meaning hardly any snow or ice, especially during the beginning and middle of the month. So, I recommend renting a car or a camper van.
Need Help Planning Your Iceland Itinerary?
October is one of those months when how you plan your Iceland trip really matters. You still have a decent amount of daylight, especially earlier in the month, but the days get noticeably shorter as October goes on. Add Iceland’s unpredictable weather into the mix, and you don’t want to create an itinerary that has you rushing from place to place or spending most of your trip in the car.
That’s exactly why I created my Iceland Itinerary Blueprint.
In this step-by-step video workshop, I show you the process I use to strategically build an Iceland itinerary — including how to choose where to go, plan your overnight stays, avoid unnecessary backtracking, and figure out how much you can realistically fit into each day.
I even build a sample 5-day Iceland itinerary with you so you can see the process in action.
I made the Blueprint affordable and instantly accessible, so you can start planning your trip as soon as you’re ready.
👉🏾 Get the Iceland Itinerary Blueprint and start building your trip
The Best Company to Rent a Car or Camper Van in Iceland
I want to give a shout-out to Go Car Rental Iceland and Go Campers.
I personally use their cars and campers when I travel around Iceland, and I’ve partnered with them for over 4 years now. The main reasons? Their customer service is amazing, and they have a wide range of vehicles to choose from.
They’ve also given me a link so you can save 7% on your rental, plus get a couple of really useful extras.
With Go Car Rental, you’ll save 7% and get free 4G WiFi with your rental.
With Go Campers, you’ll save 7% and get a free sleeping bag included.
You can head to gorentals.is/allthingsiceland
for the discounts.
Once you enter your travel dates, the 7% discount is automatically applied.
For Go Car:
When you get to the extras section, select 4G WiFi. You’ll see the price stays the same, even though it has been added.
For Go Campers:
Choose a sleeping bag under the “Sleeping” section, and same thing, the total price won’t increase.
And just so you know, using my link gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s one of the ways you’re supporting All Things Iceland and the content I create. Thank you in advance for that.
Why You Should Visit Iceland in October
- Less Crowded: With the high season tapering off, you’ll find fewer tourists, making it easier to enjoy Iceland’s natural beauty more peacefully.
- Aurora Borealis: The darkening skies increase the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, a truly magical experience.
- Autumn Colors: The landscape turns into a beautiful palette of autumn colors, enhancing the scenic beauty.
Top Activities to Do in October
- Northern Lights Hunting: With longer nights, October is a great time to chase the Aurora Borealis.
- Hot Springs and Geothermal Pools: The cooler weather makes soaking in Iceland’s famous hot springs even more enjoyable.
- Hiking and Outdoor Adventures: Enjoy the stunning autumn scenery with activities like hiking, horseback riding, and glacier tours.
October Events and Holidays in Iceland
- Reykjavík International Film Festival: A popular event showcasing a wide range of domestic and international films. September to October – https://riff.is/en/
- Imagine Peace Tower Lighting: Commemorates John Lennon’s birthday on October 9th and is lit until December 9th, his death anniversary. https://www.imaginepeacetower.com/
- Halloween: Although not traditionally celebrated, it has gained popularity, with various events and parties, especially in Reykjavík.
Iceland Trip Planning Resources
Planning an Iceland trip can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how many places you can realistically visit, where to stay overnight, and how to avoid spending way too much of your vacation driving.
Here are a few resources I’ve created to make planning your Iceland adventure easier:
Start with the Iceland Itinerary Blueprint
If you’re still figuring out how to put your Iceland itinerary together, this is where I recommend starting.
My Iceland Itinerary Blueprint is an instantly accessible video workshop that walks you through my step-by-step process for planning an Iceland trip. I cover how to choose your destinations, strategically plan your overnight stays, avoid unnecessary backtracking, and decide how much you can realistically fit into each day.
You’ll also watch me build a 5-day Iceland itinerary from scratch, and you’ll get downloadable worksheets to help you plan your own trip.
I intentionally made the Blueprint affordable and easy to access so you can start planning whenever you’re ready.
Want Even More Iceland Travel Advice?
My Savvy Traveler’s Guide to Iceland is my comprehensive online course for travelers who want to feel prepared and confident before visiting Iceland. It goes beyond itinerary planning and covers the practical things you need to know before and during your trip.
Explore 350+ of My Iceland Recommendations
My Iceland Map includes more than 350 places around the country that I personally recommend, from popular attractions to restaurants, accommodations, hot springs, and lesser-known stops.
It’s a great companion once you’re deciding exactly what you want to add to your itinerary.
Need Personalized Help?
If you’ve already done your research but want my personal input on your trip, I also offer Iceland travel consultations and itinerary reviews.
These are best for travelers who want individualized advice based on their specific itinerary, interests, travel dates, and questions.
Random Fact of the Episode
October is when the season for the northern lights really kicks off.
Icelandic Word of Episode
Óktober – October
Share This Post
Facebook
Email
Twitter
Let's Be Social
Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega