Iceland can feel familiar in some ways and completely different in others. You can pay for almost everything by card, English is widely spoken and the country is easy to navigate. Yet there are plenty of small cultural differences that are useful to understand before your first visit.
One of the most common questions we hear is about tipping in Iceland. Should you leave something at a restaurant? Do you tip your guide? What about hotel staff or taxi drivers? Is there an expected percentage you should be calculating?
While the culture of tipping is often the most asked question for first timers, particularly those coming from America, there’s plenty more travel tips to know too. From understanding swimming pool etiquette and preparing for Iceland’s changeable weather to respecting the country’s natural environment, a little local knowledge can go a long way.
In this guide, we share other practical travel tips to help you feel more prepared and make the most of your visit.
Tipping in Iceland
Let’s start with the question most visitors want answered: do you need to tip in Iceland restaurants?
Generally, no. Tipping is not a standard part of Icelandic culture in the same way it is in countries such as the United States.
Restaurant and café prices typically include the cost of service, so you should not feel obliged to add a percentage to your bill. If you have received particularly attentive service and genuinely want to leave something extra, it will certainly be appreciated, but it is not expected.
The same principle generally applies to taxis, hotels and other everyday services. You may occasionally see a service charge or tip option when paying by card, but you do not need to feel pressured to select it.
One of our most useful Iceland travel tips for first timers is simply this: don’t feel awkward about not tipping. Good service is part of the job, rather than something that requires an additional payment. However, if you receive exceptional service, a tip is always a welcome way to show your appreciation.
Should you tip your Icelandic guide?
Guides are another area where visitors sometimes feel uncertain.
From experience, we have learned that many of our guests do end up tipping their guide at the end of a trip. After all, it is a lovely way to confirm that you felt our team went above and beyond. With that said, just like with dining in Iceland, a tip is not expected from guests taking a private tour. So it often comes down to personal preference in the moment. So if you feel that your guide has made your journey particularly memorable, you are welcome to offer a tip as a personal thank you.
Regardless of tipping, at Hidden Iceland, our guides are there to share their knowledge, adapt the journey to your interests, and help you experience Iceland safely and comfortably. We would never want guests to feel that we are going above and beyond simply to gain a tip.
A genuine, heartfelt thank you is just as meaningful.
“Everything was perfect from the planning to the actual trip. Our guide Robert was wonderful. Hidden Iceland planned a great trip and was great at making a last minute change when our plane was late. We have wonderful memories!!” – Pizzaswirl on Tripadvisor
On that note, whether you choose to tip or not, our guides and travel experts really do love to see their names come up on reviews on TripAdvisor, Google Review and Facebook. Writing a review helps us understand how great a job they did and most importantly what parts of your trip were the best for you.
If I want to tip, what is the custom?
There are no set guidelines for how much to tip and we intentionally avoid trying to give a number or percentage. Just whatever you consider appropriate based on your experience and tipping culture.
Thankfully, you can tip in your local currency if more convenient and some guides and servers may be able to accept digital tips if you do not have cash.
In fact, many travellers choose not to take out cash at all, favouring the widely accepted VISA and MasterCard for spending. Iceland, despite its remoteness, is a technologically advanced country, with payments by card, phone or App being commonplace, even the toilets.
Experience Iceland’s geothermal pools like a local
Traditional, geothermal swimming pools are an important part of everyday life in Iceland. While visitors often associate the country with dramatic scenery and luxury spa experiences, local pools offer a different way to experience Icelandic culture.
In the more traditional pools, one of the most important customs to understand is showering thoroughly without your swimsuit before entering the pool. This helps maintain water hygiene and is an expected part of using public swimming facilities. If you choose the communal changing options, once you’ve showered, you can change into your swimsuit and head into the water. It’s a simple local custom, but understanding it beforehand can make your first visit feel much more comfortable.
While many pools have communal shower and changing areas, many facilities offer private spaces. For example, the newer more tourist friendly Spa and hot pool options, such as at the Retreat by Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon and Reykjaböð Baths do also offer private changing options, allowing for you to shower and change separately if preferred.
Respect Iceland’s natural environment
Iceland’s landscapes may look rugged and indestructible, but many of them are surprisingly fragile.
Moss, in particular, can take decades to recover from damage. Walking off marked paths can cause lasting harm, while driving or parking where it is not permitted can damage vegetation and delicate terrain.
Our advice is simple: follow marked paths, respect barriers and closures, and leave natural areas exactly as you found them.
This is particularly important around geothermal areas, glaciers and volcanic landscapes. These are dynamic environments, and conditions can change quickly, with the most remote areas potentially being hazardous.
In Iceland, we don’t have a mentality of ‘there should be a sign there’. In fact, the most pristine areas will seem completely open. This is when you should take extra care and follow your local guide, or consult the App – if self driving.
If you’re travelling with a private guide, they will be able to advise you on how to experience these places responsibly.
Don’t underestimate the Icelandic weather
Of all the Iceland travel tips we could give a first-time visitor, this is one of the most important.
