Stay up to date with essential travel updates in Iceland (2024)

FAQs

How safe is it to travel to Iceland right now? ›

You can visit Iceland now

Since 2021, several volcanic events have taken place on the Reykjanes peninsula. You might be wondering whether it's safe to visit Iceland in situations like this. Fortunately, these eruptions are not dangerous, provided you stay away from the affected area and follow all safety advice.

Check out Road.is or call 1777 for information about road conditions before travelling. Visit Safetravel.is to log your travel plan with the authorities.

Despite concerns over the impact the eruption will have on travel, nearby Keflavik Airport remains operational. In an update, the airport said: "Recent volcanic activity in Iceland has not disrupted air travel. Flights to and from Iceland are operating normally despite the ongoing eruption.

Iceland is still completely safe to visit even if you travel while there is an active eruption. Reasons why it is still safe to visit Iceland in 2024: All of the previous volcanic eruptions have not affected air traffic or flights to or from Iceland.

Blue Lagoon is open

Blue Lagoon Iceland is fully open and all facilities are welcoming guests. Since we are located in a seismically active area, changes in activity are to be expected. We always prioritize your safety and have detailed measures in place, if the need arises. Read more below.

Crime levels are low but petty theft and antisocial behaviour can occur, particularly around bars in downtown Reykjavík. Take sensible precautions and keep your belongings safe.

Iceland is an unusally dynamic country in terms of weather and tectonic forces. This means that Icelanders have to be prepared for a multitude of natural hazards: Storms, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and avalanches.

As the tourist population in Iceland continues to grow, so too does its environmental damage. Concentration of tourism in a few specific areas, the growth of infrastructure near natural sites, and the neglect of environmental protection laws are the leading factors driving this damage.

Iceland is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Iceland without a visa for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.

There is no eruption taking place at the moment on the Reykjanes peninsula. The most recent one started on 22 August 2024, but it slowed down soon after, and there has been no visible activity since 9 September.

Is Iceland friendly to tourists? ›

With all things scenic and beautiful, there's always a downside, right? Well, not here – Iceland is one of the world's safest places to travel, with a welcoming, helpful local community and a very low crime rate, and scams are almost unheard of.

Thanks to Iceland's stunning landscapes and seasonal natural phenomena, there's really no bad time to visit. Northern lights seekers flock to the country during the darker winter months, while visitors chasing more daylight opt for summer.

Iceland has a low crime rate. However, you could face petty theft. This often occurs around bars late at night in downtown Reykjavik. There have been rare instances of gang-related violent crime.

Iceland currently has a population of 376,248 people, of whom around 98% speak English. This means that 368,723 of the Icelandic population can speak English. This figure is very high in comparison to some other countries across Europe. Here are just a couple of the reasons why so many Icelanders can speak English.