Iceland in October: 5 Reasons It’s the Perfect Month to Visit
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What are your fall travel plans? Do they include somewhere beautiful with diverse landscapes and climates? I ask because Iceland in October makes the ultimate fall vacation. I didn’t choose to visit Iceland in October, it sort of chose me in a roundabout way and I’m so glad because I realized just what an amazingly perfect time of year it is. These are my five significant reasons why you need to travel to Iceland in October.5 Reasons to Visit Iceland in October
1 | Fall Colors
Back of Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík
Like a lot of countries in the northern hemisphere, Iceland does have four seasons. However, unlike a lot of those same countries, Iceland will go through all four of those seasons in one day. I witnessed this on more than one occasion during my trip.
The lava falls of Hraunfossar
Fall is a beautiful time in Iceland and October is particularly a great a month for it. The fall foliage really comes alive and truly pops against the contrast of the glacial waters, black lava, and even when there is the occasional snow!
2 | Fewer Crowds
Don’t you just love when there are a gazillion people everywhere and you have to wait forever just to get a photo (we won’t even discuss the associated pushing and shoving)? Oh…not so much?
Skógafoss Waterfall
Well, congratulations, Iceland in October is for you! Because the peak season has just ended and school has started back, the crowds are reasonable. Don’t get me wrong. As Iceland is a year-round travel destination it isn’t that there are no crowds ever. It’s just that they are considerably smaller in October.
Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon
I didn’t have to fight to get that coveted photo spot. The geothermal spas actually had plenty of room to relax without bumping into the next person. Even the extremely popular Blue Lagoon was less crowded than I’ve seen in many photos!
Need more information? READ MY OTHER ICELAND POSTS
3 | Less Expensive
I originally had this titled “Cheap” and then I burst out laughing. Iceland is NEVER cheap. Sorry for the hard truth (and a bit of a tease there) but even “less expensive” is a relative term for Iceland.
However, all jokes aside, October is the cheapest month to visit Iceland. Because it’s the offseason and the peak season of summer has just ended, there are much better deals on airfare
, hotels, and tours.
4 | Northern Lights
Northern Lights dancing near Þingvellir National Park
I can’t even begin to tell you how AMAZING it is to see this natural phenomenon in person. I also can’t guarantee you will see it on your trip to Iceland no matter the month. But, October gives you a great possibility.
There are three things you need at the same time to provide you a chance to see the Northern Lights.
- Dark Skies: Thankfully, in October it is starting to get dark enough at a decent time.
- Clear Skies: This is always a shot in the dark with Iceland being a rainy country, but October is before the heavy winter sets in.
- Solar Activity: You need the lights to be active.
I saw and photographed the Northern Lights twice on my trip to Iceland in October. I had a third chance to see them but went to sleep because of the upcoming early morning and because we were in Reykjavik. Typically in the city where there’s light pollution, the chance of seeing the lights is slim. It still kills me that I knew about the possibility and didn’t stay up to check!
5 | Snow
Dettifoss Waterfall
Wait, huh? Why is snow a good reason? I thought you said a reason to go to Iceland in October is that I wouldn’t have to deal with snow!
Yes, this is true. For the most part, you won’t have to deal with snow. Roads are still in great condition for driving and winter isn’t an issue.
Goðafoss Waterfall
However, remember those four seasons in one day I talked about? That is a real thing. We did have snow in a few places that we went and it was beautiful! For the photographers out there, these were some of the most stunning backdrops we saw. Also, for snow lovers and those who don’t have snow where they live (ahem, me!), this is a chance to see it without truly having to deal with old man winter.
Isn’t that the best way to see snow anyway?
So, what do you think? Are you ready to pack your bags to visit this October? If so, then let me throw out some helpful tips and suggestions for you.
When In Iceland…
Accommodations: I stayed here and here in Reykjavík. I also stayed at a few other places around the country (post on those coming soon). For now, find the perfect accommodations for the Golden Circle, East Iceland, North Iceland, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Restaurants: I ate at these fantastic Iceland Restaurants
Top Attractions: Snorkel Silfra, Northern Lights, Ride Icelandic Horses, Blue Lagoon
Pack This: The top three most important necessities I packed for Iceland are these, these and this. They were a make or break difference and they made the trip!
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Iceland is an absolutely beautiful country and if you maximize the timing of your trip you can get so much more out of it. Of course, there is no time that includes everything, but October sure does give you (in my opinion) the best shot of doing the most!
Have you been to Iceland in October? What was your experience like? As always, let me know below!
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
Loved the post! Pictures are beautiful as usual!
Thank you as always! 🙂
I love it that you can get all four seasons in the same day. The winter seasons with snow and northern lights are beautiful. The fall colors are interesting, but it still seems like you have enough summer sun and blue skies to get some spectacular shots. I really have no idea what spring in Iceland is like, but I’m sure it’s beautiful too.
Hi Jenn and Ed-I’m not sure what it’s like either, but anytime in Iceland is gorgeous I imagine. I’m just really partial to the fall (and winter next for the snowy northern lights photos like you said)! Thanks for reading! 🙂
What is the place to go to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. I can imagine all the white snow against the flaming reds-golds of the autumn foliage. Perfect! October it is, then.