Iceland’s weather can change quickly. A calm, sunny morning can develop into strong winds or rain later in the day, and conditions can vary considerably between regions.
This doesn’t mean you should spend your holiday worrying about the forecast. It simply means you should be prepared to adapt.
Layered clothing, waterproof outerwear and sturdy footwear are useful throughout the year. Even during summer, it is worth carrying an extra layer.
When travelling around Iceland, allow some flexibility in your plans too. A road closure, poor visibility or changing conditions can sometimes mean altering your route.
For more practical guidance, SafeTravel Iceland provides current safety information and advice for travelling around the country. Road.is, also provides up to date road conditions. And the English translation of the Met Office website, provides very accurate weather forecasts.
Learn a few Icelandic words
English is widely spoken in Iceland, particularly in places that regularly welcome international visitors. You won’t need to speak Icelandic to travel comfortably, but learning a few words can be a thoughtful way to engage with the local culture.
A few useful phrases include:
- Halló: Hello
- Takk takk: Thank you very much
- Góðan daginn: Good day (phonetics: Go-than-dye-ing)
- Bless Bless: Goodbye
You’ll also notice that Icelandic place names often contain letters that may be unfamiliar to English speakers, including þ, ð and æ. There’s no need to master every pronunciation before you arrive. Making an effort to learn a few words and understand local names is a simple way to show an interest in the country.
Take your time rather than rushing between sights
Iceland can look deceptively small on a map.
It is possible to drive considerable distances between attractions, and weather and road conditions can make journeys take longer than expected.
One of our favourite Iceland travel tips is therefore to leave room in your itinerary.
Rather than trying to see everything, choose the experiences that matter most to you. Spend longer somewhere you enjoy. Stop for an unexpected viewpoint. Give yourself time to enjoy your accommodation rather than treating it simply as somewhere to sleep.
This is particularly important outside Reykjavík, where the landscapes themselves are often the main experience.
A private guided tour makes this easier because your itinerary can be adapted around your interests and the conditions on the ground with the help of your guide.
Understand Iceland’s unique relationship with food
Icelandic cuisine has evolved around the ingredients available on a remote North Atlantic island.
Fish, lamb, dairy products and locally grown produce feature prominently, while modern Icelandic restaurants increasingly combine traditional ingredients with contemporary techniques.
Most people don’t come to Iceland solely because of the food…but they should. – Ryan Connolly
You may encounter dishes that are unfamiliar, from fermented shark to Skyr. You certainly don’t have to try everything, but being curious about Icelandic food is one of the more enjoyable Iceland travel tips for first timers.
And don’t overlook Iceland’s bakeries and cafés. A slow morning with coffee and a fresh pastry can be just as memorable as a formal dinner.
Be prepared for an early start
Iceland’s changing daylight hours can take some getting used to.
In summer, the Midnight Sun means that daylight extends well into the evening, while winter brings much shorter days.
This can have a noticeable effect on your itinerary. During summer, you can take advantage of long evenings to explore at a slower pace. In winter, it is worth planning your sightseeing around the available daylight.
It is also one reason we recommend thinking carefully about the best time of year you want to visit rather than simply choosing dates based on availability.
Most Hidden Iceland days are planned around a relaxed itinerary starting around 9am and getting to your hotel no later than 6:30pm. But of course, if it’s Northern Lights season, or you want to see the ‘must see’ sights all to yourself, we often add in these early morning or late night stops.
Know that Iceland’s remoteness extends beyond the Highlands
It is easy to think of Iceland as a highly accessible destination because many of its most famous sights are straightforward to reach.
However, once you leave Reykjavík, infrastructure can become much more limited. Even popular destinations can be relatively remote, with fewer services and longer distances between towns.
This is particularly important when visiting glaciers, remote beaches, the Highlands and other wilderness areas.
Travelling with local support can provide reassurance, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with Icelandic conditions.
Enjoy the slower side of Iceland
Perhaps the most useful cultural advice we can give is to embrace Iceland’s slower pace.
Don’t worry about seeing every attraction. Spend an afternoon in a geothermal pool. Stop at a village café. Talk to your guide about somewhere interesting you’ve passed on the road.
Iceland rewards curiosity and flexibility.
For visitors wondering about tipping in Iceland, the answer is refreshingly simple. You don’t need to calculate a percentage every time you finish a meal or activity. Instead, focus your attention on enjoying the experience and respecting the people and places that make Iceland special.
And if you are still looking for Iceland travel tips for first timers, our team of travel experts can help you plan around the practical details as well as the experiences you want to have.
Cultural Tips in Iceland FAQs
Written by Dagný Björg Stéfansdóttir | CEO + Co-Founder at Hidden Iceland
About the author
Dagný was born and raised in Iceland, and her local knowledge is instrumental in helping guests understand Icelandic culture and customs. With her in-depth knowledge of Iceland’s diverse regions, traditions, local experiences and everyday way of life, she helps guests experience Iceland with a deeper understanding of the country beyond its landscapes.