09 May Summer Road Trip Packing List for Iceland

When my boyfriend and I visited Iceland, we road tripped around the country for nine days. That being said, we spent a fair amount of time in the car simply because we drove around the entire Ring Road plus some more. We thus wanted our time in the car to be as enjoyable as possible, and we planned in advance by packing certain items. Interested to learn what we packed in advance as well as a couple of other suggested items for an Iceland summer road trip packing list? Keep reading below to find out! 

Contents:

1) Snacks and more snacks

2) Car phone mount

3) Wifi / GPS

4) Bluetooth car adapter

5) Car phone charger

6) Travel neck pillow

1) Snacks and More Snacks

In my opinion, one of the most important things to have on an Iceland summer road trip packing list is snacks. Why? First, you (and everyone you are traveling with) will be happier and overall have a better time. We are trying to prevent anyone from getting hangry.

Here is the thing though, you should not buy just any snacks. Sugary and sweet snacks will taste delicious but not provide you with the energy boost needed. Fulfilling and protein-packed snacks are especially important if you plan to spend all day outside exploring Reynisfjara black sand beach and hiking to Svartifoss waterfall, for example. Additionally, check out this list of Iceland hiking essentials to be sure you have everything necessary for hiking adventures.

Try to generally stick to snacks such as trail mix, assorted nuts, jerky, fruit, and veggies. However, Iceland does have a couple of chip flavors, including Doritos, different from those found in the U.S. (and I would assume other countries). I recommend trying them out because when will you have the chance again? Also, be sure to grab a couple of large bottles of water from the store. We drank a lot more water than we expected due to the fact we were outside all day and hiking A LOT. Be sure to stay hydrated!

Rainbow above Gullfoss

2) Car Phone Mount – Iceland Summer Packing List

If renting a car in Iceland, there are a lot of options. However, my boyfriend and I tried to find the cheapest one because Iceland is known to be expensiveeeee. That being said, we used our phones for navigation as the car did not have GPS.

I somehow miss turns all the time (yes, I will admit I struggle with following directions) when following google maps. The google maps audio is thus definitely not enough for me. I prefer to visually see the directions on my phone. No better way to do that than with a car mount that can be easily attached to the dashboard or front window. I packed my car phone mount from home in my backpack as it was fairly small and lightweight. 

Rainbow at the base of Skógafoss

3) Wifi / GPS

If planning to use your phone as your main navigational system (like we did), then you will need to purchase the wifi addition in your rental car. The charge is normally around $15 a day, which can definitely add up. However, not worrying about access to google maps is worth the extra expense in my opinion. If I had to do it again, I would still purchase the wifi addition. 

On the other hand, most rental car companies offer the option to rent a GPS. Otherwise, you can pack your own GPS from home.

4) Bluetooth Car Adapter

We also brought along our bluetooth car adapter from home for our road trip in Iceland. We knew our rental car would not have the capability of playing music from our phones, and we thus came prepared. Simply plug in this adapter to the cigarette outlet, connect your phone to the adapter using bluetooth, and then start playing music!

While we tried to be outside exploring as much as possible, we still did drive around the entire Ring Road. For example, we had some longer driving days as we made our way from the Myvatn Nature Baths in northern Iceland to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Singing along to music and listening to podcasts helped the time in the car go by a lot quicker. For example, you can look into audiobook options for one or more of these 39 books about Iceland.

Taking in the views of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

5) Car phone charger – Iceland Summer Packing List

There is nothing worse than exploring a new location, finding the perfect photo opportunity, and then having your phone die at the most crucial moment. For example, imagine your phone dies as you are about to take your first picture at the Blue Lagoon. Skip all the drama and instead pack a car phone charger. It is light and takes up little space, thus causing no major packing dilemmas. ALSO, the best thing about the charger linked previously is that it has not one but two charging ports. Just bring a charging cord and you are good to go. Also, this will be even more useful if you are using your phone for GPS and music, as that can drain the battery quickly.

6) Travel neck pillow

Last on the summer road trip packing list for Iceland is a travel neck pillow. Companies have taken this pillow to a whole new level. When most people think of a neck pillow for travel, they picture the pillows hanging in the gift shops at airports. However, there are so many different varieties now. You can purchase a travel pillow with memory foam, a pillow covering your entire head, and/or a pillow that is adjustable. Additionally, travel neck pillows are not only useful on airplanes but also in cars. Prop yourself up with a pillow and take a quick power nap while someone else drives for a while. 

Furthermore, a neck pillow will be a lifesaver if you plan to book a south coast tour or Golden Circle tour. Tour companies often offer hotel pick-up options from Reykjavík. If you are picked up first, then you do have to ride around on the bus while everyone else gets picked up. Why not take that time to score some extra sleep?

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Be sure to not miss these hidden gems while in Iceland: 4 Hidden Gems in Iceland.

Check out this beautiful hike to a basalt rock column canyon: Favorite Activity in Iceland: Hiking to Stuðlagil.