Visiting Iceland
Travel is our passion – and that’s why we continue to do it. Through travel we connect people and places, and connections are more important now than ever.
We at Icelandair can't wait to welcome you back when you're ready. Before you book your ticket to Iceland, here's a snapshot of current travel restrictions and entry requirements.
Entry requirements: COVID-19 testing and quarantine
All passengers arriving in Iceland must choose a 14-day quarantine OR a double COVID-testing procedure along with quarantine for 5-6 days.
The first COVID test is at the border on arrival and the second by the primary healthcare service 5-6 days later. In between the 2 tests, arrivals must go into quarantine. More details are below.
Travel restrictions
From Europe: There are no entry restrictions for visitors holding passports (or valid residency) from EU/EFTA countries and the UK.
From USA and Canada: External Schengen borders are closed to USA and Canada, therefore we are currently unable to welcome US or Canadian passport-holders. Note that some exceptions apply for close family ties and for essential travel - read more at the official site: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
Here's what you need to know about visiting Iceland.
From Europe: There are no entry restrictions for visitors holding passports (or valid residency) from EU/EFTA countries and the UK.
From USA and Canada: External Schengen borders are closed to USA and Canada, therefore we are currently unable to welcome US or Canadian passport-holders. Note that some exceptions apply for close family ties and for essential travel - read more at the official site: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
From other countries: Restrictions have been lifted for residents of some non-EEA and Schengen countries. The list of countries can change with relatively short notice, so please check the official website for up-to-date information: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
The countries are:
- Australia
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Uruguay
All passengers arriving in Iceland must choose a 14-day quarantine OR a double COVID-testing procedure along with quarantine for 5-6 days. The first COVID test is at the border on arrival and the second by the primary healthcare service 5-6 days later. In between the 2 tests, arrivals must go into quarantine.
All travelers to Iceland are required to fill out a pre-registration form before their arrival in the country.
Detailed, up-to-date information on the entry requirements can be found at the official COVID-19 site published by the Icelandic authorities.
Testing cost
Between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, the testing of travelers at the border is free of charge. There is also no charge for the second test.
Testing exemptions
Note: there is not an option to bring a test result from your home country to be exempt from testing upon arrival in Iceland.
Children born 2005 or later are exempt from the screening and quarantine requirements.
Transit passengers who do not leave the terminal facilities are not required to undergo screening or quarantine.
People who have been certified by the Icelandic health authorities, following a PCR test, as having previously been infected with COVID-19 and have completed a period of isolation, or if they have been shown by antibody measurements to have recovered from COVID-19 are exempt from the screening and quarantine requirements.
Quarantine information
Detailed rules for quarantine are outlined in a document from the Icelandic Directorate of Health. See the question below for more information.
Icelandair information
If you're affected by this new requirement and wish to change your booking, please visit the Change booking section of our website. If you wish to cancel your booking and apply for travel credit, you can do so online.
See the question above for the requirements for arrivals to Iceland regarding COVID testing and quarantine.
The detailed rules for quarantine are outlined in a document from the Icelandic Directorate of Health.
A list of accommodations that welcome guests in quarantine is available from the website of the Icelandic Tourist Board.
Key points for travelers to Iceland:
- A person under quarantine should stay in their base of quarantine and have contact with as few people as possible.
- Quarantined individual must not leave their base of quarantine unless necessary, e.g. to seek necessary health care services, after consulting with a primary care clinic.
- Quarantined individuals must not themselves go out for supplies, i.e. to the pharmacy, the grocery store etc. This must be considered when choosing accommodations and the location where quarantine is based.
- Quarantined individuals can go for a walk but need to keep at least 2 metre distance from other pedestrians and must not visit national monuments, museums and other popular tourist destinations and popular public outdoor areas, including city and town centres.
- Quarantined individuals must not visit restaurants, bars, fitness centers, swimming pools, theaters, cinemas, shopping malls, or other places where people come together.
- Sight-seeing is not permitted and driving long distances (for example between towns) is not permitted except upon arrival, when it may be necessary to travel to a base of quarantine remote from the point of entry into Iceland. If quarantine duration is longer than the visit to Iceland, the same applies upon departure.
For information on official procedures if a test returns a positive result, see the covid.is website published by the Icelandic authorities.
At Icelandair, we want to provide extra peace of mind for passengers who might test positive for COVID-19 in Iceland.
We will rebook a passenger for their return home, free of charge, after they have served the mandatory self-isolation period. This applies if a positive result is returned for the COVID-19 test administered upon arrival at Keflavík airport, or the second test 4-6 days after arrival (where applicable).
Terms and conditions:
- Only passengers holding a round-trip ticket with Icelandair are eligible.
- The passenger must present Icelandair with a certificate of COVID-19 test results issued by the Icelandic health authorities.
