Introduction to Iceland (with Northern Lights Experience)

Iceland had always felt like a faraway dream—an icy, untamed wonderland—but taking the leap and traveling alone made it even more exhilarating. This series of blogs will help you plan your winter trip to Iceland not just solo but even if you’re traveling in a group or with family. Join me on my solo journey through Iceland — from gleaming white snow to the magic of the Northern Lights. A raw, heartfelt travel diary full of quiet awe and unforgettable moments.

Why did I choose Iceland?

Iceland is a land of extremes—fire and ice, darkness and light, isolation and warmth. It’s also one of the safest and most solo-friendly countries in the world. My decision to visit was driven by a mix of wanderlust, a longing to witness the Northern Lights, and a desire to challenge myself in a new environment.

Iceland is also special in ways few places are. It’s a land where nature still rules, where waterfalls crash from sheer cliffs, glaciers stretch endlessly, and volcanoes quietly smolder beneath the surface. The country’s name might suggest endless snow, but Iceland’s climate is milder than expected, thanks to the Gulf Stream. Summers bring long daylight hours—midnight sun and glowing landscapes. Winters are darker but magical, offering the best chance to see the aurora borealis.

As a solo woman traveller, safety and peace of mind are everything — and Iceland is consistently ranked one of the safest and happiest countries in the world. I wanted a place where I could roam freely, feel safe walking alone, and experience quiet joy — Iceland gave me all that and more.

But even before landing here, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The idea of navigating a country with extreme weather, high costs, and vast open spaces alone was daunting. Would I be lonely? Would I feel safe? But as I arrived, all my worries started fading. Iceland, with its welcoming people and breathtaking scenery, had a way of making me feel both small and invincible at the same time. Every day was a new adventure, and the freedom of traveling at my own pace made the experience even more special.

Why Iceland in Winter?

Many travellers dream of Iceland in the summer, with its endless daylight and lush green landscapes, but winter in Iceland offers a completely different kind of magic. The country transforms into a snowy wonderland, where waterfalls freeze into stunning ice sculptures, glaciers stretch under the soft glow of limited daylight, and black sand beaches contrast beautifully against the white snow.

One of the biggest reasons to visit Iceland in winter is the Northern Lights. The long, dark nights create the perfect conditions to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon. There’s nothing quite like standing in the middle of a vast, icy landscape as the sky lights up with vibrant greens and purples.

Winter also brings fewer tourists, making it easier to experience Iceland’s breathtaking sights in solitude. Popular attractions like the Golden Circle and the South Coast feel more peaceful, and the country’s dramatic landscapes seem even more mystical under a blanket of snow. While the cold can be intense, the beauty of Iceland in winter is truly worth braving the chill. My trip was in early March and there couldn’t be a better week in terms of weather. Every day the sun was out with clear blue skies and what I heard from the locals including tour guides, that’s VERY rare for Iceland. The winds were mild and temperatures rarely went below zero in the day. The week before my travel was terrible with bad storms leading to a lot of road closures. Glad that I hit a jackpot with the weather here. The period between November and February is very tricky with frequent storms so March is still a better bet if you wish to visit in winter.

How to Move Around in Iceland in Winter?

Getting around Iceland in winter requires some planning due to unpredictable weather and icy roads. Here are the best ways to navigate the country:

• Guided Tours: Since I wasn’t renting a car, guided tours were my best option for exploring. Many companies offer Northern Lights hunts, Golden Circle tours, and even multi-day excursions to the South Coast and beyond. This is the safest and most convenient way to see Iceland in winter without worrying about road conditions.

• Public Transport: Public transport is very limited outside Reykjavik. The city has an efficient bus system, but to visit natural attractions, a rental car or guided tour is necessary. For moving within Reykjavík, I used the yellow buses run by Strætó. You can take advantage by the weekly capping system. With fare capping, you never pay more than 3 rides per day or 9 per week with an adult ticket.

• Airport Transfers: The easiest way to get from Keflavík International Airport to Reykjavik is via the Flybus or other shuttle services. Taxis are expensive and not commonly used.

• Renting a Car: If you are comfortable driving in snowy and icy conditions, renting a car can give you flexibility. However, winter storms can make roads treacherous, especially outside Reykjavik. Always check road conditions and weather forecasts before setting out. Use the app/ website Safe Travel to keep an eye on real time driving conditions.

• Domestic Flights: For those wanting to explore farther regions like the Westfjords or Akureyri, domestic flights are available and can be a good alternative to long winter drives. In winters, however, the weather conditions and accessibility of these places are not the best.

Pro-tip: My advice is to go with the guided tours esp. if you’re coming in winter and traveling solo. You will enjoy sitting back, enjoying the views while the driver and guides worry about taking you around. You also end up meeting new people and knowing a lot more about the country and the places vis-à-vis if you’re traveling by yourself with a car.

How to reach the city centre?

I flew to Reykjavík from Copenhagen via a morning flight and landed by afternoon which gave me plenty of time to do all this. Like I mentioned, Flybus is the easiest way to get from the KEF airport to the bus terminal in Reykjavík. Note that the main international airport - KEF Keflavik Airport is located in the Reykjanes peninsula, about 50 km from Reykjavik city centre. Don’t confuse it with Reykjavík Airport which is the domestic hub of Icelandair flights. If you’re staying in a hotel in city centre, you can see if any of the drop locations include your hotel when you select the destination on Flybus website. Nevertheless, you may select a drop location closest to your accommodation and a smaller bus will take you there from the bus terminal.

