Budget & Costs
Iceland is one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world. Prices are significantly higher than in Germany — expect to pay twice to three times as much for food and drinks. However, with the right strategy, Iceland can also be explored on a smaller budget.
Daily budget per person
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 80–120€ | Camping/Hostel | Self-catering | Camping van |
| Budget | 120–180€ | Guesthouse | Mix cooking/eating out | Rental car (small) |
| Mid-range | 180–300€ | 3★ Hotel | Restaurants | Rental car (comfort) |
| Comfort | 300–500€ | 4★ Hotel/Boutique | Fine dining | SUV + tours |
| Luxury | 500€+ | 5★ Design Hotel | Fine dining | Super Jeep tours |
Price examples (2025/2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hotdog (Pylsur) at the stand | 590 ISK (approx. 4€) |
| Soup in a café | 2,500–3,500 ISK (17–23€) |
| Main course in a restaurant | 4,000–7,000 ISK (27–47€) |
| Beer in a restaurant (0.5l) | 1,500–2,000 ISK (10–13€) |
| Cappuccino | 700–900 ISK (5–6€) |
| Gasoline (per liter) | 350–400 ISK (2.30–2.70€) |
| Rental car per day (small) | 8,000–15,000 ISK (53–100€) |
| Rental car per day (4x4) | 20,000–40,000 ISK (133–267€) |
| Blue Lagoon (Comfort) | 12,990 ISK (approx. 87€) |
| Glacier hike (3h) | 15,000–20,000 ISK (100–133€) |
| Campsite per person | 2,000–3,000 ISK (13–20€) |
| Hostel bed | 6,000–10,000 ISK (40–67€) |
| Double room in a guesthouse | 20,000–35,000 ISK (133–233€) |
| Double room in a 4★ hotel | 40,000–70,000 ISK (267–467€) |
💡 Tipp
The biggest money-saving tip for Iceland: Cook for yourself! The Bonus supermarket is the cheapest. Buy alcohol at Duty-Free at Keflavík Airport — a beer in restaurants costs 10–13€. And use the Camping Card (about 200€ for 28 nights at 40+ campsites) — it dramatically reduces accommodation costs.
