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By Monika

Best Apps for Iceland – What I Use, Love and Recommend!

Iceland is one of my favorite (if not THE favorite!) places to visit but if you’re planning your trip now, you probably noticed that there are some things you should be mindful of – like the weather, road closures and safety alerts, parking payments, gas stations…

The list is quite long and it’s easy to get a bit confused or overwhelmed.

How do you monitor and check all those things?

Don’t worry! I have a list of super helpful apps for Iceland that will make these daily checks a breeze.  

I’ve used most of them for all my trips – I discovered some handy new ones after my last visit so I’ll be testing them during my upcoming Iceland adventure and will be sure to report back!

Some apps are truly essential and will likely become part of your daily routine while you’re there. Others are simply good to have to make exploring Iceland a lot easier.

So here is my list of the best apps for Iceland, from must-have tools you’ll use every day to a few extras that are worth downloading just in case. 

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Essential safety apps

These apps are super important to have – they will not only help you plan your activities but will also help keep you safe.

They all have corresponding websites, but it is a lot easier to just click on the app.

Helpful hint: enable notifications on your phone from the safety and weather apps in this section. It’s the best way to stay informed about the weather changes, road conditions and get any safety alerts immediately after they are issued.

Safety app: Safetravel Iceland

This is the app for all-around safety in Iceland. It will list any safety warnings (like the recent Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach collapse or volcanic activity), road closures and weather alerts.

It also has a great feature in the “hiking” section where you can request assistance and check in with your location to help the rescuers find you in case of emergency.

The other feature that is especially good for solo travelers, but is helpful to all visitors, is the option to submit a travel plan.

It is not available in the app itself but if you click the menu and scroll down to “website,” you’ll be redirected to the main page, where you can scroll again to “Travel plans”. Just provide your travel information by filling out a short form and head out on your adventure knowing that if you don’t reach your scheduled stop, someone will start looking for you!

Weather app: Vedur

Please don’t check the weather forecast for Iceland on the standard weather app like AccuWeather or a built-in phone app. They are extremely unreliable!

Use Vedur instead, and you’ll get an accurate hourly forecast for each region. You’ll also get notifications of any weather alerts issued.

The most common alert for summer travel is a wind warning – please pay attention!

If you’re not sure if it’s safe to drive, contact your car rental company (they typically send emails with their safety recommendations if an alert is issued) or ask a local (like a hotel employee or your guesthouse host)

Helpful hint: Vedur also has an “Aurora” section so you can check your chances of seeing the Northern Lights there!

READ MORE: How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Road status app: Road.is

This is where you’ll get the most updated information about the road conditions, closures and passability.

Check it before you head out to explore – particularly if you’re visiting in the winter months or if you’re planning to visit the Highlands in the summer.

READ MORE: Driving in Iceland – Essential Tips for a Great Road Trip.

Emergency app: 112 Iceland

Iceland’s emergency phone number is 112

If you find yourself in an accident or another difficult situation, this app will make it easier to contact emergency services and get you help quickly.

Just tap the “Call 112” button and you’ll be connected, while at the same time your location is being shared with the operator.

This is the one app that I hope you’ll download and never have to use, but it’s good to be prepared.

Parking

Most natural attractions in Iceland are free but they have a parking fee. Some sites have a sign with a QR code to scan and make the payment, some have pay stations/kiosks but a vast majority can be paid via a parking app.

The two most popular apps are Parka.is and EasyPark.

Download them before you arrive or as soon as you pick up your rental car. It’s best to create an account – that way you won’t have to input all your information each time you have to pay.

Just remember to clear your information and delete the account when you return your car.

Helpful hint: if you’re planning to camp, the Parka app can also be used to reserve and pay for some campsites. 

READ MORE: Renting a Car in Iceland – How to Choose the Right Car for Your Trip.

Transportation/navigation

These apps will help you move around Iceland with ease.

Google Maps

Even though it’s pretty difficult to get lost when traveling on the Ring Road, you should have a navigation app to direct you to all the amazing attractions during your trip.

There are many different apps you can use, but I found Google Maps reliable and quite accurate.

