What currency is used in Reykjavík?

Reykjavík uses the Icelandic króna (ISK).

How much does a day in Reykjavík cost?

Roughly $90-140 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $200-320 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Reykjavík?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Reykjavík without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Reykjavík travel guide

Iceland

The world's northernmost capital is small, colourful and easy to walk. Most people use it as a base for glaciers, waterfalls and lava fields, but its pools and cafés are worth slowing down for.

Essentials

Language: Icelandic; English is spoken almost everywhere
Currency: Icelandic króna (ISK)
Plugs: Type C and F, 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Tipping: Not expected, as service is included in prices.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $90-140, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $200-320, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Reykjavík

Miðborg: the downtown around Laugavegur, with shops, bars and the Hallgrímskirkja church.
Vesturbær: a residential west side with a much-loved neighbourhood pool and quieter guesthouses.
Grandi: the old harbour district, with converted fish sheds, food halls and whale-watching boats.

Getting around Reykjavík

The centre is walkable, and Strætó city buses cover the rest; the Klappið app sells tickets. Beyond the city, you need a tour, a hire car or the limited long-distance buses.

Best time to visit Reykjavík

June to August for the midnight sun, or September to March for a chance of the northern lights.

Top things to do in Reykjavík

Ride the lift up the tower of Hallgrímskirkja for a view over the coloured rooftops
Soak in a geothermal public pool such as Sundhöllin or Vesturbæjarlaug alongside locals
Walk the seafront path from the Sun Voyager sculpture to Harpa concert hall
Head out from the Old Harbour on a whale-watching or puffin-spotting trip in season
Visit Perlan for its exhibits on glaciers and volcanoes and the viewing deck

What to eat in Reykjavík

Pylsa: an Icelandic hot dog, usually with crispy and raw onions and sweet mustard
Plokkfiskur: a comforting stew of mashed fish and potato
Kjötsúpa: a hearty lamb and root vegetable soup
Skyr: a thick, high-protein cultured dairy product eaten like yoghurt

Day trips from Reykjavík

The Golden Circle: Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir area and Gullfoss waterfall, a full day's loop by car or tour
The South Coast: the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, about two to two and a half hours' drive each way
The Reykjanes Peninsula: lava fields, geothermal areas and the Blue Lagoon, under an hour away

Local etiquette

Before entering any pool or lagoon, you must shower without a swimsuit using the soap provided; staff take this seriously. Stay on marked paths, as moss and fragile ground take decades to recover.

Staying connected

Síminn and Nova are among the networks selling prepaid SIMs, and eSIMs are easy to find; Wi-Fi is fast and nearly everywhere in town.

Staying safe

Crime is low, so the real risks are weather and terrain: check road and weather conditions before driving, and keep well back from the waves at black-sand beaches such as Reynisfjara. On the Reykjanes Peninsula, follow official guidance on volcanic activity and closed areas.

A local tip

Skip bottled water: Reykjavík's tap water is cold, clean and comes straight from the ground.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Reykjavík on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Reykjavík for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Reykjavík, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Reykjavík

What currency is used in Reykjavík?: Reykjavík uses the Icelandic króna (ISK).
What is the emergency number in Reykjavík?: In Reykjavík, call 112.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavík?: June to August for the midnight sun, or September to March for a chance of the northern lights.
How much does a day in Reykjavík cost?: Roughly $90-140 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $200-320 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Reykjavík?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Reykjavík without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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