Essential Apps for Iceland Travel
At a glance
Rental car, weather, aurora, maps, payments — 14 must-haves for Iceland.
TL;DR – install these right away
| Category | Apps |
|---|---|
| Rental car & maps | Google Maps, Maps.me |
| Weather | Vedur, AccuWeather |
| Aurora | My Aurora Forecast |
| Road safety | SafeTravel.is (web) |
| Translation | Google Translate |
| Payments | Wise, Revolut |
| Tours & booking | GetYourGuide, Klook |
| Accommodation | Booking.com |
1. Rental car — the foundation of an Iceland trip
Essential rental car guide
Public transit in Iceland is very limited. There's a city bus (Strætó) in Reykjavik, but the Golden Circle, the south coast, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and the F-roads (interior highland roads) are nearly impossible to reach without a rental car.
- Rental agencies: Blue Car Rental, Hertz, Budget, SIXT, Europcar, and more offer pickup at Keflavík International Airport (KEF)
- 4WD recommended: a 4WD vehicle is essential during winter (November–March) and for entering F-roads
- International Driving Permit: bring an International Driving Permit along with your Korean license
- Insurance: additional coverage for Gravel Protection, ash protection (SAAP), and sand/wind protection (SCDW) is recommended
- Tip: Iceland's roads can close due to sudden weather changes. Always check the Vedur app and Road.is before you leave.
2. Maps & navigation
Google Maps
Usable for maps and navigation across Iceland.
- Offline saving essential: outside Route 1 (the Ring Road) and on the F-roads, there's no signal at all. Save Iceland's full map before you leave.
- Attractions: major sights like the Golden Circle (Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) and the south coast (Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon)
- Coverage limitations: prepare offline maps for the interior Highlands and F-road areas, where there's no data connection
- Voice guidance: use hands-free navigation while driving
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Maps.me
A fully offline map app — download Iceland's entire map in advance and use it with no signal at all.
- Built for offline: every feature works without an internet connection
- Contour lines: mountain terrain contour lines help you understand the landscape
- POI data: includes offline data for attractions, gas stations, campgrounds, and restaurants
- Tip: using Google Maps and Maps.me together lets you switch to the other whenever one is slow due to signal issues.
3. Weather — Iceland's survival app
Vedur (the Icelandic Met Office)
The official app of the Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands), and the single most important app for a trip to Iceland. Iceland's weather can change dramatically several times a day, and every year there are accidents caused by ignoring weather warnings.
- Color-coded alert system: a 4-tier system — green (safe), yellow (caution), orange (danger), red (extreme danger)
- High wind alerts: Iceland's winds can be so strong they bend car doors or make walking impossible
- Regional forecasts: divides Iceland into dozens of zones for detailed forecasting
- Heavy snow/ice: includes forecasts for road closures and icy conditions
- Volcanic activity: linked to lava eruption and volcanic ash alerts
- Tip: never drive long distances on a day with a red alert. Accidents from getting stranded after ignoring an alert are frequent.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
AccuWeather
A global weather app, used for cross-checking against Vedur.
- Hourly forecast: hourly forecasts by city — Reykjavik, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, and more
- Feels-like temperature: shows the feels-like temperature including wind and humidity
- Minute-by-minute rain forecast: MinuteCast gives a minute-by-minute forecast of precipitation for the next hour
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
4. Aurora
My Aurora Forecast & Alerts
An aurora forecasting app, essential for planning aurora viewing on your Iceland trip (September–April).
- KP index: an aurora intensity index (KP 0–9) — in Iceland, KP 3 or higher is viewable
- Cloud forecast: aurora viewing requires a clear, cloudless night — check this alongside a weather app
- Location-based: tonight's aurora forecast and recommended viewing times based on your current location
- Alert setting: instant notification when the KP index rises above a level you set
- Direction guide: guidance on which direction to face toward the northern sky
- Tip: light pollution is a problem in downtown Reykjavik — moving to a dark spot 30km+ from the city (like Þingvellir National Park) gives you a much better view.
