What to pack for Iceland

Miscellaneous: These small guidebooks come in very handy when travelling in Iceland.
There are several editions on different parts of the country.
The guidebooks give general information about the area as well as tips on accomodation, activities, nature, tours, towns, transportation, ...
We found them to be very handy and full of useful information.
You can find them in tourist offices (of course) as well as in hotels and other places that offer a range of free brochures.

Miscellaneous: This is a very detailed road guide with over 3.000 interesting places mentioned.
We bought this book at home, but I've seen it widely sold in Iceland.

The book is arranged according to the numbering system used by the Public Roads Administration, dividing Iceland in 8 regions (nr. 2 - 9), with the Ringroad being nr. 1.

One part of the book "follows" the ringroad, travelling from Reykjavik to the west and north, all the way round back to Reykjavik. The sights along that itinerary are explained, sometimes with detailed road-maps.

Another section covers the roads in regions 2 to 9.
The third part covers the mountain roads (F-roads).

There are so many places mentioned that you won't find anywhere else. Sometimes even old and abandoned farms are indicated.

It also contains seperate sections consisting of general information on specific topics: Icelandic food, geothermal springs, lava caves, the 'hidden worlds', ...

This guidebook proved to come in very handy because of the added mentioning of lots and lots of stuff you don't find anywhere else.
But I have to mention that the info isn't nearly as detailed as in other books. So if you want detailed information about Iceland's top-sights, you need to do extra research elsewhere.
But still ... won't be going back to Iceland without this guidebook.

There is a lot of advertising in the book. This may seem strange at first, but we've come across some very handy addresses this way, so it turns out to be quite handy.

To be completely honest ... there is one thing I found really annoying!
The detailed road-maps in the book aren't always in the "correct geographical direction" ... meaning that the north isn't always pointing to the top of the page. Consequence is that if you're looking for something, you have to "re-orientate" and turn the book in order to get this north aligned with the north in your road atlas. But after a few days you get used to it.
But this is only a minor downside to this book.

Miscellaneous: If you don't want to invest money in buying roadmaps or guidebook, you can easliy get around with the free maps and brochures you can find almost everywhere.
Some of this stuff cmes in quite handy, f.i. these small guidebooks.
Of course the information isn't as detailed as in other guidebooks, but often the information is useful though limited.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: In April it was cold! Thermals were a definite as were waterproof outer clothing. Makes absolutely no mistake - the weather is unbelievably changeable and layers are the way forward. My children had balaclavas and needed them. There were days and blizzards when I wrapped a scarf around my face to protect it from blizzard and stinging hail whipped by strong winds.

It is really worth investing in good quality walking socks. There would be nothing more miserable than having cold feet. They were invaluable!

for gloves and hats, especially with children, they take up so little room, it is definitely a good idea to have several pairs.

Photo Equipment: My camera (Canon) stopped working. I tried SO hard to look after it but I think there was one occasion when the extreme cold to indoor warmth was too much for it to bear. I think the internal electronics got condensation on them. Perhaps have a plastic bag that you can place your camera in before going from one temperature extreme to the other... a plastic bag will certainly be cheaper than the bill I will get for camera repairs!

NB There are only camera repairs in Reykjavik and Akuyeri.

Make sure you have a huge memory stick and a back up battery. They are not going to be easy to come across. I found one shop that sold cameras, in Hofn, but the pries were, as are most things in Iceland, HIGH!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Sleeping bags - some accommodation has no bed linen or much cheaper prices for taking it on a sleeping bag basis. Sleeping bags are also a VERY good thing to have in the car in case of break down, getting stuck in the snow, accident, coming off the road,,, also for sitting out at night to wait for the northern lights.
Also, as a family there was definitely one accommodation where we had booked a family room anad on arrival were given a room with one bed - that night the kids slept in their sleeping bags!!!

Miscellaneous: Thermus flask and all in one coffee satchets. Was invaluable to get back to the car, frozen and sometimes drenched and have a hot drink waitiing. If I did this trip again I would also take a mini kettle because only 50% of the accommodations we stayed in had the facilities to boil water!
Oh on that note I should add that the "all in one" coffee sachets were, whilst not the best cups of coffee I have ever drunk, absolutely invaluable!

Towels in a bag. Sounds mad, I know but they roll up to nothing in their little bags and are great for taking into the swimming pools etc... or if the accommodation is short on towels!

Miscellaneous: Iceland is exceptionally expensive when it comes to food and drink. I purchased a nice bottle of rum in duty free as I left the UK and then in Iceland I only had to purchase some coke. I was then set up for a couple of enjoyable drinks in my hotel room when it was the end of a long (and cold!) day!

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: I add here a link to gas-containers we use in Iceland for camping gas-cookers/primus. You can buy these containers at the gas-stations all around the country. I add the link to our biggest camping-gear store www.ellingsen.is where I buy my gas-containers.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Jumpers are recommended as a precaution.

Also, a lightweight waterproof can come in handy, as the weather is so changeable.

Miscellaneous: August is the summer, but weather there can change suddenly.

Definitely need to have pullovers/sweaters/jumpers as a precaution. Light waterproofs would also be worthwhile.

Luggage and bags: - Sleeping bag: it might save you money if you bring your own bag, so that you won't have to pay for bed linen and/or eventually a cheaper room/bed rate.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: - Rain jacket
- Warm, breathable clothes that you can layer on: if you feel too warm you take off one layer, if you feel too cold you put on one layer
- Sturdy shoes: if you're doing some hiking or tours like the Golden Circle
- Comfortable shoes: for city walking.

Photo Equipment: - Big memory card or extra film
- Charger or extra batteries
Both are expensive there.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: - Swimsuit: for bathing if you visit the Blue Lagoon (it will save you some money if you don't need to rent one of theirs) or any of the many pools.

Miscellaneous: - A good guide: I found Lonely Planet's to be the best travel guide, and you don't have to buy it if you can borrow it from your local library (like I did). Otherwise save the VT tips that can help you out and print them :)
- A road map: if you're planning on driving on roads around Road 1.