This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we've used ourselves.
Before visiting Iceland, know that it's visa-free for Singaporeans, almost entirely cashless, and expensive for food. The northern lights season runs from about September to mid-April, tap water is excellent, there's no tipping, the weather changes fast, and many sights now charge for parking. We first wrote this after our February 2018 trip and updated it after going back with our toddler in 2026.
1. No Visa Needed for Singaporeans
Iceland is in the Schengen Area, so Singapore passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check whether the EU's new ETIAS travel authorisation applies before you travel.
2. You Don't Need Cash
The currency is the Icelandic króna (ISK), but Iceland is almost entirely cashless. Cards and contactless work everywhere, even at farm shops and petrol pumps, so there's no need to change money. One catch: most petrol pumps are self-service and need a card PIN, so set one up before you fly if you're driving.
3. Don't Count on the Northern Lights
The northern lights season runs from about September to mid-April, when nights are dark enough. But don't place too much hope on seeing them: in our 5 nights in February 2018, we saw them only once, and on our 2026 autumn trip, the clouds never cleared. If the lights are your main goal, stay 7–10 nights to improve your chances, and check the aurora and cloud forecast on vedur.is. Cloud cover matters more than the Kp index.
4. Eating Out Is Expensive
Most food is imported, so restaurants are pricey. In 2018, we ate out twice, and each dinner cost about S$130–140 for two. Despite the cost, we tried some Icelandic food; read our Icelandic food to try. To save money, shop at Bónus (the pink pig) or Krónan supermarkets and cook some meals; that's what we did on both trips.
5. Tap Water Is Clean and Free
Icelandic tap water is excellent to drink. Bring your own bottle and refill it from the tap. Hot tap water may smell of sulphur because it's geothermal, but the cold water doesn't.
6. There Aren't Many Trees
Most of Iceland's original birch forest was cleared for farmland and firewood after settlement, and grazing sheep ate the seedlings so the trees couldn't grow back. Birch is the only native tree that forms forests. Today, reforestation projects are slowly bringing trees back, but the landscape is still mostly open moss, lava and grass.
7. There's No Bad Time to Visit
Peak season is summer (mid-June to August), with long days and milder weather. But there's plenty to do in every season, and prices are lower in winter. With a toddler, we found September the easiest month. Read our winter itinerary and our autumn trip with a toddler.
8. No Tipping Required
Service is included in prices in Iceland, so tipping isn't expected. I'm all for that! Once in Germany, a waitress gave us death stares because we were slow with the tip, and refused to come over when we waved; we ended up giving the tip to her colleague. I was a waitress in my school days, and I never gave bad service to diners who didn't tip. If service is expected, why not just add it to the bill?
9. The Weather Changes Dramatically
It can be clear today and a snowstorm tomorrow, especially in winter. Be prepared and leave plenty of buffer time. If you book tours, check the cancellation terms for bad weather. Check vedur.is (weather) and umferdin.is (roads) every morning.
10. Many Sights Now Charge for Parking
This is new since our 2018 trip. Entry to most natural sights is still free, but many popular ones charge about ISK 1,000 per car for parking, including Þingvellir, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Jökulsárlón and Reynisfjara. Pay on site, in the Parka app or at checkit.is.
🏨 Planning your trip? Compare Reykjavík hotels on Agoda, and get an Iceland/Europe eSIM for live road updates.
Iceland Travel FAQ
Do Singaporeans need a visa for Iceland?
No. Iceland is in the Schengen Area, and Singapore passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check whether the EU's ETIAS travel authorisation applies before you travel.
Do I need cash in Iceland?
Hardly ever. Iceland is almost entirely cashless: cards and contactless work everywhere, including farm shops and petrol pumps. Set up a PIN on your card for self-service petrol stations.
When can you see the northern lights in Iceland?
From about September to mid-April, when nights are dark enough. You need clear skies and some solar activity; check the aurora and cloud forecast on vedur.is. Stay longer to improve your chances.
Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?
Yes. Icelandic tap water is clean and excellent to drink, so bring a refillable bottle. Hot water can smell of sulphur, but the cold water doesn't.
First written after our February 2018 trip; updated as of October 2026. This post contains affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.