Iceland: The perfect place for solo travel

Yes. We understand that safety is often a greater concern for solo female travelers and non-binary people. We hope that Iceland’s ranking as the safest country in the world gives you some peace of mind.

Other statistics point to a similar theme. Iceland scored position number 4 in the 2023 edition of the global Women Peace and Security Index, which ranks 177 countries in terms of women’s inclusion, justice, and security.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are hallmarks of Icelandic society. The country is recognized as one of the leading LGBTQ+-friendly places in the world.

You can travel solo to Iceland confident that you'll likely be free from the nuisances and harassment you might meet when traveling alone in some other parts of the world.

The quickest way to get around Iceland as a solo traveler is by taking advantage of the country’s domestic flight network. With Icelandair, you can fly from Reykjavik Airport (RKV) to destinations in the east (Egilsstaðir), the Westfjords (Ísafjörður), and the north (Akureyri). Flying cross-country is ideal for travelers who want to explore more of Iceland but are short on time, since most domestic flights take only 45 minutes.

Hiring a car and driving is another excellent way to experience Iceland – the country has road-tripping scenery that’s out of this world. But car hire and fuel costs can add up if there’s no-one to share the expense.

There are budget-friendly options for solo travel in Iceland, too. Some tourists choose to hire a campervan to combine the costs of transport and accommodation. Alternatively, you can hire a car and take camping equipment with you, but this is seasonally dependent.

Car-pooling – via a ride-sharing website – is another option that's popular among locals and travelers. You can post that you’re looking for a ride, or that you're driving and looking for passengers to share the costs.

We know Iceland has a reputation for being an expensive place to travel, solo or not. But: It doesn’t have to be! The stunning nature and hiking trails are free. The gorgeous landscapes are ubiquitous.

You’ve probably heard about the array of fancy lagoons that make great use of Iceland’s geothermal water, but there are hundreds of public swimming pools all over the country that are an economical way to tap into the local scene.

Buying groceries and cooking for yourself while staying in camping grounds or hostels is another cost-effective way to travel in Iceland solo, with the bonus of being great for meeting fellow travelers.

Check our blog on free and cheap things to do in Reykjavík for other ideas.

You may be looking to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the solitude – and Iceland has plenty of space for that. However, if you want to meet locals, you can! We’re a friendly bunch. It's easy enough to join the locals in the swimming pools, or in cafes and bars.

There are plenty of ways to meet fellow travelers, too. There are benefits to booking onto tours and excursions, including the comfort of being in a group if you’re a bit nervous about being alone, meeting other solo travelers, or simply exploring the sights with knowledge and insights from a local expert. Excursions like this northern lights tour – with a smaller group size and a more intimate setting – are great for adding to your Iceland solo travel itinerary.

Alternatively, if you simply want to meet other solo travelers, there are apps such as Backpackr where you can connect with people who want to see and do the same things as you.

We hope you feel inspired to travel to Iceland alone. We're ready to welcome you and make you feel at home.

Start planning by checking out our flights from the US to Iceland – then select some of your favorite day tours to build an itinerary you won't forget.