October is the last month of Fall in Iceland, and the last of the shoulder months before hitting the peak festive season. This is exactly why so many choose to plan to spend October in Iceland – you still get a lot of the benefits of the “warmer” months without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.
In this article, we will do a deep dive into what makes spending October in Iceland so great, what to expect from the weather, what you should add to your trip itinerary, and much, much more. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Is October a Good Time to Visit Iceland?
This, of course, is the number one question. And whilst, we believe that it’s a great time to come and visit the island, it might not be the right fit for you. To help you make the decision, we created this nifty overview of the pros and cons:
Pros
As the shoulder month before the festive season officially kicks off here on the island, you won’t need to compete with any peak season crowds during your trip in October.
Without any peak season crowds to charge exorbitant peak season fees, you’ll find that your vacay budget will stretch much further during an October trip to the island.
A shoulder month such as October allows you to get the best of both worlds in terms of seasons, whether it’s the weather or activities and attractions.
October is a great month to go road-tripping; road conditions are still not heavily impacted by the winter weather conditions, and most of the roads and routes that are annually closed, are still open.
October gives you the perfect combination of daylight vs darkness. This means that you can still have a pretty jam-packed trip itinerary and also have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in October.
Whilst the weather is slowly heading “south” as the winter approaches, we’re still not quite there. So, when coming to visit the island in September you’re spared some of the more freezing temperatures and harsher weather elements.
When visiting Iceland in October you’ll be able to catch some of our migratory whale species that only call the island home for a certain period of time each year.
Cons
The downside of visiting outside of peak season is that some places, whether shops, attractions, or activities, will have “down season” operating hours. This means that they will either be open for shorter hours each day or only be open on certain days of the week.
If you’ve got experiencing the Midnight Sun on your Iceland bucket list, you’ll need to plan your trip for another time, since there’s not nearly enough daylight hours during October.
Whilst the weather won’t be at winter levels yet, You’ll definitely feel that it’s not summer in Iceland anymore either.
If you’ve always wanted to see the Iceland Puffins, visiting the island in October will also mean that you’ve just missed them. So, if these little guys are a must for your trip to the island, it’s also best to plan it during the Puffin season (May to August).
Driving in Iceland in October
Driving in Iceland in October is a pleasant experience. All roads and routes are open, and you don’t need to be extremely worried about weather conditions causing havoc on the roads. Just keep in mind that you might need a 4x4 vehicle, depending on the specific routes you are planning on taking.
It’s definitely a must if you’re planning on visiting the Westfjords or the Highlands and plan on driving any of the F-roads in Iceland. Some of our most popular road trip routes on the island that you can consider are:
Diamond Circle
South Coast Way
Golden Circle
Ring Road
Westfjords Way
Weather in Iceland in October
As we already mentioned, Iceland’s weather in October might not have you tanning next to a pool, but it’s still a ways off from the extreme cold and extreme weather conditions one can experience during the winter season. The temperature in Iceland in October ranges between 2 and 7 degrees Celsius, whilst the average normally hovers around the 4-degree mark.
Iceland’s daylight hours in October are still at a high, and you will have 12 hours each day to plan your activities and sightseeing. Whilst snow isn’t common in Iceland in October, and you’ll experience sleet at the most in most of the country, the north is a bit of a different story, and it’s well-known that winter hits there earlier.
October is one of the wettest months of the year, though, so you’ll need to come prepared with a raincoat, waterproof clothing, and gear. And whilst you won’t be getting any of our legendary Icelandic winds that will literally rip a car door off its hinges, you will still need to prepare for winds of up to 27 kilometers per hour. But, once again, if you come prepared, this should not be an issue, and if you keep an eye on the Icelandic weather forecast you’ll always be one step ahead.
What to Pack and Wear when Visiting Iceland in October
Packing for a trip to a country that literally has the word ‘ice’ in it, isn’t nearly as hard as one might think. Simply ensure that you bring thermal underwear. Bring enough T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts so you can layer up. Pack waterproof clothing such as a jacket, pants, and hiking boots to keep the wet out.
And remember to pack a towel and your swimwear to take a dip in one of our famous hot springs. Also, double-check that you have all the electronic devices you will need such as a laptop for work, a GPS for hiking, chargers, a power bank, etc. The same goes for your toiletries (and remember to check flight restrictions regarding volume and medication). It’s also a good idea to pack everything in a backpack that’s suitable to use during day outings as well as hikes to save space.
Alternatively, you’ll need to pack a backpack like this. Just remember that there are weight restrictions on your luggage, and we do have places you can wash your clothes, so don’t pack your entire wardrobe only to either unpack at the airport or lug around unnecessary and heavy luggage all over Iceland.
Best Things to Do in Iceland in October
As we already mentioned, Iceland in October allows you to still take advantage of most of the activities of the warmer months even though the island’s technically cooling down. You’ll also be getting some extra perks in the form of local events and celebrations. Here are a few things that you can add to your October trip itinerary:
Go camping
Soak in a hot spring such as the Secret Lagoon
Check out our rock formations such as Dyrholaey
Take a boat ride on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
Visit the very first geyser at Geysir
Explore Iceland on the back of a real Icelandic Horse
Visit an authentic Viking village
Explore the capital city by going on the Reykjavik Food Walk
Go on a hike in one of Iceland’s national parks
Check out our waterfalls such as Svartifoss
Visit our exciting museums such as the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft
Go shopping in our famous Laugavegur Street
Marvel at our architecture
Attend an Icelandic festival or event such as Iceland Airwaves or The Lighting of the Imagine Peace Tower
Iceland in October; All the Perks Without the Peak Season Prices
October in Iceland is truly the last chance to visit the island without having to deal with some of our more extreme weather conditions, the peak season crowds as well as the peak season prices.
And with the weather still being pretty nice, the sights to see and the activities to do is absolutely legion. If you don’t want the added hassle of planning transport, outings, or itineraries, you’re welcome to reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to help you with guided tours in Iceland. See you in October!
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