Hi Punita-Yes, the snow and the fall foliage colors are beautiful! You can see the Northern Lights all over Iceland. It’s best to be away from the cities because of night pollution. This photo was taken near Thingvellir National Park. Hope you get to go soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Four seasons in one day…that’s quite amazing . Iceland is definitely on my bucket list as I always wanted to see the Northern lights. Nice to learn that it’s less crowded and less expensive in October. The pictures are really beautiful. Hope to visit soon !
Hi Karie-Iceland is absolutely gorgeous and yes it is *less* (keyword) expensive in October. The Northern Lights are amazing if you get to see them there and I hope you get to go soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂
October sounds like a fantastic time to go! My sister has been a couple of times, but I don’t’ believe she has been in October. It’s good to hear that you can possibly see the Northern lights and that the roads are still clear to drive on. Iceland is super expensive, so good to know it can be a little bit cheaper during this time 🙂
Hi Candy-Yes, you are right. Iceland is super expensive so if you get to go, aim for October when it’s cheaper…and you can see the beautiful fall colors! Thanks for reading! 🙂
I had always thought about Iceland as a summer destination because of the weather but you’ve got us sold here on October! It seems like the right balance between getting the right conditions but also avoiding the crowds and saving money. Those autumn colours also just look so beautiful and seeing the Northern Lights but have been incredible.
Hi Nicola-Yes! It is the perfect time absolutely and for so many reasons! I hope you get to go soon and those Northern Lights come out for you! Thanks for reading! 🙂
What a great insight into Iceland in October. I can’t go this fall but maybe I will pencil it in for 2020. It looks SO beautiful and any month that the crowds are a bit thinner and the Northern lights look so stunning sounds like a great month to visit!
Hi Alison-Yes definitely pencil it in for 2020. The fall is so beautiful and I loved the balance of fewer people, less expensive, fall foliage and Northern Lights! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Haven’t been to Iceland yet (and it’s not in the books for 2020, either), but I’d really like to visit soon, especially after seeing Mathias Malzieu’s documentary. It’s good to know now when to visit, in particular to avoid the crowds.
Hi Mirela-Knowing when to visit a certain destination is always super helpful for me. I hope you get to make it Iceland soon, maybe 2021? 😉 Thanks for reading! 🙂
I always thought Iceland was for summers as it was too cold for winters (except Northern lights expedition). But fall looks like a great season too to visit especially with less crowds and being less touristy. Iceland is so on my bucketlist and I can’t wait to go there soon.
Hi Ketki-I know what you mean although I’m one of those few people that loves winter! But definitely Iceland is thought of as a summer-only destination but it isn’t. October is much better for so many reasons! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Oh wow, I didn’t realize they had such beautiful foliage! I’ve only ever visited in the summer. You’re giving me a few more reasons to return 🙂
Hi Carmen-It is definitely gorgeous in the fall-hope you get to return! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Heather, this is a very convincing blog on traveling Iceland in October. The fall colours will make the whole place picturesque on a different level. Plus when you can experience snow without worrying much about the snow on road is actually great plus. Also, everything is cheaper compared to the peak season which will definitely compel me to plan Iceland on October.
Hi Shreya-Yes, all of that is so very true! I hope you are able to visit Iceland soon and hopefully in October at that! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Hi- we are planning to visit Iceland in late October -23 for a week. After reading many blogs and weather conditions , most of this state that it’s going to be very cold and windy. Will we be able to enjoy any sightseeing in the chilly winds? Will it be safe to stay outside in those glaciers without getting hypothermia ? Also many blogs mention it’s the wettest month . So how would one enjoy sightseeing when it would be pouring with chilly winds . Please let us know your experience .
Hi Divya-I am so sorry I’m just seeing this. I had a handful of comments get sent to my spam folder and yours was in there for some reason. I went to check for another reason and saw this. Not sure it matters fo you now but we had a fantastic experience in October but we were only there through October 8th. October can swing either way and we did have rain, snow, and beautiful weather. That is the nature of Iceland somewhat year-round (not as bad in the summer obviously with the snow). But rain, wind, cold, etc can happen at any time and several times a day. They joke there that if you don’t like the current weather, wait 5 minutes, it’ll be totally different and that’s true. Anyway, hope you had a great time. Would love to hear about it. Again, my apologies and thanks for reading! 🙂
Great post I love your picture.
We absolutely love Iceland, we had the opportunity to visit in March and it looks a lot like your picture and the road are in good conditions as well (well… it’s all relative!)
We hope to visit Iceland in summer as well soon, to check it out without the melted snow and to be able to do some hikes and bivouacking!
Hi Francois-Isn’t Iceland the best? I loved it there too so much! Glad to know your experience was the same as mine and interesting to know it even looked like my photos in March. That’s again shoulder season (just the other shoulder! LOL!) so I guess it isn’t too surprising. Like you, I would like to return in the summertime for so many reasons. Iceland is just beautiful! Thanks for reading! 🙂