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Iceland eSIM
9 data plans · from $3.99 · one-tap install by email
Choose your plan
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
9 data plans · from $3.99 · one-tap install by email
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
Buy →
Connects automatically to the strongest signal across Nova, Síminn.
Setup
Set up your eSIM before you travel — it takes about a minute. Scan once, switch it on when you arrive, and you’re online.
On iPhone (iOS)
On Android
11 plans for Iceland, from 3 to 50 GB. Validity runs from 1 day to 180 days. 10 of them run on 5G where the local network has it.
7 plans can be topped up without installing a second eSIM. Plans run on Nova, Síminn.
Counted from our live catalogue, not a marketing figure — the plan list above this section is the same data.
No regional bundle covers Iceland — a single-country plan is the only option here, which is usually the cheaper one anyway.
A travel eSIM for Iceland is a digital SIM your phone downloads — no plastic card, no airport pickup counter. You buy online, tap the install link we email you (a QR code is included too), and it installs a second line alongside your existing SIM. It stays dormant until you arrive in Iceland, then connects automatically to Nova, Síminn on 5G where available and LTE everywhere else. Your home number keeps working for calls and texts; the eSIM simply carries your data.
Maps, messaging and rideshare apps are light — roughly 300–500 MB a day. Add photos, social and the occasional video and you’re closer to 1 GB a day. For a one-week trip a 5 GB plan is comfortable; for two weeks, sharing, or heavy use, choose 10 GB or more, or a reloadable plan you can top up on the go. Iceland plans start at $3.99 across 9 sizes, with the per-GB price shown on every one so the right choice is obvious.
No. A travel eSIM for Iceland is a local data plan, not international roaming — you pay the price you see up front, with no per-megabyte bill from your home carrier. Set the eSIM as your data line and switch data roaming off on your home SIM, and there are no surprises when you get home. Full refund any time before you install, so there’s no risk in buying ahead.
Hákarl (Fermented Shark)
Greenland shark that has been cured with a fermentation process and hung to dry for months.
Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum or local supermarkets
Pylsur (Icelandic Hot Dog)
A hot dog made mostly of Icelandic lamb, served with sweet mustard, raw and crispy onions, and remoulade.
Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur in Reykjavik
Skyr
A traditional cultured dairy product, similar to Greek yogurt but milder, thicker, and technically a soft cheese.
Supermarkets, cafes, and breakfast buffets nationwide
Iceland connectivity guide
Iceland is that rare destination where buying a local SIM is genuinely easy — no passport, no registration, prepaid SIMs sold anonymously in airport convenience stores — so an honest guide has to make a different case. The search for the best eSIM for Iceland is really about landing already connected for the drive, paying in your own currency, and not discovering at Keflavík that your phone is locked to your home carrier. This guide covers the networks, the Highlands and the F-roads, what a road trip consumes, and the one group of travellers who may not need any of it.
Read the full Iceland guide →Plokkfiskur (Fish Stew)
A comforting traditional stew made of boiled fish, potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce.
Þrír Frakkar in Reykjavik
Kjötsúpa (Meat Soup)
A hearty, clear soup made with Icelandic lamb and root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and rutabaga.
Gullfoss Cafe or local roadside diners
Rúgbrauð (Geyser Bread)
A dense, dark, and sweet rye bread traditionally baked in a pot buried in the ground near a hot spring.
Laugarvatn Fontana or local bakeries
Harðfiskur (Dried Fish)
Wind-dried fish, usually cod or haddock, eaten as a snack often with a thick layer of Icelandic butter.
Kolaportið Flea Market or supermarkets
Icelandic Lamb
Free-roaming lamb known for its tender texture and mild flavor, often served roasted.
Fiskmarkaðurinn in Reykjavik
Snúður
A large, soft cinnamon roll typically covered in chocolate, caramel, or sugar glaze.
Brauð & Co in Reykjavik
Brennivín
A clear, unsweetened schnapps known as 'Black Death', flavored with caraway.
Local bars and the Keflavik Airport duty-free
Blue LagoonGrindavík
Soak in milky-blue geothermal seawater surrounded by a lava field.
2-4 hours · book ahead
Gullfoss WaterfallGolden Circle
Witness the immense power of this iconic two-tiered waterfall plunging into a deep canyon.
1-2 hours
Thingvellir National ParkGolden Circle
Walk between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and see the site of the world's first parliament.
2-3 hours
Geysir Geothermal AreaGolden Circle
Watch the active Strokkur geyser erupt every few minutes, shooting boiling water up to 30 meters high.
1 hour
Jökulsárlón Glacier LagoonVatnajökull National Park
See massive, luminous blue icebergs floating in a glacial lake before drifting out to the ocean.
2-3 hours · book ahead
Reynisfjara Black Sand BeachVík
Marvel at the dramatic basalt columns, towering sea stacks, and striking black volcanic sand.
1-2 hours
SkógafossSouth Coast
Get up close to one of Iceland's largest and most beautiful waterfalls, often producing vivid rainbows.
1 hour
HallgrímskirkjaReykjavík
Enjoy panoramic views of the colorful capital city from the tower of this striking, expressionist church.
1 hour
DettifossNorth Iceland
Experience the raw power of the most powerful waterfall in Europe by volume of water.
1-2 hours
KirkjufellSnæfellsnes Peninsula
Photograph the uniquely shaped 'Church Mountain', one of the most iconic and photographed spots in Iceland.
1 hour
Rental Car
Rent a vehicle at the airport or in Reykjavik to drive the Ring Road or explore at your own pace.
$60-$150+ per day
Domestic Flights
Fly out of Reykjavik Domestic Airport to destinations like Akureyri or Egilsstaðir.
$70-$150 one way
Public Bus (Strætó)
Yellow buses connect the capital area and run scheduled routes around the country.
$4 per local ride, varies for long distance
Tour Coaches
Book day trips or multi-day tours starting from Reykjavik to major regions.
$70-$200+ per day
Ride-hailing
Not available — use taxis or public transport
Uber and Lyft do not operate in Iceland. You must rely on traditional taxis, buses, or rental cars.
Paying for things
Basics
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Most businesses, shops, and tour operators are closed or have limited hours. |
| First Day of Summer | First Thursday after April 18 | A national holiday with local parades and events; minor closures. |
| Icelandic National Day | June 17 | Major celebrations, parades in Reykjavik, many shops and offices closed. |
| Commerce Day | First Monday in August | Major travel weekend for locals, high demand for campsites and domestic flights. |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Almost everything is closed, including restaurants and supermarkets. |
| Boxing Day | December 26 | Most businesses remain closed; public transport on holiday schedule. |
Recurring dates — the day these fall on moves year to year.