5. Translation
Google Translate
Icelandic (Íslenska) is a distinctive language descended from Old Norse. Icelanders speak excellent English, so you won't run into much trouble, but Icelandic still appears on place names, road signs, and menus.
- Camera translation: instantly translate Icelandic signs and menus
- Place name pronunciation: learn to pronounce names like Þingvellir and Eyjafjallajökull (the infamous volcano)
- Offline pack: usable even in interior regions with no signal
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
6. Payments
Wise
A fintech card offering the most favorable exchange rate when paying in Icelandic krona (ISK). Prices in Iceland rank among the highest in Europe.
- Direct ISK payment: pay directly at the real exchange rate with no double-conversion loss through euros or dollars
- ATM withdrawals: withdraw krona from ATMs in downtown Reykjavik, free up to a monthly limit
- Iceland's cost of living: coffee ISK 600–800, lunch ISK 2,500–4,000, fuel ISK 250–300/liter
- Tip: Iceland is essentially a cash-free country. Even gas stations accept card payment.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Revolut
Useful for tracking spending and managing multiple currencies during your Iceland trip.
- ISK payment: pay in krona at the real-time exchange rate
- Spending analysis: manage spending by category — fuel, dining, rental car, tours, and more
- Travel insurance: the travel insurance included with Premium plans is useful for a destination with as many risk factors as Iceland
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
7. Dining
Google Maps
Find dining information in cities like Reykjavik and Akureyri.
- Reykjavik hot dogs: find Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur — famously one of the world's best hot dog stands
- Seafood: search for restaurants serving fresh cod, lobster, and whale (a controversial dish)
- Skyr: search for cafés serving skyr, a traditional Icelandic dairy product
- Tip: restaurants in central Reykjavik are expensive. Using local supermarkets (Bónus, Krónan) can significantly cut your travel costs.
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
8. Tours & activities
GetYourGuide
Book Iceland's major activities.
- Golden Circle tour: a day trip departing from Reykjavik covering Þingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss
- South coast tour: a day trip covering Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
- Snowmobiling: a snowmobile experience on the Langjökull glacier
- Whale watching: a whale watching boat tour departing from Reykjavik harbor (April–October)
- Aurora hunting: a late-night aurora hunting tour (September–April)
- Blue Lagoon: admission tickets for the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa (advance booking required)
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
Klook
Conveniently book Iceland travel products in your own language.
- Blue Lagoon package: a package including admission plus a meal
- Ring Road tour: a package touring all of Iceland
- Airport pickup: a shuttle service from Keflavík Airport→Reykjavik
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
9. Accommodation
Booking.com
Compare and book accommodations in downtown Reykjavik, along Route 1, and at farm guesthouses in Iceland.
- Reykjavik accommodation: downtown hotels, guesthouses, and Airbnb
- Farm guesthouses: Icelandic family-run farm guesthouses along Route 1
- Camping near glaciers: campground information for summer only (June–August)
- Tip: Iceland accommodations need to be booked 6 months ahead during peak season (June–August).
📱 Download: App Store | Google Play
App installation checklist
- Vedur (essential for weather)
- Google Maps (offline saving essential)
- Maps.me (offline map backup)
- My Aurora Forecast (during aurora season)
- AccuWeather
- Google Translate (Icelandic pack)
- Wise or Revolut
- GetYourGuide or Klook
Why an eSIM matters for an Iceland trip
Weather, road safety, maps, rental car bookings, and aurora forecast apps all require data. Outside Route 1 and on the F-roads there's almost no signal, so offline maps are essential — but in Reykjavik and at major attractions, you need data to check tickets and weather. Install an eSIM running on the Icelandic Síminn, Nova, or Vodafone IS network in advance.
👉 Compare the best Iceland eSIM prices on esimoa
Note: app details are current as of 2025 and service policies may change.
