Iceland travel guide for Canadians

Do Canadians need a visa for Iceland? No. As a Canadian citizen, you can enter Iceland without a visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies to all Schengen countries, so the same allowance covers your whole trip across Europe.

From 2026, you will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before you fly. It is not a visa, but it is required for visa-exempt travellers. Apply online before your trip; the process takes minutes and the authorisation is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. Check the ETIAS page for the exact start date and cost.

You need a passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area, and issued within the last ten years. Some airlines enforce these rules at check-in, so check your passport before booking.

You do not need a visa, but you may be asked at the border to show proof of onward travel, accommodation and sufficient funds for your stay. Have a return ticket and a hotel booking ready. The 90-day limit is per 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, not per country.

From 2026, ETIAS is required. It is linked to your passport, so renew your passport before applying. The authorisation is valid for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Canada does not have an embassy in Iceland. The nearest Canadian embassy is in Oslo, Norway, and it covers Iceland. For consular services such as passport renewal, emergency assistance or notarial services, contact the Embassy of Canada to Norway.

For urgent help while in Iceland, call the emergency number 112, or contact the Global Affairs Canada emergency watch and response centre in Ottawa, which operates 24/7. They can connect you with consular assistance.

Iceland is expensive by Canadian standards. A typical budget for a mid-range trip is CAD 250–350 per person per day, including accommodation, a hire car, meals and activities. Budget travellers can reduce this to CAD 150–200 by staying in hostels, cooking, and using public transport, while luxury trips can easily exceed CAD 500 per day.

Flights from Canada to Iceland cost roughly CAD 400–900 return from eastern cities like Toronto or Montreal, and more from western cities. The best deals are often in the shoulder seasons (May and September). Car hire starts around CAD 80–120 per day for a small car, and fuel is expensive. Tours and activities, such as glacier hikes or lagoon visits, typically cost CAD 100–250 per person.

Direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Reykjavík take about 5–6 hours. From western Canada, expect a longer journey, often with a connection in eastern Canada or Europe. Flight times vary with wind, so check the flight-time planner for your home city.

Iceland is in the GMT time zone (UTC+0) all year, with no daylight saving. From eastern Canada, the time difference is 4 hours ahead in winter and 4 hours ahead in summer (since Iceland does not observe DST). From western Canada, it is 7–8 hours ahead depending on the season.

Iceland uses plugs types C and F, the standard European two-round-pin plugs. The voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz. Canadian devices with flat two-pin plugs will need a plug adapter. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage, so they work with a simple adapter, but check the label on any device before plugging it in. If a device is rated only for 110–120 V, you will need a voltage converter.

Tipping is not expected in Iceland. Service charges are included in prices, and staff are paid a living wage. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip is appreciated but not required. Taxi drivers and tour guides do not expect tips either, though a small tip for exceptional service is fine. Credit cards are accepted everywhere, so you rarely need cash.

In an emergency, call 112 for police, fire or ambulance. For non-urgent medical help, call 1700. The emergency number works from any phone, including without a SIM card. For consular assistance, contact the Embassy of Canada to Norway in Oslo, or the Global Affairs Canada emergency watch and response centre in Ottawa, which operates 24/7.

This page is based on information from the Government of Canada travel advice, the Icelandic Directorate of Immigration, and the ETIAS official site. Verify details before booking, as rules can change.