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When to go · Iceland

Iceland in October

Good month. Auroras and fewer crowds; first storms and snow in the north.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
Medium
Iceland
Prices
Medium
Iceland

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Iceland

Auroras and fewer crowds; first storms and snow in the north.

Is another month better than October?

October is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in October

  • Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanescool

    Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

  • South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlóncool

    The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.

  • North and east · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordscool

    Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.

  • Highlands · Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölurcool

    F-roads open roughly late June to early September, dates set each year — check umferdin.is. Snow possible any month.

  • East Iceland: South-east coast (Höfn) · Sand and glacier shelf below Vatnajökullfine

    Wettest and windiest part of the region; fog and rain off the glacier are common even in July.

  • East Iceland: Hérað and the East Fjords · Inland around Lagarfljót and the fjord villagesfine

    Sheltered inland and among the warmest places in Iceland in summer; fjord villages are cooler and windier.

  • North Iceland: North Iceland coast · Akureyri, Skagafjörður, Mývatn, Húsavíkcool

    Colder and harsher than Reykjavík; winter storms can close roads. Midges around Mývatn in summer — check.

  • South Iceland: South coast · Þorlákshöfn to Höfnfine

    Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.

  • Southwest Iceland: Reykjavík and the Reykjanes coast · capital area and peninsulafine

    Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), winter near 0–3 °C (32–37 °F). Rain and wind change within hours.

  • West Iceland: Snæfellsnes and the coast · West Icelandfine

    May–Sep is the practical window; winter brings wind, ice and short daylight. The peninsula sticks into the Atlantic, so expect wind year-round.

  • Westfjords: Westfjords coast · Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, fjord villagescool

    Short summer window Jun–Aug; wind and rain any month. Mountain roads and passes can close for months outside summer.

  • Reykjavík7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 17 rain days
  • Akureyri7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days
  • Arnarstapi8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days
  • Blue Lagoon8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days
  • Borgarnes7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 15 rain days
  • Egilsstaðir6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 14 rain days
  • Eyrarbakki8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 15 rain days
  • Fossholl7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Hafnarfjörður7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days
  • Hella7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days
  • Hellissandur7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 16 rain days
  • Höfn7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 14 rain days
  • Húsavík7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Hveragerði7 °C (45 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ísafjörður6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 18 rain days
  • Keflavík9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days
  • Kirkjubæjarklaustur7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 15 rain days
  • Kópavogur7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days
  • Mývatn6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days
  • Raufarhöfn6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Selfoss9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Seyðisfjörður7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 15 rain days
  • Siglufjörður8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days
  • Skagafjörður8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days
  • Skógar8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 11 rain days
  • Stokkseyri8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 14 rain days
  • Stykkishólmur8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • Súðavík7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days
  • Suðureyri6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 17 rain days
  • Vestmannaeyjar7 °C (45 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 15 rain days
  • Vík í Mýrdal7 °C (45 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 16 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Reykjavík International Film Festival check

    Late September to early October (check) · Reykjavík

    Screenings and Q&As; book tickets early.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Iceland
Medium
Prices · Iceland
Medium

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Iceland, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Oct: Good

    Jun: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Oct: Medium

    Jun: High

  • Prices

    Oct: Medium

    Jun: High

  • Festivals listed

    Oct: 1

    Jun: 3

October: Auroras and fewer crowds; first storms and snow in the north.

June: Near-constant light, open roads, National Day on the 17th; highland roads open late in the month.

Iceland: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in October

Rated best or good this month

  • Akureyri

    Best months: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights

  • Höfn

    Best months: Jun–Aug for the Ring Road and midnight light; Feb–Mar and Oct–Mar for ice caves

  • Vík í Mýrdal

    Best months: May–Sep for the full road and long daylight; Feb–Mar and Oct for ice caves with a guide