Cost per day · Iceland
Reykjavik on $60, $150 or $500 a day
How much does Reykjavik cost per day? Budget travellers get by on about $60 a day, mid-range trips run around $150, and luxury starts near $500 — accommodation, food, transport and activities included.
That makes Reykjavik the 17th most expensive of 82 cities for a mid-range trip — see all 82 ranked.
Reykjavik is the world's northernmost capital — a tiny, colourful city that punches far above its weight with volcanic landscapes, the Northern Lights, geothermal pools, and a creative culture that turns long dark winters into art, music, and warmth.
Iceland is expensive, but budget travel is possible. Hostels, hot dogs, and self-drive camping can keep costs down. The key is cooking your own meals, using the Strætó bus, and focusing on free natural attractions like geysers and waterfalls.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The milky-blue geothermal icon in a lava field — silica masks, swim-up bar, and the pre-booking discipline Iceland's most famous pool demands.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The infinity edge on the Atlantic, ten minutes from downtown — Reykjavik's newer lagoon, the seven-step ritual, and sunsets the Blue Lagoon can't see.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Iceland in one glass dome — a real indoor ice cave, planetarium northern lights, and the 360° deck over Reykjavik on Öskjuhlíð hill.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Fun hostel in a converted bus depot, social atmosphere
Check prices on Klook →Iconic hostel in a former biscuit factory, gastropub on-site
Check prices on Klook →Hostel accommodation with dorm beds and, usually, a few private rooms.
Check prices on Klook →Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Downtown on Foot ~$35
Day 2: Golden Circle by Car ~$60
Day 3: Pools & Coast ~$40
Buy groceries at Bónus (pink pig logo) — dramatically cheaper than eating out. The famous Bæjarins Beztu hot dog is only $4. Hallgrímskirkja is free to enter. Visit the Laugardalslaug public pool ($8) instead of Blue Lagoon ($80+).
Mid-range Iceland is where the experience really opens up — comfortable guesthouses, Golden Circle tours, whale watching, and proper Icelandic lamb dinners. Renting a car unlocks the country far better than tours.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The milky-blue geothermal icon in a lava field — silica masks, swim-up bar, and the pre-booking discipline Iceland's most famous pool demands.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The infinity edge on the Atlantic, ten minutes from downtown — Reykjavik's newer lagoon, the seven-step ritual, and sunsets the Blue Lagoon can't see.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Iceland in one glass dome — a real indoor ice cave, planetarium northern lights, and the 360° deck over Reykjavik on Öskjuhlíð hill.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Central location, local design touches, excellent breakfast
Check prices on Klook →Upper-tier international hotel: larger rooms, a pool or spa at most properties, central location.
Check prices on Klook →Laugavegur shopping street, minimalist Scandi design
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: City & Culture ~$150
Day 2: Golden Circle Tour ~$160
Day 3: South Coast ~$150
Rent a 4WD through the hotel — essential for highland roads. Book the Golden Circle as a self-drive, not a bus tour. Restaurant lunches are much cheaper than dinners. The Sky Lagoon is a great Blue Lagoon alternative.
Luxury Iceland is otherworldly. Private glacier hikes, helicopter volcano tours, exclusive geothermal spas, and some of the world's most remote luxury lodges make this one of the planet's most extraordinary high-end destinations.
✈️ How to Get There
🗺️ What to Do
The milky-blue geothermal icon in a lava field — silica masks, swim-up bar, and the pre-booking discipline Iceland's most famous pool demands.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →The infinity edge on the Atlantic, ten minutes from downtown — Reykjavik's newer lagoon, the seven-step ritual, and sunsets the Blue Lagoon can't see.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →Iceland in one glass dome — a real indoor ice cave, planetarium northern lights, and the 360° deck over Reykjavik on Öskjuhlíð hill.
Read guide → Get tickets on Tiqets →🏨 Where to Stay
Dramatic glass-and-concrete lodge on a lava field, Northern Lights views
Check prices on Klook →Built into the lava field, private lagoon access, Michelin dining
Exclusive Troll Peninsula lodge, heli-skiing, geothermal pool
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Lagoon & Fine Dining ~$550
Day 2: Glaciers by Air ~$800
Day 3: Ice & Aurora ~$700
Book The Retreat at Blue Lagoon or ION Adventure Hotel well in advance. Private helicopter to Þórsmörk is unforgettable. Dill restaurant needs 2 months advance booking. The Northern Lights are best September–March.