- Other passengers in the same booking may also avail of the free rebooking upon request.
- In the case of group bookings with more than 9 passengers, only passengers who are diagnosed with COVID-19 and their immediate family members (children, parents, partner) may avail of the free rebooking policy and not other passengers.
Checklist: We've put together a ready to fly checklist for passengers.
Documents: The Icelandic government has published a helpful list of the documents you need to be allowed entry into Iceland.
Pre-register: If you're visiting Iceland, it is important to fill in a pre-registration form before you arrive. Here you need to enter your personal details, contact information and travel plans. Please note, that this form cannot be submitted earlier than 72 hours before your arrival in Iceland.
Download app: Visitors are strongly encouraged to download and use the free, official COVID-19 tracing app Rakning C-19. The app contains important information on COVID-19 and how to contact the healthcare service in Iceland.
Iceland travel restrictions
From Europe: There are no entry restrictions for visitors holding passports (or valid residency) from EU/EFTA countries and the UK.
From USA and Canada: External Schengen borders are closed to USA and Canada, therefore we are currently unable to welcome US or Canadian passport-holders. Note that some exceptions apply for close family ties and for essential travel - read more at the official site: Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19.
Flight schedule
Please see the schedule for details of our planned upcoming flights, including our increased schedule for the holiday season.
COVID aside, you might be thinking about travel down the track, and wondering when is the best time to visit Iceland. The answer is 'any time' - read more on our blog post When is the best time of year to visit Iceland?
Our number one priority is the health and safety of our customers and crew. Read about our safety measures – at the airport and on board – on our Safe travels - shared responsibility page.
We understand the need for reassurance, so we encourage you to read more about the current situation in Iceland. View the statistics for COVID-19 in Iceland in English at covid.is.
In an attempt to control the outbreak and minimize the strain on the healthcare system, Iceland has implemented various testing and tracing measures, together with social gathering bans and social distancing measures.
The Icelandic approach in spring was hailed as a success. Due to the low number of new COVID-19 infections between May and July, gathering restrictions were eased, and most businesses reopened.
However, an increase in new COVID cases has seen strict measures reintroduced.
From October 31, the following rules apply (details of the measures are outlined at 'Restrictions in effect' on covid.is):
- Gatherings are restricted to 10 people.
- A maximum of 50 people at a time are permitted inside pharmacies and food stores.
- Restriction numbers do not apply to public transport and domestic flights.
- Swimming pools and gyms are closed.
- Bars and nightclubs are closed. Restaurants may not remain open after 9pm.
- Face masks must be worn where it is not possible to ensure a 2-metre social distance.
covid.is - all information, developments, and advice about Iceland and COVID-19 can be found at the official website maintained by Iceland's Directorate of Health and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
Government.is - the Icelandic government posts news related to border restrictions and entry regulations.
Icelandair.com - up-to-date information on our flight schedule, safety measures, and more.
Keflavik airport - measures related to COVID-19 at Iceland's main airport.
Regarding travel restrictions to Iceland as a result of COVID-19 - official page of the Icelandic authorities.
An increase in new COVID cases has seen measures reintroduced and rules tightened.
From October 31, the following rules apply (details of the measures are outlined at 'Restrictions in effect' on covid.is):
- Gatherings are restricted to 10 people.
- A maximum of 50 people at a time are permitted inside pharmacies and food stores.
- Restriction numbers do not apply to public transport and domestic flights.
- Swimming pools and gyms are closed.
- Bars and nightclubs are closed. Restaurants may not remain open after 9pm.
- Face masks must be worn where it is not possible to ensure a 2-metre social distance.
Face masks are required on board Icelandair aircraft. In public spaces in Iceland, masks must be worn where the social distancing rules cannot be respected, such as on domestic flights and ferries and on public transport such as buses.
Read about the latest measures being introduced (or reintroduced) in the News section of the Government.is website, or on covid.is.
Please see the answer above for information on restrictions and closures, effective October 31.
Tourist websites outline what is open (restaurants, museums, attractions), and the kinds of information you need to know. Facebook pages for local businesses are also very useful.
The opening hours of restaurants and shops have been limited due to the reduction in the number of flights.
In the main shopping area, the Duty Free Store and Mathús (House of Food, self-service restaurant) are always open when flights are on schedule.
More information is available on the Keflavík airport website.
Bus transfers connecting Keflavík airport and Reykjavík are operating on a reduced schedule. See the website of Flybus for details.
Passengers arriving in Iceland who have to quarantine are allowed to use the Flybus.
As countries open up again, travel restrictions are fast-changing. We recommend that travelers look into the up-to-date rules that apply to their trip, such as the need to quarantine after returning home.
See our information on COVID-19 entry requirements for the destinations we fly to.