The number of tourists who travel to Iceland from the UK is absolutely staggering. In fact, almost 300 000 British Nationals go through the international arrivals gates of Keflavik Airport each year.
The reasons why travel from the UK to Iceland is so popular are many and we’ll be discussing them and everything else you need to know if you’re thinking of planning a trip to the island.
Why are There so Many Who Travel to Iceland from the UK?
Travel from the UK to Iceland is on the increase and for good reason. These are some of the reasons why Iceland might also end up being your favorite destination soon:
Breathtaking Views and Astounding Natural Wonders
Iceland is probably one of the most beautiful and interesting countries you’ll ever visit. The Land of Fire and Ice truly lives up to its name and there are plenty of photo ops soaking in a natural hot spring, hiking to a volcano, or riding a snowmobile over a glistening glacier.
Definitely not things you get to experience within a 400 km radius as you do here on the island.
Location
This amazing country is practically on the UK’s front doorstep! Just to give you an idea; Scotland is just 800 km away from Iceland! To put this into perspective, Scotland is 1200km away from France.
So why would you not visit a country with so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that are so close to you? Flights from London to Iceland take about 3 hours and flying from Edinburgh takes just a little over 2 hours.
Cheap Flights
They say “distance makes the heart grow fonder”, well, distance also makes flight tickets more expensive. That’s why plane tickets to Iceland are incredibly cheap compared to some of the other popular holiday destinations.
Depending on the season, of course, you can get away with a direct flight that costs you under £150!
A Currency That Works in Your Favour
The Pound may have experienced a few setbacks in the past couple of years, but when you travel to Iceland from the UK you’ll still be in the pound seats (pun intended). £1 will get you almost kr200!
There’s no Language Barrier
It doesn’t matter how much you love anime and karaoke, visiting Japan is inevitably going to lead to you getting lost in a tube station and having to play some form of Charades to buy something particular at the shop. In Iceland you don’t have this problem as 99% of the population can understand and speak English.
Useful information on travelling from UK to Iceland and travel requirements
There are a few questions that we have identified as the most frequently asked questions. We have tried to answer them all:
Are There Any Travel Rules or Restrictions to Iceland from the UK?
Due to the island being so heavily reliant on tourism, Iceland made quite a controversial decision not to shut its borders to foreign travelers during the pandemic.
They did, however, implement certain travel rules and restrictions such as testing to safeguard passengers and visitors. But, since February 2022, all of these rules have fallen away and all restrictions have been lifted.
Can I Travel to Iceland from the UK Without a Visa?
As part of the Schengen agreement, UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Iceland and they can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. In other words, once you’ve entered Iceland visa-free you must return to your home country within 90 days. You will then only be able to return once your 180-day period has lapsed. If you want to return quicker or stay longer you’ll need the appropriate visa to do so.
What Do I Need to Travel to Iceland from the UK?
Travel requirements when going to Iceland from the UK are very few. If you are planning on staying within the 90-day Schengen grace period, you’ll only need a return flight ticket and a valid passport that doesn’t expire ‘till at least 3 months after your return flight date.
Which Airline Should I Use?
That will 100% depend on you and your personal preferences, your budget, and where you’ll be flying from. You can catch direct flights to Iceland from London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, and Newcastle via Icelandair, Play, Jet2, Wizzair UK, easyjet, and British Airways.
Helpful Travel Tips When Traveling from the UK to Iceland
Create Your Iceland Bucket List and Do Your Research. All seasons have their drawbacks, but none are as disappointing as not being able to do or see the very reason for visiting a country in the first place.
For example, if you’ve got the Northern Lights on your to-do list, the chances of you seeing this phenomenon in the middle of summer are practically zero.
If you want to experience a Midnight Sun you can’t just visit the island any time during the summer. You can only experience this phenomenon to its full extent during June. Want to see the Puffins? Then it’s not going to help you to book a trip in February.
Just because you don’t need a visa to travel to Iceland from the UK doesn’t mean that other general travel practices should be left by the wayside. For example, it’s still essential that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance. Especially if you’re planning on an adventurous trip to Iceland where you’ll be playing on the edges of volcanoes or hiking over glaciers.
If you’re planning on visiting during the warmer months with exceptionally long daylight hours and you’re a light or sensitive sleeper, you’ll need to prep. Bring along a sleep mask and some cherry tea and set reminders for when you need to go to bed as many find it hard to adapt to the lit nights.
Keep in mind that you need to dress in layers when you’re packing for your trip. There’s a local saying on the island that says “you can experience all four seasons in a day in Iceland”. This unpredictability and the difference in temperature between the outdoors and indoors warrants dressing in various layers of clothing that you can take off when hot or put on when cold.
Bring a raincoat no matter the season. Not only will it protect you against any possible showers, but it comes in very handy when visiting the waterfalls. Many who visit underestimate these powerful water displays, and end up looking like drenched cats in their photographs due to the mist and spray.
Take the (Short) Leap and Travel to Iceland from the UK
Iceland is not only one of the most beautiful and unique places you’ll ever visit, but it’s also conveniently located, very affordable, and doesn’t require much travel admin. Instead of asking why you should visit Iceland, you should rather be asking why not? So take the (short) leap and travel to Iceland. Hope to see you soon!