Helpful hint: always verify which roads the app takes you through – it may choose the shortest route, taking you on the F-roads, which are not suitable for 2WD cars, OR through a steep mountain pass that you may not be a fan of.  (read this post to find how we avoided it!)

Important: drive times given by any navigation app should only be treated as a guideline – you should always allow more time for your drives.

Klappið

This app will help you check the schedules, prices and buy tickets for the local Strætó buses, both in the city and for the countryside routes.

Hreyfill

If you need to take a taxi in Reykjavik and the Reykjanes area (including the airport), use the local Icelandic companies, like Hreyfill.

Use the app to easily reserve your ride without having to make calls.

Helpful hint: as an alternative, you can also ask your hotel to book you a reliable taxi ride. That’s what I did during my stopover in Iceland – I stayed at a hostel near the airport and they arranged my taxi to and from the terminal.

Hopp

There is no Uber in Iceland but you can use this app to reserve a taxi for a short trip around Reykjavik or use a car-sharing service.

You can also rent a scooter to use in the city.

Convenience

The apps in this section are not essential, but can be very helpful.

Bensin

You know the unspoken rule in Iceland – never let your gas gauge drop below half.

The more remote area of Iceland you’re traveling to, the more this rule matters, as gas stations may be spread further apart than you think.

This app will find the gas stations in your area and even give you prices!

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➡️ Need a rental car? Book from two of the top local Icelandic rental car companies – Blue Car Rental or Lava Car Rental – with an instant 5% discount. No promo code needed!

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Flush

Restrooms in Iceland are not available near all attractions and you won’t find them as easily along the Ring Road as you may have experienced in other parts of Europe.

This Flush Toilet Finder app will help you locate public restrooms near you so you can plan your stops.

📲 Get the app: just type “FLUSH” into your app store search bar

Google translate

Always good to have but comes especially handy in a grocery stores, where the names of the products are only in Icelandic!

Unit converter app

These apps are useful when traveling to Europe in general to convert temperature, distances, currency and more.

I’ve been using Unit Converter HD for a while, and I like it, but there are tons of different ones to choose from.

Just see what works best for you.

Things to do & food

The apps in this section will help you find the Northern Lights, things to do in Iceland and nice places to eat.

Aurora Forecast

If you’re traveling to Iceland between September and March/April and want to see the Northern Lights, install an Aurora app of your choice.

I personally like My Aurora Forecast app, but there are many others you can use.

READ MORE: How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

Iceland Travel by TripBucket

This app will help you get an overview of Iceland’s main attractions, things to do and places to visit near you. It’s not super detailed but still helpful.

📲 Get the app: for iPhone and Android

Kringum

Are you done with your plan for the day and still have time to explore?

That’s when Kringum app comes in handy – just open it, and it will find things to do near you, along with distances and directions and even stories and legends from that particular area. Pretty cool, right?

📲 Get the app:  https://www.kringum.is/

Handpicked Iceland by Picky Local

Perfect for foodies!

Find places to eat, drink and even shop recommended by a group of locals – great if you’re looking for an authentic dining or shopping experience!

Want a truly unique dining experience in Iceland? Book a table at Friðheimar Tomato Farm – you’ll love it!

Good to have

These apps are good to have to get updates about essential aspects of your trip, like flights and hotels, as well as to communicate with tour companies, hotels, etc.

Airline app

 It is the best way to get updates and reminders about your flights

WhatsApp

Europe loves this app and it’s their most popular communicator app 

GetYourGuide or Viator

Great to keep track of any activities booked on these platforms – they store your tickets, send reminders and messages from tour companies.

Accommodation booking app

Download the apps for whichever booking platform/s you used to reserve your accommodations. Like with the fights, this is the best way to stay updated and communicate with the hosts.

How do you get data to use all your apps?

There are two convenient ways to stay connected in Iceland.

Option 1

Rent a portable hotspot from your car rental company – especially convenient if you travel as a group. You can usually connect unlimited devices.

That’s what we did for all our trips to Iceland.

Option 2

Install an eSim, like  Airalo and Saily or Sim Local. 

They provide data packages and even calling plans if needed.

Use promo code PLANPACK to unlock your 5% discount!

Are you ready to plan your trip?

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

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