Country guide
Iceland
Visa
Visa required
Vaccinations
None required
Schengen area
Yes
Currency
Icelandic Krona (ISK). Currency can be difficult to get abroad, but ATM’s and exchange bureaus are available on arrival.
Time zones
No UTC / GMT offset (2 hours behind South Africa)
Dialing code
+ 354
Best time to go
High season is mid-June – August. The shoulder seasons Apr – May and Sept – Oct are also good times to visit, however some tours and adventure trips end after September and roads may be closed from October to mid-May.
Drinking water
Water in hotels and towns is safe to drink.
Travel tips
“If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes” – Iceland experiences sudden weather changes and travellers should be prepared.
Visa guide
Visa requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
Iceland is part of the Schengen Agreement.
Denmark represents Iceland in South Africa. Therefore, if you plan to travel to Iceland, you must apply for a visa in precisely the same way, you would apply for a Schengen visa to Denmark.
SA representative
Representation accredited from Oslo, Norway
Health / vaccinations
Compulsory: None
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio
Public holidays
2026: Jan 1; Apr 2-3, 5-6, 23; May 1, 14, 24-25; Jun 17; Aug 3; Dec 25-26