Iceland October packing list: Your ultimate packing guide!

I had such an amazing trip to Iceland. With so many amazing things to see and places to eat, it’s a don’t-miss trip that you’ll love. But with a climate and weather conditions that change frequently (like 4 seasons in a day frequently) it’s important to have the right packing list. Here is your guide to the complete Iceland October packing list:

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Should you visit Iceland in the fall?

Absolutely. Iceland is great anytime of the year but fall is an especially good time to visit. There are hardly any crowds, you have a lot of daylight, and the weather is still warm enough to stay outdoors for long periods of time. 

But like any day in Iceland, you could get a variety of weather conditions. When traveling in October we were hiking in t-shirts and the following day we had blizzard conditions. All to say plan accordingly!

Iceland weather in October

October is certainly a transitional time between the long summer days to the long winter nights. The beginning of the month will have almost 12 hours of daylight while the last days of October will see less than 8 hours of daylight. Days get shorter quickly throughout the month but you’ll still enjoy plenty of daylight for outdoor hiking and scenic drives.

The temperature in October ranges from 32-45F but keep in mind this doesn’t factor in wind and rain, which can drastically change what it feels like. October is also the one of the wettest months in Iceland, so expect drizzle and random rain storms.

I don’t want the weather in October to discourage you from visiting. If you pack accordingly you can do anything, regardless of the season. It rained almost every day of our trip and we still had a great experience.

Layer up! Thoughts on packing for Iceland

I loved my time in Iceland but one piece of advice I have is to bring the right clothing. I couldn’t imagine being outside and really enjoying Iceland without quality winter gear. So, if you don’t have the right gear… get it. Don’t try to make something work that’s not waterproof or warm enough or seems like it might work. You’ll just end up being miserable and paying a lot more for the correct gear once you arrive.

Don’t have the right clothes and don’t want to pay a fortune to get them? One thing I did to help me save on my gear for Iceland was buying items after the winter season for deep clearance deals in the summer. You can find some great items from brands like Patagonia, Smartwool, North Face for up to 50% off.

I’d also recommend thinking in layers. I wore a base layer, sweater, and outerwear on top and a base layer, leggings, and outerwear on the bottom pretty much every day. This kept me warm and made Iceland much more enjoyable. 

PS Don’t forget to check out my complete 7-day Iceland Itinerary!

My packing guide for your fall trip to Iceland

Thermal base layers

A good base layer is going to make a huge difference. This is a must-have, so don’t skimp on the quality! I recommend a pair of base layer tights (I like these from Under Armor) and a Smartwool or other merino wool base layer top. These items will keep you warm without adding a lot of weight or bulk to your daily outfit or your luggage.

This is the Smartwool top I brought to Iceland. I love that it’s easy enough to wear on it’s own to dinner but also a great baselayer! 

Wool socks

Like your base layers, you must have thick socks to keep your feet warm. Alpaca and/or merino wool socks will work best to insulate your feet. I recommend socks that are thicker with higher insulating qualities, like these ones.

Keep in mind that because your socks are made of merino wool they don’t make your feet smell, so you don’t need to bring as many with you. I brought just 3 pairs of socks on my 10-day trip.

Waterproof hiking boots

Be sure your shoes are waterproof and not just water resistant. With so much rain in Iceland, especially in October, having the right shoes is the difference between being able to be outside or not. If you already have a pair of duck boots they can work (I used mine just fine!) but you’ll have less traction on some hiking trails. 

Chelsea boots

These are certainly optional but if you don’t want to wear your hiking boots all day everyday bringing a pair of waterproof Chelsea boots is a good idea. I packed a pair and changed into them before dinners and when we were exploring towns. It just made me feel and look more presentable than wearing hiking boots all day.

Flip flops or other sandal

If you’re planning to go to the hot springs or the local pools you’ll need to pack a pair of sandals or flip flops to bring with you. Fortunately they pack very small, so they should be easy to add to your packing list.

Waterproof (not water resistant) pants

I cannot stress enough how important this one is. I have read and heard so many horror stories of people who were wet the entire trip because they didn’t have the right pants. Don’t be like them and get the right waterproof pants.