How many days are enough?

Iceland is not a huge country but you need at least 10 days in summer to cover the famous 1322 km (820 miles) Ring Road. Most journeys start in Reykjavik, the capital and heart of Icelandic culture. It’s a small city with a big personality—artsy, colorful, and welcoming. From here, many travelers explore the popular Golden Circle route, which includes Þingvellir National Park, the powerful Gullfoss waterfall, and the erupting geysers.

But there’s so much more. The South Coast is dotted with black sand beaches, glacier lagoons, and thundering waterfalls like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss. Further east, you’ll find the surreal beauty of Vatnajökull National Park. Head north to experience Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city, and the lesser-explored Diamond Circle. And in the West, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is often called “Iceland in Miniature” because it offers a little bit of everything. But in winter, it is advisable to centre your sightseeing only in the west and south parts of Iceland due to favourable weather conditions. I spent total 7 nights and covered almost all the major attractions with plenty of time to spend in Reykjavik too.

Reykjavik Arrival

The day I arrive at any place, is the day I need to get my bearings- buy grocery, unpack and organise my stuff in my room, chat with the host if I’m staying in an Airbnb, get their suggestions for things to do, explore the neighbourhood etc.

I stayed at an Airbnb for 7 nights in Reykjavík. You can see the listing here. It was a cozy place with room size enough for me. The host Jon was a delight to interact with. He was very helpful and responsive throughout my stay and we exchanged notes on our respective lives in India and Iceland. No two countries can be as different as these. I could feel the contrast in every single thing. And the reason why I love staying in homestays and B&Bs is the conversation you can have with people which is priceless. He had another female guest in the next room who was Danish and we had such fun chats every day when we met after coming back from tours. Wish I could spend more time with these two!

As a ritual, on day one of my arrival, I stocked up on essentials like groceries and snacks from nearby supermarkets like Bónus or Krónan. Don’t even think of eating out every day in Iceland, unless you have an unlimited budget. The country is one of the most expensive places in the world even for the locals and they too, don’t eat out often. There are quite a few amazing bakeries and food options here, esp if you’re a non-vegetarian and love seafood. But restrict them to a few times as cost of food can quickly add up. A word on cash and currency- Iceland, esp the main tourists spots including Reykjavík, is completely cash-free. I didn’t have to use cash at all- for 7 days I was completely dependent on my credit card.

Northern Lights Tour

I reserved my first night in Iceland for a northern lights tour simply because most of these tours offer unlimited retries in case you don’t spot the lights the first time. The earlier you book these tours in your trip, the more retries you will get. I chose the company Aurora Viking (Tour price- ISK 17,910) for this after reading reviews and researching for several hours. There are so many companies in Iceland for day and northern lights tours that you WILL get confused in your planning stage. I made a list of all these companies and sorted by their reviews and ratings alongwith the inclusions in these tours. My non-negotiable was a smaller group rather than the big bus tours for a more intimate experience. They cost more but they’re totally worth the price. My idea was to be able to interact with the guides, drivers & fellow travellers on these tours and big bus tours rarely provide that opportunity. The guides in a smaller group tour go above and beyond to make sure they make every effort to chase the lights. My tour was scheduled at 9 pm and I got picked from a nearby hotel stop. Our guide was extremely engaging and informative about the northern lights phenomenon. I enjoyed my chats with him, he was very kind and friendly. As we progressed further into the night, we became more hopeful with the clear skies and darker skies. We were taken to the lake Kleifarvatn and even in the dark, I could see the snowy white hills around it with the entire sky gleaming with stars (see picture). The only downside was the cold- temperature was sub-zero & to keep us warm, we were given some hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies which were super delicious. One misconception about the northern lights is that the KP index defines their intensity and visibility. It’s not quite the case. The KP index measures global geomagnetic activity, while the Bz parameter, specifically the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), influences the strength and occurrence of auroras and geomagnetic storms. We had a weak Bz that night and we hardly saw any activity. After a few hours, our guide felt that it was better to leave and reschedule the tour. The date of the next tour could be decided by the guest & I chose the alternate night for the same.

And voila! The wait was so worth it- we did see the lights and how! A dancing show for almost two hours, and that too very near Reykjavik. It started faint — a white shimmer, almost like a cloud. Then suddenly, green curtains unfurled across the sky, swirling and waving like they were alive. At one point, a hint of purple and pink joined in. The sky was putting on a show, just for us. Everyone went quiet. No one spoke. I think we all felt it — that smallness, that wonder. That rare moment where time stops. I teared up. Not from the cold, but from the sheer magic of it. And the cherry on the cake was again the delicious gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. Highly recommend Aurora Viking for their exceptional service and making this moment a core memory for me.

Iceland is a place that makes you feel small—in the best way. It invites you to slow down, breathe in the crisp air, and reconnect with nature. It’s wild, beautiful, and a reminder of how stunning our planet can be.

Check out the other Blog Posts on Iceland-

Golden Circle

Snæfellsnes Peninsula