About Reykjavik
Subarctic but milder than the name suggests, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Cool summers (10–15°C) with near-endless daylight; cold, dark, windy winters (around 0°C) with the aurora. The weather changes by the hour — pack layers and waterproofs.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0° | 1° | 1° | 4° | 7° | 10° | 12° | 11° | 8° | 5° | 2° | 0° |
| 13d | 12d | 14d | 12d | 10d | 11d | 11d | 12d | 13d | 14d | 13d | 14d |
| low | mid | mid | mid | mid | high | high | high | mid | low | low | low |
Compact and walkable downtown, with no trains or metro. The Strætó bus network covers the city and suburbs. Most visitors rent a car for day trips (the Golden Circle and Ring Road). Taxis are pricey and there is no Uber.
The church on the hill down the painted street to the concert hall, the sculpture and the old harbour.
The hot-spring valley, the city's thermal pool, the open-air sculpture garden and the shore path back.
A travel eSIM gets you online the moment you land in Iceland — data plans start at $4 — no roaming bill, no queue for a local SIM, and nothing to swap in and out of your phone. Install it before you fly.
The downtown 101 postcode: the Laugavegur shopping street, Hallgrímskirkja, bars, galleries and most of the city's hotels. Everything worth seeing is a short walk away.
Best for midrangeFormer working docks now home to whale-watching tours, the Saga Museum, fish restaurants and the Marshall House art space.
Best for midrangeThe city's recreation valley: the big geothermal pool, a botanic garden and a small zoo. Quiet, residential and cheaper to stay.
Best for budgetA leafy west-side neighbourhood around the university and the beloved Vesturbæjarlaug pool — local life away from the tourist strip.
Best for budgetThe hilly streets of colourful corrugated-iron houses just above the centre, home to some of the city's most characterful guesthouses.
Best for luxuryThe seafront promenade past the Sun Voyager sculpture and the Harpa concert hall, with Mount Esja across the bay.
Best for midrange- ✓Take your shoes off when entering an Icelandic home
- ✓Shower naked (no swimwear) before entering any public pool — it's strictly enforced
- ✓Stay on marked paths and never drive off-road — it's illegal and scars the land
- ✓Carry layers and waterproofs — the weather turns in minutes
- ✓Embrace pool culture — the hot tubs are the social heart of the city
- ✓Keep plans flexible — tours cancel for weather, and that's normal
- ✗Tip — it's genuinely not expected and can confuse staff
- ✗Buy bottled water — the tap water is among the purest on earth
- ✗Underestimate the cost — Iceland is one of the priciest countries anywhere
- ✗Stack rock cairns or pick moss — the ecosystem takes decades to recover
- ✗Expect nightlife before midnight — the famous rúntur runs till dawn
- ✗Try to see the whole country from Reykjavik in a day — distances are huge
Travel Insurance for Reykjavik
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any trip to Reykjavik. Safety is rated Extremely safe — even in safe destinations, unexpected medical emergencies or trip cancellations can be costly. Make sure your policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, trip cancellation, and emergency evacuation.
Visa note: Schengen zone — 90 days visa-free for most nationalities. Iceland is in Schengen but not the EU.. Some countries require proof of travel insurance as part of the visa application.
Get travel insurance for Reykjavik →FAQ: Reykjavik Travel Questions
Is Reykjavik safe to visit? ▾
Extremely safe
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik? ▾
June – August (midnight sun); February – March (Northern Lights) Subarctic but milder than the name suggests, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Cool summers (10–15°C) with near-endless daylight; cold, dark, windy winters (around 0°C) with the aurora. The weather changes by the hour — pack layers and waterproofs.
How much does a trip to Reykjavik cost per day? ▾
- budget: $60–$100/day
- midrange: $150–$250/day
- luxury: $500–$900/day
- business: $200–$400/day
Do I need a visa to visit Iceland? ▾
Schengen zone — 90 days visa-free for most nationalities. Iceland is in Schengen but not the EU.
How do I get around Reykjavik? ▾
Compact and walkable downtown, with no trains or metro. The Strætó bus network covers the city and suburbs. Most visitors rent a car for day trips (the Golden Circle and Ring Road). Taxis are pricey and there is no Uber. Taxi base fare ~$6. Day pass ~$14.
Is tipping expected in Reykjavik? ▾
Not expected — service is included. Tipping is uncommon and never obligatory.
What currency is used in Iceland? ▾
The local currency is ISK (kr), and the official language is Icelandic.