If you don’t want to pay more money for waterproof pants (they are like 3x the cost), you could purchase this kit to waterproof your hiking pants. It’s what we did to a pair of water resistant pants and it worked really well! 

Rain jacket

Like your waterproof pants, you’ll need a quality rain jacket (I like this one!) to enjoy the outdoors when the weather isn’t cooperating. A waterproof jacket will likely be your outer layer most days, as it keeps you warm from the rain and the wind. 

Keep in mind that you’ll likely be wearing layers under your rain jacket, so I’d size up if you need to purchase one.

Down jacket

Even though you’ll have a rain jacket, you’ll still likely want another layer for warmth. Plus, depending on the weather each day the rain jacket might not be necessary. Down jackets are certainly an investment, but you probably already have one.

Sweaters and fleece

On top of your base layer you’ll need to pack some sweaters and fleece tops. I packed some alpaca wool sweaters I purchased in Peru, which were perfect for Iceland. But any heavy knit sweaters or fleece will work well.

You don’t need a sweater every day of the trip, I’d rotate 2-3 since they are so bulky.

Fleece-lined leggings

On top of your base layer bottoms you’ll want a pair of fleece-lined leggings for those cold hiking days, or even around town and your hotel. This was probably the item I packed that I couldn’t even imagine not having. They kept me warm and were a great addition when layering or just on their own.

One pair of jeans

For dinners and around your hotel room, a single pair of jeans are helpful but not required. I wore my base layer and sometimes even my leggings under my jeans for dinners and around town, too! Just be sure they have enough room so you can layer beneath them.

Warm pajamas

At night and around your hotel you’ll want a pair of pajamas that are warm to wear in bed.

Beanie hat

A beanie to keep your ears warm, especially from the Icelandic wind, is a must. Some people pack multiple ones to have something different every day but I just packed one quality beanie for the duration of the trip.

Scarf

I wouldn’t say you have to have a scarf for Iceland but if you happen to have one that keeps you warm and can cover your face during fierce winds, it’s helpful to bring. 

Windproof gloves

Having the right gloves will make a world of difference in how you can enjoy Iceland’s amazing outdoors. Windproof, or wind resistant, gloves will help keep you warm and your hands out of your pockets. Thin gloves or those that are knitted or are fleece won’t work well.

Swimsuit

It might seem crazy to bring your swimsuit but if you plan to visit any hot springs or community pools you’ll need one. Most locals spend the evenings at the geothermal community pools, which are much cheaper than many of the tourist attractions. They usually wear their suits and change into their pajamas to head home for bed. 

Quick dry towel

This is good to have anyways since Iceland can be so damp but if you plan to swim you’ll need to have a towel. A quick dry, microfiber towel that is compact is the perfect one to keep around for any trip. (I like this one.)

Water bottle

Iceland has some fantastic water that you can drink directly from any tap. Bringing a reusable water bottle will help you stay hydrated and spend less money.

Wash bag

I bring my Scrubba bag on every trip I take. With Iceland requiring more clothing that’s pretty expensive it’s a great place to do a bit of laundry to keep your costs down.

Waterproof backpack

With the ever changing conditions and drizzle pretty much a daily occurrence, a waterproof backpack will help keep all your supplies dry while out hiking. I’ve been using my Earth-Pak dry bag for more than 6 years now. It’s been in the worst downpours and everything has remained dry.

European power adapter 

Iceland utilizes a European outlet, so you’ll need to bring your adapter. I like these ones because they also include USB plugs!

No foreign transaction fee travel credit card

Iceland is a card-heavy country and bringing a travel credit card that doesn’t have foreign transaction fees will save you a lot of money throughout your trip. 

Packing tips

  • I used compression seal bags for my sweaters, which helped me pack in a smaller luggage even though most of the clothing is pretty bulky
  • Check after season sales for any pieces of winter gear you’re missing for the trip
  • Be sure to get a plane ticket that includes a checked bag – it’s very difficult to pack for Iceland in a carry-on (but not impossible)
  • If you forget something – head to a secondhand store in Iceland and buy it

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